Sassys WORD

Dancer is a gentle affectionate dog with a natural inclination towards healing wounded people. One day fourteen years ago I had finished filling my gas tank at the local gas station when a black pit bull with an angel shaped white spot on her chest followed me into pay; she then followed me to my SUV and sat staring at me. It was very clear that she had chosen me; simultaneously my heart chose her. I saw that she had some open wounds and had obviously been fought and then managed to escape her evil captors. She jumped into the back seat and has been my baby ever since that day at the gas station. When we got home to the yard a butterfly fluttering overhead got her attention; she began a kind of doggy pirouette and got her name.

Her buddy, Fox, (my age ten Shepherd/Collie mix) have spent many years playing in my fenced in back yard. When Fox is out without her she will come to tell me she misses him and it's time to call him in. When my friend moved in from California with her awesome Collie/ Berne se Mountain Dog mix, Teddy Bear, she quickly accepted him as part of the family. When everybody is lounging on the bed, that is her favorite time to snuggle and kiss. If you're hurting about something or had a hard day she knows and gives you extra love and attention. Eating is another favorite part of her day; she will come to wave her right paw at me to remind me when it's that time. She is the least picky eater dog that I have ever owned; she's just grateful for all food.

Since she's gotten older her face is very gray and she has developed tiny warts on her body. Although she tends to sleep more, is stone deaf and has cataracts, she will still jet across the yard to bark with Fox at a person and/or a dog walking by, anyone pulling into the driveway or when the neighbor's dog barks at his back yard fence. Yes, she is a protector, but under no circumstances is she vicious at all. Recently I tried to introduce her to two different new pit bulls as I was wanting to add to the pack. The young male visitor, Petey, (update: Petey was adopted!) was so anxious to sniff and play; he jumped all over us kissing as often as he could reach, but Dancer on her side of the fence would have none of it. She became agitated, stiff and began shaking; she has always been afraid that she would be forced to fight. She met the other young female at a park; although she did not attempt to attack, she refused to let "Judy" sniff her butt; that was the end of that. At her age I reluctantly decided to let her be queen of the roost for her remaining years. My favorite joke was how this 98-year-old lady with warts had her mind made up that no new dogs would be allowed in. She has earned her reigning status.

Bully dogs are not bullies unless people train them to be that way. In Lancaster county, PA there is a problem with mostly Amish people engaged in the puppy mill business. In Chester county members of gangs consider dog fighting a sport; Dancer was rescued in Chester, PA. Many pit bulls arrive at the local shelter with unconscionable deep gashes and bleeding wounds and infections. Animal right groups and other community advocates are getting closer to passing laws that would prohibit this cruel practice. Just this week there was an editorial in the Delaware County Daily Times by the CEO of the Humane Society urging voters to support this legislation and also to stop them from raising puppy mill dogs. For those unaware, puppy mill adult females are kept in small cages and made to breed as many times as their bodies can take; then they are inhumanely and thoughtlessly discarded. The puppies are kept in horrible conditions with just enough food and water to keep them alive and in dirty small cages until they can be sold. Opera recently ran a show about this that hopefully was a real consciousness raiser. All dog fighting (pit bulls are by far the top dog fought) and puppy mills must be stopped!

Today the ASPCA shelter in Media, PA and animal rescue shelters all over the US are overloaded with pit bulls. Everyone is aware that if they are not given a chance at adoption they will be put to sleep. Won't you please consider adopting one of this misunderstood and stigmatized breed?

I wrote this article for a writing channel called Helium. (www.helium.com) It is an excellent place to read, write and debate on all topics. Occasionally in their marketplace you can even get paid for an article if a magazine wants to publish it.

The subject of pit bulls is near and dear to my and especially to Dutch's heart. We would save them all if we could! I hope anyone who reads this will consider getting involved in animal rights activities and adoption of pets from the Humane Society reccomended shelters. It's ridiculous today to pay for a pet or insist on a pure bred when there are so many desperate to be adopted.

Have an awesome weekend coming up...Deb ;-)