Where you at?

On Sunday, August 26th we held our second event titled “Sips with Sweet Pits” benefiting Ambassador Pit Bull Rescue.  Though the weather didn’t cooperate overall the event was successful.  There were several pit bulls attending the event with their guardians as well as other breeds of dog.  All of the dogs got along, where playing and greeting each other nicely.  The guardians of these dogs were surprised to see the many adoptable pit bulls or rescue dogs behaving themselves.  The musician acknowledged this fact by stating “how he was excited to see so many pit bulls on the premises and look no one is being attacked.”  One might look at his statement as being condescending however, he was telling the truth.  Upon entering the winery with the adoptable dogs some patrons looked appalled the winery would allow “that” breed into their establishment.  After getting all people and dogs settled the event and the day went well.

Our sister who was afraid of pit bulls due to the misinformation she received from the media was one of those that came out and supported us.  Although we’ve had Sasha and Krush for over a year it was not until April 28th, at our inaugural event, “Pits & Pumps” Dog Fashion show that our sister mustered up the nerve and walked Krush confidently, boldly and quite stylish may we add down the dog walk.  As she walked down the dog walk her wall started to come down and she started thinking that this bully breed might not be as bad as previously thought.  However, her motto was, “we’ve changed her perception but, not her mind.”  We were ok with that because once a person’s perception is changed you can change their mind.  Krush and Sasha were doing just that for our sister as they have done with other members in our family and the community.  To solidify the change in perception in her mind was when Krush saved our family from a possible intruder. Upon hearing the story her wall came tumbling down like the Berlin wall.  Krush and Sasha had WON, another pit bull had changed the perception and mind of a productive member of society.  Our sister attended “Sips with Sweet Pits” on Sunday to find her “Brutus” and of course support us.  There were several pit bulls to choose from however, one caught her attention, grabbed her heart and would not let go. His name is Moosh aka Brutus to our sister.  Moosh was all she could talk about, the entire family was excited about Moosh however, there was a dark cloud that loomed over the situation…the pink elephant no one wanted to talk about but, needed to be spoken on….our sister lives in a county that bans pit bulls.  The ban has been instituted since February 1997.

Our family knows how much we love pit bulls and how we have been on the forefront of abrogating this ban from Prince George’s County, Maryland.  Now the fight has become personal.  After our sister posted on facebook that she would be getting Moosh aka Brutus, posting pictures and providing a play by play of her filling out the application; the pink elephant in the room moved.  She received an e-mail from the rescue stating because she lives in a county that has BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) she would not be allowed to adopt Moosh aka “Brutus”. She was deflated and off to social media she went to vent about the situation.  Everyone showed their support for her in this dark hour as they did when the sun shined.  Many, apologized and others googled and provided facts we already knew.  A huge debate ensued which we indulged separating fact from fiction.  Our sister knows we have been fighting for this ban to be abrogated however, it went in one ear and out of the other, now that it affects her decision and the type of dog she wants it’s time to sound the alarm.  Where was this same passion when we sent invitations to the public to come together to form a formidable plan to take to the council members to review and repeal the ban.  Many members in the community have suffered in silence for so long, many animals are dying daily, many neighboring counties, cities and states are suffering due to this ban, yet many that showed support for our sister will do nothing to change the law that inevitably will affect them some day.  To all those that sit on social media to vent instead of writing your council member, senate, delegates, sheriffs, police, animal control etc. WHERE YOU AT? Stand up and make your vote and voice heard.

Star Pupil & Ambassador for his breed

When adopting an American Pit Bull Terrier from any rescue organization they’ll be the first to say and put in print “make sure your dog is an “Ambassador” for the breed.  When we adopted Sasha we had no clue what that meant, all we knew was we had a dog and not just any dog but a Pit Bull! Many family and friends weren’t happy with our choice of breed however, it’s our life and Sasha was going to be an “Ambassador” for her breed (whatever that meant).  As family and friends met Sasha their defenses surely came down.  Then the light came on and we finally understood what the rescue had meant.  Sasha stunned us and all she encountered with her smile and loving demeanor.  What a joy it was when our neighbors would stop us as we walked Sasha some even allowing her to come in their yard to play with their children! Not only was Sasha a local celebrity but, an “Ambassador” for her breed.  Many of our neighbors never encountered or interacted with a pit bull and only knew what they heard and seen through the media.  Here this white, stocky, female dog who smiled while her backside wagged so hard she could barely stand in one place was changing the mindset and perception of this bully breed.

Then came a 5-month old hyper, mischievous, reddish brown and white male pit bull mix. Clearly our family, friends and neighbors figured we had lost our minds.  The community was accepting of one pit bull however; were we pushing it by adding another pit bull let alone a male?  Having a clear understanding of what an “Ambassador” for the breed meant, we let Krush’s mannerisms speak for themselves.  Krush was no Sasha by any stretch of the imagination, he was younger, hyper, had little to no regard for personal space, a nipper and he was jealous. How in the world could this pit bull be an “Ambassador”? He appeared to be the menace that the media screams about.   We enrolled Krush in puppy training when he was 6 months and who knew....there was an “Ambassador” in him.  Krush was the calmest, most respectful, confident, obedient, food driven PIT BULL in the class! As the training went on, Krush continued to improve and be the star pupil of the class.  The majority of the dogs in the class were German Shepherds and they were whiny, lacked confidence, and darn right annoying (before folks get their panties in a bunch we love German Shepherds, had one growing up best darn dog ever, Love you Tobi).  When they would whine, Krush would look at us as if to say what’s wrong with them. Krush became the instructor’s favorite (we’re taught to try not to favor a dog or breed) dog to use for demonstrations.  You can only imagine the smile on our faces.  What solidified Krush as a true “Ambassador” was at the end of the class when many of the other owners came up to us to say how impressed they were with Krush and his behavior and how they wish their dog was as obedient as he was.  Many of them never interacted with a pit bull nor had any desire to because of what they “heard” from the media.  Krush smashed their negative perception and changed their minds about pit bulls.  What impressed everyone even more was when they met him, Krush must’ve known they wanted to touch his handsome self because he would stick his head out of the window to allow them to pet him.  That day we cried and our jaws hurt from smiling so much. In the parking lot Krush was a true “Ambassador” and celebrity like his big sister.  Clients from the other classes would stay around for a chance to met the “magnificent” pit bull named Krush!   Krush showed why he’s a true “Ambassador” in every sense of the word.

We’re in the final stages of our training certification. During this phase we have to bring a dog that we’ve worked with (our own or another) to see if we’ve been practicing our techniques as well as get assistance on the nagging things that keep our pups from being all they can be.  Again Krush is called upon and he doesn’t miss a beat.  As usual he’s the only pit bull and the looks on the faces of the clients are priceless.  Krush walked in like any other dog and began to  sniff around.  Most of the dogs were off leash which helps them socialize.  Krush didn’t have an opportunity to roam free but he was respectful and enjoyed smelling all of the new butts he was meeting. Class started shortly after we got there and Krush shined as bright as the northern star.  The energy in the room was high however, Krush remained calm. There were a few instances where he whimpered because he wanted to play however, after receiving guidance from us, all was well.  Krush knew all of the cues including hand signals so he laid down watching the other dogs and their handlers learn.  Again the instructor/mentor was impressed with Krush so she had to acknowledge him, which was another proud moment for us.  Finally we know and have a true understanding what rescue organizations mean when they say “be an Ambassador for the breed” we have two “Ambassadors” for this bully breed....Thanks Sasha & Krush!

Iowa's Sentator Steve King

Moving forward with our goal of helping the bully breed thrive, we have seen changes in minds and perceptions within our circle of family and friends.  Now it’s time to change the world!  It is disheartening when you have folks in power who are out of touch with reality.  Recently, Iowa’s Senator Steve King is proposing an amendment titled “King amendment” (how egotistical) which will prevent states from developing anti-cruel standards regardless of whether or not local voters were in support of such measures. "It’s wrong to rate animals above human beings."  There are many things wrong with Senators King’s statement but we’re going to focus on one aspect of it.  No one is putting animals on a higher plane than humans because humans have the ability to remov themselves from dangerous situations. Humans have a voice and a choice, animals do NOT.  Animals do not have voices that speak to someone (some may disagree, that’s another blog).  Animals do not have a choice in which conditions they arrive or live in. Animals were put on earth to help cultivate the land, help ease loneliness by being a companion, helping children to read, and help humans to know and understand what unconditional love truly means.  Animals help in many ways yet we have individuals such as Senator King, Maryland Court of Appeals, The founder of dogbite.org and many others attempting to silence these animals.... NOT on ourwatch!

We will continue to move forward and be a voice for this bully breed and animals in general.  It has been well documented those that kill, maim, mutilate animals tend to be a danger to society.  It’s safe to say Senator King is a menace and a danger to society with his ideology.

Let Senator King know how you feel about his ideology and proposed amendment:

1131 Longworth Office Building
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