Thou Shalt NEVER Trust Thy Pit Bull Not To Fight

A couple of weeks ago something tragic happened at our house, Krush & Sasha got into a fight.  Rule number one in the Ten Commandments of Pit Bull ownership “Thou shalt NEVER trust thy Pit Bull not to fight” after all that’s what they were bred to do (not happy about it) but hey truth hurts.  Sasha & Krush have had their sibling growl and Sasha letting Krush know she was here first and she’s the dominant one although Krush is bigger than Sasha. Correction in the dog world is expected and accepted by the dogs and humans.  This however, was different...this was again human error.  Muchd ebate went on in the household as to whether or not we should blog about this incident.  The decision was made that we would.  We don’t want to be hypocrites...if we report others we will report ourselves.  We were getting ready to train Sasha & Krush when a member of our family thought it would be “funny” to put the treat bag around Krushs’ neck (Krush was neglected as a pup and has food aggression, which we had a handle on) the bag was full of treats and of course Krush was trying to get to the treats, Sasha went for the treats and a full fledged fight ensued. It was horrible, we were scared, everyone was scrambling, none of the techniques we saw Cesar do worked, all of the research on how to separate them didn’t work.  Sasha &Krush fought from side of the room to the other, in the hallway and down the stairs.  Finally, they were separated however, tensions were high on both sides.  We were pissed at the family member and Sasha was ready for another round.  Krush didn’t want any parts of Sasha.  We were thankful their injuries weren’t as bad as they could’ve been.

This is what we advocate about ignorance! How could the very thing we advocate for happened in our home? How will anyone listen to us, join forces with us, believe in us? The questions kept running through our heads.  It was a couple of sleepless nights and tensions ran high for a couple of days again on both sides.  Finally we agreed it had to stop and walking with both Sasha & Krush resumes which seemed to make amends, however, we were still on high alert.  It has been a couple of weeks since the incident, the physical scars both Sasha & Krush had have healed. They’re playing and enjoying themselves as if nothing happened.  On the other hand the incident is fresh in our minds and as Cesar stated dogs live in the moment but it’s the humans that keep the incident fresh in our minds.
We learned something about ourselves and the situation.... it’s important to live in the moment and never forget to educate those closest to you as well as the public.

Changing Minds & Careers

We’d never thought we would find ourselves in the middle of the ring in the biggest fight of our lives!  We’re at a crossroads...What are we thinking? Surely you know we have a family, bills and a life? The reaction has been: you’ve gone too far and I’m not sure if I can stand by you on this. This was a conversation had when I decided to change minds which includes changing careers.  After careful thought and many, many, many, many, many and many more conversations it was decided we would make the necessary changes to change the mindset, perception of pit bulls and change careers to do so. For better or for worst we’re in this together (ok sometimes one is in  than the other) however, we’re together and we’re going to change the pittie world for the best!
We’re in training like Floyd Mayweather! Our sparring partner are the lawmakers, abusers and anyone who stands in our way.  Back toschool it is for us as well as Sasha & Krush (they’re such good troopers). Our vision is armed with the proper information and right techniques those that find wonderful furever homes will stay in them! Besides training we’ll offer other resources for those that are unable to keep their furvever family member due to financial hardships.  We’re building a community while strengthening the bond between canine and human kind while/perceptions & careers!

Who saved who?

Who saved who? Many in the world of rescue ask this question.  Those on the outside looking in don’t seem to understand this phrase or question let’s see if we can make it clear.  Often times our companions, pets, furever family members come into our lives when we least expect them.  Meaning we’re looking for something but don’t know what it is. Trying to fill a void but not knowing what’s missing. 
Circumstance(s) have brought us together yet we don’t know why.  We’re thinking it’s a picture, the sad story that goes along with the picture, being on our own fort he first time, needing a companion, needing a new love because the old is gone. Whatever the reasoning there’s a connection between us and I need to save you from your horrific current situation.  Once in my possession feelings that weren’t there before are now here and have me feeling some kind of way. A way that I never felt before! All I seem to do is speak about you and all of the wonderful things you do, even the not so wonderful things you do. Everywhere I go, you’re there or I’m thinking about you and how lonely you must feel without me being there.  You’re my new BESTFRIEND! I tellyou everything and when I’m not feeling so hot you put your paw on me, nuzzle/snuggle up and give me kisses only you can and all is well in my world again.  You make the cloudiest day sunny!

The shopping cart is now filled with only the best food for you, treats, treats and more treats for you.  And while we’re on the topic of shopping; can’t go past the clothing aisle without picking up a cute sweater or t-shirt that fits your personality to a “T.” I’m thinking I’m doing you a favor by taking you out for a walk to do your business but little do I know I’m getting stronger, lungs are opening up and filled with good air, my heart is stronger and my over allhealth is great (doctors love you for what you’re doing for me).  Your silly antics keep me laughing which add years to my life.  Your visits at the vets office provides you with a clean bill of health as well so we’re going to be together for a long time!.  Being the first face I see when I get home from work or running errands brightens the day, snuggling with you calms my fears and walking with you gives me courage to talk to folks that I would otherwise not speak to.  Having you in my life has made me a better person, a better mother, a better father, a better friend, a better companion, a more responsible child.  The list goes on and on and the question comes up again who really saved who? I would have to say YOU saved me!

Finding Purpose in our Passion

Passion is defined as any emotions as hate, grief, love, fear, joy, extreme, compelling emotions intense emotional drive or excitement.  We’ve all experienced “passion” at one point in our lives (hopefully on the high side). Passion causes movement; it makes us get involved in whatever it is we’re passionate about.  Some are passionate about cars, video games, sports, clothing, shopping, animals etc.  It’s evident what we’re passionate about here at The Pretty Chic with the Pits LLC.

 At one point we were scared to share our passion because its “unusual” in our culture or circle of friends to love our pets as we do.  Everyone rejoiced with us when we adopted Sasha, it was almost expected  for us to get a dog considering we’re homeowners. The excitement intensified with each conversation.   It was all about Sasha, no more about the kids it was all about Sasha and what Sasha did or what we and Sasha did. Now we know how the young girl from the Brady Bunch felt when she said the infamous saying “Marsha, Marsha, Marsha it’s all about Marsha.”  Sasha was the highlight of our lives and we wanted everyone to know about her.  Sasha bought so much love into our lives that we decided to adopt Krush.  The questions began: Why did ya’ll get another dog? Are ya’ll becoming hoarders? With the questions we began to feel a certain way towards those we thought supported us.

Still feeling more needed to be done we signed up to become fosters.  That was it..it was the end of the world!  “Ya’ll are doing too much; We’re going to call Animal Planet hoarders etc. is what we heard and faced from our circle of family and friends.   To us it was apparent we were passionate and love the feeling of saving these dogs and putting them in loving homes.  Again the feeling of not being accepted was a bit much for us so we became secluded and introverts which isn’t us at all..we are very much extroverts.

 Everyone who would listen we talked about pit bulls and the love we and others have for them.  Many have contacted us after we posted facts about pit bulls saying they didn’t know this or that and wow these dogs sound awesome.  Then the next question comes...Why do they have such as bad rap? We explain and continue to educate & advocate for them.  Some have jumped on the wagon others are ok with the information and keep it moving.

Finally finding our purpose was like being reborn again! We couldn’t stop thanking God for finally showing up and showing out in our lives and the lives of this wonderful, loving bully breed! Once we decided to not allow anyone to steal our joy we moved forward with our passion and to our surprise found was many who shunned or talked about us began showing their support.  We have a vision, a dream, a goal & a PASSION and we’re running with our heads held high!

Stay tuned in there is  much, much, much more to come in the very near future!

Enough is ENOUGH!

With so much going on in the world these days it’s apparent something in the atmosphere is amiss.  War is all around us; people are mistreating and abusing people, parents killing their kids and people are being bullied to give up their beloved pet because they can.  In light of the news of Nick Santino who committed suicide a couple of weeks ago after he made a decision (no pet parent should have to make unless their pet is terminally ill) to put his beloved, healthy, happy go lucky pet to sleep.  Nick was forced into making this horrific decision due to the pressure and bullying of the apartment management company.  They sent harassing letters to Nick Santino siting his dog was a menace, barking all hours of the night, siting other tenants in the building were complaining.  Anyone that’s familiar with pit bulls know they are not barkers (they bark when barking is necessary).  Rocco was not aggressive towards anyone, everyoneappeared to  like Rocco and Mr. Santio yet a decision was made because of prejudice.  After Nick made the decision to euthanizes Rocco, he came back to the same building that betrayed him and Rocco, knocked on the doors of neighbors giving away Roccos’ belongings.  The same folk that did not come to the aide of either Santino or Rocco were being blessed by both.  Many spoke out after the tragedies of both however, like the real world they spoke after the fact.

In the rescue world many believe our pets rescued us instead of us rescuing them.  Nick believed the in this ideology as well.  When is enough...ENOUGH?  How many other Nick Santios have to endure the discrimination because of the breed of dog they chose?  Who is going to be a voice for Nick, Rocco and many others that have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge before their time?  Many cried, blogged about it, shared the story on facebook and twitter, what we want to know is how many are going to do something about it in their community, their home, apartment complex? What will you do should you be faced with this dilemma?  Will you fold or be voice of change?

Speak up...be that voice of change!

McDonald's

What can we say about those golden arches? As a kid we loved to see McDonald’s!!  We might not have been able to spell out names however, we knew what those golden arches said and don’t you dare attempt to distract us or act as if you did not see those golden arches!  If you’re a parent as many of us are you know what we’re talking about because we’ve been there and done that?  McDonald’s have come under fire for a while from the T.V. host who almost died from eating McDonald’s for every meal for 30 days (he didn’t make it to 30 days) to the pink slime and the latest blemish on the golden arches was an advertisement that aired in Kansas, MO where McDonald’s attempted to regain the publics trust by comparing the safety of their chicken nuggets to petting a stray pit bull, shaving your head bald  or naming your son Susan. Please tell us what’s wrong with these statements? First it was apparent no one in the marketing department was serious, professional or thought about the consequences of their “thoughts” which became their advertisement.  We are all familiar with the shame game.  Let’s shame someone or something else to take the heat off of ourselves.  This time it didn’t work for McDonald’s; actually it back to bite them in the worst way.  As if people needed a reason to stop eating at McDonald’s or any other fast food restaurant. McDonald’s was overwhelmed by the backlash they received from the pitbull community.  We are no longer going to sit on the side lines while our beloved breed of choice is bashed.  We were one of many that contacted McDonald’s on their feedback line to inform them of how cowardly, tasteless,misinformed,misguided the advertisement was.  A good tongue lashing is what they received from us and we were nice about it.  After speaking with the customer service representative who offered no solutions, other than “we’re sorry, we didn’t mean to offend anyone” how in the world did McDonald’s not think anyone was going to be offended? You spoke about someone shaving their head not thinking that someone may shave their headd due toa medical issue?  How did they not think someone may not be offended when their patrons or employees may have pit bulls as a pet? These are some of the questions we posed to the customer service  representive who was stomped and reintegrated “McDonald’s was apologetic & they didn’t mean to offend anyone.”  As if the conversation couldn’t get worse...it did the representative informed us she was a pit bull owner.  Again I ask the question really? and how do you feel about the advertisement? Silence...exactly

As if these dogs don’t have it bad already, a very public figure attacks them to build their own self esteem...really if this isn’t corporate bullying we don’t know what is.  We refuse to allow anyone to bully us, say negative and false statements regarding our dog or breed of choice.  This type of thinking is what perpetuates the negative stereotypes.  The Pretty Chic with the Pits and many other pit bull organizations fight against  these stereotypes daily.  If a highly visible organization such as McDonald’s think they can say these negative things and get away with it then law makers feel they don’t have to repeal or stop discrimination against these dogs or others.  McDonald’s posted  an half ass apology on their twitter however, this isn’t good enough for us.  This isn't over...it's only the beginning!

Bridging the Gap

Fostering is filled with many emotions.  It’s almost like being in a relationship,there are highs and  lows.  A dog comes into the care of an organization usually in bad shape (not always), needing shelter, food, love, medical care or all of the above. Foster families are the bridge between that animal receiving love, shelter, food and obedience until a furever family finds their companion, partner, life saver or all theabove.  Most of the dogs that come in our care are abused, bruised and scared; then they come across that bridge, their savior, the person that shows them love, that reassures them and gives thems helter, food, and medical attention needed for them to cross the bridge of happiness, love, tenderness, confidence, training and obedience. 
Bridging the gap isn’t always peaches and cream nor is it the pits (no pun intended).  There are many cases that make you cry and some that make you smile and there are those cases which require a tough decision to be made as to whether a dog lives or dies.  Bridging the gap means sometimes being there for that dog prior to her/him crossing over the Rainbow Bridge.  No matter the reasoning behind us bridging the gap it’s pleasureable and painful standing in the gap for these wonderful creatures. 

Get involved and you’ll understand what we mean when we say it’s pleasureable and sometimes painful!