Can Authors PLEASE Stop Perpetuating Pit Bull Stereotypes?!

Two of my greatest loves are dogs (duh!) and books.  If I have time, I tear through books like crazy, and every shelf in our house is positively sagging with heavy novels and memoirs.  Choosing between dogs and books would be like Sophie's Choice for me - I'm not sure I could live without either of them.  So when one of my loves (books) insults my other love (dogs), I am almost personally offended.

I can't even keep track of how many times I have run across a pit bull metaphor in a book.  Often it will be in a crime or mystery novel, where a particularly tough cop is referred to as a "pit bull".  Other times, a character will hold on to an object with the "ferocity of a pit bull".  Most recently, it was a memoir all about voluntourism - the book is otherwise fantastic, yet the author mentioned his wife clenching down on ideas "like a pit bull and never let[ting] them go."  Come on!  Lately, it makes me want to throw the book across the room!

That big pittie smile - so "ferocious", right?! 

How are intelligent, street-smart adults still perpetuating these antiquated ideas?!  Pit bulls are not the vicious creatures the media makes them out to be, and if these authors did any sort of research at all- which I'm sure they don't skimp on for other parts of the book - they would know this!  Writers, take note:  This breed is incredibly misunderstood.  Their jaws do not, in fact, lock or clench onto things any more than other breeds' do, and they are not an inherently aggressive breed.

It baffles me that educated people still seem to believe these myths.  All of these authors - whether knowingly or not - are only further perpetuating the stereotypes that the media seems to so enjoy.  With one simple sentence, they could be setting us back years in our fight against Breed-Specific Legislation and breed ignorance.  With just one stupid metaphor or simile, their readers are encouraged to believe that bully breeds are tough and mean, with jaws like vice grips.  This is wrong!!

One of the sweetest girls I've ever known <3

If I was to use a pittie-related comparison in a piece of writing, it would be to say, "The young boy bounced around joyfully like a goofy pit bull with a ball."  Or maybe, "Her friend was nearly as loyal, playful, and loving as the pit bull she had had as a child."  Because every single bully breed I have ever come across has been just that:  Big, goofy sweethearts with smiles almost as big as their hearts who give the sloppiest kisses you'll ever receive.  I have met pitties from all sorts of backgrounds - from both abusive and happy homes - and while I have met aggressive dogs of many breeds, I have yet to meet a vicious pit bull.  Wake up, authors, and please stop insulting one of my favorite breeds... my husband is getting tired of me throwing books at the wall!

The face of a "dangerous" breed?  Ha!  I think not.

Judy: A Dog in a Million

(photo from Goodreads)

Judy sounds like she was quite a remarkable dog:  A liver-and-white English pointer born in a Shanghai kennel, she became a canine hero in the midst of World War II.  This intelligent and brave dog was adored by all the Allied servicemen she came across, and in return, she saved their lives several times over.

Taken under the wing of the Royal Navy, Judy lived much of her life on a gunboat called the Gnat.  While the Navy patrolled the waters, the brave and intelligent dog kept her eye out for the Japanese, both airborne and in the river.  When there seemed to be danger, she would bark, pace, and whine, alerting her shipmates to trouble.  When the boat capsized, it seemed like Judy would be done for - but this girl had the 9 lives of a cat!

Eventually, Judy found herself a canine Prisoner of War, nearly starving in a Japanese prison camp.  Though the conditions in which they lived were absolutely horrifying, Judy represented hope - something to look forward to - to the men in the camp, and she was taken care of by most everyone there.  By simply being her wonderful self, this dog probably gave many men something to live for.

Judy on the deck of the gunboat - such a good girl!  (photo from Wiki)

Though I loved the heroine of this true story - Judy - and all of the servicemen who cared for her, it was not exactly a fun book to read.  The events were shocking and depressing, and many chapters ended by saying something like, "But this was only the beginning of the horror for Judy and her comrades..."  It wasn't by any means uplifting.  I also noticed that Judy kind of faded into the background - it didn't seem to be the dog's story, but rather the brave men on the boat and in the prison camp.  And that's just fine, but I fell rather in love with Judy, and I wanted to hear more about her.

Overall, I would recommend this book to dog lovers and history buffs alike!  Though it was not necessarily a happy story, it was an inspiring read nonetheless.

This book was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I received no other compensation.  All opinions are my own.

Every Breath You Take, Every Move You Make...

...He'll be watching you!

A recent photo from my Instagram - Riley is the ultimate StalkerDog!

Tuesday's Tails: Bluebell & Fleetwood

I stopped at the Humane Society of North Iowa last week for a short visit, and totally fell in love with two cats by the name of Bluebell and Fleetwood.  (Don't those names make them sound like cool 70's flower children or something?!)  Read on to learn more about these purr-machines!

Trust me when I say that this photo doesn't do Bluebell justice - she is a gorgeous, petite gal with the most beautiful blue-grey coat!  She is full of snuggles and her motor was running the entire time I held her.  Bluebell is just under a year old, so she's the perfect mix of kitten and adult.  She is also a polydactyl, so her paws look like little mittens - so stinkin' cute!!

Fleetwood is one big handsome fellow!  He has a gorgeous face and a huge, fluffy tail.  He is such a love, and I can't believe he was picked up as a stray...nor can I believe he has been at the shelter since July!  About 4 years old, Fleetwood is super laid back and mellow - the absolute perfect lap-cat.  I can't get enough of cats with these kind of big, blocky heads, and with a personality to match those looks?!  Let's just say, I almost had Jared convinced that he had gotten over his cat allergy ;)

If you're interested in either of these kitties, please contact the HSNI and share their photos in the meantime!  (Photos courtesy of HSNI)

Cyber Sunday: Best of January

Buzzfeed posted an adorable round-up of photos featuring the stars of Puppy Bowl!  Each pic gives a reason why you should adopt a pet.  I can't wait to watch these cuties in action...because let's face it, that's the only part of Superbowl Sunday I really take part in :)  

Also on Buzzfeed, a great and extensive list of 89 movies to watch with your kids - now, granted, my husband and I don't have children...but we love movies!  We've definitely added some more flicks to our Netflix queue after glancing at this.  (This isn't necessarily pet-related, but many of the movies do involve animals!)

 

Raising the Ruf, a photography blog featuring a Pharaoh Hound, has a hilarious series called Adventures While Sleeping.  The photographer creates scenes around her sleeping pup, and the results are pretty darn amazing!  This one was my favorite; it's called "Hold Your Horses". :D

BlogPaws never fails to inspire, and this list of blogging prompts is no exception.  But the article that I was most impressed with was called "We Live for Adoption and Rescue,"and it refers to the controversial Superbowl commercial everyone's talking about.  We should be proud of ourselves for speaking up for animals everywhere - look at what we, as animal lovers, can accomplish!

Head on over to Lola the Pitty to grab this free desktop wallpaper and Facebook cover photo!  Truer words have never been spoken :)

Beth at Daily Dog Tag recently posted a fun gift guide for Valentine's Day pet lovers.  I'm pretty sure I NEED that Jax & Bones heart rope toy for Riley!

 

Holy cow, you guys.  I knew PrideBites custom products were amazing, but I had no idea they'd be this amazing!  Does that look just like the photo, or what?!  I was so excited to finally get this in the mail; it was like Christmas all over again!  I don't think I'll let Riley play with this one too much, though - I know all too well his toy-destroying tendencies...we'll put it up on a shelf somewhere :) 

Do you have a PrideBites custom toy yet??  Any fun Superbowl plans?

Gidget: (Mostly) Wordless Wednesday

Every year for Christmas, my family designs a calendar for my sister featuring her Shih-Poo, Gidget.  It's always a blast figuring out different poses and accessories for each month.  This was for the month of November...Gidget's face was just so precious in this photo, I blew it up and put it on a canvas for my sister.  I'm a sucker for an adorable doggie underbite :)

5 Things to Know About Exercising Your Arthritic Dog

Riley is 8 years old, and it's clear that his tolerance for long walks isn't what it used to be.  Though a diagnosis for arthritis has not yet been given, the way his back legs stiffen and bother him after more than a few blocks definitely concerns me.  He is clearly feeling some discomfort in his joints...yet he still needs to get a good amount of daily exercise.

Since I've dealt with several arthritic dogs in rescue, I have often asked myself the question:  How can I exercise a dog suffering from pain related to arthritis?

Senior dogs still need daily exercise!  (from here)

1.  Make sure all exercise is done on a soft surface.  Hard pavement and concrete can be rough on an older pup's joints.  If possible, walks and playtime should be done on grass or another soft surface.

2.  Try swimming...  While swimming is great exercise for all dogs, it's especially good for seniors.  It is relatively low-impact and keeps their joints and muscles moving without being painful.  Swimming can also be very relaxing and therapeutic for your dog!

3.  ...Or low-intensity games.  Keep up the short walks if that's what your dog is used to, by all means, but if your older pet isn't up for a walk, consider playing some fun indoor games.  Try hide and seek, fetch, or "find it" using treats or pieces of kibble.

4.  Consider weight management.  Even a few extra pounds can be extremely painful on your dog's inflamed joints.  Exercising your senior dog and keeping him at a normal weight is a necessity, as any extra weight puts more pressure on those joints.

5.  Give him a doggie massage!  Pet massages are becoming more and more popular, and they are especially beneficial to those with arthritis.  Not only does massage help your dog feel loved and pampered, it can also help with discomfort, poor circulation, and flexibility.

One of the most inspiring dog/human bonds ever!

Source:  Vet Street