When you hear the name “Pit Bull”, you think of a slavering monster like Stephen King’s Cujo, don’t you? (And Cujo was actually a St. Bernard). Since this is the popular image of Pit Bulls, many animal shelters across America immediately put down any Pits that are abandoned to them. Also, there has been Pit Bull bans in many towns in America.
The international spotlight on the Michael Vick dog fighting case shows that even fighting Pit Bulls can be transformed. One, Leo, has even been successfully trained to be a therapy dog to visit hospitals and old people’s homes. If Pits Bulls can change, so can almost anyone.
Impact For Dogs
The initial impact for Pit Bulls or any dog considered a mean breed is that many animal shelters are now changing their policies to immediately put Pit Bulls down. They are now taking the time to evaluate the personality of each dog before deciding whether or not they can go up for adoption. Another impact has been that tougher dog fighting laws have been passed.
If there has been any good to come out of the Michael Vick case, it has been that the true nature of Pit Bulls are being shown. These are incredibly affectionate animals and far more loyal than most people. Even Helen Keller had a Pit Bull.
Impact for People
One of the reasons we get stressed out or worried is that we think we’re helpless to change our situations. We actually can change, provided we want to change, we have support for our change and that the change itself is a reward. Vick’s Pit Bulls changed because they had great training, access to love and health care and were given a supportive environment.
Perhaps we humans need a little more motivation in order to change our negative patterns of thinking or bad health habits but we can change.






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4 Comments
Write a Comment»Correct, if Pit Bulls can change, we as people can change too! Is a matter of how strong our will is, good post!
of course they can change.
I used to own one, and it was one of my favorite pets.
and no, I didn’t gave it away, or worse- he died of old age.
Pit Bulls get a bad rap. They are kind, gentle little clowns. They are great with children and make wonderful family pets. Fierceness and fighting is something that must be trained or beaten into them. The changing happens when they are taught to be mean and ruthless. I heard that a few of his dogs were evaluated and were beyond help. They would be a threat to any person or dog they came in contact with and had to be put down. Sad
Thanks, everyone, for taking the time to comment. It’s good to hear that not everyone hates Pit Bulls. Although I don’t have one, I do know a lot of friendly Pit Bulls and may be adopted by one some day. Also, I think animals have a lot of practical things to teach people.