We’re going to open our doors to Pit Ed class this Sunday, August 1st, and invite visitors who want to greet, question, stare, marvel, or just snuggle the remaining barn puppies who are still looking for homes.
The situation with last week’s dog fatality in Concord has been unusual because of the dog owner’s willingness to talk candidly on camera about the circumstances that led up to the deadly attack on his young grandson. If you’ve been avoiding the news, you’ll be encouraged to know that the media has been dutifully reporting that one or more of his dogs had been offering “warning signs” that were ignored. It’s a new day when this kind of information comes to light on the heels of such an emotionally charged story. Because some of the signs that are being listed have the potential to be misapplied to other dogs in perfectly healthy situations, we wanted to highlight them here before we move away from this sad topic.
This past Sunday, underneath more than three hundred headlines that outline a Concord tragedy and suggest pit bulls are dangerous, dozens of families owning pit bulls gathered for class, as they do every weekend. We tell stories about our dogs, laugh, hug each other’s pets. Most people shrug off the bad news, knowing that news fades with the seasons. All are anxious to get on with the day … A cruelty survivor from Oakland finds a new home today. He yodels across the parking lot for his absent foster mom, but his hopeful adopter soothes him by scritching his scrawny red teenage chest … A homeless dog arrives with his overwhelmed rescuer for an evaluation. Everyone tugs at his floppy ears and chuckles at his big luggy head. We make plans to give him a safety net … A single mom comes back for her third lesson. Her once-willful dog falls into line today. Her father videos them both, smiling … A shelter volunteer announces her progeny’s good luck: Mercedes scored and will be in class next week with her brand new adopter, ready to learn … A new foster home laments her project dog’s first week of relentless barking. We commiserate on the trials of fostering … One of the instructors winces at the pain in her back; a work injury that’s still raw. She pushes on through and rallies 12 handlers into formation. “Remember to use your dog’s name!” … An approved applicant announces that they broke their discriminatory lease and signed on with a new rental. “Screw you landlord. My dog is family.” They get ready to bring their new puppy home and we sort out the details … Off in East Oakland, five people gather to distribute fliers that advertise a free shots fair to low income homes. A random woman rants at a BR volunteer: “Didn’t you hear about that little boy? All pit bulls should be killed!” The volunteer shrugs it off and marches past house after foreclosed house, looking for pit bull owners that need resources and help. It’s not until she gets home to her dogs that those hateful words sink in. We type out our day on our message board, check emails, smile at news from pit bull friends around the country, pull our snoring dogs into bed and fall asleep, tired, but content. Life carries on – Yes it does.
“Having dogs is my fault. That is my burden I will carry for the rest of my life,” Hayashi said. “It’s my responsibility to make sure things like this (do) not happen.” Source San Jose Mercury News.
The media is reporting that a toddler was killed by three dogs in Concord, CA today. While a grieving family is obviously in the middle of shock, the reporters – who flock to tragedy especially when it involves a dog – are hot to push headlines out there faster than their evening competition. That leaves little to no time for gathering facts.
I am deep into a new book by my friend from Seattle, Steve Duno. Last Dog on the Hill is the story of his dog Lou, a Shepherd-Rottweiler mix that he used to bring to work with him when we were both…
With a houseful of ponies (okay, a back yard full), I thought Id update you on the horsie family here at Heavens Half Acre.
HoneyYesterday, I rode Honey on a ranger patrol around Lake Poway. She is…
One year ago today, these two dogs were removed from their chains by a variety of orgs including the Humane Society of Missouri, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa and the HSUS and shuffled to safe shelters in what’s been called the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history. What a difference a year makes.
My summer has gotten off to a pretty dramatic start. There are so many things that can happen to pets in the summer when we are outside with them.
Happy Holiday weekend to all the beautiful bulldogs and their people. Keep it safe, y’all!