posted 02-11-2004 06:33 AM         

Good Morning Chickee!

I have to tell you that ever since you came to this board and I have been reading your posts, I am impressed on how much knowledge you have for the breed. But you are a bad influence on me and I shall tell you why!!

As you probably already know by reading my posts, I am involved in animal rescue. I specialize in "Pit Bull" rescue because I love the breed and they are the hardest to place, they also need the most help.

I own three all from rescue. Two are pitbull mixes and one is an American Staffordshire Terrier.

One of my pit/mixes was dumped at a local park and left for dead.

My dogs are my pride and joy. I spend countless hours and money on obedience training and I also do "Pet Therapy" with my two pit mixes. I love my dogs with all of my heart!!!

I had a wonderful American Staffordshire Terrier that I purchased from a "back yard breeder" many years ago. This was before I became involved in animal rescue and knew any better.
Unfortunately, Jasmine passed away at the tender age of 3 due to kidney failure. My family took her death extremely hard.

After her death I became involved in rescue. I decided although I could not help her, there were many other animals in desperate need of help that I could try and save.

Even though I would never take away from any shelter dog that needed me, I still always secretly wanted another "pit bull" puppy from a "REPUTABLE BREEDER." NO BACK YARD BREEDERS EVER EVER AGAIN!!! I LEARNED MY LESSON!!!

I would love to own another puppy that I could socialize from the start, walk on a leash properly from the start, and start them on basic obedience program as well as agility work (my kind of exercise) from the beginning. You get the picture, NO BAGGAGE from irresponsible owners from the get go!!

Ever since you came to the board (I am new here myself) I can't stop going to your website and thinking of how nice it would be to own one of your dogs!!! They are gorgeous.

You are making me feel very guilty LOL.

As I said, I would never take away from any shelter dogs but Gosh, your dogs are beautiful. I can also tell by reading your posts as well as your web site that you breed for temperament and sound mind and body. My dream dog!!!
My American Staffordshire Terrier has a perfect temperament. He adores people adults and children alike. He is super sweet and sleeps with my cat. I always had wished I had obtained him as a puppy so I could have been with from the start. He has gone thru 3 sessions of basic obedience. He is still almost impossible to walk on a leash!!! Three trainers later, I still can't take him on paths without being dragged 50 feet at a time. I have tried the gentle leader, prong collar, harness, leather collar. etc....retractable leash etc.
I had a harness custom made just for him and I still get pulled. I don't want him in a complete heel but it would be nice to not get dragged and land on my head or stomach every time we go for a walk LOL LOL
He also gets very upset when he sees another dog the tail and hackles go up and he starts to growl. although, he lives with other dogs male and female and has no dog aggression whatsoever. I was told its "fight or Flight" instinct that makes him act this way in public? Do you have any advice??? I would appreciate it. Now, if I would have owned him as a young puppy, he probably could have been a show dog. He is such a wonderful little man!!!
Just some baggage from the past and because of this baggage, I can't do pet therapy with him. I would be afraid he would knock down the elderly people in the nursing homes. This is sad because he would be wonderful due to his extreme gentleness and noble manners.

I just had to tell you I am impressed.
I do however feel guilty because you keep making my urges stronger for owning one of your pups!!!

Sincerely,

Susan

posted 02-11-2004 04:39 PM         

I do understand what you are saying about feeling guilty, as I have heard it numerous times from people who rescue. You are not the only one with a 'secret'. Sounds like you have a great little family going on there! More power to ya. You never know, one day in the near future or in the far future, you may be in the position to get yourself a good dog for showing, weight pulling and whatever. I wouldn't feel guilty about it though. You are doing a noble thing, that you should be proud of. Your also a 'good egg'.... I 'have that feeling' ya know? Just remember, you can't save the world.

Take it easy