Let's Have a Chat, Shall We? (Rated R for Language)

Normally don't talk like this but I'm quite upset and I thought I would step up on my soapbox and speak.

On the Brittany forum that mom frequents there was a sad post; someone lost their two golden/lab mix puppies on New Years Day. How you ask? Because some stupid owner couldn't keep their g-d damn pitbulls in their yard, knowing that their dogs were dangerous. The pits got out, found the pups playing where they should be, in their own yard, and mauled them to death. (1/3/07, edited to note that I found out that one pooch did survive)

So here I go...

I have absolutely no problem with pitbulls, but I have problems with the stupid dumb ass owners who don't keep them in line. Let's not just single pits here, it's any dog. If you are going to own a dog, you have got to take the time to train your pooch and take responsiblity for it's actions.

Some dogs were bred to be aggressive for a reason, it was their job. Pits were used in a horrible game called "bull-baiting" and dog fights, mastiffs use to run with the Romans during war, Doberman's protected their owners, the tax man that went out and collected money. These were the jobs that they had many years ago.

Times have changed and the role of the dog has changed for many pooches out there, including the ones mentioned above.

But some say, "Oh it's so cool having a mean looking dog. I look like a badass. People will treat me with respect."

I say, no one will treat you with respect. They will see you as a poser. They will know you are trying to compensate for a lack of something else, usually a small body part (brain, penis, whatever).

Let's face it, some dogs are more prone to be aggressive / powerful than others. Does that mean they will be? Of course not. But it does mean that the owner should know how to handle the dog. It means the owner should buy their dog from a responsible breeder, not some backyard breeder in it for the money, or a pet store that could give a rat's ass about the dog and his/her health and well being. A good breeder genuinely cares about the dog, and the breed and it's reputation. A good breeder will ensure that the dogs they are breeding are happy, healthy and well adjusted dogs. It's up to you, the owner, to keep them that way.

If you can't do that, don't get a dog, a cat, a fish, anything. You aren't worthy of such companionship.