Life & Times of CH Ashstaff Wavemakers Close To U, CGC, TT

Wavemaker Staffords

2009-12-10T21:32:00.000-05:00

Just an update on the website:

click here to see it

crushed

2009-10-21T00:01:00.003-04:00

Captain left us on July 9th, 2009 in a horribly unexpected tragic accident. We may never get over this loss. He will never be forgotten. This brave little man was a gladiator to the end.

Ride Captain Ride

How time does fly....

2008-06-01T14:54:00.001-04:00

SO much has happened in the year I didnt post to my blog. I'll try to put together some new information to keep you up to date on my life....be back shortly!

Summertime Swimming

2007-08-20T19:17:00.001-04:00

Stuff you should know

2007-06-26T16:41:00.000-04:00

Pit Bull

The American Pit Bull Terrier is one of several bull terrier breeds, often kept as a pet.

Pit Bull is a term that describes several breeds of dogs with similar physical characteristics. The American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier commonly fall under the category of "pit bull." There are several other breeds that are sometimes included under the rubric of "pit bull", including the Indian Bull Terrier, Argentine Dogo, the English Bull Terrier, the American Bulldog, and the Perro de Presa Canario due to some physical similarities between the breeds. These breeds are usually not included by breed name in any Breed Specific Legislation (see below), but are sometimes included because of a broad definition and confusion as to what a pit bull actually is. ^[1] All of these breeds as well as many others (including Great Danes, Newfoundlands and Rottweilers) are members of the Molosser family of dog breeds.

History

The ancestors of modern pit bulls come from England. The English White Terrier, the Black and Tan Terrier and the Old English Bulldog are supposedly extinct breeds, this occasion stems from their forced retirement. However, in their own time the English White Terrier, the Black and Tan Terrier and the Bulldog were prized animals.

At one time every county in England had its own terrier. Many still exist, however, many have also come to pass or have mutated into a modern breed; such is the case for the English White Terrier and the Black and Tan, whose descendants include the bull-and-terriers, the Fox Terrier, and the Manchester Terrier. Terriers served a very real purpose in England. Vermin threatened people in more ways than just providing an unpleasant scare or as unwelcome guests; at their best, vermin ruined crops and damaged property; at their worst they served as a vehicle for fleas that carried the Black Plague. Terriers destroyed vermin efficiently and were easy animals to care for. As time went on the sports of badger and rat baiting — among others — caught on. It is from the terrier that pit bulls get their kind nature and juvenile behavior; it is also where the instinct to kill came from.

United States propaganda poster used during World War I depicting a Pit Bull

At the same time, Mastiff type dogs have existed in England for millennia. Their origins are somewhat uncertain, particularly because of myth. It can be assumed, however, that the Celts brought the Mastiff to Britain from the continent. It also known that the Normans introduced the Alaunt. Mastiffs of varying size existed in England for years, but it was not until the Renaissance that formal distinctions were made. These dogs were used in battle and for guarding, but they also served utilitarian purposes, such as farm work. Specifically, these dogs accompanied farmers into the fields to assist with bringing bulls in for breeding, castration, or slaughter. The dogs, known generally as bulldogs, protected the farmer by subduing the bull if it attempted to gore him. Typically a dog would do this by biting the bull on the nose and holding on until the bull submitted. Because of the nature of their job, bulldogs were bred to have powerful, muscular bodies, and the resolve to hold onto a violently-struggling bull, even when injured.

Eventually these dogs' purpose inspired the widespread practice of the bloody sports of bull-baiting and bear-baiting. In Elizabethan England, these spectacles were popular forms of entertainment. However, in 1835, bull-baiting and bear-baiting were abolished by Parliament as cruel, and the custom died out over the following years.

The sport of dog fighting, which could be carried out under clandestine measures, blossomed. Since Bulldogs proved too ponderous and disinterested in dog fighting, the Bulldogs were crossed to English White and Black and Tan Terriers. They were also bred to be intelligent and level-headed during fights and remain non-aggressive toward their handlers. Part of the standard for organized dog-fighting required that the match referee who is unacquainted with the dog be able to enter the ring, pick up a dog while it was engaged in a fight, and get the respective owner to carry it out of the ring without being bitten. Dogs that bit the referee were culled.

As a result, Victorian fighting dogs (Staffordshire Bull Terriers and, though less commonly used as fighters, English Bull Terriers) generally had stable temperaments and were commonly kept in the home by the gambling men who owned them.

During the mid-1800s, immigration to the United States from Ireland and England brought an influx of these dogs to America, mainly to Boston, where they were bred to be larger and stockier, working as farm dogs in the West as much as fighting dogs in the cities. The resulting breed, also called the American Pit Bull Terrier, became known as an "all-American" dog. Pit bull type dogs became popular as family pets for citizens who were not involved in dog-fighting or farming. In the early 1900s they began to appear in films, one of the more famous examples being Pete the Pup from the Our Gang shorts (later known as The Little Rascals).

During World War I the breed's widespread popularity led to its being featured on pro-American propaganda posters.

Pit bulls as pets

There are often more dogs (many are mixed breeds which are lumped into the category of "pit bull") than there are owners. Pit bulls or dogs that appear to be pit bulls may be destroyed in dog pounds due to the stigma associated with the breed. Few, if any, statistics exist for these issues. Pit bulls and pit mixed dogs are a common sight in animal shelters. According to Nathan Winograd, president of the No Kill Advocacy Group, shelters today have failed to educate people about pit bull ownership and have not focused on finding them responsible homes, but rather are engaging in a "witch hunt".[1]

Banning of Pit Bulls

This table shows places where Pit Bulls have been banned or where bans were proposed.

Place	Ban Status
Springville, Utah^[2]	Active
Council Bluffs, Iowa^[3]	Active: 2004
Royal City, Washington^[4]	Active: 12 Jan, 2007
Denver, Colorado^[5]	Active: Banned on 9 May, 2005 (first banned in 1980's)
Ontario, Canada^[6]	Active: Banned on 15 October, 2004
Winnipeg, Canada^[7]	Active: Banned in 1990
Prince George's County, Maryland^[8]	Active: 1996
Shelbyville, California^[9]	Proposed: 18 November, 2006
New York City, NY^[10]	Proposed: 28 December 2006
Aurora, Colorado^[11]	Proposed: 27 September, 2005
Oklahoma^[12]	Proposed 21 June, 2005
Youngstown, Ohio^[13]	Proposed: 10 January, 1999
Bronx, NY^{[citation needed]}	Active: Banned on 17 January, 2007
Richland, Washington^[4]	Proposed: 21 December, 2006
Tupelo, Mississippi^[14]	Proposed: 28 September, 2006
Harlem, NY^{[citation needed]}	Active: Banned on 11 January, 2007
Parker, Colorado^[15]	Proposed: 17 January, 2006
Queens, NY^{[citation needed]}	Active: Banned on 8 December, 2005
Chicago, Illinois^[16]	Proposed: 17 November, 2005
Yonkers, NY	Active: Banned on 3 November, 2006
France^[17]	Active: April 30, 1999; Ownership restricted; non-pure-breed animals resembling pit-bulls are to be surgically neutered
Norway	Most Pit Bull variants are illegal since ca. 1980, dogs older than that were allowed to stay with their owners until a natural death.
United Kingdom^[18]	Active: 12 August, 1991 (Banned in public places, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991)

More locations can be seen here.

Legal issues in the USA

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) published a study concerning deaths from canine attacks. Although often cited, the CDC report cautioned that the accuracy of the data "requires complete ascertainment of deaths and an accurate determination of the breed involved, and the denominator requires reliable breed-specific population data (i.e., number of deaths involving a given breed divided by number of dogs of that breed).

However, such denominator data are not available, and official registration or licensing data cannot be used because owners of certain breeds may be less likely than those owning other breeds to register or license their animals."^[19]

These caveats notwithstanding a CDC study detailing dog bite related fatalities in the US between 1979 and 1998 reveals that roughly one-thirds were caused by Pit Bull type dogs. The highest number of attacks (118) were by Pit-bull type dogs, the next highest was Rottweilers at 67. The full report can be accessed at: [2]

A followup to the study published in 2000 by Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association suggested that "generic non–breed-specific, dangerous dog laws can be enacted that place primary responsibility for a dog’s behavior on the owner, regardless of the dog’s breed. In particular, targeting chronically irresponsible dog owners may be effective."^[20]

Urban myths

There are many urban legends surrounding the pit bull, mostly based on the idea that the dogs are somehow physiologically different from other breeds of dog.

A Pit Bull's jaw.

Many sources propagate the myth that pit bulls have a "locking jaw" mechanism, and that the dog cannot let go once it has bitten. This is untrue. Dr. I. Brisbin (University of Georgia) states:

"The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls, mandibles and teeth of pit bulls show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is no different from that of any breed of dog. There is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any kind of 'locking mechanism' unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier."

Furthermore, the pit bulls that compete successfully in protection sports such as Schutzhund obviously do not display an inability to release their grips after biting, as releasing the decoy's sleeve on command is an integral part of scoring the competition [3]. Reports of pit bull type dogs refusing to release a bite grip is more likely a function of the breed's gameness - a willingness to engage in a task (such as combat and aggression) despite pain and discomfort.

A variant of the 'locking jaw' story is [4] told by Tom Skeldon, Lucas County (Ohio), dog warden, who said that an impounded pit bull that had been used in fighting started "going wild," biting at the walls of the kennel. He shot the dog with a tranquilizer, and then left it for five minutes to let it pass out. When he came back the dog had indeed passed out, but not before it had leaped up and clamped its jaws on a cable used to open the door of the kennel. "Everything else was relaxed, the dog was out cold, but its jaws wouldn't let go of that cable, and he was hanging in midair," said Skeldon. "Not even a jaguar will do that." There is a video which shows live action where Skeldon is engaging a pitbull dog, and the judge who viewed the video believed that it showed animal abuse.

However, an incident reported by the Associated Press suggests that other breeds may also fail to relax their jaws when they become unconscious. An Albuquerque police officer was attacked, in October 2005, by a Belgian Malinois, a herding breed with no significant commonality with "pit bulls", other than that which makes them both dogs. The dog bit the officer on the arm. When the officer couldn't shake free, she shot the dog, killing it. Still, other officers had to come to her aid, and pry the dead dog's jaws off the officer's arm.

In addition to the "locking jaw" myth, it is widely believed that "pit bulls don't feel pain". However, pit bulls have the same nervous system of any other breed, and they can and do feel pain. Historically, those dogs that would tolerate or ignore discomfort and pain and finish the task they were required to perform were the dogs that were bred and the sort of dogs breeders strove to produce. This is the trait of “gameness” that so many breed fanciers speak of, which may be defined as, “The desire to continue on and/or complete a task despite pain and discomfort.” Therefore, the difficulty in deterring a pit bull from its task is in fact not an inability to feel pain but rather a desirable trait in any trained working dog.

Another urban myth surrounding this breed states that pit bulls are the only type of dog that are not affected by capsaicin-based dog-repellent sprays. In fact, many other dog breeds also display this resistance to pepper spray when they are attacking. Documented cases include Bull Mastiffs, Rottweilers and many German Shepherds (including Police K9s)[5]. In the words of two police officers, it is "not unusual for pepper spray not to work on dogs" [6] and "just as OC spray doesn't work on all humans, it won't work on all canines" [7].

It is also untrue that the pit bull is the only dog that will keep attacking after being sub-lethally shot. Rottweilers, Mastiffs and German Shepherds have all exhibited this capacity. [8] [9].

One of the most popular and baseless urban myths about pit bulls is that pit bulls often ‘turn’ on their owners without provocation. However, no sane dog performs behaviors for no reason. When aggression becomes a problem the reasons can often be traced to such things as improper handling, lack of socialization or training, a misreading of dog behavior by the owner, lack of discipline, or even disease. When an owner is startled by a sudden, aggressive outburst, it is generally because they have been unaware of problems that were brewing.

Research performed by GoodPooch.com director, Marjorie Darby, finds that dogs involved in attacks overwhelmingly have a known history of aggression, even though many dog owners deny or minimize this fact. The neighbours are usually a better source for documenting negative aspects of a dog's history, than its owner(s). As such, it is further evidence that dogs, including 'pit bulls', don't just "turn" on their owners. A followup to a CDC report on dog bite fatalities came to a similar conclusion. [10]

Urban myths about pit bulls are well enough established to be spoofed, as in The Onion's mock caption 'Heroic Pit Bull Journeys 2,000 Miles to Attack Owner' (Apr 17, 2002) [11] and 'Department Of Homeland Security Deputizes Real Mean Dog', a Rottweiler-Pit Bull-Doberman mix introduced to the press corps approvingly by Tom Ridge (May 21, 2003)[12].

Insurance problems

Many homeowner's insurance companies in the United States are reluctant to insure owners of dogs that are considered to be a dangerous breed, like Allstate, which will not insure homes with pit bulls or even boxers, akitas, chow chows, dobermans, rottweilers, or wolf hybrids^{[citation needed]}. The CDC estimates that 368,245 persons were treated in U.S. hospitals for nonfatal dog bites in 2001, and that 2% of the U.S. population are attacked by dogs per year. These attacks most often occur on the owner's property [13].

Pit bulls are also most responsible for the number of fatal dog attacks, when the breed had been identified [14]. The Pit Bull Terrier and Rottweiler in particular are often considered to contribute the most to the serious injuries caused by dog attacks and are the most common breeds that insurance companies will refuse to insure^{[citation needed]}.

Some insurance companies have taken a compromise position, and will only insure pit bull owners if their dogs have achieved a Canine Good Citizen award [15].

Breed Specific Legislation or BSL

In response to a number of well-publicized incidents involving dogs that resemble pit bulls, some jurisdictions began placing restrictions on the ownership of pit bulls, such as the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in the UK, an example of breed-specific legislation. Many jurisdictions have outlawed the possession of Pit bulls, either pit bull breeds specifically, or in addition to other breeds that are regarded as dangerous.

A Pit Bull muzzled.

Pit Bull Terriers are regulated in the United Kingdom under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, administered by the government agency DEFRA. It is illegal to own any of these dogs without a specific exemption from a court. Licensing is done by local governments, dogs must be muzzled and kept on a lead in public, they must be registered and insured, and receive microchip implants. In November 2002, The Princess Royal was fined £500 under the provisions of the Act.

The Canadian province of Ontario, on August 29, 2005 enacted a ban on Pit Bulls. It was the first province or state in North America to do so. [16] The breeds listed in the ban [17] can no longer be sold, bred, or imported and all pit bull owners must leash and muzzle their pit bulls in public. A 60 day grace period has been put in place to allow for owners to have their pit bulls spayed or neutered [18]. Also it left a period to allow municipalities to adjust to the new law. Prior to the bill's passage, the Ontario government cited what it deemed the success of a pit bull bylaw passed by Winnipeg, Manitoba [19].

Pit bulls were not the #1 biting breed in Winnipeg's dog bite statistics, prior to the ban being implemented in 1990. After the ban, overall bite numbers increased by an average of almost 50 per year for the following decade. Bites by other breeds increased dramatically, including the #1 breed reported for biting, German Shepherds and their crosses, at close to 100 annual bites by 1992.

In the United States, Denver, Colorado was one of the pioneers of banning pit bulls. The city had legislation on the books since 1989, but was nullified by a 2004 law passed by the Colorado General Assembly prohibiting breed specific laws. However, it was overturned in April of 2005 after the city challenged in court the constitutionality of the law. The city reinstated the ban which prohibits citizens from keeping "pit bull type" dogs after May 9, 2005. Over 260 "pit bull type" dogs have been seized from their homes and euthanised since this date, resulting in widespread protest from dog owners and animal rights lobby groups [20]. Since this legislation has passed over 1000 family pets have been taken from homes and destroyed.

No such ban on other dogs deemed dangerous has been enacted and no reporting of a decrease in dog bites has occurred.

Breed specific legislation that restricted pit bull ownership in Toledo, Ohio was struck down on March 3, 2006, by a 2-1 vote of the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals. The law had relied on a state definition of a vicious dog as one that has bitten or killed a human, has killed another dog, or "belongs to a breed that is commonly known as a pit bull dog." The lack of legal recourse of a pit bull owner to appeal the vicious dog designation of a particular animal was one of the deficiencies of the legislation. For the majority, Judge William Skow wrote in Toledo v. Tellings[21]: "Since we conclude that there is no evidence that pit bulls are inherently dangerous or vicious, then the city ordinance limitation on ownership is also arbitrary, unreasonable, and discriminatory." In other words, the court found the law to be unconstitutional and the case is currently in the Ohio Supreme Court as the city apparently wants to "keep" their unconstitutional law. [22]

The State of Virginia now has Anti-BSL laws prohibiting cities and counties from baning a dog of certain breed or cross breed.

Debate

The extent to which banning a particular breed is effective in reducing dog bite fatalities is contested. Some people maintain that pit bull attacks are directly attributable to irresponsible owners, rather than to any inherent defect in the breed itself. Other people believe that the Pit Bull Terrier is a breed that, although not inherently dangerous, needs a particularly knowledgeable and committed handler and should not be freely available to novice owners. Still others maintain that pit bulls as a breed are invariably more unpredictable and dangerous than other dogs even when properly trained, and have no place in society.

Pit bulls are said to be popular with irresponsible owners, who see these dogs as a symbol of status or machismo.^[21] This type of owner may be less likely to socialize, train, or desex their pet. It is known that unneutered male dogs account for a disproportionate amount of all fatal dog attacks, though neutering a dog will not stop aggression against humans^{[citation needed]}. Some say that many of those who do not believe in altering male dogs also believe that having and training an aggressive dog "goes with the territory," so to speak. Irresponsible ownership can have a great impact on how a breed is represented in attack statistics.

Some people argue that banning the pit bull will simply result in irresponsible dog owners seeking to own other large breeds with similar temperament, such as the Dobermann, Rottweiler or German Shepherd Dog, resulting in an increased occurrence of dog bites from these breeds.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which maintains the United States' database on fatal wounds inflicted by dog bites, does not advocate breed-specific legislation, instead encouraging "Dangerous Dog" laws that focus on individual dogs of any breed that have exhibited aggressive behavior.^[22] The CDC study is also admittedly flawed due to a large number of dog breeds being unknown when the study was compiled. It bears mentioning that using newspaper reports as evidence is hardly the most valid data available.

Huntsville, Alabama police raided a dog-fighting arena on Feb 28, 2002 and seized 10 Pit Bulls. The city's attempt to legally euthanize four pit bull puppies, never trained to fight, was stopped by Madison County Circuit Court Judge Joe Battle, who ruled that the pit bull puppies were not dangerous by virtue of their genetics alone (AP Wire; Apr 6, 2002).

Huntsville appealed to the Alabama Supreme Court, which affirmed (City of Huntsville v. Sheila Tack et al., 1010459, S.C. Alabama; Aug 30, 2002) the Circuit Court opinion by a 6-2 vote; the written dissent addressed procedural matters of legal status of the parties, not the nature of the dogs. The puppies were adopted. Animal Rights group PETA sent the Judge a letter calling for the execution of all the pups. Ingrid Newkirk president of PETA, officially advocates the euthanasia of all pitbull dogs, and the illegalization of their breeding.^[23]

American Airlines banned "Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, and any mixed breeds containing one or more of those breeds" in August of 2002 following an incident involving an American Pit Bull Terrier puppy that escaped from luggage into the cargo hold of an airliner, causing damage to the cargo hold. The American Kennel Club lobbied the airline to lift the restriction, arguing that the incident was merely one of improper restraint, and could have involved any dog breed.

The restriction was lifted in May of 2003 after a compromise was reached that requires portable dog carriers in the cargo hold to employ releasable cable ties on four corners of the door of the carrier.

Dog fights

Pit bulls are sometimes used for dog fights, due to their strength, courage, dog-aggressive tendencies and widespread availability. Although dog fighting is illegal in the United States, it is still practiced, and is sometimes accompanied by gambling. In the United States Commonwealth of Virginia, for example, it is a felony to organize, promote, be employed by, or wager on a dogfight, whether one is physically present at the fight or not. Laws vary in other states, but most states have some laws to address dogfighting.

Most people who own these breeds direct their dogs' plentiful energy toward nonviolent athletic tasks. Some people train their pit bulls for dog agility. Others involve their pit bulls in weight pulling competitions, obedience competitions or schutzhund. The pit bull often excels at these sports. Out of the 25 dogs who have earned UKC "superdog" status (by gaining championship titles in conformation, obedience, agility, and weightpull), fourteen have been pit bulls.

Pit bulls are increasingly being prevented from participating in these events, due to the introduction of local legislation requiring the breed to be muzzled and on leash at all times when in public — with no exceptions for dog sports or obedience competitions.

Positive press

Although negative information about pit bulls is widespread and highly publicized, there are also many positive stories. Some work in hospitals and care facilities as certified therapy dogs, many are well-loved family pets, and some have even saved people's lives. There are many incidences of pit bulls being productively employed by U.S. Customs [23], as police K9s [24] and as tracking K9s in various Search and Rescue organizations [25].

Often pit bulls have been reported to "adopt" other species of animals (such as kittens or squirrels), earning the breed the nickname "nanny dog". [26]

A rescued pit bull called Popsicle is a United States Customs dog, and is famous for sniffing out one of the biggest cocaine busts in history. [27]

In February, 2006, New Yorker magazine writer Malcolm Gladwell published an article surveying the research on pit bulls which concluded that legal attempts to ban the breed were both crude and unnecessary. [28]

In February 2007 a pit bull named "Chief" rescued his family of humans from a spitting cobra by dashing in front of the attacking snake and taking the deadly bite himself. Chief subdued the snake but died of the venom 30 minutes later. [29]

Other Facts

The US Military chose an image of a pit bull to represent America on WWI war posters
The pit bull is the only dog to have ever graced the cover of Life Magazine three times [30].

Working Pit Bulls in the News

Bandog Dread was an American Pit Bull who won multiple titles in conformation, competition obedience, Schutzhund, weightpull and herding, making him the most titled dog of any breed ever.
Daddy is a "pack member" of Cesar Millan's Dog Psychology Center. Dennis Rodman, Daddy’s original owner gave the four-month-old puppy to Cesar.
Dakota is a rescue pit bull who searched for the remains of the astronauts who lost their lives in explosion of the space shuttle Columbia.
Neville is a pit bull originally from Ontario. When the provincial pit bull ban went into effect he was rescued to Washington state, where he is now a police dog.
Popsicle, named after police found him in a freezer during a drug raid, is now famous for sniffing out drugs for the DEA.

Pit Bulls in the Arts

Pete the Pup ("Petey") from The Little Rascals series of films
Tige from Buster Brown shoe advertisements
Jennifer Lopez has a pit bull in her "I'm Glad" Video
Veronica Mars, the title character in the CW television show, has a pit bull named Backup.
A Staffordshire Bull Terrier plays the scene-stealing dog in the film Snatch.
Arnold, the Pit Bull from Tiny Toon Adventures

Famous People with Pit Bulls

Actress Jessica Alba has a pit bull.
Actress Jessica Biel has a pit bull named Tina.
Actors Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson have a pit bull named Penny Lane.
Rapper DMX has 9 pit bulls.
Actor Jamie Foxx has two pit bulls.
Radio host Ira Glass has a pit bull.
Activist Helen Keller had a pet pit bull.
Rapper Big Boi from hip-hop duo Outkast is a registered pit bull breeder.
TV cook Rachael Ray has two pit bulls.
Comedian Jon Stewart has pit bulls.
Actress Alicia Silverstone has a rescued pit bull.
Author Andrew Vachss, who has written numerous books and short stories featuring dogs of banned breeds, had a pit bull named Honey.
Actor David James Elliot, of Jag and Closer To Home fame, adopted pit bull terrier named, Jade
Actor Michael J. Fox owns a pit bull named Burnaby
Tennis Star Serena Williams owns a pit bull named Bambi

External links

Government sites

Nonfatal Dog Bite Related Injuries - U.S. Government

Media sites

Pit bull advocacy sites

References

^ Ohio's legal definition of "Pit Bull"
^ http://www.springville.org/municipalcode/Title_3.pdf
^ http://municipalcodes.lexisnexis.com/codes/councilbluffs/_DATA/TITLE04/Chapter_4_20_ANIMAL_CONTROL.html#19
^ ^a ^b http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_WA_Dog_Ban.html
^ http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/4467849/detail.html
^ http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2004/10/15/pitbulls_ontario041015.html
^ http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/health/dangerousdogs/index.html
^ http://wjz.com/pets/local_story_299134433.html
^ http://www.t-g.com/story/1177959.html
^ http://wcbs880.com/pages/152890.php?contentType=4&contentId=264478
^ http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/5025994/detail.html
^ http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/HOUSE/news7682.html
^ http://www.post-gazette.com/pets/pettales0110.asp
^ http://network.bestfriends.org/mississippi/news/8009.html
^ http://www.thedenverchannel.com/health/6193954/detail.html
^ http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=3643136
^ Rural code, articles L211-11 to L211-28 and ministerial decision from April 30, 1999
^ UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Dangerous Dogs Act, 1991 and Ammendment, 1997
^ Sacks, J.J.; Sinclair, L., Gilchrist, J., Golab, GC., Lockwood, R. (2000-09-15). "Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998" (PDF). Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association 217 (6): 836-840. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
^ (1997-05-30) "Dog-Bite-Related Fatalities -United States, 1995-1996" (HTML). Center for Disease Control. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6222689.stm
^ Centers for Disease Control. "Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998", 2000.
^ Newkirk, Ingrid. "Controlling an animal as deadly as a weapon", San Francisco Chronicle, June 8, 2005.

Rent Our Motorhome!

2007-02-11T18:45:00.000-05:00

Click HERE and take a look at the 2006 National RV Sea Breeze!
This luxury motor coach can be yours for your vacation, NASCAR, tailgaiting WHATEVER!
Our personal coach can be yours any time you want!

Tell Jack that Lynn & Jim sent you!

A very upscale Class A motorhome, this coach has appointments you expect to find only in a diesel push. There is oak cabinetry throughout the coach with Corian countertops and a Corian flush mounted stove cover to increase counter space. Loads of storage in the kitchen, pantry, bedroom and bath provides room for all that you care to bring along. With both living room and bedroom slides, there is plenty of comfortable floor space throughout the coach. The driver and passenger captain chairs swivel and recline and there is also a freestanding swivel recliner. A large shower with separate vanity and ceramic toilet are in the bathroom. There is a queen bed with pillow top mattress in the rear and both the dinette and sofa fold into sleeping areas to sleep up to 6 people. It has a wrap-around privacy curtain and day/night shades with designer valances. There is a 27" flat screen TV in the living area and a 20" flat screen in the bedroom. You can watch TV either from the roof antenna, cable hookup or the DVD/VCR combo. Both front and rear air conditioners can run at the same time with 50 amp electrical service or on the road using the 5.5 Onan Marquis series on board generator. The kitchen boasts a convection microwave oven, 3-burner propane cooktop, double sink with spray faucet and an 8 cubic foot double door refrigerator with temperature adjustment. The coach can remain self sufficient for quite some time with its 50-gallon gray and black tanks and its 81-gallon fresh water.

The powerful coach is very easy to drive for its size with automatic transmission, tilt, cruise, power steering and AM/FM/Cassette/CD stereo. It is built on an F53 super duty chassis and powered by a Ford Triton V-10 engine. 4-point hydraulic leveling jacks are controlled from the driver's seat. Exterior storage is very roomy with some compartments reaching all the way through the coach. All basement compartments are heated and use the convenient "kickdown" type doors. Hookups are easy to understand and well marked. A full sized awning has a stow cover to protect it. A double electric step extends when the door is opened and retracts when it is closed. The motorized rear vision camera has audio so you can hear the person directing you as you park.

This motorhome is not part of a dealer's fleet - it is privately owned! And we rent it for a fraction of what the dealers charge.

We got a new dog!

2007-01-18T13:26:00.000-05:00

HAHAHA we just got this cool new dog! He doesnt eat much and he really doesnt do much but he is so handsome!

The Unexpected Pit Bull

2006-12-28T15:43:00.000-05:00

Click on the banner in this post to buy the 2007 calendar and help support Liberty Humane Society of Jersey City, New Jersey. www.libertyhumane.org.

www.theunexpectedpitbull.com

Growing up

2006-12-16T11:26:00.000-05:00

We went back up to that big green place to practice work. I think I did really well and mommy said i was just about ready to go back to work. I am 11 months old in this picture. I was trying to look all serious for the camera.

Happy Pet-rosexual Holidays!

2006-12-11T10:23:00.000-05:00

Howdy ho y'all! I love the sparkly lights we have in the house right now. I could lie here and stare at them all night! I dont even mind wearing my warm sweater when I go on walks. I can snuggle up to P-nut and stay warm right here and watch the lights all over the place - out the windows and in the house too!

I am a big boy!

2006-11-20T16:21:00.000-05:00

Here I am at almost 10 months old. I think I am quite the handsome lad if I do say so myself! I know I havent blogged in quite some time. I think i told you I started my job this summer. Mommy drove me and P-nut to Florida. We stayed with her friend Jono and I got to go to work like P-nut used to do. I won some ribbons and mommy said I won a point oo! What fun it is! Too bad we only get to show off and look pretty and they dont let you run and jump and play cos I would definately win then! I can jump real high!

Sorry So Slack

2006-10-16T18:56:00.000-04:00

i know i've been a real slacker...no posts in almost a month....but soon i'll fill you in on all my activities and all about me starting WORK!!!!! So much to say, so much to do - so little time!

Living large!

2006-09-28T13:53:00.000-04:00

Fall on the lake

2006-09-16T10:00:00.000-04:00

Well its getting cooler and we dont swim much anymore. We still get to go on the boat and a few weeks ago we slept out all night. It was great cos I got to sit outside and look at the stars. In the morning we ate breakfast and watched the sun come up. I love boating!

Heads up!

2006-08-31T14:09:00.000-04:00

Lots of barking, hair and noises!!!!

2006-08-28T11:35:00.000-04:00

The other day mommy and daddy took me to this building that was so exciting and scary! I smelled so many things and saw so many dogs like me and also dogs like I have never seen before! There were people all over and cages and tables and all kinds of toys and treats! It was so exciting I barely could contain myself! Mommy said this is where P-nut used to work before she retired. I hope its where I will get to work too one day!! i cant wait to go back there!

Vacation

2006-08-18T09:12:00.000-04:00

Last week we drove to visit some friends of mommy and daddy in Florida. They had a great big place to run all over and a swimming pool! We used to have one of those but now we dont. I got to go swimming a lot. P-nut went in once but decided it wasnt fun. She is crazy!

Also these nice people had a lot of dogs to play with but I didnt behave so I didnt get to play much. I have a hard time controlling myself around other dogs cos I get so excited.

Mommy and Daddy left me and P-nut there for a few days while they went someplace else. We were very good and minded Miss Angie and Mr Mike while we were there. P-nut started to smell really good that weekend too. I am not really sure, but I think I am in love with her.

More relaxing

2006-08-06T15:51:00.000-04:00

Well its a very good thing I relaxed on Saturday b/c on Sunday we came home and went to a party. There were more people and dogs there than I had ever seen! The other dogs were young like me. I got to go play with them until a very mean lady said awful things about me. She said I was acting badly and it was b/c of the breed I am. I asked mom about that. She told me the lady was stupid and didnt know what breed I am. I went back over and told her to leave us alone! I'm sure she heard me cos just then she grabbed up her puppy and left the party. She said some very mean things about me to mommy and daddy first though. It was really awful but I got even. I crawled on my belly up to a little boy and licked his legs and rolled onto my back for him to rub my tummy. See I'm not a bad boy!

At school

2006-08-06T15:41:00.000-04:00

I love going to school every week. Moms friend Rod walked with me last week and mom took some new pictures of me. I tried to hold still but I'm so very busy it was just too hard to do.

Workin it!

2006-07-12T22:01:00.000-04:00

Hey this is fun! All I have to do is stand here and mommy feeds me great stuff! Cool!

Too HOT!

2006-07-05T11:31:00.000-04:00

Here I am at grand-dad's house... He has a really big grassy yard and P-nut and I played and played and played! She ran more than I did, cos I'm still little. I got hot and had to rest. Mommy took my picture and I got all embarrassed...

My Grand-dad

2006-07-05T11:26:00.000-04:00

I have a Pops, and I also have a Grand-dad. This is me posing with Grand-dad in his back yard. He loves me and P-nut a lot. We like to go visit him to make him happy!

Pops is here!!!!!!

2006-07-05T11:19:00.000-04:00

WOOHOOOOOO my Pops was here all week to visit me! I LOVE him! i had to show him the love every day!

Bling Bling

2006-06-25T21:26:00.000-04:00

Today was a fun day! Mommy said it was Gay Pride Day and we watched a big parade go by. Someone gave me some gold beads and I got to meet a lot of people. Babies came to pat me and ladies picked me up and men (I think they were men) kept saying how handsome I was. Boy am I full of myself now!
Whatever Gay Pride is, I like it! P-nut didnt like it one bit. She got scared at all the loud noises and the rain and all the people and she made some funny sounds. She had on a cute shirt that said "Bitch". Lots of people liked her shirt, but she kept making chirping sounds and acting like a scaredy cat.
..daddy took her home.

First day of work

2006-06-24T17:16:00.000-04:00

Today Mommy drove me to my first day of work. She said it didnt count, but I wanted to make a good impression anyway. We got there and even tho I was super hot I wanted to greet everyone I saw. There were a lot of dogs I needed to go smell. I didnt know anyone but after a while I knew I had made friends. Mommy put me in a crate and I rested while she went away for a little bit. I didnt want to cry cos I'm a big boy, but I just couldnt help myself. I cried a little bit.

Then it was my turn to work. We walked into a ring like at school and I got to walk around and show off. When we came to the part where I am supposed to stand in front of the nice lady I got too excited and had to jump up to kiss her. She laughed. Then I got to go again! There was this little brown dog in the classroom too. I was behind it. It was older than me and gave me dirty looks. I didnt care. I tried to kiss the nice lady at the end of the walk again and she laughed at me again.

I got to have ribbons, treats, a new squeaky and lots of other stuff and mommy hugged me and gave me a huge chunk of liver! Then we went home and I slept all the way. I got to tell daddy about work and he was so proud he took my picture! Whew. I think I will like working.

Turtle Adventure

2006-06-18T20:12:00.000-04:00

We had a visitor at our cove this weekend. I'm not sure what i was supposed to do with this but mommy wouldnt let me eat it. I hope I get to see it next time cos I'm gonna jump off our boat and catch it!

My Scottish friends

2006-06-13T15:19:00.000-04:00

Here we are at the lake again...this weekend we got to play with Gomez and Morticia. They are Scottish terriers and lots of fun! We all got to play on these floating things and then we swam to shore to run and play in the mud and sand...mommy said she got pictures, but they came out blurry.

Every Story has it's pictures.....

2006-06-06T09:25:00.000-04:00

Aye Aye Matey!

2006-05-30T15:04:00.000-04:00

My new home away from home.....

2006-05-30T15:00:00.000-04:00

Once I saw P-nut having fun on this floaty thing I just had to try it for myself! This is great! This weekend I discovered a lot of new things! I ran around on a beach and chased the waves....I swam in really deep water a little bit (not sure I liked that part) and I got to try on P-nut's lifejacket. I heard Daddy say he'd buy me one of my own soon...until then I always have someone holding me. This is great! The only thing I did not enjoy was always getting this smelly lotion stuff rubbed and sprayed all over me! Yuk!

I've got glue ....

2006-05-25T20:04:00.000-04:00

EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!

4 months old

2006-05-22T11:09:00.000-04:00

When will this ever end? I mean who cares if my ears stick up all over the damn place?! Enough already with the glue!!!!!

So now that I am a big boy I can do a loot of things on my own. I now know to go potty outside almost all the time, so okay there was that one time while I was playing with P-nut and pee just began to leak out but the trail wasnt really that long if you think about it....maybe only 12 feet or so. Not a big deal! Daddy cleaned it all up and then b4 he was done some more came out. Oooops! Sorry daddy! But look how cute I am! :)

Great weekend!

2006-05-14T19:36:00.000-04:00

This weekend we got to go back to that weird house. You know, the one that moves and rocks a lot where P-nut and I get to run and play and guess what....SWIM too! Wooohoooo! I LOVE the water! It's so fun to try and catch it in my mouth! I hope we get to go back all the time!
One day we were on the moving-rocking house and I looked up expecting to see the place where we eat...but instead all I saw was water! It was all around us but I wasnt scared! I liked it!

Life of Leisure

2006-05-14T19:34:00.000-04:00

Oh Lovey, be a dear and please hand me the sunscreen, would you? Ah this is the life!

naptime

2006-05-10T14:36:00.000-04:00

naptime
Originally uploaded by Nutty.

Today it is really yukky out...rainy and cold. P-nut and I spent the day lounging around and sniffing for crumbs. Mommy is making some yummy smelly liver treats for us. I am going to try to be very good so she will give me some. Heck, I may even let her cut my nails again! Wait, no - strike that...not gonna go that far for liver.

Still on the top of the world!

2006-05-04T17:04:00.000-04:00

DSC01568.JPG
Originally uploaded by Nutty.

Well a few weeks back my mommy sat me up here on her desk so I could see the fish swim in the big bowl. I know it looks scary - but I'm not really going to fall out of that big window...it's pretty up here. Dont tell mommy but pretty soon I'll be big enough to jump up here all by myself!

Large Hat Size?

2006-05-02T16:40:00.000-04:00

My Aunt Jaime said I have a big head.
Do you think she means like boastful? Braggart? Literal? Do I have a large head? Am I lopsided?

I do not think so. I think my body just has not caught up yet. Maybe I'll eat more and see what happens.....

oooooooooops!

2006-04-30T20:53:00.000-04:00

ok, this blog was supposed to be all about how I had to get my ears set today and I wanted to show you how funny I look...but when mommy was taking my picture I had a great idea! I thought how funny it would be to do something really fun on camera....HAHAHA...
so this is what I came up with----->

I am still laughing even tho mommy was NOT laughing.....she had to wash all the bedding...I only do this to keep her on her toes ya know! Don't tell on me.....

Sunday in the Park

2006-04-24T18:00:00.000-04:00

Sunday we went to a HUGE park and I got to play and play and run all over! Then daddy gave me little tiny yummy cookies and all I had to do was stand still. This was hard work, but I did it. Then I got to relax under the tree. I love the park and my new house!

chillin in da crib

2006-04-21T15:43:00.000-04:00

chillin in da crib
Originally uploaded by Nutty.

AHHHH friday afternoons at the office....now this really is the life, I tell ya! Just chillin' high above the world without a care at all...dreamin bout my next attack on P-nut or a nice long walk.....

It's MY toy!

2006-04-19T14:14:00.000-04:00

DSC01523.JPG
Originally uploaded by Nutty.

No, it's MY toy
No no no it's MINE!!!!!!!
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

Practicing my attack.....

2006-04-19T14:13:00.000-04:00

snarky.JPG
Originally uploaded by Nutty.

See I KNOW if I am hiding under the chairs and stuff P-nut cannot get me...so I tease her and then just when she goes for me - BOOM - I slip underneath my protective covering!!!! HAHAHAHAHA!

Cookies!?

2006-04-09T13:53:00.000-04:00

DSC01441.JPG
Originally uploaded by Nutty.

I am always on the lookout for cookies and I KNOW she's got a handful someplace.....

"Tired"

2006-04-08T12:57:00.000-04:00

"Tired"
Originally uploaded by Nutty.

This is just one of about a million toys I have. It's so hard to choose which to chew on each day...mommy changes them out for me and P-nut steals a lot of them cos she says they are really HER toys and not mine. Silly girl. Doesn't she know they are ALL my toys?!

Working

2006-04-07T17:21:00.000-04:00

Working
Originally uploaded by Nutty.

Sometimes I help my mommy do her work. I doubt she minds all my drool on her...it's the only place I can hang out and P-nut can't reach me - nanananana..........

HUH?

2006-04-07T15:03:00.000-04:00

DSC01394.JPG
Originally uploaded by Nutty.

What the heck was THAT?! Can't a guy get some peace and quiet around here?! Put that camera away for doGs sakes!

Pajama Party

2006-04-07T15:02:00.000-04:00

DSC01392.JPG
Originally uploaded by Nutty.

My friend P-nut is so much fun to hang out with. Sometimes we play and sometimes we just take naps together. I like to copy what she does cos she is so smart!

Relaxing among the boxes

2006-04-05T17:14:00.000-04:00

relaxing among the boxes
Originally uploaded by Nutty.

Today has been really great! We got to walk all over the place...well...actually mommy carried me a lot of the way cos I'm too small to walk that far...now I'm just relaxing at home. There are lots of fun boxes all over the place. I like the shade they make, but my friend P-nut likes the sunny parts better.

Top of the world....

2006-04-05T10:18:00.000-04:00

Top of the world....
Originally uploaded by Nutty.

Hey! I see something swimming in here...whoa - look at that! I also see a lot of stuff from up here! Yikes!

woooowoooooooooooooooo

2006-04-03T17:30:00.000-04:00

DSC01382.JPG
Originally uploaded by Nutty.

Hey come play with meeeeeeeeee!!!

Last day...

2006-04-03T14:55:00.000-04:00

I'm really not sure what they mean by this, but mommy and daddy told us that this is the last day we get to stay here at this nice place. My friend P-nut says that she has lived here her whole life! That's a long time! I think we get to go to another nice place though so I'm not really worried. I don't worry about much anyway! I'm always so happy. I try to tell P-nut not to worry so much, but she doesn't listen. Maybe someday she will see things my way and just wiggle and smile! :-)

Nosey

2006-03-30T17:55:00.000-05:00

HI!
I'm really nosey and always getting into stuff I'm told I shouldn't be...but I just can't help myself....I think eventually my mommy and daddy will see it my way and let me nose around where I wanna...I can find some very interesting things if left alone. For instance, did you know that if you see someone with a long stick with whiskers on the end and they are pushing it back and forth on the floor...you can run really fast and leap into the bottom of it and POOF stuff just goes flying! HAHAHAHA

On the go................

2006-03-27T11:54:00.000-05:00

as you can see i am always on the move so many of my photo's are a bit blurry...I have a lot to say as well!

Close2U

2006-03-23T22:19:00.000-05:00

DSC01333.JPG
Originally uploaded by Nutty.

My good friend P-nut LOVES me so! I can snuggle up to her whenever I wanna!!!!!

Checking out the lake...

2006-03-21T21:26:00.000-05:00

Hey this was a cool thing...let me tell you about it. The other day we went to this HUGE fish pond. See where I come from we have a little pond in our yard...well, I always thought it was HUGE...but now I know better. I'll bet there are really big fish for me to catch here! I cant wait to go back. I kept watching the water and looking for fish.....

Captain practices

2006-03-19T09:43:00.000-05:00

Mommy and daddy put me to work this morning. I had to stand on a towel and eat yummy treats and get my picture taken. It wasn't so hard to do. I think i will like this work. Can't wait for my real job to begin!

Spa Night

2006-03-17T22:16:00.000-05:00

Well I THOUGHT I was going to be allowed to the exclusive spa night in the hot tub...but my plan failed at the last moment. I was discovered hiding as a stowaway in daddy's robe.

Gardening

2006-03-16T11:14:00.000-05:00

Well mommy was pulling out all the fun green leaves I like to chew on - so I figured I'd help her. I climbed up into this pretty pot and saw the most beautiful colors I've ever seen (besides my reflection of course). Not that I am stuck up, but P-nut would love me more if she could see how my beautiful black coat shines against these pretty flowers!

mmmmm chicken tastes good!

2006-03-15T18:35:00.000-05:00

I am soooo lucky! My new mommy and daddy feed me the best food! This is my lunch and I'm having fun! Boy this is good stuff!

Aw come on...let me stay here....

2006-03-14T15:55:00.000-05:00

I was out exploring on my own today and I came across my good friend P-nut inside this HUMONGOUS crate! It's way better than mine! I'm gonna try and take it from her.....or at least ask if we can share.

HAHAHAHA

2006-03-13T20:24:00.000-05:00

This place is TOO MUCH FUN!!!!!!!!

My new best friend

2006-03-13T20:22:00.000-05:00

Here I am playing with my new best friend P-nut. I love her. I am not sure she loves me back tho......she loves me....she loves me not.....she loves me.......

My 1st night at my new home

2006-03-13T20:20:00.000-05:00

This is from my 1st night with my new mommy and daddy. I am a little bit scared but I know they love me!

Almost ready to come home......

2006-03-13T20:18:00.000-05:00

I am playing like I am already working. My big friend P-nut has a job I want to have one day so I practice and practice to be just like her!

Still looking good!

2006-03-13T20:16:00.000-05:00

Hey - I'm a good looking guy!

Howdy!

2006-03-13T20:15:00.000-05:00

I am doing my best to grow and grow.....PICK ME!

Welcome Captain

2006-03-13T20:11:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! Thanks for the big welcome...here I am!

My grandsire

2006-02-24T20:49:00.000-05:00

Judge Len Kell comments:

1st CH & IR CH WYREFARE PRINCE NASEEM (Best Veteran in Show) Still a lovely dog at almost ten years, fits the standard perfectly. Looks to me like he still enjoys himself, a great dog.

Show from May 2005

Dad

2006-01-23T20:29:00.000-05:00

This is my dad having a laugh!

Mom

2006-01-23T20:26:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of my beautiful momma!