Good News for One of America's Favorite Dogs...

I was going to wait until the end of the month before posting. Some news is just too good to postpone. (Pun totally intended.)

For the past 15 to 20 years, there has been a concerted effort on the part of many rescue groups to change the perception of pit bulls and pit bull type dogs from that of potentially dangerous creatures to beloved family companions. It has been an up-hill battle with so much hysterical/sensational reporting in the media about dog bites, human deaths, breed specific legislation (BSL), and dog fighting ... Oh, did I say dog fighting?  While admittedly an abominable activity, dog fighting coverage in the news may have actually kick-started improvements in the general opinion of this much maligned dog.

The notorious Bad Newz Kennels bust in 2007 was certainly a seminal event which tipped the scales of public perception. For the first time, the dogs involved were deemed "victims" of a human crime. Many rescue groups and the Humane Society of America lobbied on behalf of the 40 some-odd dogs found on the premises, urging that the dogs undergo temperament testing rather than being immediately euthanized. The judge agreed and the rest of the story is an amazing testament to the true nature of these dogs.

In the intervening years, despite resistance from the general public and ridiculous BSL in many municipalities, there are good signs. One of the best is this infographic from Huffington Post published on October 24, 2013:

Infographic by Alissa Scheller for the Huffington Post

Mind now that one of the data sources is the ASPCA, one of the "humane" groups (along with PETA) which recommended euthanasia for the Bad Newz Kennel dogs 6 years ago. My, how times have changed!

Falling in Love Again

For the past two years, I have been slowly and respectfully working on a relationship with an amazing rescue group, Bad Rap (Bay Area Dog-Owners Responsible About Pit-Bulls). The director and CFO--both co-founders of this outstanding non-profit--are human beings (in the finest sense of that phrase) who are dedicated to restoring the pit bull terrier as a cherished family dog. Certainly a cause I can get right behind. ;)

After CJ died this summer I was convinced that I'd be happy in a two dog household. So I was really surprised when I found myself crushing on a BadRap dog so hard I actually emailed them about his availability.

This video got me first... snap, snap, snap, but very gentle when he connected with the other pups...Then there was a photo on the Bad Rap Facebook page:

Look at that impish mug! And those feet! I was smitten. Totally smitten. But the very best thing about this guy are his ears... Check them out in Bad Rap's Facebook album, "Rock the Kasbah!"

It was an even lovelier surprise when my inquiry was greeted with a warm reception and I was invited out to the Rescue Barn to meet the object of my crush, Kasbah, a nine-month-old clownish boy-dog.