It was an especially pleasant day. Mid-70’s, sunshine, and a colorful rainbow of the sweetest dogs.
What could be better than a dog walk on a Sunday afternoon?
Oh! Pip in pearls. Sky with a blue bow. Happy, a two year old rescue. Seven month young Naala. And big Petey. All walking in sync up an autumn leaf-filled pathway in historic Five Points in Jacksonville, Florida. Pink tongues flapped from of shades of brown, mauve, black, white, tan, and brindle, with spots and stripes all forming the perfect collage of… Happiness.
Ever so slowly an elderly woman crept by, sharing the sidewalk and taking in the soft colors and sweet faces of those on leashes. “If I had known you were going to be out here, I would have brought my two poodles!” she said with enthusiasm.
You see, these dogs walked together, seemingly paw-in-paw. You see, these dogs were Pit Bulls.
Pit Sisters, Jen & Sybil, along with “Step-Sister”, Lynn, organized the walk for their pit-loving friends and fans. According to their Facebook Page, Pit Sisters mission is “To provide voices, homes and love to those who cannot speak.” and “…to remove the stereotypes associated with the bully breeds.”
And boy, do they have loyal fans, sporting t-shirts that read “Plays with Pit Bulls”, “I Rescue Pit Bulls”, and of course, “Hello Pittie” a fun knock-off of the familiar Hello Kitty® image. The fans enter online auctions bidding for dog pearls, bows and oh so much more in order to donate to the non-profit organization.
The Pit Sisters Hug A Bull event is planned for February 11th in Jacksonville, complete with Pittie Kissing Booth and Cupid’s Cutest Pittie Contest. Any one of the Pitties walking on Sunday would have been perfect candidates for the Kissing Booth and I would have been the first in line. Nope, I don’t have a Pit Bull. I have super-fluffy dogs. But I don’t discriminate, and that is the key.
To think that 78% of Pit Bulls that come to shelters are put down before they can find a forever home is, well, disappointing. The Doberman Pinscher and German Shepherd breeds had their days. What will it take to open people’s minds in understanding that it is not the breed that it aggressive. Instead it is how the breed is handled by the owner. Want to raise a Pit Bull to fight? Can be done. They are built tough, born out of breeding Bulldog and Terrier. Or would you rather let one live its life in harmony with people and other dogs? This too, can be done. Born out of patience and good old-fashioned love.
An excerpt from PitBull411.com:
Over the years, the American Pit Bull Terrier has been a beloved symbol of Americana. In World War I, a pit bull named Stubby captured the heart of the nation. Stubby was the unofficial mascot of the 102nd Infantry Division and was credited with saving the lives of several of his human comrades. For his valiant service, Stubby won several medals and was even awarded the rank of sergeant! He came home from the war to a hero’s welcome and went on to become the mascot for Georgetown University.
Over the years, many famous Americans have owned pit bulls. Mark Twain, Theodore Roosevelt, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Thomas Edison, Woodrow Wilson, John Steinbeck, Helen Keller, and Fred Astaire have all been proud to own dogs of this breed.
Pit Sisters will be helping shed light on the subject in March at a screening of the documentary, “Beyond The Myth”.
To hear more about Northeast Florida Dog Events, please visit YAPPYPLACE.com
Thanks for being there with the rest of us, sharing your fun and great photos, and writing this great piece. Peatie was glad to have met you! So we’re we.
Lovely piece and great photos, Yappy Place.
Last week, this week and next week in the Florida Legislature, a bill is being presented to undo the ban on Pit Bulls in Miami-Dade. The ban has been the law for 20+ years. Dahlia Canes, executive director of the Miami Coalition Against BSL has been in Tallahassee along with honorary board members, Ernie Sims, Sr and Ernie Sims, Jr. Mr. Sims was a guest during The New Barker segment of The SkipShow on Monday, January 23 with an update.
This movement is far from over, and we all have a chance to help. Simply go her to read a bit on the subject, and then follow the links to contact the folks on the Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee, where the bill has been assigned. There are also links to contact your Florida legislators. http://www.unitedagainstbsl.org/UNITEDAGAISNTBSL/SB1322_and_HB997_would_repeal_BSL_in_Miami_Dade.html
If this ban remains in place in Miami-Dade, it could very well move to each of our own communities, making having a Pit Bull/Pit Bull mix against the law. Follow Yappy Place and The New Barker on each of our facebook sites and blogs for continued updates. Let me know that you contacted your Legislator via facebook, and I will give you a complimentary subscription to The New Barker.
In this day of email and the internet, it’s easy to become involved and be a voice that will make Florida a better state for dogs.
Anna Cooke, Editor
The New Barker
Florida’s top dog lifestyle magazine
Thank you so much for the great blog. We had so much fun at the walk! Thank you for the support. We LOVE these dogs!!