Do not judge a book by its cover is much easier to say than to actually do. We are human beings, and we use our judgement to make decisions based on firsthand experiences and emotions. And that is what has led me to conclude the American Pit Bull Terrier and Black people have more in common than we quite know.
Dogs have been man’s best friend for hundreds of years, since domestication. Like you, I would love to know what the first pair was too have bred in captivity. Think for a moment and picture capturing a pair of wolves that weigh close to four hundred pounds and your plan was to breed them. Without a doubt I would be terrified. Afterall these animals are powerful enough to hunt elk, deer, and could send a grizzly bear running. Also, a wolfs bite force is 1200 pounds per square inch (PSI), which has enough power to crush human bones.
For those brave individuals, who put their lives on the line to create what we know as domestic dogs, I would like to say thank you. Look around and discover the world of dogs. Today, we have over four hundred different breeds of dogs that can weigh a couple of pounds to big dogs that can weigh over three hundred pounds. For those reasons, I will always admire nature especially when learning about the vast array of species. Each dog breed has its own unique list of capabilities that make them the perfect dog for his/her owner.
I have never gotten the chance to own a dog, but one day I will make it happen. As a child, I wanted to become a veterinarian. Aside from eating animals, they have always brought a sense of joy to my life. Every animal that my parents would allow to keep from fish, birds, and even reptiles. Oddly enough, I could not have a dog because we lived in an apartment and the pooch would require too much space. Aside from housing, pets are expensive, and it will cost if you want to be a good owner. As time progress that dream of becoming an animal doctor died but the passion for animals have not changed.
In life, you will not always get what you want, but it also means not giving up on what you believe in. When I realized that becoming a vet was not going to be my reality, finance then became my focal point. Even though I would not make it a career, I did not lose interest in studying dog breeds. It was one day that I was watching tv and stumbled across a show called The Dog Whisperer. The show is about a Mexican dog trainer, who took his dog training skills and made into an international success. His tagline would state that he does not train dogs, but he trains their owners.
Dogs are permanent members of our society, and we can examine the facts through numbers. In the U.S they are over seventy million dogs. I am sure you have heard about the humanization of pets, or just think about it when you see a dog in a stroller. Having a dog on a leash is the standard practice, but for most pet parents their pooch deserves better. I know all it takes is a little clever marketing to get consumers to spend on their pet even if it is unnecessary. The goal is to get people to spend the same amount of money on fido as they would their own child. From what I gathered so far, more consumers are swallowing that humanization pill. Hey, it is no longer Gucci down to the sock, it is Gucci down to the dog.
There are hundreds of dog breeds but one in a particular have been the most conversational, and that is none other than the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT). The Pit bull is a powerful compact dog breed that weigh on average 70 -80 pounds for a male and around 50- 60 pounds for a female. Pit bulls come in dozens of assorted color variations including the red nose or the blue nose. Due to selective breeding Pitbulls can weigh over 150 pounds but they go by the name Bully Pits. When you see one of these dogs in person you will be impressed by its physique and loving personality.
The APBT were dogs used for fighting in pits, hence the name. Also, the breed was popular in bull baiting sport. The sad truth about it is that the dog is so great at it, people only associate the breed with its past. What is the old adage that we hear all the time, once a criminal always a criminal. It is foolish to an extent because it would require those who broke the law to remain in prison forever regardless of the crime. This holds true for the APBT, because we cannot come to an agreement of what this breed should represent. What does it mean to be an APBT in America?
In recent years, the APBT has been responsible for hundreds of dog-related deaths in America. I agree, this is not a good look for the breed, but as we dig deeper, we can identify one common trend, which is negligence. Dogs do not attack people or other animals unless provoked or misguided. When a bullet leaves a chamber, that shooter does tell the bullet where to go. Instead, you should have a good aim regardless of if your target is moving. We understand that innocent people die every day from gun violence. Irresponsible owners are the downfall for this majestic breed. What is the outcome of when you put a powerful breed in the hands of an uneducated person?
American Pit Bull Terriers once known as Americas sweetheart, has seen its reputation tarnished. Before a Pit bull would be associated with a little white girl or a middle-class family. Today you can find Pit bulls in animal shelters, which sounds nicer to say than death row. Rappers, drug abusers, and poverty-stricken people own Pit bulls and it has not benefited the breed other than making into something that it is not. DMX has music videos that display dog aggression, while the breed is wearing big chains. Mike Vic served time in prison for dog fighting, and he was on the verge of becoming a great quarter back. You know what else is disheartening, watching people who are welfare that lack both intellect and economic power walking around with pit bulls. A dog is a legal weapon, and it would make sense to require people to have a license before owning this breed or any other that has the capability to kill a human being.
Ceasar Millan taught me important life lessons when I watched his show, The Dog Whisperer. It does not matter what kind of dog breed that you own, because the same rules apply. Every dog on this planet needs discipline, love, and affection. When you implement these elements, you too can have the perfect dog. Ceasar is also a dog owner and has a pack of twenty dogs or more. His favorite dog named Daddy, which was a nice red nose pit bull who lived to sixteen years old. Well, it is ironic that one of the best dog trainers in the world has a pit bull as his mascot.
African Americans and the APBT have commonalities but the one that is at the top of the list is non other than fear. Despite being victims of oppression, Black people are considered to be wild animals. Public media has interesting ways to sway the narrative, especially what they deem acceptable. The APBT creates enough fear in the human mind even before you come into close contact with one. No one takes the time to find out more about the breed, because it is much easier to turn the other way or move out of it. Like the pit bull, we can attest to the fact that life is difficult. Racism describes a superior race over another therefore, I can introduce a term call dogism. It simply means treating other dog breeds better with ideal resources, while neglecting other dog breeds that are inferior.
Now I do not want readers to misconstrue the thesis thinking that I am dehumanizing African Americans. I want people to understand how our species are vastly similar to the animals we eat or live with. For those of us who are not afraid of dogs, love them and are always willing to go above and beyond. The American Pit Bull Terrier is a great breed of dog for families who wants a companion that will die for them. Did you know that the pit bull is the only dog breed that can pull up to thirty times its own body weight? From a human perspective, it would be the average adult pulling an adult bison or a Toyota corolla. Dogs are forgiving creatures that do not hold on to the past, so if they are willing to let go on command, then society should let go of its stigma about both African Americans and the APBT.