"Every animal rescuer is rescuing a part of themselves..."

Slideshow that goes with the article about BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit bulls) in the LA Times. (Thanks, Bo.)

My favorite from the slideshow:

a pit bull and a chihuahua
wait for adoption

The article focuses on the rescue efforts to save fighting pit bulls taken from disgraced football star Michael Vick's Bad Newz Kennels.

I have a link to slideshows of the dogs from the BAD RAP website on my sidebar, but here it is again. Rescued Michael Vick Dogs (Warning: heartbreaking.)

Anyone who knows us knows we're pit bull advocates. And if you have any bad ideas about pit bulls (because the media loves to spread them), we can introduce you to Lazlo, who will change your mind in a heartbeat.


Mia, we know, has issues, and definitely has trouble with strangers. But once she gets to know you, she won't leave you alone. She's one of the most affectionate dogs I've ever met.


The point, of my rambling and the article in the LA Times, is that dogs should be treated as individuals, not lumped together as an "evil breed."

And just like any other stereotype, parts of the stereotypes about pit bulls are true (strong, loyal, extremely athletic)... but once you get to know a member of a stereotyped group, you get a better picture of what that individual is actually like, and you might just learn something about yourself and about your preconceived notions. Our brains like stereotypes; we like things to fit into neat categories so we don't have to process so much information. It's like a shortcut. But sometimes those shortcuts can get you in trouble. You might just miss out on a whole lotta love.

Positive Pit Bull Press