Not that I'm going over the top preachy, or anything of the sort. I just choose to perceive most situations in life as indicators of ways to improve. Such was the case after my unsettling yet brief scuffle with an aggressive pit bull while out with Merlyn and Honey Bear (the service dog I'm walking for a local dog outfitter in Seattle) earlier this evening. I realized that pits, while often tagged in a negative light due to the aggressive behavior towards other dogs, are only that way because the humans who have opted to take them in are irresponsible to begin with. They don't seem to realize that the ONLY way to ensure a dog's well-being is to get them plenty of exercise and mental stimlulation. When they are occupied in a healthy pastime, they will be so much less likely to jump their fences and go after two dogs strolling by.
If I could propose some manner of neighborhood exercise for dogs such as this, where volunteers would walk the dogs a minimum of an hour a day to make sure they don't get pent-up aggression by being stuck in a backyard all day. Why not give the pit bulls-or any seemingly undesirable shelter dogs, for that matter-a job where they can get both plenty of exercise AND mental stimulation? Winning all around! :)
Not sure how realistic it would be to convince the owners of unneutered pit bulls to allow their dogs to be fixed and taken out for regular walks, but it's worth a try. I wonder if these dogs even register on their scale of what a canine companion is or is not. I wonder if they even bother to think of how their neglect is ultimately affecting an otherwise amazing dog.
Anyway, love to those four-legged friends in your life, whatever form they may take.
