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We Are Your Neighbors.

By Hannah Powell For The Dog Files

Pit Bull advocates are normal people. We may not all own Pit Bulls, but that does not mean we do not support this misunderstood dog breed. We are not thugs, drug dealers or dog fighters. We are your neighbors and your friends; we love our children and our pets. We live in your city, even if there is a ban on Pit Bulls. We are involved in our communities, and we are out to prove that Pit Bulls are wonderful dogs! Here is what some of us have to say about them.

There is nothing not to like about pit bulls. They have every good quality a dog can possess, plus come in a colorful variety of coats and have unique and expressive ears. Laurel Ashley – Sacramento, CA: Laurel shares her home with two Pit Bulls, an American Staffordshire mix foster, a Rottweiler and a parrot

I love my two pitties because no matter how much I wrestle them to the ground they pop right back up and attack with kisses. Also, I love them because everyone is scared to break into my house, but little do they know my dogs would roll on their backs and show them to the cookie drawer. Nikki Johnson – Seattle, WA: Nikki’s family consists of her fiancé, a boxer, a Chihuahua/Chinese-crested mix, a miniature pinscher and two pit bull fosters

I live in a neighborhood with four Pit Bulls, and there has never been a single incident with any of them. Each of them is a sweet dog with a great disposition and a good pet owner. We have no breed bans in our city, and I see no need for them. I have yet to meet an aggressive pit bull. Julie Fowler – Issaquah, WA: Julie shares her home with her cat and American Bulldog

Pit Bulls are actually one of the best breeds. They are loyal and kind. The incorrect reputation of Pit Bulls is actually from the owners, not the breed. Gloria Lin – Issaquah, WA: Gloria lives with her two dogs, a Cockapoo and a Doberman mix


After walking several dogs at the local SPCA, I can honestly say that Pit Bulls are awesome dogs! They are so happy (and they have that GRIN!), when they wag their tails their whole butt shakes, and they just want to make you happy. They’ll do anything to please you. The look of love and eternal gratitude they give me when I scratch their ears and give them a kiss on the forehead melts my heart every time.
 Mandy Buhle – Media, PA: Mandy lives with her mom, dad and two border collies

I have never owned a Pit Bull, but I know they are amazing dogs. I would not hesitate to adopt one in the future. Evidence of this can be seen in any dog park that does not have breed restrictions as well as in any neighborhood. Pit Bulls are fun-loving dogs that are extremely loyal to their families. Anyone who thinks otherwise has never met a Pit Bull and is formulating their opinion from myths and skewed news reporting. Amy McHenry – Issaquah, WA: Amy’s family consists of her husband, child, two German Shepherds and two cats

My RubyDee is my heart and soul; she knows me better than I know myself. She is the most wonderful support and help that I could ever ask for. She reflects the best parts of me, and I do my best to honor her in the same way. My Rex is our protector; he watches over us with a loyalty that I have never seen before. He’s not very smart, but he knows that he owes us his life and does his best to show us constantly that he is a good boy. We are not your typical “easy dog” pack, but we work hard to show the world that every dog deserves a chance to have a place to thrive and shine. Sarah Witte – Issaquah, WA: Sarah shares her home with her two pit bulls

My sister had the best dog ever named Sasha. Sasha was a big part of her family and was dearly loved by my three little nieces ages 7, 5 and 2. She was the most loving dog ever! We lost Sasha about a year ago. My nieces still talk about her, and yes, Sasha was a Pit Bull. Elaine Smith – Conroe, TX: Elaine’s family consists of her husband and two children

I live in a neighborhood surrounded by Pit Bulls. My dog is actually part Pit Bull. She is the BEST dog on the planet, and her best friends and former boyfriend are all Pit Bulls. These dogs have a bad rap wherein their behavior is usually due to human involvement. Laura Reigel – Issaquah, WA: Laura lives with her basenji/pit bull mix and cat

Pit Bulls are great dogs, very loyal and smart.

They are high energy and need lots of exercise. They are willing to please, so I have found them easy to train. I was once terrified of this breed myself, but as I got to know them I realized that I love them. Mandy Reiner – Drexel Hill, PA: Mandy shares her home with her boyfriend and daughter, three dogs, one cat, four foster kittens and one foster Pit Bull puppy

My 55 lb Pit Bull plays tug of war with our 9 lb Italian Greyhound and lets the IG win! They LOVE tug with their stuffed Octo! Julie Russell – Seattle, WA: Julie shares her home with her husband, two pit bulls, an Italian greyhound and a lab
  
I started volunteering a few years ago for a small rescue group and had the opportunity to meet the much-maligned Pit Bull. I’ve never before met such loving, grateful, accepting dogs. The traits that make them such wonderful family dogs, unfortunately allow them to be abused by horrible people in the world. Adopt one today….you won’t ever regret it!!! Heather Enajabi – Auburn, WA: Heather shares her home with a Weimeraner, a Husky/Akita/Shepherd mix, a Great Dane and a Pit Bull

I use to be one of those people that believed the media about Pit Bulls. Then I met several Pit Bulls in my neighborhood, and it totally changed my perception. I’m now the biggest Pit Bull advocate there could be. Rosa Spitaleri-Castillo – Hackensack, NJ: Rosa’s family consists of her husband, daughter and hound mix

The Pit Bulls I’ve met are some of the nicest and well-behaved dogs I’ve ever met. Kristin Maloney – Redmond, WA: Kristin lives with her husband and they will soon share their home with a little Havanese puppy

I have fostered both dogs and cats for my rescue group here in PA; some of my best and sweetest fosters have been Pit Bill mixes. My opinion is that any dog can be trained to be a good dog, and any dog can be trained to be a bad dog regardless of the breed. Kim Butler – Upland, PA: Kim shares her home with many foster cats and one Pit Bull mix

Hannah lives in Issaquah, WA with her husband, two dogs, and a parrot. She runs a dog walking/pet sitting business and volunteers her time to local dog rescue groups. In her spare time she enjoys skiing, hiking with her dogs, and camping. The experience of pit bull ownership has been her motivation for writing about this wonderful and misunderstood dog breed. Please check out Busybark for more about Hannah and her love of dogs.