“

Out of all the physically attractive, cuddly breeds of dogs in the world, why would anyone choose an ugly, un-cuddly dog like a pit-bull? A dog selectively bred for generations to fight other dogs and bears? A dog which empties an off-leash area in record time, makes people shun their owners, and involves a huge liability risk?

In the press recently pit-bulls have now reached Victimhood status. “They are misunderstood, they only need the love of a good person (generally a woman) in order to become rehabilitated and reveal their essential goodness benefiting the individual rehabilitating them, and society in general,” is the essence of the media message.

It seems that a recurring archetype is behind this phenomenon, namely Beauty and The Beast. In Western literature, the Beauty and the Beast archetype is played out in a number of fairy tales: obviously La Belle et la Bête (Beauty and the Beast), in Beatrice and Benedict in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, in Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and in Jane and Mr. Rochester in Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre.

Each of these heroines represents a marginalized woman, not completely accepted by the society in which she lives, because of some culturally defined handicap, and therefore has no status within her milieu, resulting in diminished marriage potential. Violence is the trait the “beast-men” all have in common. The woman’s status is reversed when she tames the violence in the beast. She, thereby, scores off other women, by demonstrating that her sexual allure is greater than theirs. The “beast man” still strikes fear into everybody else, except the woman who has rehabilitated him. Mr. Darcy’s demeanor curbs the contemptuous behavior, directed towards Elizabeth, by the Bingley sisters, Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

The Beauty and the Beast archetype is being expressed by modern victimized women in the new fad of cheerleading for pit-bulls. Like Mr. Darcy, a pit-bull can be used to enhance one’s self-esteem, as a status symbol among women, and to intimidate the rest of society.”

Ellen Taft

http://www.capitolhilltimes.com/2012/08/beauty-and-the-pitbull/

Oh my, how foolish I have been, because what is stated above is obviously the reason for my love of the breed, it obviously has nothing to do with the fact that this breed is more loyal, loving, devoted, fun loving and affectionate than any other breed I’ve ever worked with.

Seriously?

These dogs are beautiful and the reason so many women love and advocate them is because they have seen all the good in the breed and are fed up with them being victimised just so that people can sell papers, looks ‘tough’ or have a scape goat that they can blame. It has nothing to do with the feeling of ‘taming a beast’ because these dogs aren’t ‘beasts’, if raised right from a puppy they retain their clown nature, if rehabiliated after being used for fighting or abused, it still is not ‘taming a beast’, it’s simply teaching them that they can trust us and that they do not need to be afraid, patching them up and building them up again to perfect health. So many of these dogs still love anyone they meet regardless of the fact that many have every right not to, have every right to show aggression.

Some peoples ignorance and plain stupidity annoys me. People who rescue, rehabilitate and advocate this breed do not do it for their image or for the thrill of ‘taming’ an animal, they do it because these dogs deserve to be given a second chance, because they do not deserve the hate and abuse that surrounds them, because they love this breed and know that if people just gave them a chance then they would too. We do it for the dogs, there is no other reason, we do not need any other reason.

They love us unconditionally, despite all our flaws and all that people have done against them, we are simply returning the favour.

Well first I’ve decided that whenever I have the time and it is convenient then I might write my own paper/book on my favourite breeds, not really to publish or anything, just for my own fun. It will include:

• Different Breeds
• Anatomy (Bone Structure, Muscle Build, Coat Colourations Etc) & Health Problems
• History Of Breeds Development
• Temperament
• Physiology
• Genetics
• Uses In Current Cultures & Past
• Public Reactions & Feelings Towards Breeds (Past & Present)
• Breed Related Statistics
• Breed Specific Training
• Field Tests & Results (Temperament, Agility, Intelligence Etc)
• Breeds In Current & Past Media
• Professional Thoughts, Evaluations & Opinions On Different Aspects Of Breeds

Secondly I’ve started writing a list of the things that I need to do to get my rescue centre up and running and different aspects that I’ve been thinking about for when it’s actually open to business. There is no doubt in my mind that this list is going to continue to increase and be edited up until the centre is actally open, and then even after that I am sure, but this is it so far:-

General:

• Funding
• Land
• Charity Registration
• Legislation
• Kennel Design (Size, Ease To Clean, ‘Runs’, Heating, Electricity, Dogs Must Not Face Each Other!)
• Building Costs
• Kennel Blocks / Sections (One Head Of Section, Colour Code Each Block)
• Health & Safety
• Staff (Numbers, Pay Etc)
• On Site Communications (Walkie-Talkies?) (Sick phone, night phone etc)
• Exercise Areas
• Cleaning & Exercise Equipment
• Food Costs & Brands (James Wellbeloved?) + General Utility Costs
• Advertising (Tv, Radio, Internet, Papers, Pet Shops Etc)
• Internet, Fax & Landline
• Logo
• Promotion Ideas
• Opening Hours
• Kennel Numbers
• Re-homing Requirements
• Dog Trainer?
• Canine Behaviouralist?
• Vet - On Site?
• Veterinary Nurse - On Site Daily
• Kitchen, Washing, Bath, Reception, Vet, Maternity, Isolation, Quiet Block (High Strung Dogs) & Staff Facilities
• Boarding?
• Re-homing Fees
• Home & Background Check (Potential Homers)
• Permanent Residence Accommodation (Dog)
• Live In Staff (House) (Plus Myself)
• Staff Shifts, Rota’s & Hours
• Behaviour & Requirements Assessment (Dog)
• Dog Warden Connections?
• Link With Other Centres / Charities / Organisations Etc?
• Merchandise? (Clothes (Dog & Human), Dog Toys, Kids Toys, Stationaries, Handling Equipment (Lead & Collar Etc), Grooming Equipment, Ornaments, Key Rings, Key Covers, Car Stickers, Training & Agility Equipment Etc)
• On Site Shop?
• Emergency Procedures (Fire Safety)
• Technological Site Protection (CCTV, Key Pad Locks Etc)
• Adequate Good Quality Fencing & Gates, Locks, Secure Site Protection
• ‘Booking’ Procedures
• Picnic Area
• ‘First Meeting’ Area
• Sponsors
• Dog Bedding (Vet Bed? - Not Alway Safe Especially For Pups)
• Kennels Fixtures And Fittings
• Dog Toys
• Donation Stations
• Staff Uniforms
• Microchipping
• Exercise, Worming, Fleaing & Grooming Records
• Dog Of The Week / Month Board
• Training Classes (Bull Terrier Specifically In Mind) (Staff, Volunteers, Potential Owners & Members Of The Public)
• Permanent Dog Sponsors (Permanent Resident Dogs)
• Volunteers & Work Placements (Legalities, Legislation, Health & Safety, Number At One Time & Risk Assessments)
• Wheelchair User Access
• Specific Training Programs? (Dogs For The Disabled, Buddy Dogs Etc)
• Rescue Centre Expansion? (Other Branches Around The Country)
• Disinfectants (Animal Friendly, Strong & Effective)
• Barrier Nursing, Isolation & Quarantine Procedures

Rescue Centre Write Up:

• Bull Terrier behaviour / temperament (each breed - Staffordshire Bull Terrier, merican Pitbull Terrier, English Bull Terrier, Miniture English Bull Terrier Etc)
• Breed history
• Breed anatomy & hereditary/common health/behavioural problems
• Wholesalers (food, equipment, merchandise, bedding etc) (prices/location/transport/items etc)
• Financial help (grants/loans etc)
• Land costs (rent/buy?)
• Building permits?
• Number of buildings allowed on 1 site?
• Charity registration
• All relevant legislation (Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, H&S, Public liability, Animal Welfare, Kennel & Cattery, COSHH, RIDDOR etc)
• Site plan layout & design (kennels (draining), exercise area, isolation, reception, staff area, main office, staff kennels, restrooms, picnic area, maternity, vending machines, kitchen, vet room, storage (food, equipment, bedding, merchandise etc), maintenance area etc)
• Centres aims & objectives
• Advertising & campaigns (tv, local (pet shop etc), radio, Internet etc)
• Re-homing application & home requirements (background check, home check, dog/animal meet etc)
• Temperament evaluation & assessing needs
• Sections (Iso, Mat, Diff block names)
• Staff (contracts, jobs roles & description, staff numbers, uniform, heads of sections etc)
• Write up on each dog (name, age, size, weight, sex, neutered, temperament, home requirement, other animal assessment and results, microchip number, medical history (if known), reason for admission, description of dog & picture, commands known etc)
• Neutering & microchipping programme
• Veterinary (registered pet, on-site veterinary nurse, medication kept on site, procedures performed on site etc)
• Waste disposal (sharps, faeces, general waste etc)
• Donation points (bedding, food, toys, beds, equipment collection boxes etc) (at supermarkets, pet shops etc)
• Training routines (daily/weekly general training, agility etc)
• Off site days (walks) (once a week for each, summer especially) (Rota for staff & dogs)
• Open days (stalls, games, competitions, shows, dog promotion, displays etc) (yearly)
• Classes (socialisation, obedience training, agility, buddy, dogs for the disabled)
• Volunteer & work placement (train in general dog behaviour, training, upkeep, diet etc)
• Whelping and weaning pups (bitches in labour, weaning etc) (Training, documents, equipment etc)
• Publicise and educate public (take ‘my dogs’ along) (talks (schools, colleges, uni etc), stalls, ‘bull terrier taster days’ (come in, walks, play with pups) positive press & experiences)
• Set up website (HTML) (layouts - seasonal, holidays, change every 6 months) (about us, our dogs (pups, oldies, special etc), about the breed (temperament, history, KC requirements, etc), sponsor (dogs unsuitable for rehoming (my dogs)), donate, contact us, volunteer & work placement, how to find us, re-homed dogs (‘happy endings’), catch up with past dogs, merchandise, links (Facebook, bull terrier websites, bull terrier merchandise websites etc), gallery, ‘what’s new’, ‘whats going on’, downloads (wallpapers, icons etc)
• Logo (Staffi, English, Min English, Pit, etc?)
• Location (Somerset, Devon, Dartmouth, Cornwall, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Midlands, Berkshire, etc?)
• Waiting list (name, number, breed, temperament, reason for submission)
• Records (feeding, medical, exercise, training, grooming, ‘off site days’, weaning & whelping/birthing, socialisation, evaluation/assessments etc)
•Colour coded collars:
Green - good with all members of public & public/volunteer interaction allowed
Orange - some aggressive behavioural issues & public/volunteer interactions dependent on behavioural trigger and behaviour
Red - large aggressive behavioural issues, staff only dog & no public/volunteer interaction
• Breed Ambassador t-shirt / coat / hoody for dogs taken out in community

• Research projects:
- Media effect on rehoming dogs of Mollosar breeds
- Effect of kennelling on Terrier behaviour
- Prevention of stereotypical behaviour
- Natural dog aggression in Bull Terrier breeds
- Media effects on public perception of Bull Terriers & other Mollosar breeds

Thats all that I have been able to think of so far but if anyone can think of anything else then I’d be greatful to hear it! =^-^=

So…

I’m not entirely sure what to write here, I hate these first posts, once your started it’s fine, it’s just the getting started that is often the problem.

Well I might as well start as I mean to go on…by rambling on about random crap and opinions that no-one else really wants to listen to or actually cares about.

Well then…let’s begin.

My name is actually Niki, despite what my username on here says, well actually it’s Nikita but I can’t stand that name. I’m not entirely sure why, I’ve never really liked it. I guess part of it could be the fact that you physically can’t say my full name without sounding vaguely posh and trust me, I am far from that.

I would much rather have a name like Sitara Rose, although that doesn’t really make a lot of sense seen as technically that is another name that you cannot say without sounding posh as well, still it does seem like the better of the two options in my opinion.

“If Nothing Else, I Want To Be Remembered As The Girl Who Gave Her Life To And For Her Dogs” - I believe that that was what I wrote on my main page. To those who don’t know, which is pretty much anyone that hasn’t spoken to me for more than 5 seconds, I love dogs…well all canines really but mainly dogs, and out of all of those dog breeds, mainly Bull Terriers.

Pitbulls, Staffies, English Bully’s, I can’t help it, I love all of them. Hence the aforementioned quote, which I wrote myself by the way, just in case anyone was wondering, which I highly doubt. Anyway, my goal in life…well it’s not really a goal as such…well actually I suppose it is…Maybe I should reword that. What I am devoting my life to, is opening my own Bull Terrier rescue centre. I suppose you could class it as a goal really, it is just a goal that I will reach no matter the cost.

A lot of people have asked me why I love these dogs so much and I don’t really have a proper answer. Well I do, my first day at my work placement and I was asked to play in the field with a dog named Cadbury, so I agreed and the next thing I knew they were walking down the yard with a Pitbull that was wearing a muzzle that made him look like Hannibal Lecter. I was brought up being told that these dogs were dangerous so I naturally thought that I was going to die, but the time it took them to walk down the small path and leave me completely alone with him minus a muzzle, he had legged it across the field, found a football and lobbed it at my feet. When they came back 3/4 of an hour later, I was sprawled on the grass with him lying across me and I had fallen completely in love.

Every time I went there afterwards I made sure to work with all of the different Bull Terriers and I found that Cadbury wasn’t just a one off. These dogs weren’t the monsters that I had read about in the papers, they were beautiful, loving and compassionate animals that wanted nothing more than a kind word and a scratch behind the ear. The more time I spent with those dogs, the more I fell in love with them and their breed, and became the girl that you see today.

As sad and pathetic as it is, these dogs are my life, I would do and give anything for them and I can honestly say, that the only thing that I can see for definite in my future, is them. If I don’t have them, I don’t have anything and I honestly feel as if I would lose my purpose in life. Opening my rescue centre is all I want to do with my life, it’s all that I’m working towards and I want to change peoples hearts and minds and show everyone that the picture that the media paints, and the real one, are completely different.

I know that I am going to face a lot of opposition and I don’t expect to change the world, but if I can change the mind of just one person, get them to give these dogs a chance, then that will be good enough for me. In my centre I will be taking in dogs from all the Bull Terrier breeds and from all different backgrounds, including ex-fighters, I will rehabilitate them and where possible re-home them. Those that I cannot re-home, for whatever reason, will stay with me. The best dogs, both my own and those up for adoption, will be taken out into the community to try and dispell the myths, lies and hysteria that surround these so that I can show people that they are no different than any other breed. A dog is a dog is a dog, and it is only as good as you raise it to be.

There are people out there that have every right to dislike the breed personally, but that doesn’t mean that the whole breed should be slaughtered. The acts of a few should not condem the whole. If the entire breed of dog was bad or dangerous then don’t you think they would be banned world wide? And that there wouldn’t be hundreds of Pitbull that work as therapy dogs in the States?

The laws as they stand condemn all dogs of the Pitbull ‘type’, so basically anything that looks like a Bull Terrier. Even if you dog has no Bull Terrier of any kind in it whatsoever, it can be taken and destroyed. Puppies that haven’t even opened their eyes yet are deemed as dangerous and blood thirsty monsters and are slaughtered with the rest

No matter how you look at it, it is wrong, and the sooner they scrap the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and bring in some decent canine based legislation, the better. At the end of the day, a dog is only as good as you make it, and if you want to see the true monsters in the horror stories you read in the paper, then you want to take a look at the creature holding the other end of the leash, because that is the only monster that you will see there.

When they were creating the Bull Terrier breeds they were looking for a dog that they could fight at night, but take home to be a family pet during the day. When fighting a dog you are dealing with them in high levels of pain, fear and aggression, you can not fight a dog that will potentially turn on you at that time. When breeding, dogs that even so much as growled at their handler were often beaten to death and were certainly never bred from. As a result, they ended up with a breed with an impecible temperament, one that would never turn on humans but was aggressive towards their own kin and other animals.

These dogs don’t just see humans as someone who provides food and warmth, to a Bull Terrier you are their life. They love completely and unconditionally, forgive completely regardless of what you do to them, are completely devoted to their owner and will do anything to please them. They would lay down their life in a second for their family and the ones that they love. Unfortunately, the wrong people want them for these reasons, they have taken and manipulated these traits that 100 years ago had the Bull Terrier as the poster dog for America and the most trusted family pet in England, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier even bore the name of the ‘Nanny dog’ because of it’s love, devotion and gentleness with children. The dogs have not changed in this time, they remain the same in everything they do, it is society that has changed.

They gave their all, poured their heart and soul into serving us and we have repaid them by turning our backs and condemming them all. The slaughter and the bloodshed must end, and it must end soon before it is too late and we lose an ally and friend with the purest of hearts. These dogs should not be made to suffer for the sins of man.

People need to open their eyes to see what lies before them before the loss becomes greater than just one breed. Once the Bull Terriers are gone it will be the turn of the Rottweiler, then the Doberman, the Mastiffs, the Boxer, the Bulldogs, the German Shepherd, the Spaniel, the Labrador, the working dogs, the toy breeds. This will not stop until as a species, Canis Lupus Familiaris, the dog, is all but extinct. Destroying one breed that society claims is dangerous will not protect people or reduce the number of dog attacks and bites, the only thing that will change, will be the breed of dog villainized by the media. The only way to protect the public and reduce the number of dog bites is to crack down and bring in legislation that focusses on the owners, because whilst the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 stands and BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) is still in place, all you will find is empty hearts, broken families and tears shed for the one torn from the arms of their loved ones, prosecuted and murdered for a crime that they did not commit.

Anyway, that is my rant officially over! ^_^