[Silence]

Today I took Harlow to PetSmart, needless I say he behaved as a model citizen.
It was not uncommon today to be told how well he behaves, even around smaller more aggressive dogs & to be asked what breed he is.
But the most memorable experience today was when a young lady approached me telling me how handsome he was and asked if she could pet him. I told Harlow to go say hello, he licked her hand and her chin and she rubbed all over her. Her 3 year old son approached with his father. The mother encouraged her son to pet the dog. Poor Harlow just looked at me with the "Is it ok if I do that mom?" look, I just smiled and told him Ok.
Harlow trod over to him and licked his face and rolled over on his back for him, wagging his tail, doing what puppies do.
The lady smiled and asked what breed he was, I smiled back and told her that he was an A.P.B.T and she looked shocked. She stared c-o-ck eyed at me for a moment and asked "A Pit bull? Is he full blooded?" I told her that yes, he was - and she was completely blown away. She says "This is a pit bull? A vicious pit bull."
I smiled and shook my head and told her "Not vicious, just mis-understood." We had a long conversation and she went on to tell me she was looking for a puppy for their family. I told her with good training and lots of love these dogs make the best family dogs.

 

[pitbullmamanatl]

 

[Padlock]

great story,...but one needs to be more pro-active and state this
is not a breed for a beginner,... as a person with no clue about the different
breeds and basic knowledge of dog ownership, & the needed precautions one
needs to take when handling in public and outdoors in general,... this person
getting an apbt is headed for disaster,...we don't need novice dog
owner getting this kind of dog as a family pet for a myriad of reason.

 

[Rudy4747]

Great story. Good to see more people looking with their own eyes and not the eyes of the media.

 

[Silence]

great story,...but one needs to be more pro-active and state this
is not a breed for a beginner,... as a person with no clue about the different
breeds and basic knowledge of dog ownership, & the needed precautions one
needs to take when handling in public and outdoors in general,... this person
getting an apbt is headed for disaster,...we don't need novice dog
owner getting this kind of dog as a family pet for a myriad of reason.

I should have noted she never said she wanted a pit bull, more of it changed her mind about the breed.

 

[Padlock]

I should have noted she never said she wanted a pit bull, more of it changed her mind about the breed.

gotcha, i misunderstood,... but please always keep a mental note
than when you do get positive responses from the general public
please end the debate with knowledge is power, and these dogs need
more than just generalized care.

 

[Silence]

None taken. As was noted in the original post .

with good training and lots of love these dogs make the best family dogs.

 

[apbtmom76]

Awesome job R and Harlow, super proud of you both

 

[PerfectPit]

What a great way to be proactive in teaching the general public how well mannered our babies can be under the right guidance, training and love. Great job Harlow and Silence!

 

[MY MIKADO]

That is wonderful. I too think that it is up to us to teach the public about our breed of choice. Yes these dogs are not for everyone and not everyone should own one that wants one but education goes along way in turning the general publics mind away from the vicious dog the media wants everyone to believe we have to the dogs that we know and care about.

 

[amstafflady]

WTG Harlow! Great story!