(dog)spired

Because this breed is so discriminated against, something that has gone through my mind, and I’m sure the minds of many other non-Pit Bull owners, is: Why would anyone get a Pit Bull? There’s so much trouble associated with them!

Well, folks, after editing the latest “Lost Souls: Found!” book about Pit Bulls, I can finally see the light! These dogs apparently make wonderful, loyal, and playful companions when treated with love and respect. I’m very glad that Happy Tails Books decided to publish our final book of the year about Pit Bulls. It’s turning out to be one of our best books yet! The Foreword was written by Linda Blair, famous actress and Pit Bull rights advocate. The book is available for pre-sale at Happy Tails Books.

Here’s a sneak preview of one of our stories by Erin Cahill, titled “Spice of Life.”

Pepper, a Pit Bull featured in "Lost Souls: Found!"

My husband always had dogs as his best friends growing up; I did not. He was always the rescue type, who wanted people to see that the dogs considered “vicious” by many were actually the most loyal and amazing companions. So when he first suggested that we rescue a Pit Bull, I was concerned! I thought of all the horrible news stories I had seen and how I wanted children one day. Could I have a Pit Bull around a young child, I wondered?

I was still a little hesitant when we met the available Pitties at a rescue named “For the Love of Pits.” My husband was instantly great with all of them, and I started to see the many good qualities he saw in Pit Bulls as I watched them interact. We ended up with Pepper, our sweet girl, who was found by two little old ladies in a snowstorm. The instant I saw her, I wanted to take her home.

At first, the people in our neighborhood were skeptical of Pepper and we got a lot of stares and questions. After getting to know her, however, most of the skeptics looked forward to seeing Pepper around town. Our mailman left her a biscuit daily, and our neighbors all came out to pet her when we walked by. People asked if Pepper could come over to play with their dogs. Everyone loved Pepper the Pit Bull!

My dad, who has always had difficulty with dogs due to allergies, even adores Pepper. He takes her on walks and for car rides, and when we go out of town, it’s like a vacation for him to babysit her. For Christmas, Pepper gets more presents than my husband and I do!

Last January, we welcomed a new addition to our family–a baby girl named Gabriella. When she was born, she had some breathing issues and was hospitalized several times. One time when Gabriella started breathing heavier after we gave her some medicine, Pepper ran back and forth between my husband and me as if she was saying, please, help Gabriella! He was obviously concerned for her.

People told us that when our daughter was born we would love Pepper less, but they were so wrong! Pepper is still just as much a part of our family now that she’s a “big sister.” I look back at the question I asked about having a child and a Pit Bull, and I can’t imagine our lives without Pepper. Our daughter adores her; in fact, her very first belly laugh was watching Pepper and her dad play. Like the spice, Pepper gives our life zest, and I wouldn’t give her up for anything!