How my understanding has changed

For the longest times I have had strong opinions about Pit Bulls being mistreated (in the U.S. more specifically).  Now, I want to put my pro-Pit Bull opinions to the test.  I want to double check my opinions with facts.
At first I was setting out to prove people who are against Pit Bulls wrong (which I still want to do).  Although, I think that will come naturally when I find facts that (hopefully) prove me right.

I never realized how many Pit Bulls there are.

They make up 30-40% of the dog population in the world.  There are about 5.4 million Pit Bulls just in the U.S. and there are about 1 million Pit Bulls killed each year (in the whole world).

I found a very interesting website that broke down all of the scientific information on Pit Bulls and it turns out there is a higher chance of a human killing a Pit Bull than the other way around.

http://www.realpitbull.com/perspective.html

stubbydog.org I found this website to be helpful


https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/truth-about-pit-bulls
The Pit Bull was originally made back before the 1800's to bite and hold onto large animals.
Every 60 seconds an animal is abused

http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/what-it-about-pit-bulls/17294

Scientific Study: Pit Bulls

After searching for an article that talks about a scientific study on Pit Bulls I found an interesting website called dogsbite.org.  This website has an FAQ page about Pit Bulls.  With in minutes I was infuriated with what they had to say.  It was clear that they find Pit Bulls to be "dangerous" and therefore twist there opinions into facts which then they publish for other people to believe.

The page I was on (http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-pit-bull-faq.php?gclid=Cj0KEQiA-aujBRDqj772vpGfgooBEiQAzWAZUqQ8lTDXL_hJCNlAz4e1qVT_2KU031-TL8CZgANP0mEaAvO88P8HAQ)

What upset me first was there answer to dog fighting.  They talk about how "dogmen" (they shouldn't call themselves this they are anything, but a true man.  True men don't abuse dogs and use them for a "game") like specific types of Pit Bull breeds and like there dogs to keep fighting even when they are left with only stubs to walk on.  Owning two dogs myself it would cause me extreme pain to say my dog break one leg by accident, say jumping off a porch that was too high, never mind putting my dog in a ring to defend it's "honor".  I wouldn't sit proudly on any sideline that encircled my dog being battered.

This website feels that lawmakers are "too afraid" to make laws against Pit Bulls.  I on the other hand completely dis agree and feel that lawmakers have made too many laws for Pit Bulls.  In Boston for instance a Pit Bull must wear a muzzle.  I think public safety is important, but punishing the Pit Bull won't stop the attacks.  Getting the abusive humans put in jail will stop the attacks.  It is always the owners problem, not the dogs; as the people would learn from the world renowned Cesar Millan (dog trainer).

Another thing I find interesting is that dog trainers often support Pit Bulls.  For instance, Cesar Millan's Pit Bull is known world wide for being a sweat and impressively well trained dog.  I find it funny that the public doesn't trust a dog trainer, someone who works with dogs for a living, instead they trust what a news caster says, someone who works with the news for a living.

This website also talked about a Pit Bulls bite.  I do agree that a Pit Bull, AS DOES MOST DOGS, has a strong jaw and is muscular.  A trait that Pit Bulls has is to hold on to and shake the object in it's mouth, there toy in the case of the Pit Bulls I know.  What I saw on this website is a breed blamed for it's genetics.  I find it funny, the people that made the Pit Bull, will now blame it for it's traits.  You can't blame a dog for something it can't help.  Instead work with it, train it and take proper care of it and then you might just SURPRISINGLY find that it is a kind, gentle, loving and loyal dog.

The website also makes fun of Pit Bull owners for saying that there dog "might lick you to death".  I found this to be extremely immature.  One thing, I myself, have noticed about Pit Bulls compared to other breeds is that they love to lick people.  I don't use this cover up the other issues Pit Bulls have instead I re-direct people to the positive and factual traits of Pit Bulls.

What was the websites solution to the problem with dog bites you may ask?  Pretty pathetic.

They said that they would reduce the number of Pit Bulls.  Once again Pit Bulls are being abused and then biting people.  They are trained, basically, by their owners, to do the damage they do.  By eliminating the Pit Bull breed the problem will not be solved.  These awful humans will only pick a new breed to use and abuse.

Ture dog lovers take care of their Pit Bull the proper, caring way and therefore their Pit Bull is perfectly loving.

These comment are quite ignorant:   http://blog.dogsbite.org/2014/01/2013-fatal-dog-attack-identification-photographs.html
As you probably could tell I was extremely disgusted by what was said on dogs bite.org.  I decided to move on and try to find a article.  I found this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/douglas-anthony-cooper/merritt-clifton-pit-bulls_b_5866176.html.

I am very happy to say that this article discredits dogs bite.org and talks about how it is actually biased.  It turns out that the author of the website was attacked once and hates Pit Bulls (as you probably could already tell by reading what she says).  As I read through her website before finding this article I became angered and truly hurt by what she was saying because even though what she seemed to be saying was true she was saying the facts at a biased "angle".  Clearly after reading this article this website is debunked and should not be trusted.  There was also many other websites debunked and a man by the name of Clifton going to jail for his incorrect "statistical data".

I also unfortunately learned that because of this awfully incorrect data Pit Bulls were put down in shelters (1 million last year) just for being a Pit Bull.  Another key fact is that some of these animals aren't even a Pit Bull, they are just wrongly identified.  It's unfortunate how such evil people can ruin the lives of helpless animals, when what these evil people are saying isn't even true.  That is why it is important to CHECK YOUR FACTS before you act in such heinous ways.

I am proud to say the Pit Bulls came out on top.  

Pit Bull Article: "suburb may give pit bulls a break"

I found an interesting article from the Chicago Tribune about a local area (Hoffman Estates) voting on whether or not Pit Bulls in the community should be muzzled.  Many people felt that it wasn't fair to single out one breed by making them be muzzled when walking in public.  I think that when someone wants to take their dog for a walk, they should just be able to take their dog for a walk and not have to worry about putting a muzzle on.

I know when my dog has to be muzzled at the vet when he gets his shots it's not a pleasant experience.  I understand that at the vet, the situation is very different and therefore no matter what breed they must muzzle the dog.  I also know that my dog no longer trusts the vet because he hates the muzzle.

While this community was voting the mayor disagreed and felt that the breed (Pit Bulls) had a history of attacks.  Although, I find this statement "the breed has a history of attacks" to not make a good point.  The breed al;so has a history of being abused and used in dog fights; being abused isn't the breeds issue; it's a human issue.  An animal that is abused by humans will naturally learn that humans hurt and therefore will be defensive when coming into contact with humans.  I believe that when people make statements that are true, but are missing many key details the statements no longer should be held at face value.

There is unfortunately another community thinking of outlawing Pit Bulls completely.  I think these decisions are all so rash and unfair.  If these people simply walked into a shelter they would find so many friendly Pit Bulls needing a home and these people are taking away that chance.

If anyone needs another chance it's the Pit Bull and if anyone needs the "time out" it's the human.  I don't understand how in the 20th century we allow people to abuse animals, but then blame the animals for being "mean" when really they are just using self defense.

I ask you to collect all your facts and then develop your opinion.

"Educate, Don't Discriminate"

What do you think is the most dangerous dog out there?  What do you think is the best family dog out there?  

I bet your wrong with both of your answers.

Pit Bulls are actually the second best family dog to the Golden Retriever.  It's unfortunate that so many inaccurate "facts" are told to the public when they just aren't fair or true.  

I found a great blog:  http://truthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.com

This blog shows videos and pictures of famous people who own or love Pit Bulls.

The blog also supports other websites which raise money for shelter dogs.

There are some amazing stories, such as a young Pit Bull puppy being rejected by his mother and sent to a shelter.  At the shelter a mother cat took the dog "under her wing" and has been caring for the dog.

It's important to double check your opinion with facts before you make unfair judgements.

I felt that this website was really cleanly written, had many colorful pictures and interesting stories.  It also has many followers and links to other websites.

It is written by many people.

This does have some adds (the followers are through Google)



Now I'll start back off from the beginning:  I have always been an animal lover and i have grown up with dogs all of my life.  It hurts me to see how many Pit Bulls (specifically) are abused physically and verbally.  It's hard to know that so many shelter dogs are put down each week because there simply isn't enough space.  It's also sad that so many dogs are abused.
My questions:
How many Pit Bulls need to be adopted?
How many Pit bulls are abused?
How many Pit Bulls attacks are there?
How many Pit Bulls are put down?
How many people own a Pit Bull?

http://thepositivepitbull.org/blog/

I found this blog off of the original blog I was reading.

This website has events, like days where people can bring their dogs to swim.

There are really great pictures of children having fun with Pit Bulls.

This blog has stories about many different people, but they are posted by the admin.

I love how this blog has the pictures of the dog and the people and then their story.

This does not have ads, but instead events for dogs.

This website has parades for Christmas and it has National Pit Bull Awareness day.

http://www.yourpitbullandyou.com/blog/

This website does have ads at the bottom, they have to do with dogs.

This is written by two people, they have many pictures and stories.

I like the name of this blog, I think it shows support to the Pit Bull community.

All of the blogs had a place to donate.

A.T.V, Snowmobiling and Boating Adventures

I have always loved going four wheeling and snowmobiling since I was a baby.  I like being able to break away from the city lifestyle and go up North and that is where my passion for these machines comes from. I also love to go boating in the summer (a more city person way to spend a summer) so I added boating to my blog.  Most A.T.V and Snowmobile blogs are about selling them and not about adventures; but I am hoping to find a blog at some point about the adventure aspect.
I wonder how other people enjoy their times with these machines?
Where people go?
What trails there are?

http://www.tinwheel.blogspot.com
-I loved the picture of the boats on the front page
-I love how what the person is talking about connects directly to the picture
-it is written by one person
-there are a lot of pictures to help to tell a story of their travels
-it is not sponsored
-there are advertisements

http://robisonfuentes.blogspot.com/2011/04/four-wheeler-ride.html
-There is a video with no written words
-I like how they used the video to do "all the talking"
-I think a video can almost be more interesting
-no advertisements
-not sponsored
-written by one person
-it's weird how it is made up to be an "adventure" when it is a child's plastic A.T.V., but that's what makes it funny.

http://alaskasdisappearingtourists.blogspot.com/2013/09/alaska-wilderness-4-wheeler-tours-kenai.html
-has advertisements (many)
-not sponsored
-written by one person
-many pictures
-gives suggestions of what to do in Alaska
-I really like how the blog is broken up into sections with pictures to go along, it makes it look like a website.

Dance Moms

After searching on the internet for blogs about the show Dance Moms I found one about their fashion. Immediately assumed that the girls probably wear extremely expensive clothing because they make money from being on the show, but they wear mostly normally priced clothing. Some of their clothes were from Forever 21 and Lulu-lemon (which is expensive, but many people wear it).




http://dancemomsfashions.tumblr.com




Many people have strong opinions about Abby (the dance teacher) they either love her or hate her. As this blog talks about Abby's fame getting to her head and how dramatic she gets when it comes to competing against The Candy Apple's.

http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/dance_moms_season_4_finale_part_2_abby_needs_ego_check_time-out-2014-10




It's clear even though there is so much pressure on these young children they can still perform extremely well. It's surprising that with all the fame, the girls still enjoy what other children do, but it seems they act more like teenagers and less like ten year olds.

http://dancemomsfunfacts.weebly.com




I have been watching Dance Moms ever since it started. As a young girl I did ballet, tap and jazz. I didn't like dance because we practiced the same routine for months for the show in the spring. I found it boring to practice the same thing over and over and that is why I love Dance Moms (they learn a new dance every week).

None of the blogs charged for reading it and only one had a really bad advertisement. The last blog is run by a young girl and the other two seem to be run by women. None of the blogs were really professional and I didn't necessarily trust their facts. The blog in the middle seemed the most legitimate and trustworthy (that was the one with an advertisement). The blog in the middle is also just written by one person. These blogs are not sponsored. The first blog is very cleanly done, in the sense that there are pictures and then words all throughout it (it's consistent). This blog is run by multiple people, but still not sponsored. This blog has an FAQ section which I liked and based solely around the girl's clothing.

-Are the children down to Earth?
-Are the Moms down to Earth?
-Is Abby truly nice?
-has T.V. changed the girl's true personalities?