In Sept. 2011, I lost two of my dogs in a freak accident. They were still young, both under three years old, and their loss left me utterly bereft and cursing the world for having the nerve to keep spinning without them.
In the weeks following their deaths, I found solace in an American Pit Bull Terrier named Moose who my husband and I were fostering. He wasn’t a replacement, but he (and my German Shepherd, Lager) kept my broken pieces together and helped me cope. On Oct. 6 of that year — to absolutely no one’s surprise — we officially adopted him. Four years later, he has taught me so much about his breed, and I think this is knowledge that needs to be shared with the world!
1. They will suffocate you with snuggles, kisses and love
Moose is the most affectionate dog I’ve ever met! Having been a stray, he loves nothing more than to lie on the couch with his momma (me!) and snuggle all day. If you come to my house, you should be prepared to be absolutely smothered by him — he’s a large boy, weighing in at 70 pounds, and he will sit in your lap until you love him back. He has never met a person who he didn’t love.
2. Their breath is atrocious
Even though my husband and I feed our dogs a high quality food, Moose’s breath always manages to smell like he ate three-week-old road kill. I have no idea how it manages to smell that awful, but he doesn’t know how bad it is and has zero qualms about yawning right in your face. If you give him half a chance, he will also happily lick your entire face. I’ve talked to other pit bull owners and this seems to be a common issue — so kiss them at your own risk.
3. They will do their best to make sure you starve
Moose doesn’t care what I’m eating — if it even appears to be food, he wants it. It could be poison and he would still beg for it! He loves to eat. My favorite story about Moose and food actually occurred while my husband and I were away; my husband’s grandmother had died and we had traveled to Arkansas for the funeral. My mom was watching my dogs, and she called me one day to let me know how they were doing. During the conversation, she informed me that Moose had stolen my little brother’s Pop Tart that morning. Jonah (my brother) was standing in the living room eating when Moose walked up, took the Pop Tart right out of his hand and walked away to eat it.
4. They will crush you
As I write this article, Moose is sleeping with his head under one of my arms. In fact, I spend a large portion of my time uncomfortable so I don’t disturb him while he is resting. As much as I adore him, he no longer sleeps in my bed at night because he literally lies on top of me while I sleep. Somehow he transforms into a 500 pound pit bull statue while he’s sleeping and crushes me — but forget moving him, because there’s no way he’s budging until the sun comes up and he decides he’s hungry!
5. They are going to cover you in scratches and bruises
I know many large dogs who are unbelievably graceful. They are lithe and move smoothly as they run and chase toys. Moose is not one of those dogs. 90 percent of the time, I am nursing an injury I sustained from his big, clumsy paws. He steps on me on a regular basis, scratches me with his nails and leaves paw shaped bruises on my legs or feet.
6. They are going to steal your heart
Forget all of your misconceptions about pit bulls. A number of the dog bite stories published about them name the breed incorrectly and either never post retractions or post them quietly, so they are not noticed. Myths about pit bulls, such as the locking jaw myth, are just that — fake “facts” made up to discredit them and give them a bad reputation. The negative stigma around the breed is simply undeserved. The Vicktory dogs (the ones rescued from Michael Vick’s dogfighting operation) went on to become therapy dogs, Frisbee champions and service dogs. Many have passed away in the years since they were rescued, but their legacy lives on as proof that no matter their background, pit bulls are beautiful and forgiving dogs.
In the four years he has been with us, Moose has taught me so much about his amazing breed. Although I always thought they were unfairly demonized, I never knew how beautiful pit bulls really were until I became his mother. His love for my husband and me is quite clear, watching him creep across the couch and floor to sleep in patches of sun is still hysterical to me, and he has never once displayed anything but patience with my younger brother and my baby nephews.
The truth of the matter is that his delightful demeanor breaks down breed stigmas everywhere he goes, because people can’t help but fall in love with his mushy, sweet face — even if his breath can be classified as a biological weapon.
