I grew up with a Boston Terrier from the time I was five until just before my senior year of high school. He was my best friend, and was always by my side. Once I had graduated and moved on to college I still had this nagging, empty spot inside me that needed to be filled. So last Fall, after a particularly hard start to my semester I got a wild hair and adopted my Rescue Pit Ozzie. The not-so-little stinker has changed my life in so many ways in the short nine months that I've had him with me. Here's what I know to be true about adopting a rescue Pit, or owning a Pit in general.

1. BSL is BS

For those of you who aren't familiar with BSL Laws, "Breed-specific legislation (BSL) is a law that bans OR restricts certain types of dogs based on their appearance, usually because they are perceived as “dangerous” breeds or types of dogs. **It is a common misconception that BSL refers only to breed bans. https://stopbsl.org/bsloverview Breed-Specific Legislation almost kept me from adopting Ozzie, as my landlords had breed restrictions.

It also perpetuates negative stereotypes about certain 'aggressive breeds' which causes discrimination online, in public, and causes more harm than good. I am not claiming that breeds such as Pits, Rottweilers, or even German Shepherds aren't capable of harming an individual in certain situations, but it comes down to training or lack thereof. Large breeds must be taught at the very least, basic commands and listen to their owners without fail. Small breeds are not held to anywhere near the same standard; they're called 'ankle biters' for a reason. It is much easier to simply pick them up when they misbehave rather than actually discipline them, something you cannot do with large or even mid-sized breeds.

Upon some further research I was able to find a loop hole for housing restrictions, http://thedogtoronline.com/. The Dogtor Online is the only ADA affiliated ESA site I've been able to find on the web. Be careful when attempting to get an ESA many bogus sites will claim they're legit, charge steep fees, and then not actually hold any legal standing when submitted to housing officials.

2. Dog Park Discrimination

With the above negativity in mind, it is all too common to have run-ins with apprehensive or uneducated owners when we go to the dog park. I've had folks leave upon us entering the park, people have arrived and gone into a separate pen because they worry for their dog's or their own safety, and even had people pull into the lot, see we're there, and drive right back out. It's happened on multiple occasions and doesn't bother me all that much anymore. Haters gonna hate. My favorite situation is when apprehensive people start to another pen to avoid Ozzie, and then they see him playing with one of his best friends at the dog park, Helen, who is a six month old half-Boston half-pug. The look on their faces is priceless, every single time.

3. I Worry. All the Time.

I worry not because of what I think he'll do, but what other people will do simply because of his breed. There are cases all the time of Pits being taken from their back yards, or parks, cars, etc. to be put into dog fighting rings. He's so friendly he could easily be taken as a bait dog if he was left alone at the wrong time. I also worry about if I ever have a run in with the police because I've seen multiple stories of police officers shooting Pits who weren't attacking or in the least aggressive towards them. There's footage of them shooting Pits and similar breeds IN THEIR KENNELS, and one officer saying to the other, "Congratulations, you got your first Pit." Pits and similar BSL breeds are subject to so much more scrutiny, shaming, discrimination, and violence not because they are inherently aggressive or bad, but because they have the potential to do so much damage if they're mistreated and poorly trained. Here is one particularly sad, but all too real instance of BSL related unjustified violence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al0Ci-A3-uM.

4. Pits are Just Furry Toddlers

Ozzie is literally a child. He is super intelligent, likes to pretend he doesn't here me when I call him, enjoys naps, and has a fit if he doesn't get his way. It's like living with a tiny dictator sometimes! Not because he's a bad dog, he just has the equivalent attitude of a 65 year-old black woman in his little, muscular Pit body. He is not afraid to talk back, and is very vocal--he will refuse to eat his food if he's not ready to do so. He will argue with me about getting his bones off of my bed, he never wants to go do bed at night. He does well with our lax schedule and knows when it' time to go to the park every night. He starts bugging me to go about an hour before our usual leaving time. He will also ignore my existence once we get to the dog park because he has all of his cool dog park friends to play with, and I'm just boring, old mom.

5. Pits are Cuddlers.

Pittie owners know that Pits all think they're lap dogs, and will smother you with their love. Literally. Oz will sit in my lap while I'm trying to write papers, eat dinner, watch a movie; it doesn't matter what is going on, if he wants attention he's going to get it! He will also refuse to leave my bed sometimes, and make me cuddle him longer, or give me hugs when I get home after a long day. They're also very intuitive, and know when to comfort you if you're down. There have been times I've been on the brink of crying, and Ozzie will just come over and sit with me, give me a kiss or two on the cheek and cuddle me.

In short, Pitties are just about the best things ever. You can tell when you meet Pit owners how much love is between them and their Pit because you are literally a team. Pitties are clingers who need to be with their people at all times, and the necessary training that goes into having a 'proper' Pit brings the both of you so much closer; plus their snuggles are great! Adopting Oz was the best thing I've done for myself in my adult life. He is the reason I'm motivated to stay in school, work harder, and be more focused in my schedule, taking care of us both. Together we have fun, try to debunk stereotypes/misconceptions, and educate those who are scared of Pits and BSL related breeds one positive interaction at a time!