Ducky Dog

There is a lot of controversy regarding the ownership of pitbulls.  In our city we have very strict regulations surrounding the ownership of majority pitbulls.  These include walking the dogs on a harness while being muzzled.  The owner must carry an extra liability insurance policy among other regulations.

I understand the concern on both sides of this issue and I believe a compromise needed to be made so we didn’t face a total ban.  I must confess that my perception of this breed has also changed.  I took the time to study the breed and understand some of the problems.  I got to know the ones that have come through our shelter.  Some of the most submissive dogs we see are pitbulls.  They LOVE people and love attention.  Even when an inexperienced walker is trying to figure out how the harness works or how to put a muzzle on so the dog can go for a walk they are incredibly patient.  It is like they know the person has no clue what they are doing and the only way they are going to get to go on that cherished walk is to sit still.  I have even had one who would lift her paws in order for me to put her harness on.

Last week I walked past the back of the kennels to get one of the dogs that needed to go out.  I peeked into the kennels as I walked by and there sat Ducky.  She is a brown majority pitbull who had recently had puppies.  There she sat on her bed watching as I walked by with a HOHOHO ball in her mouth.  She wasn’t playing with it but just holding it.  I took the other dog out and came back for Ducky.  (about 15 minutes later)  There she sat, still with the ball in her mouth.  I read her paperwork to make sure she needed a muzzle and to make sure there were no special instructions.  There was one.  The paperwork said, “Please make sure you do not leave her HOHOHO ball in her kennel.  Please put it in her bag so it will go home with her when she is adopted”  UH OH!

I asked a fellow walker if she would take the ball out of her kennel and put it in her bag while we were out on our walk.  When we came back in, Ducky and I went right to the toy box.  We searched and searched for a toy that was similar in size and texture to the HOHOHO ball.  She finally settled on a little stuffed squirrel.  If she didn’t look ADORABLE with that squirrel in her mouth!!!!  Every time I walked by her kennel after that she had that squirrel in her mouth.  I offered her a treat and she didn’t want to set her squirrel down even for the treat!  If I dropped the treat on the floor, she would carefully set the squirrel down just long enough to pick up and eat the treat and then pick the squirrel back up.

Unfortunately I didn’t get a picture of Ducky with the squirrel in her mouth and I just looked and she has found her forever home!!!  Maybe her new family will take that picture for me. …If only ALL the pitties were just like Ducky!