By J. L. Thurston

Pit bulls were selectively bred for dogfighting (false). Pit bulls are highly aggressive (false). Pit bulls can’t get along with other animals (false).

Google it if you don’t believe me. Research takes two minutes no matter where you are because we all have smartphones.

There are multiple dogfighting breeds, and, yes, unfortunately pit bulls are in the majority. But bloodletting sports speaks very little about the breed of dog and instead speaks volumes of humanity. Any animal is highly aggressive if mistreated and unsocialized. Any animal will have a hard time getting along with other animals if unsocialized. That is just nature. Even people are this way.

Growing up, I had a keeshond. He wasn’t very big unless you counted the fur. He was a nice dog. A smart, obedient dog. But he was not socialized. He’d attack other dogs. He tried to bite little kids. If he was a pit bull, he’d be hated. But instead, he was a gray fluff-ball with a curly tail, so no one cared.

My pit bull, Watson, will not hurt you. Watson is not aggressive. He’s been socialized since day one. He’s lining up to be a therapy dog. He goes to dog parks, doggy day care, and retail stores. He lives with a cat and a toddler. My pit bull wants your love.

If he jumps on you, it is because he’s desperately trying to get closer to you. If he lunges at you, it is only because he’s so excited to meet you and become your best friend. When he sees you, it is the best thing that has happened to him so far and nothing else in the world exists.

We’re working on the training. He sits, stays, lays down, crawls, shakes, high fives, and begs on command. But he’s six months old. He’s still working on self-control. Please be patient with him.

I’ve had issues. I’ve had a doggy day care refuse him simply because of his breed. His own vet office is ignorant about him, treating him different because of his size. Little do they know his brother goes there, too, but does not receive such cold treatment because he’s small and sort of chubby.

Watson is a muscle-bound fool, but he can’t help that. And he has no idea what he looks like. He’s just a dog.

“One of the tactics included attempts to counterbalance the pit bull's menacing appearance and physical power with overwhelming ‘affectionate’ behavior, such as: ‘My dog might lick you to death.’”

He cannot fathom why people flinch from him. His heart breaks when he’s avoided. He doesn’t understand that his breed is hated, even outlawed in many places. He doesn’t know about pit bulls attacking kids and police officers.

But remember the cop in Idaho who shot a ‘vicious pit bull’ that barked at him inside a parked car? And it turned out that dog was a registered black lab.

Fear is the most dangerous emotion.

Watson is living in a happy home where the cat plays chase with him and the toddler pulls on his ears. He sleeps in a bed with his human mom and dad and, of course, the cat. He is a nanny dog, always helping keep an eye on the kiddo. He lives for his family, but his heart is so big he wants all other living creatures to be his best friends.

So, when he’s muzzled and called ‘aggressive’ at the vet’s office, I just don’t know how to comfort him. I can’t get rid of the confusion in his eyes when parents make their kids leave the park just because he’s sitting with me beneath the tree.

It’s smart to avoid dogs you don’t know, but it amazes me how many people of average intelligence do not understand any dog. I’ve seen people love up on chihuahuas that were actively growling and baring teeth, and I’ve seen people avoid a Dalmatian that was wagging its tail. I’ve had a pit bull owner call my dog a Great Dane. I’ve literally been stopped on the street because a young lady wanted to give me fifteen minutes of training advice. I’ve been scolded for giving my dog treats by complete strangers.

The truth is, a lot of people are uneducated when it comes to dogs, but a lot of people think they’re experts.

The doggy day care we take Watson to is the best. The Barking Lot tells me that he is a great play dog. At first, I thought it was just a nice way of saying he was hyper and they accept that, but it turns out he’s a great dog for helping shy dogs come out of their shell. They love him when he walks in the door. As soon as we step in there’s a collective cheer, “Watson!” Luckily for us, there is a place where he is loved and understood.

I’m glad Watson can’t know why some people hate him. It’s a blessing that all he can feel is love. The stigma, the ignorance, the breed discrimination breaks my heart. It’s racism for dogs. It’s cruel. It’s 2019, people should be better than this.

Sorry, Watson. You’re not a bad dog. People just see all your muscles, your big teeth and your focused eyes. People see your features and think killer. They don’t see you’re straining on the leash for pats. They don’t see your dopey grin. They can’t feel the love in your gaze.

You’re not a bad dog. People are just ignorant and blind. People let the media do their thinking for them. People love to pass judgement without context. People are cowards.

You’re a good dog because you love us all anyway.