Bridgette's "Wonder Dog": Thelma was a red and white Pit Bull. She was on the "big boned" side, we called her "Fattie". Thelma always slept with me. When I was ordered to stay in bed with a tough pregnancy, Thelma stayed with me in bed most of the time with her head on my belly. When my baby was born he slept with me and Thelma had to sleep on the floor. She would sneak on the bed every night, only now it was my baby she cuddled up next to. She was so careful not to hurt my son. In fact, if my husband or I got to close to the baby in our sleep she would let us know it.

Thelma did one very amazing thing which earned her the name "Thelma the Wonder Dog". We had a koi pond in the backyard. One day I was working in the garage and Thelma dropped a Koi at my feet. I yelled at her and spanked her so bad her feelings were hurt. Five minutes went by and she comes back in with another. This time she was barking and acting strangely. I went out to the pond and all of my fish were dying. I got the pump running and was able to save 1/2 the fish. If it wasn't for Thelma, I would not have checked on them. I know that dog knew exactly what she was doing.

Jessamy relates life with Ronnie: My boyfriend called me one morning to say that he had found a dog that he just HAD TO HAVE. The dog had been locked in the band room of his fraternity house, not by one of the brothers, and had spent Thanksgiving break without food or water. He couldn't keep him at the house and wanted to bring him by to see if I would like to keep him. He didn't say what kind of dog Ronnie was, probably so that I did not immediately say "NO!" about the decision to keep him.

Yes, I was one of those people who thought Pit Bulls were bad from the news. However, when I saw the dog I was taken aback by how calm and gentle he was. He immediately licked my hands and face. He was the sweetest thing I had ever seen. I WAS IN LOVE! How could I say no to keeping him.

Ever since that day Ronnie has been my faithful co-pilot. Ronnie is the perfect dog. He was house trained when I got him and never messes in the house. He loves to play with other dogs and has never been aggressive. He even lets my friend's toy yorkie sit on his head. Although I always keep him on his leash when I go out in public, he enjoys his walks. Who wouldn't want to flaunt that sweet face? The awesomest thing I must say is that Ronnie has never barked. When my friends complain about their dogs keeping them up all night barking- I laugh.

I had alot of dogs growing up. Mostly all golden retreivers. I thought they were the greatest dogs ever... until I met Ronnie. My mom used to brag that our dogs were so smart. They are no match to Ronnie. He turns on the TV when he is left alone and even changes the channel, he can turn on and off the lights, and even open doors. When he got ahold of my bag of cookies sitting out.... well lets just say he opened the trash and put the evidence inside. I spent all afternoon looking for them and even yelled at my boyfriend thinking he had eaten them all. It was not until we found the bag covered in slobber inside the trash that we realized it had been Ronnie. I almost had to yell at him for the first time but I couldn't help but feel outsmarted. Besides Ronnie promised me he would never do it again.

Ronnie has changed my life. I could never see a life without him. I even chose not to attend law school in the state of Ohio, turning down a scholarships, because of all the breed specific legislation. The hardest thing that I have to deal with his the glares. Ronnie is so perfect and most of the time I get compliments on how beautiful and well-behaved he is. But, the glares from some people make me eerk inside. I even had a big dog, who wasn't on a leash, attack Ronnie who was on his leash. Ronnie just sat on the ground with his tail in between his legs (he is a lover not a fighter). The owner was about to apologize when he realized that he was a Pit Bull and said that it was my dogs fault... after all he is a "pit bull". It made me so mad. But instead I just walked away. My mom likes to say that Ronnie is like Shrek. People judge his outside before the have a chance to know how wonderful he is. I hope to use my law training to work towards banning the use of breed specific legislation.

Deb Coons: As many of your writers, I too got my Pit Bull "Education" from the biased media. Then Savage entered my life. When my husband and I got married, he mentioned that he would like for us to own a Pit Bull. Of course due to my "education" I refused vehemently, stating all the usual myths perpetrated by the media.

Several months later a friend of mine got a puppy (this poor little thing had been to 2 separate homes before she got him) then decided they couldn't keep it. She came to me with the sob story of how she couldn't keep the dog and would have to find a home blah, blah, (you know the lines). Being the big softy that I am I agreed to take the puppy sight unseen (we had one dog a sheltie mix). My friend had told me the pup was a Boxer. Well, I picked the little thing up and brought it home. I was so proud of myself because my husband had been wanting a short haired dog we could keep in the house. I had solved the problem. When he walked in the door that night I proudly showed off my acquisition. He looked at me so funny and said "I thought you said you would never have a Pit Bull". Of course I countered with "He's not a Pit Bull, he's a Boxer". My husband said, "Well, believe whatever you want." Although I didn't want to believe him, he had owned Pit Bulls before, so I knew what we had was a Pit. Apprehensive as I was about this breed, I was determined that this little black faced puppy was at his last home. Good, bad or otherwise, I just didn't have the heart to turn him out of another home.

A couple days later, I noticed symptoms I didn't like. The vet confirmed my worst fear with one word, "PARVO". Standing there with tears welling up in my eyes I took the antibiotic the vet offered and a list of instructions. The Vet didn't give much hope for his survival.

13 years later, he's a happy old dog (some crippled with arthritis). I've seen this dog share everything from a popsicle to a bologna sandwich with a child under the age of 2 (the neighbor's kid). I have gotten up in the mornings and found the dog and neighbor's kid asleep in the dog house together. (Yes, irresponsible neighbors.) This dog has been something else. I've owned all sorts of dogs, German Shepherds, Poodles, Beagles, Spitz, Labs, and countless mixes. There will never be another breed of dog that will capture my heart like this one has. 13 years after my first contact with the victimized Pit Bull, I have breed 3 litters, shown in countless shows, rescued, rehabilited, and successfully placed in loving homes several abandoned or unwanted dogs. If you truly love this breed they crawl right up inside your heart and become a part of you. I can't think of any other way to describe it.

Ben Sigel: From Poodles to Pit Bulls

I have always been an avid animal lover my whole life. Growing up due to my parents allergies the only dogs we could have were poodles. Still to this day I love the breed. They were sweet, loving and intelligent dogs. I learned later on this was not because they were simply "poodles" but they were raised in a healthy, friendly, proper and over all positive environment.

During those younger years of my life my family's next door neighbor's 19 year old son had an akita/rottweiler that he was training to be an "attack" dog under his own misinformed guidance. At one point he was placing truck tires around the dogs neck, tying a rope around it, getting in his truck with the rope hanging out the window and driving down the street with the dog hauling this truck tire doing his best to keep up and not get dragged. Numerous times this dog had chased my dogs, myself and my family members back into our house.

Finally when I was 12 years old all hell broke loose. The neighbor's son who at this point went away to college left the dog with his elderly parents for a year or so. In October 1992 the parents left the country for two weeks leaving the dog to a bag of food and bucket of water with access to the backyard and garage. The day the parents came home, pulled into their driveway and opened the garage door I happened to be playing with my brother in our cul-de-sac. As soon as the garage door opened this abused and neglected dog came barreling out. I still have visions and nightmares of this dog sprinting towards me. In a flash I was tackled by this 120lb dog. Mind you I was 12 years old and about 90lbs. The dog snarled and tore into my flesh, I somehow managed to cover my face with arms where I sustained a massive amount of injury mostly to my arms, that later required 70+ stitches. I was able to get to my feet when the same neighbors ran up to help pull the dog off of me. I ended up in the emergency room and underwent immediate surgery.

For years I was plagued with nightmares of that horrific incident. I thought I would never trust big dogs, especially such breeds like akitas and rottweilers again. I heard terms and breeds like "pit bulls" and shuttered. I instantly associated these dogs with violence and terrible people.

In my early twenties I got a job grooming dogs, which later lead to an interest in veterinary medicine. It was only a matter of time before I was in school studying veterinary medicine and working in veterinary hospitals. Here I was exposed to many breeds of dogs including pit bulls. With this came exposure to people who owned these "notorious" breeds that I came to fear and resent. This is when I started meeting responsible pit bull owners who adored their dogs and had dogs that were well trained and taken care of. Before I knew it I began falling in love with pit bulls. After doing a large amount of research and lots of communication with pit bull advocates and rescue groups I decided I was going to adopt a pit bull.

After months of research I finally found Reese, a 2 year old red nosed American Pit Bull Terrier. 10 years ago I would of been instantly terrified of Reese. Someone had cropped his ears and he had that incredible APBT physique. I learned Reese was abandoned when was 6 months old, intact, had a horrible allergies, a terrible case of demadex (mange) that ravaged most of his skin and coat and horrible eye infections in both eyes. However, the shelter saw something special in Reese's character and instead of euthanizing him kept him around and got him to a vet for a check up. He was sweet, very submissive and rarely if ever displayed any signs of aggression. A rescue group finally gave Reese a temporary home outside of the shelter and that is where I found him. I knew I could help this dog, give him a proper home and get him the medical attention he needed to get back on his feet.

Within a few months of owning Reese his eyes and his coat were 110% improved. He is great with my two cats and AMAZING with my 2 and half year old daughter. He sleeps in my bed literally spooning me every night. He has quite a regiment at breakfast and dinner with the eye drops and medications as well a strict diet for his coat and allergies. We go for walks and car rides everyday. He is quite the attention grabber when we are out and about and I am always more then eager to tell people his story and let them introduce themselves to Reese. Usually I will have him sit and shake their hands and most people think that is great! Still many people cross the street or throw me dirty looks when we are out and about but in time I learned to not let their ignorance bother me.

This dog has brought an endless amount of joy into my life and well as my family's. He is so sweet, silly and all around amazing. This dog who looks so powerful and intense is the biggest love bug goof ball you will ever meet. The sense of security of having Reese around especially with my daughter is great. Screw having an alarm or worrying about solicitors when you have a dog like Reese posted on guard in your front window.

I will never own any other breed of dog after owning Reese. I am a proud pit bull owner and have become quite an advocate for the breed as well. I continue to read, study and research the breed as well as share my knowledge and experience with the breed as well.

^ Reese with the author's daughter.

^ Reese - from dumped dog, to cherished family member.

After my experience of being attacked, I have learned so much of a dog's personality and behavior is derived from the owner and the experience's they bring to their dog's lives. If the experiences you share are rich in love, fun, joy and family that is what your dog will come to respect and look forward to.

Traci Gregory w/Babe - upstate New York:

We adopted Babe about a month ago from the local humane society and boy has life been interesting ever since! What can I say about this dog to truly express how much joy and laughter and love she has brought into our lives? Our kids are ecstatic to have a dog that loves to play and cuddle with them.

My fiancée and I are constantly amused by this wonderfully curious and very intelligent creature. I love that when we take her out to events like our son's baseball games, people are not afraid of her. Many people come up to tell us how pretty she is and give her a belly rub. She is definitely already spoiled. Every night - actually in the wee hours of the morning - I feel her front paws hit the side of the bed. Then she rests her chin on her paws and gives me "the look" until I bring her up on the bed with us. Then she snuggles in and snores the hours away.

^Babe - livin' the good life.

Babe is definitely more work than any other dog I've ever owned. She has a mind of her own. She's curious about everything. High energy is an understatement. I'd be lying if I didn't say that at first we wondered "What have we gotten ourselves into?" But now that Babe is settling in, getting comfortable in her new home with her new routine (she was at the humane society for three months!!), life with her has become a true pleasure. I can honestly say that I have never had a dog before with such an oversized personality, not have I ever had a dog that was so cuddly and affectionate. She reminds me so much of Hobbes of the Calvin & Hobbes comic strip - a good belly rub can make everything right in the world.

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