March 25, 2015 at 1:28 p.m.
Dog is family, regardless of breed
By Brooke Bechen-bbechen@thedodgevillechronicle.com
we all do. And she's always just as excited to see us when we all arrive at
the house for a family gathering.
She likes being outside and going for walks, like many of us do. She also
likes to eat and has put on a little weight like some of us in the family also
have. Most of the time, you can find her snuggled in her favorite blanket.
She can get snippy if she's uncomfortable, like many people do. She can
also get lonely like many people do. But she is not a person. She is Lily, my
family's dog.
Lily is a miniature doberman. Compared to a full grown doberman, Lily is
very small. But she has all the loveable characteristics of a doberman; she's
smart, bold and outgoing. She's also loyal and protective of her family.
Sadly, an uneducated public still fears her ancestor's breed, like many other
breeds of dogs. They think [insert ANY dog breed here] are aggressive, that
they were born that way, it is in their blood and genes, and that they will
continue to be aggressive for all of time. They do not care to educate themselves
or to open their minds.
They do not know what it is like to love a dog and have a dog love them.
They only have fear, and that is very sad to me.
In the City of Platteville, one man on the city council has brought forth the
suggestion of a pit bull ban. Having grown up with dogs my whole life, I
have to strongly take a stance against the ban.
I have opened my mind. I have educated myself. I firmly believe bad dog
owners make bad dogs, and this pit bull ban does nothing to make those bad
owners accountable.
My heart aches for those in Platteville who fear they will have to give up
someone who loves them unconditionally, someone who puts a smile on their
face regardless of the day they are having, someone who is family.
I encourage everyone who has a dog, knows someone with a dog or who
has loved a dog to sign the petition against Platteville's pit bull ban. The petition
can be signed online at:
www.thepetitionsite.com/158/552/787/dont-bully-my-breed-petitionagainst-
banning-pit-bulls/