by motiveworks » April 1st, 2009, 3:30 pm
thanks for all of the responses and info.
we have recently move to the phoenix area and have come across quite a few of APBT's at the rescue that frequents the Petsmart that we venture to with our children (they LOVE all kinds of animals) on the weekends... and we came across some very cute littel pits adn some very calm older pits... i seriously never thought we woudl have a pit bull - but i was struck by their calmness amidst the chaos of the pet store etc....
of course the moajority of press we ever heard regardint his breed was typical... but i believe that the owner and training has more to do w/ dog temprament than breed (to soem extent) - i had a japanes akita in younger years that was very intimidating due to his size but was the biggest baby and LOVED children....
so we spoke w/ the rescue staff, who has many APBTs and adores teh breed. we discussed our home situation, 2 small children, 2 additional adult dogs (1 female, 1 male) and our concerns...
she guided us thru male v. female (we initiallythought we might get a female)... but our male is the oldest and our famle (German Short-haired Pointer) has issues - so she recommended a male puppy...
knowing all of this she handed us Ice - notign his layed back disposition and such...
he was GREAT! but we dont make decisions like adding another memebr to the family lightly... we left him there... went hoem for the week, researched alot on APBT's and were more open to the breed than our initial perception....
so we went back the following week... thinking he will probably be gone, no big deal we thought - if we were meant to get a rescue puppy there most certainly will be a bountiful suppy of lil guys needing homes...
he was there! we talked more to the rescue staff, hung around soem of the older APBTs that were also there... left that morning - again w/o a puppy....
talked more about it all day - went back late that afternoon - thinking if he's still there - its meant to be...
so - we've had Ice for about 3 days now....
i think he's been a little down getting used to his new environment, used to the new dogs (they havent been around a puppy in a LONG time and I think they have forgotten how to play like a dog - as our GSHP just brings the Kong to him and drops it to play fetch?!?!)... and missign his little puppy buddies - the big dogs just aren't the dame to play with i think...
we love on him LOTS and he's great...
when he's awake he CHEWS - oh boy! and sharp little teeth!
but it has been fun... he has already made a special little place in our family...
pictures soon!