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Pit bulls: Dispelling Misunderstandings One Tail Wag at a Time

Bill

Hello, fellow canine enthusiasts! Today, I’m eager to share my heartfelt journey as a recent dedicated pit bull caregiver and champion. Having relished the joy and companionship of these remarkable dogs, it’s high time to correct the misconceptions surrounding this special breed dear to my heart.

Mya the Pit bull was adopted from a local shelter

Pit bulls, renowned for their trademark grins and steadfast loyalty, have unjustly carried the weight of negative stereotypes perpetuated by mainstream media. However, beyond the sensational headlines lies a truth often overlooked – the limitless love and affection these four-legged friends bring into our lives.

From exuberant romps in the backyard to watching (mostly dog related) movies on the sofa, each moment shared with my pit bull companion, Mya, has underscored her gentle demeanor and unwavering commitment. She’s not a mere pet; she’s a cherished member of my family.

Despite her undeniable charm and affectionate nature, Mya still encounters prejudice and breed-specific legislation driven by fear and misinformation. It’s time to rewrite the narrative and illuminate the reality – that breed does not dictate temperament.

We can educate people about the sweetness of pit bulls through positive exposure, sharing heartwarming stories, and organizing educational events. Encouraging interactions with well-behaved pit bulls, providing accurate information, and debunking myths can help foster understanding and appreciation for these loving and loyal companions.

Through education, advocacy, and empathy, we can dismantle stereotypes and pave a path toward a more inclusive and compassionate society. Let’s honor the love and happiness that Mya brings into my life, striving together to build a world where every dog is judged not by appearance, but by the depth of their affection.

Labels

Bill

Labels are used to identify everything, from artichokes to Zenith Tvs. Labels identify, inform, educate, warn, …etc. They can be used for anything and everything, and often are. They can also be used to identify people and people groups. I’ve been meaning to write about labels for quite some time, but recent events have made me want to write about them today.

Most labels are not permanent

This past Tuesday was my three year anniversary of being released from prison. I call it my release “into the wild”, and that’s kinda what it was. Luckily, I hadn’t been in captivity as long as some other people I know, and some are still in captivity. I was very glad to be out, but I also came out with a label; and not a flattering one. In fact, not only is it not flattering, it is downright despised, due to the fear and ignorance propagated by American society.

So, what is the label? We’ll get to that. But first let me ask you what “label” you despise. You have one, right? It’s tied in with racism, hatred, ignorance, fear, anger, jealousy, ..etc; and whatever other negative thoughts we have about others that are not like us. What “label” do you hate? In Jesus’ day, the most feared label was that of “leper”, I think. Regardless of whether or not it was the most hated, it had to be one of the most feared.

Today, it is probably “child molester” or “sex offender”, right? Notice that those are two different labels, but due to ignorance and fear, most people think all “sex offenders” are child molesters; which, by the way, are not the same.

The infamous Limburger cheese

What if something is mis-labeled? For instance, what if you find a container in the cupboard or fridge that says “Limburger cheese”? You’d probably avoid it like the plague, wouldn’t you (if you know anything about Limburger cheese)? I know I would. What if your elderly relative was the one who labeled it? You know, your sweet Grandma who is suffering early onset Alzheimer’s, or who just forgets things sometimes? What if what was in the container is actually chocolate? And what if you trusted the label, rather than actually looking inside to see what was actually in there?

You would miss out on something really good. Yet, that is what we do as a people every day, without even thinking about it. Even though, and despite the fact that labels are temporary, and the people we attach those labels to are a lot of the time people who have done prison time. These are people who have done wrong, sure. In fact, sometimes they haven’t even done what they are accused of. But they have also paid their debt to society according to the law.

That should be the end of their punishment, but in the case of a “sex offender”, the punishment continues on for a lifetime. Try getting a job as a “sex offender”. Yeah, good luck with that.

What about this label? What if, like many of those in prison, they were a child of God prior to being incarcerated, or they came to know Christ in prison? What if, like the cheese example above, you missed out on having a great friend because you see them as a label, rather than taking the time to get to know somebody? What if you saw them as Jesus sees all of us that are “in Him”? As perfect because of the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf?

What if?

I challenge you today to let go of your negative stereotypes in regards to people you feel are “less than” or not like you, and get to know somebody new. Let me know how you do and who you meet. I’m curious.

Love Letter to God 3

Bill

This love letter to God originally written on 10/19/2016

Dear Lord,

Thank You for an other day of life on planet earth. I try to imagine You and Your Kingdom, and how perfect and beautiful You are; but I can’t even begin to understand Your awesomeness and mighty power!

Open my eyes of understanding today, and help me to walk in Your Kingdom, in Your righteousness, and in Your glory. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who lives in me and guides me daily. Lord, let me love You and others the way that You love me, and give me wisdom and understanding in dealing with other people today.

I love that You love me unconditionally, and that I have Your promise of everlasting life in Your glorious presence! Lord, I apologize for the interruption when I was called out for work early; but I know You understand. Let me speak of Your word boldly to others, and use me as You wish for Your purpose. Thank You for calling me to service for You.

Love, Bill

hands on bible
Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

My love letter for today:

Lord, You are amazing and powerful and all-knowing, and oh so glorious! I come before Your Holy Presence today as Your humble servant, in thanksgiving and praise for who You are and who You are making me to be. Lord, You have given me the gift of encouragement, and I ask that You continue to give me the words to say to my friends, strangers, and co-workers today, that Your love may clearly show through me.

I thank You also for the women in my life, especially SW and NC. Lord, You have put me in their lives, and them in mine for a time such as this, and I am so grateful for both of them. I lift them up to You today in prayer, that You work in S’s son’s life, as well as her sisters’ lives, that they will come to know and love You. Also, I pray for S’s health, that you continue to encourage her to keep walking every day.

I pray for NC today, that You protect her and provide for her all her needs, Lord. N is such an inspiration to me, that she is so in love with You! She brightens my day every day, and I am so grateful for her in my life. Thank You! Lord, help her to continue trusting in You even when things don’t seem to be going the way that she thinks they should go.

Thank You so much, Lord, for who You are!

Love, Bill

Love Letter to God 1

Bill

This love letter to God was written on 10/17/2016

Your thoughts are so much higher than my thoughts and Your ways so much higher than mine! I cannot fathom the depth of Your love for me, nor the fact that You have forgiven my sins past, present, and future. How awesome is my God! I thank You for this day and for being able to sing Your praises with the band yesterday. Help me to stay focused on You today and to talk to You all day long.

I ask for increased faith, wisdom and understanding today; and I ask that You be with my sister Caryn today as well as my sister in Christ Caryn L. Lord, I thank You so much for Nancy O., Mrs. M., Pamela S., and Caryn L.; for their compassion toward me. I pray that You provide protection for them and provide for all their needs. And I ask You to bless them greatly. Lord, be with me today, and take away any anger or judgment of others from me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and increase greatly the fruits of the Spirit in me. I thank You so much for all You’ve done for, in, and through me.

Love,

Bill

The Lost Dog

Bill

(This article was initially posted around July 10th, 2019)

I experienced God in action again yesterday. It started with my cousin finding a dog. He (my cousin, not the dog), was on his way to work and came across this loose dog. Being the person that he is, he stopped and picked it up. Since he couldn’t take it to work with him, he dropped it off in my Aunt and Uncle’s backyard, the same Aunt and Uncle with whom I am staying.

Since my relatives are elderly, my cousin asked me to help out with finding the dog’s owner. I was more than happy to help and set out on the task of solving this mystery. I love a challenge, and I love dogs, so this was right up my alley.

began by contacting the local shelter, by phone and email, and letting them know that we had found a dog. I also managed to get a picture of her (it was initially assumed from the pink collar), which was a challenge in itself. She was young and full of energy and excited about this great adventure she was on. I managed to get a good photo of her face, and sent that with my email to the shelter.

I began by contacting the local shelter, by phone and email, and letting them know that we had found a dog. I also managed to get a picture of her (it was initially assumed from the pink collar), which was a challenge in itself. She was young and full of energy and excited about this great adventure she was on. I managed to get a good photo of her face, and
sent that with my email to the shelter.

Keep in mind that this is early morning, now about 7:00 a.m., and the places that normally offer help with these things are closed. Plus, this is summertime in Arizona, and it’s getting hotter and hotter outside; so I’m hoping for a resolution to this situation as quickly as possible.

As I continue to form a plan, she is jumping up on the door to the kitchen, and making whimpering sounds because she wants to come inside. Every time she sees someone inside, through the window, she jumps up and scratches the door. This makes it difficult for my Aunt, who is just trying to come into the kitchen to get something to eat. She just decides to avoid the whole situation and not eat at this time.

To help with this situation, I volunteer to go outside and sit with Ms. hyper-puppy, so my Aunt can at least eat. I work at home, so I just move my laptop and phone out to the back porch, and continue searching for any agencies that may be able to help with lost dogs. In the meantime, my cousin is texting me to see what is happening, since he feels responsible too, but has to be at work. At some point, he mentions checking to see if she may be chipped, so I take her to the nearest vet clinic to see if this (hopefully) is the case. Lost dog is really into a ride in the car, and I manage to find a leash in the garage, and hook her up for this, yet another adventure for her (and me). Thankfully, she is fairly well behaved and does not have any serious behavior issues. At least when she is with strangers. We get to the vet and find out that she is not chipped, so the adventure continues.

At this point, I’m thinking about making up some flyers and posting them in the area, so I return home with the canine wanderer riding shotgun. As I’m driving home, I get the thought to stop and talk to any people I see in the area where she was found. I stop at the first house, where someone is taking their trash bin back inside, and I stop to talk to him. He doesn’t recognize Shepherd? mix, and doesn’t talk to his neighbors, so I move on.

The next door neighbor is getting ready to leave her house, and I flash my lights and try to get her to stop for a second so I can talk to her. She does, and I find a possible owner for the dog with the pink collar, should I not find her original home. She doesn’t recognize the dog , but has a son who might be interested. Cool! I’m thinking “Do you think he would take
her now?”.

Okay, so now I really do have to put up fliers. It’s getting too hot to stop and talk to neighbors who don’t talk to each other, and I can’t keep her in the car forever anyway. I go back to the house, print up five flyers, grab the staple gun, and am ready to head back out.

But I suddenly have this thought to text a friend of mine from our local Church. He lives not too far away, and the thought is that maybe he would recognize this dog and be able to help. I send him lost dog’s picture with a text asking if he might know her or who her owner is.

This is where I finally see what God has been up to all along, and it is amazing! Steve, (not his real name), texts me back, and this is the literal quote: ” Pink collar? Ryka is the dog’s name, and the phone number is… “.

WHAT?! Had he been waiting for me to text him? Does Ryka get loose so often that even people half a mile away know her by name? Did she at one point have a tag on her collar, with a phone number? All these questions run through my mind, but I am very grateful for the information.

WHAT?! Had he been waiting for me to text him? Does Ryka get loose so often that even people a half mile away know her by name? Did she at one point have a tag on her collar, with a phone number? All these questions run through my mind, but I am very grateful for the information.

I call the number and have to leave a message. Probably her owner is at work, and won’t return my call until much later on. But the owner calls back within a few minutes, and explains that she was out searching for Ryka, but her “check engine” light came on, so she is now at the shop getting her car fixed. We make plans to have Ryka dropped off at her house, and all is well.

Except that I want to know what just happened. When I talked to the owner, she said she didn’t know Steve, which didn’t make any sense. So I texted Steve and asked how he knew Ryka? He says “Don’t know anything about her. :). My wife is on a community group where they have posted that Ryka had gotten out”. Oh, that’s not quite as mysterious as I had made it out to be. But it was…

If you were playing a game where you had to get a lost dog back to its owner, and these were the starting conditions:
• dog gets loose.
• dog gets picked up and dropped off somewhere else.
How would you go about it? No, really. Think about it. You don’t know where the dog lives, and you don’t know how far away it was dropped off. Oh, by the way, you have no internet access, or cell phone, or even an old-fashioned phone book.

IMPOSSIBLE!, you say. There is no way that I could ever re-unite this dog with its owner, given those conditions. Yet, that is exactly the conditions God works with every minute of every day, and he was able to re-unite Ryka with her owner in a very short amount of time, because He loves Ryka…, and because He loves you.

In the gospel of Luke, one of the themes is faith, and Jesus talks about how we have “little faith”, as in “Ye of little faith”. What I experienced yesterday was (I believe) the result of having faith in God to help me out in a difficult situation. So, not only did God provide for Ryka, in returning her to her home, He also reinforced my faith in Him.

By using the resources that He had clearly provided for me, I was able to be used for His purpose, and I give Him all the glory. The other side of this is Ryka’s owner. I have no idea whether she is saved or not, but I do know this: God loves her too. And by showing her the love that He shows each of us, I guarantee you that she is experiencing life just a little differently today, even if she doesn’t know she is.

And I think that is the whole moral of this story: Your life is affected by God every day and in many ways, whether you recognize it or not. So look for and appreciate all that He does for you, especially in the little things, and be thankful. And give the glory where the glory is due, to your Creator, to God.