“Beyond the Myth” screening next Friday
Stormy
I have a pit bull mix in my family. Stormy is the happiest dog I have ever had the pleasure to meet. He’s generous with kisses, wags his tail so hard we are convinced it will fall off one day, and he loves to snuggle between me and my husband in bed.
He’s also been greeted with a fair amount of fear and trepidation when we take him out in public. When people ask what kind of dog he is and we answer “SPCA special” or “mutt”, they are eager to pet him. If we say he’s a “pit mix”, often they back away.
When I brought him to the newsroom once for a photo shoot for a column I wrote about owning a pit bull, I had a coworker politely tell me, as Stormy was being petted by others, that he didn’t want to be anywhere near a pit bull.
It’s unfair that so many dogs have been misjudged because this breed (or mix of the breed) has been the favorite of dog fighters and other irresponsible people who do not treat these dogs humanely. It’s tragic that many dogs — good dogs that have never hurt anyone — have been destroyed because of local ordinances banning any dog that even resembles the breed standard for a bull terrier.
Angles of Assisi, the downtown Roanoke no-kill shelter, will be screening a film “Beyond the Myth” at Roanoke College’s Olin Recital Hall on Friday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m.
According to the news release, “The film investigates the myths associated with these breeds, challenges the idea that they are inherently vicious, and presents eye-opening research regarding the media’s role in influencing people’s opinion on dog attacks.”
Click here to purchase tickets. Ticket holders are also eligible to get 50 percent off the adoption fee for adult dogs at Angels of Assisi.
January 4, 2013 - 9:54 AM
YOU GO NONA SOME PEOPLE JUST DONT GET IT!!!!!!!GREAT DOGS!!!
This is a great story, Nona! Thanks for sharing it! : ) I have seen this film, and although it’s heart wrenching at times, it IS quite enlightening and will hopefully shed more light on the pitbull/pitbull mix misconceptions. I fostered a pittie this summer and fortunately found him a home. I now have another foster puppy, (pit/lab/shepherd) and he is adorable. (endless energy but adorable!) They are GREAT dogs if, as you wrote, are trained responsibly.
We spoke before you took a short hiatus-we have a an animal shelter show called “Big Licks” currently running on COX. Hopefully, I can introduce myself if you are at the screening next week.
Thanks again for your article and Happy New Year!
Take care,
Karen
As the mother of a sweet and loving pit bull mix, I think this film sounds really interesting. If I can’t make it to the screening, hopefully it will be available for rent in the future.
My son and daughter-in-law own a pit mix they got from the SPCA and that sweet dog is the most loving, good natured dog I’ve ever seen! Her tail just won’t stop wagging!! Terrible misconceptions out there about pits, and I was among those listening several years ago, but after having a pit mix as a “grand-dog”, I have changed my mind completely! Thanks for a good article!
My 7 month old pit/lab mix is a lover boy! He MUST have momma snuggles every night before bed. Loves all the kids and when everyone was sick with the flu he went from bed to bed giving everyone extra TLC. I couldn’t ask for a better family oriented dog. I also have no doubt he would put his life on the line protecting one of us.