Michele
11-07-2010, 10:16 AM
Bill Engvall of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour does a routine entitled "Here's Your Sign". I think all of us at some point have been guilty of asking questions that could be qualified as down right silly given the circumstances at hand. There is one question I get when I am at an event that never ceases to amaze me.
To get the full impact of this question let me first set the scene. I am an experienced Pit Bull handler. I think everyone reading this blog will give me that much credit. I do many public appearances in many different venues. I am a dedicated champion to public education and responsible ownership of all dogs. I can also talk non-stop on the subject of Pit Bulls and responsible dog ownership, which makes me a popular choice for public events.
That is a little insight into me; now let's consider the public events. I do as many large scale public appearances as I can find because it is the best way to present the true American Pit Bull Terrier and what is possible if you are willing to put forth some effort. This is a dog breed that is surrounded by so much misinformation and outright nonsense that the public has been stirred into a frenzy of fear that is equivalent to the Salem Witch Trials. I want the public to see what the real dog is all about in contrast to the horrific images planted by sensation seeking journalists.
I am also a proponent of community programs offering Canine Good Citizen training and certification to ALL dog owners, as well as, a participant in the Puppies on Parole program being hosted by the Missouri Department of Corrections. In other words, I do my very best to present as positive and professional an image as possible to the public.
Can you guess what question I get when I am out making these public appearances? Hang on to your hats because everyone that knows me and is also dedicated to public education finds this question almost as ridiculous as I do; "DOES THAT BITE?"
Yesterday fifteen minutes before presentations were to start at the Shelter Alliance Petstock event, I had a major shake up in my planned presentation. I was frantically trying to figure how to salvage my program when a woman walked up to me, while I was standing with my dog Tori in a group of children, adults and other dogs and asked me "Does that bite?". The incredulous look on my rather stressed out face must have been answer enough but she still stood there among a group completely at ease with this dog and acted like she was petting a rabid adult grizzly bear.
Tori, the light of my life, did the unthinkable....she barked. OMGOSH, my dog barked! She was not even looking at this woman and it was only one woof but it still caused the poor soul to jump backwards at least six feet in an obvious panic, which she was not the least bit shy about telling all those people standing in the same area was because that terrifying creature had made a noise. Being consummate professionals my associates and I managed not to bust a gut but the shear ignorance of these types of displays is one more example of how the public allows itself to be led like sheep.
Here's your sign: First, before you open your mouth to ask a question that is going to make you appear less than intelligent, please stop to consider your surroundings. When you attend events focusing on animal welfare, sheltering and rescue we are there to present our individual programs in their very best light. That means that despite the human error factor, we are going to do our best to send you away informed and impressed.
In my case, I am fighting the genocide of an entire breed. I have my reputation on the line. I am presenting a dog that is hated and feared because of the irresponsbility and ignorance of human beings. I assure you, when you encounter me at a public event, I will be presenting the absolute finest examples of dogs available to me.
Even if you do not know me do you really believe anyone is going to be standing in a public place interacting with a group of people and other dogs if they do not have the utmost confidence in their dog?
Despite my first reaction being to answer "Yes she bites, that is why I brought her to this place.", I will try to smile and answer the question honestly in a voice I hope is not showing my doubts about your position on the genetic ladder.
For future reference, no, she does not bite!
PHOTO INFORMATION: This week's photo comes from the Cherokee County Humane Society in Tahlequah Oklahoma. This was the scene Friday morning when the volunteer staff arrived at the shelter to care for their resident animals. The photo is a profound example of what all shelters and rescues are experiencing right now.
Please, make a point of offering a kind word to our workers, make a donation of money, time or supplies or simply add an extra prayer for our animal welfare agencies.
seMissourian.com: Blog: Profound Observation (http://www.semissourian.com/blogs/1452/entry/38092/)
To get the full impact of this question let me first set the scene. I am an experienced Pit Bull handler. I think everyone reading this blog will give me that much credit. I do many public appearances in many different venues. I am a dedicated champion to public education and responsible ownership of all dogs. I can also talk non-stop on the subject of Pit Bulls and responsible dog ownership, which makes me a popular choice for public events.
That is a little insight into me; now let's consider the public events. I do as many large scale public appearances as I can find because it is the best way to present the true American Pit Bull Terrier and what is possible if you are willing to put forth some effort. This is a dog breed that is surrounded by so much misinformation and outright nonsense that the public has been stirred into a frenzy of fear that is equivalent to the Salem Witch Trials. I want the public to see what the real dog is all about in contrast to the horrific images planted by sensation seeking journalists.
I am also a proponent of community programs offering Canine Good Citizen training and certification to ALL dog owners, as well as, a participant in the Puppies on Parole program being hosted by the Missouri Department of Corrections. In other words, I do my very best to present as positive and professional an image as possible to the public.
Can you guess what question I get when I am out making these public appearances? Hang on to your hats because everyone that knows me and is also dedicated to public education finds this question almost as ridiculous as I do; "DOES THAT BITE?"
Yesterday fifteen minutes before presentations were to start at the Shelter Alliance Petstock event, I had a major shake up in my planned presentation. I was frantically trying to figure how to salvage my program when a woman walked up to me, while I was standing with my dog Tori in a group of children, adults and other dogs and asked me "Does that bite?". The incredulous look on my rather stressed out face must have been answer enough but she still stood there among a group completely at ease with this dog and acted like she was petting a rabid adult grizzly bear.
Tori, the light of my life, did the unthinkable....she barked. OMGOSH, my dog barked! She was not even looking at this woman and it was only one woof but it still caused the poor soul to jump backwards at least six feet in an obvious panic, which she was not the least bit shy about telling all those people standing in the same area was because that terrifying creature had made a noise. Being consummate professionals my associates and I managed not to bust a gut but the shear ignorance of these types of displays is one more example of how the public allows itself to be led like sheep.
Here's your sign: First, before you open your mouth to ask a question that is going to make you appear less than intelligent, please stop to consider your surroundings. When you attend events focusing on animal welfare, sheltering and rescue we are there to present our individual programs in their very best light. That means that despite the human error factor, we are going to do our best to send you away informed and impressed.
In my case, I am fighting the genocide of an entire breed. I have my reputation on the line. I am presenting a dog that is hated and feared because of the irresponsbility and ignorance of human beings. I assure you, when you encounter me at a public event, I will be presenting the absolute finest examples of dogs available to me.
Even if you do not know me do you really believe anyone is going to be standing in a public place interacting with a group of people and other dogs if they do not have the utmost confidence in their dog?
Despite my first reaction being to answer "Yes she bites, that is why I brought her to this place.", I will try to smile and answer the question honestly in a voice I hope is not showing my doubts about your position on the genetic ladder.
For future reference, no, she does not bite!
PHOTO INFORMATION: This week's photo comes from the Cherokee County Humane Society in Tahlequah Oklahoma. This was the scene Friday morning when the volunteer staff arrived at the shelter to care for their resident animals. The photo is a profound example of what all shelters and rescues are experiencing right now.
Please, make a point of offering a kind word to our workers, make a donation of money, time or supplies or simply add an extra prayer for our animal welfare agencies.
seMissourian.com: Blog: Profound Observation (http://www.semissourian.com/blogs/1452/entry/38092/)