I love animals. Big ones, small ones, weird looking ones, and the pretty ones.

This love is not shared by all.

That's ok - I don't expect everyone to share the same beliefs and values as I do, however I do expect everyone to respect mine. I don't like it when someone looks at my dog and has the nerve to say that she's a vicious creature which should be put down. You've never even had the chance to get to know her.

I own a dog that is widely viewed as a menace to society. If she had lived in the 70's, she would have been fine. If she had lived in the 80's, she would have been adored. If she had been born in the 90's, she would have been popular. But, because she'd had the misfortune of being born in the new Millenia, she's looked upon as a beast. I am talking, of course, about a Pitbull.

It's funny, though, calling her a Pitbull - that's not even a breed of dog. It's actually a classification - like calling a dog a terrier or a teacup. It's not correct. And yet, stories continue to circulate about Pitbulls attacking innocent people and their dogs. Who classifies what a dog is, anyways? Not the media, nor many "dog experts" who decide on which poor animal lives or is killed. If you ask your typical "Pitbull fearing human" what makes a dog a Pitbull, I bet they couldn't give you a correct answer.

The truth is, many dogs could be considered to be this type. And, I may point out that many stories that the media is reporting about dog attacks are actually not involving Pitbulls at all. It just looks better on a headline.

Do me a favor. Before you judge an animal based on media hype, take a moment to talk to a person who owns one - or better yet, go play with one. They may just change your mind for you.