Rocky the ROCKSTAR!

[RealPitBull]

therealpitbullblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/volunteer-spotlight.html

[loverocksalot]

OMG I am literally crying. Silly you all may think. But when I think about where I was with this dog just about 6 years ago. Almost returning him because of what he was. Not knowing anything about pit bulls or dogs. Having to learn. joining forums and asking what us newbies think are such stupid questions or bad behaviors that we are afraid to ask. Until two years ago I had not called Rocky an American Pit Bull Terrier in public. It took a memoir class I was taking at the library to read my Rocky biography out loud and for the first time I announced to a public community group that Rocky was an american Pit bull terrier and that was the day I vowed that I realized I was given this dog to make a difference. And from that day forward I was doing it. At this moment after reading that blog, We finally made it. And I am inspired to continue it. In the spring I will be doing a program I think around valentines day called Puppy Love - dog obedience. Which I am not sure I want to use the word obedience but someone else named the program. I plan to have it changed to something like success. I am asking today if next october I can do a pit bull awareness program. BTW I am an extremely anxious person with social anxiety. Through this dog I have gained a new life. And I am truly grateful to have gotten to know some great people over the years who may not know that they touched my life at some point. Maryellen and Mary. Who I found back when I needed that help with a breed of dog I knew nothing about this was long before the RPB forum. Thanks

[RealPitBull]

Awwww CA, now you're going to make ME cry! LOL Hey, can I use an edited version of the above and add it to the blog? It's just so heartfelt and I think it demonstrates what a lot of us have gone through - not knowing about the breed/being leary of them, and then after spending time with them we fall in love and become active advocates and want to tell the world about the breed and our dogs.

[RealPitBull]

PS I don't want to put you on the spot; I edited the post a little. I can leave it as is, don't feel obligated to share what you posted above.

[loverocksalot]

Yes absolutely, We all had to start some where. Unless we were brought up with the breed. And it was a goal I set for myself about two years ago when I realized I was doing no justice for the breed by not telling the truth about this most awesome dog that I worked so hard to get where we are. By not telling the truth. I ended up with a certificate from American temp test that plainly congratulated Rocky the mixed breed. At least now he is an American Staff therapy dog. They would not title him APBT because not akc breed and I have some papers listing him Am staff and some APBT. So I was told take it or he will have cert saying mixed breed. Sorry Im rambling. Yes please use what you want. Thanks Carolann

[RealPitBull]

Just remind me....so Rocky is TT'd, has his TDI and his CGC, correct? I want to add that info.

[loverocksalot]

Yes rocky has cgc, tt and certified therapy with TDI. by the way I tried to get his tt changed to apt or am staff at the least but since I was a fool and checked the mix breed with a question mark, I would now have to take photos and prove he meets the standards and of course pay and what not or go re take the test and plainly write APBT and not check the mixed breed box or even mention it.

[sugar]

Great shot of the two of you!!