Prejudices in the Family

[catstina]

Oh boy, it's going to be a fun Christmas...

Tim got a voicemail from his sister yesterday (I'll call her SIL for the rest of the story). She claims that didn't realize that Saxon would be coming to Christmas with us and was concerned about him coming because her nephews would be there... She went on to say that the boys' mother works in the ER and just had her first "Pit Bull" attack victim. A two year old child was apparently "mauled" by 2 "Pit Bulls" and needed stitches. So SIL is worried that Saxon might do the same... After leaving Tim that extremely disrespectful message, she texted me the following:

SIL: hey. saxon's ok with children right? cuz i am having my nephews for christmas.
i am not quite clear if you, tim and saxon will ALL be over for christmas. i just talked to tim this morning and he mentioned all u sleeping over
which made me think of saxon and the boys. the boys can get roudy so i just need to know that it'll be all good.

Me: Saxon is great with kids! Whenever a kid comes in to planet dog he is super gentle licking their hands and such. He doesn't even jump up on them.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers, as a breed, are known for being great with kids, it's right in the breed standard! I'll keep an eye on him to ease everyone's minds.
Yeah, Saxon goes where we go pretty much. We don't like leaving him alone for more than a couple of hours.

SIL: ok. well tim said that you guys would bring a kennel so we just have to see how it all works out.

Me: He has calmed down a lot since you last saw him as a pup (he's 14 months now, can you believe it!?).
He still gets excited when he first meets someone because he loves people so much, but he lays around most of the day now as long as he gets enough exercise.
Don't you worry, he is a good dog, just like your Simon.

SIL: it'll will be all good

You bet your @$$ it will be all good, girlie, because if you say one ignorant thing at the party I will not be able to hold my tongue...


This is the same woman who is PRO BSL and argued with Tim and I about it a year or two ago (after we'd had Benny). I know that she would not even bat an eye if BSL were passed here and Saxon was taken away and killed. But she would pretend to care. That's what she did when it didn't work out with Benny and then turned around and told one of Tim's brothers that she was glad we "got rid of the Pit Bull." I get that not everyone can be a Pit Bull lover, some people have to be Pet Shop Puppy people (their Cocker is from a Puppy Mill supported pet store), but for her to be Pro BSL is just too much! I can't tolerate that.

I don't understand how any sane person could be so ignorant. Look at this dog, how can anyone fear him? How can anyone wish him dead?


Unless, of course, they are a box...




P.S. I had to insert some humor into this post because the situation upsets me so much.

[sugar]

Hey, boxes are *ssholes, they totally have it coming!


Its hard sometimes, I think all of us bully lovers have gotten too much stupid from one person at one point or another (I had someone tell me I should be happy Chubs has cancer because that means by the time I'm pregnant he won't be around to endanger me or the baby...yeah, too much stupid for one body to contain). Normally I would say to tell her to f*ck off, but since it is a family thing and if you are like me try to keep the peace as much as possible if anything stupid is said about the breed or Saxon just give them a short few sentences about the breed (just like what you did up there) and if they continue just say "Excuse me, I am not comfortable with people insinuating Saxon is some kind of crazy animal based on media hype and misinformation." and just walk away and go play with the nephews or Saxon.

Take a deep breath, family is what makes family get-togethers so hard sometimes. They would be a lot easier if they didn't show

[AmyJo27]

Ugh....I hear ya with this one!!

Ive finally gotten my mother off my back. She has come to accept and actually really like Pit Bulls. My dads just always like "ehh...whatever...A dog is a dog" lol but my Grandma (Who lives RIGHT behind us) and my aunts all think Kris and I are HORRIBLE people for adopting an adult Pit Bull and allowing him around Avery and this baby when its born. :/ I also SUCK at biting my tongue so sadly, Im not very close with those members of my family. My Gradma frets like crazy so when Im around her, All I hear is her complaining about Bola.
Last time I went to visit my Grandma everyone was there (Aunts, cousins etc) and I got 'jumped' about Bola. Everyone took turns throwing in their two cents and complaining...I already had a sh*tty week, was stressing about Honeys situation, and so many other things that I ended up saying things I probably shouldnt have and told them off. My relationship with them wont be the same...there is that awkwardness there but its one of those things....You can only take so much.

I hope things go smooth for you. Maybe she will see how he is with the children and change her mind. I will be praying for you with this because I know how tough that is. Makes you feel offended, hurt, and defensive. Not a good combo.

[lovemybully76]

I'm sorry you have to go through that with the SIL. It's hard not to take that stuff personally. I'm sure Saxon will be the perfect gentleman and swoon everyone over with his cuteness and good behavior.

[melonie]

I'll be silently sending you my support. You'll need all the good thoughts having to deal w/ someone pro bsl!!!

[catstina]

Thanks for the support everyone! I should be used to the comments by now, but I would never expect such ignorance from a young "open minded" person like the SIL. She is such a fake person, full of it and always putting up a front to make herself look better. At least I know that now, so I know not to take anything she says seriously. I'm going to have to try hard not to say anything.

Dec 21, 2011 15:08:30 GMT -5 sugar said:

I had someone tell me I should be happy Chubs has cancer because that means by the time I'm pregnant he won't be around to endanger me or the baby...yeah, too much stupid for one body to contain.

That is a terrible comment!! One of the worst I've ever seen/heard!!

[perfectpit]

I give you a lot of credit because my lips would be a flapping. lol I don't hold my tongue about anything I believe in, family or not. You accept all of my family dogs included or you don't accept any of us, me included. I have no fear of walking away. If they are not welcome neither am I. I love my family but they know how I am. I can walk away from things including family without looking back. Good luck I know Saxon will show them his tender side. Who could not love him.

[catstina]

If it was my own family I would (and have about many issues, though I've never had to defend Pit Bulls to my own family) definitely be saying something, but this is Tim's family and he gets upset if I "start something."

[suziriot]

Ugh, so sorry you have to deal with this Cat. Especially at the holidays.

Dec 21, 2011 15:08:30 GMT -5 sugar said:

I had someone tell me I should be happy Chubs has cancer because that means by the time I'm pregnant he won't be around to endanger me or the baby...yeah, too much stupid for one body to contain

WHAT. THE. EFF. Sorry, but I probably would not have been able to restrain myself from punching them in the face.

[melonie]

I have a bad habit of foul language and smart ass remarks. So I do try to bite my tongue and think about what I need to say in order to not look like an a$$, or offend someone.

It's a very fine line, and dealing w/ people who could be a major part of my life would not get off scott free. Go prepared, take a print out of RPB's temperament guide, and a story about Sedona, or Leo, Hector, etc. Ooo I know, gift her a copy of The Lost Dogs for Christmas.

[klg1269]

People’s ignorance is simply amazing sometimes isn’t it? People blindly follow the media hype and are blind to the fact that this has all happened before with other breeds. I am so blessed that my husbands and my families realize just how sweet in nature these dogs really are. My mother in law and a few of my family were initially a little nervous but kept an open mind and open heart. With a little education and a whole lot of pit bull love and kisses they all are in love with both our two and my sister in laws pit. In fact after dinners over my one pit can often be found sitting next to my mother in law in her own chair. Or on any number of people’s laps at my families. That being said we have dealt with our fair share of pit bull haters. I’m sorry that you have to put up with that especially from family. Try to stay calm, remain positive and just do your best to educate. I’m sure Saxton will do his part to win everyone over. He is a cutie!