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Photo: some rights reserved Rswatski
by Jjakoba Starr Predmore
Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in We’Ced Youth Magazine Issue #2
[dropcap]My life-long [/dropcap] best friend may not live as long as me but he will always be running right along beside me. My best friend may be rough around the edges but on the inside he is the most caring and loving out of all my friends. My best friend always knows when I’m upset and how to get me to laugh again. I would not be me without my best friend. You may not have realized it but my best friend is actually a dog. Not just any dog, though, no. This dog is my best friend, a loyal and compassionate pit bull named.
I often hear people saying negative things about pit bulls. They’re too aggressive. They’re born to fight. It’s not safe to have them around children. My first question to these people is, have you ever been around or owned a pit bull? The times I’ve actually been able to ask people this, most of them say no.
I have been around pits for as long as I can remember. Personally, I have never witnessed any of these negative behaviors that pit bulls are famous for. Actually, I can only say I’ve witnessed the complete opposite. I have seen pit bulls be strong, loving animals that will do anything for their owners.
My mom, Rhiannon Predmore, was a former pit bull owner for over 16 years. She says her companion KoKo was the sweetest dog she ever owned. “Never once did KoKo show any signs of vicious behavior. She loved to be around. She thought she was a lap dog,” Rhiannon laughs but the mood quickly changes. “When I lost KoKo, I lost my soul mate. I lost my kid.”
[pullquote_left]I have been around pits for as long as I can remember. Personally, I have never witnessed any of these negative behaviors that pit bulls are famous for. Actually, I can only say I’ve witnessed the complete opposite.[/pullquote_left]
Rhiannon saved KoKo from a previous owner that made her first three years of life full of abuse and breeding. When Rhiannon had KoKo, she was stolen from her three times by people trying to breed her. Fortunately, Rhiannon was able to get KoKo back all three times. KoKo was the pit I grew up with so Rhiannon is not the only one who witnessed KoKo’s sweet behavior and lovable personality. I remember several people who were initially fearful of pits until they met KoKo. KoKo was such a wonderful dog, I wish everyone could experience the love of a dog like that.
I’m sure everyone is aware of discrimination. People get judged everyday by their skin color or other stereotypes. Animals aren’t exempt from being judged over something they have no control over. There is one particular pit bull story that reminds me of this.
