Losers, Baby ✨

october 2022 • athens

It's not as simple as this, so I'm going to break it down more.

The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), the only true "pit bull," is described as being confident, eager to please, and extremely friendly, according to the UKC breed standard. They have been noted to love people, especially children. Aggressive behavior towards humans is highly undesirable. However, dog aggression (DA) and small animal aggression (SAA) are common and within standard. This means that it's normal and acceptable for APBTs to exhibit aggressive behavior towards dogs, cats, squirrels, rabbits, etc. So aggression is part of their breed standard.

The term "pit bull" has been watered down over the years. It has come to reference a dog type rather than a breed, which should not be the case. Backyard breeders (bybs) have diluted the breed and have allowed dogs to be born and bred that do not fit the standard. These undesirable dogs continue to be bred, some exhibiting uncharacteristic behavior for their standard, and this is where human aggression (HA) has become a bigger issue. Pair this with people who do not socialize and train their dogs properly (ex. no emphasis on neutrality, punishing a growl, etc), and who do not know dog behavior (ex. whale eye, lip licking, different tail wags, etc), and this is a recipe for disaster.

There are no bad dogs in the sense of right and wrong. Dogs don't have a moral compass like humans do. But there are aggressive dogs out there. There are different types of aggression that dogs display. And that is okay! Dogs are individuals and have the right to exhibit their feelings. Aggressive dogs can be highly trained, aggressive dogs can be in public (as long as they are well managed), aggressive dogs can live long, amazing lives.

To deny the existence of aggressive dogs is doing them a disservice. Aggressive dogs need an owner willing and able to fulfill their needs and to advocate for them. Most people do not want to deal with that or are not equipped to deal with that, which is fine. But denying aggression can lead to someone getting a dog that is not a good fit for them, and that is, again, where problems occur and bites happen.

Being open and honest about dogs and their personalities, preferences, characteristics, etc is what will help them live a good and safe life.

admins' comment: we normally never ever add our own opinions onto polls submitted to us (keeping our personal thoughts out of polls is our number one rule), but we believe this is an important matter that needs to be talked about more; pit bulls are NOT an aggressive dog breed in any way. we have our own experiences with pit bulls, and we can personally guarantee that all of them are the most gentle, loving souls we've ever had an honor of spending our time with.

most pit bull attacks — just like any other animal attack casts — happen because the pit bull was 1.) abused, 2.) threatened, 3.) provoked, 4.) trained to be aggressive (aka abused) and so they believed they had to defend themself. unfortunately, due to their strength, their attack may be fatal, which leads to this harmful, out-of-reality stereotype that pit bulls are an aggressive dog breed, which then also leads to so many tragic casts of them being wrongfully and unfairly put down. it is heartbreaking and frustrating because most of pit bull attacks are human's fault, not the dog's; you (general you) abused a dog, you made them believe you were a threat and therefore you made them defend themself.

there is no bad, aggressive dogs. but there are bad and abusive people out there.

last but not least, pit bulls are one of the sweetest, most gentle dog breeds that are so gravely misunderstood. please, don't let the stereotype cloud your judgment. respect animals, and they will respect you.

*this poll was submitted to us and we simply posted it so people could vote and discuss their opinions on the matter. if you’d like for us to ask the internet a question for you, feel free to drop the poll of your choice in our inbox and we’ll post them anonymously (for more info, please check our pinned post)

Foggy webs

Assortment of I Spy backgrounds photographed by: Walter Wick

New Yorker cover, February 12, 1966, by Anatol Kovarsky (New York City, USA, b. Russia, 1919-2016). I appreciate the illustrations of many varieties of dogs.

Sorry if it's a morbid question but I'm at that age when death is coming closer each day, and I'm wondering what to do with my fics on AO3 and tumblr should I die one day. Of course I can put them in a will or get someone's help. But me writing fanfics is like a secret identity that none of my family or friends know. They're not into it and I don't think they'll value them either. They'll probably trash them but I'll love for anyone to adopt them if they like to. So any ideas or suggestions?

Not morbid at all! Planning for the future isn’t depressing, it’s planning. Taking care of something that’s on your mind will only make you feel better about things, anyway :)

As for the answer to your question, AO3 has exactly what you’re looking for: Fannish Next of Kin. This is the person that you decide you want to have take care of your works after you die. They’re a fandom friend you trust, but you don’t have to know them in person. You don’t even need to know their real name. You just have to trust that they’ll follow your wishes after you’re gone.  

In the event of your death, the Archive will transfer your account into that person’s control and they can manage it on your behalf. 

For more information, read that link above. Just one more way that AO3 looks out for the “Our Own” part of the Archive :D. 

Brie mac and cheese

Accidental flash

Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan

Reason to Live #12298

    The future pets you’ll have. – Guest Submission

(Please don't add negative comments to these posts.)