Tickled Pink

I have to confess I'm fairly surprised at the number of people that defended both the Pit Bull ban and guns.

Just for the record, I agree that people kill people. However, I do think that people who have GUNS can much more easily kill people, so yeah, I'd like to see fewer guns in the world.

I realize I am never going to persuade someone who has personal experience with Pit Bull bites to change their minds. But I just need to say one more thing about the ban.

In most cities, you are required to get a license for your dog. In order to get the license, you must show that you have both neutered your dog (unless you are a registered breeder) and that your dog is regularly vaccinated.

In Denver, the dogs they are slaughtering are NOT the dogs owned by the drug dealers/dumb kids/fringe people. I feel pretty safe saying that drug dealers rarely regsiter their Pit Bulls. The dogs they are killing in Denver are the ones that are legally registered. So if you are a responsible Pit Bull owner in Denver, they are coming right to your door to take your dog and kill it.

So the dogs being killed are PETS, people. Pets owned by responsible owners.

Also, I'm not just speaking about this issue as the owner of a Pit Bull mix (my dog is registered as a Mastiff Mix, by the way). I'm also speaking as a person who spent eight years working in veterinary medicine.

During those eight years, I held thousands of dogs while they were poked with needles and had fingers up their butts, among other indignities. I was at the face end, people, usually with my face within inches of the dog's teeth.

The dogs that gave me trouble were universally either small breeds (Yorkies, Poodles, and Cockers were the worst) or large dogs that were terribly inbred (often from pet stores) like Golden Retrievers.

I never even had a Pit Bull so much as growl at me. But I've had Yorkies fly off the exam table attempting to rip off my face.

Also, here is a very interesting article that mentions the racial implications of Pit Bull bans. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, folks.

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Can we have a giggly girlie moment?

Last night I went to see the author Jennifer Weiner interview author Sarah Dunn at my local library.

I adore Jennifer Weiner's novels. I mean I really, really LOVE them. Her last book, Little Earthquakes, was all about pregnancy and babies and loss and the last chapter actually left me a limp, weeping pile. She's that good. Plus, all of her heroines are fat. Gotta love that.

Since I love her so much, I avidly read her blog, and totally sent her a stalkerish friendly email once, mentioning my blog, you know, all casual like. Imagine my surprise when she emailed me back! I couldn't wait to meet her in person.

Sarah Dunn wrote a book called The Official Slacker Handbook back in the early 90's. She also read for me at a poetry reading series I hosted back then, and brought a photographer with her to photograph us slackers at a poetry reading (I actually ended up in the book). She then went on to write for television, on shows like Murphy Brown and Spin City, but most recently wrote the wonderful novel The Big Love which has just been released in paperback.

So anyway, they gave a great talk about the whole genre of "Chick Lit" and about writing in general--very informative and funny.

Afterwards, I was waiting in line to say hello to both of them, and when I re-introduced myself to Sarah Dunn, Jennifer Weiner yells, "That's you? You're Cecily? You're so funny on your blog!" or something like that because frankly I was suddenly feeling very flush and faint and couldn't exactly hear what she was saying.

You know how sometimes you worry about meeting people you admire in person because they might turn out to be all mean and snobby (what, you don't worry about that?).

Well, I'm thrilled to say that both Sarah and Jennifer were warm, kind, and funny in person. It was awesome. I left with a little jazz in my step thinking something stupid like, "She likes me! She really likes me!"

It was awesome. It makes me not even mind all you gun-toting Pit Bull haters.

Comments

[Sarah]

LOL!

Awesome retort, my dear. And I'm so glad it went well last night. Of course they were cool to you...you're famous too, don't forget!

Too much rock for one hand!!

[Heather]

We have a pit bull mix who always has been kind to our children, however, I have/will never allow him "alone time" with them. As with our hunting rifles. They are fine when they are locked up, or my hubby has one slung over his shoulder as he walks in the house (from hunting) but i have/will never allow "alone time" with them and my children. Its all about being responsible.

[Christina]

I agree with you on the pit bull issue. I too worked for a vet and the meanest dogs we had come in were this little 4lb chihuahua and a cocker spaniel that would lunge at you from across the room if you made eye contact...fun times. Our clients with pit bulls were some of my favorites. Always sweet and affection were their dogs.

[Yatima]

I still have a scar on my right hand from a pit bull bite, I live in an area that's seen two vicious attacks in the last week, one fatal, and even I think Denver has gone way too far.

[Pamplemousse]

Too cool that you met Jennifer Weiner. I have to check out her blog now (like I really needed to add any more to my daily list. Thanks, Cec!)

[PJ]

OMG Cecily, you met Jennifer Weiner. I totally love her books. I think it's awesome that she writes about fat chicks and baby stuff (good and bad). I loved her last book too.

She reads your blog and that is way cool. That makes you famous now too. This is the first time I've posted to your blog but I've been reading for quite a while now. I wish you nothing but the best and I'm so sorry for your losses. Keep on keeping on.

[KelliAmanda]

I should have known you'd love Jen Weiner. So do I - love love love her books. Can't wait for the next one. And have read her blog for a while. I only wish she'd do a book signing in my neck of the woods! Oh well...

As for the Pit Bulls and Guns thing - all I have to say is I totally agree with you. Which is usually the case anyway. So frustrating when policy makers make decisions out of ignorance, and I can't even imaging what I would do if someone came to *my* door to take my dog to be put to sleep. I think they'd have to put me away, because I'd probably cause physical harm to anyone who tried to take my dog.

[Ninotchka]

What an awesome experience, Cec! You are definitely loved...why that still surprises you makes you even more lovable. :)

[Jesse]

I've never owned a pit bull, but when I was young, my best friend had one. My mother was horrified when she saw it and terrified I would be mauled or killed, but it was the sweetest, nicest dog ever - the only threat being that she might drown you in drool as she licked you.
By way of contrast, mom has a mini dachshund who would gladly rip off the fingers of any person not in our family who would attempt to pet her. I read a statistic recently that showed the most commonly reported breed to bite was a labrador - the dog everyone thinks is harmless.
The media is so effective at making people afraid. I know people who refused to go the beach during the "Summer of the Shark" two years ago (or whenever that was) even though the incidences of shark attack were actually lower than normal. People are sheep. As Einstein once said, "Only two things are infinite - the universe and human stupidity...and I'm not sure about the former."

[Julie]

Wow! That is so neat!

I have a great doggie story for you. My Rottie Garbo was the sweetest thing you've ever met. The only thing you really had to worry about was her sitting on your feet and/or her drooling on you.

Anyway, I took her to the local park because it had a stream and she loved to play in the water. After a particular playful romp in the stream, she decided it was play with Julie time. She preceded to knock me over and roll me around on the ground (she weighed 125lbs at the time). I was laughing and having a blast when I saw two police officers, guns drawn racing towards me. Apparently someone flagged them down and told them a woman was being attacked by a Rot.

I stood in front of her and told them we were just playing and I was sorry to worry anyone. They just laughed and said they knew me. I asked them how and they said they patrol the park often and usually laugh at the big dog walking and/or dragging the little girl.

Big dogs = big wet sloppy kisses :)

[angela]

I love Jennifer Weiner! It was the first blog that I started reading and continue to do so to this day. I am fat and trying to conceive and some how stumbled on to your site several months ago. I now read yours religiously as well. I have never posted before but just thought it was way too odd that my favorite blogs that I read would cross paths. I love your writing and will continue to read! Thanks for sharing all that you do.

[eve]

I had an idea as I was reading your and others' comments. Perhaps owners who have breeds that are "known" to have "vicious propensities" as a "breed" would then be strictly liable for the damage their pets do. The "known", "vicious propensities" and "breed" classifications would have to be defined and worked out to best effect the policy. That way, if an owner wants to "take their chances" they can, but they would accept liability (civilly and perhaps criminally, depending on the circumstances of the offense/act) for the acts of their dog(s).

I think that in most cities, an owner gets one chance to plead ignorance about their dog's vicious tendencies. After the first bite/attack, however, they are on notice as to the dog's tendencies and are treated accordingly. The difference between this approach and the idea above is that the owner of the "classified as vicious" dog and the owner of the "not-classified as vicious" dog would be that the former doesn't get the benefit of ignorance - ie. the fact that "vicious" Rover never bit anyone before doesn't matter.

I think that would strike a balance between protecting the public and protecting the rights of pet owners. And hopefully, in evaluating the classifications, the terms that would be worked out would be based on the real information that is out there, and not just a prejudice based on one breed or certain breeds.

Just one idea I had as I was reading your thoughts and those of others.

BTW, I'm not sure if I read it or not, but did you have any reactions to the West Hollywood, CA ban on all pet cosmetic surgery procedures? I was curious as to what your thoughts were. As a pet lover, I figured you would appreciate their legislative approach to pets and pet ownership - their laws and such don't refer to humans as pet "owners" but rather as their "guardians." I really respect that approach.

[Gina]

" realize it was more of a reaching out to God than to my actual father; my father was never anything like a Dad to me, or, really, any of his children that I can see (maybe to my youngest sister). But that call of my inner little girl was loud and clear, and true"

I remember what it felt like to be in that much pain about IF. I remember wanting a child so much that it was physical pain and I just wanted it to stop. I remember asking God to please make it stop. I am crying for you because I remember how bad that all felt and no one could help me. I am sorry you feel so bad.

[Sheri]

Thanks for sharing the link to Jennifer's blog...I really like it!

I have a friend who has a pitbull and it's a big baby. It's the nicest dog. Friendly and all that...it just has drool problem - yuck. The size of dog was intimidating at first but compared to our Min Pin, it is comatose acting. Our Min Pin sounds like she would take your leg off at the hip but she's a big barker that's all.

Now guns.... I won't go there beause I can't testify against my husband. He could hold back a small armed invasion on his own with the amount of guns and ammo we have in this house. I insist on the ammo being locked up seperately from the guns (due to our child) and he agrees. He basically is a collector but he loves guns. I personnaly don't like them but as he is a very repsonsible gun owner, I tolerate them.

Cecily, I tagged you on my blog for a Me-Me post. Hope you'll visit!

[Jessica]

I am delurking to tell you that I am so jealous you met Jennifer Weiner and I am so glad she is just what I thought she would be like. I love love love her books too - and cannot wait until that fateful first weekend in October when the new book and the movie come out.

Damn those are some long sentences. This post is kind of Jennifer Weiner stalkerish.

We should start a club.

[boxing octopus]

i finally saw a preview for _in her shoes_ tonight -- i nearly peed myself. i have high hopes that the movie treatment won't assf*ck the book as is so often the case.

[Erin]

I had the most loving wonderful pit bull mix for 13 wonderful years. It broke my heart when we had to put him down. When my son was born 9 years ago, my mother would send me articles about how vicious my dog was going to be towards my newborn. I knew everything was going to be fine when Dago (my dog) made is favorite sleeping spot under the cradle. I never for a minute worried about the two of them together. He was such a good dog, I couldn't imagine not having a dog in my life. We got a puppy after he died, a golden retriever. Our new dog, Maggie, is so much more territorial than Dago ever was. He never barked a day in his life....Maggie never stops. There will never be a day that goes by that I won't miss him. His picture sits right on my desk.

[maia]

I'm reading IN HER SHOES right now and LOVING it!!

[maia]

BTW my mini poodle/shih tzu sounds far nastier than your dog.

And guns? Don't get me started. All I will say is I am glad I live in Canada where I don't have to worry about my kids getting shot in a friends home, or getting shot in general is NOT really an issue. Guns are rare here and the only person I knew that was into them was considered a bit off. There are hunters with guns (rare around here) but up north I am sure. But the basic fact is is that here in Canada we do not believe it is a RIGHT, and few own them. Which is a GOOD THING.

[suze]

oh my god!! i love jennifer weiner!!! and i love her blog. i'm so glad she's as nice in person as she seems she would be.

[Angela]

>

That may not have been meant to be funny, but I'm laughing my ass off over here! Why? Becase my mom has two yorkies! One, Dipstick (yes that really IS her name), is SO like that! The other, Panther, is one of those "pet me, love me, rub my belly, I'll lick your ankles" kind of yorkies.

[Debe]

Of course they like you, you're awesome

[Taylor]

Long time lurker, delurking myself I guess you could say :)

I have a 2lb yorkie and a 7lb chihuahua. The yorkie is pretty calm but he's still young. The chihuahua on the other hand can be mean. If someone taps me on the shoulder he will try to bite their hand off. I do not understand why innocent animals are being killed for no reason at all. Don't these people have better things to do like crack down on something more crucial?

Like you, I too LOVE Jennifer Weiner! I have read 'Good in Bed' and 'In Her Shoes'. I did not know that she had another book out but I am going to look for it now. I am so jealous that you got to meet her! I also can't wait to check out her blog.

Have a great day :)

[Anonymom]

I don't know one thing about dogs. Everything you read about pit bulls in the news is basically bad, because you don't read about them until they've killed the 12yo in the apartment.

But I've come to the conclusion that any dog can go bad, and any dog can be wonderful, regardless of breed. The key is the owner. This is why I will never have dogs...I would not want to be bothered with training it properly. It would be irresponsible for me to own a dog.

Kudos to the good dog owners!

[JuliaKB]

Well, duh! You are COOL, lady!