Tuesday, October 9, 2012

First Post!


Ok here we go!

I guess I should introduce myself, I'm Andriana and I'm a senior at Sonoma State University. The reason I chose to talk about pit bulls is because animal welfare is an issue I especially care about. I have always been aware of the bad reputation that pit bulls have sadly acquired over the past several years,  but recently I have become more and more aware the extensive details of society's views toward the breed and the consequences that resulted from these views. The generalizations and lack of education on the part of irresponsible dog owners and the public as a whole have been negatively affectecting the breed, animal shelters,  legal matters, the media, and even responsible pit bull owners. They have also gone on to create many obstacles for those who are trying to help change the harsh stereotype and open people's minds to see pit bulls in a different light.

One of these people who takes on such a task  is my "boss," a horse trainer at a dressage barn where I have been working for a year now. For some time she has helped enlighten me on the issue. I hate to call her my boss, because she has become more of a friend and teacher to me rather than someone I simply work for.

 Working with animals is very rewarding. I never take  having the daily opportunity to enjoy being outside in the fresh air  doing what I love for granted...and having gorgeous wine country as a backdrop doesn't hurt either. Being at the barn is very important to me, and among teaching private lessons, as well as her working students (me =) ), exercising and training the horses annnnnd, overseeing the barn and business all together, she also dedicates a lot of her time to a local animal rescue. Working with the rescue, she fosters, helps train or rehabilitate, and find homes for dogs, (especially pit bulls and pit crosses). So she's  a very busy animal lover and a strong advocate for pits and shelter animals in general. The dogs are always at the barn with us, two of which belong to Becky (I'm sure I will post quite a bit about activities at the barn since I spend so much time there!) along with her two dogs, a foster dog that is under her care will usually tag along and become part of the group. Through what Becky has taught me, I have learned a lot about and have become more interested in pit bulls and my love for animals has grown even more! I just might adopt one of my own when I am ready! So that will be something to look forward to in my future. I decided I should interview her about what she does, so that will be featured in a post to come! Thanks for reading (...if anyone is out there!) 

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