You can also buy one of these disguise kits for your dog:
http://www.users.bigpond.com/daniel1977/kits.htm

Everybody loves a pooooodle!

I now know what my Bloodhound will be for Halloween...hee hee <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
One UGLY Poodle.....

That was too funny <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> !

Thanks for the website Derek!

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I have to agree with Kristine's post, except for the part of pitbulls being very friendly dogs. I know that pitbulls can be very friendly, I used to pet-sit for some, but it's not a statement I would rely on.

And the stigma continues...*rolleyes*


I've lost count of the number of times people have made asses of themselves in pet stores or at dogparks, upon seeing what kind of dog I have. One time, when my friend and I had taken our dogs to petsmart to have their pictures taken with Santa, an irrational crazy woman proceeded to have an anxiety attack inside the store, just because we walked our dogs(on lead) past her when she was exiting an aisle. She screamed "Get THOSE Things Away From Me, I Hate THEM!!!" and then bolted in the opposite direction. She made such a production that her husband/boyfriend could barely console her. The sad part about the whole situation was our dogs hardly noticed the woman during her tantrum, they were more concerned with the giant kongs on the shelf nearby.

I wish I could ignore these people, and chalk it up to an intelligence deficit on their part but I can't, because these are exactly the type of people who'll go to city council meetings in support of BSL in their areas and I'll wind up losing my right to own my breed of choice.


Andy.

Hilarious idea. Thanks for that website. I have a response to "Does he bite?" "Noooo...he gums his food, but thanks for asking." Seriously, people who ASK to pet your dog are part way to having common sense. I praise for that. I ALWAYS thank them for asking. I don't always let people pet my dog, although at times I do. It depends on what we are out doing, but I always thank 'em.

I have a problem with people who prejudge a dog by it's breed and a bigger problem with people who assume they can enter my space and get all over my dog. That has not happened much with my GSDs, because even the very social have "presence" and a look that says "don't tread on me" and I love it.

Hayley, thank you for the kind words. You are absolutely right, she had a wonderful, long life and her illness was thankfully brief and many people came to say goodbye. My vet came to the house when it was time and we buried her under a tree in our back yard. And even though it was a while ago, I still can't write or talk about her without tears.

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.................I wish I could ignore these people, and chalk it up to an intelligence deficit on their part but I can't, because these are exactly the type of people who'll go to city council meetings in support of BSL in their areas and I'll wind up losing my right to own my breed of choice.....Andy.

Get involved. Join neighborhood associations; educate people at dog events and parades (and there is nothing like well-trained dogs to really educate people); get involved with animal control in your city or county; get political.

Will Rambeau posted about the policy part about a year ago.
QUOTE:
I have one fool proof way of preventing BSL...... Run for office and get elected. More of us need to start getting into positions in elected government and educating the general populace about responsible dog ownership. ..... Get a position on a local Animal Control board ( I did, and it worked wonders for my time there ), or as a City or County Commissioner - all those positions are usually part time in smaller towns/ cities or rural local's. .... Just my opinion, but it'll work better than any petition drive, believe me. END QUOTE

There are other things to do, too, from small to huge. We have a silly dress-up parade every Fourth of July, and Pugs "march" in the parade wearing ridiculous outfits. The Pugs may bring out the crowds, but our GSDs and other "scary" breeds, as well-trained and -controlled outriders, are the ones who make subtle changes in the thinking of the parade-goers.

JMO! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Amen to everything you posted Connie.

My Luke is a blast, laid back 85% of the time. He goes everywhere that I go usually, except work. He does love to run next to our PT formation though, and I have let him nip a slacker/straggler once during a 3 mile run, but he has since been told that that is a "no".
I have only had a few problems with the stigma, in fact in some cases it would have been less scarey if there had been some. I have had Luke in the truck with the windows cracked while I went into the store to get a dozen eggs and some milk, I came out and this "yahoo" is about to stick his hand into the window. Believe it or not, this has happened no less than 3 times over the last 2 years, one of which ended in a pretty nice bite. IDIOTS. The dog is not stupid, he has come to the point where he stays quiet in hopes that they will actually do it. Yet if he met most of them outside of the truck he would not hurt them at all, usually he just ignores most people altogether unless they are dumb enough to do the stare thing, which gets his dander up once in awhile.

My boyfriend takes great glee in answering 'what breed' questions when we are out walking my pup. The last time he was a Dunderous Pale Hound I believe. Other times when people say 'wow he is beautiful where did you get him?' he says 'thank you, I am from England'. The kleenex comes in handy.

Since he (my dog) was a baby people have invented all sorts of breeds that he could possibly be, everything from Weimaraner to Spinger Spaniel (???). I do have to give credit to the woman who asked if he was an Ibizan Hound though because almost no one knows what those are.

I really prefer the stigmatized people who cross the street to the social but undereducated types, however my boyfriend thinks they are the best toys ever.