So, at our Gasparilla parade over the weekend, a pit was shot by a Tampa police officer. The dog bit a police horse. The officer apparently had to shoot him, I’ve not heard why there was a lack of lethal force weapons, but I can’t pass judgement because I know how terrifying animal on animal attacks are, I can’t imagine in a crowd of 20,000 people with everyone scrutinizing. My bone of contention is not with the cop.
Animal owners, why are we acting like our big guys and sweet girls belong everywhere? They don’t. I wouldn’t take my boys to RayJay to watch my Bucs play. Not because they don’t love my Bucs, because they have great taste, so of course they do. They have no business around that many strangers, yelling and scaring them. My boys, even if they didn’t have histories, don’t need to be amongst that many people drinking and screaming. It’s not good exposure for a dog.
What happens at Gasparilla? Drinking and screaming. Lots of it. Boobs for beads, music, just a great time. I went faithfully every year for probably 20 years. Now, not so much my speed because I don’t drink anymore. But, I never knock a good time. Why, why on Earth, why dog owners would you take your baby to a drinking festival?
You own a magnificent animal that loves you and wants to protect you. 20,000 people who are in various stages of drunk and carrying on loudly are not the place for dogs. They’re also not the place for cats, birds, or gerbils, but their owners seem to have some fucking sense. Dog owners, I can’t believe you’re doing this to me. Do better, man.
Now, back to my letters to the news copywriter who did the damage to our breed with the “locked on” comment about the pitbull…I’ll be chewing their asses for a few hours if anyone is looking for me.