Useful Tips on Walking Your American Pit Bull

By Nathaniel Rhine

Every dog love to go for a walk, especially an American Pit Bull Terrier. They require a lot of exercise. Before you even think about get a Pit Bull, please make sure you will have or make the time to walk him daily, if not, you will not be a responsible Pit Bull owner.

I walk Soldier at least twice a day, Monday through Friday, and on the weekends I may walk him at least three times a day, since I have more time to spend to be with him. One must make time to walk your dog. There is no if, and or but about it.

When you and I go for a walk 9 times out of 10, we are wearing some kind of foot wear, be it sneakers (tennis shoes), boots or sandals. However, when was the last time you saw a dog wearing shoes? And if you have, I can guarantee you that it was not an American Pit Bull Terrier, either. Having said that, it is advisable to walk your dog either in the early morning and/or late evening/night when the atmosphere is cooler and so are the street’s surface area.

Most of us do not have the luxury of having a large enclosed yard or field to allow our dogs to run in. Like most people, I have to walk Soldier in or on the streets. Therefore, the streets are very hot due to the sun shining down on them all day long. Our dog’s paws are in direct contact with the street’s surface area. Just imagine you walking barefoot down the sidewalk or in the streets at 2:30pm? Crazy! Yet, many dog owners do just that, without giving it a second thought.

As responsible dog owners we want to be considerate of our dog’s needs and wants. Our dogs need to walk and want to walk as much as possible, so why torture them by having them walk on scorching hot concrete/pavement?

One more advice I’d like to share with you and that is, before taking your dog out for a walk, massage his legs and shoulder muscles. It will help stimulate the blood flow and get the dog prepared for a good workout. Like humans, before we engage ourselves in a physical activity, we are encouraged to stretch, to warm up. Our companions deserve the same attention. It only requires 2 or 3 minutes. It is also a great way to bond with your companion.

Last but not least, after the walk, give your dog a cool down as well. Simply, massage the legs, shoulders and thighs for a few minutes. Again, like humans, after a strenuous workout, we cool down so that we may avoid cramps and stiff muscles.

These are some very simple tips that I hope you will find helpful when it comes to walking your dog. Your dog will love you more for the little extra attention that you give him. Happy walking.

To Chain or Not to Chain

By Nathaniel Rhine

A bright and shiny Wednesday morning, in my home office working as usual, when I heard, Soldier barking. Yes, it was the trash collectors coming to cart away trash. Soldier has a keen sense of smell and hearing. He picked up on the trash truck blocks away. So for a few moments, both my neighbors and I had to hear his barking. That's normal.

The trash truck is now in front of my house collecting the trash and Soldier just went crazy. That too is normal. As I was looking out of the window of my home office, one of the trash collectors, gestured that I should put a leash on my dog. I gestured back, which meant no. He walked away to the next house to collect trash.

Should I put a leash on Soldier? I thought to myself. I began to reason aloud. One, I should not put a leash on him since is he surrounded by a 5 feet and a half brick wall and a five foot gate. Two, he is a guard dog, meaning he is to protect my house, my car and everything within my gated property. Three, if someone were to enter my gated property, how would Soldier be able to protect my valuable property if he is chained, and not able to get at the intruder?

Immediately, I said, "To hell with the trash collector who suggested that I chain Soldier, my guard dog."

So, that's my answer. Soldier will remain as he is, free to roam freely within the protected compound of my property. He has a valid license, he is well guarded from neighbors and others and there is a beware of dog sign on my gate.

I am confident that I have taken all the measures of being a responsible dog owner. All I can humbly say to anyone who wish to come into my gated property without my consent, and Soldier does what he is supposed to do, which is to protect my property, then that is their ass! Soldier will get a big piece of it as well.

Soldier Gettin' His Grub On...

All photographs and their captions are supplied by my beloved wife. I thank you very much for your efforts.



Yuummmy...

This is mine. Mine and all mine...

Soldier in Action

It U can't reach the gate in 1.4 seconds, don't even try gettin' in.

Don't even think about it...

Stray Pit Bull Saves Woman and Child from Attacker

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- The wandering 65-pound Pit Bull mix might have seemed menacing to some passerby, but one woman will always remember him as her "guardian angel."

The dog, which authorities think is lost and not a stray, successfully thwarted a robbery attack on a mother and her 2-year-old son, who were held at knife point Monday afternoon.

The Florida woman, who has been identified by authorities simply as "Angela," was leaving a playground with her toddler son in Port Charlotte when a man approached her in the parking lot with a knife and told her not to make any noise or sudden movements.

Angela didn't have to do either to protect herself and her child -- a dog mysteriously ran to the scene and charged the man, who quickly fled.

"I don't think the dog physically attacked the man, but he went at him and was showing signs of aggression, just baring his teeth and growling and barking. It was clear he was trying to defend this woman," Animal Control Lt. Brian Jones told Pet Pulse.

"I don't know what this man's intentions were, but it is very possible this dog saved her life."

The exceptional part of the story, Jones said, is that the dog had never met or even seen the people it quickly jumped to defend.

"You hear about family dogs protecting their owners, but this dog had nothing to do with this woman or her kid," Jones said. "He was like her guardian angel."
After the alleged thief ran away, Angela quickly placed her son, Jordan, in the car and tried to drive off. Before she could, though, the dog jumped into her backseat, waiting with her for the police and animal control officers to arrive at the scene.

The dog was transported to a local shelter and if his owners don't step forward within five days, Jones said, Angela and her family plan to adopt the savior she named "Angel."

Animal control officers and shelter workers believe Angel is lost, and not a stray, because of his good health, sturdy weight and mild temperament.

"It's funny, that someone's irresponsibility could have saved someone's life," Jones said of Angel's possible owners.

For Angela, it doesn't matter where the dog came from, just that he was there when she needed him most.

"I don't know what his [the thief's] intentions were -- I don't know why he did it, but I'm glad that -- we call him Angel -- I'm glad that Angel showed up because I don't know what would have happened," Angela told NBC2 News.

For a small town with a population of 46,452, animal control officers were kept busy Monday afternoon. Jones says they department also responded to a report about a boa constrictor in a church parking lot.

The snake found its way into a car engine and was able to be removed without being harmed. It took three people to move the massive, seemingly random placed snake.

"It's funny, because we aren't a big place," he said of the Gulf Coast town. "And we can go for four or five months without the media contacting us about a story. It's been a busy week."

Officers from the responding county sheriff's office canvased the area and were unable to locate the suspect described as being in his 20s, tall and dark haired.

Lookin' Out for the Trash Collectors

Soldier smells the trash comin'

He's correct... the trash is here.

New Animal Planet Show Aims to Show Pit Bulls are Misunderstood

By Debbie Little
December 31, 2009

As a teen living in the projects of Los Angeles, Shorty Rossi wanted a dog. But unlike his friends who used them for breeding and fighting, he wanted a companion.

"I always liked them because the pit bull was short and stocky and didn’t take no for an answer, like me,” said Rossi.

At 14, his passion for pit bulls began and it’s obvious on his new Animal Planet show “Pit Boss,” it has not wavered.

As a little person, Rossi knows what it’s like to be unfairly judged and he thinks pit bulls are treated the same.

“Little people are not taken seriously in this world. People don’t realize that we’re mainly business owners, doctors, lawyers, etc. A lot of people who are not raised with little people or have never been around them, think they’re nothing but circus acts and so forth. So you get that misunderstanding and you’re not taken serious. It’s the same with pit bulls. And I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for being raised somewhat in the projects, going to prison and being around pit bulls. I’d be a totally different person. And I’m glad that I had those life experiences to be who I am today,” said Rossi, who spent 10 years in prison for gang-related activities.

In 2000, Rossi started Shortywood Productions, a talent management company for little people and in 2001 after rescuing a pit bull named Geisha, he formed Shorty’s Rescue.

Geisha, now nine, is one of Rossi’s pet pit bulls that are featured prominently in the show. Also integral are Ashley, Sebastian and Ronald, the little people who work in the office at Shortywood and who help with the pit bull rescues.

“The people who work for me have no choice but to be around my pit bulls, because they go everywhere with us. It’s part of my daily activities. We’re doing a job in entertainment and I’m on the phone talking about rescuing a pit bull,” he said. “If you don’t want to deal with my dogs, you don’t work for me.”

“No matter where I’m at with my work on the entertainment side, every day I’m working with pit bulls. When I wake up in the morning I’m waking up to pit bulls. I have to work at entertainment to afford my pit bull rescue so they work hand in hand. Shorty’s Rescue is totally funded by Shortywood productions.

Rossi’s dedication to these dogs is very real as shown in the premiere episode when he is called to rescue a stray pit bull in the projects.
The rescue goes well but when he tries to return the dog to its owner, a confrontation ensues.

“I’m not going to let anyone take advantage of me and I’m going to stand up for what I believe in and whether it’s the insane idea of standing in front of some six-foot guy that’s probably been in prison, too and could throw me who knows where I’m not going to stand down. You could be five-foot-one or you could be six-four, I’m going to treat you the same,” he said.

Also in episode one, Ronald has the unenviable task of teaching Geisha to stand on her hind legs for a calendar photo shoot. If Geisha does it right she could get the cover, but teaching this independent free spirited dog turns out to be a lot for Ronald to handle.

“[Geisha] really doesn’t listen to anyone but me, and sometimes she doesn’t listen to me so for Ronald to do what he did, which was kind of funny, was real good,” said Rossi. “[Ronald] doesn’t take things seriously and I needed to give him more responsibility because I’m always throwing it on Sebastian and at that time Ashley wasn’t ready for it.”

When Rossi showed up at the shoot, the pressure was definitely on Ronald.
“It made Ronald have no choice but to prove his point, because now that I’m there he can’t just say, she didn’t do it because of this,” he said.
Rossi knows his business combination is unique.

“Nowhere else in this world can you walk into somebody’s office and you’ve got four little people running around working and you’ve got anywhere from two to five pit bulls playing, sleeping or snoring and costumes flying everywhere. It’s different but it’s real life. This is what goes on in our world,” he said.

There are over 150 little people across the world that have contracts with Shortywood and whenever Rossi shows up for one of their gigs his pit bulls are always in tow.

“Where else would you walk in and say, ‘Oh look, there’s an elf and, oh wait, there’s a pit bull dressed as a reindeer’,” he said. “When you’ve got little people running around as crawfish at a crawfish festival [his dog] Hercules is dressed as a lobster just to be a little bit different.”

Even with all that Rossi does, he knows it will never be enough.

“I can’t save every pit bull. I can do my best but I can’t save every one,” he said. “People give us chances in this world and I’ve had a lot of chances. It’s my time to give back to the world.”

“Don’t believe the hype. Give these dogs a second chance,” he said. “I want to let the world know this is a very misunderstood breed and with proper training they’re the most loving dogs in the world.”

Thank You for Your Support

I have a lot of things to want to express with regards to the incident that took place on Monday with a postman and my Soldier. I am not really in the best of moods to write, however, I thought it would be best to at least post a blog today letting you know how I feel.

Both my wife and I have received many emails and calls from people all over the world who have read my blog, my Facebook and saw my Tweets. They expressed their concern, but most of of those who replied are dog owners and lovers themselves. No one could understand as to why any human being could do such a thing as to throw a brick at a dog that was not a threat to them.

I am in the process of writing a post to this blog, however, I hope to post it later today or tomorrow, God willing.

I even discussed with my very supportive wife as I was driving her to work this morning, that I want to establish an American Pit Bull Club of Malaysia. The purpose of such club will be to promote the awareness of the breed and teach the general public how to learn to respect animals, especially dogs.

The majority of the Malaysian population are Muslims, who in my humble opinion have a misunderstanding of dogs and how dogs should be viewed from an Islamic perspective. My role is not to become a religious scholar about Islam and dogs. We have enough scholars of Islam as it is. What we need are people to help educate the general public as how to appreciate and respect other forms of life.


I would like to thank all of you who sent supportive emails and voiced your concerns. Long live the American Pit Bull Terrier!

Beware of the Dog. Hell no, it's more like Beware of the Owner

Don't even get me started! I guess it's too late. I have just posted a thank you letter to Tuan Haji Wan Sharpudin, the State Manager of Pos Malaysia, for sending two gentlemen to my home to apologize on behalf of an asshole mail carrier of theirs. The gentlemen were very polite and courteous, well mannered, but what happened to the idiot who shot a cement brick at my American Pit Bull Terrier?!

I still can not get over this event. You know most people in Malaysia would have just let the incident slide. They wouldn't even lift a finger. I am not saying all Malaysians are like that, just the majority. It's not in their nature or culture to raise hell. Well, you have just met a hell raiser.

I have been in this country too long for me not to speak up about the many things that has happened to me since I have been here. Two very touchy incidents took place in recent times that have been very upsetting to me. The event that took place yesterday with an asshole, I'm sorry, I mean young boy, who threw a brick at my dog, and another incident that took place a little over one year ago involving 10, yes, I said 10 thugs who attacked both my wife and I for walking my dog! Oh don't get me started, man.

There are two common denominators in both incidents. Can you guess what that may be? If you guessed my American Pit Bull Terrier, Soldier, you'd be 100% correct. Jackpot, baby!

What is up with that? People here in Malaysia don't like American Pit Bull Terriers or what? Regardless of whether people like dogs or do not like dogs, does that justify one to throw a brick at a dog for barking, which is in the dog's nature to

bark? Does it justify 10 people, sorry, I mean 10 assholes, to attack my wife and I because of walking our dog and minding our own business?

I thank God for have given me two wonderful parents who taught me to respect life in all forms, shapes, sizes and colors. Whether that life form has two legs, four legs or a thousand legs, I was taught to respect life. I am sure all good parents taught their children the same thing. Unfortunately, as some of us grew up, which is highly debatable, we have forgotten what our parents taught us. The assholes who have attacked my wife, my dog and I are perfect example of people not being good listener when their mothers were teaching them how to respect life.

I could go on for days, but I will save some for later.

I have a sign on my fence in front of my house that reads,"Caution..! Beware of Dog." It is now inappropriate. I am going to take it down and put up a new one which shall read, "Forget the Dog. Beware of the Owner."

Thank you Letter to Pos Malaysia

Dear Tuan Haji Wan Sharpudin bin Wan Ramli,

With regards to the incident that took place yesterday involving a Pos Malaysia mail carrier and my dog, I'd like to thank you for your immediate and appropriate action. This afternoon at approximately 3:50pm, two well respected gentlemen from Pos Malaysia paid me a visit at my home. They were very professional in handling the situation. They both apologized on behalf of the Pos Malaysia mail carrier who threw a brick at my dog. Their apology was accepted. However, I hope that such an upsetting event will never take place again to either myself and/or any other dog owner in Malaysia. I am confident that it will not happen.

Sincerely,

Nathaniel Rhine

Pos Malaysia Carrier Throwing Brick at my American Pit Bull

Dear Tuan Haji Wan Sharpudin bin Wan Ramli,

Please be informed that yesterday afternoon, Monday, April 05, 2010, one of your delivery men threw a cement brick at my dog, who was secured behind a 5 foot high fence and 5 - 6" high concrete walls on both sides of my neighbor's property. In addition, he has a valid licence. The nature of all animals is to do what nature has predetermined. In the case of my dog and all dogs, by nature they are to bark. And that is exactly what my dog did, bark. Not only does he bark at the mail delivery person, he barks at the rubbish collectors, the electric meter readers, the newspaper delivery guy, people who hand out fliers and the list goes on. Out of all the people whom I've just mentioned, no one has ever thrown a cement brick at my dog. Never, except yesterday, by one of your people.

Interestingly, there was no mail in my mail box after the incident took place! Not a single piece of mail! Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that your delivery person, purposefully stopped at my house, picked up a brick and shot it at my dog. I saw it with my very own eyes. Allah (SWT) is my Witness.

I was in the house working from my home-office as I do most of the time. Every single day that I am at my home-office I would look out of the front windows and watch the men collect the rubbish from my house and my neighbor's house. When it comes to the post man, I do exactly the same. Yesterday was no different. Your delivery man stopped in from of my house, thinking no one was home, because there was no car parked in the driveway, the doors and windows were shut. I saw him taunting my dog, who was barking due to the nature of all dogs. I knew that something was going to happen. So I rushed to get my camera to put it on film. As soon as I turned on the camera, your postman had already picked up the cement brick, which was in front of my house and shot it at my dog. Keep in mind, that my dog is behind a 5 foot high fence and licensed. Your post man was on his motorcycle when he shot the brick. After he shot the brick he casually rode to the next house to deliver mail. He never thought anyone saw him and that anyone was at my house. I confronted him, for he was only two or three houses down the street from my house. I asked him as to why he shot the brick at my dog. Before, I could even finish my sentence he caught an attitude and stated that my dog was barking. In other words, it was justifiable to throw a cement brick at a barking dog who is secured behind a fence and is not a threat to anyone opposite the fence. Interesting!

He went on to say that my dog bothers him when he delivers mail. I told him that it was his job to deliver mail, and if he don't like dogs, he should find another job. He was really upset and embarrassed that I confronted him. I spoke to him in Bahasa Malaysia so that he could understand exactly what I was saying. That shocked him even more so that I could speak Malay. He told me that if I want my mail, then I should collect it at the main office myself. Again, make note that there was not a single piece of my in my mailbox. So why was he in front of my house? He knew from the moment he left the post office where he collected and organized all the mail, that there was no mail for my house. He knew that, so why did he act as though he wanted to deliver mail to my house, other than to get close enough to taunt my dog and throw a brick at him?

I was very upset and I wanted to throw a brick at him, but two immature people do not make a right. So I didn't. I am much bigger and better than that. Due to wisdom, I called my wife and consulted with her. She gave me advice. My wife even spoke to you yesterday over the phone.

I would like you Tuan Haji Wan Sharpudin to inform your delivery person to apologize to both my wife and I for his immature and unacceptable behaviour yesterday afternoon. I am confident you know who the culprit is. There are records in your office as to who delivers mails and where it is delivered and the registration number of the motorcycle used. I have lived in Malaysia for over 17 years and I know very well how the system works here. Or course you may try to cover the backside of your staff, but a responsible person, a State Manager of Pos Malaysia and a Muslim that you are, I am confident that you will reprimand such person and do the right thing.

My wife and I look forward to receiving an apology within the next day or two from the postman who threw a concrete brick at one of the creations of Allah (SWT).

Thank you



Nathaniel Rhine
(Address not posted on this blog but on the actual letter to the addressee)