In some ways I wish I owned my sister's dog. [View all]

[MadHound]

Don't get me wrong, I love my pack of four wonderful dogs, they bring much joy and happiness to my life, and the lives of those they interact with.

But by sister does therapy work with her dog, takes her to hospitals, nursing homes, schools for Reading With Rover, wonderful things. You see, my sister's dog is a registered therapy dog, and she brings joy to people who are sometimes in the darkest pits of despair.

She is a very gentle dog, she will curl up on a hospital bed, or with a kid. She loves people, and loves to bring light into their lives.

I could have had this dog, since it was one I rescued a few years back, a cold and shivering pup, not yet full grown. But my inn was truly full, what with four dogs and six cats. My sister loves dogs as much as I do, and agreed, at some initial hesitation, to take this pup into her home.

The reason why I would love to have this dog is because this dog is a great ambassador for her breed. This wonderful dog that brings joy and love into other people's lives is a pit bull. Yep, a wonderful, lovable pit bull, who goes out once a week to work some small magic into the lives of strangers. Some folks are a bit nervous at first, but they are soon won over with this wonderful dog's unbridled love. Kids play with her, read to her, talk to her. She, in turn, loves them, smiles at them, and once in a while gives them a big, sloppy kiss. Old folks, well, a lot of them call her Nipper, after the RCA pit, something they relate to. There is that resemblance, what with the white fur and single black ear. That gets them talking about the old days, while they pet and play with this gentle dog.

Yep, a pit bull who is a registered therapy dog.

It ain't the breed folks, it is the owner. Remember that.

Oh, and next time you're in the hospital, don't be surprised if you see a white pit bull with a brown ear and a red vest coming by to see you. Don't be afraid, you're about to meet a lovely and loving dog who wants nothing more than to be your friend and help you in your time of trouble.