•What is a "pit bull"?

•Pit bull myths and facts

•The pit bull (over)population problem

•Obtaining a pit bull

•Ownership issues

•Photo album

•Aggression

•Breed-specific legislation

•Dog bites / Dog safety

•Friends and enemies

•How you can help

•Positive pit bull stories

•FAQs

•Bookstore

•Merchandise for pit bull lovers

•Toys

•Links

•About the author

•Felanie and Dozer

Credentials

I have been researching pit bulls and dog behavior since 2000, amassing a sizeable bookshelf of pit bull and dog books, and a lengthy Favorites menu overflowing with pit bull and dog links. I took a course from the National Animal Control Association and am currently a member. I volunteer at two local animal shelters, and webmaster for one of them. I am also a member of the Travis Agility Group. I have assisted with training classes taught by a APDT-certified trainer.

Published articles and other things:

Author. "Counterpoint: BSL in Ohio." NACA News, Sept/Oct 2006 Issue
Author. "Pigeons: A Human Ally." Iowa Source, Dec.2005/Jan 2006
Author. "Pity the Pit Bull." Iowa Source, August 2005
(I think if I was really interested in getting things published, this list would be longer. As it is, being a 'published author' is not too high on my list of priorities. Thanks to those people who approached me and asked me for material.)

Website author of Happy Pit Bull (http://www.happypitbull.com)
Website author of Stop BSL (http://www.stopbsl.com)

Personal Info

I'm big on individual responsibility. Throughout this entire site you will hear me harping on the importance of individual responsibility. I believe strongly in each person's ability to stand on their own two feet, live their own life, make their own decisions, and pay for their own mistakes. Sadly, it seems to be a rare position to take nowadays. I see more and more situations where individual rights and responsibilities have been completely shelved. I'm positively nauseated by the onslaught of ridiculous laws that "save" us from having to take responsibility for our own stupidity.

I also refuse to submit to fear. Fear is a primal emotion that stems from ignorance and quickly leads to hate, violence, and anger. Fear inspires highly irrational behavior. The more educated and confident a person is, the less they have to fear. I have low tolerance for people who choose to live in fear rather than educate themselves. (This goes back to my focus on individual responsibility. Highly fearful people tend to lash out with hatred against the object they fear, whether it be human, animal, or object. Their focus is on everyone else, not themselves.)

I have a soft spot for misunderstood creatures. I love animals that most people hate, like pigeons, snakes, and yes, pit bulls. I don't understand the fear and hatred that people have toward certain animals. Animals, just like humans, are driven to survive and be content. Just because we humans don't always understand them doesn't mean they are somehow less valuable or more dangerous than us. Any fear or hatred we may have toward an animal is not their problem - it is our problem. It is our responsibility to use these big, complex brains of ours to learn and educate ourselves, and develop a sense of respect toward all living creatures.

I hope to get my Master's degree in Technical Communication in one more year. Technical Communication is an interesting field for me because, the way I see it, TC involves taking other people's research and material and combining it all into one easy-to-understand packet of information, adapted for a broad audience. This is something I already strive for in all of my websites, and I think further education in the field will help my improve my communication skills greatly.

Of course, my personal life revolves around my dogs... oh, yeah, and my husband too.

My blog is located at http://happypitbull.blogspot.com.

Email me at jenthomas1@gmail.com.

Site author Jennifer Thomas