Ever go to a sale

And the prices are so good

You can’t buy just one?

I just returned from a road trip

In which I helped transport

A severely abused Rottweiler in Kansas City,

To his new loving home in Cleveland, Ohio.

I love Happy Endings;

They are so rare these days,

Especially for some types of dogs.

Unfortunately, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Bull Terriers, and several other large powerful breeds of dogs are being vilified in our country today.  Many municipalities now want to ban them; many animal shelters refuse to adopt them out; many insurance companies refuse to insure their owners; and, even worse, many police officers, in true fear for their lives, now shoot them on sight.

No dog is born inherently vicious, evil, or mean.  Vicious evil people make them so.  These large powerful dogs are the preferred choice of drug dealers, gang members, and property owners across America who often beat, starve, and abuse them mercilessly in an effort to make them vicious; and in an effort to protect their drugs, turf, or property.  They also often make these dogs engage in extremely cruel and bloody dog fights to the death for cash.

Yet, Rottweilers regularly rack up high scores in obedience trials. They are often used as service dogs for handicapped people confined to wheelchairs. They also do stellar work for many police departments; and these same dogs that are trained to attack ‘bad guys’ gently meet and greet schoolchildren in ‘Officer Friendly’ programs across the country.

And they are loving, devoted, affectionate pets for many families with young children.

Rottweilers are good at these things because they are smart, versatile, highly trainable, loyal, loving, brave, and oh-so-willing to please the people who are kind to them.

But in the hands of the wrong people, a Rottweiler, or any large powerful dog, of any breed, can become a terrifying menace.

Please don't join in current efforts to blame, or ban, an entire breed of dog for the actions of a few that were turned mean; blame the vicious human beings abusing these dogs.

Laws need to be changed to severely punish these animal abusers; not their innocent canine victims.