First I would like to express my appreciation to the residents of this fair city. I’ve been residing here for five years now and have been shown unbelievable kindness and assistance whenever I’m out.
Perhaps because I am now more visibly disabled, but even so, I have never before met with so many wonderful people elsewhere and I have lived in various places in my long life.
I am bothered, though, by the expressions of intolerance and fear of a certain breed of dogs — namely pit bulls — and the owners, who are penalized by having to pay $1,000 for an annual licence.
My experience with them is such: A few years ago, my daughter and her boyfriend raised pit bulls. They had two females and one male. The only time that I’ve seen some aggressiveness was when the female had puppies. At that time only my daughter could handle them, as they’re very protective of their offspring. Other times, when I visited, they slept in the same room with me and sometimes at my feet. They always enjoyed being petted and showed their affection when treated kindly. I’ve never known them to attack anyone, including children. I understand that it was all in the training and select breeding.
A few years earlier, my little cross-bred Spitz-Pomeranian bit several people when I wasn’t around. Perhaps I didn’t spent enough time in training him.
I felt compelled to relate my experiences. Thank you for your kind attention!
Laura Makortoff
Castlegar