A woman named Asha was in tears when she and her pit bull, Pirate, were kicked out of a dog park. She couldn't believe there were still people out there who discriminated against dogs based on their breed. She was devastated that other people could not see that her dog was sweet and harmless.
Instead of being resentful toward other people, Asha thought of a productive way to prove a point. She wanted to show people that the negative perception of pit bulls is wrong. In order to do that, she joined a group dedicated to showcasing the talents of pit bulls.
Asha's group focused on promoting a positive image of pit bulls through training. People who saw how talented pit bulls were often changed their minds about them. Additionally, joining such a group also strengthened Asha and Pirate's bond since they spent quality time more often.
Pirate earned recognition for being an outstanding dog. He was clearly having fun showing people that he was a good boy. He enjoyed all the positive attention he was getting, and Asha loved it as well.
What started as a campaign evolved into a competitive spirit when Asha decided to dabble in dog sports. She and Pirate joined several agility competitions to show what pit bulls are capable of. As a result, Pirate gained more awards and recognition.
Asha does not consider the awards and certificates as Pirate's biggest accomplishment. What matters to her is the perception she has changed and the message she delivers. For her, converting pit bull haters to pit bull lovers is the biggest victory she celebrates.
While there will always be people who despise pit bulls, Asha has done her part in shedding a positive light on the breed. Her and Pirate's contribution to fighting negative stereotypes is no small feat. It's safe to say that she and her dog will continue to do this as long as they can.
Source: The Dodo via YouTube.