Its Monday and 100 degrees in Sacramento and Henry is of course sunbathing. Henry is my rescue pit bull terrier. For those that knew me before Henry and still know me now, its obvious, Henry rescued me- not the other way around. All I did was show up at the shelter and drive him home and love him. He has given me so much more. He has taught me more in the last 4 years than I could have ever even imagined. He and I have been through a lot together- to put it mildly. I know he found me in this life and came to me when he did for a reason, to get me through everything and teach me. All I have had to do is love him. I have the easy part. What I have learned from him and the amount of love he gives, far exceeds anything I could have imagined learning and getting from one crooked head, 40 pound, one- eyed dog.
People always say “He is just a dog.” To that I reply “Yeah well we are just apes.”
Henry came to me 5 days before I discovered I was pregnant (unplanned pregnancy.) He was the one that was there for me when I got the news from the Dr that my blood test came back positive for pregnancy and I sobbed all afternoon. He consoled me as I said good bye to the life and future my husband and I had planned out. If we had gotten the call about Henry needing out of the shelter 5 days later, he would not be in my life as we already had 3 dogs and now a baby on the way. As soon as the shock of the surprise of game changer baby wore off and I started to breathe normally again it was Henry who was there. He would rest his head on my belly way before I had a bump. He knew something was in there. Every night for those 8 months he rested his head on my belly. When we brought my son home from the hospital we just put his car seat on the floor and let the dogs come meet him (my son never woke up) I don't know who licked him first, Henry or Maya, but I do know Henry is way better with both my sons. He will always be as close as he can to them without touching them or disturbing them. He is their best friend.
Henry has taught me about humans. He taught me how to talk and deal with humans. He taught me about patience and tolerance and how to talk to people who just don't know any better. I was new to the pit bull world when I got Henry. I had volunteered at the city shelter for only 8 months and I knew without a doubt in my mind that pit bulls were by far my favorite kind of dog now. But I had never owned one. I didn't know what was in store for me. One of my first walks with Henry I learned. Henry and I were walking along peacefully and this lady asked me to turn around and walk back a little ways so she and her little poodle could walk by. I said, very politely (which I am proud of because remember I was also pregnant) “I am sorry this is a public street and my dog is on a leash and under control and she could turn around if she wanted to.” Henry and I walked right by. This is a very common occurrence - and one I was not ready for. The amount of ignorance and intolerance surrounding this breed is still mind blowing to me. I have since learned patience and how to talk to people in a polite way and firm enough to get your point across. I have learned how to calmly talk someone into taking their 20 pound chain off their dog and putting on a nice collar. I have politely and calmly explained that spaying and neutering pit bulls will not cause them to go “extinct” as people have argued to me. Being mean and judgmental and aggressive never gets you anywhere and gives pit bulls more of a bad name. I always want to represent pit bulls in a way that would make Henry proud. Humans failed Henry. Humans fail pit bulls every day. Humans cut pit bull ears with scissors and burn them and throw acid on them and throw them in a pit to fight and starve them and beat them and all pit bulls do is love and trust their owner. Henry had no reason to trust me -but he hopped in my car and put his head on my hand and never gave me anything but love and complete trust from the second I got him. We, humans, could learn so much from these magical beings - they are pure strength and resilience and love. They are goof balls. They are happy at their core and never ever miss a chance to sun bathe or play fetch or jump in a kiddie pool or give kisses to girl scouts or kids at the park. They do not hold grudges, they do not hold onto their past or let it ruin their happiness. This is something I struggle with, not letting the past cloud your days. I have lost a great deal in the past 4 years but I have not lost my life. I have not lost my husband or sons or parents. I have had to put down my St Bernard but I have not lost Henry or Maya. I have lost a house but not a roof over our heads. I have lost two babies but I also have two healthy babies and some woman do not even get that lucky. I have lost ties with family members and friends but I have made many more friends that are just like family. Henry is my daily reminder that life is too short and too sweet to not be thankful for every day and every moment you get. Take the time to sunbathe and catch a Frisbee and go make people smile at the coffee shop or bar. Don't be scared to be a goof ball.
When we went to meet our adoption lawyer our 1st question was “how much will this cost” and our second question was “We have a pit bull, is that okay?” They said no problem -we will have to meet all your pets and so will the social worker. It wasn't even an issue because Henry is awesome. So we were able to adopt a baby with Henry however when we looked to rent a new place this April we called about 10 rentals and no one would rent to us because we have a pit bull. Even though our renters insurance covers him. Interesting huh- we could adopt a baby with a pit bull but we can not find a rental house to live in.
Pit bulls have been on my mind all weekend as there were a couple pit bull rescue events this weekend and the Esquire article about pit bulls. In the article it talks about how the author was out with his daughter walking the family dog (yes a pit bull) and a loose cocker spaniel attacked their dog. This has happened to me with Henry and a chihuahua. Henry did not hurt the chihuahua. But if he had, Henry would have been blamed, not the crazy aggressive chihuahua who was off leash. When will this change.....pit bulls being sensationalized in the media- it just gets old. It gets old hearing people ask, Aren't you worried about having Henry around kids. Why don't you spend 5 minutes with Henry and the boys before you ask me that question. It gets old all the sadness and abuse and euthanasia statistics surrounding this breed. Do you know what doesn't get old? Meeting pit bulls out and about and getting kisses from them. Hearing all the happy pit bull stories. Seeing the surviving Vic dogs thrive. Seeing dogs like Wallace earn respect. Seeing pit bulls win awards. Seeing minds change. Sacramento is a very pit bull friendly town, another reason I will never move, we take Henry out and he is a Rockstar- he gets more love than criticism. People want to get licks from him and then tell us their pit bull rescue story. It keeps you going. It gives you hope. These dogs are full of hope, we need to be.
Henry has been a constant rock in my life the past 4 years. He has never left my side. He has seen me at my worst, crushed and broken and bleeding. He is just a quiet, strong, peaceful, loving presence. He makes me laugh at times when I thought it impossible to laugh - but it was just what I needed. He snores and farts- badly. He is the last kiss I give at night and the first eyes I see in the morning. When I sleep, every night, he has to touch some part of his body to mine. This is why I feel itchy when we are apart and things feel off. This is why i ask myself everyday- how did I get so lucky? What did I do to deserve Henry? This is why I will never walk by a pit bull with out getting a kiss (after asking the owner of course) This is why I will cross the street to pet a pit bull and shake their owners hand. This is why I will fly to Orange county for a pit bull rescue event. This is why I will give spare money to pit bull rescues and I make any fundraising event that is within my power to make. This is why it brought tears to my eyes on May 3rd Washington DC Pibble March -all the amazing speeches, this is why I get involved -THEY ARE WORTH IT a thousand times over. Henry is worth it. They are all worth it. And thousands and thousands of pit bull owners will tell you the same thing. At the current stage in my life - with two young ones- I can not volunteer as much as I used to but I do what I can. That's all anyone can do right? I know when the boys are older and I can work less I will be right there doing more for these amazing creatures that have changed my life. Until then I will continue to be a voice for Henry.
Thanks for reading. Wendy and Henry
Check out Henry's website. I have not updated it in a while but it has links to rescues in Sacramento.
Www.henrytheoneeyedpitbull.com
