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First, thank you for posting this as this may serve as a wake up call for others. I totally feel for you. You have done everything that an average dog owner would do. I also want to let you know that I totally agree with you on your assessment on PEOPLE at the dog park.
Regarding Seattle, APBT_Samara has posted very good information about the breed. I don’t have any good suggestion. How about enroll Seattle to a training program, pet therapy or bomb or drug detection or others. If Seattle can get some certificates, the chance to be adopted may increase. Also try to mingle with other pitbull owners so if one of them likes Seattle, he or she may take him in. Of course, at the same time, do not allow him to be around other dogs without a close supervision.
I know very little about Pit Bulls and even less about dog agression, but I know a great deal about heartache. Make all decisions very slowly - you sound devastated and shattered. At this point, you are probably willing to do just about anything to regain the love of your girlfriend, but please make your decisions with great care. Though your girlfriend might think everything would be better with Seattle out of the picture and putting him down is the quickest means to that end, in the long run, that choice will place an unspeakable strain on your relationship. Don't be rash. Do the slow, hard work to find Seattle a home where he will truly fit in. Even if your relationship never truly mends, you will be comforted by doing the right thing for Seattle. Take care...
I have already talked about all of this with you through e-mails, so I'm not going to say much right now, but as I was reading through this thread I found this...
Quote:
she went on about the pit bull's 'locking' jaws
I absolutely cannot stand all of these unbelievable "pit bull" myths! Did you explain to her that the "locking jaw" thing, just like a lot of other crap people hear about "pit bulls", is nothing more than a crazy myth? It drives me nuts when I hear people bring up the pit myths! I cannot for the life of me understand how anyone could believe such unbelievable trash! No offense to your ex. I think the craziest "pit bull" myth I have ever heard is one that APBT_Samara shared with me. I guess someone thought that "pit bulls" had a second set of jaws in the back of their throats! Oh, and then there's the myth about "pit bulls" sucking the blood of their victims from their eyes. And "pit bulls" randomly turn on people, "pit bulls" attack for no reason and with no warning, "pit bulls" have the strongest bit out of any breed, you are more likely to be attacked by a "pit bull" than any other breed, "pit bulls" brains swell and cause them to go crazy, "pit bulls" are born mean and/ or are naturally human aggressive, etc, etc, etc! If it seem unbelievable, chances are IT IS! It really only takes a tiny bit of common freaking sense to realize that, IMHO.
yeah, as soon as she said that she would have not put her dog, morrisson down, if the tables had been turned... she cited situations saying that i knew about seattle's aggressiveness. well, so did she, and she also knew about morrisson's aggressiveness. one thing she did say was that morrisson knew when to stop. and that pit bulls, with tremendous jaws, etc... and that IS when i politely said that those were myths and untruths that were founded in propaganda, poor press. that she should research the breed before saying things like that.
this situation is so difficult.
i want to do the right thing.
so i slowly continue to gather information, meditate on it, and take action to see if there is someone out there that may be a suitable owner for seattle.
yeah, as soon as she said that she would have not put her dog, morrisson down, if the tables had been turned... she cited situations saying that i knew about seattle's aggressiveness. well, so did she, and she also knew about morrisson's aggressiveness. one thing she did say was that morrisson knew when to stop. and that pit bulls, with tremendous jaws, etc... and that IS when i politely said that those were myths and untruths that were founded in propaganda, poor press. that she should research the breed before saying things like that.
this situation is so difficult.
i want to do the right thing.
so i slowly continue to gather information, meditate on it, and take action to see if there is someone out there that may be a suitable owner for seattle.
So you do want to find a home for Seattle? I have a several friends that have a lot of experience with APBTs, and I could see if any of them are looking for an APBT. We do live far away from you though, so I don't know? You could always list ads on the internet, but I would strongly suggest that you really make sure any potential buyers/ adopters are educated on the breed, have experience with the breed and dog aggressive dogs, know about how Seattle is and truly have Seattle's best interests at heart. Good luck! And again, I'm really sorry you're going through this!
So you do want to find a home for Seattle? I have a several friends that have a lot of experience with APBTs, and I could see if any of them are looking for an APBT. We do live far away from you though, so I don't know?
a friend of mine shared a story with me last night. she once had a rottweiler (while living in seattle, coincidentally, as that's my minnesotan companion's name) that became dog aggressive as he matured. there were some scuffs. she had a very similar battle emotionally, though her dog did not take the life of another. as he increased in size, she had a hard time controlling him on leash... she told a few friends, who passed on the info. some time passed, and the perfect prospect came along to adopt her dog. it was very difficult for her to let him go. however, when she brought her rottweiler to meet this gentleman, the dog bounded up to him and rubbed his head against his leg as though they had known each other already. ended up working out great. the guy had a big fenced in yard. he was a private investigator and was able to bring his new dog companion to work with him when he was in the office.
my answer is this... yes. i am open to adopting seattle out if it is a good fit. i will not just let him go to someone that cannot handle him or that abuses dogs - the mike vicks of the world. i also want to be able to give that person a compete history. i have contacted the humane society in my area, and that's not an option. he would be PTS. i also contacted a few pit rescues locally, and they only take dogs from shelters.
if there is any way you can help in finding someone, please let me know. i would be willing to drive him somewhere if it were someone you suggested. this decision is a difficult one. i cuddle with that guy every night.
also, he is up to date on all vaccinations and is microchipped.
I can't even imagine giving my fur-babies up! I really can't say I know how hard this must be for you because I don't even want to think about it, but if it's what is best for him, you and your other dog, than that's what should be done. In my opinion anyway. I completely agree that he needs to be going to a good, loving home with someone that is educated on the breed, has experience with the breed, can give him what he needs and properly control him. I also think it's very responsible of you, and critical for his wellbeing, for you to explain his past to potential adopters. I will definitely talk to some people and ask around and see if anyone is looking for an APBT. Off the top of my head, I can't think of anyone who is looking right now, but you never know. If I do find someone who's interested, I'll tell them what I know and then give you a way to get in touch with them. I'm also trying to help a friend of mine re-home her female APBT (for different reasons), so I can just talk to everyone about Virgo (my friends dog) and Seattle. Anyway, I'll let you know if I find anyone who might be interested.
Please try that pitbull forum, there is an adoption section and the forum is filled with helpful, legit owners. If you really wish to rehome him I'd go there to ensure he gets a proper home.
thanks, yeah i drafted a shorter more to the point post for that site and lost what i had typed when i tried posting. i intend to do that though. i subscribed to that forum. i like it a lot, i've read a lot there.
more soon
i brought this issue to pitbullforum.com
but did want to say thanks to everyone here for your feedback.
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Did you explain to her that the "locking jaw" thing, just like a lot of other crap people hear about "pit bulls", is nothing more than a crazy myth? It drives me nuts when I hear people bring up the pit myths! I cannot for the life of me understand how anyone could believe such unbelievable trash! No offense to your ex. 
I think the craziest "pit bull" myth I have ever heard is one that APBT_Samara shared with me. I guess someone thought that "pit bulls" had a second set of jaws in the back of their throats! 
Oh, and then there's the myth about "pit bulls" sucking the blood of their victims from their eyes. And "pit bulls" randomly turn on people, "pit bulls" attack for no reason and with no warning, "pit bulls" have the strongest bit out of any breed, you are more likely to be attacked by a "pit bull" than any other breed, "pit bulls" brains swell and cause them to go crazy, "pit bulls" are born mean and/ or are naturally human aggressive, etc, etc, etc! 
If it seem unbelievable, chances are IT IS! It really only takes a tiny bit of common freaking sense to realize that, IMHO.
seeking home for seattle
