Yay for Maya!!!! The Animal Miracle Network has named Maya as the National Dog Day Hero Dog of 2008. You may remember that Maya not only stopped an attack on her hooman by a man who pushed into her home intent on no good, she also got enough of the perpetrator’s blood to get him brought to justice.
It’s soapbox time in regards to big dogs. I am soooo tired of people talking about how scared they are of bully breeds and other large dogs. If someone had a traumatic experience as a young child, they’re excused but for the rest of us, that’s it. I love small dogs but as someone who has lived with large dogs most of my life here’s a newsflash for all those people complaining about how scary large dogs are and how they fear them. Guess what? I love large dogs exactly for that reason! Okay, I love them for other reasons too but I do welcome the scary part some days.
Living with large dogs allows me a kind of freedom I wouldn’t have if all I had were smaller dogs. I can live alone and NOT worry about a home invasion. I can come in late at night and not worry about being bothered because my dogs are out to meet me in the yard. In short, I’m glad my large dogs are scary to people who might want to harm me!
I would never encourage anyone to make their dogs mean or over-protective. That’s not necessary. If your furbaby loves in the house with you and truly feels a part of the pack, you don’t have to train him to be protective. He’ll do it out of his love for you.
Here is the information about Maya’s well-deserved award:
We chose Maya for this award not only because she saved (Angela Marcelino) her human mommy’s life from an attacker, but because the organization behind National Dog Day, the Animal Miracle Foundation, loves and supports ALL dog breeds. We don’t believe in breed bans and Maya is a testament to the fact that the Pit Bull breed can be hero dogs just like any other breed.
All dogs are capable of biting and even attacking, but it’s our firm belief that humans are to blame behind the dogs who get the bad rap. Sadly, so many dogs suffer a tragic fate simply because of their breed. Not only is Maya our Hero Dog of 2008, she is what we’re calling our AmbassaBULL to all bull breeds.
It’s clear, in this situation, as is the case in many life-threatening situations that involve attacks on women, that Angela was fortunate to have a Pit Bull as her protector. But the most heartwarming aspect of this story is that Angela rescued Maya from the Santa Clara County Animal Shelter….and on June 17th, 2007, Maya returned the favor.
Instead of writing a standard 3rd party editorial, we felt that this story is best told by the woman who not only loves this dog - but who is alive today because of her.
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