How is the Research Going ?

Well our 3rd essay is about an Annotated Bibliography. It's really challenging to find 10 sources and then document them. My topic is a pretty tough one because there is always new information that comes up. I tried to find current and accurate information on my subject, but it seem that the school databases was most helpful. This entire process takes time and plenty of reading. I'm not sure what my solution is going to be or how I can change the problem. I will use my imagination to make a solution for my topic. This is a cool assignment.

Citing Sources

Citing Sources


American Kennel Club. The Complete Dog
Book. New York: Ballantine Books, 2006

Budiansky, Stephen. Truth about Dogs. New York: Penguin Group, 2000


Drugmang, Toni. “Our Hero Hurricane”.
Angels on Earth (Sept/Oct 2006): Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Gateway Community College Lib. 2 March 2007
< http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost>.

Editors from Dog Fancy. “Dog Assisted Therapy”. Training Secrets for
Bully Breeds 2006: Volume 9 pg 120.


Whitaker, Barbara. “ Pit bull Owners Put Laws to the Test”.
The New York Times (9/10/06): Opposing View Points Resource Center.
Galegroup. Gateway Community College Lib. 2 March 2007

<http://opposingviewpoints.com>

Evaluation Argument Essay

To Love or Not to Love the Pit Bull

When I say the word “Pit Bull” what thoughts come to your mind? Hey let me help you out…vicious, aggressive, not trustworthy, not safe around children and a background breed. Does that sum it up in a Nut Shell? I’m pretty sure that you can think of more nonsense thoughts. Most people believe in those stereotypes and I’m here to set them straight.

Let’s begin with the background information on the American Staffordshire terrier (Pit Bull). The breed is originally from England; they were used as Baiting dogs. They received the utmost respect from humans and everyone in England had to have a Staffordshire terrier. The breed came to America in the 1870’s; the name Pit Bull came along when owners would place their dogs in a “pit” and fight each other to death. There are many names that this breed goes by. For instance, Pit dog, Pit Bull terrier and American Bull terrier. The Pit Bull overall is an A+ breed; “they have amazing strength, very alert, perfect balance, strong powerful head, well muscled body and outstanding courage”(Complete Dog book, pg 346). The thing that amazes me about my Mixed Pit Bull, named “Caddi” is that he is very intelligent, trainable and he doesn’t do a lot of barking which is good. American Staffordshire terriers do have an intimidating look, but the dogs are willing to do anything for there owners.

The next issue that I would like to address is the discrimination against the so-called vicious breeds. This category includes the German Sheppard’s, Akita, Dobermans, Pit Bulls and Rottweilers. Many states around the country have enforced the “Legislation Banning Specific Breeds Act”. Bascially this law states that a specific vicious breed is banned or that an owner must have liability insurance worth one-hundred thousand dollars. This law is stupid and unconstitutional; many owners of these breeds agree with me. For example, Barbara Bishop owns a Bull terrier named “Rufus”, he was the winner in the Westminster show (congrats to him). She is very hurt that this law is active in most states; this is what she reported to the New York Times magazine “we want to let people know that every dog has teeth and every dog can bite, whether it’s a Chihuahua or a Bull Mastiff, also every dog will be a product of what it’s bought up to do” (Pit Bull Owners pg 3). I totally agree with Barbara, every dog does have the potential to attack when felt threatened, it’s in their nature.

Which brings me to my next point; dogs only attack when they have been abused and the owners train them to be violent. The case with Pit Bulls is that many “Drug Dealers” will have the dogs for the purpose of protection and to put fear in their customers. “The image problem of the Pit Bull breed are those people who train them to be aggressive” (The NY Times pg 3). Like the saying goes “One bad apple can spoil the entire bunch”; one terrible owner can create a monster and a terrific owner will be seen as a monster. It is really horrible that the entire Pit Bull breed is look upon as being threatening and mean.

Believe it or not, there are some angels within the Bully breed. During Hurricane Katrina there was a Pit Bull named “Hurricane” he was abandoned during this tragedy. He was taken to the shelter and was labeled unadaptable; the Vets were going to euthanized “Hurricane”. Toni Drugmand a professional Dog Trainer in Phoenix wanted to adapt “Hurricane”; he knew that it wasn’t going to be an easy task, because the dog was so traumatized. Toni took on the challenge he was very impressed “I’ve never seen a dog as alert as this one” (Our Hero Hurricane pg 57). Toni was filled with so much exuberance that he kept on training “Hurricane”, “after only ten days he could sit, heel, stay and run to his place, he would be a great addition to any family who adapt him”( Our Hero Hurricane pg 58). As time went by Toni had received a call from Lisa, who is apart of the FEMA search and rescue team. She needed a non aggressive dog, Hurricane was the one. He went through his training and became apart of the team. Toni was so excited that he turned a so- called vicious animal into a “Rescue dog”. Pit Bulls are also used in Therapeutic Therapy; this means patients who suffer from any type of injury or depression use pets to make them cheerful. There are four groups around the country that deal with Bully breeds in therapy; Reading Evaluation Assisting Dogs (READ), Love on a Leash, Delta Society, and Therapy Dogs International (TDI). “All four groups are proud to include “Bully breeds among their canine Therapists” (Bully Breed Magazine pg.120). I think it’s wonderful to include Bully breeds within the therapy; this should open the eyes of those people who think that Bully breeds aren’t safe around children.

I would like to tie up my paper by saying that Pit Bulls aren’t for everyone; if your not patient and don’t have the time to be active with them or even using them in the wrong matter, please don’t get one. But if you are thinking about getting a Bully breed, think about what I wrote within in my paper and see for yourself that I’m right about this breed. My dog “Caddi” is loyal and very sociable around strangers; he is a very good Pit. Of course there are different kinds of Pit Bulls like the Red nose, Blue Pit and the Razor Pit. But my favorite is the American Staffordshire terrier and I hope you learned a little something from my Paper.

Group Discussion on Outlines

In class on Monday, we were split into groups of four to peer review the progress of our papers. I was in a FUN group, everyone topic was Terrific and Creative. Our teacher wanted us to give good criticism, but also try to be honest ( not rude). One of my classmates had a topic on Credit Cards, I'm pretty sure that many people can relate to having one and maybe be in debt because of one. Another topic was Chocolate..mmm.. my classmate had some wonderful information about the benefits of DARK CHOCOLATE. Last but not Least was the topic on Maya Angelo she is an amazing poet, her work is beautiful. My classmate should have Fun researching on Maya. Overall this was a good project it gave us all a chance to see our different styles of writing... :)

Library Day

In class we had a Librarian come in and talk to us about Research Papers. She showed us how to access our school Databases and Research Engines. The School web page is filled with tons information to help out their students. Plus we are able to access the Databases from home how COOL IS THAT!!! The Gateway web page has help me out in doing research on my topic (PIT BULLS). There is so much more on the Library page, there is a link that you can talk to a Librarian 24/7. You can ask them any questions especially when you are doing last minute research. Plus the students are able to orders books and have them sent to any Maricopa College that they choose. I really appreciated the Library Page it is very HELPFUL!!! I hope our school keeps up the GOOD WORK.. :)