Kids and their PETS series- part 1: Abby and Dillinger

How did your pet became part of the family?

"My husband and I had talked often about getting a dog: I wanted a pit bull, both because of their amazing temperament and how maligned they are. Hubby specifically wanted a dog with the brindle coloring. Soon after we found out we were pregnant with our first daughter we went to a charity pet rescue bike ride, with the hopes of finding the perfect pup at the post-ride adoption event. We were disappointed that the pit rescue had lots of photos, but no dogs with them that day. On the way home, we decided to go to the Humane Society 'just to look.' In the puppy room, there was the most adorable little runt brindle pit... skin too big for his body, tail thumping, ready to play. We found out that he'd been found on the side of a highway by a shelter employee and had - over the past four months - had surgery and a variety of medical treatment to get him healthy enough to adopt out. The day we saw him was his first day available for adoption, and we took him home that afternoon. We had about five months to get him trained before the baby arrived, and of course endured plenty of glares and unkind words from people who couldn't believe we'd bring a baby into a house with a pit bull. His first human sister - now 4.5 - loves him to pieces, but our younger daughter - just 1.5 years old - has a truly special bond with Dillinger."

"Dillinger has always been gentle with kids, but usually if they get too grabby, he just removes himself from the situation. With Abby, though, she can lay on him, use him as a step ladder to climb up on the couch, grab his face to kiss him, wrap her arms around his neck - and he doesn't move a muscle. The cutest-but-grossest is when he licks her face, and she returns the gesture by licking his nose. (eww.) Of course, Dillinger knows that Abby is a walking snack dispenser, and whatever she's eating, he's sure to be offered several bites"

Why is it important to you to participate in this project?

Given D's age and the general lifespan of bigger breeds, I fear that he will pass when Abby is still relatively young, and she might not remember him when she gets older. I snap photos of them together all the time, but I would love to have a really good portrait of them together at this tender age so that - when she grows up an animal lover - she'll have this keepsake of where and when that all started.

"Anything that brings pit bulls (and their human sidekicks) more into the mainstream and helps educate people about what wonderful dogs they are is worth doing"