By all accounts and my own brief witness, he is a super-friendly and sweet dog, and even if he's part pit it's not necessarily a deal breaker. I just want to know what I might be getting into, especially being a first-time dog owner.

I don't own a pit, but my mom's dog is a pit mix, so I have quite a bit of experience with him. He's a great dog. He's basically a good-natured fellow who wants scritches and treats, BUT he's very protective of his humans (especially Mom) and if he perceives a threat, he makes it clear that He Will Fuck You Up.

This is good for my mom and step-dad, in that they're safe from break-ins, etc. But my mom and step-dad had to make sure that they took him to a good trainer so that he would obey them *instantly* when they told him to back off. Because they don't want to be known as the People Who Have A Deadly Dog.

(Granted, I'd say *anyone* who has any breed of dog wants to train the dog to obey instantly. The problem is generally bad/dumb owners, not bad dogs. Pits are far from the only breed who can fuck you up if they attack. But since pits have a bad reputation -- and they do have alligator-like jaws [seriously] -- it's extra-important to ensure they're obedient.)

In any case, my experience is that well-trained, well-loved pits are great dogs. Super-smart, too.

Yeah, but if the shelter says he's Boston Terrier/Boxer, can the landlord argue with that?

This. If you have all the paperwork from the shelter, that should be a big help.

t edit I meant to say that his picture certainly makes it seem like there's some pit in the mix.

lisah, that would be great.

What I would be most worried about is the cats: from pitbulllovers.com (bolding mine)

Pit Bulls have a late maturity, and a Pit Bull that was dog friendly at 7 months old may suddenly show signs of intolerance of unfamiliar dogs around two years old. Spaying and neutering the dog may help to prevent "turning on" the genetic urge to fight another dog.

Many people use crates for short times, put dogs into separate rooms, use kennels, or have outdoor areas set up for separation that are safe and secure. Pit Bulls can get along wonderfully with animals like cats, rabbits, and ferrets, but for safety's sake, never leave them alone together.

I've tried other colors, but as my BFF said once when I was getting my makeup done "I'm so used to seeing you in dark colors that anything else just looks weird."

Back when I worked in retail hell, I could get myself sent home as sick if I wiped off my lipstick and acted listless. It was a great trick!

I'll add to the chorus of "Fuck cancer!". Hope the melancholy passes soon, ND.

Thank you for the kind thoughts everyone.

It's one of the things that hits like a wave at times. I'd been braced for a long time for losing my mom, but I guess I just hadn't prepared for my dad to be the first to go and I always thought I'd have more time with him. It's not that I have things that are unresolved with him, but just lots of things I'd hoped to have the time to do with him.

Part of it just makes me feel bad too, mom has been in bad health for years and he was swamped with caring for her, and in a way I'd been waiting for mom to go so that Dad would have more independence. It's a horrible way to think, but there it is.

The unfortunate thing is I'm discovering that it makes this time of year difficult and melancholy for me. The holidays are already tough on me for a number of reasons, but my birthday is 4 days before my dad and now those emotions are all tied up with each other.

I'm going to toast him with a glass of Bushmills tonight.

Thanks for listening.

Fuck cancer, indeed.

I am sorry you are missing your dad, Drew.

If Plei or Cass are around, what nailpolish was it you had at last year's F2F?

From memory, it was either Zoya's Irene or Nfu Oh 125. Probably the Nfu Oh.

Irene is a little more sage-y and 125 is a little more olive-y / chartreuse-y.

smonster, don't know if you saw but I sent a message through FB to you and 2 of my pit bull having friends.

I'm the last person to deny a goggie a good home, but Frankie's picture did make me dubious on behalf of the cats, smonster. They would probably be much less anxious with a more laid-back breed or mix. Nothing against Mr. Francis, but the girls aren't kittens any more, and being on edge all the time would be rough, even if nothing actually happened.

Drew, I'm so sorry.

Kristin, yhargh. I second the idea of documenting the occasions when you did sub. I might go so far as asking, all sincere and innocent-like for reminders of when you didn't when asked, just as a way to "improve your interpersonal skills". Or, you know, smack 'em. I'm sure neither of my suggestions is the best way to go, but I'm still sorry you're dealing with this.

sj, what color and polish are you wearing? Just to have a working idea. And were you hoping for more blueish, intense green, silver, gold flash, or glitter than this one has?

This is the color I have on now. Scroll down to Morbid. [link]