We are gaining new supporters regularly so I feel it’s important to reintroduce DBC on a regular basis. Sure you can read our web page, our mission statement, but it’s also important to connect directly.
I pulled my first canine “Amber” in 2003, I had to pass an aptitude test. I was tested on my knowledge of the American Pit Bull Terrier, general health knowledge of a canine, training & safe adoption practices. I passed not only the written portion, but a 12 year tenure thus far. Have I made mistakes, you bet. Looking back, the mistakes I made were when I did not follow my gut instinct. There was a time when I allowed too much outside opinion to rule my decisions. I have a few mentors that I confide in when I need direction. My mentors have at the very least 10 years more experience than I have. From the beginning I sought the tutelage of those that had written humane protocol, been on the ground floor of developing shelter policy & had been pioneers in their field. I have studied many different training methods, philosophies & most of all the canine from different aspects. I am in a field where I serve canines, so it is very important to keep fresh on a daily basis. Every canine is as individual as a fingerprint, so I have developed a sense of interaction that allows every canine to be who they are. I want to shape the strength in each canines overall temperament, not create conflict. I don’t want drones, I want happy healthy canines ready for the challenges they will face after adoption. In earlier times I would have the rescue canines in big groups 5-15 canines. One of my mentors made a valid point. Why it is very important to keep canines social during the time between intake & adoption. It is also very important to shape human social norms. So in theory, letting the dogs socialize in big groups was a positive. BUT, what they really needed was to be in groups of 2-4 at most. Why? Well because most homes consist of 2-4 canines. The more time they spent as a pack, the further they drifted from human bonding. Finding the balance between Canine to canine & canine to human interaction is important.
I have a core personal pack of 8 canines; I built this pack 1 dog at a time. I first built a relationship with each canine. Once I had reached a level of dependence from each canine, meaning they sought me out in times of conflict. Instead of initiating a fight, or disrupting the pack they would seek me. Our canines live in a human world, so as leaders, guides through our world… we must set clear & distinct guidelines. I am very choosey which outside dogs my canines meet. I am also very choosey on which humans meet my canines. We live by a very distinct guideline; I as the human leader make sure that those guidelines are kept. I made a promise to my canines, so I must live that in my daily life. I also made a distinct promise to the canines in our rescue program, which must also be met on a daily basis.
We specialize in the American Pit Bull Terrier at DBC… So we have studied, continue to study all aspects of the breed. We shape our program based on the core of this breed, as they were created over 100 years ago. We won’t market them based on sympathy, or unrealistically. They are of Terrier & Bulldog; they require a strong owner with objectivity. They are tenacious, strong willed & extremely devoted. They suffer when we take them for granted. They require stimulation, a good challenge & lots of social time. We are very in depth with every adoption, pairing a DBC canine with a family is a very intricate process. Every requirement we have in place is to best serve the canine & perspective family. We don’t budge on these measures; no amount of outside force will change the level of safety we practice. We will never set a canine or adoptive family up to fail. In closing I want to share a message from a DBC supporter.
"I have done a bit of research this week and it appears that you guys are the best around as far as looking out for the best interest of your dogs, what you offer after adoption, the pics you post with the dogs, etc. My daughter and I are looking to purchase a home with a fenced yard solely so we can adopt from you. I just wanted to say that I admire what you do and I think it is wonderful. I will be in touch in a couple of months when we are situated and able to adopt. Thanks again." Heather K.
I am in my twelfth year of humane work, I am quite positive I will leave this life working for the benefit of canines.
Sincerely-
W J. Bellottie
DBC Co Founder/ President
Amber is the first canine I was able to secure in 2003, she is still by my side today-
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