Throughout human history, mistreatment and discrimination against specific dog breeds has been a terrible pattern in society. First it was German Shepherds after World War II, shortly after Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers for biting, and now pit bulls.

Believe it or not, pit bulls were once America’s little darlings. Their kind dispositions and natural need for snuggles used to set them apart as “nanny” dogs.

From One Green Planet: “Many years ago, pit bulls were considered ‘Nanny dogs’ because of their loyalty and gentleness toward their guardians. They were also once an American favorite, earning the title ‘America’s dog.’”

Pit bulls have since been exploited for their “natural aggressiveness” and “high bite rates.” These insane myths raise the questions of whether it is in the pit bull’s nature to be aggressive or if it is the nurture of its owner that causes the aggression.

To put an end to these terrible and unnecessary questions, it is always the owners who alter the naturally sweet tendencies

One Green Planet further explains, “Pit bull dogs are not born ready to rip into another dog, animal or human being. They are trained to fight by people who are interested in making a profit and providing ‘entertainment’ in the form of a dog fight. These dogs are forced to fight to the death in many instances, and those who cannot go on are abandoned, or killed by electrocution, gunshot, or other cruel means. It is then not the dogs who are cruel and vicious, but rather those behind their training.”

On a brighter note, there have been big developments in the rescues of these precious dogs. While the average euthanasia rate of pit bulls is still around 93%, the internet has been lighting up lately with positive stories about how pit bulls have been rescued and then placed into loving, forever homes.

One such popular rescue was the outcome of NFL player Michael Vick’s terrible dog fighting rings. The chronicles of this brave animal shelter’s rescue of twenty-two adorable Pit Bulls was put into a touching documentary.

From the article detailing these rescues: “‘Prior to the Michael Vick case, the traditional, historic treatment of dogs from fight busts was simply to regard them as damaged goods and to kill them,’ said Francis Battista, co-founder of Best Friends Animal Society. ‘All along, we’ve been advocating for them to be given a chance. Our experience has shown that there’s no need to be afraid of the dogs or blame them, just because of the situation they came from.’”

Another amazingly adorable Pit Bull rescue story is of Lexy, a sweet Pit Bull who was rescued from a dog fighting ring being used for breeding.

Lexy hadn’t known human affection, what the outdoors were like, or even what toys were. So, her loving forever family would pull her around in a wagon outside and shower her with toys. She only really connected with one stuffed animal shark and is very gentle with said toy.

I personally have a pit bull mix and she is the sweetest little cuddle bug out there. Pit bulls, just like any other animal or human, can be either aggressive or kind-natured depending on how they were raised. These poor dogs are victims of abuse and mistreatment from humans and should be treated with love and tenderness instead of being shunned because of our own mistakes and cruelty.

So go out there and save the pit bulls and any other picked-on pups. Animal shelters willing to put time and money to these dogs should be rewarded for their hard efforts and love for these dogs.

I mean, who could say no to that sweet face?