The quick lesson

I have no quarrel with the pit bull breed. In fact, I’m not even sure what constitutes the breed. Sure, some are type-y, but most dogs that fall under the pit umbrella come in different shapes, sizes, colors. They share, perhaps, a muscular body, broad forehead, and stretched-back eyes.

When I first got Phoebe, some people thought she was at least part pit, but her eyes are saucer-round. In her dotage, she bears a striking resemblance to Estelle Winwood.




Dogs are reactive, and mirror their owners. If treated harshly, they think the world is one pretty bad ass place to live. But they’re also flexible. Change the conditions and the quality of care, and they respond in kind. Dogs are the most forgiving creatures on earth.

Dogs don’t hold grudges because they haven’t the time. They know they’re not long for this world. So if something good comes their way, they take it. No questions asked. Unlike us, they won’t continue to brood about the past; rehash old wars and family quarrels.

In this respect, they have a leg up on us.