Monday, October 7, 2013

I am Not a Bad Dog

I am Not a Bad Dog
By Jazmin Garcia
English 2 block 2
October 7, 2013

They look at me with frightened, hatred eyes
I just want to play with the children
lick their faces, wag my tail, jump and do tricks
They all run away from me
I’m alone


No one wants to play?
No one loves me?
Did I do something wrong?
Was I a bad dog?
I appeared-
seeing all the friendly faces, my mouth open as wide as a tennis ball
barking, I'm so excited I’m a child hyped up on candy
my straining seeking staring eyes, looking at theirs  
waiting.
waiting for the command to play….
? I DON’T UNDERSTAND ?
Wait!
I hear someone.
I see someone.
They're coming.
They’re coming!
They’re coming to play?!
What is that stick pole with a string at the end?
I have never seen this play toy before?
I feel threatened?
Why am I scared?
They come towards me with vivacious eyes and gestures
run.
run.
RUN.
I guess I was a bad dog…
They threw me in a dark closed, cold, box.
I’m alone.
I feel like a bad dog.
I am a bad dog.


They take me out the cold box with the pole.
I hear dogs.
I smell dogs.
I see dogs.
Where am I?
Why do they pull and tug on my neck?
Why are they tense when I come near them?
Why are they putting me into a bigger, cold, box?

Days go by and no one notices me.
no one hears my cries.
I am alone.
I feel like a bad dog.
I am a bad dog.


Did I hear voices? Do I see feet? Do I smell children?
Do I feel happiness float about the atmosphere?
They come towards me, looking and smiling, examining me.
I wag my tail.
I whine for attention.
They laugh.
Why do I feel Safe around these children?
Why are they looking at me with wanting eyes?
Why are the parents looking at me and shaking their heads… No?
Are the kids begging?
Why is the tense man who brought me here coming near me with keys?

I am brought out the cold box.
The man takes me to the back of a dark room.
The door closes…Almost.

I hear a SHOUT.
I hear a WHISTLE.
I hear a CLAP.

I am turned away from the dark room and turned towards the children.
They take me away from being a bad dog.
I am not a bad dog.


I am a GOOD dog.   

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Letter To the Editor

HCS Early College High School
2050 Highway 501 E
Conway, SC 29528
September 19, 2013

Letter to the Editor
The Sun News
P.O. Box 406 
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Dear Editor in chief:
My name is Jazmin Garcia; I am a sophomore at HCS Early College High School located in Conway.
I am writing to address the issue of discrimination towards the Pit-bull breed. It has been commonly known that these breeds have been born with an aggressive personality; appearance to be frightening, and known for many negative acts. From the start, they’ve had a bad reputation. No one wants to go near them, places don’t except them, and they’re the 1st to go and the last option.
People should not look at these dogs and instantly have a negative thought or gesture towards the Pits. Their true personality is a very confident, loyal, trustworthy, obedient, intelligent breed. You treat the breed with the same respect of your own dogs, you train and raise them like your own, and you trust and give them a chance like your own.
Do Pitt-bulls not deserve that 2nd chance? Just like with people, you should NEVER judge a book by its cover.
Thank you for taking your time out to read this letter, it means a lot to me and I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,

Jazmin Garcia

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Discrimination Towards the Wrong Breed

Jazmin Garcia
Ms.McKoy
English 2
Block-2
4 September 2013

Discrimination Towards the Wrong Breed
            During my years of growing up, I have always had a best friend right there beside me. My Pit Bulls were there for me through the good times and the bad. Having this breed grow up with me, it has come to my attention many times that they do not get the right treatment or respect they deserve. Most people see them as a threat or something to be afraid of just because of their appearance. Others also may judge them on what rumors or “myths” they have heard that have developed over time. I also know many places like apartments, condos, neighborhoods, even some states that will not allow this breed to step a paw on their property. It is a shame that people still would not even take the time to consider this breed based on what they “think” they know. Pit-bulls should not be discriminated against just because of their “known” breed.
            Ancestries of the Pit Bull originated in England and were later brought over by English immigrants. This breed was originally bred for a “gripping dog” for hunters. Later on people bred then to participate in a cruel blood sport called baiting, where they used these dogs to fight against other larger animals. When baiting became illegal that’s when dog fights were developed. One myth states “If a Pitt-bull bites another dog, they’re going to start biting people next (ASPCA Page 4)” which has been proven wrong by researchers, stating that   “dog-aggressive dogs are no more likely to direct aggression towards people than dogs who aren’t aggressive to other dogs (ASPCA Page 4)”. Pit Bulls are also known for their frightening appearance so some people may adopt them for the wrong reasons. They want the breed to be presented as a tough dog, and raise the dog irresponsibly. They encourage the Pit Bulls aggression and if the Pit Bull does bite it is likely to grab more media attention. In the article Villalobos Rescue Center stated that “every negative incident involving a Pit Bull adds to the breed’s reputation and jeopardizes our rights to own these great dogs”. The article also stated “a well behaved and obedient Pitt-bull will be a great ambassador for the breed and help fight prejudice and misconceptions” (Villalobos Rescue Center, Page 2).
            To all of the things I have researched and learned throughout this process I am in a huge disagreement that this breed should had never been discriminated from the very beginning. There is proof, research, common knowledge, and history that states these dogs are no more of less of harm to people than any other breed. Pit Bulls are very loyal, trustworthy, dependent dogs and have been known to do great things throughout life. Knowing this, should Pit Bulls be discriminated against just because of their “known” breed?  I believe others should get to know and realize how great this breed really is. Just like the old saying, they deserve a second chance. I mean why not? Do they not deserve to prove themselves?




Work Cited
"Pit Bull Facts." Villalobos Rescue Center RSS. 2013. 09 Sept. 2013 <http://www.vrcpitbull.net/dog/training/pit-bull-facts/>

"The Truth About Pit Bulls." ASPCA. 2013. 09 Sept. 2013.<http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/truth-about-pit-bulls