Muffin’s Pet Connection: The pit bull ‘tail’ continues

PIT BULLS — THEIR ‘TAIL’ CONTINUES: FYI, Pete the Pup, (January 22, 1929 – January 28, 1946) was an American Staffordshire Terrier personality in Hal Roach’s “Our Gang” comedies, known as “The Little Rascals” during the 1930s.

He was recognized as Pete, the Dog With the Ring Around His Eye, or simply Petey. His circled eye was added on by Hollywood make-up artist Max Factor, and recognized as quirky in Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

The original Pete was an American Pit Bull Terrier named Pal the Wonder Dog, and had a natural ring almost completely around his eye; dye was used to finish it off. The Little Rascals- Our Gang, Stymie, Chubby, and Buckwheat, played with and were protected by Petey, the family dog…

HEY JUDE: Today, we have four-year-old, 50-pound Buddy, a loving pit bull, who adopted Josh. After his roommate moved out, taking his 70-pound big ball of mush and love Pit Bull with him, Josh was alone.

I moved into a one-bedroom apartment, but there was something missing. I could not picture having any other dog than a male pit bull. I wanted to raise him from a pup. I searched every shelter in the five boroughs but could not find any puppies. I even tried Craigslist.

“After months of searching, I found an ad with a picture of a dog that caught my eye. The drive out to New Jersey from Bay Ridge seemed like an eternity. We met somewhere off the highway. I saw a red pick-up truck pull up. Out of the passenger side came a 100-pound beastly but friendly looking dog.

“I saw a bunch of adorable puppies. I took turns playing with each puppy. Out of nowhere came this tiny pup that I could barely see around his brothers and sisters. He ran up, circling around me. This little fellow was half the size of the others and had twice as much energy and love. My heart melted.

“I bent down on one knee, and he ran right up and licked my face all over. ‘I’ll call him Buddy.’ I have never seen a dog receive so much love and attention as Buddy does today. There is not a mean bone in his body; there is nothing but pure love.

“Small and big dogs bark at him on the street, Buddy ignores them. If people are interested in adopting a pit bull or any other dog, I would encourage them to read books, talk to dog trainers/behaviorists, and become informed before making any decisions.

“I cannot speak on behalf of every pit bull, but I do know this, dogs will only be as good as they are raised and trained. If you raise a pit bull with love and affection, you will get nothing less in return. Buddy allows me to learn more about myself everyday. I would not trade him for anything in the world. –Josh Liberty