Babies, Pit Bulls, and My Mom

According to the Los Angeles Times, Pit Bull Terriers are one of the most populous breed of dog in Los Angeles. So it's no surprise that in L.A.'s six city shelters, there are a lot of Pit mixes and "Pitties" (a catch-all term for American Staffordshire Terriers and American Pit Bull Terriers).

flickr.com photo: freekibble.com

More than many other breeds, Pits evoke strong feelings in people, both pro and con.

flickr.com photo: Clover 1

For the past three and a half years, I've volunteered with the city animal shelters of Los Angeles, working to find homes for homeless dogs. In that time, I've met a lot of lovely, sweet, gentle Pits. I've also seen some that have scared the pants off me.

flickr.com photo: Clover 1

 Add the topic of children into the argument for and against Pits, and emotions ratchet up sky high.

 flickr.com photo: _kristin_ 

But did you know that, a century or so back, Pit Bulls were used to babysit infants and children?

flickr.com photo: JustDerek

Their natural, protective tendencies were well suited to the task of looking after little kids.

flickr.com photo: Bettie Page

In the late Victorian era and early 1900s, Pit Bulls were nicknamed "Nanny Dogs."

flickr.com photo: Bettie Page

I've been telling potential dog adopters this interesting factoid for years now. But until recently, I didn't know  I had a personal connection to "Nanny Dogs."

flickr.com photo: Betty Page

Then this family photo, below, turned up. It's my mother, about 18 months to 2 years old, flanked by two Pit Bulls. That's my Nana, reaching in from the left. In the background, that's my Grandpa Ramsay, I think; it's a little hard to tell.

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But I can tell this for sure; when I talk to people about "Nanny Dogs" now, I can speak with more conviction.