I moved in with a buddy who had two Pitbulls when I was in my early 20's. Thier names were Commander and Banshee. They had been beaten with baseball bats by a gang while my roommate was walking them one night when he lived in Chicago a few years prior to my arrival. Commander had gotten his jaw broken and Banshee had gotten her right eye knocked out. All survived, but I was told they were never the same. This was my first experience with Pitbulls and as a 20 year old, all I could perceive was the "bad dog" factor of thier breed. After moving in I began to learn the truth about these dogs. I quickly learned about thier gentle nature and genuine sense of humor. They would wait for us day and night, never complaining, and always happy to see us. More often than not I would come home late and find both of them in my bed already, or wake up and find that they had climbed into bed on thier own. They became best friends that we looked forward to getting home to. Commander passed away after developing cancer. I was working at the restaurant next door when my roommate learned the news and took him for his last walk. I'll always remember seeing them that last time. Banshee stayed with my roommate after I moved out and I never learned the exact circumstances of how she died. In some ways I could never ask because she was such a great friend and I didnt want to know. Without knowing it, I had learned something that would lead me to try and save the lives of Pitbulls thousands of miles away years later. For me it all began with these two and this is them on our balcony back in those days. I have enjoyed the opportunity to help thier kind ever since!!! Contact: americasdogpbr@yahoo.com.
