ABOUT
The One Who Started It All
I AM NOT a dog fan (that was--before). I had dogs growing up but they were never alowed in the house. So, I never wanted a dog unless we lived on a large property for him to play (which we do not). But as life would have it, my oldest daughter got a dog when she was away at college and begged to keep the dog after she came back home (tears and all).
I agreed to allow it until she found an apartment. The apartment never happened, but falling in love with the dog did.
Moxie, short for Amoxicillin (my daughter is a nurse), is a pit-jack russell mix. She is about 45 lbs, extremely smart, well behaved, and communicative. We train her to do more tricks, take her for long walks in the park, and sit out in the back yard sun-bathing as we watch the passers-by.
But along with all of these wonderful traits come the other side of her. Moxie has a stubborn streak and has a need to be in charge. She is truly a diva. She will only eat name brand cheese slices, pizza crust if is still has some sauce and cheese left on it, and she huffs at you if you're too loud while she is trying to sleep. She is the queen of "the side eye" if you are not doing things the way she thinks they are to be done. There are many more enduring quirks that may seem to be "cons;" but she will sit with you if you are upset or sick, she will protect you with her own life if need be, and she will learn each of her humans to repond in the way they best receive it, she is ovet-the-top patients with family and friends (especially kids).. Her loyality, personality, and intuitiveness has made her irreplacable. It also makes those quirky "cons"cute and memorable. We love our grand-dog, Moxie!
Enter Stage left
Then Penny, short for Penicillin, comes into the picture a few years later. Penny is 55 lbs of muscle. When she walks you can see her muscles rippling beneath her beautiful coat. She is a pit mix also. She was willing to let the jack russell stay in charge, so the two dogs get along all of the time.
Moxie, being an excellent teacher, showed Penny the ropes. Now, even though Penny is not instictively a rodent killer, she has learned the skill and excels at it. She loves to run fast, play hard, never misses an opprotunity to earn a snack, and looks at you as if you are the last human in the world and she has the single responsibility to make you feel importantant and loved. She is sweet and always (ALWAYS) wants attention. If you stop petting her, she "boops" your leg to remind you to continue petting her. But don't let her sweet side fool you, when protective mode is needed, she springs to action. Her eyes and facial expression are piercing. If anyone that she deems questionable comes into our house, they are usually greeted with a growl, perpetual stare, and the added proxinity check (she stays in view and close by her pack until it is safe). After all, she is a muscular pit. It is well within her realm to intimidate whomever she needs, and she does her job well (the good girl).
After these two spoiled us with their unconditional love and protection, we have decided to stay with the breed that has worked so well with our family. We know that many breeds offer these qualities but after you have experienced "pitty love," you will never go back.
