Hello Mr. King,
This will be the first time I have written to you. I am big fan and have been for years. I have read almost everything you have published and enjoy your writing.
The reason for this note concerns your latest book Revival. I am not criticizing the book or its major themes as you might suspect. Instead there was one line in that book that simply stopped me cold and I had to address it.
You would probably agree that language is very powerful. You might also agree that you have an especially large audience for your use of language. That is why the use of this one line struck me as so insidious. I have no doubt that your intentions were not to malign but rather to be descriptive. However, when certain ideas go out into the public they became a part of the group consciousness.
The line simply stated that cancer was the pitbull of diseases.
It seems harmless enough. But the idea that to find something terrible enough to describe cancer you had to go to pitbull hurts me tremendously. The problem is the public perception of these wonderful animals as harmful or dangerous. They have been unfairly targeted and maligned.
A few years ago, we took in a friend who was temporarily homeless due to a relationship breakup. He owned two pit-mix type dogs. It was then that I first became acquainted with and fell in love with these amazing dogs. I could wax on about their virtues but they really are the most loving, loyal, gentle, playful, and smart dogs I have known.
I have had animals my whole life. My husband as well. We are country people. I have had mutts and pure breeds. Between us we have had everything from pugs and beagles to Siberian Huskies and wolf-mix dogs. But these dogs really do win you over once you meet them. If you look at dog owners you will probably not find a group more vocal in their love of a type of dog than the pit-bull type dog owners.
After becoming familiar with these dogs, I have since rescued two pit-mix type dogs. Simply put, we love them.
It is because of the public perception and BSL legislation that I got so distraught by your line. Those of us who know these dogs are working very hard to change the public perception and stop BSL legislation against these dogs. The numbers on these dogs is quite staggering. The current rate of euthanasia for these dogs from shelters is about 1 million a year. Shelters report intake for this type of dog to be from 33% to 65% in large cities.
There are problems surrounding these wonderful dogs and it mainly involves humans who abuse these dogs and use them for dog fighting and breeding them for use in dog fighting or bait dogs. I am actively involved with groups that are trying to save these dogs and this type of dog.
You might notice that I don’t refer to pitbull as a breed of a dog. This is because there is no breed named pitbull. The pitbull refers to dogs that come from a group of breeds such as the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Bull Terrier.
I would like to encourage you to do a little research on these animals and find out more about them. It may encourage you to not use the aforementioned reference again.
Here are couple of links to start with.
BSL Facts - Anti Breed Specific Legislation
The Truth About Pitbulls
A Dose of Reality
mi-paca
I hope that you do read this and appreciate your time.
Terri McKinnon
This will be the first time I have written to you. I am big fan and have been for years. I have read almost everything you have published and enjoy your writing.
The reason for this note concerns your latest book Revival. I am not criticizing the book or its major themes as you might suspect. Instead there was one line in that book that simply stopped me cold and I had to address it.
You would probably agree that language is very powerful. You might also agree that you have an especially large audience for your use of language. That is why the use of this one line struck me as so insidious. I have no doubt that your intentions were not to malign but rather to be descriptive. However, when certain ideas go out into the public they became a part of the group consciousness.
The line simply stated that cancer was the pitbull of diseases.
It seems harmless enough. But the idea that to find something terrible enough to describe cancer you had to go to pitbull hurts me tremendously. The problem is the public perception of these wonderful animals as harmful or dangerous. They have been unfairly targeted and maligned.
A few years ago, we took in a friend who was temporarily homeless due to a relationship breakup. He owned two pit-mix type dogs. It was then that I first became acquainted with and fell in love with these amazing dogs. I could wax on about their virtues but they really are the most loving, loyal, gentle, playful, and smart dogs I have known.
I have had animals my whole life. My husband as well. We are country people. I have had mutts and pure breeds. Between us we have had everything from pugs and beagles to Siberian Huskies and wolf-mix dogs. But these dogs really do win you over once you meet them. If you look at dog owners you will probably not find a group more vocal in their love of a type of dog than the pit-bull type dog owners.
After becoming familiar with these dogs, I have since rescued two pit-mix type dogs. Simply put, we love them.
It is because of the public perception and BSL legislation that I got so distraught by your line. Those of us who know these dogs are working very hard to change the public perception and stop BSL legislation against these dogs. The numbers on these dogs is quite staggering. The current rate of euthanasia for these dogs from shelters is about 1 million a year. Shelters report intake for this type of dog to be from 33% to 65% in large cities.
There are problems surrounding these wonderful dogs and it mainly involves humans who abuse these dogs and use them for dog fighting and breeding them for use in dog fighting or bait dogs. I am actively involved with groups that are trying to save these dogs and this type of dog.
You might notice that I don’t refer to pitbull as a breed of a dog. This is because there is no breed named pitbull. The pitbull refers to dogs that come from a group of breeds such as the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Bull Terrier.
I would like to encourage you to do a little research on these animals and find out more about them. It may encourage you to not use the aforementioned reference again.
Here are couple of links to start with.
BSL Facts - Anti Breed Specific Legislation
The Truth About Pitbulls
A Dose of Reality
mi-paca
I hope that you do read this and appreciate your time.
Terri McKinnon