Here's my paper on the following poem: "Golden Retrievals" by Mark Doty
Mark Doty- "Golden Retrievals"
Fetch? Balls and sticks capture my attention
seconds at a time. Catch? I don’t think so.
Bunny, tumbling leaf, a squirrel who’s—oh
joy—actually scared. Sniff the wind, then
I’m off again: muck, pond, ditch, residue
of any thrillingly dead thing. And you?
Either you’re sunk in the past, half our walk,
thinking of what you never can bring back,
or else you’re off in some fog concerning
—tomorrow, is that what you call it? My work:
to unsnare time’s warp (and woof!), retrieving,
my haze-headed friend, you. This shining bark,
a Zen master’s bronzy gong, calls you here,
entirely, now: bow-wow, bow-wow, bow-wow.
Paper (this is probably the finished version too): Mark Doty’s “Golden Retrievals” is based on the running thoughts of a dog, who creates a tone of happiness and also seriousness because of the contrast between the speaker and the author’s capacity to view life. Mark Doty uses a plethora of images, an oxymoron, metaphors, and personification to express the deep loss and confusion that he feels after a tragic death in his life. The poem is in the form of a Petrarchan sonnet because it contains fourteen lines and a problem- solution, but twists the traditional form and uses slant rhyme to further portray that the speaker is an unorganized canine.
The canine speaker and his owner are out on a walk and the speaker is on a great adventure, while his master is lost in thought about “…tomorrow, is that what you call it?” (line 10). The speaker’s tone is fun and carefree because he is distracted by everything that comes past him, “Bunny, tumbling leaf, a squirrel/…muck, pond, ditch, residue…” (3-5). When the speaker turns his attention to the owner the tone grows more serious because the owner is not as excited about the day. The speaker does not understand that the owner is worried about the aspects of life, such as the past and future, and the dog does his best to snap him out of it. The speaker as a dog also shows how animals, though they cannot grasp the concept of life, help their humans to feel love, hope, and positivity towards life.
The speaker also fills the poem with many images because of how many things he runs across. Words like ball, stick, residue, dead thing, and fog allow the reader to imagine the dog constantly chasing after something. He “sniff[s] the wind, then/ [is] off again” (5-6) while the owner is in deep concentration about their life. The poem also uses other types of figures of speech: metaphors, an oxymoron, and personification. The metaphor is in lines twelve through thirteen, “This shining bark,/ a Zen master’s bronzy gong, calls you here”. The dog’s bark is being compared to a large gong that, when hit, can wake up and bring the owner back to reality with precision and ease. The oxymoron is also very canine specific, “…thrillingly dead thing…” (6). Most humans would not find something dead thrilling, but to a dog that is a source of possible food and great, stinky smells. The dog sees it as something new and exciting, even though the object is dead. The poem has the unique quality of personifying the dog because dogs cannot articulate their thoughts and emotions into words or create poetry, though Doty makes his speaker very believable.
Another very unique quality to the poem is that it follows the structure of a Petrarchan sonnet, with a rhyme pattern of abb, then cdd, but then it gets a little crazy. This gives it a unique slant rhyme that is hard to follow, emphasizing that the poem is written by a dog. It also presents a problem- solution, but not by dividing the poem into eight lines and then six, like most traditional sonnets. The problem instead comes in line seven, “Either you’re sunk in the past, half our walk,/ thinking of what you can never bring back, /or else you’re off in some fog…”. The speaker considers themselves the solution, “My work:/ to unsnare time’s warp (and woof!), retrieving,/ my haze- headed friend, you” (10-12).
To further understand the poem, you have to understand the author. Mark Doty wrote “Golden Retrievals” four years after he lost his partner, Wally Roberts, to AIDS. The poem was to show that spring is a season of life that allows a mourner to move on. A dog on the other hand, shows that animals cannot process the idea of tomorrow and only live in the moment. The dog ends up helping the owner remove himself from his depressed mind set by forcing him to also live in the moment and to be okay with letting go of some of the grief. The pun of the poem, “…to unsnare time’s warp (and woof!)…” (11) is to show that life is woven together like fabric and that everything happens for a reason. The speaker as a dog helps the poem steer away from a morbid and dark tone, but also remains serious to recognize the grief the author is experiencing.
Mark Doty uses a dog speaker to contrast the happy-go- lucky views of a canine and his own feelings of loss. He achieves this with his variety of tones, an oxymoron, metaphors, and personification. He cleverly uses the format of a traditional Petrarchan sonnet to portray a unique problem- solution and slant rhyme in his poem. This helps to further portray that the speaker is an unorganized canine in “Golden Retrievals”.
Works Cited
Indie Bound. “Dog Years CD”. Indie Bound. NA: American Booksellers Association, 2008.
Web.
Poetry Foundation. “Mark Doty (1953-)”. Poetry Foundation. NA: Poetry Foundation, 2010.
Web.
Sellers, Danielle Lea. “Sex and Reincarnation in Doty’s Golden Retrievals”. Explicator.
Philadelphia: Heldref Publications, 2007. 61-63. Print.
Wunderlich, Mark. “About Mark Doty”. Ploughshares. NA: Ploughshares, 1999. 183-188. Print
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, April 12, 2010
Rough Draft!
The Pit- Bull has gone from an unknown European dog, to an American hero, to a dog that is now a symbol of fear. The Pit- bull has been very controversial due to its history in violent dog fighting, but the breed cannot be held responsible for its aggressive background and the views that are held against it today. It is the job of responsible owners and breeders to turn this dog back into what it used to be to Americans and dog owners everywhere.
Since Pit- bull is a slang term, it is not one specific breed of dog. It is more of a general term representing several different breeds. A Pit- bull is “…any dog displaying the majority of the physical traits of an American Pit Bull Terrier, an American Staffordshire Terrier or a Staffordshire Bull Terrier- or ‘any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of the above breeds’” (Maher). “[They are] often confused with other dog breeds of similar characteristics, such as the…Bull Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Bandog, Pit Bullmastiff or even the American Bulldog…” (The Canine Library).
They are said to have descended from an ancient Roman breed called the Molossus dog, a war, guardian, and herding dog. Also, according to the American Kennel Club, the Pit- bull’s heritage comes from the Bulldog. “Until the nineteenth century, the Bulldog [was] used for bull baiting in England…It is thought that the cross of this older Bulldog and a game terrier breed created the Staffordshire Terrier. Originally called the Bull-and-Terrier Dog, Half and Half or Pit Dog, it became known as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in England.”
An Americanism sign with a Pit- bull on it
http://blog.timesunion.com/bark/category/breeds/
“The Staffordshire Bull Terrier arrived in the United States from England in the mid- nineteenth century… [while] the American Pit Bull Terrier descends from dogs imported at the end of the 1800’s and beginning of the 1900’s by the English, Scottish and Irish immigrants” (The Canine Library). They were both“…imported for use in organized dog- fighting” and were later “…crossbred with terriers for ratting, badger hunting, and dog- fighting” (Willox). “They were to become larger and taller producing offspring that was a very versatile working dog fit for guard work, protection to guard cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions” (The Canine Library).
The Staffordshire breed began to form into the American version when “…selective breeding was undertaken to increase the size and weight of the British version. The head and chest were also increased. The ears were cropped to accentuate this more massive head and to prevent them from being ripped during the fights…By 1936 these dogs were recognized by the AKC as a separate breed.” They were recognized as the Staffordshire, not Pit- bull, because, “It was important to the new breed image [after pit- fights were banned] to avoid breed names associated with the pits…which resulted in the name…Staffordshire Terrier” (Willox). They were added to the American Kennel Club because the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier had become an American symbol and were loved not only for their will power, but their ability to be a ‘nanny’ for children. Actually, the United Kennel Club [UKC] and American Dog Breeders Association were both formed by people who loved their Pit Bulls.
One of the most famous Pit- bulls of all time is Stubby, a World War I hero. He was found by the 102nd American Infantry around 1917 and became the “...‘unofficial- official’ mascot” (Stubby). He was “…smuggled aboard the troop ship S.S. Minnesota in an overcoat and sailed into doggy legend.” He kept the troops confidence up during battles and even gave “…early warning about gas attacks or [woke up] a sleeping sentry to alert him to a German attack.” He was awarded many metals and awards, including a blanket made by the women of Chateau Thierry, a lifetime membership to the American Legion, Red Cross, and YMCA, the Gold Hero Dog’s Metal, became the football mascot of Georgetown, has a children’s book written after him, and is preserved in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC.
Stubby, the WWI dog hero
http://www.ct.gov/mil/cwp/view.asp?a=1351&q=257892
According to the American Kennel Club standards, the American Staffordshire Terrier should be very strong, even for its size of eighteen to nineteen inches for males and seventeen to eighteen inches for females, measuring from the dog’s feet to its shoulders. Its head is to be “…broad [with a] distinct stop.” Their ears can be cropped or uncropped, but never hanging and their nose should be black, never pink. The muzzle is medium length and the “[u]nderjaw [is] to be strong and have biting power”. The chest should be deep and their back, neck, shoulders, legs, and even tail are to be short, but broad and strong. Their coat can be any color, but if “…more than 80 percent white, black and tan, [or] liver…” it is not preferred.
The Pit- bull has recently been accused of many things, including that it has a drive to attack people because of its aggression towards other animals, like all terriers. This has even led for the breed to be banned in many communities and become a symbol of aggression and dog fighting.
“‘Pit- bulls get a bad rap and they’re always in the news and there are a lot of myths surrounding pit- bulls. A lot of people think they’re naturally mean animals; they think that their jaws lock, they think that they’re terrible with kids, all kinds of things about pit- bulls. And the thing you got to understand is that the pit- bull is just like any other dog. If treated properly, if trained with patience, positive reinforcement, pit- bulls can be a great, great addition to the family. The thing you got to remember about a pit- bull is that they are very tenacious. They have a lot of will power and they excite very easily…Pit- bulls require a lot of positive reinforcement, structure, and a strong leader…” (Letendre).
Several articles on A Rotta Love Plus organization’s website talk about breed- specific legislation. They state that breed- specific laws only hurt responsible owners and their innocent canine companions. The articles also emphasize that bad dogs are created by irresponsible owners who do not properly train their dogs. “‘Any dog in the right hands normally turns out to be a nice dog and Pit Bulls are no exception,’ [Rachel] Anderson [the director of A Rotta Love Plus] said. ‘As long as they receive good training, good leadership, a responsible owner, they’re no different than any other dog’” (Green).
Kellie Dillner is the MSW Volunteer Education Director of A Rotta Love Plus who, “…adopted [her] first pit bull as a puppy from A Rotta Love Plus in 2005. Since then [she has] had over 20 different pit bulls living in [her] house at various times as foster dogs.” Her two current pet pit bulls are both “…therapy dogs registered with Therapy Dogs International and [she] take[s] them to St. Joe's Home for Children (which is a shelter for abused/neglected kids just taken away from their parents) and Bar None (which is a mental health facility for teenage boys).” She describes Pit- bulls as “…people pleasers to the largest degree, which unfortunately is why they are easy to use for the wrong reasons...”
When asked if the breed was a danger to society she answered, “Absolutely not. I would not have a team of 30 dog/handlers (where all of the dogs are pit bulls or Rottweilers) going to schools, after school programs, pre schools, boy scout troups, etc. teaching dog safety unless I was confident that there [were] no safety concerns.” She even adds that being aware of “…media bias and knowledge that others might be scared of [her] dog[s] just because of the breed…” makes her make sure that her dogs are trained very well and “…perfect at all times…” (Dillner). Kristin Mullenix, a breeder from Alabama’s Amstaffs R Us and an owner of Pit- bulls for over eighteen years, agrees that Pit- bulls are not a danger to society. “The breed is not a danger to society, but the owners must be dedicated to training, socializing and caring for these dogs. They need attention, exercise and lots of love…My opinion is, it is not a bad breed it is uneducated people.”
An American Staffordshire Terrier
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/americanstaffordshirephotos.htm
Many states across the country have unfortunately continued to adopt breed specific legislation including Denver, Colorado. Denver has become one of the toughest enforcers of their breed specific law against Pit- bulls in the United States. There are many that disagree with the law for many reasons; one being that no one has proven that it is working. “Denver has never done an audit of the pit bull ban, never conducted a study of how effective it has been, never established a commission to determine whether one of Denver’s most controversial policies is actually accomplishing what it was created to do” (Maher). Denver started out with owners having to “…[register] the dogs and tattoo [them] with registration numbers; obtain one hundred thousand dollars in liability insurance, install eight foot high fences around their property, and post their [properties] with signs reading ‘PIT BULL DOG’; and muzzle their dogs when off the property’”. Although some people in Denver, Colorado still believe the ban is working, they have to take into consideration that nationally dog bites statistics have severely decreased due to “…how Americans treat their dogs, as well as things like leash ordinances and animal- cruelty laws- initiatives that apply to all breeds”.
One person who changed her mind on breed specific legislation is Carla Madison. In 2006 she ran for the District 5 council seat in Colorado and was for the Pit- bull band because, “‘I would see how gangbangers had abused pitbulls,’ she remembers. ‘I thought it was a way to protect dogs from bad owners.’” She soon changed her mind when she saw the advantages of dangerous dog laws. These laws punish irresponsible owners for not properly training and fencing in their pets. “She’s [now] crafting a proposal that would allow pit bulls in Denver under regulations…pit bull owners would also have to obtain $1 million dollars in insurance and take their dogs to obedience classes” (Maher).
http://www.tahoewarf.com/RP_WebDoc.asp?ttid=44
More people need realize what Carla Madison did and see that the Pit- bull is not responsible for its aggressive actions. All dogs bite when they feel threatened, not just Pit- bulls. This can be triggered when taking away a treat or bothering the dog when it is eating, or when the dog is ill or injured. “Any dog can be turned into a dangerous dog. The owner…most often is responsible…An irresponsible owner…might create a situation that places another person in danger by a dog, without the dog itself being dangerous…Any individual dog may be a good, loving pet, even though its breed is considered to be…dangerous…One cannot look at… [a] dog, recognize its breed, and then state whether or not it is going to attack” (Dog Law). The ways to prevent dog bites are to train your dog properly, socialize your dog at a young age, spay or neuter them, and prevent biting during playtime and eating (Mehus).
The Pit- bull is actually known for being very kind to people and a great family pet. It “…rarely shows any bravura of snapping or snarling. He is quiet and calm…” (Willox). Pit- bulls are “…good- natured and is very sweet with children” (Canine Library). They are “…intelligent and loyal companion dog[s]. Like all former fighting breeds the high tolerance displayed during fights has turned into loving patience displayed with his human family and playmates. Their courage is legendary and they are excellent guardian dogs combining the strength and power of the Bulldog with the agility of the Terrier.” “The modern version of the breed is affectionate and reliable with people and, in fact, the high tolerance which served them well in the blood sport gives them unusual patience with children” (AKC). According to Eric Letendre, the self- proclaimed Amazing Dog Training Man, pit- bulls are gentle, loving, caring, obedient, easy to train, good with people, and very excitable. They need proper exercise and positive training. “The breed already has a bad reputation, it’s much better to enhance the reputation of the breed than to continue to use negative reinforcement and develop aggressive dogs.”
These dogs have “…become the victim of a real witch hunt…the media is responsible for escalating isolated incidents…and…there are those unscrupulous breeders who have produced dogs with highly aggressive tendencies. Some owners have also used these dogs to boost their macho image, intensifying the dog’s temperament either by ill- breeding or harsh training” (Canine Library). “…They should not be held in ill repute merely because some have been taking advantage of this rare courage to use them in the pit as gambling tools” (AKC). “‘…[T]hey’re just like any other dog; it’s just them being in the wrong hands…what we think is crucial to changing the image is educating owners on how to be responsible pit bull owners” (Shenk).
According to Dog Bite Law.com, “in 2007 there were 33 fatal dog attacks in the USA. Most victims who receive[d] medical attention [were] children, half whom [were] bitten in the face.” Most of the dogs that attacked humans were dogs that either belonged to a neighbor or were the household pet, not strays (Bandow). The dogs usually bit when playing, when they were disturbed while eating, someone was trespassing on their property, they were intentionally provoked, and/ or the handler did not properly train the dogs.
It is proven that Pit- bulls and Rottweilers are the most common breeds reported to attack. “Pitbulls were involved in approximately a third of human dog bite related fatalities…” recorded between 1981 and1992 (Dog Bite). “Rottweilers were responsible for about half of human [dog bite related fatalities] reported… “ between 1993 and 1996. Rottweilers and Pit- bulls were also found to be “…accounted for 67% of human [dog bite related fatalities]…between 1997 and 1998. It is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the United States during that same period… [so] there appears to be a breed-specific problem with fatalities."
“A 1997 study of dog bite fatalities in the years 1979 through 1996 revealed that the following breeds had killed one or more persons: pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds, huskies, Alaskan malamutes, Doberman pinschers, chows, Great Danes, St. Bernards and Akitas” (Dog Bite). The breeds above are also some of the top biting breeds: German Shepherds, Collies, Pit- bulls, Labradors, Rottweilers, Terriers, Poodles, Dobermans, Golden Retrievers, Spaniels, Beagles, Huskies, Lhasa Apso, Great Danes, Shitzus, Bichon Frises, or mixes of these breeds (Bandow). Even with the other breeds named, Pit- bulls, and Rottweilers, still continue to take most of the burden for dog attacks.
“There is a very good reason for focusing on these two breeds [though]: in recent years, they have usually been the number one and number two canine killers of humans [but]…It is a much broader problem than that, involving all dogs and all dog owners. While pit bulls and Rottweilers inflict a disproportionate number of serious and even fatal injuries, the dog bite epidemic involves many different breeds…while banning the pit bull might lower the number of human deaths, such a ban would probably not reduce the number of dog bites in any significant manner. After the United Kingdom banned pit bulls in the 1990s, a study showed that the number of dog bites remained the same even though the number of pit bulls had steeply declined” (Dog Bite).
“…The current tide of public outrage should be focused on…[dealing with the] entire epidemic, not merely the breeds that kill…the war against drugs isn't a war against just the Colombian drug lords, but all drug lords. For the same reason, the dog bite epidemic must not focus on just one or two breeds and stop there.” It is important to keep in mind, however, that dog bite statistics are not always accurate. They are hard to record because they “…rel[y] on bite victims being able to correctly identify the straying dogs that bit them, and relies on dog owners to correctly identify their dogs at time of registration” (Bandow).
The Pit- Bull has greatly developed from when it first started in Europe. Once being an American favorite, it is now a symbol of fear and illegal pit- fighting. It is now up to the responsible owners and breeders everywhere to show that Pit- bull dogs should still be an American hero and that they are a great family companion.
Since Pit- bull is a slang term, it is not one specific breed of dog. It is more of a general term representing several different breeds. A Pit- bull is “…any dog displaying the majority of the physical traits of an American Pit Bull Terrier, an American Staffordshire Terrier or a Staffordshire Bull Terrier- or ‘any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of the above breeds’” (Maher). “[They are] often confused with other dog breeds of similar characteristics, such as the…Bull Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Bandog, Pit Bullmastiff or even the American Bulldog…” (The Canine Library).
They are said to have descended from an ancient Roman breed called the Molossus dog, a war, guardian, and herding dog. Also, according to the American Kennel Club, the Pit- bull’s heritage comes from the Bulldog. “Until the nineteenth century, the Bulldog [was] used for bull baiting in England…It is thought that the cross of this older Bulldog and a game terrier breed created the Staffordshire Terrier. Originally called the Bull-and-Terrier Dog, Half and Half or Pit Dog, it became known as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in England.”
An Americanism sign with a Pit- bull on it
http://blog.timesunion.com/bark/category/breeds/
“The Staffordshire Bull Terrier arrived in the United States from England in the mid- nineteenth century… [while] the American Pit Bull Terrier descends from dogs imported at the end of the 1800’s and beginning of the 1900’s by the English, Scottish and Irish immigrants” (The Canine Library). They were both“…imported for use in organized dog- fighting” and were later “…crossbred with terriers for ratting, badger hunting, and dog- fighting” (Willox). “They were to become larger and taller producing offspring that was a very versatile working dog fit for guard work, protection to guard cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions” (The Canine Library).
The Staffordshire breed began to form into the American version when “…selective breeding was undertaken to increase the size and weight of the British version. The head and chest were also increased. The ears were cropped to accentuate this more massive head and to prevent them from being ripped during the fights…By 1936 these dogs were recognized by the AKC as a separate breed.” They were recognized as the Staffordshire, not Pit- bull, because, “It was important to the new breed image [after pit- fights were banned] to avoid breed names associated with the pits…which resulted in the name…Staffordshire Terrier” (Willox). They were added to the American Kennel Club because the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier had become an American symbol and were loved not only for their will power, but their ability to be a ‘nanny’ for children. Actually, the United Kennel Club [UKC] and American Dog Breeders Association were both formed by people who loved their Pit Bulls.
One of the most famous Pit- bulls of all time is Stubby, a World War I hero. He was found by the 102nd American Infantry around 1917 and became the “...‘unofficial- official’ mascot” (Stubby). He was “…smuggled aboard the troop ship S.S. Minnesota in an overcoat and sailed into doggy legend.” He kept the troops confidence up during battles and even gave “…early warning about gas attacks or [woke up] a sleeping sentry to alert him to a German attack.” He was awarded many metals and awards, including a blanket made by the women of Chateau Thierry, a lifetime membership to the American Legion, Red Cross, and YMCA, the Gold Hero Dog’s Metal, became the football mascot of Georgetown, has a children’s book written after him, and is preserved in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC.
Stubby, the WWI dog hero
http://www.ct.gov/mil/cwp/view.asp?a=1351&q=257892
According to the American Kennel Club standards, the American Staffordshire Terrier should be very strong, even for its size of eighteen to nineteen inches for males and seventeen to eighteen inches for females, measuring from the dog’s feet to its shoulders. Its head is to be “…broad [with a] distinct stop.” Their ears can be cropped or uncropped, but never hanging and their nose should be black, never pink. The muzzle is medium length and the “[u]nderjaw [is] to be strong and have biting power”. The chest should be deep and their back, neck, shoulders, legs, and even tail are to be short, but broad and strong. Their coat can be any color, but if “…more than 80 percent white, black and tan, [or] liver…” it is not preferred.
The Pit- bull has recently been accused of many things, including that it has a drive to attack people because of its aggression towards other animals, like all terriers. This has even led for the breed to be banned in many communities and become a symbol of aggression and dog fighting.
“‘Pit- bulls get a bad rap and they’re always in the news and there are a lot of myths surrounding pit- bulls. A lot of people think they’re naturally mean animals; they think that their jaws lock, they think that they’re terrible with kids, all kinds of things about pit- bulls. And the thing you got to understand is that the pit- bull is just like any other dog. If treated properly, if trained with patience, positive reinforcement, pit- bulls can be a great, great addition to the family. The thing you got to remember about a pit- bull is that they are very tenacious. They have a lot of will power and they excite very easily…Pit- bulls require a lot of positive reinforcement, structure, and a strong leader…” (Letendre).
Several articles on A Rotta Love Plus organization’s website talk about breed- specific legislation. They state that breed- specific laws only hurt responsible owners and their innocent canine companions. The articles also emphasize that bad dogs are created by irresponsible owners who do not properly train their dogs. “‘Any dog in the right hands normally turns out to be a nice dog and Pit Bulls are no exception,’ [Rachel] Anderson [the director of A Rotta Love Plus] said. ‘As long as they receive good training, good leadership, a responsible owner, they’re no different than any other dog’” (Green).
Kellie Dillner is the MSW Volunteer Education Director of A Rotta Love Plus who, “…adopted [her] first pit bull as a puppy from A Rotta Love Plus in 2005. Since then [she has] had over 20 different pit bulls living in [her] house at various times as foster dogs.” Her two current pet pit bulls are both “…therapy dogs registered with Therapy Dogs International and [she] take[s] them to St. Joe's Home for Children (which is a shelter for abused/neglected kids just taken away from their parents) and Bar None (which is a mental health facility for teenage boys).” She describes Pit- bulls as “…people pleasers to the largest degree, which unfortunately is why they are easy to use for the wrong reasons...”
When asked if the breed was a danger to society she answered, “Absolutely not. I would not have a team of 30 dog/handlers (where all of the dogs are pit bulls or Rottweilers) going to schools, after school programs, pre schools, boy scout troups, etc. teaching dog safety unless I was confident that there [were] no safety concerns.” She even adds that being aware of “…media bias and knowledge that others might be scared of [her] dog[s] just because of the breed…” makes her make sure that her dogs are trained very well and “…perfect at all times…” (Dillner). Kristin Mullenix, a breeder from Alabama’s Amstaffs R Us and an owner of Pit- bulls for over eighteen years, agrees that Pit- bulls are not a danger to society. “The breed is not a danger to society, but the owners must be dedicated to training, socializing and caring for these dogs. They need attention, exercise and lots of love…My opinion is, it is not a bad breed it is uneducated people.”
An American Staffordshire Terrier
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/americanstaffordshirephotos.htm
Many states across the country have unfortunately continued to adopt breed specific legislation including Denver, Colorado. Denver has become one of the toughest enforcers of their breed specific law against Pit- bulls in the United States. There are many that disagree with the law for many reasons; one being that no one has proven that it is working. “Denver has never done an audit of the pit bull ban, never conducted a study of how effective it has been, never established a commission to determine whether one of Denver’s most controversial policies is actually accomplishing what it was created to do” (Maher). Denver started out with owners having to “…[register] the dogs and tattoo [them] with registration numbers; obtain one hundred thousand dollars in liability insurance, install eight foot high fences around their property, and post their [properties] with signs reading ‘PIT BULL DOG’; and muzzle their dogs when off the property’”. Although some people in Denver, Colorado still believe the ban is working, they have to take into consideration that nationally dog bites statistics have severely decreased due to “…how Americans treat their dogs, as well as things like leash ordinances and animal- cruelty laws- initiatives that apply to all breeds”.
One person who changed her mind on breed specific legislation is Carla Madison. In 2006 she ran for the District 5 council seat in Colorado and was for the Pit- bull band because, “‘I would see how gangbangers had abused pitbulls,’ she remembers. ‘I thought it was a way to protect dogs from bad owners.’” She soon changed her mind when she saw the advantages of dangerous dog laws. These laws punish irresponsible owners for not properly training and fencing in their pets. “She’s [now] crafting a proposal that would allow pit bulls in Denver under regulations…pit bull owners would also have to obtain $1 million dollars in insurance and take their dogs to obedience classes” (Maher).
http://www.tahoewarf.com/RP_WebDoc.asp?ttid=44
More people need realize what Carla Madison did and see that the Pit- bull is not responsible for its aggressive actions. All dogs bite when they feel threatened, not just Pit- bulls. This can be triggered when taking away a treat or bothering the dog when it is eating, or when the dog is ill or injured. “Any dog can be turned into a dangerous dog. The owner…most often is responsible…An irresponsible owner…might create a situation that places another person in danger by a dog, without the dog itself being dangerous…Any individual dog may be a good, loving pet, even though its breed is considered to be…dangerous…One cannot look at… [a] dog, recognize its breed, and then state whether or not it is going to attack” (Dog Law). The ways to prevent dog bites are to train your dog properly, socialize your dog at a young age, spay or neuter them, and prevent biting during playtime and eating (Mehus).
The Pit- bull is actually known for being very kind to people and a great family pet. It “…rarely shows any bravura of snapping or snarling. He is quiet and calm…” (Willox). Pit- bulls are “…good- natured and is very sweet with children” (Canine Library). They are “…intelligent and loyal companion dog[s]. Like all former fighting breeds the high tolerance displayed during fights has turned into loving patience displayed with his human family and playmates. Their courage is legendary and they are excellent guardian dogs combining the strength and power of the Bulldog with the agility of the Terrier.” “The modern version of the breed is affectionate and reliable with people and, in fact, the high tolerance which served them well in the blood sport gives them unusual patience with children” (AKC). According to Eric Letendre, the self- proclaimed Amazing Dog Training Man, pit- bulls are gentle, loving, caring, obedient, easy to train, good with people, and very excitable. They need proper exercise and positive training. “The breed already has a bad reputation, it’s much better to enhance the reputation of the breed than to continue to use negative reinforcement and develop aggressive dogs.”
These dogs have “…become the victim of a real witch hunt…the media is responsible for escalating isolated incidents…and…there are those unscrupulous breeders who have produced dogs with highly aggressive tendencies. Some owners have also used these dogs to boost their macho image, intensifying the dog’s temperament either by ill- breeding or harsh training” (Canine Library). “…They should not be held in ill repute merely because some have been taking advantage of this rare courage to use them in the pit as gambling tools” (AKC). “‘…[T]hey’re just like any other dog; it’s just them being in the wrong hands…what we think is crucial to changing the image is educating owners on how to be responsible pit bull owners” (Shenk).
According to Dog Bite Law.com, “in 2007 there were 33 fatal dog attacks in the USA. Most victims who receive[d] medical attention [were] children, half whom [were] bitten in the face.” Most of the dogs that attacked humans were dogs that either belonged to a neighbor or were the household pet, not strays (Bandow). The dogs usually bit when playing, when they were disturbed while eating, someone was trespassing on their property, they were intentionally provoked, and/ or the handler did not properly train the dogs.
It is proven that Pit- bulls and Rottweilers are the most common breeds reported to attack. “Pitbulls were involved in approximately a third of human dog bite related fatalities…” recorded between 1981 and1992 (Dog Bite). “Rottweilers were responsible for about half of human [dog bite related fatalities] reported… “ between 1993 and 1996. Rottweilers and Pit- bulls were also found to be “…accounted for 67% of human [dog bite related fatalities]…between 1997 and 1998. It is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the United States during that same period… [so] there appears to be a breed-specific problem with fatalities."
“A 1997 study of dog bite fatalities in the years 1979 through 1996 revealed that the following breeds had killed one or more persons: pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds, huskies, Alaskan malamutes, Doberman pinschers, chows, Great Danes, St. Bernards and Akitas” (Dog Bite). The breeds above are also some of the top biting breeds: German Shepherds, Collies, Pit- bulls, Labradors, Rottweilers, Terriers, Poodles, Dobermans, Golden Retrievers, Spaniels, Beagles, Huskies, Lhasa Apso, Great Danes, Shitzus, Bichon Frises, or mixes of these breeds (Bandow). Even with the other breeds named, Pit- bulls, and Rottweilers, still continue to take most of the burden for dog attacks.
“There is a very good reason for focusing on these two breeds [though]: in recent years, they have usually been the number one and number two canine killers of humans [but]…It is a much broader problem than that, involving all dogs and all dog owners. While pit bulls and Rottweilers inflict a disproportionate number of serious and even fatal injuries, the dog bite epidemic involves many different breeds…while banning the pit bull might lower the number of human deaths, such a ban would probably not reduce the number of dog bites in any significant manner. After the United Kingdom banned pit bulls in the 1990s, a study showed that the number of dog bites remained the same even though the number of pit bulls had steeply declined” (Dog Bite).
“…The current tide of public outrage should be focused on…[dealing with the] entire epidemic, not merely the breeds that kill…the war against drugs isn't a war against just the Colombian drug lords, but all drug lords. For the same reason, the dog bite epidemic must not focus on just one or two breeds and stop there.” It is important to keep in mind, however, that dog bite statistics are not always accurate. They are hard to record because they “…rel[y] on bite victims being able to correctly identify the straying dogs that bit them, and relies on dog owners to correctly identify their dogs at time of registration” (Bandow).
The Pit- Bull has greatly developed from when it first started in Europe. Once being an American favorite, it is now a symbol of fear and illegal pit- fighting. It is now up to the responsible owners and breeders everywhere to show that Pit- bull dogs should still be an American hero and that they are a great family companion.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Pit- Bull Paper
This is my final paper thus far for my new English class. Enjoy and learn lots! I will also be adding pictures later.
The Pit- Bull has gone from an unknown European dog, to an American hero, to a dog that is now a symbol of fear. The Pit- bull has been very controversial due to its history in violent dog fighting, but the breed cannot be held responsible for its aggressive background and the views that are held against it today. It is the job of responsible owners and breeders to turn this dog back into what it used to be to Americans and dog owners everywhere.
Since Pit- bull is a slang term, it is not one specific breed of dog. It is more of a general term representing several different breeds. A Pit- bull is “…any dog displaying the majority of the physical traits of an American Pit Bull Terrier, an American Staffordshire Terrier or a Staffordshire Bull Terrier- or ‘any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of the above breeds’” (Maher). “[They are] often confused with other dog breeds of similar characteristics, such as the…Bull Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Bandog, Pit Bullmastiff or even the American Bulldog…” (The Canine Library).
They are said to have descended from an ancient Roman breed called the Molossus dog, a war, guardian, and herding dog. Also, according to the American Kennel Club, the Pit- bull’s heritage comes from the Bulldog. “Until the nineteenth century, the Bulldog [was] used for bull baiting in England…It is thought that the cross of this older Bulldog and a game terrier breed created the Staffordshire Terrier. Originally called the Bull-and-Terrier Dog, Half and Half or Pit Dog, it became known as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in England.”
“The Staffordshire Bull Terrier arrived in the United States from England in the mid- nineteenth century… [while] the American Pit Bull Terrier descends from dogs imported at the end of the 1800’s and beginning of the 1900’s by the English, Scottish and Irish immigrants” (The Canine Library). They were both“…imported for use in organized dog- fighting” and were later “…crossbred with terriers for ratting, badger hunting, and dog- fighting” (Willox). “They were to become larger and taller producing offspring that was a very versatile working dog fit for guard work, protection to guard cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions” (The Canine Library).
The Staffordshire breed began to form into the American version when “…selective breeding was undertaken to increase the size and weight of the British version. The head and chest were also increased. The ears were cropped to accentuate this more massive head and to prevent them from being ripped during the fights…By 1936 these dogs were recognized by the AKC as a separate breed.” They were recognized as the Staffordshire, not Pit- bull, because, “It was important to the new breed image [after pit- fights were banned] to avoid breed names associated with the pits…which resulted in the name…Staffordshire Terrier” (Willox). They were added to the American Kennel Club because the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier had become an American symbol and were loved not only for their will power, but their ability to be a ‘nanny’ for children. Actually, the United Kennel Club [UKC] and American Dog Breeders Association were both formed by people who loved their Pit Bulls.
One of the most famous Pit- bulls of all time is Stubby, a World War one hero. He was found by the 102nd American Infantry around 1917 and became the “...‘unofficial- official’ mascot” (Stubby). He was “…smuggled aboard the troop ship S.S. Minnesota in an overcoat and sailed into doggy legend.” He kept the troops confidence up during battles and even gave “…early warning about gas attacks or [woke up] a sleeping sentry to alert him to a German attack.” He was awarded many metals and awards, including a blanket made by the women of Chateau Thierry, a lifetime membership to the American Legion, Red Cross, and YMCA, the Gold Hero Dog’s Metal, became the football mascot of Georgetown, has a children’s book written after him, and is preserved in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC.
According to the American Kennel Club standards, the American Staffordshire Terrier should be very strong, even for its size of eighteen to nineteen inches for males and seventeen to eighteen inches for females, measuring from the dog’s feet to its shoulders. Its head is to be “…broad [with a] distinct stop.” Their ears can be cropped or uncropped, but never hanging and their nose should be black, never pink. The muzzle is medium length and the “[u]nderjaw [is] to be strong and have biting power”. The chest should be deep and their back, neck, shoulders, legs, and even tail are to be short, but broad and strong. Their coat can be any color, but if “…more than 80 percent white, black and tan, [or] liver…” it is not preferred.
The Pit- bull has recently been accused of many things, including that it has a drive to attack people because of its aggression towards other animals, like all terriers. This has even led for the breed to be banned in many communities and become a symbol of aggression and dog fighting.
“‘Pit- bulls get a bad rap and they’re always in the news and there are a lot of myths surrounding pit- bulls. A lot of people think they’re naturally mean animals; they think that their jaws lock, they think that they’re terrible with kids, all kinds of things about pit- bulls. And the thing you got to understand is that the pit- bull is just like any other dog. If treated properly, if trained with patience, positive reinforcement, pit- bulls can be a great, great addition to the family. The thing you got to remember about a pit- bull is that they are very tenacious. They have a lot of will power and they excite very easily…Pit- bulls require a lot of positive reinforcement, structure, and a strong leader…” (Letendre).
Several articles on A Rotta Love Plus organization’s website talk about breed- specific legislation. They state that breed- specific laws only hurt responsible owners and their innocent canine companions. The articles also emphasize that bad dogs are created by irresponsible owners who do not properly train their dogs. “‘Any dog in the right hands normally turns out to be a nice dog and Pit Bulls are no exception,’ [Rachel] Anderson [the director of A Rotta Love Plus] said. ‘As long as they receive good training, good leadership, a responsible owner, they’re no different than any other dog’” (Green).
Kellie Dillner is the MSW Volunteer Education Director of A Rotta Love Plus who, “…adopted [her] first pit bull as a puppy from A Rotta Love Plus in 2005. Since then [she has] had over 20 different pit bulls living in [her] house at various times as foster dogs.” Her two current pet pit bulls are both “…therapy dogs registered with Therapy Dogs International and [she] take[s] them to St. Joe's Home for Children (which is a shelter for abused/neglected kids just taken away from their parents) and Bar None (which is a mental health facility for teenage boys).” She describes Pit- bulls as “…people pleasers to the largest degree, which unfortunately is why they are easy to use for the wrong reasons...”
When asked if the breed was a danger to society she answered, “Absolutely not. I would not have a team of 30 dog/handlers (where all of the dogs are pit bulls or Rottweilers) going to schools, after school programs, pre schools, boy scout troups, etc. teaching dog safety unless I was confident that there [were] no safety concerns.” She even adds that being aware of “…media bias and knowledge that others might be scared of [her] dog[s] just because of the breed…” makes her make sure that her dogs are trained very well and “…perfect at all times…” (Dillner). Kristin Mullenix, a breeder from Alabama’s Amstaffs R Us and an owner of Pit- bulls for over eighteen years, agrees that Pit- bulls are not a danger to society. “The breed is not a danger to society, but the owners must be dedicated to training, socializing and caring for these dogs. They need attention, exercise and lots of love…My opinion is, it is not a bad breed it is uneducated people.”
Many states across the country have unfortunately continued to adopt breed specific legislation including Denver, Colorado. Denver has become one of the toughest enforcers of their breed specific law against Pit- bulls in the United States. There are many that disagree with the law for many reasons; one being that no one has proven that it is working. “Denver has never done an audit of the pit bull ban, never conducted a study of how effective it has been, never established a commission to determine whether one of Denver’s most controversial policies is actually accomplishing what it was created to do” (Maher). Denver started out with owners having to “…[register] the dogs and tattoo [them] with registration numbers; obtain one hundred thousand dollars in liability insurance, install eight foot high fences around their property, and post their [properties] with signs reading ‘PIT BULL DOG’; and muzzle their dogs when off the property’”. Although some people in Denver, Colorado still believe the ban is working, they have to take into consideration that nationally dog bites statistics have severely decreased due to “…how Americans treat their dogs, as well as things like leash ordinances and animal- cruelty laws- initiatives that apply to all breeds”.
One person who changed her mind on breed specific legislation is Carla Madison. In 2006 she ran for the District 5 council seat in Colorado and was for the Pit- bull band because, “‘I would see how gangbangers had abused pitbulls,’ she remembers. ‘I thought it was a way to protect dogs from bad owners.’” She soon changed her mind when she saw the advantages of dangerous dog laws. These laws punish irresponsible owners for not properly training and fencing in their pets. “She’s [now] crafting a proposal that would allow pit bulls in Denver under regulations…pit bull owners would also have to obtain $1 million dollars in insurance and take their dogs to obedience classes” (Maher).
More people need realize what Carla Madison did and see that the Pit- bull is not responsible for its aggressive actions. All dogs bite when they feel threatened, not just Pit- bulls. This can be triggered when taking away a treat or bothering the dog when it is eating, or when the dog is ill or injured. “Any dog can be turned into a dangerous dog. The owner…most often is responsible…An irresponsible owner…might create a situation that places another person in danger by a dog, without the dog itself being dangerous…Any individual dog may be a good, loving pet, even though its breed is considered to be…dangerous…One cannot look at… [a] dog, recognize its breed, and then state whether or not it is going to attack” (Dog Law). The ways to prevent dog bites are to train your dog properly, socialize your dog at a young age, spay or neuter them, and prevent biting during playtime and eating (Mehus).
The Pit- bull is actually known for being very kind to people and a great family pet. It “…rarely shows any bravura of snapping or snarling. He is quiet and calm…” (Willox). Pit- bulls are “…good- natured and is very sweet with children” (Canine Library). They are “…intelligent and loyal companion dog[s]. Like all former fighting breeds the high tolerance displayed during fights has turned into loving patience displayed with his human family and playmates. Their courage is legendary and they are excellent guardian dogs combining the strength and power of the Bulldog with the agility of the Terrier.” “The modern version of the breed is affectionate and reliable with people and, in fact, the high tolerance which served them well in the blood sport gives them unusual patience with children” (AKC). According to Eric Letendre, the self- proclaimed Amazing Dog Training Man, pit- bulls are gentle, loving, caring, obedient, easy to train, good with people, and very excitable. They need proper exercise and positive training. “The breed already has a bad reputation, it’s much better to enhance the reputation of the breed than to continue to use negative reinforcement and develop aggressive dogs.”
These dogs have “…become the victim of a real witch hunt…the media is responsible for escalating isolated incidents…and…there are those unscrupulous breeders who have produced dogs with highly aggressive tendencies. Some owners have also used these dogs to boost their macho image, intensifying the dog’s temperament either by ill- breeding or harsh training” (Canine Library). “…They should not be held in ill repute merely because some have been taking advantage of this rare courage to use them in the pit as gambling tools” (AKC). “‘…[T]hey’re just like any other dog; it’s just them being in the wrong hands…what we think is crucial to changing the image is educating owners on how to be responsible pit bull owners” (Shenk).
According to Dog Bite Law.com, “in 2007 there were 33 fatal dog attacks in the USA. Most victims who receive[d] medical attention [were] children, half whom [were] bitten in the face.” Most of the dogs that attacked humans were dogs that either belonged to a neighbor or were the household pet, not strays (Bandow). The dogs usually bit when playing, when they were disturbed while eating, someone was trespassing on their property, they were intentionally provoked, and/ or the handler did not properly train the dogs.
It is proven that Pit- bulls and Rottweilers are the most common breeds reported to attack. “Pitbulls were involved in approximately a third of human dog bite related fatalities…” recorded between 1981 and1992 (Dog Bite). “Rottweilers were responsible for about half of human [dog bite related fatalities] reported… “ between 1993 and 1996. Rottweilers and Pit- bulls were also found to be “…accounted for 67% of human [dog bite related fatalities]…between 1997 and 1998. It is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the United States during that same period… [so] there appears to be a breed-specific problem with fatalities."
“A 1997 study of dog bite fatalities in the years 1979 through 1996 revealed that the following breeds had killed one or more persons: pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds, huskies, Alaskan malamutes, Doberman pinschers, chows, Great Danes, St. Bernards and Akitas” (Dog Bite). The breeds above are also some of the top biting breeds: German Shepherds, Collies, Pit- bulls, Labradors, Rottweilers, Terriers, Poodles, Dobermans, Golden Retrievers, Spaniels, Beagles, Huskies, Lhasa Apso, Great Danes, Shitzus, Bichon Frises, or mixes of these breeds (Bandow). Even with the other breeds named, Pit- bulls, and Rottweilers, still continue to take most of the burden for dog attacks.
“There is a very good reason for focusing on these two breeds [though]: in recent years, they have usually been the number one and number two canine killers of humans [but]…It is a much broader problem than that, involving all dogs and all dog owners. While pit bulls and Rottweilers inflict a disproportionate number of serious and even fatal injuries, the dog bite epidemic involves many different breeds…while banning the pit bull might lower the number of human deaths, such a ban would probably not reduce the number of dog bites in any significant manner. After the United Kingdom banned pit bulls in the 1990s, a study showed that the number of dog bites remained the same even though the number of pit bulls had steeply declined” (Dog Bite).
“…The current tide of public outrage should be focused on…[dealing with the] entire epidemic, not merely the breeds that kill…the war against drugs isn't a war against just the Colombian drug lords, but all drug lords. For the same reason, the dog bite epidemic must not focus on just one or two breeds and stop there.” It is important to keep in mind, however, that dog bite statistics are not always accurate. They are hard to record because they “…rel[y] on bite victims being able to correctly identify the straying dogs that bit them, and relies on dog owners to correctly identify their dogs at time of registration” (Bandow).
The Pit- Bull has greatly developed from when it first started in Europe. Once being an American favorite, it is now a symbol of fear and illegal pit- fighting. It is now up to the responsible owners and breeders everywhere to show that Pit- bull dogs should still be an American hero and that they are a great family companion.
The Pit- Bull has gone from an unknown European dog, to an American hero, to a dog that is now a symbol of fear. The Pit- bull has been very controversial due to its history in violent dog fighting, but the breed cannot be held responsible for its aggressive background and the views that are held against it today. It is the job of responsible owners and breeders to turn this dog back into what it used to be to Americans and dog owners everywhere.
Since Pit- bull is a slang term, it is not one specific breed of dog. It is more of a general term representing several different breeds. A Pit- bull is “…any dog displaying the majority of the physical traits of an American Pit Bull Terrier, an American Staffordshire Terrier or a Staffordshire Bull Terrier- or ‘any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of the above breeds’” (Maher). “[They are] often confused with other dog breeds of similar characteristics, such as the…Bull Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Bandog, Pit Bullmastiff or even the American Bulldog…” (The Canine Library).
They are said to have descended from an ancient Roman breed called the Molossus dog, a war, guardian, and herding dog. Also, according to the American Kennel Club, the Pit- bull’s heritage comes from the Bulldog. “Until the nineteenth century, the Bulldog [was] used for bull baiting in England…It is thought that the cross of this older Bulldog and a game terrier breed created the Staffordshire Terrier. Originally called the Bull-and-Terrier Dog, Half and Half or Pit Dog, it became known as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in England.”
“The Staffordshire Bull Terrier arrived in the United States from England in the mid- nineteenth century… [while] the American Pit Bull Terrier descends from dogs imported at the end of the 1800’s and beginning of the 1900’s by the English, Scottish and Irish immigrants” (The Canine Library). They were both“…imported for use in organized dog- fighting” and were later “…crossbred with terriers for ratting, badger hunting, and dog- fighting” (Willox). “They were to become larger and taller producing offspring that was a very versatile working dog fit for guard work, protection to guard cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions” (The Canine Library).
The Staffordshire breed began to form into the American version when “…selective breeding was undertaken to increase the size and weight of the British version. The head and chest were also increased. The ears were cropped to accentuate this more massive head and to prevent them from being ripped during the fights…By 1936 these dogs were recognized by the AKC as a separate breed.” They were recognized as the Staffordshire, not Pit- bull, because, “It was important to the new breed image [after pit- fights were banned] to avoid breed names associated with the pits…which resulted in the name…Staffordshire Terrier” (Willox). They were added to the American Kennel Club because the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier had become an American symbol and were loved not only for their will power, but their ability to be a ‘nanny’ for children. Actually, the United Kennel Club [UKC] and American Dog Breeders Association were both formed by people who loved their Pit Bulls.
One of the most famous Pit- bulls of all time is Stubby, a World War one hero. He was found by the 102nd American Infantry around 1917 and became the “...‘unofficial- official’ mascot” (Stubby). He was “…smuggled aboard the troop ship S.S. Minnesota in an overcoat and sailed into doggy legend.” He kept the troops confidence up during battles and even gave “…early warning about gas attacks or [woke up] a sleeping sentry to alert him to a German attack.” He was awarded many metals and awards, including a blanket made by the women of Chateau Thierry, a lifetime membership to the American Legion, Red Cross, and YMCA, the Gold Hero Dog’s Metal, became the football mascot of Georgetown, has a children’s book written after him, and is preserved in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC.
According to the American Kennel Club standards, the American Staffordshire Terrier should be very strong, even for its size of eighteen to nineteen inches for males and seventeen to eighteen inches for females, measuring from the dog’s feet to its shoulders. Its head is to be “…broad [with a] distinct stop.” Their ears can be cropped or uncropped, but never hanging and their nose should be black, never pink. The muzzle is medium length and the “[u]nderjaw [is] to be strong and have biting power”. The chest should be deep and their back, neck, shoulders, legs, and even tail are to be short, but broad and strong. Their coat can be any color, but if “…more than 80 percent white, black and tan, [or] liver…” it is not preferred.
The Pit- bull has recently been accused of many things, including that it has a drive to attack people because of its aggression towards other animals, like all terriers. This has even led for the breed to be banned in many communities and become a symbol of aggression and dog fighting.
“‘Pit- bulls get a bad rap and they’re always in the news and there are a lot of myths surrounding pit- bulls. A lot of people think they’re naturally mean animals; they think that their jaws lock, they think that they’re terrible with kids, all kinds of things about pit- bulls. And the thing you got to understand is that the pit- bull is just like any other dog. If treated properly, if trained with patience, positive reinforcement, pit- bulls can be a great, great addition to the family. The thing you got to remember about a pit- bull is that they are very tenacious. They have a lot of will power and they excite very easily…Pit- bulls require a lot of positive reinforcement, structure, and a strong leader…” (Letendre).
Several articles on A Rotta Love Plus organization’s website talk about breed- specific legislation. They state that breed- specific laws only hurt responsible owners and their innocent canine companions. The articles also emphasize that bad dogs are created by irresponsible owners who do not properly train their dogs. “‘Any dog in the right hands normally turns out to be a nice dog and Pit Bulls are no exception,’ [Rachel] Anderson [the director of A Rotta Love Plus] said. ‘As long as they receive good training, good leadership, a responsible owner, they’re no different than any other dog’” (Green).
Kellie Dillner is the MSW Volunteer Education Director of A Rotta Love Plus who, “…adopted [her] first pit bull as a puppy from A Rotta Love Plus in 2005. Since then [she has] had over 20 different pit bulls living in [her] house at various times as foster dogs.” Her two current pet pit bulls are both “…therapy dogs registered with Therapy Dogs International and [she] take[s] them to St. Joe's Home for Children (which is a shelter for abused/neglected kids just taken away from their parents) and Bar None (which is a mental health facility for teenage boys).” She describes Pit- bulls as “…people pleasers to the largest degree, which unfortunately is why they are easy to use for the wrong reasons...”
When asked if the breed was a danger to society she answered, “Absolutely not. I would not have a team of 30 dog/handlers (where all of the dogs are pit bulls or Rottweilers) going to schools, after school programs, pre schools, boy scout troups, etc. teaching dog safety unless I was confident that there [were] no safety concerns.” She even adds that being aware of “…media bias and knowledge that others might be scared of [her] dog[s] just because of the breed…” makes her make sure that her dogs are trained very well and “…perfect at all times…” (Dillner). Kristin Mullenix, a breeder from Alabama’s Amstaffs R Us and an owner of Pit- bulls for over eighteen years, agrees that Pit- bulls are not a danger to society. “The breed is not a danger to society, but the owners must be dedicated to training, socializing and caring for these dogs. They need attention, exercise and lots of love…My opinion is, it is not a bad breed it is uneducated people.”
Many states across the country have unfortunately continued to adopt breed specific legislation including Denver, Colorado. Denver has become one of the toughest enforcers of their breed specific law against Pit- bulls in the United States. There are many that disagree with the law for many reasons; one being that no one has proven that it is working. “Denver has never done an audit of the pit bull ban, never conducted a study of how effective it has been, never established a commission to determine whether one of Denver’s most controversial policies is actually accomplishing what it was created to do” (Maher). Denver started out with owners having to “…[register] the dogs and tattoo [them] with registration numbers; obtain one hundred thousand dollars in liability insurance, install eight foot high fences around their property, and post their [properties] with signs reading ‘PIT BULL DOG’; and muzzle their dogs when off the property’”. Although some people in Denver, Colorado still believe the ban is working, they have to take into consideration that nationally dog bites statistics have severely decreased due to “…how Americans treat their dogs, as well as things like leash ordinances and animal- cruelty laws- initiatives that apply to all breeds”.
One person who changed her mind on breed specific legislation is Carla Madison. In 2006 she ran for the District 5 council seat in Colorado and was for the Pit- bull band because, “‘I would see how gangbangers had abused pitbulls,’ she remembers. ‘I thought it was a way to protect dogs from bad owners.’” She soon changed her mind when she saw the advantages of dangerous dog laws. These laws punish irresponsible owners for not properly training and fencing in their pets. “She’s [now] crafting a proposal that would allow pit bulls in Denver under regulations…pit bull owners would also have to obtain $1 million dollars in insurance and take their dogs to obedience classes” (Maher).
More people need realize what Carla Madison did and see that the Pit- bull is not responsible for its aggressive actions. All dogs bite when they feel threatened, not just Pit- bulls. This can be triggered when taking away a treat or bothering the dog when it is eating, or when the dog is ill or injured. “Any dog can be turned into a dangerous dog. The owner…most often is responsible…An irresponsible owner…might create a situation that places another person in danger by a dog, without the dog itself being dangerous…Any individual dog may be a good, loving pet, even though its breed is considered to be…dangerous…One cannot look at… [a] dog, recognize its breed, and then state whether or not it is going to attack” (Dog Law). The ways to prevent dog bites are to train your dog properly, socialize your dog at a young age, spay or neuter them, and prevent biting during playtime and eating (Mehus).
The Pit- bull is actually known for being very kind to people and a great family pet. It “…rarely shows any bravura of snapping or snarling. He is quiet and calm…” (Willox). Pit- bulls are “…good- natured and is very sweet with children” (Canine Library). They are “…intelligent and loyal companion dog[s]. Like all former fighting breeds the high tolerance displayed during fights has turned into loving patience displayed with his human family and playmates. Their courage is legendary and they are excellent guardian dogs combining the strength and power of the Bulldog with the agility of the Terrier.” “The modern version of the breed is affectionate and reliable with people and, in fact, the high tolerance which served them well in the blood sport gives them unusual patience with children” (AKC). According to Eric Letendre, the self- proclaimed Amazing Dog Training Man, pit- bulls are gentle, loving, caring, obedient, easy to train, good with people, and very excitable. They need proper exercise and positive training. “The breed already has a bad reputation, it’s much better to enhance the reputation of the breed than to continue to use negative reinforcement and develop aggressive dogs.”
These dogs have “…become the victim of a real witch hunt…the media is responsible for escalating isolated incidents…and…there are those unscrupulous breeders who have produced dogs with highly aggressive tendencies. Some owners have also used these dogs to boost their macho image, intensifying the dog’s temperament either by ill- breeding or harsh training” (Canine Library). “…They should not be held in ill repute merely because some have been taking advantage of this rare courage to use them in the pit as gambling tools” (AKC). “‘…[T]hey’re just like any other dog; it’s just them being in the wrong hands…what we think is crucial to changing the image is educating owners on how to be responsible pit bull owners” (Shenk).
According to Dog Bite Law.com, “in 2007 there were 33 fatal dog attacks in the USA. Most victims who receive[d] medical attention [were] children, half whom [were] bitten in the face.” Most of the dogs that attacked humans were dogs that either belonged to a neighbor or were the household pet, not strays (Bandow). The dogs usually bit when playing, when they were disturbed while eating, someone was trespassing on their property, they were intentionally provoked, and/ or the handler did not properly train the dogs.
It is proven that Pit- bulls and Rottweilers are the most common breeds reported to attack. “Pitbulls were involved in approximately a third of human dog bite related fatalities…” recorded between 1981 and1992 (Dog Bite). “Rottweilers were responsible for about half of human [dog bite related fatalities] reported… “ between 1993 and 1996. Rottweilers and Pit- bulls were also found to be “…accounted for 67% of human [dog bite related fatalities]…between 1997 and 1998. It is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the United States during that same period… [so] there appears to be a breed-specific problem with fatalities."
“A 1997 study of dog bite fatalities in the years 1979 through 1996 revealed that the following breeds had killed one or more persons: pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds, huskies, Alaskan malamutes, Doberman pinschers, chows, Great Danes, St. Bernards and Akitas” (Dog Bite). The breeds above are also some of the top biting breeds: German Shepherds, Collies, Pit- bulls, Labradors, Rottweilers, Terriers, Poodles, Dobermans, Golden Retrievers, Spaniels, Beagles, Huskies, Lhasa Apso, Great Danes, Shitzus, Bichon Frises, or mixes of these breeds (Bandow). Even with the other breeds named, Pit- bulls, and Rottweilers, still continue to take most of the burden for dog attacks.
“There is a very good reason for focusing on these two breeds [though]: in recent years, they have usually been the number one and number two canine killers of humans [but]…It is a much broader problem than that, involving all dogs and all dog owners. While pit bulls and Rottweilers inflict a disproportionate number of serious and even fatal injuries, the dog bite epidemic involves many different breeds…while banning the pit bull might lower the number of human deaths, such a ban would probably not reduce the number of dog bites in any significant manner. After the United Kingdom banned pit bulls in the 1990s, a study showed that the number of dog bites remained the same even though the number of pit bulls had steeply declined” (Dog Bite).
“…The current tide of public outrage should be focused on…[dealing with the] entire epidemic, not merely the breeds that kill…the war against drugs isn't a war against just the Colombian drug lords, but all drug lords. For the same reason, the dog bite epidemic must not focus on just one or two breeds and stop there.” It is important to keep in mind, however, that dog bite statistics are not always accurate. They are hard to record because they “…rel[y] on bite victims being able to correctly identify the straying dogs that bit them, and relies on dog owners to correctly identify their dogs at time of registration” (Bandow).
The Pit- Bull has greatly developed from when it first started in Europe. Once being an American favorite, it is now a symbol of fear and illegal pit- fighting. It is now up to the responsible owners and breeders everywhere to show that Pit- bull dogs should still be an American hero and that they are a great family companion.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Work Cited Page
*Also note that the formatting in this is strange...it's not quite laid out right due to different column sizes*Websites Alphabetically
About.com. The New York Times Company, 2009. Web. 9 December 2009.
Achooallergy.com. Achoo!Allergy.com, 2009. 14 December 2009.
AgWired.com. Zimmcomm New Media, 14 December 2009.
Van Vleck, Richard. American Artifacts. Web. 4 March 2009. 9 December 2009.
http://www.americanartifacts.com/smma/grain/cradle.htm
N/A. Antique Farming. Web. 2007. 9 December 2009. http://www.antiquefarming.com/john-deere-
history-2.html.
Cattle.guelph.on.ca. Ontario Cattlemen’s Association, 14 December 2009.
City-data.com. Advameg, Inc, 2009. Web. 9 December 2009.
Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com/ LLC, 2009. Web. 10 December 2009.
Freedictionary.com. Farlex, 2009. 10 December 2009.
JohnDeere.com. Deere and Company, 2009. 14 December 2009.
Mnhs.org. Minnesota Historic Society, 2009. Web. 9 December 2009.
N/A. Pioneer Equipment, Inc. Web. N/A. 9 December 2009.
http://www.rsrollingranch.com/pages/springhw.html
Usda.gov. USDA, 9 December 2009. Web. 9 December 2009.
Wikipedia.org. Wikimedia Foundation, 9 December 2009. Web. 9 December 2009.
Personal Interviews
Janke, DJ. Personal Interview. 15 December 2009.
Photo Documentation (in order as appeared in essay)
MNHS.org. Threshing rig of C. R. Chrislock, Goodhue County. Photograph. 10 December 2009. 2009.
http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/results.cfm? Page=1&Keywords=Farming&SearchType=Basic.
AmericanArtifacts.com. A 5 finger Shaker cradle at Hancock Village, Massachusetts. Photograph.
December 2009. http://www.americanartifacts.com/smma/grain/cradle.htm.
Ancestory.com. Clois on Mower Mag and Tom. Photograph. 10 December 2009.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txfalls/picCDS_CloisWithMower_03242004.jpg.
AniqueFarming.com. John Deere Sulky Plow. Photograph. 10 December 2009.
http://www.antiquefarming.com/john-deere-history-2.html
MNHS.com. A Photo of Oliver Kelley. Photograph. 10 December.
http://www.mnhs.org/places/sites/ohkf/ohkf-doc.html
Irishfarming.ie. John Deere 7730. Photograph. 14 December 2009. http://news.irishfarming.ie/wp-
contents/uploads/2009/10/7730%20John%20Deere.jpg
Beukeveld.nl. Dolbi Field Cultivator. Photograph. 14 December 2009.
www.beukeveld.nl/.../dolbi/seederDolbiindex.htm.
Matrix-cis.ru. 4930. Photograph. 14 December 2009. http://matrix-cis.ru/en/sp-sprayers/.
Wikipedia.org. A Sign Outside of an Organic Apple Orchard. Photograph. 14 December 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_farming .
*Also note that the formatting in this is strange...it's not quite laid out right due to different column sizes*Websites Alphabetically
About.com. The New York Times Company, 2009. Web. 9 December 2009.
Achooallergy.com. Achoo!Allergy.com, 2009. 14 December 2009.
AgWired.com. Zimmcomm New Media, 14 December 2009.
Van Vleck, Richard. American Artifacts. Web. 4 March 2009. 9 December 2009.
http://www.americanartifacts.com/smma/grain/cradle.htm
N/A. Antique Farming. Web. 2007. 9 December 2009. http://www.antiquefarming.com/john-deere-
history-2.html.
Cattle.guelph.on.ca. Ontario Cattlemen’s Association, 14 December 2009.
City-data.com. Advameg, Inc, 2009. Web. 9 December 2009.
Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com/ LLC, 2009. Web. 10 December 2009.
Freedictionary.com. Farlex, 2009. 10 December 2009.
JohnDeere.com. Deere and Company, 2009. 14 December 2009.
Mnhs.org. Minnesota Historic Society, 2009. Web. 9 December 2009.
N/A. Pioneer Equipment, Inc. Web. N/A. 9 December 2009.
http://www.rsrollingranch.com/pages/springhw.html
Usda.gov. USDA, 9 December 2009. Web. 9 December 2009.
Wikipedia.org. Wikimedia Foundation, 9 December 2009. Web. 9 December 2009.
Personal Interviews
Janke, DJ. Personal Interview. 15 December 2009.
Photo Documentation (in order as appeared in essay)
MNHS.org. Threshing rig of C. R. Chrislock, Goodhue County. Photograph. 10 December 2009. 2009.
http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/results.cfm? Page=1&Keywords=Farming&SearchType=Basic.
AmericanArtifacts.com. A 5 finger Shaker cradle at Hancock Village, Massachusetts. Photograph.
December 2009. http://www.americanartifacts.com/smma/grain/cradle.htm.
Ancestory.com. Clois on Mower Mag and Tom. Photograph. 10 December 2009.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txfalls/picCDS_CloisWithMower_03242004.jpg.
AniqueFarming.com. John Deere Sulky Plow. Photograph. 10 December 2009.
http://www.antiquefarming.com/john-deere-history-2.html
MNHS.com. A Photo of Oliver Kelley. Photograph. 10 December.
http://www.mnhs.org/places/sites/ohkf/ohkf-doc.html
Irishfarming.ie. John Deere 7730. Photograph. 14 December 2009. http://news.irishfarming.ie/wp-
contents/uploads/2009/10/7730%20John%20Deere.jpg
Beukeveld.nl. Dolbi Field Cultivator. Photograph. 14 December 2009.
www.beukeveld.nl/.../dolbi/seederDolbiindex.htm.
Matrix-cis.ru. 4930. Photograph. 14 December 2009. http://matrix-cis.ru/en/sp-sprayers/.
Wikipedia.org. A Sign Outside of an Organic Apple Orchard. Photograph. 14 December 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_farming .
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
This is the completed thing people!! Enjoy :)
Farming has been vital to human beings since the beginning of civilization. Not only do we need it to provide food for ourselves, but, for some, to make an income, and it helps to boost the economy. Farming in Minnesota is, and almost always has been, a major career for many. Starting in the 1800’s though is when technology began to play a big role and improve the lives of farmers throughout the state.
But let’s start with how people came to Minnesota in the first place. The earliest known settlers were Frenchmen who came to Northern Minnesota in the 1650’s. Shortly after these explorers, a man named Daniel Greysolon went to Duluth and held a meeting with the Dakota Indians near Mille Lacs. Here Greysolon successfully claimed the region for King Louis the fourteenth back in France. There were many opportunities for exploring, fur trading, and missionaries who came to Minnesota during the two centuries before its statehood (Advameg).
Technique wise, farmers were pretty old fashioned. In the 1700’s, oxen and horses were used to drive wooden plows. All sowing and cultivating was done by hand, using hoes, sickles, and flails. Crops too were a new thing in Minnesota. The first crops grown were from the Native Americans, including maize, tomatoes, pumpkins, grapes, and cotton. Then came a wider variety from Europe, such as clover, small grains, and more fruits and vegetables (New York Times).
In 1820, the new Land Law allowed purchasers of public land to buy eighty acres for only a $1.25 per acre. The farm population continued to grow from there, with farmers making up sixty eight percent of the labor force in 1839. Even though their percent in the work force continued to go down, their population continued to increase by at least 2,000,000 every five years across the nation (New York Times). Immigrates and settlers from eastern states contributed a lot to that population during 1845-1855 in Minnesota (Advameg).
Some of the first farming tools were the cradle and scythe, which were introduced in the late 1790’s. The cradle is “…an arrangement of fingers attached by a light framework to the snath of a scythe” (American Artifacts); the scythe being “an agricultural hand tool for mowing grass or reaping crops” (Wikipedia). Along with these were the cotton gin and the first cast- iron plow. In the early 1800’s the iron plow, with interchangeable parts, was also introduced. From there the demand for agricultural products brought more improvements and adaptations to technology, increasing farm production.
In the late 50’s and early 60’s, horse power, instead of hand power, became more common and efficient. Other additions, such as the gang and sulky plows, spring- tooth harrow, steel plow, and silos were introduced (New York Times). The gang plow was simply a “combination of two or more plows in one frame” (Dictionary) and the sulky plow allowed “…the operator to ride [the plow] while driving three horses” (John Deere). The spring- tooth harrow also helped improve farming. It was “…an all- purpose tillage tool, ideal for seedbed preparation and weed killing” (Pioneer Equipment).
By this time farmers could produce one hundred bushels, that is two to two and a half acres, of corn with a walking plow, harrow, and planting by hand. Eleven to thirteen days were needed to produce one hundred bushels, or five acres, of wheat. This was while using a walk plow, brush harrow, sickle, and flail. The 1890’s were quickly growing in machinery and commercialization. This decreased the labor hours for those two and a half acres of corn to only a day and a half with a two- bottom gang plow, disk and peg- tooth harrow, and two- row planter. Wheat production was also significantly dropped within the century to only two days for five acres with a gang plow, seeder, harrow, binder, thresher, and wagons and horses. Because of this, Minnesota became one the main wheat growing states in the country, along with California and Illinois (New York Times).
Also a major concern was “…discontent grew among Minnesota farmers, who were plagued by high railroad rates, damaging droughts, and a deflationary economy” (Advameg). A man named Oliver Kelley decided that enough was enough and started the National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry. Kelley had a dream to make all farmers equal. He said, "Encourage them to read and think; to plant fruits and flowers, - beautify their homes; elevate them; make them progressive…I long to see the great army of producers in our country, turn their eyes up from their work; stir up those brains, now mere machines ... set them to thinking, - let them feel that they are human beings, and the strength of the nation, their labor honorable, and farming the highest calling on earth (Historic Society).”
Along with their cause was The Farmers' Alliance movement, the Knights of Labor, and the Populist Party (Advameg). The Farmers Alliance movement “…was an organized agrarian economic movement amongst U.S. farmers that flourished in the 1880s. First formed in 1876 in Lampasas, Texas, the Alliance was designed to promote higher commodity prices through collective action by groups of individual farmers. The movement was strongest in the South… (Wikipedia).” It also helped to start the People’s Party, or the Populist Party. This “…was a short-lived political party in the United States in the late 19th century. It flourished particularly among western farmers… (Wikipedia).”
But none of these organizations could have predicted where farming was going to land today. As revolutionary as horse drawn power seemed to those farmers, it stands no chance against the technology that is out there today. Machines that run strictly on gas and motors are now the new thing. Some of this new equipment includes tractors, cultivators, corn and grain planters, hay balers, manure spreaders, and so much more.
What I found most interesting was how independent these machines are and how much more efficient farming is now. The Corn and Grain Planter, for example, “…puts the seeds directly into the remnants of the previous year’s crops without having to till or plow the soil (Cattlemen’s Association).” Also the combine has defiantly helped out farmers work load. It takes “…the entire plant…through the combine; the kernels are separated from the plant stalks. The kernels are stored in a large tank while the stalks go out the back of the combine onto the ground…when harvesting corn, the combine pulls the cob from the plant, separates the kernels from the central cob, stores the kernels in the tank and deposits the waste cob out of the machine (Cattlemen’s Association).” Men used to spend days just harvesting a mere five acres of corn, but now they have machines that are so advanced that they could easily beat out any old time farmers.
I had the opportunity to interview a local farmer, DJ Janke. On his farm, they plant Pioneer soybeans and corn. I asked him how long it took to harvest five acres, to compare it to the day and a half it used to take to harvest corn. “Less than an hour,” he said, “And we have nine hundred acres of the stuff (DJ Janke)”. That’s while using a…“$260,000 combine, ripper, dragger, planter, drill, and tractor. They take up a lot of gasoline, so most people don’t keep track of that. They just pay for it (DJ Janke)”.
Other new technologies coming to farming are actually a blast from the past. Organic farming “…has become one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture. Organic foods now occupy prominent shelf space in the produce and dairy aisles of most mainstream U.S. food retailers.” Organic foods are being bought at a higher rate than ever before. So fast in fact, that organic farmers have a hard time keeping up with demand and often fall behind (USDA). “Organic farming…promotes the health of both consumers and the environment…Organic farming excludes the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and genetic engineering (Achoo!).”
Yes, unfortunately farmers do use a lot of chemicals in their crops today. Modern farming, or monoculture, uses all sorts of pesticides and fertilizers that are loaded with a variety of chemicals to help grow as many crops as possible. Most importantly to know is that when you eat a product that was made with these chemicals, a small percentage is going into you and being absorbed by your body (Achoo!). There are also problems with irresponsible farming, which hurts the environment. This includes erosion, taking of wildlife habitat, and dirtying rivers and streams.
All in all, farming has been an extremely important occupation throughout the world since the beginning of civilization. Even though it started out rough, technological advances in the 1800’s helped improve the lifestyle and techniques of farmers everywhere. Modern farming has become incredibly advanced with all of its machines and gadgets. Minnesota will always be a state where farming is not only a way to provide food, but a part of daily life.
Works cited will be included in a later post.
Farming has been vital to human beings since the beginning of civilization. Not only do we need it to provide food for ourselves, but, for some, to make an income, and it helps to boost the economy. Farming in Minnesota is, and almost always has been, a major career for many. Starting in the 1800’s though is when technology began to play a big role and improve the lives of farmers throughout the state.
But let’s start with how people came to Minnesota in the first place. The earliest known settlers were Frenchmen who came to Northern Minnesota in the 1650’s. Shortly after these explorers, a man named Daniel Greysolon went to Duluth and held a meeting with the Dakota Indians near Mille Lacs. Here Greysolon successfully claimed the region for King Louis the fourteenth back in France. There were many opportunities for exploring, fur trading, and missionaries who came to Minnesota during the two centuries before its statehood (Advameg).
Technique wise, farmers were pretty old fashioned. In the 1700’s, oxen and horses were used to drive wooden plows. All sowing and cultivating was done by hand, using hoes, sickles, and flails. Crops too were a new thing in Minnesota. The first crops grown were from the Native Americans, including maize, tomatoes, pumpkins, grapes, and cotton. Then came a wider variety from Europe, such as clover, small grains, and more fruits and vegetables (New York Times).
In 1820, the new Land Law allowed purchasers of public land to buy eighty acres for only a $1.25 per acre. The farm population continued to grow from there, with farmers making up sixty eight percent of the labor force in 1839. Even though their percent in the work force continued to go down, their population continued to increase by at least 2,000,000 every five years across the nation (New York Times). Immigrates and settlers from eastern states contributed a lot to that population during 1845-1855 in Minnesota (Advameg).
The disadvantages then were that free land was becoming scarce. The Graduation Act of 1854 was then passed to reduce the price on unsold public lands. Also the Homestead Act, passed in 1862, gave 160 acres to any settlers who could work that land for five years. By the 1890’s, most immigrants were becoming farmers. This led to a great rise in the agriculture production, an increase in land cultivation, and an increase in farm specialization (New York Times).
A five finger scyth at Hancock Village, Massachusetts
Threshing rig of C. R. Chrislock, Goodhue County.
Photograph Collection 1880-1889
Location no. SA4.6 r70
Negative no. 45655
John Deere Sulky Plow
Though all this technology seemed positive, it made farmers need more money to buy the bigger and better machines, but the inventions kept coming, increasing commercial farming. Some of these new up-and-coming inventions were the grain drill, grain elevator (New York Times), and the mowing machine: “an agriculture machine armed with knives or blades for cutting standing grass…drawn by…horses…” (Free Dictionary). Even irrigation and fertilizers were added to the new list of these many new technologies. 
Clois David Stone on mower. Mag and Tom [horses]
By this time farmers could produce one hundred bushels, that is two to two and a half acres, of corn with a walking plow, harrow, and planting by hand. Eleven to thirteen days were needed to produce one hundred bushels, or five acres, of wheat. This was while using a walk plow, brush harrow, sickle, and flail. The 1890’s were quickly growing in machinery and commercialization. This decreased the labor hours for those two and a half acres of corn to only a day and a half with a two- bottom gang plow, disk and peg- tooth harrow, and two- row planter. Wheat production was also significantly dropped within the century to only two days for five acres with a gang plow, seeder, harrow, binder, thresher, and wagons and horses. Because of this, Minnesota became one the main wheat growing states in the country, along with California and Illinois (New York Times).
Also a major concern was “…discontent grew among Minnesota farmers, who were plagued by high railroad rates, damaging droughts, and a deflationary economy” (Advameg). A man named Oliver Kelley decided that enough was enough and started the National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry. Kelley had a dream to make all farmers equal. He said, "Encourage them to read and think; to plant fruits and flowers, - beautify their homes; elevate them; make them progressive…I long to see the great army of producers in our country, turn their eyes up from their work; stir up those brains, now mere machines ... set them to thinking, - let them feel that they are human beings, and the strength of the nation, their labor honorable, and farming the highest calling on earth (Historic Society).”
"Father" Oliver H. Kelley
Along with their cause was The Farmers' Alliance movement, the Knights of Labor, and the Populist Party (Advameg). The Farmers Alliance movement “…was an organized agrarian economic movement amongst U.S. farmers that flourished in the 1880s. First formed in 1876 in Lampasas, Texas, the Alliance was designed to promote higher commodity prices through collective action by groups of individual farmers. The movement was strongest in the South… (Wikipedia).” It also helped to start the People’s Party, or the Populist Party. This “…was a short-lived political party in the United States in the late 19th century. It flourished particularly among western farmers… (Wikipedia).”
But none of these organizations could have predicted where farming was going to land today. As revolutionary as horse drawn power seemed to those farmers, it stands no chance against the technology that is out there today. Machines that run strictly on gas and motors are now the new thing. Some of this new equipment includes tractors, cultivators, corn and grain planters, hay balers, manure spreaders, and so much more.
John Deere new 30 Series Tractor
What I found most interesting was how independent these machines are and how much more efficient farming is now. The Corn and Grain Planter, for example, “…puts the seeds directly into the remnants of the previous year’s crops without having to till or plow the soil (Cattlemen’s Association).” Also the combine has defiantly helped out farmers work load. It takes “…the entire plant…through the combine; the kernels are separated from the plant stalks. The kernels are stored in a large tank while the stalks go out the back of the combine onto the ground…when harvesting corn, the combine pulls the cob from the plant, separates the kernels from the central cob, stores the kernels in the tank and deposits the waste cob out of the machine (Cattlemen’s Association).” Men used to spend days just harvesting a mere five acres of corn, but now they have machines that are so advanced that they could easily beat out any old time farmers.
This is a high productive modern cultivator with low maintenance costs. Preserves the natural structure of the soil. It is a necessary addition for all agricultural activities.
Another interesting piece of equipment is the cultipacker. Its job is to get rid of dirt clods, air pockets, and press down all stones that get in the way to create a smooth seedbed. Then the rollers make sure that the ground around the seeds is firm (Wikipedia). But if you think that is cool, you will defiantly be excited for this next one. John Deere has just come out with the 4930 Self Propelled Sprayer. “This unit is made for commercial applicators and for large acreage farms…they’ve increased horsepower on the 4930 Sprayer…outfitted it… and designed it to maintain spray speeds in soft or hilly terrain (AgWired).” It is also “… equipped with the GS2 2600 Display, which is preloaded with GreenStar Basics Software, including Parallel Tractor manual guidance, on- screen and as- applied mapping, and full- foundation documentation (John Deere)”. Oh and a system called Load Command. It “…drastically decrease[s] load time by up to 80%. Now with the optional Load Command system, you can fill [with gasoline] a 4930 in as little as three minutes (John Deere)”.
John Deere self-propelled 4930 sprayer
I had the opportunity to interview a local farmer, DJ Janke. On his farm, they plant Pioneer soybeans and corn. I asked him how long it took to harvest five acres, to compare it to the day and a half it used to take to harvest corn. “Less than an hour,” he said, “And we have nine hundred acres of the stuff (DJ Janke)”. That’s while using a…“$260,000 combine, ripper, dragger, planter, drill, and tractor. They take up a lot of gasoline, so most people don’t keep track of that. They just pay for it (DJ Janke)”.
Other new technologies coming to farming are actually a blast from the past. Organic farming “…has become one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture. Organic foods now occupy prominent shelf space in the produce and dairy aisles of most mainstream U.S. food retailers.” Organic foods are being bought at a higher rate than ever before. So fast in fact, that organic farmers have a hard time keeping up with demand and often fall behind (USDA). “Organic farming…promotes the health of both consumers and the environment…Organic farming excludes the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and genetic engineering (Achoo!).”
A sign outside of an organic apple orchard in Pateros, Washington reminding orchardists not to spray pesticides on these trees.
Works cited will be included in a later post.
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