It was an exceptionally hot, summer sweltering day when I headed south from Orange County to San Diego to visit a Pit Bull Rescue to shoot video footage for a promotional piece I was putting together. I arrived at It’s the Pits just before noon and was greeted by Beth Gruff, the owner and founder.

 Having Pit Bulls in common, Beth and I talked for awhile. We spoke of rescued dogs we were both familiar with, other rescue organization we both knew and had worked with, and shared our common feelings and love for the breed. We spoke of advocacy, breed specific legislation practiced in Denver, CO and other breed ban cities around the U.S., and some of the many larger hoarding and abuse cases that most Pit Bull advocates know of. After awhile, it was time to meet the dogs.

One of the first things I noticed about the dogs and where they were being housed was the lack of any signs that dogs were present. Yes, there were kennels and a few dog beds here and there, but… unlike most rescues, shelters, and animal control facilities I have visited; there was no smell, there were no flies or stench of bleach or urine. There were no ear-wrenching squeals or excessive barking. The living conditions of these dogs was immaculate… bordering on sterile.

I met Roger the tripod, I met Chloe and Boo, and I met Sunny. Each dog was more friendly and social and the typical bully clown than the last. The dogs were very happy and balanced, had no visible signs of any medical needs, they were clean and well groomed, and just a pleasure to sit on the floor and socialize with. Like most well balanced Pit Bulls, each made it a point to present me with their favorite toy. Beth and I chose some good spots to shoot video and take photos of the dogs. Each was more than willing to sit with her as I ran my typical battery of questions and captured her answers.

As I ran video and listened to Beth speak about the dogs, their stories, the rehabilitation the dogs receive coming into It’s The Pits, etc… I noticed something truly inspirational. Without exception, each of these dogs were genuinely happy and content to be with Beth and in her care. The level of trust, the sense of comradery, a feeling of “a home” was more than obvious. Likewise, I got the same feeling from Beth being near these dogs. The only words that truly capture what I witnessed are “pure” and “harmony”. I feel we live in a very cynical world and that afternoon was a break from that world… if for only a few hours.

 Now several days after my visit to the rescue and the launch of the video, I don’t think I do It’s The Pits justice or serve the purpose of the video without sharing my very positive and heart-warming experience with the rest of the world.

 I, myself, am a three-time Pit Bull owner. I have walked the walk of rescue and transport. I have seen and taken dogs from death’s door step. I have witnessed and taken an active role in giving a dog a second chance at life. I have protested and fought for the rights of my dogs and Pit Bulls everywhere.

 In a nutshell, I am versed on these dogs, their ill-gotten reputation, what some bad people have made of these dogs, and the never-failing ability of this breed to trust and love again.

Should the tragic day come that I either leave this world or have to give up my dogs, I can think of no one else or any other place than Beth Gruff and her team at It’s The Pits.