Following the death of her beloved furry sibling, a senior Labrador named King, Gigi was left feeling despondent and sorrowful. With her companion gone, she also faced the pain of loneliness.
Her owner, Aaron Michael Louis, believed that taking Gigi to the park for social interaction would alleviate her emotional distress, but the reactions from other dog owners were far from supportive.
Time and again, people steered clear of Gigi, preventing their dogs from engaging with her, which resulted in her having to entertain herself alone once again.
This situation was devastating, as all Gigi desired was to join in on the fun with the other dogs.
Comprehensive Pittie Bias
Unfortunately, Pit Bulls frequently bear the brunt of misunderstanding and negative stereotypes that portray them as dangerous with a more powerful bite than other breeds.
Nevertheless, a journal article titled: Pit bulls and prejudice[1], published by the American Psychological Association, clarifies that “scientific studies have proven these stereotypes to be untrue.”
Yet, the bias against Pit Bulls remains prevalent in society, and both Gigi and Aaron have experienced this firsthand.
“I took Gigi to the park in hopes of socializing her. People kept avoiding her. They didn’t want their dogs near her, so she played all by herself. Watching my dog miss out on having fun with other dogs made me feel so sad,” Aaron shared with The Dodo.
Even during walks, Aaron noticed people crossing the street to steer clear of them. “I don’t get upset or angry because in my mind, I think, ‘They don’t know us.’ They’re acting on assumptions without having met us,” Aaron reflected.
Sadly, Gigi isn’t the only one who suffers from this ugly bias.
Aaron has also faced his share of stereotyping.
“People have commented that I fit the stereotype of a typical Pit Bull owner,” Aaron remarked.
Although he has owned various dog breeds throughout his life, Pit Bulls hold a unique place in his heart.
Prior to Gigi, Aaron cared for a Labrador Retriever named King for fifteen years. Recognizing King’s advancing age in 2021, he decided it was time to welcome another dog into his life.
“I met Gigi, instantly captivated by her sweetness and kindness. Bringing her home was like forming an instant connection between them,” Aaron reminisced, sharing that King passed away shortly after. “The first month or two post his passing were particularly challenging; I not only lost my first adult dog, but she also lost her only sibling.”
Both of them went through profound grief, which eventually forged a closer bond between Aaron and Gigi.
Bully Breed Meet & Greet
Determined to address the harmful biases affecting his beloved pup, Aaron took action.
He initiated a movement he refers to as the “Bully Breed Meetup.”
The inaugural meetup took place in his home city of San Diego, where both he and Gigi felt a mix of excitement and apprehension.
Initially, Gigi was uncertain about the gathering, but as more dogs arrived, her enthusiasm visibly grew.
Finally, she was able to enjoy playtime with her canine peers.
“Witnessing Gigi’s personality flourish, the affection that radiates from her, the joy in her eyes when she meets her pals… We’ve fought against a lot of negativity but continue to embrace love,” Aaron shared on an Instagram post.
What began as Aaron’s effort to uplift Gigi’s spirits has evolved into a much larger initiative.
Both Aaron and Gigi have become avid advocates for Pit Bulls, boasting a robust social media presence that highlights the gentle nature of these dogs.
So far, they’ve organized numerous Bully breed meetups in the San Diego area, with many more planned for the future.
“The most rewarding aspect has been witnessing these dogs flourish in that environment, discovering their comfort and happiness alongside their humans,” Aaron stated.
For more educational and inspiring content, follow Gigi on Instagram, as well as her dad, Aaron, who jokingly refers to himself as Gigi’s assistant.
References:
[1] Duberstein, A., King, B., & Johnson, A. R. (2023). Pit bulls and prejudice. The Humanistic Psychologist, 51(2), 183–188. https://doi.org/10.1037/hum0000259
