Amy Rogier Klenke got Alabama, a Pit, Boxer and Heeler mix, 13 years ago from the Humane Society while she was in college. Since then, she's only had Pit Bulls and Pit mixes and wouldn't think of owning any other type of dog.
"It is all about how you treat and train your dog," Amy said. "American Pit Bull Terriers and Pit bull type dogs are misunderstood, and they get a bad rap. Any animal can be made mean. I have found that Pit Bulls are very loyal and eager to please their human companions, which helps out with their training. They are extremely affectionate and love to cuddle. They are great with kids, but supervision is key, as with any dog or animal."
Unlike the aggressive stereotype that Pits are often given, Alabama is quiet and reserved.
"In a thunderstorm you will find her hiding under the bed," Amy said.
Amy's other four dogs, Cheyenne, Mugsy, Neva and J.D., like Alabama were all adopted or rescued.
"I have grown up with a respect for animals, and it's alarming to me the amount of people that abuse animals and don't care for them," Amy said.
The Klenke's adopted Cheyenne, a 7-year-old Pitt Bull Boxer mix, to be a companion for one of their other dogs.
"She is the queen bee and keeps all the other 'kids' in line," Amy said. "She loves it when we come home and always meets us at the door with a smile on her face. Although we haven't had her certified, we are learning that more and more Pit Bulls are serving as therapy dogs and are considering having her go through the training and certification."
Before switching to a new medication, Amy's husband Aaron occasionally had absence seizures, a type of seizure that looks like a staring spell or like Aaron was daydreaming, when he was overly tired or stressed out.
"Cheyenne could sense the seizures coming and would go to him, sit with him throughout the duration of the seizure and just let him pet her," Amy said. "It was like she was protecting him and making sure he was OK."
Mugsy is an American Pit Bull Terrier that the Rogiers adopted four years ago as a puppy, and he still thinks he is the baby of the family despite topping the scale at 90 lbs.
"He often thinks he is actually a small dog and wants to sit in your lap," Amy said. "He acts tough, but he is big push over."
Neva is Amy's 3-year-old and an American Pit Bull Terrier.
"We call her wiggle butt," Amy said. "She is always happy and can't hide it. She wiggles her entire butt as she wags her tail. She is by far the happiest creature I have ever met, two or four legged."
The Klenke's most recent family addition is J.D., a 2-year-old Pit, Shepherd and Chow mix.
"We started out fostering J.D. for our favorite rescue group Hope Rescues. We were just going to foster him until he found a permanent home," Amy said. "Well, he found one, at our house. He is a little timid sometimes, but he fits in perfectly to our pack."
Hope Rescues, located in Alton, Illinois, is a non-profit organization that started out as a rescue for pets affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It has a no-kill policy and works to rehabilitate physically and mentally abused animals, promote spaying and neutering of pets and educate people on how to treat animals.
"Kim and Jackie, who run Hope Rescues, are very passionate about the animals they rescue, and they give the animals a good quality life while they are waiting for their forever home," Amy said. "All of their animals are either cared for in foster homes or in a boarding/daycare type facility rather than being in a shelter like environment, and these ladies follow up and check on the animals that they adopt out."
Dealing with the stigmas associated with Pit Bulls has been one of Amy's biggest surprises, but she has been able to show Pit Bulls in a different light.
"People are stunned that we have five of them," Amy said. "When Mugsy was a puppy, he came to work with me every day. We wanted to be sure that he was socialized and used to a lot of different people. People loved him, and they were often shocked with they found out he was an American Pit Bull Terrier."
Amy feeds her dogs Exclusive® and Infinia® pet foods, and she's not only a PMI Nutrition customer, but also a PMI Nutrition dealer, working as the assistant manager at Hamel Co-op in Hamel, Illinois.
Hamel Co-op was established in 1920 by a group of area farmers that purchased the local grain elevator, and it became a Purina Mills dealer in 1944. Today, the Co-op is still owned by stockholders and ran by a board of directors, but unlike other cooperatives, is open to the public, doing business with both members and non-members. Working at Hamel Co-op since 2003, Amy has become an expert in feed and seed. She also maintains the Co-op's website, writes their newsletters and hosts an Ag Trivia contest on a local radio station.
"As a pet owner, I am not comfortable selling someone a feed that I would not feed my own pets," Amy said. "I love the Exclusive® and Infinia® products because they are made with natural, wholesome ingredients. They are very palatable and my dogs dig into every feeding. I love knowing that my dogs are getting a nutritious meal without the fillers that are often used in other pet foods. Also, because my dogs' bodies utilize the food better, there is less waste to pick up."
Not having any kids, Amy admits that she and Aaron treat their dogs like their children and spoil them rotten.
"Our Pits are part of our family. They love to have human contact and interaction. They love to go jogging with you just as much as they love to lie next to you on the couch and watch your favorite TV show. If you don't want to spend time with your pets, this is not the type of dog for you," Amy said. "We love coming home to them no matter how our day was, good or bad. They meet you at the door with a smile on their face and a wet slobbery kiss."
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