Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my dog, Jovi. I miss her more than I ever imagined I would. She was taken from me during a difficult chapter in my life, but thankfully, she’s now with my son. Safe. Loved. Hopefully still licking everything in sight.

The Truth About Pitbulls

When people hear the word pitbull, many immediately flinch. The breed has carried an unfair reputation for decades, largely due to the dogfighting resurgence in the 1980s and the media’s relentless sensationalism that followed. Pitbulls, often a term used for the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Bully, became the media’s favorite villain. But the reality is clear. It’s not about the breed. It’s about the environment, the training, and the heart of the owner.

Pitbulls are loyal, affectionate, and highly intelligent. They thrive in homes that offer love and stability. While they are physically strong, their temperament is largely shaped by their upbringing. Sadly, many of the dogs blamed in attacks are misidentified, and “pitbull-type” incidents are often over-reported. Meanwhile, the millions of loving, gentle pitbulls go unnoticed by headlines.

Why Pitbulls Are Misunderstood

Some owners are drawn to the breed’s tough image and raise them for intimidation. When trained for aggression, any breed can be dangerous. But this behavior says more about the human than the dog.

It’s true that pitbulls are muscular and can inflict damage if provoked. So can many other large breeds. The problem isn’t their jaws. It’s the way we judge them based on misinformation and fear. Breed-specific legislation continues to harm dogs and families, punishing animals for their appearance rather than their behavior.

The Jovi I Knew

Jovi the Dog wouldn’t hurt a soul. The only thing she ever came close to injuring was her own tongue from licking everything in sight. She was a proud, persistent licker. I once tried to keep a list of everything she licked in one week. It included the TV remote, game controllers, the handle of my coffee cup, the inside of my sneaker, and even the refrigerator door.

She wasn’t marking territory. She was spreading love.

Jovi was more than a pet. She was my shadow, my confidant, my emotional support before I even knew what that term meant. She followed me everywhere. Always watching. Always ready to play or simply sit in silence. When I would finally relax for the night, she’d curl up next to me and rest her head on my lap. That was her favorite place in the world. And mine.

Dogs Are More Than Family

Dogs don’t just live in our homes. They live in our hearts. Their love is unconditional. They don’t disappear when things get hard. They don’t judge. They don’t manipulate. They love you exactly as you are. Every single day.

We treat dogs like family because they are family. In today’s world, with people feeling more isolated and disconnected than ever before, dogs have stepped into roles once filled by extended families and tight-knit communities. They give us purpose. They make us feel needed. They remind us that we are never truly alone.

The Songs We Sang

I used to sing songs to Jovi. Silly songs. Nonsense melodies I made up on the spot with no rhyme or reason. She didn’t care. Her head would tilt. Her tail would wag. Her eyes would light up. She loved those moments. And so did I.

I think about her a lot these days. I found a few of those “goofy” and impromptu songs I would sing to her on my phone the other day. Buried away with lots of other sound bites from “brighter” days.

I wonder if she still remembers these songs? I wonder if she misses me. I know I miss her.

Jovi wasn’t just a dog. She was a heartbeat beside me. A loyal friend who brought calm in the middle of chaos. A gentle soul who never asked for anything but love. And she’ll always live in the quiet places she once filled.