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Wednesday, December 04, 2002

It was a cold, black January night, back in 1998 when the big black and tan dog was spotted in the parking lot of a North Hills shopping center.

"The dog had no collar, its head was hanging down and it had that scared, lost look that tugs at the heartstrings of dog lovers."

I'm quoting, here, from my own writing -- the Feb. 17, 1999, edition of Pet Tales. The column, thanks to the magic of the Internet, has traveled all over the world, and the dog featured in that column has received more fan mail than any dog I've ever written about.

The dog was abandoned or lost by owners who made no apparent effort to get her back. She was found by a woman who made her a high-profile therapy dog. This dog does more than bring momentary joy and solace to adults and children in hospitals and nursing homes. She has become a goodwill ambassador for dogs in general and her breed in particular.

The woman who found the dog, nearly five years ago, knew she was a Rottweiler. The big, powerful breed is feared and even hated by many people. Many people would have driven away. Some would have called police or dog catchers. Judy Gates opened the door of her car.

She looked "relieved and happy" as she hopped into the car, said Gates, who took the dog to her Cranberry home to live with her husband and the family's gentle Labrador retrievers, Brittany and Gypsy.

Gates contacted police and other officials, but no one was looking for her. Gates was surprised, for the dog was sweet and loving with people and other dogs, housebroken and obedience trained.

She named her Carlee -- after Carl, the baby-sitting Rottie in the children's books of Alexandra Day.

Gates was shocked to discover how many people fear and hate Rotties. So she took Carlee to obedience school, got her certified as a therapy dog and set out to prove that Rotties are wonderful.

I met Carlee at a visit to UPMC Passavant hospital in McCandless. She's one of the nicest dogs I've ever met. Her soft, gentle gaze makes eye contact with everyone she meets. She wags her stumpy tail when praised or petted.

Carlee, who is now about six years old, is a regular visitor at the Glade Run Lutheran Services in Zelienople.

Some children are initially afraid of the big black dog, which weighs more than they do, but Carlee wins them over.

Rottweilers have a long and noble tradition. The breed is thought to date back to ancient Rome, where they worked as herders and guard dogs.

The strength and intelligence of the Rottweiler has been harnessed by police officers and search and rescue workers. Rottweilers guide the blind, assist the handicapped and excel in obedience competition.

Rottweilers are loyal and loving pets in the hands of responsible dog owners. Big, powerful dogs in the hands of the wrong people can be a menace. Laws should target bad owners who encourage their dogs to bite and attack.

Laws should not target or outlaw Carlee or the thousands of good Rotties, pit bulls, dobes and other dogs who have harmed no one.

It was rather sad to see how happy Rottweiler owners were to see a positive article about the breed they love. Most reporters write only "bad" stories that imply that all Rottweilers are evil, dangerous dogs, many e-mailers said.

The mainstream media write stories about lawmakers who adopt legislation to ban certain breeds of dogs, e-mailers said. So-called breed-specific legislation is usually aimed at pit bulls. Other targeted breeds include American Staffordshire terriers, bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, Doberman pinschers, German shepherds, Akitas and Chow Chows.

Many dog owners and dog organizations have a saying: "Fight the deed, not the breed."

I wish I had kept a running tally of Carlee's fan mail. I'm sure there have been more than 100 e-mails and letters from all over the world.

The latest e-mail arrived last week from Dave Scott of Richmond, British Columbia, Canada.

"I have a 17-month old female Rott-weiler named Tami who does pet-therapy work. She spends every Tuesday afternoon visiting people with HIV and AIDS. She loves getting hugs from them. I, too, hope to promote the breed for this type of work. Tell Judy she is doing a great job," Scott wrote.

I e-mailed Scott for further information. Here's the story of Tami, whom Scott adopted when she was eight weeks old.

"I have a passion for all animals but love the big working breeds," Scott wrote. "I chose a Rottweiler because of their intelligence and loyalty and also because they are big clowns."

Tami is a member of BC Pets and Friends, a volunteer group that matches well-trained therapy dogs with hospitals and other venues.

"I chose the Dr. Center in Vancouver as it is a leader in community outpatient programs," Scott said. He and Tami decided to work with HIV and AIDS patients "because they are often left out of pet visitation programs" and are often discriminated against -- and "judged on their looks. Ironically, so are Rottweilers," Scott said.