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| (http://www.hollywoodgrind.com/shorty-rossi-served-10-years-in-prison-for-attempted-murder/ ()) |
Shorty Rossi is a four foot tall, foul mouthed pit bull lover, and is famous for the creation of Shorty Wood Productions, his new book (Four Feet Tall and Rising), and Shorty's Rescue. His pit bulls are famous as well; Hercules has his own movie, and stars in his own photo shoots and short films. As a child, Shorty had a rough life: living with his abusive father, then, convicted/arrested for a "gang related shooting" while being eighteen at the time must have taken a toll on him. After release he wanted a fresh start, starring as Alvin in an Alvin and the Chipmunks stage show that took place in Universal Studios. He then made his name well known by starring in countless television shows and performing in live theater acts. In 2000 he founded Shorty Wood Productions, then, founded a pit bull rescue center (Shorty's Rescue) in 2001. Against all odds, Shorty was able to create a safe environment for these infamous dogs, and overcome his difficult past; his passion, selflessness, and justly behavior make him my hero.
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| (http://blowthescene.com/news/pinups-for-pitbulls-interview.html) |
Shorty explains what made him create his pit bull rescue, his passion for the breed, and how judgmental people can be. Rossi's passion for pit bulls increased once he visited L.A.'s North Central animal shelter to adopt a dog: "'I saw a dog, paid for her, and was told to come back in four hours when she was fixed,' he says. 'When I came back, I was told to pick out another dog because mine was actually on death row and set to be euthanized. I threw a fit. Someone suggested I walk out the back door with the dog, so I did. And I've had her since then'" (IntuitiveEnterntainment). His passion to save one dog from death row caused him to steal the dog, shows his determination to save pit bulls. The hatred, intolerance, and lack of respect shown towards this breed at that shelter upset Shorty, and he tied himself to his love of pits, thus opening up Shorty's Rescue. Shorty is opinionated; he likes the dogs' reliability telling citizens that he would rather deal with dogs than people: "Animals are unlike humans-you can trust them. They'll never stab you in the back" (SMOKE). Shorty's passion didn't just pop up after his release from prison. Growing up, he had always owned a pit bull because he knew that they were reliable and dependable; he knew that they will always be there and won't judge him. Rossi didn't give out trust to just anyone, but, he knew that he didn't have to worry about his dogs lying or deceiving him. Why would he do what he's doing for the breed if he had no passion?
Shorty is fair, just, and selfless in any situation relating to pit bulls. The quote explains how Shorty manages the pit bulls he rescued and where they would stay before adopted out: "When Rossi gets a dog, he evaluates its temperament and health, and has it micro chipped. 'If we can't find the owner, we foster it out, and spread the word, 'he says'. We don't have any kennels.' He has an ally in Exorcist star Linda Blair, who runs the rescue-focused World Heart Foundation. 'She helps us take dogs and adopt them out, 'he explains'. Proceeds from Shorty wood benefit Blair's non-profit organization" (IntuitiveEnterntainment). Shorty believes in second chances. Whenever he discovered a runaway or lost pitty, he would rescue them to give them another chance at life. When an irresponsible owner is reunited with a runaway pit, Shorty warns the owner that if the pit wanders away again it could end up in the wrong hands, thus, mistreated or euthanized. Shorty also helps out the World Heart Foundation as payment and thanks to giving dogs a home before getting adopted. Pit bull rescue is no easy task, especially when people out there are passing laws to ban pit bulls from their state or community out of false pretenses: "Its employees work tirelessly to help relieve the suffering of and prevent cruelty to pit bulls through education and activism. Rossi will not only be educating about the myths surrounding Breed Specific Legislation" (Shorty Rossi). Shorty devotes his time to speak to crowds to educate them about benefits of pit bulls; they were once family dogs and companions. The new laws passed since are pointless and inhumane; euthanizing hundreds of family dogs is like banning a certain race of people and killing the ones living there. It's not fair, nor will it ever be. Rossi is just because he works terribly hard to bring justice to the once loved breed. People shun these dogs because blind people have made them out to be pugnacious, fiendish and atrocious creatures. The dog doesn't want to fight; evil people make them fight.
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Rossi helps the community to have a better understanding of the breed by explaining its history and providing personal insight. Shorty pushes the public to fully understand this breeds' personality and not just the stereotypes. Rossi's goal is reshaping the way people think of pit bulls: "'These dogs aren't born to maul or kill, they're taught that by people who don't train them the right way, 'he says.' To prove his theory, he brings his dogs to retirement homes, schools and other spots to promote pit bull awareness" (IntuitiveEnterntainment). Most people go with the misconceptions that the media spreads and judge based off of the false stereotypes others have spread. People have a better understanding of the breed after interacting with the dogs and a new positive outlook on the breed. The dogs don't have a choice in the fighting ring; it's either fight or die. These dogs aren't born fierce; they're born like any other dog. It's the people who make them ruthless. Not only does Shorty help the breed, but he also promotes pit bull reputation by educating the public and spreading awareness: "Besides rescuing the pit bull breed, through positive pit bull involvement in the community, Shorty's Pit Bull Rescue influences a healthy/much-deserved reputation for the breed" (Shorty Rossi). By devoting his time to rehabilitating pit bulls, he has proved to the community that all these dogs want is human companionship. He has helped the public to understand the breed a smidge more than before. These dogs are mistreated and misunderstood, and people have seemed to forget pit bulls once were America's number one family dog. The twisted people who forced these dogs to fight are the ones who have brought a terrible reputation down on the breed and are tainting the way people think; causing the public to judge the breed harshly. Most people who are fearful of pit bulls have either never had contact with the breed or ever been around them, or witnessed a pit bull attack and have only heard the stereotypes. It amazes me how easily the public is brainwashed into thinking that pit bulls are a terrible, fearful breed of dog. He's an amazing advocate, who passionately speaks to crowds of people publicly and on television. He speaks against the law banning pitties from certain states or cities, and educates the public about their friendly behavior. Alike to people, pit bulls can be both caring, and kind or dangerous (it just depends on their experience). Vicious pits don't know any better if their lives and/or experiences have been chaotic.
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Shorty's passion has saved numerous pit bulls, showing his selflessness and it causes him to devote his time to educating the public is being acknowledged, and his justly behavior is making the world a safer place for pits. Rossi's passion, motivation and honesty bring justice to the once loved breed. These dogs have been disowned and banned due to their disgusting owners training them to be vicious. He dedicates his time speaking against the laws that ban pitties from certain cities as well as educating the public about pit bulls' natural behavior. Despite all this, he overcame a childhood filled with danger, which included once living in a jail cell. With courage and determination he did a 360 and transformed himself from an ex-convict into a new person with a bright future, filling his life with good deeds and an important cause. All these factors make Shorty Rossi a shining star, and he has inspired me to work with passion and to never give up because if he could turn his life around, so can anyone else.
Works Consulted
"IntuitiveEnterntainment." 'Pit Boss' Star Shorty Rossi Puts Passion for Pit Bulls First. Intuitive Entertainment, 2010. Web. 10 May 2012. <http://www.intuitivellc.com/20100312>.
"Meet Shorty Rossi." Animal Planet. Web. 02 May 2012. <http://animal.discovery.com/tv/pit-boss/bios/shorty-rossi.html>.
""Pit Boss" Star Shorty Rossi Reads From His Book "Four Feet Tall And Rising" | Neon Tommy." "Pit Boss" Star Shorty Rossi Reads From His Book "Four Feet Tall And Rising" | Neon Tommy. USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, 2008-2010. Web. 02 May 2012. <http://www.neontommy.com/news/2012/01/booking-reading-shorty-rossi>.
"Shorty Rossi Served 10 Years in Prison for Attempted Murder." - HollywoodGrind. Hollywood Grind, 2006-2012. Web. 02 May 2012. <http://www.hollywoodgrind.com/shorty-rossi-served-10-years-in-prison-for-attempted-murder/>.
"Shorty Rossi." Shorty Rossi. Web. 8 May 2012. <http://www.atlantapetexpo.com/events/special-guests/shorty-rossi.html>.
"SMOKE 2011, Issue 4 - �OBShorty� Rossi: Never Coming up Short." SMOKE 2011, Issue 4. Web. 10 May 2012. <http://www.smokemag.com/0411/cover.htm>.
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Last edited 5/20/2012 12:00:00 AM
