Aiden came to the veterinary clinic I work for as a stray because the city pound had unsuccessfully tried for 3 months to find him a home. He had stayed with us at the clinic for a little over a month.  He was not my dog, but I do claim him.  I would go back into work almost every evening after hours and take him on long walks or to the local dog park, which he loved.  I didn't mind in fact I even loved having him drool all over my new leather interior of my small sports car.  He was a great rider and loved to have his head out the window.  He was a well trained dog, very intelligent and obidient also.  Along with being very graceful and handsome.  The only problem was, he was a pit bull.  For some reason, people cringe when they hear that breed's name.  They have done nothing, and I know several people who agree with me, its the way the owner trains the dog.  

I tried for several weeks to find him a home, and couldn't.  Everybody had their reasons, including me.  I live in an apartment where pets are not allowed.  My parents have no yard and already with two small indoor dogs.  Their neighbor-afraid of pit bulls(go figure), my uncle not home enough to let him outside, a friend of mine just had a baby and also has a rottweiler that, "does not play well with others," my grandparents don't want dogs and basically said I was stupid to grieve over a dog that wasn't even mine.  My boyfriend a farmer, found out too little too late.  

I've been through countless euthanasias at work, but this one bothered me.  It got me where it counted, I hadn't cried through a euthanasia since my own dog in '98.  I literally lost it.  I feel that I did what I could but it wasn't enough.  In fact I'm a big church attender, and I skipped church on Aiden's last night on earth to run him in the dog park.  Hours before it happened I sat down with him and explained how it was going be, he was still happy, and when I started to cry there was a still innocence in his eyes that I will NEVER forget.  I decided to save his ashes and put them at the dog park.  My co-workers, knowing how close I was to Aiden, saved his leash, collar, adoption picture and poster for me.  I made a promise to him before he left, and that was, I will always remember him and I vow someday to own a pit bull (plan on naming it A.J. aiden jr.) to train it right and attempt to help their breed's reputation.  I love you Aiden!