Before Fia came into our lives, my family had negative experiences with several other family dogs with human aggressive tendencies. A yellow lab tried to bite the face of my brother when he was two years old. A border collie tried to bite anyone who came within two feet of me when I was a baby. A Wheaton Terrier mix repeatedly bit my father.

These were all family pets.

One night my father was working late in the middle of downtown Atlanta and spotted a very young, malnourished brindle pit bull. Not wanting to call animal control, he brought her home to get her fed and bathed. We were told she would not stay in our house for long.

Fleas were jumping off her back and ticks were bulging out her ears. My father laid a towel in her crate and told none of us to touch her.

This was the first time any of us had come in contact with a pit bull.

When we woke up the next morning, Fia was nowhere to be found. We walked upstairs to my brother’s room and found her sleeping with him in his bed, fleas and all.

Fia wasn’t going anywhere.

The months following our adoption of Fia were just as much of a learning experience for us as they were for her. We taught her how to sit. She taught us how to be patient. We taught her how to play with other dogs. She taught us to not judge.

Her firm, but friendly demeanor kept other dogs in line. Her firm, but friendly demeanor kept us in line.

With a city ordinance banning pit bulls, we knew we would have to be careful. Walks were now more structured, doors were always double checked and she was introduced to humans and dogs with great care.

We started researching the breed, their behaviors and the stereotypes. We were prepared, if the time ever came, to be her biggest advocate.

We had no idea she was ours as well.

Fia became our protector, cuddler and best friend. When each of us started going off to college, one of the hardest parts was leaving Fia. But the minute we returned, she was the first one to welcome us back.

Fia set an example that would result in years and years of pit bull advocacy and many rescued dogs for our entire family.

And I can’t help but think she knew what she was doing all along.