Mark Buehrle gets some quality camp time with dog

Paul White, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

DUNEDIN, Fla. – A good day at spring training for Blue Jays pitcher Mark Buehrle also was a reminder of the downside of his trade to Toronto.

Buehrle had son Braden, 5, daughter Brooklyn, 3, and dog Slater, 2 around the Blue Jays clubhouse today. He won't see a lot of them – Slater for certain – this summer in Toronto.

Slater is an American Staffordshire Terrier – that's according to the American Kennel Club. But the United Kennel Club calls the breed American Pit Bull Terrier and pit bulls are banned in Ontario.

Thus, Buehrle's family will remain in Florida this year rather than leave behind or give up Slater.

The breed distinction is a controversial one but widely enough accepted that Buehrle had to live in Broward County while pitching for the Miami Marlins last season. But that was a county away, not a country away.

Slater was rescued from being euthanized in 2011 by Buehrle's wife, Jamie, and they have been active supporters of animal rescue facilities and adoption programs.

Buehrle recently told USA TODAY Sports he pondered retiring rather than leave dog and family behind.

"I guess I could have retired," he said, though he would have walked away from $48 million on his contract.

"I threw it out there a few times, but my wife said, 'You're an idiot. That's crazy talk.'"

The Buehrles have three other dogs. All are vizslas, a pointer-retriever breed that's welcome in Ontario.