Meet Social Media Sensations Kaya and Norman (My Two Pitties)

I am very excited today to introduce you to Rachel Goldstein of California, who has graciously agreed to be our guest blogger. You may know her better as MyTwo Pitties on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Blogger.

Thank you so much Rachel for taking the time to write this phenomenal post and for all you do to promote a positive image of our favorite breed. 

Without further ado, meet Rachel, and her pets including Kaya and Norman, better known as My Two Pitties.


Kaya and Norman are my two Pit Bull mixes...pit-mutts as I like to call them. But how did they come into my life and change it forever?

I first became interested in Pit Bulls after spending a long year pondering my new dog. The one I would get as soon as I had saved up enough money to move out of my parents house. Any dog lover who spends time on the internet will come across the many many articles about Pit Bulls. I'm not talking about the sensationalized sad stories that lack facts, knowledge and common sense. I'm talking about all the ones about Pit Bulls being service dogs, Pit Bulls saving their families lives from fires and intruders, Pit Bulls cuddling with babies, Pit Bulls & cats, Pit Bulls overcoming great adversity and abuse to remain loyal, loving and trusting dogs. All that wrapped up in an adorable dog package. Playful, goofy, affectionate, big fat heads & pointy ears, unique colors, giant smiles & wiggly butts. 

Once I was on the dog hunt my only search criteria on Petfinder was Pit Bull or pit mix. I fell head over heals for a little mini tiger puppy at the San Francisco shelter. I adopted Kaya with only an airbed and a pile of clothes in my new apartment but it was just perfect. I found out later that Kaya came from a man trying to sell a litter of Pit Bull puppies in a Target parking lot. A nice couple convinced him to hand over the litter so that they could find responsible homes through the shelter. 

Only a month after I brought Kaya home, I started fostering cats so that she would be socialized from a young age. She adapted quickly and I nicknamed her "The Cat Whisperer" because she was able to turn even the most scaredy of scaredy cats into a dog lover. 

Kaya was a dream at home but so over-eager with other dogs when we were out. I worked hard on her training but it was clear she needed a dog friend. There was no doubt in my mind that I would want another Pit Bull or pit mix. I thought it would be a tall order finding the right match for her. But there he was. Norman was a stray puppy who found himself in a crowded city shelter. Like Kaya, I fell for him the second I laid eyes on him. They adored each other from the start and they've been best friends ever since. 

We've also added Gina, the cat, to the family. And she is die-hard in love with Norman. Several times a day she starts purring like crazy, cuddles up close to him, then proceeds to knead on his neck and "nurse" on his lips. Norman never minds. He barely seems to notice. And she quickly falls asleep afterwards, curled up with her guy.

Norman is also a certified therapy dog. Several times per month we visit a local hospital and spend time with their patients. Norman is really in his element there. He's slow as molasses to learn new tricks but he's got incredible intuition. He knows when to put on a show, wiggling his butt, flopping over for belly rubs, vigorously licking outstretched faces. And in an instant he'll switch to standing like a statue with his head on someone's knee. He always seems to know what people want and need. He gives everyone there his whole heart. I swear he makes a checklist when entering a room so that no one is left out. One day he laid like a (giant) baby in a teen boy's arms. "I think he's staring into my soul, " the boy laughed. 

I often don't know what a difference we've made until we're leaving. The staff will tell me about how withdrawn or sad or upset a patient was until we came. Norman is also the first Pit Bull to join their therapy group. They were thrilled to have him and I think he's left quite an impression. Even one of the fellow therapy dogs has a huge crush on him. Norman sneaks him kisses between humans. I've also received countless comments from patients and staff about how they were always scared of Pit Bulls or convinced they were dangerous but not anymore. It's been such an incredible experience! 

More than anything I love taking my dogs places. On most days we go off leash hiking in the hills. We also love going to parks and beaches. Kaya and Norman love other dogs and meeting new people. Kaya is obsessed with fetch and Norman is obsessed with playing with puppies and little dogs who love big dogs. I've explored so many places I would have never seen if it weren't for them. And met so many great people. My dogs are far more outgoing than I am! 

Please feel free to follow us on Instagram @mytwopitties! We're also on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Blogger under the same name. 

Thank you Sue for inviting me to write a guest post for your blog and it goes without saying, thank you for all the amazing things you do for Pit Bulls!

And we here at www.loyalpitbulllove.com/ thank you Rachel for being our guest this week!