Miami Outlaw
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BY TERENCE CANTARELLA
- Bailey after Terence Cantarella took him in. (Photo courtesy of Terence Cantarella)
Terence Cantarella takes in a stray and battered dog–a pit bull. It’s illegal to have a pit bull in Miami-Dade. The dog is also kind of crazy. Cantarella tries to find a way to get rid of the dog that sits well with his conscience. It doesn’t quite work out.
The pit bull ban in Miami-Dade may be reversed. The Florida Legislature is discussing bills during their 2012 session that may veto any laws outlawing a specific breed of dog.
This is Terence Cantarella’s second personal essay for Under the Sun. His first story was “Rosa’s Corner” which he performed at our live Lip Service show.
The songs in this piece are by “Waterfall” by Raffa & Rainer and “You Give me Problems about my Business” by Gainesville’s The Mercury Program.
- BEFORE: This is what Bailey looked like when Cantarella first met him. (Photo courtesy of Terence Cantarella.)
- AFTER: This is what Bailey looked like after he’d lived with Terence Cantarella. (Photo courtesy of Terence Cantarella.)
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Terence Cantarella reads the true story, “Rosa’s Corner,” at our Lip Service show.
Excellent story. I wish it would have had a happy ending.
This is one of the most heartbreaking stories I’ve ever heard. I was driving to work when I was listening to NPR (WLRN) and heard this story about Bailey the pit-bull dog. I cannot stop crying…:(
I listened to this heart breaking story on the way home from work in the car, then played the podcast to my twin daughters (11) when I got home. It’s so sad, and they wanted to know what happened to Baily, but we’ll never know.
3 yrs ago, we rescued a crazy boston terrier named Dibbley, and some days I have regret. Never again though after hearing of Baily’s plight.
Definitely a “driveway moment” story for me (ie was late to work, listening in the car). Successfully fought back the tears but can’t shake Bailey from my head.
We are fighting this ban…please join us to help
The way Bailey’s story was told brought tears to my eyes, as well as to my SO ( significant other)
Being an altruistic dog person I so much identify
with the strong bond you and Bailey shared.
THANK YOU.
I volunteered as a pet pal at the Broward Humane Society and I know they have a dont ask/dont tell policy but have some peace knowing that they have a wonderful clean facility with a very fast turnover in finding homes for pets. There are so many big hearted volunteers there I wouldnt be surprized if one of them took Bailey in. If that is not the case and he had to be put down just remember you gave Bailey the best 6 months of his life and if it had not been for you he never would have experienced love like that.
It almost broke my heart to hear this story. I even cried a little. 3 years ago my faimly rescued a crazy dog named Dibbley who is great with humans but is mean to other dogs just like Baily. Sometimes its hard to own a dog that is crazy as this. But after hearing this story I will never regret it. I am wondering what happened to Baily after you dropped him off at the human society but we will never know. This was a very heart warming but very sad story.
What a powerful and heartbreaking story. It’s almost impossible to listen to without shedding a tear. Thank you for sharing your story.
I’m not sure what kind of friend won’t go down to a shelter and adopt a dog for you so that you can take it home. What a sad story.
It’s great to find an expert who can explain things so well.