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Story: This photo taken on the Newport Beach pier. The pier was crowded

with a lot of very young kids running around. This pit bull was tied up while

its people fished next to it. I was sort of fascinated by the proximity of the

kids and the dog. A woman came up to talk to this man about where he got

the dog as she was interested in one. The dog didn't like that and lunged at

her but thankfully was tied up. I had a hassleblad with me and knelt down

as I wanted to explore where the pooch's boundary was in terms of its

personal space. I sort of inched forward, with the camera to my eye and

then the cut little pit bull noticed me and turned to me and stared. As I was

waiting for it I snapped this picture. It captures something, perhaps that

moment when the dog was deciding if I was a threat, or perhaps a meal.

I've always been drawn to this photo for that reason because I think it subtly

captures the potential primitive reaction brewing. I was sort of concerned

that this dog was brought to a place with so many kids running around.

An excellent photo at just the right moment to catch this poor dog's plight.  I know dogs, I love dogs and this dog's posture, along with the darting eyes and the laid back ears tell me this dog is frightened and uncertain.  The stud collar tells me this dipstick owner is the problem, not the dog.  I have friends with a rescue Pitt Bull that suffered terribly and is now the most gentle of dogs... Mike 

Thanks ML, Fear yes, and often fear begets rage.  I just thought it a bit dodgy to bring that dog to that place with all the kids running around.