Four Feet Tall & Rising

Luigi Francis "Shorty" Rossi, the tough-talking, fedora-wearing star of Animal Planet's hit show Pit Boss,
may stand only four feet tall, but that hasn't stopped him from living
large, becoming a successful businessman and an outspoken advocate for
pit bulls, the most misunderstood dog breed in the world.

A
third-generation dwarf, ex-gang member, and ex-con, Shorty knows what
it's like to be misunderstood, and in this candid memoir, he shares his
personal story for the first time. No one expected Shorty to live, let
alone succeed, and yet he has, overcoming challenges from an
abusive home to the violent streets and gangs of South Central LA, to
the notorious cell blocks of Folsom Prison where he was imprisoned for
attempted murder.

After 10 years, 10 months, and 10 days behind
bars, Shorty gained his freedom and the chance to put his
entrepreneurial and negotiation skills to the test. He cut the ribbon on
his own business, Shortywood, with three goals: to turn his life
around; act as a talent agent for little people; and establish and fund
charities that advocate for, rescue, and place abandoned or abused pit
bulls into safe homes. In the process, he became a reality-TV star.
Now, with Hercules, his rescued pit bull and newly trained service dog
by his side, Shorty continues to save pits from the basements and
backyards of breeders and abusers while taking on new and even bigger
challenges. And nothing is gonna stand in his way.

Shorty Rossi is four feet tall—and rising.