Four Feet Tall and Rising: A Memoir

“In this energetic autobiography, Rossi—a “third-generation Little Person”—tells a fascinating life story, including his early escape from his dysfunctional, antisocial dad; living on the street at age 14 and becoming a legendary white member of the L.A. Crips gang, which led to a 10-year prison sentence; and his postprison career as the head of a talent agency for little people. Through it all, however, runs the thread of Rossi’s relationship with pit bulls, from the first pit that helped him through his tough adolescence to the number of pits he currently owns. Starting with one “spark”—“to convince kids in the projects that pit bulls weren’t dangerous and shouldn’t be used for fighting”—Rossi starts his own rescue service, which allows him to free dozens of pit bulls and develop an in-your-face approach to people who mistreat the breed. This led to his discovery by Animal Planet and his development as a dynamic television personality. But Rossi makes no apologies for his passion: “Dog rescue often turns normal, good-intentioned people into crazy fanatics.”
– Publishers Weekly

“A candid, charged slice of personal history.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Fans of Animal Planet’s Pit Boss will recognize Rossi as talent manager and owner of Shortywood Entertainment and founder of Shorty’s Pit Bull Rescue. Here, he tells his life story—and what a story it is!...Rossi’s riveting account includes prison encounters with Richard “Night Stalker” Ramirez and Rick James, his stint as Alvin at Universal Studios, and dealing with international fame as a reality-television star. Funny and foul-mouthed, Rossi and his book have tremendous appeal.”
—Library Journal