Sports Illustrated Report on Michael Vick's Dogs

[SaintLouieWoman]

A friend on one of my greyhound boards posted this link to this month's Sports Illustrated articles on what happened to the Michael Vick's dogs. Some of it is hard to read, but it is a testimony to the ultimate good in both people and the pit bulls. It's a long read, but well worth it.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/magazine/12/22/vick.dogs/index.html

Here's an excerpt from the last page of the article. I marvel at the power of dogs to somehow forgive the terrible treatment inflicted by the worst of the human race. I read an article in a greyhound magazine about the greyhounds in Spain who are used for hare coursing. At the end of the hunting season, those despicable humans hang their dogs in the pine trees. I wouldn't even travel to Spain if they gave me the trip because of their total cruelty toward animals. We're bad enough in the US with our treatment of fighting dogs and racing greys. The redeeming factor is the group of dedicated people who try to right these wrongs.

In the end, 47 of the 51 Vick dogs were saved. (Two died while in the shelters; one was destroyed because it was too violent; and another was euthanized for medical reasons.) Twenty-two dogs went to Best Friends, where McMillan and his staff chart their emotional state daily; almost all show steady improvement in categories such as calmness, sociability and happiness. McMillan believes 17 of the dogs will eventually be adopted, and applicants are being screened for the first of those. The other 25 have been spread around the country; the biggest group, 10, went to California with BAD RAP. Fourteen of the 25 have been placed in permanent homes, and the rest are in foster care.

Still, it's Jasmine, lying in her kennel, who embodies the question at the heart of the Vick dogs' story. Was it worth the time and effort to save these 47 dogs when millions languish in shelters? Charmers such as Zippy and Leo and Jonny Justice seem to provide the obvious answer, but even for these dogs any incidence of aggression, provoked or not, will play only one way in the headlines. It's a lifelong sentence to a very short leash. PETA's position is unchanged. "Some [of the dogs] will end up with something resembling a normal life," Shannon says, "but the chances are very slim, and it's not a good risk to take."

Then there are dogs like Lucas, who will never leave sanctuary because of his history as a fighter, and Jasmine and Sweet Pea, who will never leave their Recycled Love families. "There was a lot of discussion about whether to save all of the sanctuary cases," says Reynolds, "but in the end [Best Friends] decided that's what they are there for. There are no regrets."

BAD RAP works out of Oakland Animal Services, where above the main entrance is inscribed a Gandhi quote that dog people cite often: the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

"Vick showed the worst of us, our bloodlust, but this rescue showed the best," Reynolds says. "I don't think any of us thought it was possible to save these dogs -- the government, the rescuers, the regular people -- but we surprised ourselves."

Jasmine doesn't know about any of that as she sits on the back deck of Stirling's house. Stirling kneels next to her, gently stroking the dog's back. "I used to think any dog could be rehabbed if you gave it food, exercise and love," she says, "but I know now it's not totally true. Jasmine's happy, but she'll never be like other dogs."

It's quiet for a moment, and the breeze blows a shower of brown and red leaves off the trees. Then Jasmine turns, looks up, and licks Catalina's face. It is the sweetest of kisses.

[Eupher]

Compelling story, SLW. Thanks for posting that.

On Animal Planet (I think), there's a program that features the rehab center in southern Utah referred to in the article.

They do a fabulous job with the Vick dogs.

While I'm not a pit bull fan, I can't handle the idea of mistreating any animal. Breeding dogs for fighting is even more unacceptable.

I think God will have a special place in Hell for Vick and his cronies.

[SaintLouieWoman]

Compelling story, SLW. Thanks for posting that.

On Animal Planet (I think), there's a program that features the rehab center in southern Utah referred to in the article.

They do a fabulous job with the Vick dogs.

While I'm not a pit bull fan, I can't handle the idea of mistreating any animal. Breeding dogs for fighting is even more unacceptable.

I think God will have a special place in Hell for Vick and his cronies.

Agree with you. I wish they somehow would get a sampling of the treatment they gave their dogs.

I've been to that Open Door Sanctuary in Utah. It's near Kenab, Utah, not too far from either Zion or Bryce Canyon. It's a beautiful place run by very good people. One of the greyhound groups is headquartered in Kenab and the people from Open Door give tours to those attending their event and also help with it.

It makes you feel good to see how caring those people are and the good work that they do.

[Hawkgirl]

Great story.  I am glad there are good people out there who care so much to give animals a second chance at a normal life. 
Animal Cruelty is right up there with Child Abuse.  Abusing the defenseless is beyond my comprehension. Abortion, though legal, is the biggest travesty of all.

[Eupher]

Agree with you. I wish they somehow would get a sampling of the treatment they gave their dogs.

I've been to that Open Door Sanctuary in Utah. It's near Kenab, Utah, not too far from either Zion or Bryce Canyon. It's a beautiful place run by very good people. One of the greyhound groups is headquartered in Kenab and the people from Open Door give tours to those attending their event and also help with it.

It makes you feel good to see how caring those people are and the good work that they do.

Drove through Kanab many a time on treks from Salt Lake City to Phoenix, and return. That's an area of southern Utah that has had a lot of film work done. It's so freakin' remote, there's no danger of filming telephone lines, power cables, even freakin' contrails from jets (assuming you're filming a western!) 

[SaintLouieWoman]

Drove through Kanab many a time on treks from Salt Lake City to Phoenix, and return. That's an area of southern Utah that has had a lot of film work done. It's so freakin' remote, there's no danger of filming telephone lines, power cables, even freakin' contrails from jets (assuming you're filming a western!) 

That's why I like it---it's so remote. The Best Friend's Animal Sanctuary is in the midst of the red canyons. Had dinner with probably 100 or more hounds and their people in a natural amphitheater supposedly some sacred site. They showed greyhound movies in the old fashioned little movie theaters. It was so cool to see the hounds lounging in the aisles of the theater, grabbing any popcorn that fell on the floor.

Most of the old movies like Stagecoach and the Josie Wales with Clint Eastwood were made there. Also the old Lone Ranger tv shows were filmed there. It's like stepping back in time. I love it.