Tag Archives: ginger

April 25, 2016 · 8:47 pm

Nine years: the good, bad and ugly

Nine years ago today 51 terrified, traumatized, and unsocialized dogs, who had been forced to fight or were used as bait dogs, were rescued from Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels in Surrey Virginia. Normally, these dogs would be held as evidence and eventually humanely euthanized. But in this groundbreaking case, it was decided, due to the request of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, BADRAP, and other loud animal loving voices and the agreement of the judge, that these dogs would be individually evaluated to see if any of them could be saved and rehabilitated.

From Jacqueline Bedsaul Johnson (she and Kevin Johnson adopted Ray)

“Each dog was to be tested for dog aggression as well as human aggression. It was hoped that two or three of the 49 surviving dogs (two died while in care) would be deemed salvageable. Imagine everyone’s surprise when all but one of the dogs showed at least some degree of ability to be rehabilitated.

“One dog, who had been bred and fought repeatedly, was just too emotionally and physically damaged to try and save. She was humanely euthanized. The remaining 48 dogs were dispersed to 8 different rescue groups for adoption, rehabilitation or sanctuary. 22 of the most damaged dogs were sent to a sanctuary to begin working towards recovery and eventual adoption.

Forty of these dogs have been adopted and are now living in loving homes with kids cats, and other dogs. Dogs like Cherry Garcia, who just had one leg amputated, Handsome Dan, Little Red, Mel, Layla, Curly, Jhumpa Jones, Jonny, Oscar, Uba, Iggy, Audie, Zippy, Stella and Ginger. I was lucky to have met Red, Stella and Ginger and their guardians a few years ago at the Monterey SPCA.

https://celiasue.com/2009/08/22/survivor-dogs/

Some of the dogs have become therapy dogs, agility champions and emotional support animals. Others have gone to the Rainbow Bridge including Red, Lucas, Leo, Jasmine, Georgia, Hector (and his brother Wallace, who was not a Victory dog but an unwanted shelter dog who became a world champion disc dog), Ray and others.

“These dogs were victims, not criminals. And because of their bravery and loving nature they have taught us all so much. If dogs like these – dogs who were trained, fought and abused – can become loving family members, how can anyone say that Pit Bull-type dogs are inherently dangerous? It just doesn’t make sense.

“Dogs that are seized are now routinely assessed for rehabilitation. There is no longer a belief that these dogs are somehow responsible for the life that was forced on them. That they are damaged goods, better off dead.”

“In the coming days, many of the adoptive families of the dogs rescued from Bad Newz Kennels will be traveling to Virginia to what is now known as Good Newz Rehab Center. In the field where once our dogs were chained, trees will be planted to memorialize each of the dogs. Each tree will have a plaque listing the dog’s name and their family’s name.

“This is not a media event, but a private ceremony and pilgrimage for the people who have loved these incredible dogs. Vicktory Dog Oscar‘s mom Rachel and artist/writer Levity Tomkinson of the Re51lient Project have designed a t-shirt to commemorate the event, and to help raise money for the families traveling to honor their dogs.

http://barkpost.com/good/michael-vick-most-infamous-dogfighting-anniversary/

A movie about the dogs called The Champions” premiered in 2015 and has been screened at festivals and events around the country. It’s also available for purchase online. Directed by Darcy Dennett, the film follows six dogs from unlikely survival to adoption. The film has won awards, including People’s Choice for Best Documentary at the Denver Film Festival. Pit bulls are banned in Denver.

http://celiasue.com/2015/10/15/victory-dogs-film-the-champions/

A word about The Re51lient Project: 51 Paintings of the Dogs Rescued from Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels. The Re51lient Project is an art advocacy project that combines Levity’s signature style pop-art painting and positive, emotionally driven writing.

She aims to promote a highly positive image for pit bull and pit bull type dogs, dogs rescued from fighting rings and to show others that if these dogs can triumph, love, forgive, continue forward and just simply be happy, then we as humans have the ability to wake up every morning and do the same. These dogs shows us the potential that we all have and provide a palpable inspiration and hope that we can change our lives.

Levity is the proud momma to a pit mix, Rinlee, (who incidentally is the reason that she began painting dogs in 2010). She has followed the stories of the dogs rescued from Bad Newz Kennels. Rinlee is the reason that she began painting “Dog Pawps” which twas the artistic foundation to create The Re51lient Project.

“Dogs are as close as we can get to perfection here on Earth,” says Levity. “They are these little hearts and beings and spirits that every day, they do their best. That’s all they know how to do. They love infallibly  I feel like with these dogs in particular, all of the feelings and traits are magnified even more because they have been exposed to more than any living being ever should, but look at them. They are beautiful, they are happy, they’re forgiving, they love. They’re re51lient. That have changed the world and have the ability to cause more change, simply by being them. They have certainly changed my life.

“These dogs will be remembered with love, with reverence, appreciation. They’ll be remembered with tears, both happy and sad. They will be remembered in every dog rescued from a fighting ring that has been given, is being given or will be given a chance to be evaluated and seen as an individual. They will be remembered by not only their lives, but by the lives of the other dogs that they saved.

“These dogs deserved a chance at life. People finally had the chance to see that dogs rescued from fighting rings have every right, just as any other dog, to be seen as individuals. Because of these dogs, other dogs rescued from fighting rings, both large and small, have been given the chance to be seen simply as dogs and therefore, given a chance at the lives they always should have had.

“These dogs absolutely have set a precedent in how dogs from fighting rings are evaluated. They truly changed the landscape and I am so grateful to the people who so deeply believed and worked towards helping others see that these dogs must be treated as individuals,”  Levity concluded.

 

The dogs in their own woofs… words …

Ginger 

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“Today marks nine years since I was rescued from Bad Newz Kennels. Today I woke up snuggled under a pile of covers with a sweet kiss on my nose from mom…life is good.

 

Uba

For my dog (Uba), on this day he went from being a puppy waiting to be a victim of unimaginable cruelty to a puppy actually being mentally and emotionally tortured. This was the day that his emotional well being was sacrificed. The Vick dogs changed the conversation and so, so many dogs are alive today because of them, so I don’t begrudge the world his emotional challenges. Nine years ago today was not the first day my dog felt love. It was probably the first day he was truly terrified.”

 

BADRAP

“The time period between their seizure (April 2007) and release to rescue (October 2007) did damage to many of the dogs from the case. The now-timid Ginger scampered back and forth like a scared feral cat in the back of her kennel, Frodo pressed himself to the ground when the shelter clatter finally got to him (he’s still noise sensitive), and the energetic Uba paced in neurotic figure eights to relieve his tedium. Our stomachs were in knots during the months that this set of dogs was in lock down. While we waited anxiously for the courts to allow us to evaluate, and then, okay their release, we knew the damage done by their impossible conditions could be irreparable in some or all of the dogs.

“…We’ve learned so much from the Vick dogs, and their lessons have changed us forever. One of their biggest lessons though tends to be forgotten in the excitement of their adoption success. We’d love it if every time readers hear of a new batch of victims rounded up from a cruelty case, you would consider the Vick dogs’ long and difficult post-seizure experience and ask, “What’s being done to keep this latest set of dogs comfortable, vetted and sane while we wait for help to arrive?” The answer to that question could make all the difference in whether the cruelty they suffer ends for good the moment they’re seized by authorities — not several months later, after they’re finally released to rescue.

“NOTE: With all due respect to the incredible people who came together to seize the “Vick dogs” in April 2007, we will be celebrating the five year anniversary ‘happy style’ in October — on the date that the federal courts finally waved them out of the shelters and onto freedom. What a HAPPY day that was!”

http://badrap-blog.blogspot.com/2012/04/vick-dogs-five-years-post-seizure-has.html

 

Little Red enjoying the sunshine

 

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Handsome Dan

“Because so many people worked to save us, went to bat for us, took a chance on us, and gave us the tools to learn how to live in the human world, the climate has now changed for dogs like me rescued from the horrific world of dogfighting. They are no longer victims, now they can be survivors. Until dogfighting is no more, we will continue to fight for the survivors.

“I owe so much to my special friends Nicole Rattay (the first person I learned to trust on the other side), Rebecca Huss (my court appointed guardian), Donna Reynolds and Tim Racer (for your hard work and granting me my name), John Garcia (for so much, including advocating for my move to Best Friends and all the one-on-one time), Betsy Kidder (my first mama), Kristi Littrell (for finding my family), Crissa and Damien and all of my other caregivers, Cherry Garcia (my first playmate), Little Red (my first roommate and girlfriend), Ann Allums (for bringing me home) and countless others who helped me find my way. Thank you from the bottom of my big pittie heart, from me and my mama!”

 

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Handsome Before when he was known as Hanover 22

 

 

After with his dear friend Cherry Garcia and mama Heather who operates an animal rescue organization named after Handsome

 

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Cherry Garcia now

 

Cherry-leg-7

Cherry’s brother Novi when he saw CHERRY, first thing he did was count his legs ‘1, 2, 3; Cherry has 3 legs now and he is awesome!’

To watch Cherry’s recovery and all of his adventures that will follow, you can ‘like’ his Facebook page.

http://barkpost.com/cherry-vicktory-dog-amputation-champion/

 

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Filed under adoption, animal rescue, animal stars, badrap, best friends animal sanctuary, pit bull, Uncategorized, Vicktory dogs

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October 12, 2012 · 4:43 pm

Yes, Vick has a dog

maybe the world is coming to an end…

“…’As a father, it is important to make sure my children develop a healthy relationship with animals.’

‘I want to ensure that my children establish a loving bond and treat all of God’s creatures with kindness and respect,’ he added.

‘Our pet is well cared for and loved as a member of our family.’

‘This is an opportunity to break the cycle. To that end, I will continue to honor my commitment to animal welfare and be an instrument of positive change.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2216448/Michael-Vick-gets-dog-children-develop-healthy-relationship-animals.html#ixzz292K3Movf
It is a travesty of justice for M. Vick to have a dog. Why? Read The Lost Dogs book by Jim Gorant.

Vick served time for the federal charges of “Conspiracy to Travel in Interstate Commerce in Aid of Unlawful Activities and to Sponsor a Dog in an Animal Fighting Venture.” And, while his participation in dog fighting and the death by hanging of some of his dogs was a sentencing consideration, he did not serve time for animal cruelty.  He should have been. Should have been banned from animal ownership EVER again.

“You would have to have something deeply wrong with you not to be thoroughly disgusted at the prospect of Michael Vick taking in a pet dog. Decent people feel that this man — who did not merely run a dogfighting ring, but personally hanged dogs, drowned them and beat them to death — should be prevented from getting anywhere near an innocent creature. If I had my way, I’d keep him away from human beings.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/douglas-anthony-cooper/michael-vick-and-the-huma_b_1976502.html

“Vick and two associates, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips, “thought it was funny to watch the pit bull dogs belonging to Bad Newz Kennels injure or kill the other dogs.” The report also states that the trio executed approximately six dogs by hanging and drowning. The hanging deaths occurred “by placing a nylon cord over a 2×4 that was nailed to two trees located next to the big shed.” The men drowned the others “by putting the dogs’ heads in a five-gallon bucket of water.” Dogs that didn’t perform well were killed. Family pet dogs were placed in the fighting ring as trained pit bulls “caused major injuries” to the pets. And these are just a few of the acts of brutality that Vick participated in.

“Michael Vick tortured many dogs over and over for years. The horrors that these animals were subjected to are unimaginable. And now Vick owns a dog. Do you think someone capable of committing so many unspeakable acts of cruelty against animals can change? Do you think Vick should own a dog?”

http://www.examiner.com/video/new-book-released-on-rescue-rehabilitation-of-michael-vicks-dogs

Who would give him a dog? What have his children been taught?  I hope we are wrong for the sake of the new puppy but we have seen no real repentence, and heard no real apologies.  Does not bode well that Vick kept owning a dog a secret, unwilling to bear the public scrutiny, until he was outted with a twitter photo. We don’t know where the dog came from, its age, its breed or even its name.

“Best Friends is often asked if we think Vick should be allowed to own another dog. While his eligibility for dog ownership is a matter of law, imagine, if you would, what it would be like reading through a potential dog adoption application from Michael Vick:

  • Have you had a dog before? Yes
  • If yes, how many? Lots
  • Do you still have a dog(s)? No
  • If you have had dogs in the past, please let us know their current disposition. Dead or confiscated by federal authorities.
  • If you no longer have other dogs, please let us know what happened to them. Some I sold to dog fighters, some I had my cousin electrocute or shoot, some I personally strangled, drowned or body-slammed to death.
  • Why do you want to get a dog at this time? Because I served my time and kids want a dog.

OK, thank you, Michael. We’ll get back to you on your application.”

http://blogs.bestfriends.org/index.php/2012/07/20/michael-vick-dog-adoption-app/

 

http://jeromiewilliams.com/2012/10/25/humanewatch-org-releases-full-page-attack-against-michael-vick-vick-is-not-amused/

“…the pit bulls Vick once owned are making a comeback of their own, though theirs has been a much slower, steadier climb.  Take the case of Little Red. Three years ago, she would race to the nearest corner and cower, her face buried against the wall, at the sight of any human or dog. Or Ellen, who would growl at anyone who came near her, especially if they dared glance over at her food dish.

“Both dogs had such bad problems, experts said, they’d be better off dead.

“These days, though, Little Red wags her tail a mile a minute and is almost inseparable from her new, best buddy – a cattle dog mix named Google. And Ellen, a tannish-brown bundle of energy, still loves her food but loves her visitors even more – smothering them with kisses as soon as they walk through the door.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/31/michael-vick-dogs-pit-bulls_n_816246.html#s232910

Jasmine, Ellen, Sweet Pea, Hector, Uba, Lucas, Georgia, Oscar, Zippy, Teddles, Handsome Dan, Ray, Gracie, Harriet, Ginger, Leo, Little Red, Jhumpa Jones, Mel, Cherry Garcia, Stella, Red, Squeaky Jean, Audie and Jonny Justice.

Vicktory Dogs video

http://www.badrap.org/vick-dogs

“Despite spending 19 months in prison for running an illegal interstate dog fighting business, Vick hasn’t expressed a shred of empathy toward the dogs he brutalized and killed. And rather than talk about the horrors of dog fighting, he has consistently chosen to focus on the consequences of getting caught. In a nutshell, his actions are self-serving. We’ve seen little remorse and even less compassion. And let’s not forget, he caused unspeakable suffering to hundreds of innocent dogs. Frankly, the ASPCA has serious concerns about Vick’s ability to be a responsible pet parent.”

Blog Hop time…thanks to Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  grab the blog hop code

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Filed under animal abuse, ASPCA, badrap, best friends animal sanctuary, canine rehabilitation, children and dogs, dog fights, dogs, keep pets safe, lost dogs book, Michael Vick dogs, pet blog hop, pit bull, Uncategorized, Vicktory dogs

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April 25, 2012 · 3:14 pm

Happy Vicktory dog day

On April 25th, 2007, police served a warrant in Surry, Va. The day before, Michael Vick’s cousin, Davon Boddie, was arrested on drug charges and listed the house as his address. The police and animal-control officers found 66 dogs and what appeared to be a dog-training complex of dark-painted buildings in the woods just behind the house owned by M. Vick. Police obtained another warrant and seized the dogs.

This photo is of the dogs rescue from the property. Thankfully, there were people who began the fight for the V Dogs lives. And thus began the journey for a collective group of dogs who would change the perception people had of pit bulls and fighting dogs and the laws that would one day open doors for countless dogs worldwide.

It all started on this day in 2007.

Happy 5th year anniversary to all of the Vicktory dogs, their pet guardians, foster parents and trainers, all of the folks who have loved them and been with them every step of their amazing journeys… BadRap, Best Friends, Our Pack, Monterey SPCA and others, the dogs could not have made it without ALL OF YOU.

http://vdoglittleengineblog.blogspot.ca/2012/04/fifth-anniversary-week.html

If you have not read the book about these dogs, it is time to honor the dogs by getting a copy of The Lost Dogs by Jim Gorant and reading it or giving it as a gift to your local shelter, a friend or loved one. This book will warm your heart and uplift your spirit. Yes, there are a few rough paragraphs to get through. But in the end, the story is one of tremendous courage, triumph and spirit. Against all odds, despite PETA and the Humane Society and others insistence that the dogs be euthanized, most of the dogs have not only survived but are thriving in homes with other dogs, cats, children and continue to inspire others. Eight of the dogs have become therapy dogs, visiting sick people and reading with children, have won awards and given the key to the city. A few of the dogs have passed onto the Rainbow Bridge. Some of the pet guardians do speaking engagements and events. And a few have rescued other pit bulls who needed love and homes, too.

For Audie, Cherry, Danimal, Ernie, Frodo, Georgia, Ginger, Grace, Halle, Hector, Iggy, Jasmine, Jhumpa, Jonny J, Leo, Little Red, Mel, Oscar, Red, Squeaker, Stella, Teddles, Uba, Ziggy  and all of the other brave dogs…

Oscar just passed his CGC. He is an official Canine Good Citizen and is now eligible for adoption (has a pending home).

http://vickdogsblog.blogspot.ca/2012/04/35-years.html

Ginger having her cake and eating her Happy cake, too…

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3907957623896

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.221902831154547.66494.131735993504565&type=3

 

What have you learned from these survivors of cruelty? How has this landmark case influenced your views on evaluating victims of cruelty? What have these dogs taught you about the importance of “seeing the dog, not the story?

http://ifdogscouldtalk.tumblr.com/post/19764825743/see-the-dog-not-the-story-this-is-excellent)

Blog Hop time…  thanks to Life with Dogs,Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  grab the blog hop code…

3 Comments

Filed under adoption, all you need is a dog, All you need is love, animal abuse, animal books, animal rescue, animal stars, badrap, best friends animal sanctuary, dog rescue, dogs, end dog racism, end dogfighting, lost dogs book, Michael Vick dogs, pet blog hop, pit bull, Uncategorized

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April 18, 2012 · 2:01 pm

a pit bull hall of fame

Why Breed Discrimination/Breed Specific Legislation is just plain WRONG…

a pit bull in Denver…

http://vimeo.com/39597705

heartfelt letter re: Denmark’s breed bans (25 breeds)

http://kenzothehovawart.blogspot.com/2012/04/open-letter-to-mette-gjerskov.html

a special tribute to the Vicktory dogs from our friend Nikhi and Logan… please share with Ellen DeGeneres to encourage her to bring a few of them on her show to share them with the world, to open hearts and minds…  Imagine Ginger Girl, Hector, Cherry Garcia, Jhumpa Jones and others on Ellen, thanks.

and here is a pit bull upside down clown, seems that Cici is not the only one who spends much of life Belly UP…

http://stubbydog.org/2012/04/the-upside-down-clown/

Also, don’t forget that Patrick’s abuser’s new hearing is set for April 19 (tomorrow), prayers needed.  Is anyone in NJ going there?

To All: No progress with the Kisha Curtis Criminal case today as the time was spent on AHS’s third (3rd) Brief / Motion that was filed about one month ago, again seeking custody of Patrick. As with the first two requests this was also denied by the Judge who ruled it premature. Patrick will continue to stay with the Scavelli’s until the conclusion of the Criminal case and at that time the Court will rule on Patrick’s permanent custody which the NJSPCA believes should be the Scavelli’s. The next Court date will be posted here when we get it. Capt

Wordless Wed. blog hop, here’s the code….

1 Comment

Filed under bigotry against dogs, blog hop, breed specific laws, dogs, ellen degeneres, end dog racism, end dogfighting, lost dogs book, Michael Vick dogs, Patrick, pit bull, polka dot discrimination, prejudice against dogs, Uncategorized

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February 21, 2012 · 3:35 pm

Planet Dog EATS hit the spots

Cici loves her cookies… and I love giving her treats that are good for her, wheat free and eco friendly.  But Cici can be picky about “healthy” snacks and will sometimes sniff her nose and walk away. But NOT the new Planet Dog EATS. Planet Dog EATS hit just the right spots for me and my polka dot girl. Cici loves the crunchy munchy texture and would eat a whole box in one sitting if I let her do so.

Planet Dog EATS is a line of premium and healthy dog treats made by their new local baking partner, Polka Dog Bakery in Boston, MA. The rough, crunchy surface and composition of the new treats supports daily tartar control. Made in the USA with all-natural ingredients, Planet Dog EATS  are playful bone-shaped treats that easily break into smaller pieces for portion control and for placing inside all sizes of Orbee-Tuff toys. 

There are three ways to use Planet Dog EATS: 

Praise good behavior… Good dog!

Play: Insert into interactive toys   

Perform: They can also be used with Planet Dog’s new On the Go Snack Sack® for “ready-to-reward” ease. 

Planet Dog EATS are wheat, corn and soy-free and contain no wheat gluten.  

The new line features two flavors: Chicken & Pumpkin Pot Pie and PB & J.

 

The Chicken & Pumpkin Pot Pie Flavor treats naturally support digestion thanks to the high fiber content found in Pumpkin. It is also a natural remedy for stomach ailments, including constipation and mild diarrhea.  It is packed with beta carotein, high in vitamins C, K and E and an excellent source of potassium, magnesium and iron.  Feeding pumpkin to a dog can help lower their risk of cancer, cataracts and heart disease.  And because it is low in both fat and calories, it is an excellent food substitute for dogs with weight restrictions.

INGREDIENTS: barley flour, rye flour, chicken, pumpkin, canola oil, ginger.

The Chicken & Pumpkin Pot Pie treats also feature Ginger, a perennial herb that has potent anti-inflammatory properties, stimulates digestion and enhances the immune system.  Research has shown that ginger lowers blood cholesterol by reducing cholesterol absorption in the blood and liver.

The PB & J Flavor treats offer powerful antioxidants thanks to real Maine blueberries and peanut butter.  Blueberries can help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and digestive problems and they are also a great source of fiber.  The presence of brain stimulating vitamins in blueberries can help keep senior dogs sharper, while copper, zinc and iron help boost and maintain a healthy immune system.  Peanut butter is also loaded with antioxidants as well as protein and basic carbohydrates.  The peanut oil in peanut butter contains omega fatty-acids which help reduce bad cholesterol that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

INGREDIENTS: barley flour, rye flour, peanut butter, blueberries, cinnamon.

Planet Dog EATS are sold in a recyclable, 12-ounce virgin craft cardboard box. You can buy them online at http://www.planetdog.com, by calling Planet Dog toll-free at 800-381-1516 or at retailers nationwide.

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Filed under dog toys, dog training, dog treats, dogs, four paws up, Made in USA, product review, Uncategorized

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November 18, 2011 · 2:46 pm

tips for traveling dogs

This Thanksgiving, 42.5 million people are expected to hit the road to visit family and friends, according to AAA.  You can visit our Pet Travel Tips page for an overview of the way that Cici and I roll. And want ideas about where to go, be sure to visit our Free Guide to Pet Friendly Cities (places we’ve visited and recommend). But here are a few more fun pet travel tips for pet owners traveling with their dogs this holiday season.

Cici and  I suggest:

If you travel frequently with your pet, you may want to put towels, seat covers and/or sheets over the car seats to stop the fur from flying all over the place.  Bergan’s travel seat protectors can help.  I’ve also seen dog seats (like car seats for kids) that you can get although we’ve never tried any of them.

It’s also a good idea to bring pet food in a plastic storage bin to keep food fresh. And I always carry a pet travel bag for Cici filled with her items (toys, treats, green first aid kit including Bach Flowers Rescue Remedy, aromatherapy oils such as Lavendar and more). And if you are into hiking with your dog, there are backpacks for dogs to carry their own weight.

Now here’s a word from other dog travelers:

From Lucy Postins, CEO of The Honest Kitchen: (Cici loves Keen pet food)

Adding a small amount of dried ginger or ginger tea to a light meal before you depart can  be beneficial for pets who are prone to sickness in the car. Some dogs do better if they fast right before hitting the road.

I have three dogs…90 lb, 75 lb and a 40lb that travel three times a year

between Minneapolis and Denver with me . I do several things:

1. they all wear their seatbelts which attach to their harnesses, and to

the actual seatbelt. Without those, they’d be all over the place.

2. We listen to either classical music or Through a Dogs Ear music. Both

really settle them down and lull them to sleep.

3. We stop at dog friendly parks where there is a gated area and they can

RUN. Just walking them on the leash doesn’t cut it.

4. When it’s dark, they just go to sleep. But if I’m trying to do it in a

day I use Happy Traveler, which is an herbal mixture my vet recommended.

That also keeps them very relaxed. (it’s chamomile, hops, etc)

5. I don’t give them rawhides or too many treats. Driving makes them very

thirsty, and those make it worse.

Tips from Bart the Dumpster Dog

 www.bartthedumpsterdog.com

I suggest crating the dogs in the back of the car or tethering them or at least providing some Kong-type toys to occupy them.

www.thatmutt.com

www.runthatmutt.com

Sap:

Dog appeasing pheromones can be spritzed in the air. Also

available as a plug in outlet or as a dog collar (there is a kitty

version as well). This is the stuff the mommy dog emits to the

puppies. It can be helpful in stressful situations (one of my dogs is

storm phobic).

Carsickness:

Some swear by gingersnap cookies. Others like the Calming Cap by

Premier Products (which lowers the visual stimulus for the dog). One

owner showed me how she would just put a puppy potty pad in the crate

with the dog to make her clean up easier. If you go this route, carry a

zip style bag to seal off the pad and something like Nature’s Miracle

really cuts the smell.

BRING ME:

a favorite toy, bed and a couple of treats. I like to teach “place” on

a dishtowel. I can bring the towel, do a quick review of the command in

a new place and the dog understands that all the rules from home, apply

here too.

Abby Harrison

Sit Dog Stay

Houston TX

When traveling with a dog to visit relatives who might be a little

squeamish, win them over with wonderful treats like a Doggie Candle or a

Doggie Room Spray or some kind of all-natural aromas with a

pet-friendly twist and the wonderful thing is that when you get them from

Soap Hope, all the profits go to lift women from poverty. They make a

great housewarming gift for your travel host, especially since the gift

note says “Every dollar of profit from this gift will empower a woman to

defeat poverty.”

time for our weekly Pet Blog Hop thanks to Life with Dogs,Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  Grab the code and hop away…

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Filed under AAA, aromatherapy, au natural dog, blog hop, dog toys, dog travel, dog treats, doggie bags, drive, driving, Happy Thanksgiving, K9 travel, keep pets safe, pet blog hop, pet travel, Uncategorized

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October 22, 2011 · 1:49 pm

happy pit bull awareness day

a very special howdy and happy from the Vicktory dogs, and Nikhi Cormier, who created these wonderful photo tributes to these very fabulous ambassadors for the breed… these former M. Vick dogs started off at the Bad Newz Kennels and were given a second chance … and now they are Loving Their Lives… eight have become therapy dogs, most have been adopted and are living in homes with other dogs, cats and kids… Fifty plus fantastic ambassadors for the breed we love…and of course there is Little Red, Leo, Jonny Justice, Mel, Audie, Squeaker, Georgia and all the others not pictured here…

http://animoto.com/play/j82WcK0obVRrbPxd60UzhQ

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1855815841972

4 Comments

Filed under All you need is love, animal abuse, dogs, end dog racism, end dogfighting, Michael Vick dogs, pit bull

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July 17, 2011 · 1:38 pm

just dogs, hah…

One time I was in traffic court waiting for the Judge. There was an mean grumpy older black woman sitting on the bench waiting with me. She had a boy perhaps five years old with her. This boy had a light, a radiance, a glow about him and the sweetest smile and personality. I just wanted to hug and kiss him he was so adorable. He could not sit still as children of that age who are normal cannot do. He was full of energy and entertaining and no one minded as he made everyone smile. Everyone but the grumpy grandmother or mother. She said something to him like If you don’t sit down and be quiet, I am going to get the police to lock you up and put you away.  It was a horrible thing to tell a young child and especially a boy who clearly wanted attention and had a loving heart. I told her to knock it off that it was an awful thing to tell a child and I told the boy, she is lying to you. The biotch got mad and humppphhhhed away, tried to threaten me first with a Mind Your Own Business before I tell the police about you.  I was NOT afraid of her idle threats but what about the boy who did not know any better??? What would he believe???   Would he live a life of fear ??? I prayed for that boy for a long time, that he find a better home filled with loving people who would give him the love and attention he needed.

Another time I was in a supermarket going through the aisles when I heard a baby cry. It was not just crying, it was screaming loud and hysterical. Could not stop crying. The father did not know what to do and was trying to shut the baby up in a very crude manner.  I could not walk by like everyone else. I prayed first for healing and angels around the baby and me. I approached gently and asked if I could pray with them.  Miraculously, he said yes. As I prayed, I could feel that the father and baby were calming down and by the end, the crying baby subsided.  I softly suggested to the father that in my experience when babies are upset, it is usually because the people around them, their caretakers are upset. And that if he could just relax himself, that would be help the baby, too. He was very thankful, relieved and happy.

It is the same with dogs as it is with children, pretty much. How adults treat dogs and children has impact, negative or positive.  I don’t know how anyone could say just dogs . Have you ever met a dog, had a dog, or know someone who loved a dog? Do you have a heart?  Eyes to see?

Any two bit bully can scare those weaker than them in size and muscle. But it takes a TRUE HERO to overcome their fears.

That’s one reason it really irks/irritates me when people say they’re just dogs. Twice yesterday, I had to tell people this saying M. Vick killed a few dogs is like saying Hitler killed a few Jews (actually besides the 8 million Jews he killed, there were 6 million Gypsies, disabled, Socialists and others Hitler had killed)… Most people do not know that.

Here are some of the Vicktory dogs. They are not “just dogs” …  They are HEROES in the truest meaning of the words. So when people say they are just dogs, show them these just dogs, proudly, seven of them are now therapy dogs… Pay tribute to these dogs.

Now look at these dogs and I double dog dare you to tell me these sweet innocent loving beings are just dogs. Anyone who says that is just plain ignorant … NO dog is just a dog. And these dogs are the BEST dogs on the planet.  Super dogs who have not only survived horrific abuse of the worst kind but most are thriving thanks to the loving care, patience, and TLC they received from loving people at Badrap, Best Friends, Monterey SPCA, Our Pack, and others and their adopters, foster parents, and other volunteers). These are heroes.

Most of these dogs did not know how to be dogs. They were not socialized, had never been on a leash, never had toys to play with, did not sleep on a bed, were chained up 24/7, they never experienced any affection from humans or been in a car or groomed. They were often terrified of humans and pancaked (lay flat on the ground unmoving) a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, exhibited a freeze response to life-threatening situations. In the wild, animals can make the choice of flight (flee) or fright but their body can make a third choice in extremely dangerous situations, and that is to freeze. Being immobile, they become almost invisible to predators. Not human predators, but other animals. Given that many of these dogs froze at the sight of the dangerous predator humans they knew, anyone with a heart cannot bear the idea of what they went through. The terror that they experienced. Makes me cry and sick to my stomach every time I think about it and I try not to think about it.

So for the record, these are NOT his dogs, he proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he did not deserve them. They are MUCH TOO GOOD. And if anyone deserves AWARDS, it is the heroic Vicktory dogs. For their bravery, for overcoming all of the odds, for letting go of their fear/terrors, for learning how to be dogs, for leaping over their obstacles, and learning to love and forgive human beings. For their service to humanity. For all of the good that they’ve done and for all of the hope they bring to the world.

This book is their story… it is inspiring, hopeful and an amazing read… written like a mystery, I read it in two days, could not put it down.

http://www.thelostdogsbook.com/

This is Jonny Justice, a therapy dog, a reading with kids dog

http://www.parade.com/news/2011/03/14-michael-vick-dog-at-center-of-pit-bull-debate.html

this is Mel, Richard Hunter’s dog…

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/sportatorium/2010/06/one_of_michael_vicks_dogs_find.php

these are the three dogs that I met personally at the Monterey SPCA, Ginger, Stella and Red (now deceased from cancer).

https://celiasue.wordpress.com/2009/08/22/survivor-dogs/

SWEET GINGER

Slide show: where the dogs were in 2010

http://www.parade.com/news/2010/08/15-vicks-dogs.html

Vicktory dogs 2011

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Filed under animal abuse, animal books, animal rescue, animal stars, badrap, best friends animal sanctuary, dogs, end dog racism, end dogfighting, family friendly, lost dogs book, Michael Vick dogs, pit bull, Uncategorized

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June 29, 2011 · 2:40 pm

Honor the dogs

just in case you think that Subway is being unfairly targeted/boycotted… consider this:  I just found this update on the link below that talked about sponsors that canceled but Subwway DID NOT cancel their sponsorship. They sponsored the Michael Vick reality show for the one season that it was on the air and now they “probably” will not sponsor the BET award next year. Meaning, they do not care what we think or how many customers they will lose by sponsoring M. Vick.

JUNE 2011 UPDATE: “The Michael Vick Project” went off the air last year after one season. On June 26, 2011, Vick received the Subway Sportsman of the Year Award at the BET Awards. Although Subway sponsored Vick’s reality show for its duration, a company representative said it was not involved in deciding who won the sportsman award. Due to the large amount of complaints the company has received, the rep said Subway will probably not sponsor the award again next year.

these companies supported Michael Vick’s reality show:  Checkers/Rally’s, hotwire, ford, mcdonald’s, 7up, lysol, subway, buick, KFC, Overture Films

http://www.ilovedogs.com/2010/02/major-sponsors-drop-michael-vicks-reality-show/


www.ilovedogs.com

Fourteen companies pulled their ads from BET’s The Michael Vick Project due to the amount of complaints they received.  Subway was NOT NOT NOT on the list of companies that pulled their ads… Subway has said that they are innocent re: BET awards but there is NO backpedaling from this… just saying… I guess they think we’re dumb and cannot read. well, Subway now what you got to say for yourself. Trying to cover up and LYING is worse than the original offense.

Now some people are starting to talk about boycotting all of the sponsors of the BET awards besides just Subway, to be fair, they want to be equal opportunity dog-cotters. Below is the info about the other sponsors of the BET awards (some, like Subway, were going to sponsor a failed M. Vick reality show too).  Is it enough to just boycott Subway? To single Subway out and target Subway? Is it fair to make local Subway shop owners pay for corporate’s mistake? Are you going to boycott the whole list of companies below?  Curious bloggers want to know.

I was going to post this as a note on Facebook but here I have more space.  It seems that team Vick is busy getting sponsorships lined up. Now for me, I don’t drink soda, nor coffee, do not do caffeine, and am not going to buy a Ford or a Nissan, and have issues with Domino’s because of lousy service (although since I complained, they have definitely made an effort at better customer service) so what do you think?  Are you going to boycott all of the companies who sponsor Vick? if so, for how long? Are you going to write/call all of them?

I admit it, I was angry about last week’s debacle in New Jersey where Vick sold autographs for $150 and 150 insane people actually paid for his signature. And what really ticked me off was that the protesters to this event were cordoned off and away from the store. So when I saw the info about the BET Awards, I was livid. Here we go again, oh no, not if I can help it. And now this boycott has snowballed from zero to more than 15,000 folks signing on board the No Way Subway page and almost 2000 on the Boycott BET page.

Yes, I think M. Vick should still be in jail and not lauded nor honored for anything. And I think that sending a message to these companies wallets/bottomline is important to show that WE MEAN BUSINESS and VOTE with OUR DOLLARS.  That if they want to sponsor sub-humans, they are going to pay a big price for it.  I also think that Chris Brown was an inappropriate honoree for what he did to  Rihanna and that violent video games should not be sold period and most especially not to children. And it seems that this could be a full-time occupation, dogging Vick at every turn.  Is that the way you want to spend your time?

For me, I want to honor the dogs… Sweet Jasmine, Ginger, Red, Stella, Cherry Garcia, Handsome Dan, Hector the Inspector, Georgia, Mel, Leo, Lucas, the little red dog, all of the dogs Vick brutalized and/or murdered. I want to HONOR the dogs. And tell the world about them. Seven of the dogs are now therapy dogs.

Jhumpa Jones just got her therapy certificate!

And many have been adopted to loving families and are living harmoniously, peacefully with other dogs, kids and even cats. For me, the dogs are the HEROES and deserve awards.  Also, their caretakers are HEROES, BadRap, Best Friends, Our Pack, Monterey SPCA and the others who loved and took care of these traumatized (often pancaked, too scared to move, eat or bark) dogs who they socialized, trained, fostered and adopted and helped these special dogs to become good Canine Citizens and the best ambassadors for their breed EVER.

VOTE FOR LEO !

Vote for Leo daily for the SPCA’s Hero Dog of the Year Award for Therapy Dogs. http://www.herodogawards.org/view-entries.html#search/leo

Here he is with his toys. For a dog who didn’t seem to really know what they were when we first got him, he’s got a great collection now!

Instead of dogging Vick at every turn, I want to HONOR the Dogs with Good Positive Publicity.

Ta da, the world famous Cherry (Belly) Garcia and his sister Madison were recently HONORED as STARS in Connecticut at the screening of the Beyond the Myth film about pit bulls.  Here is Cherry Garcia with his pal Titan.  Ok, am going to cry again, Cherry was one of the most abused of the bait dogs at Bad Newz and it has taken his wonderful parents and Madson a long time to help him be able to be with strangers so this film screening and being on TV was a BIG VICTORY FOR CHERRY (he has two facebook pages, one Cherry Garcia, the other Victory 4 Cherry).  How could ANYONE WITH A HEART look at that sweet face/eyes and hurt him????  Am soooo proud of this sweetheart of a dog.   He melts my heart. Cherry is the black dog on the left, in case you did not know and Titan is the white dog on the right.

Vick can go you know what, you know where. And he will get his in the end. I believe in karma. you sow what you reap. And he’s reaped plenty of really bad karma and the more accolades being thrown at him, the more money, fame, more awards he gets truly are a curse on him although it may not seem like it.  I gotta make peace with that because spending my time and energy on him makes me ill. I had nightmares before and don’t want to go there again.

So where do you draw the line in the sand? How do you decide who is going to be the next company to withdraw your dollars from? How are you going to spend your life, time and energy and dollars?  Just saying… For numerous reasons, for the most part, I don’t buy supermarket brands. I try to be selective as to who gets my dollars. And like with voting for elections sometimes you just gotta buy stuff you don’t think is the best because you just cannot afford the best. For instance, am going to start juicing and eat more fresh produce for my health. and I know organic is better. I also don’t know if I can get all the organic produce I want unless I grow it myself.  Questions to muse/consider and decide for yourself.

Peace out.  Do good.

dog cott everyone… HONOR THE DOGS…

Let the twittering begin! Follow  @Boycott_BET #BoycottBET #nosickvick

V7 – The Official Brand of Michael Vick – Coming Soon…
teamvick.com

Here is the toll free number for leaving a comment for the BET network 1-800-711-1630…

For more than a decade, the BET AWARDS has reigned as the biggest family event rivaling all top awards shows.

I guess the plan then was as TV entertainment for families, for you and your children, here at BET we honor dog killers and women beaters, so that you can see how great it is to grow up to be psychopaths, too…  You too can make lots of money and win awards just like this one.

Read more: http://tv.broadwayworld.com/article/Coca-Cola-Dominos-And-More-Set-As-BET-Awards-11-Sponsors-626-20110625#ixzz1Qdgu5AKZ

the rest of the sponsors include Starbucks, Domino’s Pizza, Coca-Cola, Ford, and more.

Speaking of car companies, now another group is dog-cotting Nissan.

The Rally Against Michael Vick
Well, another Nissan dealer has partnered with Michael Vick – Lynchburg Nissan in Lynchburg, Virginia. Another reason to boycott all Nissan dealers. Nissan USA told me that they have no control over who their dealers do business with but now at least two Nissan dealers are in bed with Michael Vick. I don’t see any other car companies jumping on the Vick bandwagon, buy your cars from those companies instead.

Jeez, how did I miss this, it was on June 10th. But notice the sponsor was Lynchburg Nissan. When I boycotted Woodbury Nissan in NJ for using Vick in a commercial, the parent company assured me it was just a dealership decision. Now another Nissan dealer has partnered with him. Unbelievable.

Michael Vick – Virginia’s Finest Meet & Greet
www.behance.net
Flyers, posters, and billboard to promote “Virginia’s Finest Meet & Greet”, an event put together by V7/Team Vick, sponsoring CVA Elite Youth Football.

Contact info for Lynchburg Nissan
Nissan Dealer in Forest Virginia – LYNCHBURG VA Nissan dealer BEDFORD VA Nissan dealer MADISON HEIGH
www.lynchburgnissan.com
Lynchburg Nissan Forest Virginia 888-691-9608

Contact info for Nissan USA
NissanUSA.com – Contact
www.nissanusa.com

Press Release I Wrote and Sent about ubout Subway Boycott:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

  • $5 FOOT-LONG BOYCOTT BELONGS IN SUBWAY’S MOUTH

You would think that people would learn the lesson by now that the cover-up can be worse than the original mistake. Just ask Congressman Anthony Weiner. But some people and companies apparently have not gotten that memo yet.

Now it is Subway’s turn to learn. The sandwich shop giant contends that they innocently sponsored the recent BET awards and did not know who was being chosen for the Sportsmen of the Year Award (Michael Vick won the award).

Vick was one of five finalists winning out over Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose. Woman beater Chris Brown also won several BET awards.

Subway said this after more than 15,000 now former customers signed onto a Facebook page No Way Subway in a matter of hours vowing to boycott Subway. The dog lovers told Subway in no uncertain terms No Way would Subway get their dollars ANYMORE via email and phone calls.

Just in case you think that Subway is being unfairly targeted/boycotted, consider this:

Subway was one of the companies that supported Michael Vick’s failed reality show:  Checkers/Rally’s, Hotwire, Ford, Mcdonald’s, 7up, Lysol, Buick, KFC, Overture Films were others.

Major Sponsors Drop Michael Vick’s Reality Show

http://www.ilovedogs.com/2010/02/major-sponsors-drop-michael-vicks-reality-show/

Fourteen companies pulled their ads from BET’s The Michael Vick Project due to the amount of complaints they received.  Subway was NOT on the list of companies that pulled their ads. Now what does Subway have to say besides the $5 foot-longs do not contain dog meat.

There is another page Boycotting BET and a petition to get Vick to give back the award.

Ironic that the convicted felon took the honors and Subway got the heat. Not the most well-thought out PR plan for a family food establishment to associate with and pay financial tribute to a well-known dog killer.

Subway Contact Information
Franchise World Headquarters
325 Bic Drive
Milford, CT 06461-3059 USA
Ph: 203.877.4281 -or-
Ph: 800.888.4848

# # #

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Filed under animal abuse, badrap, best friends animal sanctuary, end dog racism, end dogfighting, lost dogs book, Michael Vick dogs, pit bull, Uncategorized

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June 22, 2011 · 4:27 pm

media blame the dogs

My last semester of college, my professor gave me the choice of taking his course on Broadcast News or doing an Independent Study (and do a project). I chose the latter as I had a very busy and full schedule that summer. The assignment was to choose a topic that was controversial and then find articles in newspapers to see how each of them portrayed the topic (this professor and others in the department taught that the myth of objective reporting is a myth and they set out to prove to us that this is true). That broadcast media, in particular, are too busy, and under such tremendous deadline pressure that they often have NO TIME to report the stories they are given. And that each news media does have bias.

Now in the last ten + years that has really become apparent with Fox News. As Jon Stewart joked on the Daily Show, Fox News listeners are lied to on a regular and consistent basis. Fox news listeners are the most consistently misinformed viewers. Fox News turns into a lying dynasty when PolitiFact checks the news network for false statements

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-june-21-2011/fox-news-false-statements

Why do I preface this post with Fox News and media bias? Well, two reasons. Over the weekend, M. Vick signed autographs in New Jersey and people actually paid for his signature while protesters outside were cordoned off from peacefully protesting which led 7Live TV to question whether he was punished enough and should be left alone.

7 Live Should Michael Vick be left alone? Has he been punished enough?

Protesters heckle Vick during an autograph signing msn.foxsports.com

Some of the comments made:

No, read the Lost Dogs Book by Jim Gorant

no, for Ginger, Mel, Cherry Garcia, Red, Stella, Handsome Dan, Little Red, the little red dog, Hector, Jasmine, Jhumpa, Jonny Justice, Georgia, and all of the other dogs Vick tortured and injured who still suffer and for all of the dogs he murdered with his bare hands buried on the property.

When Ginger first came to Stacy’s home, she was 28 pounds, would not eat and hid out a lot behind furniture. She was terrified of people and Stacy had a difficult time getting her to cross any threshold. Ginger had door issues. It didn’t ma…tter whether it was a front or back door. Ginger just did not want to go inside. She’d hunker down on the ground. For some reason, a lot of the dogs had issues with doorways. And it took a long time to get Ginger used to new situations and environments. She would just shake and hide.

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/sportatorium/2010/06/one_of_michael_vicks_dogs_find.php

Mel was used as a bait dog, due to his small size and mild temperament. He was likely muzzled when he was thrown into the ring with other dogs being trained to fight. He was not one of those that Bad Newz Kennels terminated — sometimes by drowning or hanging. But for the first year of Mel’s life, if he saw a human being, it meant something terrible was going to happen to him.

What kind of punishment has he endured? Others who were arrested for shop lifting paid more than he has. He not only engaged in an illegal activity, he murdered innocent animals. If he had come out as advocate against dog-fighting and became a true spokesman for battle against this abuse, gave up his well-paying career, then maybe he would redeem himself in my eyes. He didn’t just make a mistake, he committed a crime, multiple times and with others.

The point is that he committed a violent crime and still pretty much got away with murder. It sends the message that dog fighting is something you can do if you have enough money for lawyers.

Peace, who also was convicted in the case, said there were times he suggested that dogs unwilling to fight be given away, but that Vick said “they got to go,” meaning be killed. The dogs were killed by shooting, hanging, electrocution and drowning, and in at least one instance, according to one of the witnesses, when Vick and Phillips killed a red pit bull by “slamming it to the ground several times before it died, breaking the dog’s back or neck.

No and No! Unfortunately not enough people know the whole truth about Michael Vick and what he did to those dogs! If they took the time to find out the whole story I would hope that it would make them not want to forgive this man! Yes he is a football star but do you want your son to grow up to be like him, torturing and killing innocent animals, I hope not as far as I am concerned anyone who murders dogs for fun has not place in society much less profiting from his celebrity. Would you want someone like him arouond your children?

Dog fighting goes hand in hand with gambling, drugs, prostitution. Many of us will never let go because that is the whole point. Vick did not get the punishment he deserved and he will remain an example of what needs to change in our society. No, Michael Vick should never be left alone for what he did. Not only did he abuse dogs by fighting, shooting, electrocuting, hanging, drowning them but he gave scandal to many youngsters who look up to him. Thus the plague of abuse to pitbulls or some other breeds …burning, cutting, fighting, etc by youngsters in inner city areas. That will last for generations. So as long as pit bulls are abused he should not be left alone.

@7LiveOnline M. Vick should not be made a hero – he is no hero and doesn’t merit the hype being used to clean up his rep.

The ability to activly cause pain suffering and death is not altered by 18 months in prison. If it was…every seriel killer in the world would be simply reformed in prison and then released. No MV needs to live by what he has done just like everyone else. Fame and fortune should not be part of the package.

The only thing this ABUSER is sorry for is getting caught. While in jail his Spin Doctors began trying to restore his image….all for one reason…to play football again. But Hell…we don’t care to punish Priests for molesting children….animals have NO CHANCE for justice! Has he been punished enough for murdering dogs? HELL NO! (See my current main photo! ) He’s getting off EASY because he is a “sports celebrity”!!!!!! He’s still making millions, as if nothing ever happened!

I don’t think he’s sorry at all. He’s just sorry he was caught. after what he did he feels bad cause he can’t have a dog….obviously someone who learned something!!!! Yeah let us forget and move on so he can get a dog….oh his last pet dog he tortured and murdered. Maybe all his supporters can lend him their dog….didn’t think so.

Vick was no casual lets go watch a dog fight one night kindda guy. He was DEEPLY INVOLVED….which means he KNOWS MANY MORE DEEPLY INVOLVED. If Vick ever has the balls to start naming names because he feels his actions are truly wrong….then that POS may start earning back respect. But he ain’t got the character or BALLS to name names!

Vick was not convicted according the Virginia Animal Cruelty laws. Instead he was indicted in Federal Court and pled guilty to one (1), I repeat, one count of “Conspiracy to Travel in Interstate Commerce in Aid of Unlawful Activities and to Sponsor a Dog in an Animal Fight Venture”. Vick pled guilty to ONE count of “Conspiracy to Travel in Interstate Commerce in Aid of Unlawful Activities and to sponsor a dog fighting venture”.

Hardly worthy of the 11 dogs he and company savagely tortured before they killed them and the others used as bait dogs and fighters. I have seen many people say “they were just dogs”. Yes they were “just” dogs. If Vick and co had done to humans what they did to those defenseless dogs, they would be mentioned in the same breath as Dahlmer, Bundy, Manson and the other who’s whos of notorious serial killers.

And one of Vick’s brilliant fans called me a white female dog name and racist because what else could she answer to the facts against Vick…

a few people responded: this has nothing to do with what color Vick is! I would be against him if he was as white a sheet of typing paper! I do not CARE if someone if black or white or purple! I DO care if they mutilate, maim, torture, and abuse animals and Vick IS guilty of all of that and worse. He is piece of crud and should still be in prison. No, he should not be left alone and he has NOT been punished enough!

Also, this weekend Karen Grace / KENS 5 asked if dangerous dogs (pit bulls of course) can be rehabilitated.

She writes:

Children have died in their jaws and police have shot them in self defense.

(no bias showing here, right)

http://www.kens5.com/news/Pitbull-rehab-Local-rescue-group-raising-money-and-eyebrows-with-shelter-proposal-124326739.html

Of course the photo of the dog does not even look like a pit bull… but hey, for sure Karen Grace has never ever met/seen a pit bull and would not know one if she got licked in the face by one.

http://www.noob.us/humor/pit-bull-viciously-attacks-news-anchor/

I wrote to Karen Grace via email and twitter… kgrace@kens5.com @newzdiva and her cohort who said that Ms Grace looked at the issue @SarahLucero

I will also send them this:

http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html

Double dog dare ya to read and/or print this comment… The real question should be can dangerous people be rehabilitated… animal abusers, for instance. dog fighters, puppy mill breeders, people who are cruel to animals, especially pit bulls… who starve them, throw them down the trash, neglect, abandon and/or torture them…

Animal abusers have a long history of abusing animals and eventually HARM HUMANS… and meanwhile they are not convicted, given a slap on the wrist for horrendous crimes against animals and continue to escalate their crimes.  And 5 million INNOCENT pets die every year for no reason other than human beings are lazy and irresponsible.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/magazine/13dogfighting-t.html

And what about psychopaths like Michael Vick who killed pit bulls with his bare hands, tortured them, drowned and electrocuted them and threw his own pet dogs into the ring as bait dogs

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2008/nov/22/vickcruelgat22_20081122-002203-ar-111079/

http://chrisdurant2000.wordpress.com/2011/01/02/michael-vick-was-wrongly-convicted/

and yet IF YOU READ the Lost Dogs book by Jim Gorant, go on Facebook to their pages, the former dogs/pit bulls of Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennel, deemed to be the MOST VICIOUS PIT BULLS OF THEM ALL have been rehabilitated… some are even therapy dogs and others are living in families with other dogs and cats and kids. Dogs like Handsome Dan, Hector, Cherry Garcia, Mel, Ginger, Jonny Justice, Jhumpa, and others who were so traumatized because they were FORCED to fight for their lives and have the scars to prove it are LIVING  EXAMPLES of pit bulls who are truly heroes.

Why not talk to Richard Hunter, right there in Texas, he and his wife adopted Mel, who lost his bark he was so traumatized by Vick et al and is still terrified of people, doing much better than he was, but making progress every day.  Mel just received his own key to the city of Dallas.

http://www.thephillydog.com/archives/3352

Cherry Garcia was just on TV in Connecticut

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/on_air/gmc_weekend/pit-bulls-and-breed-discrimination

Perhaps you should watch the movie Beyond the Myth

http://www.beyondthemythmovie.com

and/or listen to Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan…“My kids are around pit bulls every day. In the ’70s they blamed Dobermans, in the ’80s they blamed German shepherds, in the ’90s they blamed the Rottweiler. Now they blame the pit bull.”    Cesar Millan.  “Pit bulls get a bad rap because of irresponsible owners….”

There is No SUCH THING AS A DANGEROUS DOG…

Pit bulls were raised TO BE VERY PEOPLE FRIENDLY and they LOVE PEOPLE… For over 100 years, pit bulls represented America and these dogs were babysitters (Remember Petey, the Little Rascals dog?)

http://www.ywgrossman.com/photoblog/?p=676

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/program-lets-veterans-and-shelter-dogs-save-each-other/2011/06/21/AGvQ1aeH_gallery.html

temperament testing reveals that pit bulls score gentler than 121 other breeds Temperament evaluations by the American Temperament Test Society have given pit bull terriers a very high passing rate of 90.6 percent. The average passing rate for the other 121 breeds of dogs in the tests was only a low 77 percent.

http://www.examiner.com/animal-welfare-in-chicago/pit-bulls-scoring-better-than-121-other-breeds-temperament-are-gentle-dogs

Now what does all of these have to do with one another? Hmmmm… Could there be a connection? Bias in the media related to pit bulls and Vick getting off easy leads to more pit bulls being fought and abused and children learning the lesson that if / when you are rich and famous, you can get away with murder and the media blames the dogs instead of their Killers… more abused dogs, more dog fighting, more banning of “dangerous dogs” (Breed Specific legislation), more media madness, and on and on and on the cycle goes around. we all know how that goes right, blame the victim, why hold the responsible party accountable for their actions ????  In America, money talks/walks and gets away with murder…

the vicious pit bull cycle revealed…

 

and somehow we were woofing around on Wed. and wound up on a Blog Hop, grab the code here

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