Tag Archives: stella

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 DogsTwo 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

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…

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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

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

survivor dogs

 


With Enough Love All Things are Possible

Survivors, we rarely think of dogs as survivors… we think of cancer survivors, concentration camp survivors, and/or abuse survivors…

But Red, Stella and Ginger are definitely abuse survivors. They are canine survivors of Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels. Each is now living new lives with loving owners in multi-dog homes with staff from the Monterey SPCA…Best Friends Animal Society took in 22 of the dogs and BadRAP and other organizations received the rest of the dogs.

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 matter 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. When Stacy first brought Ginger to work with her at the SPCA, Ginger would hide behind the desk. Ginger had to learn to relax around people. Occasionally, now she goes to work with Stacy and she is a different girl.

Today, Ginger came out of her crate, got treats and greeted me. She stared and there was a slight smile, she sniffed me, and no doubt smelled Cici on my clothes.

A huge photo of Ginger can be seen at the local Pet Food Express store in Carmel. She looks larger than life there, bigger than she is in person.

It is clear that Ginger has received a lot of positive attention by the staff and is totally loved by Stacy.

Ginger has gained 10 pounds and her favorite foods are treats and food from Stacy’s plate. Her favorite toys are the Jelly Ball and toys that dispense treats such as the Kong.

Stacy now has a roommate with a dog and Ginger and the Dutch Shepherd dog play together in the huge one acre yard. Ginger and the cat ignore one another.

“I wanted to foster a pit bull. I’ve always liked them and I didn’t even know that the Michael Vick dogs were here at the SPCA. I received Ginger in November 2007,” said Stacy.

Ginger was chosen for Stacy because the dog was so shy, withdrawn and needed a lot of quiet time and a safe haven that Stacy could give her.

“I hand fed her for a long time, it took a few months for Ginger to trust and eat properly and now she cannot stop eating. She’s at home while I’m at work most of the time. When I get home, it’s play time. She’s had a lot of training including the Basic Obedience course and Pit Bull 101 that is taught by Amanda at the SPCA,” continued Stacy.

Ginger was borderline meaning they were not sure if she would be able to be adopted and live in a home after all she had been through.

“It’s just great to see Ginger act like a dog. There were a lot of first times. The first time she sat on a couch. The first time she ran up to say hi. The first time she rode in the car. Now she’s been to Tahoe and Sonoma. She just got jittery in new situations. But gradually, step by step, she’s coming out of her shell,” concluded Stacy.

Thanks to Stacy and the SPCA who have given Ginger a lot of time, love, and tenderness, she is living a happy new life.

Amanda adopted Red, he’s a very handsome boy with sad eyes who had cancer, it’s in remission. Amanda trains the dogs and teaches Pit Bull 101 at the SPCA.

Jon is fostering Stella, a very exuberant, enthusiastic and friendly girl. They gave me treats to give to this beautiful black and white pit bull and she gobbled them up. Her tail was constantly wagging and she seemed anxious to meet me and the world.

For some dogs, living a dog’s life means happy days, wagging tails and lots of love and treats. Someday maybe even belly rubs. It’s a goal Stacy wishes for with Ginger and we hope it comes true. Cici the belly showoff woofs meaning every dog should have their belly rubbed. At least several times a day.

After meeting the three dogs and watching Cici meet people with her happy smile, trusting, wagging tail and showoff belly floor show, I pray that all of the canine survivors will heal and be able to trust people again.

 

http://www.spcamc.org/rescued-dogs.htm

 

 

sdubuc and ginger

IMGP0935

By the way, watching Georgia on Larry King Live, was really inspiring. She is one of the 22 dogs that Best Friends has given a new life. Here’s the video:

http://larrykinglive.blogs.cnn.com/2009/08/18/from-lkl-meet-one-of-michael-vicks-dogs-that-was-rescued/

 

 

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Filed under keep pets safe, Michael Vick dogs, pit bull