When I started this blog about pets and news items related to animals almost two years ago, I decided to avoid writing about cruelty. Believe me, there is a story on the wire reports every day about someone doing something horrific to an animal. I prefer to concentrate on positive stories that help pet parents.
There is clearly a connection to Michael Vick in this area from his college career at Virginia Tech. So the story of his conviction on charges of operating a dog fighting ring has been well-covered in our newspaper and on this Web site. I have written about Vick a few times on this blog, about his potential book deal and return to the NFL, but mostly I have tried to share stories about the dogs rescued from his fighting ring.
I watched Vick's mea culpa with James Brown on CBS' news show "60 Minutes." I cannot speak to his sincerity because I do not know this man's heart. He did declare responsibility for his actions, but a few things bothered me. He talked about what he did "to the animals." I would have rather heard him specifically say "dogs." It's important to me that he acknowledges what he did to dogs, most commonly known as loyal pets.
It also seemed like a cop-out when he said he failed to step up and be a leader to end the horrors inflicted on these dogs. I have a hard time imagining Michael Vick was not a leader.
That said, I hope he does what he promised to do: Help to influence people to stop this barbaric practice. He has committed to Wayne Pacelle, head of the Humane Society of the United States, to make at least two personal appearances each month, even during the NFL season, to speak out against dog fighting. I'd like to see more in the off season.
I hope that he will reimburse Best Friends Animal Society, the shelter that took in 22 of the victims from his illegal operation, for every penny of care they will give these dogs. One pit bull, Meryl, the most traumatized dog, will spend the rest of her life at the shelter by court order.
I also hope he speaks up for pit bulls. My family includes a pit bull. I want Vick to admit that it is human cruelty that created the image of this breed as vilified killers. I want him to work to break down the stereotype created by his own actions and educate the public that pit bulls, with their tremendous heart, courage and loyalty, are the products of what people teach them to be.
It does no one, particularly dogs, any good to waste energy hating Michael Vick. While Vick is certainly the most public face of this crime, he is far from the only person that has engaged in this bloodsport.
I admit to having more than a few unkind thoughts about Vick and was very pleased he is not associated with an NFL team I cheer for. But I am trying to let go of negativitiy. Hatred and self-righteousness are not productive emotions and, as far as I know, have never influenced anyone in a positive way.
I think I will follow the advice that John Polis of Best Friends Animal Society suggested in a news release: “We hope that people concerned about Vick’s return to football will channel their frustrations into something positive. Take a pit bull for a walk. Volunteer at your local shelter. Better yet, skip an Eagles game and donate what you would have paid for a ticket to the animal welfare organization of your choice.”
Photo from Best Friends Web site.
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I want to thank photographer Eric Brady, who spent an hour photographing my two hounds, both SCGA alums, for the print version of the story. While my dogs are very sweet and easy going, they are certainly not the obedient types that sit and stay on command. Eric was very patient as they wandered all over the photo studio and he got several beautiful shots, including the almost-life-size picture of Coral on the front page of the Extra section.
