Heart Like a Dog

The Good, the Bad, and the Oh My God of living with dogs!

The Legacy Of Michael Vick….Day Two Hundred Thirty Two

By

I have a figure of an African-American man hanging from the window in my sports memorabilia area.  He is not hanging there because of his race.   No he is hanging there for what he did.  Yes, the hanging piece of human filth is Michael Vick replicated in the form of a chew toy.

Michael Vick, star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, arrested and jailed for running an illegal dog fighting ring.

I try really hard in my life not to be judgmental, to try to see things from the other person’s perspective.  I don’t have insight into the experiences that made them who and what they are.

When the Vick scandal broke I tried to see it from a different perspective.  Michael Vick grew up in Newport News, Virgina in the projects.  He was exposed to dog fighting at an early age.  I can buy that, but once you become an adult you need to own your own.

Once I had rectified this in my mind I, like millions of others was outraged.  I heard someone made a dog chew toy so I ordered two.  There was such an overwhelming response; that it took over eight months to receive  my toys.

I promptly gave one to Delilah who enthusiastically chewed off his feet and made some nice bite marks in his head.  Delilah who but for a twist of fate, may very well have wound up as a bait dog for a dog fighting ring.

Once I took it away, from Delilah,  I tied a piece of string around his neck and hung him.  Just what that bastard deserved, I thought.

Well we all know what happened to Michael Vick, he did 21 months in prison, was fired by the Falcons, filed for bankruptcy, came out of prison and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

I couldn’t forgive him.

Anytime anyone played the Eagles I screamed, “Sack that piece of scum.”

“Hurt him, pick him up and slam him to the ground.”

Even the New York Giants whom I totally can’t stand were encouraged, “Sack, sack the quarterback.”

And I ranted to Chet, “I can’t believe he’s starting for the Eagles.”  “I don’t want him to do well.” “I want him to pay.”

“How much more do you want him to pay?”  Chet asked.

“I don’t know, I just hate that he comes out of jail and goes right back to playing football, making millions of dollars and it seems so effortless to him.”

I bring this up today because when I signed onto the internet this morning I found out that Michael Vick is lobbying Congress for anti-dog fighting laws.  Specifically laws which make bringing a child to an animal fight against the law.

Michael, you have my attention.

“”The law would impose penalties of up to a year in prison and fines for attending an animal fight, and a penalty of up to three years in prison and fines for bringing or allowing a minor to attend.”

The Humane Society has partnered with Vick ( Yes The Humane Society!)  Although they say they did a lot of soul searching as to whether they could actually work with him.

Then it struck me, if Attila the Hun rose up from his grave and asked me to team up with him to stop these barbaric events, I sure as heck would partner with him.  If I could save one dog from fighting or being used as bait, if I could prevent one child from continuing and contributing to the barbarity of this “sport” yeah, I’d be cozying right up to ole Attila.

Ultimately I believe we all answer to a higher power and if God could forgive Michael Vick, then why can’t I?  The fact that he is trying to make amends is commendable.

Am I saying that I like Michael Vick?

I don’t think so.

Am I saying I would sit down and chat with Michael Vick?

Maybe.

Am I saying I can forgive Michael Vick?

I’m not really sure it’s my place to offer forgiveness, but I am willing to give him a chance and see what transpires from this venture.

What I am saying is this, maybe just maybe Michael Vick’s real legacy will be not what he has done, but what he has yet to do.

Good People, A NASCAR Race And A Dog Named Chase…Day Two Hundred, Thirty One

By

If there is anything that can make me feel better about being away from home and loved ones, it’s the friendship and hospitality of kind people and a dog to hang out with.

My friend Mindy had tickets to a NASCAR race on Sunday.  Seeing as the track is in a very rural area, and traffic is well a nightmare, we decided to go up on Saturday and spend the night at Mindy’s cousin’s house. This tactic allowed us to approach the track from the opposite direction of about 95% of the 100,000 people attending the race.

It also meant I needed to be away from Chet, Sampson and Delilah on Saturday night.  BOO!

We arrived at Margaret and Mike’s lovely home in Sanford, Maine right around 2:00 pm.  I was greeted very warmly by both Margaret and Mike and was beyond excited to meet Chase, their yellow lab.

After Chase greeted Mindy he turned to me (the newcomer) I was instantly reminded of Sampson and I.  Chase was leaning against my legs, while I loved on him and Margaret was telling Chase, “Ok, Chase leave her alone.”

This scene takes place in our home all the time as Sampson thinks every visitor is there to see him.

I loved Chase, he’s very easy-going and friendly and VERY WELL behaved.  He was originally Margaret’s daughter’s dog and was trained as a hunter but was diagnosed early on with hip issues so he retired.  Luckily for Chase he got great parents in Margaret and Mike.  Mike says Chase takes Glucosamine and it has really helped his hips.

Tell me he's not adorable; go ahead I dare you!

After a couple of hours Margaret and Mike left for a social obligation and Mindy and I took Chase for a walk.  Isn’t it cute, he can get his own leash.

I wish my dogs walked as well on a leash as Chase does.

After our walk Mindy and I were off to visit some relatives, then into Ogunquit for a great seafood dinner.  After dinner we drove down to Perkins Cove and watched the sun set and the moon rise.

My camera was totally inadequate to capture the beauty of the moon, but I did get a decent picture of the sunset.

And the opportunity to dip my feet into the Atlantic Ocean.

The entire time I was thinking about Chase, sitting by the window waiting for us to return.

We were off early in the morning in order to catch our shuttle to the track, so there was no time for another walk with Chase, but I was sure to give him some love before we left. (If we were driving straight home I might have tried to sneak him away.) 🙂

We had a fun time at the track, but since I am on antibiotic and was supposed to stay out of the sun I had to really try to cover as much as possible in 95+ degree weather.

Here are two nuts at the track.

The weekend was over all to soon, but I have some great memories of some wonderful people and one special yellow lab.

Margaret and Mike, thank you for opening your home and extending your hospitality to a complete stranger.

Chase, thanks for the love. 🙂

Mindy thank you for including me in your first NASCAR adventure.

Oh The Horrors….Day Two Hundred, Thirty

By

Did you ever go through the pet section of your local paper?  Have you seen the ads that say, “free to a good home” or “3-year old neutered male $100”? Did you know that pit bull fighting rings look for these kinds of ads in the paper to purchase a cheap dog that can be used for bait? 

I didn’t either.

But it’s true, I found this out on Saturday when I was trying coordinate the surrender of a dog to the Labs 4 Rescue group. 

I was contacted by a reader who had a neighbor who they thought would be willing to surrender their lab.  I contacted my friend Ann from the lab rescue group and told her the owner had a put an ad in the local paper trying to sell the dog, that’s when Ann told me what these pit bull fighting rings are doing.  It just about stopped my heart.

This is Ranger.

 

When Ranger was surrendered he had allergies, dry skin, bald spots (like he had been sleeping on concrete) and he hadn’t been neutered.

He was picked up and brought to a boarding facility where he will reside until he can be checked by a vet.  Then he will be placed in foster care until they find someone to adopt him.   Had he not been surrendered to a rescue group, he may have had an entirely different fate.

The world of pit bull fighting is vile and disgusting.  What can we as a community of dog lovers do to ensure this deplorable practice is stopped permanently?

How can we get the word out and encourage people to surrender their dogs to reputable agencies? 

An agency where at least every effort will be made to ensure the safety and well-being of these precious, furry beings of love.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...