Book Review: “Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption” by Alyssa Willet, Adoption Supervisor at Wayside Waifs, Kansas City , MO

I have not yet read this book yet - but I am now. Alyssa's review really caught my attention.  I have followed the horrible story of what Michael Vick has done and continue to feel animosity towards his actions.  I don't believe an abuser this vile can be rehabilitated.  In my eyes, anyone who can hurt someone or something (child, the elderly or an animal) that is powerless is beyond redepmtion.

Animal Cruelty is something someone IS, not something someone does!! 

Kerri

Book Review: "Michael Vicks' Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption"
Written by Alyssa Willet
Adoption Supervisor at Wayside Waifs
Kansas City, Missouri

Regardless of how you feel about Pit bulls, I think an understanding can be made that they are the most abused and neglected dog breed. Also, regardless of how you feel about Michael Vick, Pit bull lovers owe a lot of credit to him. Wait a minute; hear me out. First, I don’t agree with anything he did to any of the animals on his property. Secondly, I dislike him with a passion for what he did and I have a hard time believing I will ever forgive him. However, if it were not for him being caught up in this ‘animal scandal’ I don’t believe the mistreatment of pit bulls (or fighting dogs in general), or the stigmas surrounding them, would ever be as spotlighted as it is now. Think about it. Whenever you hear the words “Dog fighting” or “Pit bulls,” you can’t tell me Michael Vick doesn’t cross your mind at least once. His fighting ring was national news!

Fifty-one dogs were rescued from Michael Vicks’ facility. Out of the 51, only 3 were decided to be unadoptable or unable to be rehabilitated. The others were sent to different shelters and sanctuaries to work on their socializing and obedience skills. They all were also required to pass the Canine Good Citizen Test before they were made available for adoption, which is a test of good manners and obedience. Some of these dogs are now trained therapy dogs, working with children or the elderly on a daily basis.

‘The Lost Dogs - Michael Vick’s Dogs and their tale of rescue and redemption” by Jim Gorant is a well written, non-biased book about what happened when the Vick Dogs were found. You not only hear the gruesome, and sometimes horrifying details of how his operation was run but you get the back story of how Vick grew up and how he was drawn to the dog fighting ring.

I will admit I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to finish the book. The first few chapters were unbearable, and I often had to put the book down after every chapter to reset myself and continue on. But I had to read it. I owed it to every single one of the Vick dogs, and every other abused animal, to know and educate myself about their story and how I could make the difference in changing society’s outlook on this misunderstood breed.

Gorant is a magazine editor for Sports Illustrated and he originally wrote an article that was the feature story of the issue about the Vick Dogs in 2008. He was amazed at the responses he received. Although most of the comments were positive, there were a handful that asked ‘There are homeless, starving people in the world; why should we care about dogs?” or “Why does it matter? They’re just dogs.” Simply, Gorant replies “As for why our bond with them matters, there are reasons for that, too….a famous Gandhi quote: ‘The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’ The idea being that in order to lift the whole of society, you must first prop up the lowest among its many parts. If you show goodwill and kindness toward those who cannot stand up for themselves, you set a tone of compassion and goodwill that permeates all.”

In Gorant’s book you get to meet, and learn about, three particular dogs and their struggles and triumphs. You learn about a dog who would constantly go into ‘pancake mode’ (when a dog is so frightened or shy that they lie completely flat on the ground) and how she ends up trusting and loving her foster mom. You find out about a young male who was so wound up, his foster dad (who eventually turned into his forever dad) didn’t think he would ever pass his Canine Good Citizen Test, but is now a part of a children’s therapy program that encourages children to read. I would love to say that every ending is a happy one but unfortunately, that is not the case.

If Gorant’s book shows you anything, it’s that you can not judge a dog based on their breed or what you hear about them. These pit bulls were taken from a dog fighting bust, and they love, seek out, and desire affection and attention. Pit bulls make up about 80% of all dogs in city shelters. Many cities ban the breed just because of what they’ve heard, not because of the facts. Yes, pit bulls can be dangerous - but I personally know more Chihuahua’s who have caused physical damage than any other dog. And on another note, there is no such thing as “lock jaw.” It is a myth.

Gorant successfully demonstrates how truly wonderful the Pit bull breed is (I know, pit bull isn’t really a breed, but it’s easier than saying all of the actual breed names). They are loving, loyal, and a lot of fun. Just like any other dog they have certain instincts that you have to be aware of. They can get wound up very quickly and it’s hard to calm them down, so they need plenty of exercise. They tend to have a high prey drive, so having a small animal and a pit bull can be a challenge; but it’s not impossible. I personally know of two adopters who have pit bulls AND cats and they can coexist (and even sleep together) peacefully.

I live with four dogs — two lab mixes and two pit bulls (one is about 1 ½ years old and the other is about 3 months old). I also live with three cats and a ferret. They all coexist and even get along. There hasn’t been one fight, and the oldest pit bull is probably the most easygoing dog of the group. She was rescued from a chain after starving for a few months but you would never know it. She is one of the best dogs I have ever met. If you feel the same way about pit bulls as I do, purchase or borrow The Lost Dogs. It is a great read for pit bull advocates, and an even better read for those who don’t know anything about the breed, or are frightened by the rumors they have heard. Those who are uneducated about the breed tend to be the ones who cause the most harm to it

Written by Alyssa Willet
Adoptions Supervisor at Wayside Waifs

25 Random Things About Me

I wrote these 25 Random things back in 2009.  However, after reading them again, most if not all of them still hold true for today.  They might give a little insight into how my brain works. 

What else about me.........I'm an Army Brat.  Did most of my growing up in El Paso, TX.  I currently live in Kansas City, Missouri with my husband, daschund, lab and parakeet!

I love to read - anything I can get my hands on, but my preference runs to fiction, mysteries, paranormal (including vampires :)), historical and detective/crime series.  Like I said, I love it all!

25 Random Things About Me (2009)

1. The last 6 months have been the hardest in my life (especially the last 2) - My mother passed away after a long battle with a brain anyerism 2 months before I wrote this.

2. I don't mind going to the grocery store and throwing things in the cart, but I hate to unload the car and put the groceries away.

3. I would have a herd of wiener dogs if I could.

4. I hate stopping to put gas in my car and if the station doesn't have "pay at the pump" I drive on.

5. Sometimes I think I would like to have kids and then I think about how inconvenient it would be and how much earlier in the mornings I would have to get up......etc. Guess I'm selfish!

6. I adore my 2 nephews and when I hold them I think about having a baby of my own regardless of the inconvenience.

7. I don't think kids are taught proper manners today, and it's a shame.

8. I love silence.

9. I believe we all have 1 true, makes your heart ache and never forget, love in our lives.

10. I have "Cinderella Syndrome".......bad!

11. In an ideal world, (the world I grew up in) mommy stays home with the kids and daddy works and provides for the family.

12. I work in an industry where I make and receive 100 to 120 calls a day - and I'm not a telemarketer.  So if you call me in the evening and I'm short, or I don't even answer, I don't mean to be rude I'm just all talked and listened out!

13. My mom was right about everything.

14. I ditched school in high school a lot, and it was fun!!

15. Nobody ever guesses correctly when they ask me what I do for a living.

16. I miss my mom terribly.

17. I love the sunshine, clouds make me claustrophobic.

18. I have a list of people in my head that I will apologize to if I ever see or hear from them again.

19. I am not as strong emotionally/mentally as most people think I am.

20. When I was younger I would grab Mr. Microphone, put on a pair of high heels and sing in front of the mirror.

21. I talk to more truck drivers in one day than most people will talk to in a lifetime.  Which is amazing considering I used to be afraid to pass them on the road for fear they wouldn't see me.

22. I lost a really close friend years ago and it was my fault.  I think about her often, I'd like to tell her. (I was able to get in touch with her recently thru Facebook, and I did tell her.  We hope to get together someday soon)

23. At this time in my life I'm finding if very hard to believe God is good.

24. When I was 16 years old my goals for the summer were to get as tan as I possibly could and learn to drive a stick shift car.

25. Starting in 2010 I will take a beach vacation every January.