Vick dogs reunite amid smiles and tears
Just five years ago they were "the Vick dogs," their bodies bearing the scars of life in the fighting ring, their psyches damaged by years of abuse. Today they are happy, healthy, regular playful pups.
Vick dogs reunite amid smiles and tears
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
Just five years ago they were "the Vick dogs," their bodies bearing the scars of life in the fighting ring, their psyches damaged by years of abuse.
Today Hector, Jonny Justice and the others, are happy, healthy, regular playful pups. Most have completed their Canine Good Citizen certificates. Some are therapy dogs
Seven bandana-wearing survivors of Michael Vick's dog fighting operation - and 125 supporters -reunited last month in California.
“They’re very forgiving and they all really enjoy other dogs, which is probably the other big surprise that came out of the case,” said Donna Reynolds, director of Oakland-based BAD RAP, an advocacy group for “pit bull-type” dogs. “In fact, dogs were a comfort to them.”
Reynolds, who spoke with ABCNews, said her organization worked with prosecutors on the Vick case in 2007 to identify dogs that were taken from Vick’s property who could be rehabilitated.
In all BAD RAP removed 10 dogs that have all found happy homes. But let us not forget that another 15 (at last count last year) of the Vick dogs may never be fully rehabilitated and remain in the care of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Among those enjoying the reunion was Hector, a brownish pit bull, has scars up and down his chest and missing teeth from his days in Vick’s dog-fighting arena.
His owner Roo Yori, said Hector just wanted to put the bad times behind him.
“Hector, fortunately, was one of the dogs that wasn’t as affected as some of the other ones. Hector, he just kind of got out of there said, ‘That stunk, let’s move forward,’ and that was it. It was very obvious he had never lived in a house; he had never been a pet dog,” Yori said.
Fellow survivor, Jonny Justice, as turned into a celebrity, appeaking on “The Rachael Ray Show” and next year will be the model for a stuffed dog made by manufacturer GUND.
“There were lots of hugs, kisses, lots of crying. When people meet these dogs, they cry,” Reynolds told ABC News. "They understand that they are little pieces of positive history.”
Credit: Mark Rogers Photography/ABCNews
This story should be on the front page of Philly.com, not buried like the dogs Vick beat to death. Kinda makes you wonder if karma is real. Iggles made a choice to put their future in the hands of a person who, as a grown man, though it was normal to torture animals. How'd that work out for ya?
This is the BEST thing that has happened in a long time, in this world of sadness & sorrow!! ALL of these people & dogs should be so proud of themselves, for ALL the work they've done. It's a beautiful sight !
No thanks to Sicko Vick !!!! He did nothing to help these people & these innocent animals. He's a waste!— barknpurr- This is why I hope the Eagles lose every game. They have made this monster a millionaire again. Reward evil? Now receive his bad karma.— billy goat
- This is why I LOVE our Offensive Line! Karma baby...karma!— bvl390
- I totally agree with billy goat! Since when does a felon get to play in the NFL and make millions of dollars? I hope that Michael Vick continues to suck along with the Eagles. Shame on them for endorsing a criminal!— m_go
- I agree with all the above posts, and I was an Eagles fan but gave up on them the minute that murdering/torturer was brought on to this team. I'm so glad to see those dogs doing so well and the people who are taking care of them are wonderful human beings. As far as Vick is concerned, he'll always be an animal to me, and nothing more.— dundermifflin
- How many believe in forgiveness? What have you done to other human beings that you are ashamed to every tell anyone? Well, this person Vick has served time in prison for his behavior. I'm sure he is sorry for what has been done to the dogs. How long people? How long? Shame on you. What have you done? Get over it! You care more about dogs than you do human life. Shame!— girlgirl
- You are all losers. Stop worrying about Vick's life and look in the mirror. I'm tired of you gun waving, weekend hunting, red meat eating hypocrites passing judgment as if you were angels.— Fanwhoactuallywatchesthegames
- I can look in the mirror and say that I have never tortured, murdered or maimed a creature that wants to do nothing but love. When can I forgive an adult for purposefully torturing and murdering dogs for fun? How about never.— lulu
- How about NOW! You are not perfect lulu! Think about it. You just want to be mean just to be mean. Well then, you are just like the one you point to; mean and unforgivable.— girlgirl
- Sick. All talk about what is right, why don't you try saving some of the humans that need it? Your god commands you to forgive, but those are just words on Sunday uttered from a script, not something you live by, right? Extreme dog lovers find the human race too hard and being a phony, self-righteous hypocrite is easier than opening your eyes and really living according to your own beliefs and standards. Wake up or shut up.— EagleEye61
- girlgirl - are you like 5 years old or something? I'm not perfect, but I have never intentionally harmed, murdered or tortured another living thing. And being against the murder and torture of a dog does not qualify one as extreme. And, yes, I am also against the suffering of people, but this article is not about that, is it? It's about the dogs lucky enough to survive at the hands of Vick, the ultimate loser.— lulu
- There are a small percentage of people in this world that are literally sick. They don't process emotion like the rest of us. Vick and his supporters are why our prisons are full. Please, tax me more and build more prisons.— Bobski5000
- girlgirl - you and your people make excuses for Vick and that is why you continue the cycle of abuse. For once, I wish you'd hold yourselves to a higher standard and actually do something to contribute to society in a positive way. What he did wasn't a "mistake" ... it was intentional, torturous, and horrific. He shouldn't even be walking earth as sick and deranged as he is. Amazing that these dogs recovered. God bless every one of them. I love that Vick is losing, because he is, after all, a loser. His real payment will be when he spends eternity in HELL!— savealife
- I can forgive MV 7 for the horrendous act that he did. He paid his dues to society and until, or if, he commits another crime, he is a free man. I haven't forgotten what he has done. IT WAS A HEINOUS ACT!!. However I, as a sinner, cannot cast stones. The true forgiveness that he will receive is from the God of his understanding. It makes no difference if I forgive him or not.— CDRAUTZ
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