I am, first and foremost, a person that loves dogs. And like every animal lover, I was absolutely horrified by the events that led to NFL quarterback Michael Vick serving 18 months at Leavenworth Penitentiary for conspiracy related to his dogfighting ring. What he did to those dogs was cruel and unthinkable and nothing can make that go away. Recently, Michael Vick made news when he mentioned that he would someday like to get a dog for his children and I’ve been inundated with opinions from all sides.
As a professional dog trainer and a Tellington TTouch Practitioner, I believe that Michael Vick and his children should be able to adopt a dog. I know there are many that disagree and probably many more that aren’t sure how to feel about it. The reality is that no matter how passionately one might feel about Michael Vick, with his career on the upswing, he has the spotlight shining on his every move and he is seemingly making the best of his second chance in the NFL.
Over the past year, Michael Vick has been voluntarily speaking to at-risk youths all around the country since his release from prison with this message: Don't be like me. Don't follow the rest of the crowd. Exercise good judgment. Be a compassionate person. (http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/dogfighting/michael_vick_events.html). Many say his words are too little, too late and he doesn’t deserve to be listened to or acknowledged for any of his present or future actions, just reminded of his past, which he will probably never atone for.
Who does it serve to continue to hold him in such contempt? Not that it isn’t warranted, but aren’t we all missing the boat on what could be the most visible platform for the power of reward-based training that might ever happen. If and when Michael Vick gets a dog, he will be the most scrutinized pet owner on the planet. What better opportunity for him to prove that he is worthy of the remarkable second chance that he has than to align himself with the reward-based training methodology and community. Even the possibility to demonstrate that someone capable of such cruelty can learn, can change, can come away a better man.
We, the reward-based training community, compassionate people that use compassionate methods, should make every effort to rally behind the Vick family in choosing, training and raising a companion dog (before a dominance based trainer does).
I, for one, would step up and welcome that opportunity. As a dog trainer, I can think of nothing more rewarding or satisfying than working with Michael Vick and his children on lure reward exercises with a dog, showing them that gentle, consistent training and the Tellington TTouch Method not only get the best results, but profoundly foster the dog/human bond. That would be the best form of redemption that anyone could hope for.
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His rehabilitation is great PR!
Vick's name has been in the news lately and I was able to hear a radio program, not once but twice, with an interview with Pacelle from HSUS. Pacelle was speaking like a lawyer, a religious advisor and a counsellor... giving great credence to HIS and the HSUS participation in Vick's rehabilitation.
I believe that HSUS is hitching a ride with the anticipated PR that followed Vick from prison and I also believe that Vick has partnered with HSUS as "proof" of his rehabilitation. I DON'T believe he has completed his rehabilitation or his public sentence to get a dog. I DO believe that it's been a well planned and executed PR schedule to keep Vick in the money... with a likely (very) large donation to HSUS.
My best Donna Toews, CPDT-KA http://reflectionpetservices.wordpress.com/
Jenn, I think you raise a
Jenn, I think you raise a good point and I am inclined to agree with you for several reasons. First, people make mistakes all the time, some big and some small. I would hate to think what this world would be like if no one were ever given a second chance. Yes, his mistake was huge, absolutely huge, but he also paid a huge price, more than most of us will ever pay for anything we ever do. Second, I do believe that his having a dog, going through training with someone like you, and making that so visible and public will help to educate people all over the country about the viability and justification of reward-based training. While most people do not do to their dogs what MV did to his, many, many people leave their dogs chained to trees, hit their dogs, and resort to other methods of cruelty. Most of them will never pay any price for their mistreatment of those animals, but what if they some of them realized that a better way of training existed???? Wouldn't that be worthwhile? I am active in several rescues and I have seen many types and degrees of cruelty. If we never gave anyone a second chance at pet ownership just think of how many more animals we would have to euthanize every day. Education and a second chance are absolutely necessary if we are ever to put an end to the problem of pet-overpopulation and suffering.
hope you're right
Jenn: while i completely agree with and applaud your spirit of forgiveness and redemption, i have a somewhat cynical attitude about the sincerity of vick's behavior. unless and until i am able to sit down with and have a open face-to-face with a public figure and can judge for myself how real their conversion is, i will always have a nagging suspicion/question that there is an army of public relations consultants, media advisors, lawyers, accountants etc. orchestrating an image rehabilitation campaign like this. it's not that hard to imagine the owners of vick's team being concerned about his negative effect at the ticket window and requiring as a condition of his reinstatement that he do everything possible to dispel any unpopular perceptions. but i hope you are right and am proud of your courage and willingness to promote forgiveness and a second chance.
Congratulations, Jenn, on
Congratulations, Jenn, on having the courage to speak out on this polarizing subject. I think many dog lovers and dog enthusiasts like us are uncomfortable with the atmosphere of vitriol surrounding the Michael Vick issue. It's easy to point fingers at MV and scream for his head, but little has been said about addressing the root causes of dog fighting and animal abuse as cultural norms. Teaching kids who are at risk to develop animal abusing habits to respect and enjoy animals is paramount, and that can never be accomplished by throwing the book at Michael Vick, or shunning him from society. It only feeds the problems. If we really want to BE the change, we must get our hands dirty, and that might mean meeting michael vick half way.
Bravo!
America is not a secular nation. We have the NFL!
Is it possible to say that he doesn't deserve to have his sentence relaxed any more than it already has without being accused of being vitriolic? He already did get a very light prison sentence based on what he did. I'm not saying that because I love dogs — I'm saying it because I have seen the sentences that other people involved in dog fighting have had to serve. Why should the rest of his sentence — no dogs until mid-2012 I believe it was —be relaxed to?
America loves a redemption story and an underdog. Even more than they love real dogs, apparently.
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Eric Goebelbecker
eric@dogspelledforward.com
NO WAY!!!!
I am strongly against Vick getting any animal!!!! He has clearly demonstrated that he has no compassion for animals. What makes people think that has changed just because he spent a few months in jail???? You don't wake up one day and decide to be a compassionate person, doesn't work that way. This man enjoyed the pain and suffering he inflicted or he would never have been a part of dog fighting in the first place! Do you really think that someone who could so willing inflict pain and suffering to an animal could ever be a kind, loving pet owner??? Get real!!!!!!!
Thank you all for your comments
Just to clarify, I am not suggesting that we relax MV's probation.
And all of these thoughts have weighed on me and questioning MV's sincerity behind his PR machine. I had the honor of meeting Jonny Justice, now a therapy dog, last year. And I've thought a lot about him since then and another former MV Dog Alf, who one of my TTouch instructors has helped rehabilitate. Most dogs, and people for that matter, never have to suffer such cruelty. But many dogs are neglected and hit and abused in other ways everyday, in the name of "training" or "discipline" with no one every having to take responsibility. What if there was a high profile way to show that there is another way? Putting force free, family friendly, gentle methods front and center by using MV as the conduit. If half the people that watch a typical NFL game could learn some quick lessons about reward based training, perhaps it could mean a better life for dogs that would otherwise suffer.
MV, with his continued success in the NFL, is going to be a role model for kids, like it or not, especially to inner city kids and the kids from his own area. What chance does someone like me have of reaching those kids, changing hearts and minds? None. If MV can influence one child to think differently about animals, wouldn't it be worth at least considering? I'm not saying what he deserves, and I'm not saying that anyone has to change their feelings, but I am saying that we need to at least consider using MV to reach people that might otherwise never even consider treating animals with kindness and respect.
Nice idea, but not what's happening
Pacelle and the HSUS seem to be trying to use Vick to do what you say, but I have to admit that my distrust of them (HSUS) colors my opinion on the entire operation. I'm still convinced that the HSUS' premature endorsement of Vick got him his NFL position back.
If Vick spent a year speaking for them before he went back to playing I would feel differently. If he actually talked about what he did and not about how much getting caught doing it sucked, I would feel differently too. I have heard him speak. Go back, listen, and tell me you think he really feels any remorse for what he did.
People aren't talking about animal welfare because of Vick. They're talking about forgiveness and second chances and how we "crazy dog people" need to learn to let go. He could change the conversation and so could his supporters. But they don't. They tell me I'm the hateful person, because I keep picking on the poor millionaire football player.
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Eric Goebelbecker
eric@dogspelledforward.com
Maybe when he's fessed up to what he really did
I've yet to read or hear Michael Vick actually admit to or address what he did: slamming a dog on the ground until it was dead for not winning, participating in electrocuting dogs, pulling dogs' teeth out so they can't fight back when used as bait dogs, etc. All he served time for was bank rolling the gambling/dog fighting operation. I find it ironic that Wayne Pacelle backs Michael Vick getting a dog shortly after the Philadelphia Eagles donated $50,000 to HSUS, while Vick rides the NFL glory train. Until he serves time for animal cruelty, I do not think he should be allowed to adopt a dog given his sick history with his treatment of them. No dog lover (or even non-dog lovers) I know would do half the things that were testified to that he did.
Since the spotlight is on him, make him an example of what you lose by being a vicious, heartless killer. You treat animals like that; you lose the privilege to have one in your life, period. His children can adopt when they are 18 and hopefully they'll learn a lesson from their father's mistakes. In Jim Gorant's book, he refers to a pet pit bull that lived in Vick's house. How could you have a "pet" pit bull and treat the other dogs on the property the way he did? If he had no pet, I might think he was ignorant about the joy of a dog living with you in your home, but he had a "pet" dog while those crimes were going on that he participated in.
If Vick wants to be around dogs, let him and his children volunteer their time at a shelter or shelters. I know I sound heartless, but I have followed this story closely and to my knowledge he has refused to even meet any of the dogs that were rescued and rehabilitated from his property. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong. I don't know that we can believe he "voluntarily" speaks to at-risk youths. I think that is a requirement of his sentence or what his PR people tell him he should be doing. He can become a better man. I have no doubt of that. We all have areas in our character that need improvement. Maybe mine is forgiveness. Vick, however, pushes the envelope by lobbying for another dog so soon after the horrors of what he did are still fresh in our minds. Maybe in 10 or 20 years.
You have got to be kidding!
cdb10252
You have got to be kidding? Have you read the testimony in this case? This man should NEVER have access to another dog. And thank you, Pit Mix Mom, for putting the feelings of so many of us out there so eloquently. Would you give Ted Bundy access to young women...or Jeffrey Dahmer access to little boys? I'd think not. Yet what is the difference? Pit Mom, I guess I need even more improvement in the forgiveness area than you, I'd say NEVER another dog for Vick. He had his second chance after the killed the first dog.
Not if he can, but when he does...
Many of these comments are missing the point of the original post. It's not a question of whether he's allowed to get a dog. Or whether you would allow him to get a dog. It doesn't matter. He will legally be able to get a dog when his probation ends. It will be his decision alone. So, if and when he does, what then? It will be a media circus for sure. So, would you rather see pair up with Cesar or a positive trainer?
Coming from Australia, I am
Coming from Australia, I am guessing we did not get the full media report on the case, although I have heard it and am horrified. It is tiring to see clebraties getting so many chances simply because they are who they are, whilst other less fortunates cannt gain the same chances. Having said that, so Vick is doing what ever his PR people say it takes to regain his career.....what is wrong with that? he's doing it that is important. Be honest most people will do whatever it takes to regain what they had, taking what ever credible advice along the way. No denying the situation is horrifying but I understand what Jennifer is trying to say.
Instead of acting "like crazy dog people" that we do get criticised for, wouldn't it be great if someone like Jennifer was able to get in there and make a difference. I don't know what Vick's background is, but his decisions indicate not a privillaged one, so maybe ignorance does rrnig in here. I know, in my job as a vet tech, many of my clients will completly exasperate us because "they didn't know" and an animals helath or worse LIFE will suffer as a consequence. To you and me it is simple, to others it is not. We can only educate.
One dog trainner that often get argued about on this very forum, has cruel techniques, but many here will defend this trainer to their dying days sating the technique saves lives ......... really how is hanging a dog up by it's lead "saving lives" .....should never have been allowed to be shown on TV....not just once either but many many times.
Not to forget either that PETA wanted all the Vick dogs euthansed, great from a so called society for the ethical threatmentof animals.
I can see both sides of the arguements here, but the blog was not should he (apparently the courts have stated he can after a certain time anyway) but if and when he does instead of lamenting that HSUS is jumping on the Vick bandwagon.....why not jump on the same band wagon to promote reward based training as Jennifer suggests before the other Popular trainer does and you can bet that person will.
Not to keep it going, but...
I really recommend that you pick up "The Lost Dogs" buy Jim Gorant and get the viewpoint from someone that admits up front that he wondered why people were "making such a big deal over a bunch of dogs", or words to that effect. Seasoned investigators, that had busted many fighting rings in the past, were shocked at what they found at Vick's house.
But the real reason I am responding is this: I don't know what Vick's background is, but his decisions indicate not a privileged one, so maybe ignorance does ring in here.
Let's try to look at this scientifically. Which number is greater?
I don't know about 1, 2, and 3, but I think I have the counts for 4 - 6 right here in front of me.
I respect the desire to make a silk purse out of this lemonade, but I'd like to see Michael Vick make a silk purse out of his millions while we're at it. As I said before, the "national conversation" regarding Vick is about redemption and forgiveness but other than winning football games, he hasn't done anything to deserve either. Part of this is because of the level of brutality involved in his crimes and part of this is that even if you ignore his apparent lack of contrition, what he has done is really the embodiment of "the least you could do."
Whatever :-(
When an adult human rapes, mutilates, electrocutes, tortures and then kills another being just for the fun of it, I'm going to be the person who maintains that every shred of compassion and understanding belongs to the victim(s), not the perpetrator.
But whatever, you guys.
Michael Vick/Dogfighting
I think this is a societal issue, not one of an individual. For centuries, there has been encouraged animal fighting by humans. We feel more civilized today, but are we really? Look at the similarities in the Roman forum to Michael Vick playing in a giant stadium this weekend.
It is hard not to feel that if Vick could wrestle a lion, he would...
The good news? The Ravens lost. The bad news? Many in society today are in environments where dog fighting not only goes on, but is encouraged.
Again, responsible pet education at an early age is our best weapon to combat this.
Sara A. Watson, CTC Bluefence Bassets, APDT Member, Basset Hound Club of America, Northern California Basset Hound Club, Basset Hound Club of Sacramento, Golden Gate Basset Rescue
Vick
cdb10252
It's the Eagles, Sara, not Ravens. Don't defame an innocent team, lol.
Carla
Michael Vick
The mention of his name is enough to make my skin crawl. I understand that people have a right to their opinions but I have a serious issue with anyone that thinks that just because Vick spent some time in jail that he is somehow rehabilitated. If everyone that has an opinion has read the testimony and still feels the same way, then this world is in a sad state of affairs. He committed the most unthinkable actions and serving jail time doesn't negate the fact that he was able to commit these heinous crimes in the first place. And the fact that he has a desire to own another dog infuriates me - it's a mockery in my opinion.
Michael Vick
This so called reformed football player, the H$U$ and Peta.......all make me ill! The only reason Vick got a 2nd chance is because he's a football player................if he were the man down the street............fat chance!
If you listen to him, he's not sorry he killed dogs.....he's sorry he got caught. What is it about being known for the company one keeps.........h$u$, peta and now.................oops probably shouldn't get political.
Sorry Jennifer...
Vick murdered dogs on a psychopathic level. 18 months in jail doesn't cut it. All of his interviews basically say he is 1) sorry he got caught & 2) He wouldn't change a thing. As a dog trainer you want him to beable to own a dog????? REALLY??? The only reason his does ANYTHING with dog issues is that his PR rep demands it....otherwise he could give a shit. Have you never looked into his eyes? that shit eating grin? He ain't sorry for shit...the POS.
I'm not disagreeing with you
I'm not disagreeing with you on anything here. But, if and when Michael Vick's family decides to get a dog, what then? It's not about what he deserves or how we all as animal lovers feel about it. It's about making it an opportunity to speak to and reach so, so many people and to use it as a platform for reward based training (before someone in the "whispering" world does). What I would really like is that Michael Vick spends the rest of his career donating a large portion of his salary to rehabilitate abused dogs, putting money towards legislation to create longer sentences and rehab programs for dog fighting offenders and create a foundation to educate inner city and rural kids that dogfighting is horrible, cruel, ruins your life and your humanity. Will he do any of this? Probably not. But maybe we should. After writing this blog, I started a humane education project in my community to try to reach more people (especially kids) about using kind canine training methods and humane alternatives to shock, prong, and choke collars. www.k9kindness.org It's not much, but if I can influence just one person, I can change a dog's life for the better.