Dog lover? Football fan?

[danceswithdogs]

If you love dogs, the two books I will tell you about here will hit you in the heart. But, they are both worth the pain you will feel reading them, because the story needs to be read and spread so people will wake up.
I am talking about two books that tell the horrible, true story of the Michael Vick dogfighting history and the victim's who need others to speak for them.
I bought the two books, and had to read them in the right sequence.
The first is called "BADD NEWZ...The Untold Story of the Michael Vick Dog Fighting Case", by Kathy Strouse, the Animal Control Officer at the center of the case, with "Dog Angel", the undercover operative who still works undercover to combat dog fighting.
This book has to be read first, as it takes the investigation step-by-step, through the shady underbelly of dog fighting and those who protect it, including law enforcement who tried to block the investigation of Michael Vick.
The things that people do to these dogs, the ways they are treated, housed, raised and bred will chill you to the bone. It must be read before the other second book, so that you can then appreciate the other book, "The Lost Dogs" by Jim Gorant. This book is not as in-depth about the investigation, but centers on the redemption of the dogs that were rescued and rehabilitated. What a book! It allows the tears you shed for what those poor dogs endured (the ones that Vick did not torture to death), and let's the tears of sorrow change to tears of joy at what loving dogs they turned out to be.

One caveat. THESE BOOKS ARE NOT FOR BEDTIMIE READING! I tried that, and could not sleep. Trust me.

You will never be able to even think the name "Michael Vick" again without shuddering and saying a prayer for the other fighting dogs that are living (and dying) that same nightmare all over the country.

It is terribly unjust that Michael Vick skated on the gambling charges (because he pled on the other charges), even though he gambled on the dog fights. If those charges had stuck, he would have been banned from sports for life! Just like Pete Rose. But, no, he still makes millions and still is a sports "hero".....to those who have no heart.

[mrbose]

I just can’t sit and read about animal abuse of any type, and especially after the scum bag IE Micheal Vic has now become the sports media darling and the “NFL COME BACK PLAYER of THE YEAR” :(this I find to be totally disgusting

[Joe Cocker]

The worst dog book I ever read was Marley and Me. We never really left our dogs alone. One time at the son wedding in New Mexico. Had a vet tech come to our home twice a day. Not bad for thirty plus years. I think she was horse from howling at night no one complained her bark sounded like it. Now as Marley was aging they should had been around for him. This is me I wouldn't have done that.

Marley made me cry. The movie sucked.

The one awful book I ever read was the Zodiac Killer, now that brought on the nightmares. Couldn't put it down either. After learning more about the killer, the book was a con-job.

[danceswithdogs]

I think what drew me to the books I describe above is the knowledge that most of the "Vick Dogs" survived and are now in loving homes. A few were so sick/injured they had to be euthanized, and one "got loose" from the kennels that had a few and was killed by another dog. Which means that the local "shelter" closest to Michael Vick's house that got a few of the dogs at the beginning of the seizure, actually were having their own "dog fights" at night and one got killed. The rest of the dogs were immediately moved out of that area. The local "law enforcement" and prosecutor were all for protecting Vick, so the process was hard won to get the dogs to safety and get Vick arrested. That only happened because a couple of his associates sold him out, otherwise he would have skated on everything. As it is, he served some time, and is now making millions again. He never really "got it"...that he is a cruel and nasty person, no matter how much money he has.
Vick personally tortured and killed (slowly) dogs that would not or could not fight to the death. One dog that was too timid to fight, he and his buddy picked it up between them, raised it over their head and body slammed it to the ground. When it did not die right away, they did it repeatedly, until it finally died. The forensic team that dug up the body later proved what the snitch told them about how it died. Horribly. Vick electrocuted and hung other dogs that made him unhappy. He pictures himself a "dog" man, yet would never pay for a true "fighting" dog...too cheap to put the money out for that. Then, when the dogs failed to perform, he tortured and killed them. Other dog-fighters had no respect for him at all. Just a cheap punk, for all of his millions.
The man never saw his own cruelty for what it is. He still doesn't think he did anything wrong. Apparently, neither do those willing and eager to pay to watch him "perform" on the ball field.