Michael Vick – I know that when you utter his name around “dog people,” typically they shudder a little and proceed to talk about the atrocities of Bad Newz Kennels and its participants. It has been just over two years since the news broke that a search of Vick’s Virginia property yielded Surry County authorities evidence of a dogfighting ring. At that time, he was faced with evidence indicating his involvement in what could be described as the biggest mistake of his life. Because of the mistake, he will forever be a significant figure in history. Unlike those that have made their way into American history for significant, distinguished achievements, such as a monumental win into a political office or being a captain of industry, he will forever be remembered for his involvement in, funding of, and conviction due his actions. Amazing that a mistake (or series of mistakes) could still garner such a copious amount of publicity after two years.
His is a name that will go down in infamy. He will forever be linked with the likes of Jack the Ripper, Lee Harvey Oswald, Brutus and John Wilkes Booth. You do not have to have to be a historian to know that those men committed some of the most famous murders the world has ever seen, and that is why you recognize their names.
Lee Harvey Oswald lived nearly all of his life in a manner that would never attract a historian’s attention. While it is true, in my opinion, that his life was pretty strange and uneventful, why does nearly every American remember his name today over 45 years after his death? Because of his actions in November 1963, he changed our lives. John Wilkes Booth was a well-known actor in his time. Does anyone recall his acting ability? Of course not. History will only remember him for a few actions in April 1865. Those actions changed the course of American history forever, changing millions of lives.
On the football field, Michael Vick was an athlete gifted beyond the dreams of most young boys and girls. Outside of Blacksburg and Atlanta, how many people recall his abilities and heroics on that field? Due to his off-field activities, he changed our lives.
I surmise that his first mistake was that he was born a human being. There are only two things in this world that kill another being for the sheer pleasure, without a biological need. Those two things are cats and humans. As many of you probably know, you just cannott reason with a cat, but I hear that it is possible to rehabilitate humans.
Many people will think that I am one crazy dog for what I am about to say, but I assure you that I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on the situation and how we can make a positive out of something so troubling and painful. If you followed him or his career at all, you are probably aware that Michael Vick seemed to have a knack for getting himself in trouble long before the authorities executed searches of his properties. It seems that he did not learn anything from those previous encounters, where his name and promising career kept him from receiving any real punishment, but I am hoping that he has learned from the really big mistake… The one that landed him in Leavenworth, KS.
Before his big mistake, Michael Vick lived a life filled with luxuries. He had fame, fortune, girls, and a fabuous lifestyle to accompany an ego as big as the state of Texas. He used his fame and fortune like many humans do, accumulating property, and filling and emptying bank accounts. Along the way, he used some of his money to find some dogs! As we have all seen in pictures and videos, he was not known for treating his dogs very well. He used his money to breed and train pit bulls to fight each other, as well as visitings dogs. The fights his dogs experienced were unlike the little scuffles like Tax and I have sometimes. He wanted these dogs to fight for their lives! Rather than thinking of these activities as something as serious as life and death, this was a sport for he and his friends. They could laugh and joke for hours while helpless trained and “bait” dogs lie dying at their feet. There was no one there to comfort them or ease their pain, only the greed and human pleasure seen in this “sport” that led to many dogs’ deaths.
We are all aware of what he did, and we all know that he is as he is paying the debt to society deemed to fit the crimes. What bothers me is how few of his “friends” and associates had a similar date with justice. Where are all the people that attended or benefitted in some way from these dogfighting and training events? It bothers me that I may walk by some of them on the street here in Atlanta and not even know it!
After this experience, what shall become of Michael Vick? He says that he wants to return to his former career, playing football. Arthur Blank and the Atlanta Falcons have obviously moved on with their first round draft pick and star quarterback, Matt Ryan. Many people do not approve of his return, and they want him to be banned from playing football forever. There is no doubt in my little canine mind that Michael Vick did some horrible things, but like every canine, I have the ability to forgive. Also, we do not hold a grudge. Will we or the humans ever forget? Absolutely not.
If Vick is indeed remorseful for the actions he took against those helpless dogs, then he needs to spend the rest of his life in the service of making the lives of all animals better. I am not talking about throwing money to the Humane Society or the ASPCA, I mean the heart (and back) breaking work many of us do for the betterment of an animal’s life. Imagine how many shelters could have been funded, homeless animals fed, and training facilities built with the money he lost due to his involvement in Bad Newz Kennels. Since his financial situation is pretty unsteady, his name and his labor can be used to promote animal welfare.
Mr. Vick, my hope is that you have changed and that you realize daily all the suffering you caused. I also want you to know that I forgive you. However, most of your fellow humans probably will not until they see some action on your part. Man has dealt you his justice, but the world has not. If you want to make things right, then I will be pulling for you to land on your feet to run with and throw a football again. I hope that you will be able to cure all of your accumulated debts, and I want you to make enough money to fund many good things for all animals. You are in a position to speak out against the travesties you have beset upon the canine world, as well as the notoriety to bring national attention to a previously underground activity, hopefully bringing the scrutiny to it that will lead to its eradication. Yes, I forgive you, and I want to thank you for putting a face on such a tragedy. My hope is that you will step up to become a big supporter for animal rights.
I may not be able to go to the game at the Georgia Dome, because I am a dog, but I do have a pretty big TV to watch the game on. You cannot do anything about the dogs from your past, but you can make a difference now and for the wonderful world of canines!
