Michael Vick wants a dog...

dynamobt

I think it's going to end up, at some point, that Vick can get a dog.  Heaven help the poor dog is all I can say.  At least maybe he will be in the public eye enough that there is some "supervision" of sorts.  Maybe that could be court ordered.  I don't think even football fans could look away from any future animal abuse by Vick. 

Not the fans who still insist that he did no wrong. It burned me up when I heard a co-worker say "He didn't do anything wrong. They're just dogs. You can always get another dog. Who cares anyway?"

My response: "So I can take your kids and body slam them to the ground? Electrocute them? Beat them senseless?"

Co-worker: "WHAT?! No! Those are my kids! You can't do that to kids."

Me: "Who cares? They're just kids. You can always have more."

Co-worker: "That isn't the same thing!"

Me: "My dog and my cat are my kids, and I care. Yes, it is  the same thing. I can't just replace them - animals are not furniture."

Co-worker: "Oh, you're one of those animal lovers. You don't understand what something this stupid coud mean to Michael Vick's career!"

Me: "You're an idiot and I weep for your children."

I agree with DougB about the compartmentalizing humans can do. In his mind fighting dogs were probably completely different than pet dogs.

Along that same line, what I would like to know is if Michael Vick has read that Sports Illustrated article by Jim Gorant about what has happened to the dogs. About how many were rehabilitated and are now loving pets. I would like to see him spend some time with one of the dogs in their new loving home. That would make me believe that he has learned something.

I would like to see an interview where he is asked if he knows what has happened to those dogs, and what he thinks about it.

samshine

I would like to see him spend some time with one of the dogs in their new loving home. That would make me believe that he has learned something.

I would like to see an interview where he is asked if he knows what has happened to those dogs, and what he thinks about it.

If he didn't care then, he sure as heck won't care now.

SammysDaddy

dynamobt

I think it's going to end up, at some point, that Vick can get a dog.  Heaven help the poor dog is all I can say.  At least maybe he will be in the public eye enough that there is some "supervision" of sorts.  Maybe that could be court ordered.  I don't think even football fans could look away from any future animal abuse by Vick. 

Not the fans who still insist that he did no wrong. It burned me up when I heard a co-worker say "He didn't do anything wrong. They're just dogs. You can always get another dog. Who cares anyway?"

My response: "So I can take your kids and body slam them to the ground? Electrocute them? Beat them senseless?"

Co-worker: "WHAT?! No! Those are my kids! You can't do that to kids."

Me: "Who cares? They're just kids. You can always have more."

Co-worker: "That isn't the same thing!"

Me: "My dog and my cat are my kids, and I care. Yes, it is  the same thing. I can't just replace them - animals are not furniture."

Co-worker: "Oh, you're one of those animal lovers. You don't understand what something this stupid coud mean to Michael Vick's career!"

Me: "You're an idiot and I weep for your children."

Hate to say it, but I couldn't live where you live or work where you work.  No wonder my poor sweet hound boy ended up at animal control down there.  Too many redneck idiots who don't give a crap.  Your co-worker probably keeps his own dog on a chain in the yard and wouldn't look for him if he got lost - nor would he likely care if the local shelter gassed or heartsticked him.  You are absolutely right - he's an idiot.  But, I don't weep for his kids - they'll probably turn out just like him - idiots.

dynamobt

Unfortunately, Vick's probation is only for three years.  It is during that time that he is court ordered not to own a dog.  I don't know what happens after that.  I think that unless the judge of his trial and sentencing bans Vick from owning a dog for life, that there isn't much anyone else is going to be able to do about it.  I can't imagine any reputable breeder having anything to do with Vick.  But, heaven knows, there are dogs out there not getting such advocacy.  I think it's going to end up, at some point, that Vick can get a dog.  Heaven help the poor dog is all I can say.  At least maybe he will be in the public eye enough that there is some "supervision" of sorts.  Maybe that could be court ordered.  I don't think even football fans could look away from any future animal abuse by Vick.  Vick would lose everything.  I'm hope that's enough of a deterent when the time comes that he gets a dog.  Because, I think in spite what people who love dogs think, I think Vick is going to end up being able to get a dog. 

The real problem is that the penalty for animal abuse in this country is pathetic.  Vick should have paid more dearly for what he did.  The short time he spent in prison was not "enough" of a penalty. 

What he did would be considered a felony in my state.  And, no, I think he should never own a dog.  I think he is a despicable human being who still feels entitled now that he has his income stream back (I would have cut that off, too - if he was working as a janitor somewhere maybe he couldn't afford a dog, and that would be very good indeed)

Janitor my hind foot.  He should be shoveling excrement out of the city sewers and having to donate 80% of his income to LOCAL shelters.  And not have contact with his children since he's a terrible influence on them.

I also agree with DougB on the compartmentalizing (NOT condoning it or using it as an excuse) but the problem with this is that having him spend time with a rehab'd dog or volunteering with dogs probably won't change the way he compartmentalizes. 

I do not believe he should be allowed to ever own a dog.

No, that WAS part of his sentence that he would never be allowed to have another dog.

 

Hate to say it, but I couldn't live where you live or work where you work.  No wonder my poor sweet hound boy ended up at animal control down there.  Too many redneck idiots who don't give a crap.  Your co-worker probably keeps his own dog on a chain in the yard and wouldn't look for him if he got lost - nor would he likely care if the local shelter gassed or heartsticked him.  You are absolutely right - he's an idiot.  But, I don't weep for his kids - they'll probably turn out just like him - idiots.

That particular co-worker doesn't have any pets, and apparently for a good reason.

I just had an argument with someone about this, and he felt that Vick was remorseful and wouldn't harm a pet.  My feeling is that he gave up the right to ever own a pet by his previous actions.  I'm sure he wouldn't harm a family dog, plus he would know that everyone was watching him, but he doesn't deserve the love that you get from an animal.

JackieG

 If someone can separate the suffering they cause to an animal they don't consider their pet from the love they feel for their personal pets, that's a sick person, IMO.  Pain is pain and it doesn't make a person worthy of owning a pet if they cause or allow animals in their care to suffer.

...Thus the Commandant at Belsen Camp going home for the day with fumes of human roast clinging rebelliously to his hairy nostrils will stop at the wayside sweet-shop and pick up a chocolate for his tender offspring waiting at home for Daddy's return ...

Chuffy

JackieG

 If someone can separate the suffering they cause to an animal they don't consider their pet from the love they feel for their personal pets, that's a sick person, IMO.  Pain is pain and it doesn't make a person worthy of owning a pet if they cause or allow animals in their care to suffer.

I'm not sure - i think lots of people can. That's not what makes a person sick, it's what makes a person a person.

Really?  Just because we as humans have proven that we can be callous and cruel to the helpless and weak doesn't mean this is acceptable.  The Commandant in your quoted poem is just another example of how some humans can make some people less than real and treat others with tender concern.  I couldn't torture a dog in the name of sport and go home and cuddle with my dogs.  Could you?  If that's what makes a person a person, I'd rather be a dog.

I think men and women during battle do things that they hate doing but they do it for the greater good and I'm glad they have the fortitude to do so.  The good ones live with those terrible memories for a lifetime.  The bad ones never feel a bit of remorse.  A death camp commandant is not an example of a man fighting for what he believes to be a good cause. They were cowardly monsters who didn't think the people in the camps were human.    

dynamobt

I can't imagine any reputable breeder having anything to do with Vick.  But, heaven knows, there are dogs out there not getting such advocacy. 

 Let me assure you, there are PLENTY of people who would love to give him a dog as a show of their support for him.  No reputable breeder required. 

I was living w/a celebrity in my younger years and someone walked up to him/his entourage at his birthday party and handed him a Rottweiler puppy.  (This was the only one, of *many* offerings over the years, that he decided to keep.  I woke up the next morning to the squeals and whining in the kitchen.  Welcome to the family, "Chaos"!)

JackieG

Chuffy

JackieG

 If someone can separate the suffering they cause to an animal they don't consider their pet from the love they feel for their personal pets, that's a sick person, IMO.  Pain is pain and it doesn't make a person worthy of owning a pet if they cause or allow animals in their care to suffer.

I'm not sure - i think lots of people can. That's not what makes a person sick, it's what makes a person a person.

Really?  Just because we as humans have proven that we can be callous and cruel to the helpless and weak doesn't mean this is acceptable.  The Commandant in your quoted poem is just another example of how some humans can make some people less than real and treat others with tender concern.  I couldn't torture a dog in the name of sport and go home and cuddle with my dogs.  Could you?  If that's what makes a person a person, I'd rather be a dog.

I think men and women during battle do things that they hate doing but they do it for the greater good and I'm glad they have the fortitude to do so.  The good ones live with those terrible memories for a lifetime.  The bad ones never feel a bit of remorse.  A death camp commandant is not an example of a man fighting for what he believes to be a good cause. They were cowardly monsters who didn't think the people in the camps were human.    

 

JackieG

Chuffy

JackieG

 If someone can separate the suffering they cause to an animal they don't consider their pet from the love they feel for their personal pets, that's a sick person, IMO.  Pain is pain and it doesn't make a person worthy of owning a pet if they cause or allow animals in their care to suffer.

I'm not sure - i think lots of people can. That's not what makes a person sick, it's what makes a person a person.

Really?  Just because we as humans have proven that we can be callous and cruel to the helpless and weak doesn't mean this is acceptable.  The Commandant in your quoted poem is just another example of how some humans can make some people less than real and treat others with tender concern.  I couldn't torture a dog in the name of sport and go home and cuddle with my dogs.  Could you?  If that's what makes a person a person, I'd rather be a dog.

I think men and women during battle do things that they hate doing but they do it for the greater good and I'm glad they have the fortitude to do so.  The good ones live with those terrible memories for a lifetime.  The bad ones never feel a bit of remorse.  A death camp commandant is not an example of a man fighting for what he believes to be a good cause. They were cowardly monsters who didn't think the people in the camps were human.    

 

Bravo Jackie! I agree 110%.