Cover via Amazon I'm currently reading the book, The Lost Dogs, about the Michael Vick fighting dogs and the efforts that went into saving them from destruction.  I had previously watched all the news about the fighting dog bust and I saw the DogTown special about the arrival and treatment of these dogs on television.

This book is difficult to read, especially the part where they describe the destruction of those dogs that either lost fights or wouldn't fight by the Bad News crew.  Michael Vick did personally participate in the torture and killing of many of those dogs, despite what his PR reps say. 

I like pit bulls.  I have had opportunities to be around them on and off all of my life.  I knew these dogs before they were given such a viscious reputation.  I used to watch the Little Rascals, whose dog was a pit bull.  I believe that some of what is said about these dogs is true, but I also believe that breeding and training are what have given us the really "bad" examples we often hear about.  The bottom line is that this breed of dog is just that, a dog.  They share the same tendencies and needs of every other breed of dog.  It's a shame that we humans have decided to "demonize" the breed by treating them badly and by encouraging them to bastardize their normal instincts.

Below is a follow up video about the Vick dogs.  I hope they have not been forgotten by the fickle public, especially with Michael Vick back in football.  He is not a nice person and does not ever need to have any contact with dogs for the rest of his life, unless we can treat him just as he treated these dogs.

Watch the full episode. See more Need To Know.

Watch the full episode. See more Need To Know.

Related articles

• Pit Bulls: Vicious Killers or Much-Maligned Breed? (blogcritics.org)
• What Kind Of Dog Will Michael Vick Get? [Nfl] (deadspin.com)

Life with Satchmo is always interesting!

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Yesterday, I went outside to take the little man to do his "business" and we were immediately attached by a chihuahua running loose in the parking lot of the apartment complex.  Why am I writing about this you ask?
Well, I would not be except this is becoming a real issue for me.  It's like we have become the dog magnet in this area.  Three times before this, we have gone outside only to be attached by a stray dog.  Two were chihuahas and one was a pit bull puppy.  I do try to capture and return these dogs whenever they have collars and tags, but that is not always the case.  One of the chihuahuas simply came in the house with my dogs before I could stop it.  This little boy was so cute and I found him a good home because he had no tag or collar and was starving. The pit puppy was so fearful that she ran away from me every time I tried to touch her collar.  I called the apartment maintenence crew and they found her and took her back home.  The other chihuahua simply would not let me near him and to this day is still running loose. 

This happens all the time so I wonder if there is a sign on my door that only dogs can see that alerts them to a friendly place. 

I really hate people that just let their dogs run.  I believe that owning a pet is a responsibility that you take on and it is non-refundable.

Oh, and about the chihuahua yesterday--he came home and came into the house.  I was able then to take him back to his home.  His mom and dad were so happy to see him and thanked me profusely.  That's what I like to see.  So, all is again right with the world at my house.