Michael Vick's house: one dog-lover's proposal
If you're not checking out our readers' comments section, you could be missing some fine ideas -- like Anne's proposal for what to do with former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick's former estate in Surry County, Va.
Vick has begun his 23-month sentence for dogfighting, and his house (pictured to the right in an AP photo) is on the auction block.
Anne (a regular Mutts reader) wrote: "There's enough infrastructure there that you could easily construct warm, comfortable buildings for dogs of all shapes and sizes. There's lots of outdoor, woodsy space. Large areas could be fenced off so that dogs could run and play in wooded areas.
Anne continued: "There's a building that could be adapted as- -- oh, maybe a veterinary clinic. I've always envisioned a large building with easy-to-clean floors and runs opening off it so that dogs could either be sociable together or have a quiet area according to their needs. I'd add a large heavy-duty washer and dryer for their bedding...a place to mix up their food...a bathing and grooming area...every amenity they might enjoy.
"...There would be plenty of indoor and outdoor space to introduce prospective adoptive families to the dogs in a comfortable, natural way. It's so pleasant to imagine a place of such dark horror for dogs being turned into a place of peace and safety for them -- a sort of a five-star rescue facility. I'll have to get busy and win that Powerball. Sigh."
Five stars and a wag of the tail, to Anne for her creative, if unfunded, idea. To see her full comments, and others, click here.
Comments
i do not think you should have went to prison.
Posted by: drew hammar | December 17, 2007 9:10 AM
Yes, go Anne! Meanwhile, great response to Vick's plea for leniency found here: http://gadab.blogspot.com/
Dear Michael Vick,
That was some letter you wrote.
How nice that a judge permitted you to be home for the birth of your child, but I sincerely hope you don't love your children the way you "love" animals: by drowning them, hanging them, starving them, electrocuting them, and smashing their skulls into the ground.
You say you've "lost everything" including your freedom, and I have to admit that would be difficult -- especially since you were living the life of a super star. But unfortunately you've lost all that the same way murderers, kidnappers, sex offenders, or burglars lose their freedom: through their own actions. You weren't singled out and imprisoned randomly -- you committed heinous crimes. If not you, who should pay? Should we not insist that a child molester serve his sentence, simply because his only other recorded crime is a traffic violation? Your actions were unbelievably cruel. Do you get that?
You seem to think you lost your endorsements unfairly. Was it not you that committed these offenses? Is it actually surprising to you that an endorsement would not be desired by someone who actively causes excruciating pain and suffering to another? The public does not want to buy any product from a brand that represents itself with someone who finds sport in the torture and killing of animals.
As for being exposed to dog fighting when you were growing up, I don't doubt it. Many people are exposed to ugly, horrific things in their lives -- it doesn't mean they grow up to perpetuate that ugliness. At any rate, I would expect a grown man -- who has also been exposed to incredible kindness and generosity -- to be able to tell the difference between right and wrong. "Growing up with" is a great excuse to perpetuate bigotry, child abuse, racism, and misogyny. At what point does one start thinking for himself?
And now you want leniency? How much more lenient could we be? In fact, we are showing you the very compassion that you deprived others. We are not torturing you or denying you medical treatment. We are seeing that you have daily meals and a bed to sleep in. We are not forcing you to spend your entire life tied up outside in below freezing temperatures. Why you think you should not have to pay for the crimes you committed is beyond me. You say you found religion? If you believe in an eye for an eye, you've gotten off easy.
I don't doubt that jail is unpleasant. But you will never ever know the kind of pain and suffering you inflicted on others. As for wanting to be there for your kids, you should have thought of that before you decided to torture, maim, and kill other living beings. I believe that your animals, your kids, and even your houseplants are safer with you behind bars.
Posted by: Chris | December 17, 2007 2:35 PM
Oh, my! I'd have to say that the real stars are deserved by the people out there on the front lines, working on shoestring budgets, making the world a better place one dog at a time. That would have to be people in groups like Recycled Love, BARCS, Rolling Dog Ranch, and our own "home" rescue group, BREW (Beagle Rescue, Education, and Welfare). It helps to reflect that for every greedy, misguided, stupid, or just plain evil person out there, there's a good person trying to make things right. People like that make life better for all of us, don't they?
Posted by: Anne | December 17, 2007 8:43 PM
I agree. And Rolling Dog Ranch is one of the greatest places on earth.
Posted by: chris | December 18, 2007 12:41 PM
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Posted by: Free Vick | December 19, 2007 9:46 AM
I think he should be goign to jail longer than 23 months. 5 years at the most. the crime he commited was brutal. if it were people, he'd be going to jail for 2nd degree man slaughter. So why not charge him with the same thing? its still aliving breathing creature.
Posted by: aliy | December 19, 2007 12:20 PM
What a great response to Vick's plea!
If Michael Vick accepted responsibility for what he's done, why is he basically begging to be let off the hook because he supposedly feels "remorseful" and, like lots of criminals, suddenly found religion? He was involved in dogfighting for SIX years! It wasn't a one-time mistake. The letters in support of him are shameful, too. They are basically saying that dogfighting (for SIX years!) is not that big of a deal and feeling "remorseful" is sufficient. Why don't we just let out all the criminals who say they're truly remorseful? That'd free up a lot of space!
Posted by: Linda | December 19, 2007 6:57 PM
Free vick!
Posted by: 7 | December 22, 2007 8:53 AM
Michael Vick is a cruel person, people are saying that he needs to be let free, but No, one question why? it was his choice not a mistake he choice to be a murderer, yes, he made dogs fight which is just as murdering them. He should be put to panel as a regular criminal not as a celebrity. His choice lead him to the wrong path and he should pay for his "mistake" how in the world can he keep an idea of tutoring hopeless animals and then taking action,to them, just seems too wrong. Dont let him free!!.
Posted by: courtney | December 26, 2007 6:25 PM
SINCE YOU ALL LOVE DOGS SO MUCH AN THIS IS SO BAD WHY IS IT ONLY ILLEGAL IN 48 STATES LOOK IT UP THIS WAS UNJUST TO RUIN A MAN
THIS WAY ,IF ITS SO BAD THEN WHY IN AMERICA IS IT ONLY ILLEGAL IN 48 STATES SO WHAT ABOUT WYOMING AND IOWA WHERE ALL WHITE MEN DO THIS AN THE LAW PROTECTS THEM HOW MUCH WORSE IS THE HYPOCRISY OF YOU ALL THAT PUT VICK IN HELL BUT NO ONE IS RUNNING DOWN THERE TO INVESTIGATE SO HOW DOES THAT WORK ONCE AGAIN A BLACK MAN IS UNREDEEMABLE WHILE THE FEDS TURN THEYRE HEADS TO 2 USA STATES ,AN THEN TRY TO PAINT THIS AS A INNER CITY PROBLEM WHEN IN FACT IT IS MORE OF A WAY OF LIFE IN STATES WHERE NO LAW SAYS YOU CANT DO IT WOULDN'T YOU START THERE??
Posted by: OKHYPOCRITES | January 3, 2008 2:26 AM
its hard for people to see vick being freed or givin another chance but the point is black men were never brought here to have a chance in the first place so why expect any more from the descendants of the most cruel people we have ever encountered the same people that wont have a conversation about what has been done in this country to black men for example lynching but no one wants to talk about that but 1 mistake an your butt is out an believe me its people that wish this was the old days an could string him up because a dog is better than a dear or antelope or every other animal that they take their leisure shooting bullets and arrows into for sport ,so basically we say we love dogs this is what you can shoot an this what we say you cannot remember a unjust law is no law at all
,,Wyoming and Iowa its no laws against fighting dogs because they make the rulse always have always will ,it is less ruin and risk to molest an rape then to fight dogs ,they want to reduce this young man to garbage meanwhile are men fight in a war an come home in boxes after being sent to be blown to pieces whos screaming about that its acceptable because thats what they say is ok are minds are just gone in this country an black men we just dont fit here no matter how successful we are we are the last an the least on this countries list ,sometimes i wonder how it would feel to be love and respected an live with the core of the country where you live be on your side i bet that feels great but ill never no in america where my father and grandfather both served in 2 separate wars ,just 1 day in life i wish i could wake up an see what it would have been like if my people were not the product of years of oppression an unfairness man white people dont know how good they have it
Posted by: OKHYPOCRITES | January 3, 2008 2:42 AM