The Internets were ablaze with fury when word of the Vick dog fighting bust broke. People, myself very much included, were furious about the stories of how dogs were treated and in many cases killed by Vick and his cronies.
In many ways this is a story custom made for today’s media: a high profile sports star involved in a bloody scandal with enough sordid and gory details to fill volumes of blogs, tweets, and Facebook posts.
And they did.
Now that we have some emotional distance from the discovery of the operation, the arrest, Vick’s (all too quick) release from jail, and his return to the NFL, it’s safe to examine the details of the situation and learn what actually happened, how the dog fighting operation was discovered, and then eventually shut down.
The Review
Jim Gorant’s The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption
The details of the investigation make for an exciting and engaging story. The case against the Bad Newz Kennel was not easy to make, and the efforts of the people responsible for making the arrests and convictions possible can only be described as heroic. There were many obstacles, some surprising — many infuriating — and it would have been very easy for them to to just quit or settle for a couple of minor charges. They didn’t settle: they struggled to bring Michael Vick and his partners to justice and shown a nationally visible spotlight on dog fighting.
After the arrests and the seizure of the dogs we about learn about what was, in many ways, a ground-breaking effort to save as many of them as possible. Most of us know about certain people’s recommendations to euthanize the dogs, but there is much more to the story than that: the people involved with rehabilitating and rehoming the dogs put in a herculean effort and managed to surpass even their own expectations.
Gorant spent seven years as an editor at Sports Illustrated and admits that when he was first involved with this story he was left wondering about the extraordinary effort that was made to save a few dogs. I think this “outsider’s” view of the case helps the story, and hopefully makes the book and its lessons more accessible to people that are similarly outside of the rescue community.
The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption
The Giveaway!
Win a free copy of The Lost Dogs
This review and contest is part of a “virtual book tour” that is organized by TLC Book Tours. It feature various reviews of The Lost Dogs through October 25. I received a copy of The Lost Dogs for free from TLC Book Tours and the book’s publisher. No goods or services were exchanges for this book. It’s all about the dogs.
Glad to hear that you enjoyed the book!
It is one on my (way too long!) list of books to eventually read.
I heard them discussing in on NPR recently and enjoyed listening to the author speak. It’s amazing the progress they have been able to make with some of those dogs!!
Mary
Hey Eric,
“I’m entering the drawing.”
I always appreciate your reviews. Not just books, but the products as well. You are very insightful and usually convince me (or not) regarding the reviewed material. Same goes for the book. Otherwise I would have thought it was a sensational piece on the suffering of the animals, or placing more attention on Vick. Now I’m looking forward to hearing how it all unfolded (really) and how the pups are doing. They are the ones who deserve a voice.
Excellent review! I think you’re right about having an ‘outsiders’ opinion of the book giving it a little more weight with those outside of the rescue community. Thank you so much for being on the tour!
I’m entering the drawing, as I put this book on my wish list about a month ago, but have yet to get it.
I, for one, am still upset Vick was allowed back into the NFL; they should have stuck to their guns and kept him out. In any case, it will be interesting to read an “outsider’s” point of view, to see what somebody not so emotionally attached to the outcome has to say about the whole effort.
Definitely entering to win a copy! It’s also going on my library reading list, but it’d be awesome to have my own copy to then loan out to others.
I browse your site from time to time and came across your recommendation for this book. I was hesitant at first to read it but my curiousity got the better of me and I read it. I want to say that this was a WONDERFUL book. I had tears in my eyes through parts, but could not put it down. I read parts of it to my husband and it made him teary too. By the end of the book, I was so emotionally involved I was cheering these dogs on. The end vindicated what I have always said about Pits. I have owned several and they have been the best, hands down. The book gives them hope for a future where they will be as accepted as any other breed. I have recommended the book to everyone I know and have spoken about it to anyone that will listen. I loved it!!!
I’ve read the book and have recommended it to all my friends/family. It’s an awful subject and the first few chapters are very difficult to read without crying, but after that the story of their rescue and rehab is so uplifting, and especially the heroics of everyone involved. I would love to win a free copy to loan out to all my pet resort customers.
I’m sure this book is a tough read, but it is on my list of books I hope to read. I live in the Philly suburbs where many folks are Eagles fans (NOT ME) and worship the new quaterback (NOT ME). I would like to be entered in the drawing. Thanks so much.
Please enter me in the drawing. I am very curious to read this book. Does it go into any social commentary on Vick himself? I just don’t understand how he was so vilified by so many just after all of this came to light, but then was welcomed back to society such a short time later by those same people (ok, not all of them, but many!). If it had been crimes against children, how would it have been different?
hey, eric!
“i’m entering the drawing.”
yes, i thought the rehab was SIGNIFICANT – it proved many S-O-P euthanasia programs like Michigan Humane-Society and many other shelters, to be needless.
many of the dogs were not particularly dog-aggro, VERY-few were people-aggro at all, and most went direct to foster care, with manners training, habituation to a ‘house’ vs a chain or pen, and socialization to kids, the elderly, handicapped folks, etc, as their primary needs –
they were ignorant, not nasty.
it is now Much Harder to say, “oh we can’t rehabilitate these dogs – they would never be trustworthy, it’s impossible, they have been fought, yadda yadda…”
it isn’t true, in over 80% of cases; it takes basic training, socialization + savvy dog-handling.
and the WILL to make it happen. ;–) that’s the big missing-piece.
all my best,
– terry
terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
I’d like to enter the drawing.
This book is on my list to read. The whole Vick situation saddens me, but I feel at least some good is starting to come from it. Most of these dogs have found their forever home (or sanctuary) and are going a long way to better the pit bull reputation. These dogs are proving how sweet and forgiving they can be. I hope these stories are continued to be told and that people realize they shouldn’t blame the breed.
Please enter me into the drawing for The Lost Dogs. I’ve read pieces here and there about the Vick dogs and would love to read about it all together.
I’m entering the contest. It’s an important book. Thanks for bringing attention to this!
I would love to win this book even though it will be hard for me to read because I have a hard time reading about animal abuse in any form. My anger instantly flares up and I cry thinking about the poor helpless creatures being abused. I am all for in acting much more severe punishments for animal abusers.
I’m entering the drawing.
Looking forward to reading The Lost Dogs, hurrah for the gentle souls who helped the dogs. Maybe if more people had their love of the Pit less of them would be in shelters, or used as the ‘boogey man’ in stories.