It’s official, the Eagles have signed Vick to a two-year contract. I think Kate Woodviolet from the LA Pet Rescue Examiner sums it up best.
Philadelphia Eagles President Joe Banner announced Thursday night that the team has signed disgraced former Atlanta Falcon and admitted dog killer Michael Vick to a two-year contract.
It is unclear how Vick can be eligible to sign a two-year deal if his reinstatement is only conditional at this time. It also calls into question whether Goodell and the NFL, instead of determining Vick’s future based on his conduct during the initial six-week period, were simply waiting to see if any NFL team wanted Vick before committing the league to a full reinstatement.
The Eagles announced the move on the website via the column “On the Inside” written by Dave Spadaro, under the breathless headline “Yes, It’s True! Vick Is An Eagle.” The brief article contains few details on the deal, although Spadaro gushes that the news “certainly is exciting, thrilling, shocking.” Spadaro does not once mention Vick’s conviction, nor the specific crimes to which he pled guilty. Such omissions go far toward explaining why so many people across the nation are still unaware of the extent of Vick’s admitted brutality towards his own dogs, as well as to family pet dogs he and his friends placed in the ring with fighting dogs because, according to a 2008 USDA report, they “thought it was funny to watch the pit bull dogs belonging to [Vick's] Bad Newz Kennels injure or kill the other dogs.”
Also helping to promote widespread misconceptions that Vick only “fought a few dogs” is the fact that throughout his legal odyssey Vick himself has only publicly acknowledged committing “immature acts” and, more recently, “terrible mistakes.” Even today, comments left on the Eagles website by fans who support the Vick signing insist, incorrectly, that Vick only fought dogs, rather reflecting an understanding of the fact that in addition to putting pet dogs in the ring with trained fighters, Vick also both participated in killing and conspired to kill at least thirteen of his own dogs by various means including shooting, hanging, drowning, electrocution and, in one case, viciously slamming the dog’s body to the ground; acts that NFL Commissioner Goodell once characterized as “not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible.” Apparently Goodell’s opinion of killing dogs by various torturous means has changed.
Pictured above is Leo, a former Vick dog, now fully rehabilitated and a certified therapy dog.
* Pic courtesy msnbc.com
Aug 17, 2009 | | Dog News, Long Island Dog blog
It’s summer and thunderstorms are a common occurrence, some dogs aren’t bothered and yet others are terrified. So, when I came across an article with some tips to help ease a dog’s anxiety I thought it would make a great post.
Here’s the scoop from Today at msnbc.com.
Dog owners who spend many a stormy night struggling to get some sleep while a panting, drooling, trembling pet climbs around on top of them know that the fear of thunder can be a tricky problem to solve.
Dogs with the condition often look to their owners for comfort, yet are in such a state of panic, they are inconsolable. And it can be hard to know how to soothe an upset dog without unwittingly reinforcing its anxiety.
Potential remedies include medication, desensitizing the dog to thunder and training it to retreat to a safe place when a storm hits.
But there seems to be no single cause for the fear of thunder, and there also isn’t any one guaranteed treatment, veterinarians who specialize in canine behavior say. Something that helps one dog might not help another; a method that works during one storm may not in another.
Dodman suggests finding a safe place for the dog and training it to go there during storms, “almost like a bunker in a nuclear war.” It could be a spot in the basement with the curtains drawn and lights on to mask lightning, a kennel with an open door and a comfortable dog bed in it, or a makeshift den in a closet with no windows.
The owner should initially stay with the dog and offer treats and training to reinforce the idea that it’s a pleasant, safe place, Dodman said.
Swaddling a dog can also help, calming it like a baby wrapped in a blanket. It can be as simple as wrapping the dog in a light blanket or towel. For a snugger fit, an animal leotard called a sheep suit – typically used on show animals to keep the coat tidy before competition – is an inexpensive option. Shull and Fox recommended an item called an Anxiety Wrap that comes in standard and custom-made versions.
Other things to try include anti-anxiety medications, either alone or in combination. It’s becoming increasingly common for veterinarians to prescribe the generic version of drugs such as Xanax or Prozac for anxious dogs.
The natural herb valerian – the herbal form of Valium – can also be effective, Fox said.
“The trouble is that it takes a good 20 minutes before it has effect, so you’re going to be doping your animal before the big storm comes,” Fox added.
To learn more about thunderphobia and read other ways to help calm your dog go to TODAY Pets & Animals.
* Kylie looking spiffy in her rain gear.
Aug 17, 2009 | | Dog News, Long Island Dog blog
In Kaufman County Texas almost 600 dogs, along with some cats, were seized when the Humane Society and sheriff’s deputies raided a puppy mill.
The society said it started investigating the kennel, which is located near Prairieville just north of Mabank, when someone came to them asking for dog food donations. Representatives visited and found poor living conditions and malnourished dogs.
“If loving the animal is a criminal, then maybe I’m a criminal,” she said. “Because I work 6 o’clock in the morning until 11:30 at night taking care of these animals.
Representatives said most of the dogs were living in their own waste and many were under fed. Three dogs died after being rescued and several others have skin or foot conditions.
Watch FOX 4 reporter Fil Alvarado’s story.
If you can’t see the video click here.
Deputies said kennel owner, 72-year-old Margaret Boyd, faces animal cruelty charges.
Boyd told FOX 4 she is fighting to get the animals back. A court hearing is scheduled for Friday and both she and the Humane Society plan to ask for custody of the animals.
* Pic MyFOXDFW
Aug 17, 2009 | | Dog News, Long Island Dog blog
Ever wonder if karma plays a role in life? You know, do something bad and something bad will happen to you.
Take, for instance, yesterday. I knew I needed to clean out the turd-laden kitty litter box but put it off. Later, when it was time to feed the kids (Bo, Copper and Logan), I came upon a nice wet poo of the feline variety. Moose sat in the corner with a look that said, “Take that!”
When I went to throw the kitty litter box into the garbage bag, I misjudged it and dumped the whole shebang on the floor. Hey, I had it coming.
So I was happy to see that it goes the other way too.
What follows is a touching tale of a lost dog, a found family and karmic payback.
PORT TAMPA, Fla. — Yolanda Segovia heard a knock on her door one morning, just before 8 a.m.
Her neighbor was on the porch, with a dog and a story.
Stacey Savige had found the little dog in front of an elementary school. He wasn’t very big, looked like some sort of terrier. Burrs clung to his belly. His honey fur was caked in mud.
He didn’t have a collar. Stacey had taken him to the vet and he didn’t have a chip, either.
Now Stacey had to go to work. Could Yolanda keep him?
“You can leave the dog here,” Yolanda told Stacey. “But just for today.”
They took photos of the dog and made a FOUND flier. Stacey ran off 4,000 color copies. She and Yolanda stuffed mailboxes, put ads on Craigslist.
Yolanda took her boys to the dollar store and bought a collar, leash, ball and brown bed. Her 10-year-old, Azaiah, decided to call the dog RaeLee, pronounced “Riley.” He said he had heard it on TV. All afternoon, he walked the dog, threw the ball, laughed while the dog licked his face.
“Don’t fall in love with him,” Yolanda kept warning.
Her elder son, Christian, 21, watched through the window. Christian has Down syndrome and an array of other ailments. He has had heart surgery, a kidney transplant. He can’t speak or bathe himself.
That night, when the boys climbed into their bunk beds, the dog dragged his new bed from Yolanda’s living room, down the long hall, into their room.
Four days later, they still had the dog. He was starting to answer to his new name.
He loved roughhousing with Azaiah, knew to be gentle with Christian. He almost never barked.
On Saturday, Azaiah went to his dad’s house. Christian retreated to his room to watch a Barney video. The dog dozed beside him.
Yolanda had just stepped onto her porch to water the plants when the dog flung himself into the screen door, barking madly.
As she opened the door, the dog sprinted across the living room, into the boys’ room.
Yolanda screamed. Christian was slumped over, his body writhing in a seizure, blood streaming from his nose and mouth.
The dog ran to the boy, still yelping. But as soon as Yolanda bent to cradle her son, the dog went silent.
“If he hadn’t come to get me,” Yolanda told Stacey later, “the neurologist said Christian would have choked on his own blood and died.”
Since no one had claimed the dog, Yolanda decided to keep him.
You’ll have to read the rest at this link to find out how this story ends. Let’s just say I could roast marshmallows on my heart right about now.
Photo courtesy of the Associated Press.
Aug 17, 2009 | | Dog News, Long Island Dog blog
If your kids are thinking of a good companion dog, you probably would tend to first look at just look at a few of your favorite breeds, choose a good selection of puppies and then pick the one with the best spirit. And there are hundreds of breeds to choose from – just think of the Bluetick Coonhound and the Toy Poodle. But, you would be better served to find dog that fits your personality. Seek a pet that has the qualities that you had in mind and can bond …, http://www.mainstreetdog.com/2009/08/15/how-to-pick-a-good-companion-dog/
Aug 17, 2009 | | Dog News
HOW DO I CLAIM MY DEDUCTIBLE AND RENTAL a href=http://guidestravel.info/archives/564 target=_blankcar insurance:/a FROM SOMEONE WITHOUT INSURANCE?br /
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What is the prizewinning artefact for me to intend my money backwards (deductible and property automobile costs) from someone who caused the accident, but who’s shelter turns discover to not be valid? She is individual with Geico, still when I titled them – they said it is probable that there is something criminal with her contract and they module belike not counterbalance the outlay of the accident. I’m guessing she didnt clear her …, http://www.mainstreetdog.com/2009/08/12/how-do-i-claim-my-deductible-and-rental-car-insurance-from-someone-without-insurance/
Aug 17, 2009 | | Dog News
As one of the most popular type of dogs, the Yorkie, also known as Yorkshire Terrier, walks proudly despite its tiny stature. Not only are they often winning show dogs, but they are one of the great companion dogs. Though characteristically bold in their activity, a href=http://www.artistryyorkies.com target=_blankYorkshire Terrier/a do like to please their masters very much, which makes them extremely easy to train. Part of what gives them their fame is not just their cute size but the color and texture of their silky-smooth …, http://www.mainstreetdog.com/2009/07/27/meet-the-breed-yorkshire-terrier/
Aug 17, 2009 | | Dog News
So you either have a new puppy that is misbehaving, or a dog that just acts up and never listens. Positive Reinforcement is vital to a dogs training. When I was a child, I began training one of my dogs, but the problem I was coming across was people were telling me to use force on the dog. I was given a choke chain and always felt bad for my dog when he tried to run to go pee on a tree while I was walking him. Did these methods …, http://www.mainstreetdog.com/2009/07/24/the-key-to-a-dogs-training-positive-reinforcement/
Aug 17, 2009 | | Dog News
A few funny dog clips.
Music:
Finger Eleven – Paralyzer
www.youtube.com
, Funny, http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Du23gEi47_j4&source=video&vgc=rss&usg=AFQjCNFcomiJtAuKmlh6wCFwYPfbZmkGKQ, http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=dog+videos&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wv&dur=1&output=rss, Google Videos – dog videos, http://video.google.com/common/google_logo_small.jpg,
Dog Video, 8, dog-video
Aug 17, 2009 | | Videos