Monday, Mike Schaffer wrote a blog post about Michael Vick’s reinstatement. Anyone that knows me knows this is a hot button issue for me, and it’s sometimes best not to get me started (lol)…but I of course had to comment and now I have to write my own blog post as well.

As a pit bull owner and advocate, it’s pretty clear why I hate Michael Vick. He tortured and killed numerous dogs while running a dog fighting ring. (In case you forgot the story, click here. It’s pretty heart-wrenching.)

It’s people like him that destroy what I would consider to be the most beautiful, obedient, loving grouping of dog breeds: the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Shaffordshire Terrier. It’s because of trash like Vick that Breed Specific Legislation laws are being passed all over the country, making it a CRIME for law-aiding, good dog owners like myself to keep our pets.

But that’s besides the point. Football players are idolized by children and adults alike. Little kids grow up looking at people like Vick and thinking “that’s what I want to be when I grow up”. Do you want your child to look up to a murderer?! Michael Vick being reinstated is a crock of shit.

Yeah, I get it: he served his time. (And by served his time I mean hung out in his super nice lakefront house which would be considered a relaxing vacation by most people.) HOWEVER, if I killed innocent animals, do you think Pyxl would let me come back to work after I was released from jail?! I don’t think so! And I’m not in some idolized career making an ultra plush salary.

There are certain things that carry a lifetime of consequences, and maybe people need to realize that before they make certain actions (like killing dogs for instance). Just look at the intern who plagiarized a few articles from the New York Times. She’s going to be haunted with that for life and will probably have a very hard time finding a career in journalism. How is it that a girl who stole a few lines will be worse off than a guy who killed innocent animals?!

It really all just makes me sick. Vick is going to be living the high life again in no time…and it’s absolutely not right!

Plus, it’s a psychologically accepted fact that people who abuse animals are five times more likely to hurt people too. Clearly, Vick is sick in the head! But what do we do with people like this in our society? Reward them, apparently! Ugh!

I really just think this reinstatement is not right. I highly doubt Vick has learned any lesson here, and I think his “partnership” with the Humane Society is nothing more than a PR stunt. Maybe the only lesson he might have learned is that the money goes away (for 2 years) when you’re caught killing dogs…other than that, I doubt he feels remorse.

And for the record, the day Michael Vick dies, I’m throwing a celebratory party. You can hold me to that.

<3 Nicole (and Diesel & Link too!)

PS: Don’t forget to pick up a Michael Vick Chew Toy for your furry friends

If you’re following me on Twitter, Facebook, or any other social network, chances are you knew that last week, my dog Diesel went missing. He disappeared from my front yard Wednesday night, and by Thursday morning I had lost “ads” posted everywhere I could think of online. We visited the shelter everyday. By Saturday afternoon, I’d hit every vet, Walmart, gas station, restaurant, etc. within 15 miles of my house with flyers. Michael and I drove and walked around the neighborhood numerous times, but by Saturday morning, we still had no luck. I was devastated and freaking out.

Luckily for us, around 10pm Saturday night we got the call I’d been waiting for. Diesel was about a half mile away from our house, at an older couple’s house. They’d had him locked in their fenced yard since Thursday night, but they couldn’t get him to come to them to read his tag.

Side note: Diesel, a purebred American Pit Bull Terrier, was a dog I rescued from a very sketchy situation at 4 months old. Already past his prime socialization point, he was a dog I spent an extreme amount of time (and money) training and molding to become the dog he is today. While he’s made leaps and bounds in the socialization department, he still has a hard time trusting those he doesn’t know. He needs mommy’s “go ahead” to really accept most people. (Note: he’s not mean by any standard…in the “fight or flight” scenario, Diesel just runs.)

So how did they find me? Not from his tag, the microchip implanted above his shoulder blade, or the hundreds of signs posted around town…Their next door neighbors happened to check Craigslist and found my ad (with photo, description, and phone number).

In my opinion, this is an amazing example of how powerful the internet is. Without a tool like Craigslist, would I have my dog back? How many extra days would it have taken?

Another remarkable story here…is the support I received via Twitter and Facebook. After tweeting that Diesel was missing, over 100 people retweeted, and even more @ed and DMed to see how they could help or to just offer their prayers and well-wishes. On Facebook, I received similar support. It was amazing to me that people all over the country were worried about my dog. Even the follow-up amazed me, as people I’ve run into here in Knoxville have been asking about D, along with friends online.

It really goes to show how social media allows friendships to form like they never have before. I love it! (And a big thanks to all those who were worried about Diesel, I really appreciated everything!)

So for anyone who’s interested: How is Diesel doing now? Sometime during the span of time he was missing, he was hit by a car. Fortunately for us and for him, no bones were broken. The road rash was pretty bad, but he’s well on his way to recovery. And for all the pain we assume he’s feeling, he’s taking it very well and has been wagging his tail ever since he’s been home. He lost 7lbs during the fiasco, but after a steak dinner and numerous bowls of dog food, he’s starting to plump back up just fine. All in all, I think we got very lucky that his injuries were minor and that he’s home safe and sound