Michael Vick - As it Stands Right Now 8/14/09

I had made a vow that my next post would consist of only "Good News," but I just have to opine on the Michael Vick/Philadelphia Eagles thing. I'll be brief.

No, I'm not surprised that he has been signed. I don't know much about professional sports, but I imagine there are many NFL players with criminal records. If they let wife-beaters play, they're going to let guys play who committed cruelty to animals. If we have a beef with the consequences for Vick's crimes, we should be looking at cruelty and dog fighting statutes and the applicable penalties for those crimes. We should be lobbying for tougher laws and more vigorous prosecution. Expecting a money-making enterprise like the NFL to penalize Vick for life is not realistic. And, although it might feel good to voice outrage at the Eagles' decision, it is ultimately not productive.

What will outrage me is if what I heard from Vick today is accepted as a suitable expression of remorse. So far I have heard him refer to a "horrible mistake," "a pointless activity" and regret that he "risked so much at this point in his career." These pronouncements fall so short of what I want to hear that I am finding it hard to suppress a major rant . . .

We've all made "horrible mistakes" and engaged in "pointless activities" that got us into trouble. But do those words explain away electrocuting a dog in a swimming pool? He regrets that he risked his career? Are you kidding me?

What I want to hear, what I hope to hear on Sunday night's 60 Minutes, is something more like this: "I am mortified when I look back on the dispicable acts I committed. I cannot imagine what possessed me to inflict such pain and suffering on innocent animals. I am working with a therapist to find out why I lack empathy for living beings. I hope someday, when I have figured out how I could have behaved like such a monster, I will be able to help others avoid taking that path. I have nightmares in which I hear dogs screaming. I wish I could take back the agony I caused those dogs." That's the kind of thing I want to hear. That's the kind of thing I sure hope Wayne Pacelle (HSUS President) heard before he agreed to work with this guy.

Being sorry for "risking his career" and engaging in a "pointless activity"? That's an adequate expression of remorse? Come on.

Parking Lot Heroes - Warning: Graphic Content

This weekend, temps here in central Illinois were in the low 90's and the humidity was high. Anybody with 1/2 a brain would know that you can't leave an animal in a car with no a/c running in the afternoon on day like Saturday. Three diners at Fazoli's in Champaign apparently don't have 1/2 brain between them.

Here's the story. My friend, C.L., spends a few hours at PetSmart every Saturday, as a rep for a high-end pet food producer. This Saturday, at 2 in the afternoon, she was getting out of her car near Fazoli's and saw three people get out of a Suburban and go into the restaurant. At the same time, she heard the bark of the puppy that was left behind. The Suburban was parked in the sun. They had left at least one window cracked. C.L., having more than 1/2 brain, immediately called Animal Control and waited by the vehicle. At 2:10, Animal Control had not arrived. C.L. had enlisted back-up from a Banfield veterinarian (Banfield clinic is located within PetSmart) and another colleague. One of them called the police. At 2:13 the puppy was in obvious distress; vocalizing and panting heavily. C.L. went into Fazoli's and confronted the puppy's people. She was incredibly angry and upset, but somehow managed not to curse as she informed them that they were killing their puppy over a plate of pasta. They replied that "everybody" leaves their dogs in the car.

When C.L. returned to the Suburban, the puppy was in the arms of the veterinarian, and they rushed him/her into the Banfield clinic for emergency treatment. The pup's temperature was approaching 104. (for adult dogs, 104 degrees is the threshold temp. for heat stroke; at 106 degrees the situation is dire). Initial procedures did not bring the pup's temperature down fast enough. After a cool water enema was administered, the pup's body finally cooled down.

Back outside, Animal Control had arrived and I believe the puppy owner was issued a citation and fine of $225. C.L. reported that the Animal Control officer was appropriately stern. When the puppy was fully stabilized, she/he was returned to the owner. I sure hope they learned a lesson.

Morals of the story?

(1) What's obvious to me is not necessarily obvious to everybody else. Sometimes I get so tired of repeating the "don't leave your dog in the car" message! I think, "surely, everybody already knows that!" Well, apparently not. Remedial as it is, the lesson still needs to be taught.

(2) Under certain conditions, it literally does not take more than 10-15 minutes for an animal to go into crisis due to heatstroke. Please - do not risk your own animal's life for the sake of convenience. And, if you see an animal in a situation that does not look good to you, contact authorities immediately. Don't wait until the animal is in distress -- it will be too late. And,

(3) There are heroes among us! Three cheers for C.L. and her colleagues who intervened to save this puppy's life. They were courageous and they made a difference.

Buddy