Animation Source Forums

Animal lovers and sorts fans were shocked when the story broke that Atlanta Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick was running a brutal dog fighting operation. Vick had been breeding, training, and fighting pit bulls for sport at Bad Newz Kennels, which he started with a few buddies using one of his first NFL paychecks. When authorities busted Vick, fifty-one pit bulls were seized from his farm, and once the media frenzy subsided, the question remained: What would become of the dogs? The Lost Dogs traces the effort to bring Vick to justice and turns the spotlight on these infamous pit bulls, saved from euthanasia by an outpouring of public appeals, which led to a court order that forced Vick to pay nearly a million dollars in "restitution" to the dogs. Instead of being put down as originally planned, they were evaluated by the ASPCA and it was discovered that most were not vicious killers at all, but loving animals desperate for kindness. Many of them were scared of people and few showed signs of aggression. In the end forty-seven of the fifty-one dogs were saved and a number of them went on to become cherished pets, family dogs, and adored members of their communities. (From book cover).

Almost everyone knows about the dog fighting bust at 1915 Moonlight Road. Animal lovers were enraged, sport fans denying that their star quarterback could do something so evil. But not everyone knows of the struggle of the many innocent dogs that Vick tortured for "sport". Not everyone knows of their struggle, the hurdles they had to overcome. Far too few people can see the true beauty of a pit bull; how even after being exposed to heartbreaking abuse they still want to be your best friend. The Lost Dogs shows you all of this. And it is definitely one of my all time favorite books.

These dogs, even through a book, can really teach a lot of lessons. (Especially Sweet Jasmine. You really need tough skin not to be greatly moved to tears by her story). I think the worst part was knowing that this really happened. That these dogs were forced to do these things, by no faults of their own. And that things like this happen in our world every day while people blame the victims - the dogs. But knowing that these dogs were given a second chance at life, that people cared enough to save them, makes it all worth it.

And if you do not like pit bulls, still give the book a try. Who knows, it may even help change your mind.