Vicktory dogs Archives - i Still Love Dogs

R.I.P. Cherry, One of the Last Surviving Vicktory Dogs

Nearly 13 years ago, Cherry was one of the 51 Pit Bulls rescued from a life of horror at Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels in Virginia.

Prior to 2007, most dogs rescued from fighting operations were euthanized. Even Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States at the time, said the rescued Vick dogs would never be suitable as pets and thus should all be destroyed.

But dog experts at animal welfare organizations including the Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS), Richmond Animal League and BAD RAP knew better. They took in the Vick survivors, rehabilitated them and found them loving forever homes in which these “unadoptable” survivors thrived, earning them the name “Vicktory Dogs.” Many of them became beloved therapy dogs. One of the survivors, Jonny Justice, was awarded the prestigious ASPCA Dog of the Year award in 2014.

Cherry, just a puppy in 2007, was taken in by BFAS. “Cherry arrived at Best Friends looking like he wanted to stick his head in a hole and never come out,” according to Julie Castle, CEO of BFAS, in The Best Friends Blog. “The word ‘withdrawn’ doesn’t even begin to describe it. He was living in his own world, trapped in a nightmare replaying over and over inside his head.”

Thanks to the tender, loving care he received at BFAS, Cherry eventually came out of his shell. He turned out to be a big ol’ snugglebug, wanting to cuddle with people, other dogs — and even cats.

“It was so wonderful to see Cherry become the squooshy-faced lap dog he’d always wanted to be — wonderful because it happened for him and wonderful that he’d come so far from his sad past of abuse,” Castle wrote.

Cherry was adopted by Paul and Melissa Fiaccone. He enjoyed a long, loving life in his forever home. He became a Pit Bull ambassador, helping people realize that it’s possible for dogs to be rehabilitated after experiencing such horrible trauma.

Tragically, many of the dogs at Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels never got a second chance like Cherry and his fellow Vicktory Dogs. According to the federal indictment, Vick himself killed poorly performing dogs by hanging them or repeatedly slamming them to the ground. When three dogs survived being hanged, Vick helped hold their heads underwater until they drowned.

Vick went to prison for 18 months in 2007 and was then awarded the second chance he’d deprived of all those dogs he killed. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles and quickly resumed his NFL career. Most recently the NFL has given him the honor of being a “legends captain” for the 2020 Pro Bowl. Over 1.4 million people have signed online petitions urging the NFL to choose a more worthy “legend.”

If anyone deserves legend status, it’s Cherry and the Vicktory Dogs. Sadly, Cherry recently had a mass growing on his spleen and had become lethargic. According to his dog dad, Paul Fiaccone, “the message was clear from him. He was tired, he was ready. Melissa and I held his paws and hugged him tightly as he crossed the Rainbow Bridge. He was extremely peaceful and we are honored to have been with him at his time of need.”

Paul wrote that during their years together, Cherry taught him a very important lesson: to live. “Life will always throw you curveballs, but live it and live it well,” he wrote. “Cherry gave life all he had and he wrung every ounce out of his time here. He just loved life and loved sharing his love with his family, friends and whomever he met.

“Today we mourn the loss of Cherry, but tomorrow we live. We live for Cherry.”

Photo: Best Friends Animal Society/YouTube

R.I.P. Ray, Vick Dog Who Became Vicktory Dog

Ray, one of the 50 Pit Bulls rescued in 2007 from Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels in Virginia, crossed the Rainbow Bridge last night.

He had babesia, a debilitating blood parasite that is common in fighting dogs, who transmit it to each other through puncture wounds. After undergoing surgery yesterday to have his spleen removed, Ray suffered a blood clot.

“I never, ever felt as if Ray were just our dog,” wrote his grieving dog dad, Kevin Johnson, on the Ray the Vicktory Dog website today. “It was as if he felt he had a mission to meet and touch as many people as he could.

“When we would be having lunch on the deck, he would watch intently for people coming out to take a seat. He’d stand, his ears would fold back and his tail would start tentatively wagging side to side. His yearning expression pulled people in again and again. I am eternally grateful for all the people who set down their plates to come over and give him a pat and a kind word. Every time that happened, it confirmed his belief that he was special and that people needed to meet and love on him.”

Prior to 2007, most dogs rescued from fighting operations were euthanized. Even Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, said back then that the rescued Vick dogs would never be suitable as pets, and should all be destroyed.

But dog experts at animal welfare organizations including the Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS) knew better. They took in the Vick survivors, rehabilitated them and found loving forever homes in which many of these “unadoptable” survivors thrived.

Kevin and his wife, Jacque, both worked at the BFAS Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. They had worked with other Vicktory dogs, but fell in love with Ray. After fostering him, they officially adopted him on Valentine’s Day last year.

“Ray’s a bit more challenging (than some of the other Vicktory dogs),” Kevin said in a February 2014 news story on the BFAS website. “He’s got a mischievous glint in his eye. I’ve always been drawn to dogs (like) that. He’s got spunk, and I really enjoy that.”

Since the town where the Johnsons lived imposed a breed ban, the couple packed up their pets and moved to a new home in dog-friendlier Fredonia, Ariz.

“The fact that they totally changed their living situation to adopt him was very admirable – it showed … their dedication to him,” said BFAS Adoption Manager Kristi Littrell in the news story.

“Ray Ray was one of the most reactive, bouncing-up-and-down boys when he first arrived,” wrote Angela Rovetto, the lead pet caregiver at Best Friends Animal Society, in a comment today on the Ray the Vicktory Dog Facebook page. “To read so eloquently that he could be in public laying down, see a dog and then look to a human for direction, with trust….absolute transformation due to love, patience and guidance.”

Another Vicktory dog, Jonny Justice, was awarded the prestigious ASPCA Dog of the Year award in 2014. Within the past year, Vicktory dogs Hector and Gracie have also crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

“Today I am finding it hard to even breathe,” Kevin wrote. “In the past few years I have lost both of my parents, three dogs and a macaw. And each death cut like a knife and brought waves of sorrow. But nothing like I am feeling now. No other pain has even come close.”

Photo via Facebook

R.I.P. Gracie, Vick Dog Who Became Vicktory Dog

Gracie, one of the 50 Pit Bulls rescued in 2007 from Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels in Virginia, crossed the Rainbow Bridge today.

“This morning, little, old, bow-legged Gracie passed away and got her angel wings,” according to the Gracie’s Guardians Facebook page.

Named in her honor, Gracie’s Guardians, an initiative of the Richmond Animal League, is focused on improving the welfare of Pit Bulls in the Richmond, Va., area.

“Any words we write here could never begin to express the profound, positive and lasting impact that this little, black Pit Bull had on so many people who encountered her or heard the story of her suffering and triumph. We are and will be forever grateful for this little, broken black dog and everything she personified.”

According to the Gracie’s Guardians website, Gracie was chosen as its namesake “in tribute to her perseverance and that of countless other Pit Bulls who have suffered or continue to suffer at the hands of people, yet whose spirits and love for humans remains untarnished.”

Gracie was adopted by Sharon Cornett, who told CBS 6 news in April 2014 that of all the dogs she’d ever had, Gracie was probably the most docile. “Honestly, I think her legacy is to show that the public has absolutely nothing to fear,” Cornett said.

Will Lowery, co-founder of Gracie’s Guardians, agrees. He told CBS 6 that the successful rehabilitation of the Vick dogs has led to more adoptions of abused dogs.

“I think everybody involved would probably admit that there’s a lot learned about these dogs, and how to handle them, and what their future might hold,” Lowry said.

But dog experts at animal welfare organizations like the Richmond Animal League, Best Friends Animal Society and BAD RAP knew better. They took in the Vick survivors, rehabilitated them and found loving forever homes in which many of these “unadoptable” survivors thrived.

Along with Gracie, another of those lucky dogs was Jonny Justice, who was awarded the prestigious ASPCA Dog of the Year award last year. Yet another was Hector, a Vick dog who became a therapy dog. Hector died three months ago.

The CBS 6 news report below from April 2014 features Gracie and more Vicktory dogs who defied the odds. It also shows the horrors inside the Bad Newz Kennels, including the trees from which Vick himself hanged dogs who weren’t good fighters.

The property has been transformed into the Good Newz Rehab Center, which treats abused dogs who have been kept in chains or pens.

Rest in peace, Gracie. To make a donation to Gracie’s Guardians, click here.

Photos via Facebook

Former Vick Dog Jonny Justice is ASPCA Dog of the Year

When Jonny Justice was rescued in 2007 from Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier forced to fight had likely had no positive interactions with people or other dogs during his short lifetime.

At the time, Humane Society of the United States President Wayne Pacelle said Jonny and the other rescued dogs would never be suitable as pets and should all be euthanized.

Fortunately, dog experts at BAD RAP and Best Friends Animal Society disagreed with Pacelle.

These non-profit organizations took in the dogs, rehabilitated them and found loving forever homes in which many of these “unadoptable” survivors thrived.

Just one year after he was rescued from Vick’s house of horrors, Jonny Justice became a therapy dog. His pet parents, Cris Cohen and Jennifer Long of San Francisco, had noticed how well he got along with children.

Since 2008, Jonny has been visiting terminally ill children receiving medical treatment, providing them with love and support (and probably lots of soothing Staffie smooches). Jonny has also helped improve literacy by participating in programs in which kids practice reading aloud to him.

In honor of Jonny’s service, this year the ASPCA is awarding him with its highest accolade: Dog of the Year. Jonny will receive the award tomorrow at a luncheon in New York City.

The annual ASPCA Humane Awards recognize animal heroes who have demonstrated extraordinary efforts as well as people who have shown great commitment to animal welfare during the previous year.

“The 2014 Humane Awards winners represent stories of tremendous courage and determination, but also remind us how important animals are to our lives, and the care and protection we can give them in return,” said ASPCA President and CEO Matthew Bershadker in a press release.

“We are proud to honor these winners, and hope their journeys inspire more humane action across the country.”

This isn’t the first honor bestowed upon Jonny. In 2012 he was named the grand prize winner and Most Beautiful Dog in a Facebook photo contest held by stuffed-animal manufacturer GUND.

One of the prizes? GUND created a limited-edition plush toy in his likeness.

(Reminder: There are fewer than 40 shopping days until Christmas!)

Photos via Facebook

Hector, Vick Dog Turned Therapy Dog, Crosses Rainbow Bridge

Hector had a rotten start in life. He was one of the dozens of fighting dogs kept by Michael Vick at the Bad Newz Kennels. When Hector and 50 other dogs were rescued in 2007, Humane Society of the United States President Wayne Pacelle said they would never be suitable as pets and should all be euthanized.

But dog experts at BAD RAP and Best Friends Animal Society knew better. They took in the dogs, rehabilitated them and found loving forever homes in which many of these “unadoptable” survivors thrived.

Among those lucky dogs was Hector. The good folks at BAD RAP eventually adopted him out to Roo and Clara Yori from Rochester, Minn. In his brand-new life, Hector became a certified therapy dog, visiting patients in hospitals and nursing homes. He passed the Canine Good Citizen test twice.

(I really hope Mr. Pacelle is aware of this.)

“When he first came to us, I was skeptical a little bit,” Clara told FOX 47 earlier this month. “I was worried he wouldn’t get along with our other dogs because it didn’t make sense to me that he would. But he did. He gets along wonderfully with our other dogs. He taught me to be a little bit more open-minded too.”

Roo told FOX 47 that Hector had scars “all down his chest. I think he had to do what he had to do when he was [at Bad Newz], but once he had the chance to get out, he said, ‘All right, I can stay who I am and never look back.'”

Unfortunately, the 9-year-old Pit Bull’s luck changed early in September. He was diagnosed with erythrophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma, a very aggressive form of cancer, and given just weeks to live. After making — and then breaking — two previous appointments to have him euthanized, his pet parents made the difficult decision yesterday to send Hector over the Rainbow Bridge.

“My last day was as good as one could ask for,” wrote “Hector” in an update on his Facebook page. “The sun was shining, the frogs were out for me to chase at the pond, and I had Roo and Clara to carry me off the trail when my legs just couldn’t go any further.

“To my Vick Dog family, and all the other dogs rescued from similar cruelty situations, keep carrying the torch! There are a lot of dogs out there that still need help, so keep proving they deserve their chance through our success.”

Safe travels over the Bridge, Hector.

Photos via Facebook