03/03/2025
During his lifetime, I did not mention Michael Vick other than when asked a direct question during an interview. I would tell folks not to even ask, they did sometimes still. I get it. In a sense, they believed Vick was the story. They were wrong.
This story, Dan’s story, that of the Vicktory Dogs, was a story of resilience, of awe, of immeasurable success during a time where their peers would have been euthanized without question.
This group of dogs not only changed the landscape for future survivors; due to their sussessful integration into families, but also due to their ability to forgive a specieze who didn’t deserve that grace.
Evaluated as indicidials for the first time, they were given a chance. And as it turned out, a chance was all they needed. Such is the same for us humans. We all long to be seen as individuals.
The story, Dan’s story, started in a clearing chained it a car axel deep in some Virginia woods, and it ended as a loving family member with two human children, a hero, a life changing monument to dogs rescued from similar situations, past, present, and future, and my very best friend, My One.
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There are policies within Handsome Dan’s Rescue stating that volunteers are not to engage in any inquiries regarding Vick.
Rather than hate, I feel only indifference toward the man.
With the passing of time I feel more comfortable publicly responding Vick’s actions, and to those who surround him.
The need to protect Dan’s story is fading; Dan’s story has been set in stone, never to change. This does not mean the immeasurable pain of his loss is not there. However, I have been able to start to let go of the need to actively stay silent.
Long live the Vicktory dogs. THEY are the story. They need to remain the story.