Leo and Me

I wanted to annouce that I have officially adopted Leo. I know many people thought that I already had but he has been an Our Pack dog all this time (of course all the time knowing that he's my lil soulmate). I have never felt like he belonged anywhere else. Whenever I'd imagine him in another home or if someone was interested in him it was sort of a kick in the stomach. I thought it was just "something I had to get through"....it happens in rescue right?

One day there was a trailer on TV for the rerun of Animal Witness: The Michael Vick Case. There was a shot where there is a dog that I'm sure is Leo (it could have been another that looks like him but I KNOW his body movements so well now) that was on a catchpole being put into the AC truck. I had a twinge inside like, "oh no, wait, that's my dog, don't hurt him!" I know he was being taken to safety at that time but to just see him on that awful property made me cringe so bad inside. I thought to myself I just never, ever want anything bad, painful, scary or neglectful to happen to him again. He IS my boy!

It's funny because a little over 2 years ago when he first came to me he acted like a monkey at a banquet I thought, "what the heck was I thinking?"

Leo was work as he came to us jumping on us to get attention with bad manners. He didn't know what a couch was and he acted like a big overgrown kid with shorts that were too big showing up on the short yellow bus and chocolate ice cream spilled all over his shirt. But heck, he wanted to have a good time.

Training, training, training for good manners because when you're a therapy dog you can't put ONE paw up on anyone one. There's IV's in a patient's arm, injured patients etc. Leo was certifed as a therapy dog in 5 weeks to be around hospitals, rest homes, wheelchairs, fire alarms and people who don't always know how to pet right. He wanted to please so much and do the right thing it was tear jerking to me that he could be this way after all he'd seen and experienced. Even after 5 weeks he still had things to get over and desensitize to. After time it all seemed to get better for him. Still I wonder what he dreams about when I hear sounds of a nightmare.

He didn't necessarily trust my dogs initially but over time he realized that this was a place of love, leadership and stucture (aka "no jumping") and that I would manage things safely for him not unsafely. All of the above changed so much for him AND me. Since the beginning Leo has taught me about unconditional love, sharing, patience, a zest for life, more about canine behavior, and the most admirable of all courage and a willingness to forgive no matter what and to go on and serve a community that needs it. Now, that's what it is, Leo and Me.......



Marthina McClay, CPDT
Animal Behavior College Mentor Trainer
Certified Tester/Observer for Therapy Dogs, Inc.
AKC Certified CGC Evaluator
www.ourpack.org
www.dogtrainingforpeople.com

Michael Vick gets an award???

Interview with Michael Vick here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7309186

Leo

Interview here with Leo - formerly owned by Michael Vick:

Interviewer: Tell us, Leo, what is your life like now after all you've been through?

Leo: Well, I feel loved and I have a job that I feel I was born to do. Before, I didn't have this job or such a feeling of self worth.

Interviewer: Leo, many people feel that you have courage. You won an award called the Animals are Kind to People Award. Do you feel it took courage to achieve this after everything you've been through?

Leo: Yes, I feel that many dogs would have such a tough time living the life I once lived. They wouldn't be able to handle and endure what I have. I did bounce back and I don't hold any grudges against anyone. I'm just simply proud of who and what I am now.

Interviewer: Leo, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us today. We are proud of you and hope that life just continues to go better for you now that you've achieved so many goals and have gotten back into the swing of things.

Leo: Thanks so much for taking the time and caring enough to interview me.

Educate, Educate, Educate

Rescue, rescue, rescue. All well and good, but without education, we'll be rescuing till the cows come home, and then maybe we'll have to work on them too!

Today I talked to a woman from a major publication about doing an article on Our Pack and our former Michael Vick dog, Leo.

Here is Leo educating.

I can't say which publication, the article is not through editing yet and won't be out until March. But during our conversation she told me that she had always thought Pit Bulls were those "bad" dogs. She said that before she talked to me, this is what she thought but that she has completely changed her opinion about the dogs after our discussions and looking at the articles on our web site.

I have realized that the media has been "educating" our public on the Pit Bull breed. Well, ok, not "educate" - but 'ya know. One reason Our Pack rescues out-of-state dogs is that it's an opportunity to educate the world about how wonderful these dogs can be. I see that the media NEEDs to be educated so they in turn can educate their audiences with the correct information.

I'm hoping with all my heart, after hearing what this woman had to say, that this is happening.......REAL education. She writes for many, many publications and there is an opportunity to change perceptions. Ok, lots of work to do, but I hope things are getting better.

Likewise, I see wonderful pics of people and their Pit Bulls on our Facebook page, and this is education in and of itself. I would like to thank all of you who post your pics, and share your thoughts and stories about your dogs as family members. This IS true education, as it's not preaching, it's just showing the world the truth.

Our bust dogs are showing the world the truth, which is why we do this work. When you guys speak out on our blogs or Facebook page, you show your support for the dogs. Thanks everyone for your support and help in educating the right way about this breed.

I hope we can keep up the good work and keep telling our positive stories of our loyal, faithful companions. I don't see many other channels to help the breed. Also, I think if we are willing to learn from our dogs we can go far.

Marthina McClay, CPDT
Animal Behavior College Mentor Trainer
Certified Tester/Observer for Therapy Dogs, Inc.
AKC Certified CGC Evaluator

New Lives: Stories of Rescued Dogs Helping, Healing and Giving Hope

Our Leo will have his own chapter in this fabulous book available starting next week! It's called:

New Lives

Stories of Rescued Dogs, Helping, Healing, and Giving Hope

by Joanne Wannon

The book talks about dogs being rescued and then giving back. This is exactly what Leo, formerly one of Michael Vick's dogs, has done. Even though people didn't always give him the best, he gave the best back to people.

Please check out and/or purchase this heartwarming book about the many dogs that have been rescued and give back to their communities. You can purchase it here:
http://www.3blackdogs.org/Home_Page.html

I'd like to thank Joanne Wannon for a wonderful job in recounting Leo's life and showing the world what a truly wonderful soul he is.

We're teaching at-risk kids positive reinforcement.

Dexter's Corner

Hello, I'm Professor Dexter. I used to be a professor in bug chemistry, but now I'm a professor in canine communication. Because my person rescues dogs, I was exposed at a very early age to all sorts of personality types – in dogs that is. At well over 3 years of age, I am now a canine counselor.

I have seen many, many troubled dogs come to us that later did very well because my sister and I taught them better canine communication skills. I have found that many dog problems stem from an inability to communicate with each other the right way. Sometimes we simply misunderstand each others’ body signals (which is mostly what we go by). When this happens, everyone gets upset, really for no reason at all. Then, when the humans step in and they don't understand what's going on, it can get even worse. Sometimes humans think dogs are so much like themselves!

Dogs really are professors of sorts. They learn, then teach, learn, then teach. They teach for the purpose of survival and that survival is for all involved, not just for one. I learned from my older sister Hailey, with her gray muzzle, because she had to teach other rescue dogs lessons and learned from those lessons herself. Now I'm teaching my little sister, Posie, proper dog-to-dog skills. She's still in the "positive experience only allowed" mode because, at a year and a half, she's still young. She has to build up her skills and have a fair amount of confidence to do a job like mine and work with the tough guys. My person says that we've all taught her about us.

I like being a professor/counselor. I like helping dogs that are insecure. They're usually the really loud, barking, growling, lunging dogs that make a big dramatic display. They are also the type most often misunderstood by the humans. Humans usually think these dogs want to fight and are aggressive. But usually they're just trying to AVOID a fight. Funny, huh? I just completely ignore the noisy, dramatic show. Showing them the side of my face makes it clear that I don't care if they're loud and trying to get me to go away. I'm not afraid of them because it's all just BS anyway, and after they're done with that business, I reward them with play for stopping that behavior. This also shows them the proper way to greet, instead of using gaudy distancing type behaviors that only drive away potential friends.

I have helped shy dogs because I'm not pushy and I don't HAVE to play with anyone, because I myself am very secure in how I feel. I let them come to me and I give them their space, and use special signals to show I'm not threatening. I have a very well formed and structured pack, so I'm cool. Our people are careful to make sure we are guided correctly too. But some dogs don't have that, because the humans that took care of them in the past didn't understand that early play, socialization and guidance are like food to a young dog. Without these things, it's like there's a malnourishment of the canine spirit. Some horrible people go a step further and actually do the opposite, and get their dogs to communicate the wrong way on purpose so fights start. Then, of course, one can't help it, you're stuck and sort of forced now to defend yoursel. It’s sad when that happens to dogs because it goes against our grain. When those guys come to us, I see right away that they never wanted to be in a fight at all. Most of them are so happy to see that, at our place, we do fun stuff where everyone wins.

The dogs begin to realize that there's a lot of confidence to be gained from other dogs, especially in a pack sense, and they really start to feel better. I see tails rise out of butts, heads come up even with or above the shoulders, and sometimes maybe even for the first time in their life, a smile.

Now I see Leo doing it. A dog my person took into rescue recently got really noisy while on his leash around Leo. Leo used to live with Michael Vick, so you can imagine that when he first came to us, he was initially a little sensitive around this sort of behavior....poor guy. Anyway, this new dog was barking and lunging at Leo while Leo was on his leash. Lo and behold, there was Leo, looking just like me, calm, still and turning his head so the insecure dog could see the side of his face. He told the dog, "I know how you feel but you're wrong, I'm just here, doing nothing, so it's ok and all will be well....when you're calm we'll meet." I was so proud of Leo. And the new dog will learn too. See how it works? We've worked with many dogs that are now helping other dogs.

My person says to please pardon the anthropomorphism (making dogs sound like people) but sometimes we have to explain things to dogs in dog language, like what I do for a living. Other times we have to explain things to humans in human language, like what my person does for a living.

Thanks for listening to my story. I may be starting a column somewhere called "Dexter's Corner" or "Dear Dexter," so that I can answer your questions and concerns about canine behavior. I hope you’ll find it useful.

Dr. Dexter
Expert in Dog Behavior Challenges
Shelter Volunteer
Well Loved Family Member

A Poem From Leo

Please don't put your face up to mine.
I tell dogs this all the time.
They don't listen and they don't care,
could it be because their owners aren't aware?
I'm a dog, a dog has a code,
not to greet in a face to face mode.
It's scary when a dog on a leash goes to the end.
It's not that I'm mean, I'm social and like to have a friend..
People then say, "oh he's aggressive, look he snapped",
But how is this wrong when it was the other dog making ME feel trapped?
Please respect other dogs and don't walk your dog up to their face,
then this world for dogs, will be a happier place.

By Leo
Poet
Therapy Dog
Pit Bull Ambassador (hence the poem)
Best Loved Family Companion

Humane Society of Missouri Dog Released to Our Pack

Jakob is coming to California!

We are thrilled to finally be able to announce that Jakob, one of the dogs seized in Humane Society of Missouri fight bust, the largest dog fighting bust in U.S. history, has been released into Our Pack's care.

Jakob looking optimistic about his new future.

Jakob is one of three dogs that will be rescued by Our Pack from the more than 500 dogs seized in the multi-state raid coordinated. The remaining two dogs are still being held at HSMO while they await the results of forfeiture proceedings in federal court. Like Leo, the former Michael Vick dog, Jakob will be trained by Our Pack for a new career in therapy work.

Associated Press reporter Cheryl Wittenauer was on hand today at HSMO for Jakob's release. You can read her article here: http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_13562726.

As soon as we saw pictures of Jakob, we knew he was special, and our first impressions have been confirmed by our good friends Gale Frey of Mutts-n-Stuff and Our Pack's Tracey Cutler. They have been on the ground in Missouri working tirelessly to care for and evaluate these dogs.

Jakob looking happy at his release.

Therapy dogs are trained in basic manners, then provide affection and comfort to people in need in hospitals, retirement homes, schools and similar situations. Although Jakob comes from an abuse case, we’ve seen time and again these dogs are cut out for therapy work and we think he is a great candidate for this kind of work. The most important characteristic of a therapy dog is temperament, and as we know, Pit Bulls have loving, affectionate natures that often make them perfect for this kind of job.

This is not the first time that Our Pack and Mutts-n-Stuff have teamed up to train former fight bust dogs for therapy work. In 2008, Our Pack trained Leo, a dog rescued in the infamous Michael Vick case. Despite his rough start at Bad Newz Kennels, Leo blossomed under Our Pack's care and received his therapy certification in just five weeks. His work earned Leo headlines in national media outlets, including the Washington Post, MSNBC.com, Animal Planet’s “Animal Witness: The Michael Vick Case” and many others. See Leo’s story here.

Our Pack and Mutts-n-Stuff also worked on a HSMO bust case in Stoddard County in 2007. Gale Frey, founder of Mutts-n-Stuff, trained some of the dogs from the Stoddard case to be therapy dogs, and has been helping with the evaluation of Jakob and other dogs held at HSMO in this more recent case.. “The dogs from these cases are so resilient and wonderful to work with,” says Gale. “We’re thrilled to be helping to find them new and loving homes.”

Mercury News Columnist Purdy on Vick

San Jose Mercury News columnist Mark Purdy devoted his column this morning to the upcoming Oakland/Philadelphia game this weekend. The focus of the column is a follow-up on some of the dogs from the Michael Vick case, and includes a nice mention of our very own Leo and his new career as a therapy dog.

Former Vick dog Leo in his new career as a therapy dog.

In the column, Purdy wonders:

"Crowds in Philadelphia have been largely supportive of his comeback. But what about this weekend? How will he fare with the public here in the animal-rights-intensive Bay Area?"

In addition to animal lovers, I'm thinking Oakland fans probably have a good answer for that one too. Read the article here:

http://www.mercurynews.com/sports-headlines/ci_13556373?nclick_check=1

Pit Bull Pile Up

We never tire of watching these goofy kids at play. Don't you just love Hailey's oh-so-patient expression?

The Best Thing About Dogs

They love you, they don't hold grudges, they don't hate, and they do their best to create peace whenever possible. They're about loving you and having a good time and best of all, like Posie here, they love to show their bellies! Of course, her cute freckles are just a bonus.

Who Needs Football?

Leo's not really a football kind of guy, he prefers a little lazy wrestling with his pal Posie. BTW, Leo rocks his Paco collar, doesn't he? Great people, great collars, check 'em out:

www.pacocollars.com

Vick's Victims

Commentary from Francis Battista
Cofounder of Best Friends Animal Society

I wanted to share this well-written and very appropriate commentary from Francis Battista. I agree with Francis and I feel that Michael Vick has not proven that he's changed before being accepted as a player for the Eagles. I don't feel that he's walked the walk yet and he's being prematurely accepted.

Leo

I don't think Vick should just skip along onto the playing field without a solid thought about what he's really done or some sort of real proof of atonement for these acts of violence. As Francis points out in his commentary, some of the Vick dogs are still recovering from what happened to them. Not all of the dogs have come out of this completely unscathed. I can't help but think of that while Vick throws the ball around.

The dogs know the impact of what's happened and through them, so do we. Here's the link to Battista's article:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20090828_What_about_Vick_s_victims_.html

Vick Reinstated, But Don't Worry, Leo

The news came yesterday that Michael Vick is back in the NFL, with some conditions. Many of you have followed the story of Leo, one of Vick's dogs that we rescued and who has since happily taken to his new life as a therapy dog. When I saw how quickly Leo wanted to be in a pack and be accepted, I was amazed. I was amazed because of where he came from and what he must have endured. Leo has a soul. You can see it in his eyes. He has a heart; you can see it in the way he wants to do the right thing. Not because it's going to "get him somewhere" or because he'll get money, but because it's right and right for all involved. That's what I saw in Leo when he first came to us. I don't see that in people who abuse animals. It's sad how the animals who are abused have more heart and feeling than the people who hurt them.

Leo is safe now. He will never be hurt again. He will never be forced to do something that is so unnatural for his kind. He will never wonder what's going to happen to him next, good or bad. Living in a yard with nothing to do, day in and day out, those days are over. Leo's days are full of play with his brothers and sisters, walks, training, cuddling, smooching and plain ole nap time on a cushy bed after fun play in the yard. I promise this is the way he will live out his days.

I want to share this photo that wonderful two-time Pulitzer prize-winning photographer Carol Guzy took on a regular morning at my house. This is how Leo starts his day, every day, after breakfast. Dream a little dream Leo, life is one.

— Marthina

STILL Not Listening.

Next to a beautiful picture of Dexter, Hailey and Leo taken by Leo's favorite friend Carol Guzy of the Washington Post, sits a very disappointing article about a Loudoun County Judge's ruling on not adopting out Pit Bulls. I guess Leo's work as a therapy dog, Hailey's work as a therapy dog, Dexter and his "counseling" work to help other dogs come out of their shells is all a big moot point. There are so many dogs, Pit Bulls, just like them that are now going to be put down REGARDLESS of their valor, stature, contributions and good temperament! PROOF of what these dogs can really offer not only to a family but to an entire community is falling on the deaf ears of people who do NOT wish to assess dogs as individuals and who want to continue profiling a breed of dog. Yes, it's profiling. Frankly at this point I don't feel I have to prove anything nor do our dogs! You can't prove something to someone who won't listen or watch. If one can't see the Leos, Haileys, Dexters et al of the world then deaf ears and blind eyes it is!

I really thought that we as a society had evolved further than this.

This is very sad.
Washington Post

Friends

I haven't written on the blog in a while. I wanted to write about making friends. For me making friends has been about trust, truth and change. It's been about accepting change and being willing to let others see that change.

When I first arrived at my new home I wasn't sure how those people that came over to the house with their microphones, cameras, lighting stuff and those boom mics that look like really cool toys were going to portray me. Were they going to say that this situation was MY fault? It turns out that they didn't. They told the story the way it was. They told the story that said I was the victim. They told the truth. They told the story that says that people are the controllers of things not me...a dog. Obviously I don't drive a car. People have to drive me places so I can go somewhere or be able to have things.

People have put me in situations that were either good or bad. Where I am now, I only get put in situations that are fun, safe and rewarding. I play with my housemates and we have a good time. I get put in the position to have self worth, I have a job as a therapist. I only have to confront things that are easy for me to handle. I get good stuff when I do good things.My life is really wonderful now and I'm very happy. I have made a lot of friends too.

I have met some other dogs in the rescue that I belong to that have come from situations that are just like mine only they didn't have the name Michael Vick over them. But the dogs from these places are much like me even without the name. There's no one to show them the ropes. No one to say, "uh, uh" when you're about to do something that might hurt. No one to say, "gosh, you're handsome and I love you". That has made a huge difference in my life.Those things have made me come alive. I'm so much like these other dogs from abuse cases and they're so much like me, it's just harder for the world to see them because of the names that have "owned" them. Some of these dogs have earned the same heart tag that I wear that says "I'm a Therapy Dog" too.

Now that I've made so many friends I'm hoping that circle of friends and love will expand even bigger so that all could see that there are many like me and they could live a life just like mine if given a chance....no big name....just a good ole dog.

This is me in the pic with my new for sure friend Mara at NBC and my guardian at the clinic where I work. She was kind enough to tell my story, to be my voice and to tell the world the truth. She was kind enough to understand me and look at me for who I am and not anything else. That's a friend. Thank you.


Love,
Leo

Another Sports Illustrated Article about the ex Michael Vick Dogs

Sports Illustrated came out with yet another article on the ex Micheal Vick dogs. We'd like to hear what you folks think about this but I do want to make one comment however. While dogs are forgiving by nature, some dogs can be damaged from abuse. Some are more resilient than others within any breed. This is one reason why it is very important to evaluate each dog on his own merit individually and not by his breed.

People should be judged as individuals too. Should Michael Vick be able to go back to football? Is it the same as if an engineer lost his job due to committing a crime? What are your thoughts?
Comment away!http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1153074/index.htm

Leo's Campaign Against Chaining Dogs.

It's me again, Leo.

I'm here to talk to folks about chaining dogs in their yards.When I was on my other owner's property I was told I was chained out or in a kennel outside. I don't remember much........I don't think I did much snuggling on the couch and watching TV with anyone. I don't have much recollection of a morning snuggle in bed with coffee and told how handsome I am and what a good job I do everyday at training and working.

I don't think I had a purpose but to wait....wait....wait,
wait for........ breathe, sleep and eat outside.

I longed for someone to just hold me and touch me.

I had no idea how much I would LOVE being kissed all over my big ole head... lots!

What I didn't like about this was that I was just there and not really in love with anyone, without purpose and a connection to a family/pack that I could share with.....life was empty but somehow stressful.

Even though this may be the more extreme case I think the same frame of mind can be created in a backyard dog in seemingly the most wonderful and beautiful homes in the world. Someone gets puppy, puppy is destructive, pees on the floor, cries at night and does not initially want to go in a crate. Personally I love my crate but I was given a chance to like it. The person decides they can't take it anymore and put the dog on a chain in the yard. Bye, bye life.

Tethering is ok for short periods and really should be supervised in my opinion. BUT while the folks are gone all day at work?????? Everyday???? NO!

The law here says 3 hours and that's IT! Abuse is not always about living on a property with a person who fights dogs, beats them or hurts them in some other way. It's also about just having nothing all day long. Neglect I think is what it's called. That's abuse too right?

When my folks are gone, I'm happy inside in my own safe area inside the house where I know that someone can't hurt me, steal me or anything else with my bone and my Kong. Then I have a fabulous much needed nap as dogs sleep a lot. Then poof, my people are back home already and life is good. If your dog is having to be outside because of behavior issues or any other reason get some help to see how you can help your dog be a family companion again. Bring your dogs inside. Keep them safe. If your dog is chained, he's left wide open to be stolen, hurt by another dog or animal that get's into the yard. He can become stressed permanently (I paced my people's floor for a while before I realized, hey, I can just lay down on the couch with my head on my owner's lap and be way more comfortable). Chained dogs can become dangerous too. What if a child wandered in the yard with a chained stressed out dog.....yikes! Be sure to exercise your dogs and spend time with them....I would think you would want to because they're part of your family right?

Not that all dogs have to be therapy dogs or have a therapy vest but I look so much better with a scarf and a therapy vest on than a chain!

How d'ya like me now?!!!!!

Leo

Is this what Michael Vick had in mind?

Not sure if this is what he had in mind but to us he is a winner in every sense of the word. Leo, one of the infamous Vick dogs, playing with his best buddy on a lazy afternoon! We sure enjoy watching them! Hope you do to..

Vick Dog Updates

Although we love to brag about Leo and all of his therapy exploits with cancer patients and kids at risk, there are other MV dogs out there and we'd love to see how they have come through the past year.

Animal Planet has a new show that will premier this Sunday August 24th. Here is a link to check out their preview page: Animal Witness

Leo and Our Pack will appear at some point as well as other dogs we have heard about in the news. The show should highlight the case and what has happened to the dogs since they were taken. I have no doubt there will be some graphic footage which may be hard for some viewers to watch, but the case is so important and has impacted how other fight bust dogs are viewed. These dogs were given an unprecedented chance to live normal lives. Have they succeeded?

Of course there are those that worry how they will be portayed. There is that fine line of showing them as viscious fighters or just teddy bears on the other end of the spectrum. There is so much more to these dogs, just as there are with all dogs. There are variations within the breed. Not all retrievers can retrieve, not all Labs can be seeing eye dogs, not all fighting dogs are good fighters. They are not the dog for everyone, but that is also true with every breed. Everyone thinking of getting a dog should do as much research as possible on whatever breed they are looking at. My hope is this will be an accurate view of what happened to THESE Dogs and that maybe just maybe in the future other dogs found in similar situations (and sadly it will happen) can be viewed and evaluated as individuals.

I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Leo's Latest Adventure

What Leo’s up to now?

Leo’s not only helping folks feel better at hospitals and breaking the monotony of work routine with “doggie breaks” (instead of coffee breaks), but he's also affecting change in our community's future generations.

Leo visited a school recently for kids that are in Juvenile Hall who have been in recent trouble.

The kids really loved Leo! They could see that he’s a feeling, loving being - not a “thing” or something “cool” to own....even though he looks pretty dang cool!

While I talked with the kids, Leo made a presentation of his own by communicating through his eyes, his tail wags, and his affection that “only cowards fight their dogs, not courageous people.” Leo’s pretty darn smart.

We covered topics like the importance of spaying and neutering (that was a tough one), and why you shouldn't chain your dog to a tree or abandon him in the backyard all day. Our goal is to fill the void in education about dogs, animals, and especially Pit Bulls, in our community - to replace ignorance and abuse with understanding and compassion.

The kids fell madly in love with Leo and they were very happy that he came to share his story. They even admitted that they learned something, and invited him back for another visit!

A survey of these kids told us that all but one are very interested in learning to train dogs in a positive way. What a success for Leo and for Pit Bulls!

After an amazing day like that, I'm reminded of Leo's courage. He’s so brave - going out into the community despite the agony he's been through and sending a message that we must NOT let the abuse he's suffered continue to take place in our civilized society. How we treat our animals demonstrates our level of intelligence and compassion; it's an indicator of how we likely treat our children, spouses, friends, and co-workers. We can’t let humanity become an unimportant subject.

WE BELIEVE IN ANGELS

We want to thank Nicole Rattey who drove Leo out here from Virginia. Leo wasn’t trained yet so I KNOW what a task that was! Thank you Nicole - you have a heart the size of Virginia itself.

We also want to thank Professor Rebecca Huss for caring so much about the correct and proper placement of these dogs. I don’t think she slept the entire time! Thank you for being their guardian angel and truly fighting for the rights of the Vick dogs.

Additionally we want to thank Tim Racer and Donna Reynolds from BAD RAP for the fact that they were part of the evaluations of the dogs. We also want to thank them for the support they’ve given Our Pack and the work they’ve done for all Pit Bulls, not just the Vick dogs, since…..well, dinosaurs roamed the earth!

Marthina