Updates on Our Vicktory Dogs
Here are the stories of some of the Vicktory dogs who came to Best Friends in 2008 after being rescued from Michael Vick's dogfighting ring, Bad Newz Kennel. In the past three years, the dogs have made vast improvements in their health and behavior. Several have been adopted and are living in loving homes.
Watch this recent video of the Vicktory dogs and see for yourself.
Join the pit-bull initiative from Best Friends to learn more about how you can get involved.
Scroll down to see just a few of the many animals at the sanctuary who would love you for a sponsor. For a complete listing go here. Or to give the perfect gift for your friends and family - a Best Friends animal sponsorship - go here.
Georgia
You may have seen her on the front page of The New York Times, or on the Ellen [Degeneres] Show. Perhaps you've seen her portait on a bottle of white wine, or being interviewed by ESPN!
But Georgia doesn't exactly think of herself as a celebrity. She thinks of herself more as a very lucky dog who narrowly escaped living her whole life in pain.
Rescued from the property of former NFL quarterback, Michael Vick, her ears had been cropped; her tail had been broken several times; she had scars all over her face' she'd clearly given birth to many litters, and she had no teeth. That was her life!
When Georgia arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, she didn't trust anybody. Until she made a special friend in John Garcia, co-manager of Dogtown. Friendship and training transformed this abused dog from a fearful victim into a cutie-pie who snores, plays, always carries a bone in her mouth, and is even working to pass the Canine Good Citizen test. Watch this video to see the latest on Georgia.
Please consider sponsoring Georgia through her journey here at Best Friends.
Denzel
Upon arrival at Best Friends, Denzel - seemed like he had somehow come out of the dog fighting ring fairly unscathed. He was so sociable and friendly! But he hadn't come out unscathed at all. Denzel turned out to be deathly ill.
The Best Friends vets nursed him back to health. For the first time, he has a life worth living. Balls, toys, friends, and a leash that he likes to take himself on a walk with! Denzel is now doing well at the Sanctuary. Won't you help him on his journey by being his sponsor?
Curly
There's something mischievous about this guy - in a good way, of course. He sits and watches people with a certain kind of intensity, as if he's peering into their soul. He always seems to know something you don't. Part of this whole "sneaky eye" thing has to do with the fact that Curly has a lot of brain energy and he's itching to use it. Plenty of physical energy, too, but mostly brain energy.
Curly has come a long way since 2008. He is spends his days hanging with his friends in the Dogtown managers' office. If you want to help with Curly's "salary", show your support by sponsoring him today.
Shadow
Shadow used to be so shy he'd hide in the corner and try to disappear. When he came to Best Friends he wanted nothing to do with anybody. He was completely shut down.
Out of all Vicktory dogs who came to Best Friends, Shadow was perhaps the most withdrawn. Everything terrified him. On his walks, he'd do a sort of commando crawl the whole way, staying as low to the ground as possible.
Wow, what a turnaround! It's amazing what TLC can do. Once Shadow came to realize that everybody wanted to love him and help him get better, he became a different dog entirely. Nowadays he loves visitors, walks, and all things fun. An amazing act of healing in a dog who used to think the entire world was one big scary problem to hide from. Sponsor Shadow.
Willie
All the world is a playground for Willie. He loves his toys! One of his favorites, though, is something he can't always play with. The reason why? He needs to eat out of it once in a while! Willie's favorite toy is his food bowl. He can be seen tossing the dish high overhead over and over. He'd probably try juggling it with his water dish, but the caregivers have double-clipped that one to the fence.
In his three years at the Sanctuary, he's become one of the happiest, most playful dogs around. He enjoys "regular" toys, too, especially really large balls. As Willie and the rest of the Vicktory dogs continue to overcome their awful past, it's wonderful to see their personalities surface. Life has given them a second chance, and they're giving this one their very best.
Please help Willie continue to learn the joys of life by sponsoring him today!
Ray
These days, Ray would love nothing more than to be swallowed whole by a gigantic pile of blankets and pillows! He's a glutton for soft, comfy beds.
When he came to Best Friends he needed some help. He was over-stimulated
and would literally bounce up and down - he didn't know how to relax.
Trainers and caregivers have been working with Ray around the clock. In 2009 Ray passed his Canine Good Citizen test. He loves to ride with his caregivers in golf carts. He also loves full-body massages. During any massage session, Ray is likely to nod off to sleep mid-massage. After all he's been through, of course, a little pampering is the least he deserves. Sponsor Ray.
Lucas
Back in his days as a fighter, Lucas was one of the grand champions at Bad Bewz Kennels. His big, muscular body has the scars all over that prove he was one of the most-fought dogs out of the entire group that came to Best Friends. Yet somehow after all that tragic life history, Lucas is still nothing but kisses and smiles. Which is all part of the puzzle, sad to say. One reason pitts are such sought-after fighters is their intense desire to please people. And Lucas sure does aim to please.
Lucas goes to work
In the three years he's been at Best Friends, Vicktory dog Lucas has become a happy-go-lucky guy.
From the moment Lucas arrived at Best Friends, it was obvious he loves people. He not only wants to be around humans, he absolutely has to be around humans.
“He was probably one of the happiest of all of them,” says Michelle Logan, a team leader at Dogtown. “He’s just always been happy-go-lucky.”
When Lucas sees a golf cart or car or tour bus coming around the bend, he gets up on his doghouse in the outdoor part of his enclosure so he can get a better view. Lucas loves everyone he meets, and he gets down if he feels he’s not getting his share of the attention.
Dogtown caregivers know just what to do when Lucas is feeling blue.
“All you have to do is pop him in a golf cart and take him for a spin,” Logan says.
Just like the other Vicktory dogs, Lucas gets training and spends time at the dog park. But the folks at Best Friends knew Lucas would enjoy even more time with people, so two days a week, Lucas is an office dog, spending the day with executive assistant Brenda Escher and chief executive officer Gregory Castle. Not only does Lucas get lots of attention from Escher and Castle, he also gets plenty of oohs and aahs and pets from everyone who drops by.
“Lucas is an absolute love, from the wagging tail you’d best not get behind because it can knock you over, to the sloppy kisses he lavishes on everyone,” says Escher, who picks up Lucas in the morning and delivers him back to Dogtown on visiting days.
“Everyone should experience picking Lucas up from his run to take him on an outing to the office or just on a walk,” she says. “There’s nothing like that kind of reception — trust me!”
Tug
Tug gets his name because that's his favorite thing to do -- pull hard! He's a very strong boy, and Best Friends caregivers are trying to think up lots of creative ways to help him channel that energy.
He may have been a fighting dog, but when Tug arrived at the sanctuary, he didn't want to hurt anybody; he just didn't want anybody to hurt him. Caregivers are working round the clock with him to help him feel comfortable. They take him for walks with an "easy walk harness" that keeps him from pulling them down the road in excitement.
Tug has a lot of healing left to do. Please be his sponsor and cheer him on from afar. It's you that makes his new life at the sanctuary possible.
Little Red
Seeing Little Red bounce around other dogs, lick their faces and go tearing off, you wouldn’t know this dog from the same one who arrived at Best Friends three years ago.
When Little Red arrived at Best Friends she was, like a lot of the Vicktory dogs, shut down. Of course, learning to trust humans after the abuse she’d endured as a Michael Vick dog would take some time. In fact, it wasn’t until last year that Little Red started to come out of her shell, according to Dogtown team leader Megan Larsen.
“She took baby steps before,” Larsen says, “but in the past year she has really started to blossom.”
Larsen attributes Little Red’s progress to a combination of factors, one being the “wallflower class” she regularly attends with Jamie Healy, manager of Best Friends’ Shelter Partners for Pit Bulls who has taken Little Red under her wing. The class aims to bring dogs out of their shells, to help them become more sociable and relaxed around people and other dogs.
The other factor Larsen cites in Little Red’s progress is the time she spends during the day with Healy. Healy picks up Little Red three days a week so she can hang out in her office. She’s been office-fostering Little Red for over a year now.
“At first she was extremely skittish,” Healy says. “She just wanted to find some place to hide.”
To help with Little Red’s nerves, Healy began bringing Beefcake to the office as well. Also rescued from a fighting situation, Beefcake was, as Healy calls him, Little Red’s boyfriend, and having him around gave Little Red a boost of confidence. Beefcake, however, got adopted soon after the office visits began. Still, Little Red has gotten to the stage where she’s approaching people for treats, something that was nearly unthinkable when she first arrived.
And though she might still exhibit some fear, she loves being picked up, Healy says.
“You can pick her up like a baby, and she rests her head on your shoulder and closes her eyes.”
Larsen says that Little Red is getting close to passing her Canine Good Citizen test. In the meantime she’s enjoying what life now has to offer her, which is an endless stream of positive experiences with people and other dogs.
“She can make any dog play,” Larsen says. “She just plays and plays and plays until the other dog plays too.”
Who’s that girl?
You may also recognize Little Red on a recent publication! Her visage graces the cover of the Blackstone Audio version of "The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption" by Jim Gorant, read by Paul Michael Garcia. The Lost Dogs (hardcover) was a New York Times bestseller and was named by Library Journal magazine in their “More of the Best” list of the Best Books of 2010, and the audio book is in the Blackstone Audio top ten titles released in the last quarter of 2010!
“What a thrill it was to be able to use Little Red's photo on the cover of Blackstone Audio's version of 'The Lost Dogs,'" said Lysa Williams, who is in the acquisitions department at Blackstone. “Often the cover of the audio will vary from the print version, but it was some keen thinking that led one of our artists to track down this beauty at Best Friends. We were so happy when this book hit the New York Times bestsellers list. It's wonderful when you acquire the audio rights to a book late in the season and it moves on to become one of your bestsellers, especially when it's a story like this one.”
Please be her sponsor and help support her new life here at the sanctuary ... where she has Best Friends' promise that nothing bad will ever happen to her again.
Handsome Dan
Handsome Dan used to pace and walk in circles because he was so terrified of the world. Even trying to get him to go on a walk would send him running. But with the help and loves of his trainers and caregivers, Handsome Danbe came quite a confident boy!
January 1, 2011, marked the one-year anniversary when Handsome Dan was officially adopted into his home (plus six months prior when he was their foster dog, per court regulations). It’s been a busy year for this celebrity of a dog ever since.
One of the most exciting things for Handsome Dan this past year was when his new baby sister was born. Mark and Heather had a beautiful baby girl in April of 2010. They both explain that they didn’t quite know how Handsome Dan might react to a baby in the house. Handsome Dan is still bashful by nature. They wondered if he would be nervous around baby Josephine, especially when she started crying. Handsome Dan proved himself in no time, however, and took to her immediately. "He’s great with her," says Heather.
That relationship has grown tremendously over recent months. Whenever Josephine takes a nap, for instance, Handsome Dan now insists on curling up in his dog bed next to her crib. He won’t budge until her nap is over. This big loveable guy has become quite the nanny dog to his new kid sister and loves cuddling with her on the floor, even when Josephine decides to tug his ears to show her affection . …
Handsome Dan has a lot to be thankful for, and he knows it. He has also managed to pay it forward throughout the year. Heather and Mark run a kenneling service, doggie day care, animal rescue group, and more. They specialize in rescuing and placing pit bulls, among other breeds. Handsome Dan has played a key role in teaching good behavior skills to several such dogs.
Ellen
This girl likes belly rubs so much, it's ended up as part of her name! Well, nickname anyway. Ellen (aka Ellen Belly) is ready and willing to soak up any attention, scratches, pets and kisses you can dish out. It's almost impossible to believe somebody would want to make a fighter out of this sweetheart.
Ellen was very supportive of her friend Georgia when Georgia appeared on the Ellen Show.
You'd never know it to meet her, though. Her scars tell a story her personality never would. Ellen has no quarrels with anyone. She's not shy, she loves meeting strangers, she loves going for walks. Meeting Ellen is an inspiration. It's nothing short of amazing to realize that after all she's been through she didn't let the hard times get the better of her. She's a survivor. Sponsor Ellen.
Meryl
Why does she always have such a worried look on her face? Partly, it's just a cute face! Meryl can't help having that expression. But she's also a dog who's known some real heartache.
Best Friends' dog trainers are working one-on-one with Meryl to teach her confidence is the key. Meryl needs to learn that people might be approaching her for a brand new reason - not because they want her to fight, but because they want to be her friend. Meryl is a playful dog who enjoys people once she gets to know them.
Mya
Mya had once been forced to fight for a living. Now she’s teaching good behavior skills to other animals in her new role as Sanctuary puppy socializer. Her story is further proof how it’s never too late to start over in life.
When she first arrived at Best Friends, Mya was afraid of her own shadow. During her years at the Sanctuary, Mya has come leap-years ahead in her confidence. While she remains a bit bashful, she has also found a circle of people she loves and wants to spend time with. She even pulls regular stints in the puppy building office, which is how her new gig as puppy socializer began.
To better understand why Mya was given this task in the first place, it helps to know a little about her personality around other animals. In a nutshell, she’s perfect! Though people from her past tried to make her cruel, their efforts didn’t take. Here’s a dog who, when her old pal Clarabell the office cat nipped her playfully from time to time, would simply look for somewhere to lie down and wait it out. "She’s very good with other animals," says Michelle Besmehn, Dogtown manager at the Sanctuary.
Given her stellar track record around all manner of different animals, Best Friends Medical Director Dr. Mike Dix approved Mya for puppy socialization. Sometimes puppies need a positive role model like Mya. As well, there are always a few youngsters who could use a mother figure to tell them when they’re out of line. Mya knows how to do both.
These new puppy socialization exercises are also great for Mya. Like all the Vicktory dogs, she came to the Sanctuary unfamiliar with so much in life. Things like doorbells and front porches can be intimidating to dogs who haven’t experienced much of the world. Mya has overcome many fears and uncertainties over time, yet until recently her experiences hadn’t included puppies. For example, with puppy Emma, the instant after she gave her a stern talking-to, Mya checked with Michelle Besmehn to make sure that was okay. "At first she looked like she was sorry," Besmehn says. Mya is always trying to do what is right
Then there was another puppy visit Mya enjoyed recently. Pups Frisby and Froggy don’t need to learn good manners. They just want somebody wonderful to play with. Mya excelled, handing out kisses by the end of their time together.
Meryl would as much love and support as possible to help her progress in her life at the sanctuary. Won't you be apart of her success by sponsoring her? Sponsor Meryl.
Squeaker and Oscar
Squeaker and Oscar couldn’t have been more different when they arrived at Best Friends. But today, they’re the best of friends. And that friendship has helped them heal.
Squeaker wasn’t quite as frightened of people as a lot of the other Vicktory dogs, but it still took time for her to completely trust them. “Now, Squeaker loves everyone,” says Dogtown caregiver Betsy Kidder. “She has little to no hesitation when approaching people. She will pull on her leash, tail-a-wagging and run up to people.” Kidder says Squeaker will even plop down on her back, asking for a belly rub. What a difference a little time and a whole lot of love and attention can make!
Oscar, on the other hand, was absolutely terrified of people when he first came to the Sanctuary in 2008.“He would hang in the back of his run until the caregivers left,” says Kidder. “At night, Oscar was one of the dogs that we had to crawl in the crate to get out for walks.”Talk about a guy who’s come a long way.“He follows you around and will wag his tail and play-bow and then run from you,” Kidder says. “Then he’ll approach you and let you give him pets. He’s adorable!”
Oscar was the first of the Vicktory dogs to earn his Canine Good Citizen certification. “That’s a huge milestone in my book,” Kidder says.Kidder credits Squeaker with helping to bring Oscar even further out of his shell. Squeaker and Oscar have become such good friends that they now share the same run. “Squeaker spent a lot of time in the clinic laundry before moving to a dog run,” Kidder says.
“She got a lot of interaction with people, and I think she has motivated Oscar to be less fearful. The two of them love each other. They play really hard and frolic around their run together. When they’re not playing, they’re often lying next to each other under the shade units.”
Both Squeaker and Oscar have discovered that people aren’t so bad after all.
Cherry
When you have as many fans and supporters as Cherry the Vicktory dog, you can pretty well ask for the moon and expect to receive it, along with a bouquet of constellations on the side. No doubt this guy is well loved, with an "extended family" numbering in the thousands. Yet he doesn’t ask for much out of life — at least not any longer. He already has his heart’s desire: a home all his own. Snuggle sessions on the couch with one of his family members (his people Paul and Melissa, his dog buddy Madison and his new cat buddy Walker) are all it takes to make Cherry believe he’s in paradise.
Cherry has lived with his new family for over a year now. "Cherry’s doing great," says Paul. "It still amazes us today; it seems like every week that goes by he keeps improving." When Cherry is with his own little family unit, he acts like a normal dog, explains Paul. (Which is probably the most exciting comment anybody could make about Cherry.) For Cherry, "normal” was an uphill climb from day one.
When he first showed up at Best Friends from the estate of Michael Vick, Cherry was shut down emotionally, especially when it came to being around people. Yet with countless positive vibes being sent his way every day, he couldn’t help but make improvements. Cherry had a vast crowd of friends at the Sanctuary in his corner, along with an ever-growing army of supporters from far away. Together, everybody rallied to help Cherry understand that life doesn’t have to be so hard.
Paul now refers to that group of supporters as Cherry’s extended family — and a family they are indeed. They still want to know everything that goes on with him. Cherry uses his Facebook page to pass along updates. He’s had a lot to talk about, for sure! His official adoption came last March, after successfully passing the court-mandated six-month foster period. That was just the beginning of all the wonderful things that have been going on for Cherry lately.
One of the main highlights of 2010 was Paul and Melissa’s wedding. They were engaged when Cherry joined their lives. For the wedding, Cherry and Madison, the other dog in the home, showed up to stand in the reception line for 45 minutes. That’s all the time Cherry was up for. Still, Cherry’s brief presence was a huge hit for all in attendance. The moment he walked in, he stole the show hands down. That’s Cherry’s specialty — without trying, he racks up fans wherever he goes.
Cherry has been busy making other public appearances to improve pit bull terrier awareness. At the most recent event, a pit bull awareness day at a no-kill animal shelter, attendees were allowed to give Cherry treats. In this instance, he did something he’d never done before. Cherry followed simple training commands from strangers, wagging his tail the whole time. What a superstar!
For Cherry, meeting new people is not always easy. Paul and Melissa have to watch his cues carefully during public events. They know when he’s ready to pack up and go home. Such events are good for him in the long run, though, even if they’re somewhat challenging. Melissa and Paul have noticed how afterward, when Cherry’s back in the comfort of his own home, he makes greater strides toward trust and confidence. Getting out in the public stretches him bit by bit in a positive way. It’s a definite win/win. Not only is it good for Cherry, it’s a huge plus for those he meets. People love to see what a happy, charismatic dog he is. He has made a great impact in public perception of pit bull terriers.
The other big news item in Cherry’s life this past year has been the addition of Walker the cat into the family. Paul and Melissa adopted Walker as a kitten from a local rescue group. Walker and Cherry are now two peas in a pod, wrestling and cuddling constantly. Walker’s favorite napping place is right on top of Cherry’s head! Walker has played an important role in teaching Cherry even more confidence. "He kind of lets down his guard when Walker is there," adds Paul.
As did his buddy Handsome Dan — with whom, by the way, Cherry still has play dates — Cherry decided to give back to other animals in need. Cherry, with a little help from Paul and Melissa, held a fundraiser raffle for his birthday this past June. Cherry donated some paw-printed photographs, and several other organizations pitched in items for the raffle. All told, Cherry was able to raise $1,400 for Mariah’s Promise, a pit bull rescue in Denver, Colorado.
Cherry has a new home, several animal buddies to snuggle with and chase around the yard, a comfy couch to claim more often than his people get to, and thousands of friends out there who want nothing more than for him to enjoy the happiness he’s found at last.
Now there’s a happy ending for the record books.
These are just a few of the many animals at the sanctuary who would love a sponsor. For a complete listing go here. Or give the perfect gift for your friends and family - a Best Friends animal sponsorship!
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And for other news about Best Friends work and stories from the sanctuary go here.
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