Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - embarrased to be from Philly

Guess you heard the news about Michael Vick being signed to the Phila. Eagles. I am appaled and embarassed for my city that he is representing us. This mornings Philadelphi Inquirer, the one major newspaper is endorsing him. Their Op-Ed section today read 'Vick earned a Second Chgance.' They stated that people who do not support Vick's appointment are 'wrongheaded, meanspirited and contrary to the basis of the US jutice system.' I kid you not. If it wasn't bad enough the Eagles signed this dispicable man, the major paper supporting this decision added fuel to the fire. I was absolutely horrified at the content included in this editorial. Here is my response to the Inquirer. They had to be inundated with responses. but I felt compelled to write. This team will never get one dime of my money to attend a game. I am hoping many others will also boycott the games as well as the Eagle's sponsors. The Inquirer Editorial Board members are very forgiving folks indeed. You refer to many outraged animal supporters reaction to Vick's new limelight as 'meanspirited and wrongheaded' indicating Vick paid his debt to Society. Are you for real?? I challenge the board members to spend a week working in a local philly animal shelter. Learn what cruelty to animals is first hand. Those of us who have volunteered or worked within these shelter environments have witnessed first hand the results of cruelty and have been literally physically sickened and emotionally devastated at the results of the actions of people like Vick. Phila Inquirer, you know not of what you speak. Have some of your reporters go out there and cover and report some of the pointed stories of animal cruelty instead of referring to it as if it were a minimal transgression compared to the 'deserving' side of Vick. I haven't seen the 'reality' of cruelty to animals covered by your paper. 'Redemption' and Winning Super Bowls were no where in the space of the animals Vick tortured and killed for MANY years for mere 'sport.' To hold him as a potential role mode and hero to young people is way too generous, much too soon after his barbaric, heinous acts. I am unable to look at Vick's face without becoming sick to my stomach, let alone forgive. Jan

Jan philly

I agree. It's the business of making money and making people rich. I guess that's what Mr. Vick does.

Mardi Northern Cali

I agree Jan. Some people are treating it like he was busted for drugs or something of that nature and he deserves a second chance. He doesnt deserve squat. He TORTURED dogs. The place it was taken place was about 30 miles away from my home here in Virginia. IMO, anyone that can hurt an innocent animal has serious issues and they are just as disturbed as sex offenders,etc.

Teresa va

I agree, he should not be allowed to play.... BUT, remember " What goes around comes around!" Karma's a B*tch!!!

Carol

Hi Jan, I'm glad you posted this, as it's been on my mind for a while, and having three pitties/pittie mixes and working in the rescue scene, it's a personal struggle to try to forgive him. I have read up on how two of my favorite rescues are coping with this news, BadRap out of San Fransisco, and Best Friends here out of Utah, both of whom took significant amounts of the (Vick)tory dogs that were able to be rescued. I do not believe this barbaric man deserves a second chance, especially after reading the gruesome details that Donna from Bad Rap has written about in detail on her BadRap blog. There is no way that someone who was that cruel, and LAUGHED while doing it, could ever be a role model or reformed or remorseful. Donna has written yet another moving post about the state of animals and animal lovers in Philly: http://tinyurl.com/llsfht And, because Best Friends is always so level headed and diplomatic, I will include a link to their official position on this matter, and my favorite part of the statement is this: “We hope that people concerned about Vick’s return to football will channel their frustrations into something positive. Take a pit bull for a walk. Volunteer at your local shelter. Better yet, skip an Eagles game and donate what you would have paid for a ticket to the animal welfare organization of your choice.” http://tinyurl.com/o85vm9 I myself can only focus on the good that has come out of this tragedy- bringing terrible dog fighting rings to justice and giving a voice to all of the dogs whom have been abused and neglected through this terrible practice, as well as putting a face and giving publicity to all of the beautiful pitties and other maligned dogs out there that need our help in our shelter and animal welfare system. melissa and tiggs (and Winnie and Honey!)

melissa slc

My husband and I talked about this as well. If it was a team I was spending money on that would be the end of it. I can't believe this jerk can just go back to making large sums of money. I wonder if you will get a response to your letter?

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

i agree, and glad someone posted this because i cant stand him and get very mad almost instantly when his name comes up. he is the most disingenuous piece of crap ive seen in a looooong time and i really actually wish harm upon him for this upcoming season. i know that isnt nice to say but not only did he hurt dogs, they were pit bulls that he hurt (physically and their already ignorantly viewed public image) -- so im doubly invested in seeing this guy get what is coming to him. plus i followed his case very closely and he showed no remorse in any way shape or form for the entire length of the case/trial. he is a classic case of regretting that he 'got caught' and not the actual act. and the acts he committed, they are horrific, just horrific. i hope someone breaks his neck on the field this year. unfortunately it wont be my team the miami dolphins, cuz we dont play them -- but i really hope he goes down in flames. the thought of him making millions and millions more dollars and harming a single dog in the future makes my blood boil.

Josh California

When they first started talking about his return to NFL, I was so happy to see some teams pass him up, this just tmakes me sick. Josh you are right he has shown no remorse, and just the regretting for getting caught I watched a clip from the 60 minutes interview and one from last week and and I was appalled at his demeanor. And when they showed a clip from Best Friends when the dogs first got there I cried for those poor souls. Laurie

Laurie CA

Anyone who will abuse/kill an animal will do the same to a fellow human being. We've all heard about kids who abuse animals and grow up to become mass murderers. It takes a demented mind and an evil heart to abuse helpless animals and children. Josh is right. Most likely, the remorse that Vick is showning is only remorse for getting caught and the fear of never being able to make those big bucks again. In my opinion, athletes are paid way too much money. Unfortunately, it's not just the pros, but the colleges and universities that give special treatment and perks to the players they recruit. I know there are exceptions, but education usually takes a backseat to athletic ability. It's crazy just how much the college coaches make in a year. But, this is just a side bar comment to the real issue of Vick's animal abuse. It makes me sick to my stomach whenever I see him on TV or hear his name mentioned. Bravo to you, Jan, for speaking up.

Karen NC

^^^i agree with karen, studies show that serialkillers and murderers start on animals- that is a proven fact. some people are good, some people are evil. anyone that can kill a dog by slamming its head into concrete repeatedly or by electrocuting it with a live wire or by drowning it in a bucket is no different than satan himself, to me. this guy is the devil.

Josh California

Vick is a mentally sick pervert of the lowest denomination, yeah 'devil' fits him to a tee, but he has done one smart thing ... learning key phrases that his spin doctors have prepared....'Playing in the NFL is a privlege not a right. I had a lot of time to think in prison. I want to end up helping more animals than I hurt.' Unfortunately many pumped football fans who are purchasing his $79.00 jerseys don't seem to care much whether or not he is reformed, only if he 'acts' reformed. The really bizarre thing is that he is a guy that isn't even that good as a player. The Eagles are going to get a slim reward for a risk that echoes round the world. The Eagles have opened themselves up for a potential mess which they may never recover. And they will have deserved every last loss and exit of previous supporters/fans. Jan

Jan philly

yea, jan speaks the truth- michael vick, skillwise is an average quarterback at best. he's a pretty pathetic passer and is def not better than mcnabb, who they already have. vick just has a style that's flashy and he's an above average runner, plus his affiliation with nike hyped him up pop culturally beyond belief.

Josh California

Hi, Sorry but I don't understand why you are on this site for dogs sufferingt from this terrible disease?

corrie Dagenham Essex

Corrie, Jan is a long time poster who has walked the walk with AIHA and is very involved in getting the news out about various drugs/pet products etc. that have been linked to AIHA. The Michael Vick story is still a big issue for any pet lover here in the U.S. so soetimes we just have to vent. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Thanks Penny! Corrie, my pet has suffered from AIHA for three years and as Penny says I have posted frequently. Philadelphia is a long way from Essex, England but I know you guys love your soccer...so just think if your English team hired a soccer player for a major league who spsnored dog fights, tortured, abused and personally killed dogs, went to jail for a short period and now they were giving him over two thousand pounds to play and rerpresent the team and your city? This is the subject we are discussing. This situation has created incredible sadness and anger in many people that this monster of a person has been allowed to once again play profesional football. It is helpful to share one's feelings with others who are equally incensed at the situation. If you google Michael Vick/Philadelphia Eagles you will learn a lot more. Jan

jan philly

Hi Jan, I agree with you. I've been listening to WIP 610 AM sports radio from Philadelphia this week (on my computer - I don't live in Philly). I know Angelo Cataldi from the early morning show. Do you listen to WIP? Angelo is also not a fan of Michael Vick. I googled Angelo and Vick, and found an article that Angelo wrote titled, "Cheer At Your Own Risk" (copied below). The comments I've heard this week have been very interesting. Sue www.angelocataldi.com Philly Sports - Cheer At Your Own Risk I am 58 years old. Nothing should surprise me the way I was surprised last Thursday night. Nothing should make me as sick as I feel right now about the Eagles signing a dog killer named Michael Vick. And yet here I sit, five days after the single, most offensive decision in Philadelphia sports history, struggling for words that express rage without offending the people who read this column every week. I know I will fail at that objective today because I can't control my emotions over a wrong decision -- wrong for the football team, wrong for the fans and wrong for people who care about their pets. It was wrong for the football team because the Eagles have no position for Vick to play and because they never even bothered to work him out. It is wrong for the fans because they are being disrespected again by an organization that thinks it can do whatever it wants with no lasting repercussions. The Eagles signed Vick because they want undeserved national adulation for being the team of second chances, the team that wants to change the world. It is all a sad charade. And it is wrong for pet lovers because we know the truth. The idea that someone could preside over the murder of dogs for six years is unimaginable. There is no cure for a mind that sick. We all know that. Even owner Jeffrey Lurie knows it. He called himself “an extreme dog lover” when he welcomed Vick onto his team, the same team that cut players Damon Moore and Thomas Hamner within hours of incidents involving animal cruelty. If second chances are such a priority, why did Moore and Hamner not deserve another shot? Could it be because they weren't nearly as talented as Vick? And if this emphasis on second chances is a new priority, then why hasn't the organization rehired Dan Leone, the disabled security officer who was fired after criticizing the team on Facebook when Brian Dawkins left. What infraction is more deserving of a second chance, a moment of verbal weakness or six years of cold-blooded murder? The real message of this fiasco is that the Eagles are simply not worthy of our support. They preach the value of character and then dismiss a role model like Dawkins while embracing a felon like Vick. They don't care what we think. They have won nothing, yet pretend they are a special. I wrote in this space last week that it was getting harder and harder to root for the Eagles. Well, it is now officially impossible. IDLE THOUGHTS YOU TALKING TO ME? When Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said the Vick decision was “counterintuitive” for him, who the heck did he think he was talking to? (It means against his nature. I looked it up.) RACIAL DIVIDE: There has never been a more polarizing issue in Philadelphia sports than the Michael Vick signing. Almost every one of my black callers loves the move. Almost every one of my white callers hates it. TAKE THAT, PHILS: One of the main reasons the Eagles signed Vick on Thursday was to steal some of the Phillies' spotlight back. Believe it. METRO/AC Angelo Cataldi is a Metro sports columnist and host of 610 WIP's Morning Show. He can be heard every morning from 5:30 to 10 a.m. His page runs on Tuesday. Metro does not endorse the opinions of the author, or any opinions expressed on its pages. HONOR THY FATHER Reid's personal issues finally clouded his football judgment When Andy Reid's two sons ended up in jail two years ago on drug charges, we all speculated about how the personal crisis would affect his professional life. Well, now we know. One of the main reasons Reid signed Michael Vick, he said, was because he learned the value of second chances with his sons. No one wishes anything but the best for Reid and his offspring, but using their crisis as a factor in adding Vick is totally ridiculous. Does this mean that every player facing adversity can now find a home with the Eagles? Has our team become a halfway house because Reid has experienced this new level of personal awareness? From a strictly football standpoint, the addition of Vick is absurd. The Eagles just heaped more money on Donovan McNabb, and the backup, Kevin Kolb, is entering his pivotal third year of apprenticeship. Does it make any sense to open the team to so much venom for the sake of three or four gadgets a game? If McNabb inevitably falters sometime this season, how will he handle the inevitable clamor for Vick? Reid's personal crisis may have given him new insight into being a parent, but it clearly hasn't made him a smarter football coach.

Sue PA

This thread was discussed between 16/08/2009 and 19/08/2009

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