Anyone who appreciates quality journalism should own a copy of “The Lost Dogs.” Anyone involved in dog rescue, dog training or dog rehabilitation should also own a copy, as should any true dog lover.
“The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s dogs and their tale of rescue and redemption” by Jim Gorant is a book you are going to start hearing about.
Many of us have been following the Michael Vick case since the news of his involvement in dogfighting broke in 2007. The whole story is revealed in “The Lost Dogs.”
There were several times while reading the book where I had to set it down for a second, reach for my own dog and hug him. Besides the horrific violence describing the dogfights, hangings, electrocutions and beatings are the amazing stories of each dog’s rehabilitation.
In September 2007, a team of dog behaviorists began to evaluate 49 of the pitbulls pulled from Vick’s property – Bad Newz Kennels. At this point, the dogs had been living in near isolation for four months at various shelters awaiting their fate.
After hearing such negative descriptions of the animals from the Humane Society of the United States and PETA, the team of behaviorists figured they’d be lucky if five of the dogs – 10 percent of them – could be rehabilitated.
The chief executive and president of the HSUS described the dogs from Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels as some of the most aggressively trained pitbulls in the country. The organization recommended all the Vick dogs be destroyed, citing there were hundreds of thousands of less violent pitbulls waiting for homes across the country. PETA took the same stance, recommending euthanasia and referring to the dogs as ticking time bombs.
As the behaviorists began evaluating the first pitbull, then the second, then the third, they saw a pattern. Nearly all the dogs were curious, affectionate and scared. Some were “pancaked” against the floor, shutting down in fear. Some looked at toys and treats with complete confusion. Many tried to lick the hands and faces of the evaluators. Many wagged their tails and wanted to play. Nearly every one of the Vick dogs was desperate for love, leadership and companionship.
In the end, 47 dogs were given a second chance.
A human story
“The Lost Dogs” is more than a story about pitbulls. Some people may want to read strictly about the dogs, but the human side of the story is what makes the book art.
Gorant shows the stress and determination behind the key investigators, most are people I had never heard of. He shows pieces of our flawed judicial system on both a local and federal level and how certain people worked hard to make the case disappear completely.
The book highlights some of the problems with our animal shelters and how scary and unnatural these environments are for dogs. Gorant tells details of Vick’s upbringing in a housing project in Newport News, Virginia, and the path he chose once he made the NFL draft.
We get to see the passion driving the people who fostered, trained, rehabilitated and adopted these dogs. And above all, we get to know, love and learn from these amazing canines.
Understanding pitbulls
Gorant weaves the dogs’ points of views throughout the story, showing the confusion and pain that was life to them.
I appreciate how he goes into the history of what would become the American pit bull terrier, tracing its roots as a bull-baiting dog mixed with feisty terriers to eventually create the “pitbulls” we know today. Although I wish he would’ve clarified that the American pit bull terrier and the American Staffordshire terrier are in fact two different names for the same breed, he did a fine job explaining the similar Staffordshire bull terrier and how all are considered “pitbulls.”
Any dog lover who picks up “The Lost Dogs” will be tempted to run out and rescue a pitbull. The book will certainly help change a few negative opinions on the breed. It will also help homeless pitbulls across the country get adopted.
Those of us involved in rescue know potential adopters will come flocking if there is a media story behind a dog. A “Vick dog” or a “Katrina dog” will get adopted before your average pound dog, as will dogs that have been “abused.”
A small percentage of homeless dogs have been abused or neglected, but nearly all have been misunderstood. “The Lost Dogs” is a good reminder that there are dogs in every community that need our help. They are in need of training, exercise and affection. We can all spare some time to walk them, to pet them, to participate in fundraisers. If we don’t have the time, we can donate a couple of bucks.
Any true dog lover will spare something.
Win your copy of ‘The Lost Dogs’
“The Lost Dogs” comes out Sept. 16. I was fortunate to receive a review copy in advance for a review on this blog.
To enter my drawing to win a free copy of “The Lost Dogs,” leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random on Sept. 12. Must be shipped to a U.S. address. You can also order a copy for $14 off Amazon.
Once you’ve read the book, please let me know what you think!
(Top photo is from the Facebook page for The Lost Dogs.)
I received a free advance copy of “The Lost Dogs” in exchange for a review on this blog.
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A lot that is good can come out of this terrible injustice to dogs.
I enjoyed watching some episodes of DogTown on NatGeo to also see what was happening to some of the Vick dogs. Best Friends got some of them, and we got to witness their recovery. Very special:)
I watched that episode of Dog Town also, it was really inspiring. If a dog who was so mistreated can recover, it gives me hope that my dog can get over his problems as well.
I watched a few of those DogTown episodes as well. Really enjoyed them.
I too watched some of the DogTown episodes on these dogs, they were really inspiring. One of my favorite parts of the “Bad Newz Kennel” dogs are that they changed the HSUS’s view on fighting dogs. As you said Lindsay, the HSUS and PETA made a standard procedure of euthanizing all dogs from fighting rings without evaluating them as they were considered “time bombs.” These dogs completely changed that, and the HSUS has recalled that theory and now each dog is evaluated individually for rehabilitation. It’s wonderful that dogs that were treated so cruely and inhumanely got a second chance at a wonderful life! I’m going to have to put this book on my “to read” list
Yes, the HSUS officially changed its stance, which is good news!
Because of the Vick case, dogs pulled from fighting rings are now looked at as individuals and as victims rather than weapons. They are no longer grouped together as dangerous.
Great Review!!! I try not to, but sometimes watch Animal Cops on Animal planet and I’ve heard them say that standard precedure with any dog that was in a fighting ring is to be put down period. I’m so glad to hear that this procedure is going to be changed!!! Its also an amazing story! I hope to one day rescue a pitbull but that is a long way off as I have two pound dogs already and know that a third is not a viable option right now. Thanks for the review!
Glad you liked the review. I know what you mean, I want to adopt a pitbull so bad, but for right now it’s not the best option. Someday soon!
Loved that DogTown episode as well. Really looking forward to reading this whether I win it or not. Keep up the great work with this blog!
Thanks!
I would like to win this book to donate to an animal rescue here in Austin. We are working hard to make Austin a no-kill city. It is amazing that these dogs are healing and trusting. I am thankful to those who gave them a chance at life and new lives.
The Vick dog story will always hold a special spot in my heart. As you know we adopted a pit from 4 Luv of Dog rescue. My Dad was a bit skeptical about it at first until he got to know Ruby. He also realized the reason I adopted a pit was because I wanted to try and show people how great a dog they are.
Any way my parents are semi retired and have been going to California in the winters. This last spring, on their way back they stopped at one of the rescues that took in a bunch of Vicks dogs and spent the day there. When they were leaving Dad said that they had to buy me a shirt that had a pic. of a pit and a bunch of sayings on it. Save a pit, Love a pit, Help a pit, Americas dog etc. Well when they got to my sisters in Omaha my dad passed away quickly and unexpectedly. When I got there to help Mom get the motorhome home she gave me the shirt and told me that Dad was so excited to give it to me. And she told me how all he did was talk about how I had adopted a pit and how proud he was of me for trying to change peoples mind about pits. And how I had changed his mind etc. This meant a lot to me because my dad and I were not the type to actually show our feelings toward each other much.
So as you can see the Vick dogs will be remembered forever in my mind and heart. And once we are settled into our new house we are going to adopt another pit. Seriously thinking about Ripley from 4 Luv of dog.
Oh yeah I will definately read this book!
Thanks for entering the contest, Valerie!
Thanks for sharing the story about your dad, Shane. So sorry to hear about your loss. That makes Ruby extra special. Have you had a chance to meet Ripley yet? He’s been waiting for the right home for a long time.
I really look forward to reading this book! I feel like I’ve been so blessed to fall in love with a wonderful pit bull from the shelter. He has really opened my eyes to the problems that pit bulls have and helped show people that they are good, loving dogs.
You’ll love the book! Glad to hear you adopted a pitbull from a shelter.
This book looks fascinating, thanks for the review!
You will like the book!
Congratulations Shane! You are the lucky winner of The Lost Dogs!
I have a feeling this book will affect me the same way “8 Below” did…have you seen it?? I was a blubbering fool the WHOLE movie, grasping Dakota, crying into her shoulder, and yelling at the dogs in the movie to “STAY TOGETHER!!”. EXCELLENT movie but I wouldn’t ever watch it again, I’m still recovering 4 years later
Thanks for the review, I’m not much of a reader but I’ll have to check this one out…Bruno better watch out for my death grip!
Oh my gosh, I felt the same way during 8 Below. I definitely hugged Ace and cried! Ha! And he’s not even a sled dog. You will be hugging Bruno the whole time if you read The Lost Dogs.
This definitely looks like an interesting read. I’ve never seen 8 Below because I can’t bear to watch animals hurt/killed. I’m such a baby.
Don’t worry, 8 Below has a happy ending
But it has some very sad moments.
just last week a dog whose ears had been completely cut off…. emaciated and scared….found his way to the Downey CA shelter and is now safely in the hands of Coastal German Shepherd Rescue. i hope the publicity this case (regarding a bait dog) and The Lost Dogs generate encourages more folks to adopt many more dogs………….
Oh gosh, that’s terrible. I’m glad that dog is in a safe place now. I think The Lost Dogs will help raise a lot of awareness.
Thank you for writing this review. I still consider myself a pitbull mumma even though my sweet rescued pit has now passed. I am only 42 pages into this book and have had to put it down NUMEROUS times. It is a great book, so real… These dogs are misunderstood and just need love. This book will hopefully change people, that is if they are not too ignorant to pick it up first…
Glad you got a chance to pick up a copy. It is a good book, despite the difficult story that it is.