I want to start today by dedicating this blog post and this week's Pet Chat Radio broadcast to our late beloved Devon Rex cat, Mariano, known affectionately by family and friends simply as Mo. Mo was just shy of two years of age when just last week, he became very ill with a disease that affected his liver, but whose cause could not be confirmed until after we lost him after several days of intensive care hospitalization. Ultimately, given failure to respond to aggressive treatment for other common diseases of the feline liver, combined with evidence found on post mortem examination, it is most likely that Mo fell victim to one of the most ambiguous, frustrating, yet imminently deadly viral disease in cats, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, most commonly called FIP.
The Devon Rex breed is perhaps the most tolerant, gentle, social, and intelligent breeds of feline I have had the pleasure to experience. Mo was special even for the breed, from his love of our many dogs, following them and cuddling with them as if he were just another member of the pack, to not only his tolerance of my toddler son, but actively seeking out his interaction. When not with the dogs, frolicking with my son, or playing in our pool's waterfall, the other place you could count on Mo being, was in one of our laps.
A prince among cats, a source of love, joy, and amusement in all the lives he touched - friends and family alike loved Mo - even those who were not cat people could not help but love Mo, the short time he spent this earth will forever leave an everlasting impression on the hearts of all that had the privilege to know him. We will always love you Mo, and we thank you for the joy you brought us.
Before getting to the main portion of the program, I wish to quickly remind you all of my appearance last week on the Win Without Competing talk show with Dr. Arlene Barro. I really enjoyed the experience, with Dr. Barro having asked me questions that took me way back to several experiences and circumstances that led me to where I am and what I am doing today. We tend to forget the path that drove us to our adult lives and careers once fully immersed, and the manner in which Dr. Barro led me to recall key points in my journey has been enlightening to both many of my readers and listeners, as well as myself. In case you missed it and are interested in checking it out, here is the link:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Dr-Arlene-Barro-/2009/08/13/WIN-Without-Competing-with-Dr-Arlene-Barro
On to our feature topic and subject of my personal comment on Pet Chat Radio this week, Michael Vick having recently inked a deal to serve in a back up or utility quarterback role for the Philadelphia Eagles. Many people, some Eagles fans included, feel that this man has no business being back in the NFL after the horrific animal cruelty crimes associated with a dog fighting operation he both financed and provided facilities for, he was convicted of and recently finished serving out a sentence for.
The question is, was the NFL commissioner wrong in letting Vick be reinstated into the NFL? Is it not enough that he served out his punishment as dictated by our system of law, in so doing lost three years of prime playing years, lost his status as the Atlanta Falcons franchise quarterback and lucrative contract that came with that, and lost all of his lucrative endorsements? Do the gravity of his crimes also necessitate banning the man from the NFL for life, keeping him from the only means he has ever known to earn a living?
These are very difficult questions indeed. Michael Vick's crimes are indeed atrocious when considered by anyone with any sense of decency and compassion. The atrocities that occurred at his compound of cruelty with his consent and financial backing, as well as their aftermath, after all are very difficult to even consider forgiving, let alone give this man the opportunity to be cheered by fans and gain some semblance of being a role model for our children.
On the other hand, if you believe in our criminal justice system, one that is flawed but still in my opinion the fairest and most effective in the world, one that supports the notion of paying one's debt to society, rehabilitation, and reintegration back into a law abiding society, are we right to advocate that we deny Mr. Vick the right to make a living? While I know that many will disagree with me on this, perhaps even be appalled with me given the nature of my profession, I agree with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's decision to reinstate Michael Vick. I feel that the system dictates that we give the man that second chance.
Does this mean that I forgive and/or forget the horrible deeds that occurred at the hands of Michael Vick and his team of torturers? Absolutely not! I was one of the most vociferous bloggers attacking the man and his supporters back in 2006 when the news first broke. In fact, I do not know if there will ever be a day that I can look at the face of Michael Vick and not feel disgust and anger for the deeds he enabled, no matter what great acts he performs on and off the field in the coming years. I do believe, however, that the fact that our system levied the penalty it deemed appropriate, the time was served, and in the process Vick went bankrupt and became one of our nation's greatest pariahs, he earned the right to a second chance. Our system mandates this, as does the spirit of fairness of our nation.
Roger Welton, DVM
Founder, Web-DVM
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4 comments:
I am not appalled by your opiinion Doc, your heart is in the right place and I remember how strongly you blogged in denoucement of this monster when it happened. But I do not think that this man should be allowed back into the NFL. You are correct that our system of law is flawed, but in the case of cruelty to animals, horrifically flawed. The penalties are way too lenient. In this case, the dogs were not only bred, raised, and tormented to fight, when they no longer served their purpose, they were killed by shooting, burning, and electrocution. These bastrads not only broke the law, but took sadistic pleasure in the atrocites they committed against these dogs.
You are also correct that he served his time as determined by our system of law, but two years in prison, one year and a halfway house, then back in the NFL to restart his career is a joke of a penalty. If he actually served a punishment consistent with his crimes, them I may be okay with his reinstatement into the NFL.
I liked the piece on Calgary's successful animal control and deecreased incidence of unwanted pets and less crowded shelters, on your radio show. I wanted to say that, while it is all well and good that Calgary uses common sense principles in holding the owners primarily accontable for the circumstances and actions of the pet, are they really that special, or are the rest of us just really that stupid???
I every case where animals defecate on grounds, bite people, end up in shelters because of abandonment, produce unwanted animals because they are not spayed or neutered, isn't the underlying cause ALWAYS the same??? THE IDIOT PET OWNERS that refuse or do not care to take responsibilities for their animals!!! Hello, the people of Calgary are geniuses for figuring this out???
No!!! They just care enough, and are animal welfare conscious enough to solve these problems from the source: PEOPLE! For that I give the credit.
But you are right, DOC, we would do well to learn from them.
So sorry about you cat, Doc. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yoru family. What a moving and heartfelt tribute you wrote to him - I also listened to on the show. Hard not to get choked up hearing you speak about him.
Its amazing the impression these littlre creatueres leave on our hearts, in our souls. I hope when you are ready, another wonderful Devon finds you.
As I understand it, Vick served no time for animal abuse. He was punished and served time for another offense. Alot of people lose their jobs and for alot less serious offenses. Part of his job is to be a role model. He's no role model and should not be allowed to play football. He made the choice to do what he did to those dogs. Now pay the consequences.
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