UFO sightings

Published Feb 20 2008 by davidd

Over at the play areas for the Vicktory dogs there have been some mighty strange happenings going on of late. In fact, flying saucers touching down on the sand, thereafter to spill out little green men with laser guns, would be about on par.

Brace yourselves. Believe it or not, nestled beneath the shade of the junipers dotting the area there have been spotted… play tunnels! (Shocking, we know.) And if that weren't enough, there are also elevation platforms. What's the world coming to?!

In truth, common objects like these are every bit as foreign and scary to these dogs as would be an extraterrestrial with fingertips that glow in the dark. They have experienced so little of the wide world, and while the Vicktory dogs gain confidence little by little with their current surroundings, they still have a tough time adapting to new things.

The agility tools, placed in the common exercise area, are all part of the strategy in teaching the Vicktory dogs how to expand their limited world. For now the agility tools are just sitting out there. A new, albeit strange, part of the landscape. But the hope is that the dogs will start to check them out, on their own terms of course, and ultimately start playing with the large agility toys. It may take a little while, but they will get there.

Think of it as teaching a child how to ride a bike. Nine times out of ten the kid is scared of the process at first, but once they learn how to do it, look out world! Same idea here. The Vicktory dogs need to overcome their jitters for all things new. And once they do, they'll be a whole lot happier. After all, just imagine how many adventures can be found waiting inside a single empty tube…

Comments

 

k9mommyx4 said:

Before long these babies will be flying, up, ove and thru these new toys.  Pitbulls are great at agility often excell at it.  I can hardly wait to hear one of them has run thru a tunnel and over a jump.  I wish I could be there to see it.

Thank you for loving these babies.

x4 means four times the pit bull fun.

February 22, 2008 10:19 PM
 

maryjane3231 said:

Why didn't you treat the 44 pits you brought form Utah to Las Vegas with the same love and respect?  Lack of media hype and donations perhaps.  Read the story:

www.animalliberationfront.com/.../BestFriendsrant.htm

February 22, 2008 11:20 PM
 

SawadeeKa said:

Maryjane3231 I read the story on animalliberationfront.com and am concerned.  Davidd is there any response from Best Friends?   I am sure there is more to the story.  Please explain.

February 23, 2008 5:26 AM
 

LunaWA said:

I am greatful for all the wonderful  things Best Friends has and is doing for animals,but was a little disturb when I saw that they are asking for sponcers for the Victory Dogs. My understnding is Micheal Vick is under court order to cover the costs of their care, but I put it out of my mind. Now I read this story about them transporting Pit Bulls to another state and leaving then with almost no support and I have to wonder, are the aligations right is it more about the media hype and donations? Sure would like their BF's of the story.

February 23, 2008 1:12 PM
 

watchdogabc said:

I read about the Utah pits on another BF blog and someone did reply.   They didn't deny the actions, thanked the vet for his help and said they took the remaining pits to Kanab.   That isn't good enough for me.   And YES, BF did get a large amount of money from Michael Vick to care for the long term care of these dogs.

February 23, 2008 1:26 PM
 

jbgrif said:

Maryjane, I can't speak for others here, but I consider ALF to be an extremist organization which acts without considering the full implications of its actions. Case in point, the many rabbits liberated from a testing facility (illegal, but good for the rabbits) but then released into a park or other uncontrolled environment (illegal & not good for the rabbits or, really, anyone else but ALF).

If PETA had their way, pit bulls &, eventually, all companion animals would become extinct. Best Friends might not be absolutely perfect, but they're the best alternative available for many animals which otherwise face a death sentence. I don't know what ALF would have recommended for the Vick dogs, but until they can offer constructive alternatives for every situation they should consider curbing their criticisms of organizations such as Best Friends.

February 23, 2008 2:01 PM
 

watchdogabc said:

I just did a search and found www.nytimes.com/.../11vick.html

It says vick was ordered to pay more than $928,000 to care for the 47 dogs taken from his property.   That means BF gets at least $434,368 for the 22 they took.   I think any of us could give the dogs a wonderful life with almost half a million dollars.  

February 23, 2008 2:18 PM
 

watchdogabc said:

I am NOT discussing PETA, or any other animal welfare organization.   Just the acts of BF concerning these pit bulls.    

February 23, 2008 2:21 PM
 

cathyscott said:

To learn about the background of the pit bulls from Washington County, discussed here by readers, below are links to an update from Best Friends in May of 2006, plus the original story below that:

network.bestfriends.org/.../3916.html

network.bestfriends.org/.../723.html

February 23, 2008 2:25 PM
 

watchdogabc said:

Nice update Cathy but it's dated May 2006, while the desderate call for help was dated January 2006.   4 months later BF responds.  

February 23, 2008 2:32 PM
 

cathyscott said:

If you didn't see the first update, it's dated December 2005:

network.bestfriends.org/.../723.html

February 23, 2008 3:04 PM
 

watchdogabc said:

I saw it.  December 30, 2005 to be exact.   The post asking BF to be responsible for the pits was dated January 3, 2006 and she said the dogs were left early in December.  

February 23, 2008 3:29 PM
 

Hope said:

I sent an e-mail to BF asking about the allegations that were made against them by cwdogs a few weeks ago about those 44 pitbulls. here is what they sent back...

Thank you for asking about the post.

It would seem that no good deed goes unpunished. When we were contacted by Washington County, we did explain at that time that we were not equipped to take on the 44 dogs here at the sanctuary as we were still relating to a number of Katrina animals as well as the animals that we are taking care of and admitting everyday. Like all of the folks doing rescue, rare is the time when we can take in a large quantity of animals. That’s why we offer people resources and support to do the work themselves. It takes a village…We did say that we could send a behaviorist to do assessments on each of the dogs and that we might possibly facilitate with transportation if they found placement. Both of which we did.

We also offered to send out messages to individuals and groups to see if anyone could help. Not surprisingly, pretty much everyone was overwhelmed post Katrina. We sent out a total of 11 messages for help and received almost no positive response. Over time we paid for transport of some of the dogs to California. We continued to look for placement for the animals and provided resources to the individual who chose to champion them. She was, however, upset that we would not accept the animals here or underwrite their expenses. Ultimately, we did take possession of a number of the dogs. We placed most in foster care and four with particularly special needs came here to the sanctuary. We even sent one of our trainers to the site where most were in foster care and she personally not only worked with them but stayed there for four months going around to whatever public venues she could trying to get them adopted. She had a pretty high success rate too.

Unfortunately, some people interpret our not accepting every animal that we are asked to as not helping. Actually we try to help everyone in some way to succeed themselves. We know that the only way to bring about a time when there are No More Homeless Pets is if we provide everyone with the tools they need to help the animals themselves. We do like to respond to folks like you but we make it a practice to not post directly when someone makes a statement against us.

So there is BF's side of the story...

February 24, 2008 3:03 PM
 

Staravery said:

CWDog did not make the allegations.  Simply passed on information posted by the group that ended up having to deal with BFs dogs.   Why did BF take them in the first place, if they were not able to follow through.   To impress Washington County?  To help keep the county euthanizia numbers down?   There is no good reason to take any animal if you are not willing or able to be totally responsible.   The answer certainly wasn't taking them to Las Vegas and abandoning them in hopes someone else would step in.   I would assume Washington County has an animal shelter.  And just a reminder.   BF had $33,703,350.00 in donations showing a profit of $6,908,685.00 for 2005.   This was posted directly on their website.  They also have several hundred employees as well as volunteers.   But couldn't find time or funds to care for the dogs they "rescued".

February 24, 2008 9:44 PM
 

Staravery said:

You mentioned the Katrina animals.   BF received a lot of media attention and I assume that helped generate donations, just like BF involvement with the Vick dogs.    Yet I noticed on the links posted for the blogs about the 44 Utah pits that there were no comments at all.   Does that mean NO media and NO donations for those dogs?   Is that why the Katrina animals and the Vick dogs got BFs complete involvement?  BF accepted 44 Pit Bulls from Utah and took them to Las Vegas so their care, expense, and placement should be placed directly on BF shoulders.

February 25, 2008 12:22 AM
 

COCOFIRE4125 said:

I hear a lot of complaining...but I ask, what are you doing to help the cause?  Just curious.....

February 25, 2008 11:33 AM
 

Staravery said:

Not complaining, just pointing out the facts as stated by others and making it available to BF members.  I think they have a right to know.  And I have done rescue locally for over 30 years, and all out of my own pocket.   How about you?

February 25, 2008 11:55 AM
 

SawadeeKa said:

It sure does seem no good deed goes unpunished.  BF thanks for doing such tireless, selfless work for those with out a voice!  It will never be enough for some humans, but sadly that is human nature.  On the flip side, our furry four-legged friends truly appreciate every little bit of help!  Keep it up!

February 25, 2008 3:16 PM
 

KathyKat said:

when is taking 44 dogs to another town and leaving them for a month or more a good deed?

February 25, 2008 3:35 PM
 

macaroni said:

none of the organizations knew they were getting the money or how much until after the dogs had been placed.

I read this story and see a post Katrina nightmare, and they did help. There was a reason they helped picked them up and remove them from immediate danger. They said from the beginning they couldn't take them in, just help move them so they wouldn't be put to sleep asap. And provide some other services like behaviorist. Nothing about the situation is perfect..but I think the anger here is directed at the wrong place. It might not of been what you think is perfect to do, but they did try to help. If they would of done nothing at all, and not got involved, like all the other animal charities, they would never of gotten this slack. I think because they do so many great things, we expect them to be super heros, that can make everything ok and that's just not the case.  That being said..don't forget the massive ways they do help. To all these Monday morning quarterbacks,  If you don't like what they do, instead of standing around complaining about it, then go do it better yourself, and if you are doing so already...lets see your stats so they can be critiqued. Its only fair.

February 26, 2008 6:26 AM
 

macaroni said:

and it does make me very disappointed and sad to hear when any pit bull let alone a group of them seem to fall through the system and lack the help they need. This happens so very often though, way too often. I'm never mad at the pit bull organizations who can't, or don't get a chance to help. I'm more frustrated and angry with the general public ignorance, materialism, and self centered mind state I see around me..... To put it politely as I can.

February 26, 2008 6:38 AM
 

dianaj said:

I keep ready all a lot fo negative comments on other forums about BF taking these dogs in. I mean really! People have no idea what these animals went thought! The physical and the EMOTIONAL! They need EXTRA help because some demons who look like humans TORTURED and ABUSED these animals!!! Look up dog fighting and see the pictures!!! BF created a whole section for these dogs that no one wanted to deal with  and gave them hope! BF accepted these dogs BEFORE THEY KNEW THEY WOULD  GET SOME MONEY FROM VICK!!!!!

My landlord's dog is a puppy mill dog and they believe he was abused by someone oat the airline before they got him.  He has been afraid of the world for six years. Does not leave the house and is so scared opf everyone and everything! He only trusts the tenants!

It is heart breaking and all you want to do is find those people and beat the crap out of them!!!

Once an animal has been abused and tortured.. it take a long time to trust anymone!! It costs!!!

IT IS LIKE A DIVORCE.. IF A MOTHER WORKS AND HAS THE CHILDREN.. THE FATHER SHOULD NOT PAY??????

THAT IS CRAP!!!  THEY NEED LONG TERM CARE ( WHICH INVOLES MORE STAFF AND RESORCES!!!)

INSTEAD OF BEING SHEEP TRY BEING LEADERS IN ANIMAL RIGHTS!

MR. VICK NEEDS SOME WATER TORTURE FOR HIS ACTIONS!

LOOK AT YOUR ANIMALS AND IMAGINE SOME ONE BEATING THEM OR THEM SUFFERING PAIN AND TORTURE!

IT WILL MAKE YOU SICK!  BF DOES WHAT THEY CAN TO HELP. UNLIKE SOME GROUPs WHO TALK A LOT AND DO NOTHING!

NOTHING IS PERFECT! BUT THEY DO HELP!

BF keep doing what you do  for these animals and I will support you and stand up for you no matter what!

February 26, 2008 11:39 AM
 

KathyKat said:

But it wasn't a pit bull organization that let them fall through the cracks.  BF brought them to another state and ignored them.   A local pit bull group tryed to help as many as they could.   Back to the original question.   BF tryed to walk away from the 44 pits they brought to Las Vegas but invested all their energies for the VICK dogs.  They may not have known the judge would order Vick to pay their long term costs but they certainly knew the media hype would generate enormous donations for the organization.  Is that why they were and still are so good at caring for them - and keeping them in the public eye through the media.    I have read their posts with the 'why' of their actions.   Not enough time and money, but 2005 showed a profit of almost $7,000,000.00.   Not enough manpower.  BF had (I believe I read)  420 paid employees in 2005 and many more volunteers.   And there certainly was enough room at the Kanab site.

BF said they couldn't take them to begin with, according to their reply.   When that happens, isn't it best to just say I'm sorry I can't help.   Not take them to impress the county. Then why dump them in Las Vegas for others to deal with.   Place them in Utah where BF could have dealt with them directly.   Bringing those dogs to another town only means that for every Utah pitbull placed one already in Las Vegas died.   There are only so many homes available.   I guess those numbers of euthanisia are better on the Nevada records then the Utah records.

February 26, 2008 11:44 AM
 

KathyKat said:

These posts haven't questioned that the dogs deserve help.   Just what motivated BF to make these 22 pits "the chosen" and the 44 pits they brought from Utah became "the almost forgotten".  

February 26, 2008 11:51 AM
 

davidd said:

Best Friends bloggers don’t normally comment on responses to posts. But some of the facts in some of the comments in this string are seriously out of place.

Regarding the 44 pit bulls referred to in some comments. The first inaccurate fact: they were not from Kane County but from a neighboring county, Washington County. Not that the location makes a huge difference, but for sake of accuracy it’s worth mentioning.

The biggest fact out of place, however, is the notion of Best Friends accepting and then abandoning the dogs. Many of the posts, quoting an article that prompted them, refer to Best Friends accepting these dogs and then dumping them onto somebody else to deal with. This is simply not true. The sheriff from Washington County called Best Friends asking for help to assess and possibly help transport the dogs, in the event that homes could be found for the dogs. Best Friends never accepted the dogs in the first place, and was never asked to by the sheriff.

Dewey Animal Clinic volunteered to take the dogs, and Best Friends offered to help by providing the trainer assessment asked for, as well as the transportation to Las Vegas.

Dewey Animal Clinic was successful in finding homes/placement for many of the dogs. However, they are a boarding facility and felt they eventually needed to regain the space taken up by the pit bulls. With 17 dogs remaining, they set themselves a deadline for placement, after which they felt they needed to euthanize the dogs.

At that point, Best Friends stepped in again to try to help with this situation.

We sent trainers down to reassess the dogs at the Dewey clinic, we took pictures to help promote the animals, and then invited professional trainers from the Best Friends Training Partners Program to participate. The day before the euthanization deadline, four of the 17 dogs were taken in by our training partners. And Best Friends offered to take the final 13 back to the sanctuary for long-term care. We also took on the responsibility for any of the other dogs being cared for by our training partners and who could not find a permanent home.

I hope this clears up any confusion, and here’s an equal hope that the two-year-old, completely inaccurate article in question doesn’t pop up again. (Hey, we can dream, right?)

On to the question of why Best Friends accepted 22 dogs from the Michael Vick case when we turn down requests for pit bulls every day? A fair question. For one thing, Best Friends receives nearly 2,000 requests a month from people asking if they can send animals to Best Friends.

So why did we choose to accept the Vicktory dogs when we turn down pit bull requests every day, Best Friends executive director Paul Berry has this to say:

“There was a lot of talk from other national organizations about killing the dogs. That seemed entirely wrong to us. These dogs were the ultimate victims of a horrible crime that had become a national outrage. We could not possibly go along with the idea that they would simply be held as evidence until the court proceedings were over, and then be summarily killed. What kind of message does that send to local humane groups and rescue organizations all over the country who are doing all they can to save the lives of thousands of other dogs in similar circumstances? We needed to make it absolutely clear that there are real options, real alternatives, for the victims of these terrible crimes.”

By working with these dogs and showing what can be done to facilitate their healing, we can demonstrate that there are always options to killing, and that killing animals is simply not the answer. (That’s part of the purpose of this blog: to follow the progress of the dogs and, in due course, pass on everything we learn about best practices in their care and healing.)

Another final clarification. Questions have been raised regarding the financial aspect of the court settlement. Best Friends estimates the average cost of lifetime care for a dog to be $40,000, but the cost of caring for the Vicktory dogs will probably be more. Because the Vicktory dogs need to live individually (most of the dogs at Best Friends live in group settings), they will require additional facilities. They’ll also need a higher ratio of caregiver time per dog.

The settlement awarded to Best Friends was $388,775, or less than $18,000 per dog.

February 27, 2008 1:22 PM
 

rmlamasney25 said:

Thanks davidd, thanks Best Friends. Let's focus now on helping and healing.

February 27, 2008 4:34 PM
 

yvette said:

Thank you for the very clear response. I hope you can post pictures of these new "objects" that the dogs are being exposed to. Is it similar to the items in Tara's Run? Stairs, doors, different type of flooring, etc?

Thanks for all your hard work.

February 29, 2008 8:49 PM

About davidd

David Dickson is a full-time writer for Best Friends Animal Society. On his free time he enjoys spending time with his family (both the people and animal varieties), camping, hiking, and otherwise enjoying the rich scenery found near the sanctuary. He has two dogs and a Quaker parrot, and is currently fostering a belching, taunting, irresistible African gray parrot named Jasper. David counts the minutes between bags of lightly salted pistachios—something he and the two parrots have in common.