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Friday, August 22, 2008
8/23: Two Michael Vick dog specials coming up
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two cable networks are airing Michael Vick dog specials in the next couple of weeks.
The first one is this Sunday on Animal Planet at 10 p.m.
I didn’t receive an advance copy but this is how the network describes it:
The investigative report gives an in-depth report on Michael Vick, the law enforcement officers who broke the case and the dogs who were traumatized in the horrific dog fighting scenario and their miraculous recovery.
Viewers will witness rare underground dog fighting videos and also see interviews with two of Vick’s boyhood mentors.
Then there’s National Geographic’s “Dogtown: Saving the Michael Vick Dogs.” This special airs Sept. 5 at 9 p.m.
This is what this network says: Follow the journey of four of the most challenging Vick dogs as DogTown helps rehabilitate them. DogTown is the Best Friends animal sanctuary in Utah.
I’ve watched a few minutes of the special and it’s sad, very sad, to watch.
Here are the four dogs:
CHERRY
Cherry, who may have been used as bait to train more aggressive fighters, is terrified of people. It will take a lot of love and support to help him gain confidence. When he arrives at Dogtown, Cherry flattens himself to the ground and refuses to walk on a leash. By slowly introducing him to new faces and experiences — including a recording of dogs “laughing” — Cherry’s trainers begin to draw him out of his shell. Can Cherry overcome his extreme fear and possibly become ready for adoption?
MERYL
Meryl is seriously aggressive and was ordered by the court to stay permanently at Dogtown. Trainer Ann Allums loves a challenge and believes that a patient approach can help calm Meryl’s dangerous impulses. After she gains Meryl’s trust, Allums starts the dog on obedience training — always focusing on rewards instead of punishments. Meryl proves a quick study and moves on to agility training, seeming to gain confidence and self-control from her new skills. Although this unpredictable pit bull can never be adopted, she now has a chance for a happy life in Dogtown.
DENZEL
Denzel arrives with a potentially life-threatening illness, and Dogtown’s medical team must determine what’s making him so sick. He is diagnosed with a tick-borne parasite sometimes found in fighting dogs, which may mean the other pit bulls rescued with him are at risk as well. At first he seems to respond to treatment, but he soon relapses. Can a new medication help Denzel recover?
GEORGIA
Georgia’s body tells the story of her hard life. She has the scars of a prize-winning fighter, shows signs of having had many litters and had all her teeth pulled at some point in her past, possibly so she could be forcibly bred. Can this traumatized pooch learn to interact with humans and other dogs? To break Georgia of the bad and potentially dangerous habit of guarding her food, trainer John Garcia tries feeding her by hand — a risky maneuver. Even with no teeth, the dog’s powerful jaw could still do serious damage. Soon Georgia is making great progress and easily mastering basic commands. If she can pass Dogtown’s Canine Good Citizen Test, Georgia has a chance at a better life in a loving home.
And people. Please play nice. The topic of Vick tends to raise people’s hackles.
-And how about this for strange? Steve & Vikki are on right now doing the WSB-AM Care-a-thon for the AFLAC Cancer Center. The pair, well known for doing Star 94 telethons, are now at B98.5.
