The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption

by Jim Gorant

An inspiring story of survival and our powerful bond with man's best friend, in the aftermath of the nation's most notorious case of animal cruelty.

Animal lovers and sports fans were shocked when the story broke about NFL player Michael Vick's brutal dog fighting operation. But what became of the dozens of dogs who survived? As acclaimed writer Jim Gorant discovered, their story is the truly newsworthy aspect of this case. Expanding on Gorant's Sports Illustrated cover story, The Lost Dogs traces the effort to bring Vick to justice and turns the spotlight on these infamous pit bulls, which were saved from euthanasia by an outpouring of public appeals coupled with a court order that Vick pay nearly a million dollars in "restitution" to the dogs.

As an ASPCA-led team evaluated each one, they found a few hardened fighters, but many more lovable, friendly creatures desperate for compassion. In The Lost Dogs, we meet these amazing animals, a number of which are now living in loving homes, while some even work in therapy programs: Johnny Justice participates in Paws for Tales, which lets kids get comfortable with reading aloud by reading to dogs; Leo spends three hours a week with cancer patients and troubled teens. At the heart of the stories are the rescue workers who transformed the pups from victims of animal cruelty into healing caregivers themselves, unleashing priceless hope.

Includes an 8-page photo insert.


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Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Dogs, True Crime, Biography, Audiobook, Crime

279 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2009

About the author

Shortly after his birth in Brooklyn, New York, Jim's family decamped for the greener pastures of northern New Jersey. Other than the four years when he escaped to college in the distant metropolis of Philadelphia, he’s spent his entire life in the Garden State, where he still lives with his wife and two children.

Jim Gorant's career in magazine publishing began in 1990 with a job at Good Housekeeping and led him to Sports Illustrated, where he is currently a senior editor. In the interim he’s bumbled over seemingly every inch of the vast terrain that exists between those titles, holding staff positions at GQ, Men's Journal, Popular Mechanics, and Power & Motoryacht. In the course of his daily responsibilities at those magazines and during two stints as a freelancer, he's fished everywhere from Alaska to Venezuela, snowmobiled 12,000 feet into the Idaho Rockies, dived on the Great Barrier Reef and played golf with honest-to-goodness celebrities. The high point came when he was escorted off the grounds of the All-England Lawn Tennis Club (a.k.a. Wimbledon). On the more serious side, he’s investigated anti-aging strategies, infant vaccinations, and the psychology and response to child abductions.

His writing has appeared in more than three dozen national magazines ranging from Men’s Health, Outside, and Popular Science, to Worth, the Robb Report, and the Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday Magazine, among many others. As an editor, he’s tinkered with the scribblings of everyone from Mike Lupica to Dan Quayle and worked on two Sports Illustrated books, Tiger 2.0 and The Golf Book.

Jim's original SI cover story on the dogs of Bad Newz kennels won the Humane Society’s Genesis Award for magazine writing. He is also the recipient of the John Southam Award and of multiple writing awards from both the Golf Writers Association of America and Boating Writers International. Prior to The Lost Dogs , Jim authored Fanatic: 10 Things All Sports Fans Should Do Before They Die , and he is also the co-author of Fit For Golf (with Boris Kuzmic).

Reviews

[Jennifer (formerly Eccentric Muse) · Rating 4 out of 5]

UPDATED: 03/19/11 Read. Cried. Read some more. Got seriously pissed off. Read some more and finished on a bittersweet note.

The Lost Dogs tells the tale of a landmark dog-fighting case, the swirl of celebrity politics surrounding it, and the precedent-setting processes and activities that were developed to rescue and rehabilitate the dogs - for the first time viewed as victims, not evidence; saved, not destroyed. The facts it reveals about pit bulls were and still are critical to advancing the anti-cruelty, anti-BSL and animal welfare movements.

Well-told, not flabby like a lot of non-fiction (Gorant's journalistic style is ideal for the material). A hard read, in the emotional sense, but not as hard as you might anticipate or fear. Gorant's scenario-setting from the POV of 'the little red dog' and 'the little brown dog' (who turns out to be cover-dog, Sweet Jasmine) occasionally strays into anthropomorphism, but I think he strikes exactly the right balance for the vast majority of readers and his purpose in telling the story, too. There's enough pathos and sadness to make you feel for and bond with the dogs--the subjects of his tale. This is a better, more ethical and more constructive approach than dredging up anger as the primary emotion, which would be the case had he chosen to focus on the criminal-celebrity on the other side of the case and/or his supporters. I have an immense amount of respect for that strategy, both here in literary terms as well as in the broader context of pit bull advocacy and education.

Gorant is clear, at the outset, that he wanted to write the book to address the main and most frequent argument offered up by Vick defenders: "they're just dogs; why do they matter?" Anyone reading my threads here or on FB knows my response to that so I won't belabour the point. I'll end by saying: this is an important book. Vick's cruelty and celebrity created an alchemy that, ironically, has served this breed well, providing a high-profile focal point that advocacy groups like Best Friends and Bad Rap could use to reach the broader population and dispel the myths, misperceptions and realities of 'pit bulls', human beings' relationships with them and dogs in general, and our responsibilities to them. With this book and their work, the tide may be turning.


___________________________

Some preliminary thoughts. This topic is weighing on my mind these days as I watch my 14-year-old Wheaten Terrier decline, and think about what's next in terms of dog ownership for me.

I read the Sports Illustrated article upon which this book was based, and almost immediately afterwards, started to follow badrap.org. Bad Rap is the pit bull rescue group out of California which--along with a group of other forward-thinking and rational lawmakers, humane society workers, rescuers and volunteers--turned the atrocity of what Vick brought to light, the horrid underbelly, history and current situation of dogfighting and of this breed, in particular, to something good.

Learned a ton, in the process, about pit bulls, to the point where I now want to adopt one, but can't.

Here in Ontario where I live, there is province-wide, breed-specific legislation that prohibits the breeding and severely restricts the owning of any pit bull or "pit-bull-like" dog (yes, the legislation is that broad). The legislation also requires sterilization of all existing dogs -- pit bull terriers, am. staffordshire terriers and mixes. Any dog that bears even a trace or whiff of pit bull.

The reality of this law in practice is that any pit bull rescued in Ontario is euthanized immediately, if it can't be found an appropriate, out-of-province foster home.

What this means is that rescues of pit bulls in Ontario are dwindling to a trickle. Go on petfinder.org and type in pit bull, Ontario and all you will see are pleas for funds to ship rescued dogs out of province, by a few--very few--non-profits and shelters who continue valiantly to rescue the breed.

Most Ontario pit bull and "pit-bull-like" dogs are euthanized immediately, regardless of temperament, situation or history. The effort and cost is too exorbitant to even attempt rescue, much less rehabilitation.

But worse -- far worse -- dogs are still being fought and bred to fight, with efforts to stop this barbaric and inhumane practice underfunded and unsupported. Whoever is breeding pit bulls in Ontario now is doing so for one purpose--dog fighting--and doing it underground, way beneath the radar. In his review of The Lost Dogs, Cesar Milan (The Dog Whisperer) quotes Malcolm Gladwell, who says: "Dogs who bite people are vicious because they have owners who want vicious dogs."

The battered and abused dogs that are rescued from dog-fight operations in Ontario, if any are, will have been bred to fight; their rehabilitation that much more problematic and resource-intensive. It would take a Herculean effort -- and a high profile case such as Vick's -- to correct the incorrect assumptions about this breed, replace ignorance with fact, and turn the tide of public opinion. It's pretty much a lost cause. Along with it, we are losing a breed of dog that, WHEN BRED AND OWNED RESPONSIBLY (yes, I'm yelling), are among the most affectionate with humans and the most temperamentally stable -- ironically, specifically because they have been bred to be fight dogs (read the article(s) to learn why that is true). In the American Temperament Test, pit bull terriers score higher than golden retrievers. Of the Vick dogs that were not too far gone, either physically or emotionally, when they were rescued, 48 out of 49 dogs were stable enough temperamentally to either be fostered/adopted out or kept in a sanctuary. Only one -- "a female who had been forcibly bred to the point where she was irredeemably violent" -- note, BRED not FOUGHT -- had to be euthanized for behavioural reasons.

Read more here: The Lost Dogs

[Alissa Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phew.

This could easily turn into a rage review on my hatred for Michael Vick, even now all these years later. The beginning of this book is VERY graphic and hard to swallow and only added gasoline to my fire. I understand that he did his time, and he now has become an advocate for dogs, giving speeches and talking to people about the evils of dog-fighting. But actually reading just how involved he was in all of it (not only funding and watching the fights, but being one of the people to murder the dogs) just made me sick. I knew the dogs were being killed but reading just how they were killed upset me- I will not give examples, as I cannot even begin to type it without getting teary.

But this isn't about Vick, it's about the dogs. So let's talk about the dogs. =)

The one good thing about a celebrity being the one to be involved in this horrific crime is the huge spotlight it put on the dogs. If Michael Vick wasn't an NFL star, the dogs would have most likely all been euthanized the minute they were seized. The hatred of pitbulls in this country just astounds me. I have worked with pits and they are one of the best breeds. The media portrays them in such an ugly light and people just automatically pin them as mindless killing machines. I don't know of anyone personally who has been killed or injured by a pit. I understand people have, I'm not making light of it. But I have a scar on my lip from being bit in the face by a neighbor's cocker spaniel. And sadly, I know of a little girl who was so viciously bitten that she needed reconstructive surgery. The dog who did it? Her own golden retriever.

The dog's individual stories started out so heartbreaking but continued to be more and more uplifting as the book went on. The end statistics are so amazing to me: of the 51 dogs rescued from the Vick compound, only 1 had to be euthanized due to over-aggressiveness. 2 had to be put down for medical reasons. The remaining dogs went on to foster homes, forever homes, to become therapy dogs. The resilience of these animals is nothing short of amazing.

[Marieke · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ETA (December 2011) sad update: Tribute to Leo

***ETA add NY JETS to those who should read this book.

If i am in tears at the end of a book, it gets five stars. I would advise anyone who is out in public, on transit or whatever, reading this book (which i hope you do--the more people seen reading this book, the more people might read it), stop if you get to Chapter 38 (the last chapter), close the book, and don't continue reading until you are home.

This is an incredibly important book, in my estimation. Gorant focuses on the investigation and the aftermath--what happened with the dogs, not so much Michael Vick and his cohorts. However, the investigation and decisions made regarding what should happen with the (living) dogs removed from Vick's "Bad Newz" kennel in Surry County, Virginia, represent for me a watershed moment in American social history. Pit bulls are almost always the bad guys in the media--either there is a dog attack or a pit bull attack--and dogs that have been involved in fighting situations cannot be rehabilitated. This book helps prove otherwise.

And for that, I'm actually thankful for Michael Vick. Because of his notoriety, people involved in the case took chances with these dogs that they would not have done otherwise. At the end of the book, Gorant reports that in the summer of 2009 the largest dogfighting bust in history took place--a multistate, multiagency long-term investigation cracked open a ring that was based in St. Louis and spread out over seven states. Gorant says that over thirty people were arrested and more than four hundred dogs were confiscated. By comparison, the number of dogs in Vicks' case numbered just under 50. Gorant writes,

With the Vick case as a precedent, HSUS, ASPCA, and other rescue groups, including BAD RAP, attempted to individually evaluate each dog and to save as many of the stable and well-adjusted ones as possible. As hoped, the Vick investigation had not only shed light on the disturbing game of dog-fighting, it had inspired action and begun to change the public view of pit bulls from perpetrators of violence to victims of it.

Here in my Goodreads review, i "recommended" this book to Michael Vick, Andy Reid, the Eagles GM, and pretty much everyone, but mostly i want to recommend it to anyone in the NFL and all sports journalists. People seem to think that Michael Vick has "paid his debt" because he served his jail time. He has not finished paying his debt. He must pay for as long as he remains in the public limelight, enjoys success, gets paid a sh*tload of money, and is in the position for young kids--especially young kids that come from a similar background (rough housing projects) as himself--to look up to. He owes it to them and their dogs to discourage them from trying to prove something by pitting dogs against one another, selling drugs, and getting mixed up with guns. Dog fighting is actually just a part of a larger nexus of social problems and when celebrities are involved, they should be held accountable by their own mentors (HELLO ANDY REID) and the media. Instead, it seems like everyone (Jim Gorant excepted) involved in sports journalism wants to move on and pick up where they left off, fawning all over Vick. I don't think Vick really understands what he did wrong and I don't think he's smart enough to figure it out on his own; I blame society and our professional athlete hero worship for failing him and us. I don't know where I stand on whether or not the NFL should have banned Michael Vick, but i do know that i think they are failing in how they are handling his return to the field.

This is about to get long. Washington Post columnist Courtland Milloy wrote the following at the time Vicks' case was causing a media storm. Before (or if) you read it, know that Jim Gorant explains why the U.S. Attorney's office got involved.

Milloy wrote,

While eating a porterhouse the other night, I began to
see the steak for what it was: a hunk of meat, blood
and bone. I managed to disgust myself even more by
imagining that a charbroiled piece of pit bull would
not have looked much different from the gristle of
beef on my fork.

Then I came back to my senses and continued to enjoy
my meal.

Too bad for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick
that people like me love dogs more than cows. Or, to
put it another way, I prefer the taste of Angus and
Hereford to Rottweiler and pit bull. Otherwise, the
federal agents who recently charged Vick with
dogfighting would have to arrest nearly all of us for
participating in far worse acts of animal cruelty.

Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney is credited with having said:
"If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be
a vegetarian." Well, they don't -- and most of us are
carnivores. We'll kill a duck, deer, turkey -- name
any meat -- for the sheer entertainment of our palates
or for the fun of the hunt.

And yet, Vick, 27, must take the fall. On Monday, the
star athlete agreed to plead guilty to a single count
of conspiracy. The admission could put him behind bars
for more than year and all but end his football
career.

Make no mistake: I have no particular affinity for
Vick. You just can't defend a guy who apparently gets
his kicks watching dogs mangle each other and risks
losing a hundred million dollars in NFL earnings and
endorsements to boot. It's just that all the
hullabaloo about dogfighting seems a bit hypocritical.

For the most part, we revel in a culture of blood
sports in which people and animals are pitted against
each another. The knockout in boxing, the knockdown in
football, the crashes at Daytona and Indianapolis --
those are the draw. Without the video images of tigers
ripping the hides from zebras, cobras fighting
mongooses and other bloody contests played out in the
wild kingdom, the Discovery and National Geographic
channels might as well go off the air.

Even our equestrian friends are not exempt from the
cruelty of contest. Consider Barbaro, the horse that
broke his leg during the Preakness Stakes last year.

"Caution: Tears will flow from watching 'Barbaro,' the
HBO Sports documentary," TV critic Richard Sandomir
wrote in the New York Times on June 6. Crocodile
tears, maybe.

"Barbaro became a tragic hero whose injury reports
were given like presidential health updates," Sandomir
wrote. But wait. Sandomir goes on to say that the
documentary's producers "do not delve into why so few
horses get Barbaro-level care when they break down."

Anybody care about that?

"Like the other innocent animals we love, horses
'trust us, live alongside us, honoring our many
commands,' the narrator, Liev Schreiber says,"
Sandomir reported. " 'And when we ask them to -- they
run.' "

And when they don't, well, they die.

Barbaro's leg could not be fixed, so he was eventually
euthanized. For many broken-down racehorses, that can
mean anything from lethal injection to having their
throats slit -- killed just as surely as a wounded dog
that can no longer fight.

Vick's farm was raided by agents from the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, the same USDA that permits
the wholesale slaughter of cows, chickens, pigs and
lambs.

Vick's case ought to be handled by a state's attorney,
but it isn't. He is being prosecuted by the U.S.
Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of
Virginia. You'd think the guy had been caught
smuggling a ton of heroin in the carcasses of dead
poodles. U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson is
presiding. His previous experience includes hearing
cases that involve people suspected of being al-Qaeda
sympathizers or "enemy combatants."

Perpetrators of gun violence ought to be taken so
seriously.

According to data recently released by the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, nearly half
of more than 10,000 guns recovered by law enforcement
authorities in the Washington area came from Virginia.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of people -- human beings,
not dogs -- have been killed by these guns. But you
won't find any gun manufacturers -- or even many
killers, for that matter -- being hauled into court on
conspiracy charges.

Apparently you have to be a dogfight promoter for
that.

if you're wondering if i responded, I did. I doubt he ever read it.

Dear Mr. Milloy,

I often enjoy your insightful columns very much.
Yesterday I shared most of your sentiment regarding
hypocrisy toward animals and what counts as cruelty in
our society.

But that's not why I'm writing this quick note to you.
I feel like you are missing the point in Vick's tragic
case. I would like it very much if you would
investigate the problems of dog-fighting more deeply
and write another column about our social ills as they
relate to dog-fighting. For instance, guns and
narcotics are closely tied to the dog-fighting scene;
I doubt very much that gunrunning and narcotics
distribution are connected to the system of
agribusiness that puts that slab of Angus on your
plate (but I could be mistaken; let me know what you
turn up!).

And holding Michael Vick accountable for his cruelty
toward those dogs is about so much more than
straightforward animal abuse or questions about why
such a person would risk his earnings and his
"reputation." The point for me in Vick's story, in
addition to dog-fighting finally getting the media
glare that it needs, is that Vick, like many sports
"heroes," is a role model, for better or for worse,
for countless kids in our society.

Unfortunately these days, these heroes are role models
for worse. Kids aspiring to be highly paid stars are
being horrendously misguided by these highly paid "stars."
This needs to be discussed more in our society.

Do we really want children
emulating people like Michael Vick? Is it really good
for us, as a society, for so many to think that
success is all about a tough image and an enormous
paycheck?

Please, take a hard look at the connection between
dog-fighting culture and violent crime toward humans
involving guns and narcotics and you'll see that it's
not just about "animal cruelty." And please, think
about why "Vick must take the fall." I would love for
you to discuss (perhaps again, you may have
previously; you have such excellent thought-provoking
themes in your columns) what it means to be a highly
paid sports hero today in our society...I don't think
enough sports stars really grasp the responsibility
they have towards our young people or the effect
criminal behavior on their part has on these young
people and our society at large.

A good place to start in your investigation would be
with your colleague Paul Duggan's front page article,
"A Blood Sport Exposed." I hope you've read it
already. He did an excellent job of explaining the
nuances of dog-fighting, particularly the differences
between high-end Vick-style fighting and the even
bigger problem of urban street thug fighting...and
kids that are involved in that often look up to people
like Vick...so it's all connected...and it's not
really about the hypocrisy of to eat or not to eat
meat...

Thank you for your cogitation,

Marieke.

I would like to add Courtland Milloy to my list above of people I recommend Jim Gorant's book to.

[Jennifer Peas]

EDIT:
I couldn't get even 20 pages in. It wasn't horribly graphic (thankfully) but it *was* really sad and I just had to abandon ship in order to save my own heart. I'm so glad those dogs found homes and did well and I should rest in knowing that....

************

As I've gotten older, my threshold to read about the abuse of animals, or kids or people....has absolutely dissolved. Hell, even reading about the death of dogs. I can't do it, it seizes-up my heart and the sorrow of it just paralyzes me. So I'm hoping this is a happy book with more emphasis on the rehabilitation and love they get now...than their pasts and all of that sadness.

I mean...I'm the one who stopped reading "Marley and Me" right after they moved to Pennsylvania because Marley was getting old and I knew where that was headed. The good news there is that Marley's still alive in my head.

************

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I sort of knew about this whole situation but at the time, I didn't really dive into the investigation to know more about it. Mostly because when this came to light, I think I was in High School.. and just worried about boys, soccer, and friends. Oh and books - can't forget about them!

That being said, I was really intrigued to dive into this book. I'll even admit that I cried my eyes out. So this book dove into the actual fighting and then into their foster lives. It was quite a shock to see both sides and definitely took my an emotional roller coaster ride. Hence, the tears.

Being a dog lover, I never got into the idea that dogs are born aggressive. It just isn't true and rubs me the wrong way every time someone says it to my face. I believe that a dog is only aggressive due to the owner. So if the owner is aggressive then I would assume that the dog would follow. Now that doesn't mean it's one hundred percent accurate but I have two Doberman Pinschers and, of course, everyone thinks they will be attacked by them.

Since I'm an asshole I always say 'Sorry, not today.' just to get them out of our way. My dogs, basically huge puppies, are just so lovable. They loving playing and people petting them but if they say a comment like that - well, I just walk away and don't let them pet my damn dogs. Sorry that you missed out on some awesome dobey kisses.

Now going through the emotional train, I enjoyed each and every story that was in this book. It nearly broke my heart that some dogs missed being saved weeks before it actually happened. If only they had waited to do this dirty deed.. or if the cops and such showed up earlier. So many dogs could still be around and learning what true love is.

Ugh, my heart is already starting to break right now. Overall, this book was so good and I'm so happy that I got to dive into it.

[David Agranoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a militant vegan, and a total NFL dork I was over do for reading this book. Lost dogs is not the story of Michael Vick and dog fighting, but the story of the dogs who survived his dog fighting operation. For animal lovers this book will enrage, and enrich.

It gives the background on the case, which I feel I should have so I am more justified when I clap for every bone jarring sack Vick behind the piss O-line in Philly.

Some things I didn’t know. Vick wasn’t very good at breeding and fighting dogs, this ended up being a bad thing for the dogs. That is why he and his friends murdered several dogs. Some were beaten to death and one was even electrocuted.

Vick likes to tell the media that he was only found guilty of transporting across state lines. Don’t believe it. Lost Dogs tells the story of the caring and dedicated rescue groups and foster families who worked with the dogs to bring them back to health, and made them apart of their families.

The stories are tear jerkers and heart-warming. They sounded familiar to me, since my wife and I do Rabbit rescue and have fostered many animals over the years. If you like the dogs, or don’t understand the role that foster families provide for rescued animals then you need to check this out.

[Melissa (ladybug) · Rating 4 out of 5]

edit: 8/2/21 - Courts allowed Vick to have dogs again. Supposedly he was "reformed" and "teaches" about animal cruelty. I don't believe it one minute. He never showed remorse and even tried to evade paying for the dog's care.

edit: 12/10/19 - learned that one of the dogs (the one on the cover) had passed away in August of '09. Sweet Jasmine was her name.

Mike Vick is trying to get the courts to allow him to own a dog "for his kids". After reading this book, I hope that the courts stick up for the dogs and NEVER allow this "person" to own another dog again. He says he has learned his lesson, but he is a slick and accomplished liar!

This book was so sad and horrifying. The way these dogs were treated and even killed was horrendous to read and several times I wanted to quit reading this book. This book proves that animals have a voice and if we are willing to listen we will hear them speak to us. It also proves that not many dogs from such circumstances are irredeemable.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the Michael Vick case and the dogs that were seized from his property. I was amazed that only one dog out 51 had to be euthanized because it was too aggressive. As an animal lover I found it extremely difficult to read at times as it includes graphic details of what was done to these dogs. But it renewed my faith in those in law enforcement that protect animals and go after people who dogfight. I also found myself questioning why Vick and his partners did not face harsher penalties. Due to a court order in the case all of the dogs who have been adopted out have had to pass the Canine Good Citizen Test. This is not an easy feat for any dog. Many of them have gone on to become certified therapy dogs. These dogs were in a kennel environment for nearly a year before they could be fostered or sent to groups where they could be helped. Most dogs would have shut down after a few months. The strength and spirit of these dogs amazed me. I found myself unable to put the book down at times because I simply wanted to know more about the progress of the beautiful dogs. I had mixed emotions about reading this book because of what other people had said about it, but I am glad that I took the time to.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my sister adopted a pit bull I have to admit I was not looking forward to meeting him. I was leery and didn't think I'd ever be able to warm up to him. The first time I visited her I was hesitant around him although he greeted me like a big clown and beat me with his tail and tried to lick the nose off my face. I love dogs but her other dog, a lab-shepard mix,was my baby and she was getting on in years. Wasn't terribly sure poor Jake should have to deal with a young animal that probably was unpredictable and not likely to be tolerant of an older less strong dog. I was sure she would be bullied and perhaps even hurt by this member of such a vicious breed.

Well, Damien didn't have a chance. Jake was the alpha dog and, though she was a bit arthritic, hard of hearing and had dimming eyesight, she kept him right in his proper young whipper snapper place with an occasional low growl when she'd had enough of his kibutzing. In general, though, her final year was one of renewed vigor and youth and she loved playing with him and napping with him in the sun. And he seemed to look out for her when they were in the yard--guiding her around obstacles and to a toy she seemed to have lost.

It was then I fell in love with him and though I still miss her, as does my sister, he filled the void she left immediately with his cuddles, and kisses, and clowning and companionship. He NEVER barks, we cannot entice him to make a sound. He wants to sit in your lap, butts with is nose when you don't pet him and greets you at the door with a toy in his mouth, ready to play!

So, I thought, she got the only wimp in the breed. Well, a year later, my nephew adopted a pit. This poor fellow had been in a shelter for over 2 yrs. His teeth were ground down from chewing on his cage. No one would adopt him--a pit bull--but the man who ran the shelter just could not put him down, he had such a wonderful personality and had such a beautiful face. Along came Charlie who adopted him and named him, Sunny. And Sunny he is. He and Damien play together all the time. Both love people, especially kids and love to romp in the park where they are a big hit with other strollers.

Had I not known Damien and Sunny I would never believe the story of the rehabilitation of Michael Vick's dogs nor would I have believed what the abuse he and his friends inflicted on these gentle creatures did to them. The beginning of the book deals with the conditions, the business of dog fighting, the building of the case and the conviction and sentencing of the partners in that business. But the bulk of the story belongs to the dogs--Sweet Jasmine, Jonny Rotten, Leo, Little Red and the others. To the people who worked to save them --the foster families, the adoptive families, the rescue organizations. And in the end, the story comes full circle to where the dogs are now and what they have achieved.

If you think about pits the way I did and the way many still do--that they are dangerous and unpredictable--read this book. A dog is a dog is a dog and though, like people, there may be some that are " bad " it is more often the result of nurture rather than nature. I always knew that but I let the bad rap they've gotten through ill-informed publicity make me forget it.

[aPriL does feral sometimes · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption’ by Jim Gorant is heartbreaking. This is a good book about a sad thing. The author obviously wanted to avoid hyperbole and sentimentality while making it clear the facts of the case were horrible.

It requires horrific cruelty to force dogs into dogfights. Humans like Michael Vick were eager to provide the abuse and money in order to enjoy the death of dogs by tearing each other to broken ribbons.

We learn in the book how Vick's dogfighting ring was discovered and prosecuted, reluctantly by some (?!?!!!), and how the dogs were rehabilitated. Humans were heroes as well as obscene monsters in this story. I'm glad the book exists as it is well written and describes what happened clearly without embellishments, except for a bit of dog thinking. Vick and people like him are not punished enough.

[M.M. Strawberry Library & Reviews · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would like to preface this review by saying that no dog - regardless of breed - deserves to be abused or mistreated. And some of the descriptions of what happened at the Bad Newz kennels are quite graphic and heartbreaking, though what can you expect when someone names their kennel 'Bad Newz'?

However, my rating for this book is because of the very obvious bias it has in favor of pit bulls, as well as the cheesy writing itself. Michael Vick is a terrible person. Some people say that pitbulls are garbage dogs for garbage people, and Michael Vick and people like him certainly fit the definition of garbage people.

However, it's the pitbull advocates/sympathizers that I also have an issue with. Since the Vick case, the pitbull lobby has campaigned hard for pitbulls to be seen as family dogs. There has been an upswing of pitbull attacks (and fatalities) since then. That is not a coincidence.

https://www.animals24-7.org/2017/04/2....

https://www.animals24-7.org/2015/10/0...

https://time.com/2891180/kfc-and-the-...

https://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-do...

If this book was written in a true-crime-novel style, with a neutral mindset, presenting the facts of the Michael Vick case, I would have given this book a higher rating, but given the obvious bias of this book, and the consequences of Michael Vick's actions on the increase in serious injuries and fatalities from pitbulls since 2007, I can not in good faith endorse this book. (I've had several close calls with pits myself - completely unprovoked and from supposed good owners, so I also speak from personal experience)

Again, I do not advocate for abuse of ANY breed of dog (or other animals) but I can not advocate for the breeding and ownership of dogs that were bred for fighting (whether it be pitbull, cane corso, dogo argentino, etc etc) or books that try to downplay the danger inherent in fighting breeds.

As for Michael Vick himself, the consequences he had to pay were nowhere near severe enough. (Details can be read here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael... ) Vick should have been given a lifetime ban from sports, but he was playing football again in 2009. Shame on the assholes who signed him onto their teams.

Vick has done basically fuck-all to make up for his vile actions. The only thing he's done is to lobby for H.R. 2492, the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, which would establish federal misdemeanor penalties for spectators of illegal animal fighting and make it a felony for adults to bring children to fights.

Misdemeanor??? And banning children from fights but not the adults themselves??? Really???

Fuck Michael Vick, fuck the pitbull lobby and victim-blamers, and fuck the people who keep (or kept, as Vick's apparently retired) allowing this garbage person to play pro sports.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was nose deep into Gorant’s harrowing tale of many a bloody and brutal murder at the cruel hands of dog fighters, I was feeling October’s spookiness creep around me. My husband was out, the baby was asleep and all I could think of was the horrible acts of insane killing that went on only a few states above the one I now call home. Only slightly less chilling than the actual telling, was the fact that only months before the awful truth came out to the media about the Vick property, we had been so head-over-heels in love with “our” QB that we’d almost named our own dog “Mike”.

The fall had made its initial but rapid descent into cool Appalachian weather and was making itself known, loud and clear against the windows via the trees outside. Our older, albeit smaller dog, Teddy (Ted Williams being name-safe and very well dead), was stationed, in his cat-like position, curled up like a jellybean, high atop a couch cushion on the other end of the living room. Donnie (not renamed after the fact but, thankfully, never actually named for the former Falcons player) was nowhere to be seen.

I read on, clenching my teeth in fear as I thought about the cruel acts, described with a sports-writer’s cool, frankness. Just about the time this frankness was being applied to the ways (now less a spoiler than a scandal and sensation) in which the “dud dogs” or the ones who either couldn’t wouldn’t or shouldn’t be fought, were “let go”, I heard a thump. A heart wrenching, mind racing, Halloween-season “thump”.

My aforementioned heart stuck in my throat and I froze. I sat waiting for Teddy: The Fearless Wonder to rise up and attack. I waited for, the yet unseen, Donnie to act on some thread of what people so often refer to as this instinct within pit bulls to rip-tear-ruin.

As neither dog was heard from, I surrendered to my role as chosen house guardian. I shakily sat up from my previously warm hideout on the couch and peered down at where it sounded like the “thump” had originated. Suddenly, my heart slowed and I burst out into full out laughter.

I had found Donnie.

My rather ferocious “Bully” had been closer than I’d thought, though, perhaps he’d been dreaming of a far away place. He tends to sleep rump-up, melting off of the couch, slowly, very slowly, over the course of the evening. He had, indeed, melted right off of the couch. By this point, he had woken up and, being only bruised regarding his ego, was licking my face to his heart’s content, most likely attempting to curtail my giggles.

This has been a typical story in our day-to-day existence over the past four years following Donnie’s arrival into our lives.

Weird to think, then, that it took a horrific story like the one Gorant wrote about in Lost Dogs, to bring any bit of pit magic to the media. Of course, it will take many more such tales (tails?) to make much of a dent, unfortunately and with each heartwarming story of dogs rescued and rehomed, there will be those for whom a story of a dog fighting ring will only solidify the “monster myths” of pit bulls.

For me, The Lost Dogs was less about the political storm of who was right or who was wrong or what kind of person gets behind a statement like: Oh, please, they’re just dogs”. It was about people and puppies and second chances for both. Or sometimes neither.

I loved learning about the breed and the rescue culture (the specifically pit-bull versus “any dog” rescue) from the eyes of person who hasn’t been steeped inside the world of BadRap and BSL’s, yet. I often find that dog books are written by people who are dog-people or who were “saved” by pit bulls. Gorant’s books didn’t give that impression. It shed much needed light on the Pit-Rescue work being done nation wide but it could and should be read by the less fanatic pit-people.

It will be hard for people of dog leaning (or people who don’t like dying and stuff) to read the first bit but I promise it will be worth it. And Donnie will thank you. After he has collected himself from his recent battles with our (he is sure) very tricky couch.

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've definitely read about the bad rap that pit bulls get. Even the people I'm house sitting for, who have two boxers, told me a story about how they had adopted one dog and when the vet told them it was a pit bull and not a boxer they returned it. Couldn't have a pit bull. I've also read The Dogs Who Found Me where he talks a lot about pit bulls.

Personally, I think the opinion should change. I think it's an opinion born of fear and ignorance. (As are most opinions that are near impossible to change). I'd love to adopt a pit bull if given the chance. Sure, there are aggressive dogs in the world. There are also dogs that have been horribly mistreated. And then there are dogs that transcend their terrible experiences at the hands of humans and continue loving, playing, protecting and just being dogs. Vick's dogs, the Bad Newz Dogs, are an example of the later. Almost immediately the Humane Society called them "dangerous beasts" and claimed they should just be put down. With some court ordered monetary assistance, volunteers were able to help rehabilitate (in different capacities) all but two of the 49 dogs that were rescued from the fighting operation.

Dog books always make me cry. As Ghandi put it, "the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." If the treatment and near dismissal / write off of these dogs, doesn't break your heart I don't know what will. Even some shelters were wary of taking the dogs, expecting them to be vicious dog fighting machines. When in reality they were mostly just scared and un-socialized.

Gorant mentions the parallel between Vick and his friends and the dogs. That they were drawn to the pit bulls because they saw themselves similarly. Scrappy, tough upstarts to had to fight for everything they got. And often misjudged or shied away from, because we expect certain behaviors from inner city black men and pit bulls. Some of the dogs, now therapy dogs, make rounds at inner city schools and jails, illustrating that these dogs just want to be loved and cared for. May we all learn not to judge people or dogs by what we expect them to be.

"Last, I would like to thank the dogs, not just the Vick pack, but all of them, simply for being dogs, which is to say, tolerant and perseverant; willing to connect with a world that does not always return their affection; and for proving, time and again, that life, while messy, difficult, and imperfect, has the capacity to exceed our expectations and feed our undying hope."

[Deacon Tom F. (Recovering from a big heart attack) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly sad

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite events in American legal history is the prosecution of Michael Vick for his involvement in dog fighting. The case brought attention to the gruesome underground sport and also helped begin to revise the tarnished reputation of pit bulls.

I remember being surprised that the judge ordered a reprieve for Vick's 50+ dogs. Until that point, dogs were treated as evidence during dog fighting investigations and routinely euthanized at the conclusion. Conventional wisdom was that they were unsuitable as pets and ending their life was the only humane option. Even animals welfare groups like HSUS and PETA called for the euthanasia of Vick's dogs.

What I didn't know was the groups tasked with testing the temperament of each dog in order to determine which were potentially even safe to handle were almost equally as skeptical. The ASPCA and BAD RAP hoped that even 5 dogs, or 10%, would pass. The were shocked when dog after dog proved easy to handle, and only one was marked necessary for euthanasia.

Lost Dogs is an evenly paced, journalistic look into the investigation and prosecution of Michael Vick, and the subsequent process of evaluating, retraining, and rehoming of his dogs. It's at times a very emotional read but in essence a very encouraging story. As horrible as Vick was, you learn about a dozen or so of the many good people who worked hard on a case that was unlikely to succeed at every turn.

Overcoming our preconceived notions is difficult for everyone, but even for people who went into the rescue effort were shocked at how wrong they were. One group who took in a dozen dogs at first made sure to have two leashes per dog and pepper spray on hand despite the successful temperament tests. Within a few days they were quickly disabused of the notion that the dogs were dangerous.

On the same note I recall discussing the case with friends and acquaintances, people who had never met a pit bull would claim the dogs were inherently unsafe around children or that they would one day "turn on you" (whatever that means.) The rhetoric in the media about this poor breed had done so much damage.

Many of Vick's dogs went on to become beloved family pets and even therapy dogs. You can see them here.

One notion I hoped the book would clarify for me was the sincerity of Michael Vick. He has been interviewed claiming that what he did was wrong and has even worked to stop dog fighting. The author doesn't dwell much on Vick but the presentation of the facts of the case are chilling. Vick initially claimed that he wasn't involved in the dog fighting business on his property despite the fact that his own father had, a few years earlier, spoken about his son's interest in the illegal activity.

Vick's partners testified that he was not only bankrolling the operation, but provided photographic evidence that he attended the fights. They further claimed he had been involved in "tests" of young dogs to see if they showed interest in fighting. Not only did he demand that the friendlier dogs die rather than be given away, he participated in the most violent deaths with his own hands. Investigators found veterinary supplies on the grounds and it's likely that Vick could have had the dogs humanely euthanized if he had wanted to.

After ordered to pay for the dogs care, Vick went luxury shopping and ignored the request. Only after a judge threatened to seize his assets did Vick write a check. In the meantime many of the volunteers were paying for the dogs' care on their own dime.

I come away believing he is simply a bad, rotten person and that he would probably still be fighting and killing dogs if his career hadn't been threatened.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went to Virginia Tech at the same time Michael Vick did (1999) and I am also from his hometown. Obviously I heard a lot of the news surrounding his dogfighting ring. I also have to hear constantly how excited people are when they meet him while he is home visiting. I will never understand why.

It infuriated me to no end when I heard Whoopi Goldberg say on national television that you have to understand where he comes from and there are certain things that are acceptable where he's from that aren't acceptable in other places. I'm sorry, what? It's not acceptable in our area and it's not acceptable in Blacksburg, VA (home of Virginia Tech) either. The nightclub where his friend was arrested that started the entire investigation is adjacent to the Wal-Mart that I shop at on a weekly basis. He knew what he was doing was wrong. And if he didn't then why did he purchase property where all of the kennels were hidden by trees and then paint them black so that they wouldn't be noticeable? Please....

Let's just get past the dogfighting for a minute. I knew about the dogfighting, I did not know what he did to these dogs with his own hands when they didn't perform. It's horrific and disgusting. Okay fine, he served his time and everyone deserves a second chance. Blah, blah blah. I disagree. However, this book has a pretty awesome Afterword that gives you another perspective on the way you look at his sentence and his current situation. I felt a little bit better.

I'm glad I had the chance to learn more of the details of Michael Vick's case (as hard as it was) but I also appreciated that most of this book was more focused on hope and rehabilitation. Vick essentially sucked at dogfighting. For many of these dogs this fact cost them their life. For others it saved theirs. Most of his dogs just wanted to be loved and wanted the company of other dogs and humans. There was nothing that was going to make them attack which was obviously a benefit to some of these dogs that were brought to the shelters.

Now for the reason I couldn't give this book a 5th star. I was not a fan of the few pages (luckily not too many) where the author wrote from the dog's perspective. It just didn't feel like he was qualified to speak for them. I have enjoyed books written from a dog's perspective but this guy works at Sports Illustrated and it just seemed a little dramatic. I also didn't appreciate the build-up of the most gruesome death of the dogs killed. You hear about several terrible ways these dogs died but the author continues to tell you that it's nothing compared to the way this one little red dog died. It was shocking enough that I don't think this book needed that type of cliffhanger. It's not a novel, it's true and it is shocking enough with just a report on the facts.

I think this is the longest review I have ever written. Obviously I feel pretty strongly about it. It made me dislike Michael Vick even more than I did but it was also so nice to hear the stories of some of these dogs and follow their journeys to their forever homes. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the Vick case and also for any animal lover who loves to see animals come out on top.

[kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up with some trepidation, not sure if I could make it through reading about what happened to these dogs. If you're like me, have no fear, there aren't many details about the dog fighting or the things that happened to them. Yes, it is part of the story, but the author doesn't dwell on those things. THe story is more about the saving of the dogs and what happened after they were saved.
Having said that, the story did get to me, bringing on tears several times. If you're a dog lover, be warned, it will tug at your heart.
This story is a great combination of the legal case, how it came about and how it was prosecuted, even as some of the local authorities tried to stop it. Kind of a sad statement on those people, but true.
I was also curious as to why someone who stood to make in the hundreds of millions with an NFL contract and various endorsements would endanger and, in fact, end up losing all of that, for something so horrific and yet, so stupid. Surely there were other avenues of investment or business that would have been more profitable as well as more humane and ethical. Gorant does a good job of briefly explaining the ideas behind the endeavor, although he doesn't allow the background or life experiences to excuse the behavior.
I'm left with the fact that there are evil ingorant people in the world, but thankfully, there are a greater number of people filled with compassion and grace doing good and they far outweigh the others.
The real story is about the dogs and that is told so well. Gorant gives you the dog's perspective on what is happening to them, brings you into the dog's mind of what it thinks and feels. That added so much to the story and I really enjoyed that, even if it was sad.
Also, I have to admit to having a prejudice against pit bulls and reading this about their history and behavior has made me re-think my own opinion. Dogs learn what they live.
There is a section at the back with an update on each dog. Great that this was included.

[Elizabeth☮ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dogs of any kind warm my heart. I have five at home - one that is seventeen and still going strong. So the first twenty pages or so found me flinching and questioning whether I should go on reading this one. I am glad I stuck with it.

The opening chapters describe the horrific violence these dogs have to endure at the hands of their tormentors and it just breaks your heart. But the real story is about how the dogs prevail and heal. Their spirits aren't broken and they show humans that you can move forward after facing the worst of violence and deprivation.

There is a resilience to the dogs that I have seen in my own pups. We have had many dogs over the years and also rescued several that we adopted out. My husband, I joke, is a dog whisperer, because dogs are drawn to him without fear. I have seen the difference it makes if a person takes the time to love a dog and show it the good side of human behavior. The rewards are so welcoming because that dog will love unconditionally.

This is a tribute to both the people that fostered the dogs and rehabilitated them so that they can go on to live a more comfortable life; but it is about the dogs and how they are not broken by the darkness of life at the Bad Newz Kennels (the name Vick adopted for his dog fighting enterprise). It will break your heart, but it makes sure to put the pieces all back in place and then give you a hug.

[Janakap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent testament to the amazing people who brought the hideous thing that is dogfighting into the public eye, and the magic that animal welfare groups work day in and day out. The author is wonderfully neutral in telling the truth, and I don't know how he managed to remain so even in telling the story. I believe this neutrality gave the book the tone it needed to tell the story the way it needs to be told: without placing blame and without blinking an eye, the author brings you with him as he relates the history of the case, the people working the case, and of course the history of the dogs, their rescue, the angelic people who rescued them, rehabilitated them - and of their ultimate success as true dogs. I hope Michael Vick and his friends and supporters read it. I cant think of anyone who shouldnt read this book.

[Ryan Schumacher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm... Well, I read this book at the recommendation of a friend. I'll start by saying that while I've always loved my pets and have a respect and appreciation for our four legged furry friends and believe very strongly that animals should be protected by the law, I wouldn't call myself a hardcore Animal Lover by any means. Now before you condemn me and do the awful things to me that the Vick crew did to these dogs, let me just explain that that does not mean that I attend dogfights with $100 bills in my hand and beat puppies. It simply means I don't sit there and cry during the Save The Pet commercials with the Sarah McLachlan song. Again, just to be clear, I don't sit there and laugh through it either. I'm just more likely to feel worse during the starving children commercial.

Ok, so I felt the need to explain that because I didn't like this book. It was actually quite interesting at times. And it is an inspirational story about how these dogs found redemption after living through an awful experience. But man, the writing was crap.

My first warning flash was very early in the book, when author Jim Gorant was physically describing Michael Vick. After a quick description of facial features, Gorant ends the sentence saying that one could argue that Vick appeared "almost canine." Oh please. Firstly, I don't think that's really accurate, but I think that was just a super lame attempt at being ironic or maybe clever. It made me roll my eyes. That was his first of many fails.

Throughout the book, especially in Part 1, there are chapters in italics that are supposed to be from the point of few of the dogs. They explain what the dog is thinking and feeling while something is going on. They explain specifically why the pup is acting why she is acting. Now, this doesn't belong in a non-fiction book. I'm not saying the author didn't do his research and make some educated guesses, but don't make me read full chapters on what was going on through the dogs' heads because you have no way to back that up. I'm not trying to pick on this book. I had a similar complaint in my review of Ben Mezrich's The Accidental Billionaire. Because Mezrich couldn't get interviews with all the major players in the Facebook war, he used a lot of "We can imagine that..." and "so-and-so could have been thinking...". Again, stuff like these examples don't belong in a non-fiction book. You are guessing, imagining, telling a story using educated guesses. That sounds like fiction to me.

It was interesting to read about how these dogs that were part of a dogfighting ring were not as damaged as everyone thought they would be. And it was interesting to read the process of how these dogs went from that dogfighting ring to eventually being adopted by families. That is huge. When the dogs were found, no one thought any of the dogs would be spared. That is a good story. But honestly, I read the same thing throughout the last part of the book over and over again. It was really interesting the first time through. It was less interesting the second time through, "Oh cool, that worked for that dog too". By the third or fourth dog that was featured, it was more "Ok, I get it. Thanks for explaining my question of how these dogs successfully found life again after being involved in dogfighting, but I get it now." This book started out as an article in Sports Illustrated (which I did not read). I'd like to go back and read that article, because I have a feeling that the article was sufficient. A lot of the book was fluff, like the italics sections, and a lot was really corny. But maybe I think that because as previously made clear, I'm not necessarily an Animal Lover (which, by the way, is different than an animal lover.)

So there you go. I do think this book is worth reading, especially if you are an Animal Lover. It is very interesting when Gorant is getting to the point. And it is a nice, inspirational story. But my suggestion would be that if you are not a capital-lettered Animal Lover, find the Sports Illustrated article. You'll probably get all the same information without all the filler.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost stopped reading this book before I even really got started just because I was afraid of the terrible, gruesome things that I was going to be forced to read. The author does a great job of giving only enough info to make you understand how difficult things were for the dogs and the people in charge of rehabilitating them...but not so many details that any animal lover will want to curl up and die.
Jim Gorant approached the book with a lot of compassion and understanding for animals. There were moments when he had wonderful insight into these dogs and their behavior. I was very impressed with it.
My favorite parts were the short scenes written from the point of view of the dogs. There was a lot of intuition and love in those parts of the book. I think Jim Gorant is a man I would like to know.
Although some of the book recounts the time before the dogs were rescued and the case of Michael Vick (rhymes with prick), I was glad that over half of the book was focused on these beautiful creatures and their struggle for a normal life. It is not an easy book, though. I was especially heartbroken over the story of Jasmine, a small red dog so severely traumatized that she would freeze up and play dead when any people were in the same room as her, and after many months of work could only handle being touched by the trainer and her young daughter.
The attention and care of the men and women fostering these dogs was beautiful to read. I'm glad there are people like them in the world.

[Dimas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such an original angle to take on this subject. What was the fate of these dogs that were put thru so much pain and agony? Unfortunately the execution wasn't as strong as the angle. Jim Gorant is a strong reporter, however, he isn't a strong writer. The prose's were so primitive that I wondered if I was reading a children's book. I also felt like the chapters were too short, and it messed with the flow of the story.

You can tell Gorant has a real passion for dogs, and it is something that is displayed in his book, sometimes with mixed results. Gorant uses this story telling element where he writes from the perspective of the dogs themselves. He was obviously going for some kind of emotional effect, but this was not the way to do it. These moments come off as cheesy and unnecessary. Where his emotions serve him well is when he slips in his opinions about why dog's shouldn't be treated so cruelly, in little subtle but effective ways. Another strong element is the part of the book where he goes into detail about some of the killings. It is a brutal chapter, yet it had to be told. And it had to be as detailed as Gorant made it to so the reader could feel the full magnitude.


Like I said before Gorant is a good reporter, he gets the back story for all the major players evolved, and we find out the fate of each individual dog. I just wish the writing was better.

[Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible...Appalling...Disgusting...Heartbreaking...Tastefully written. I had to force myself to continue reading this book after the first few pages (I did so only because of good reviews). It is a well-written, sensitive chronicle of the true victims in the Michael Vick dog-fighting operation. Without belaboring the horrendous aspects of the crimes, Gorant proceeds to tell the story of rehabilitating the emotionally and sometimes physically injured dogs resulting from this felony. Many of the dogs have been redeemed with financing from Michael Vick's estate. Most are happy animals ranging from family pets to therapy dogs. It brings positive closure to a horrble story which was sensationalized in the press to the point that many of us stopped listening because we did not want to cry anymore. As a dog lover, this book validates my experience with a pitbull, her loving heart and her desire to please. I wish that the press could now sensationalize this aspect of the story. I would give the book a 5, but the disgusting portions, which almost convinced me to not read the book, hold me back.

[Lilly Baird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very difficult beginning; very.

I would recommend that anyone skip the first few chapters of this book. The details of abuse and neglect and the reports of autopsy results are absolutely horrifying. If there is still anyone out there who believes that Vick wasn't involved in the day to day details of this operation, he or she should check out the way he personally killed one of his dogs by playing jump rope with it.
This book made me furious, but in the end the triumph of human and dog spirits made this book overwhelmingly wonderful. The rehabilitation of most of the dogs was actually made possible because Vick had so much money, his fame also helped with the Pit Bull reputation as we come to see the sensitivity and forgiving and loving nature of the breed.

What I don't understand is that while this was on the front lines of the media people still supported Vick. Some pet stores actually sold dog sweaters with Vick's number on them. What the hell was THAT about?

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book today... it was one of the hardest books I've ever read, and rewarding at the same time.
Many of you know that Rosie is my rescue girl who I've put a lot of time and energy into and some have asked "why, when there are so many other dogs out there without issues?" This is why! These dogs did not choose the life they were brought into, and unlike people, they had no chance to change it for themselves. Many are fearful but most are ready to love with just a little work and I believe they deserve a chance.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part true crime and part inspiration story, I was moved by the efforts of so many people featured in the story. The story highlighted the notorious bust of the Vick estate and the subsequent efforts to rehabilitate the dogs. The dogs themselves are inspirations and each of the dogs has a story of their own. It was truly amazing how resilient the dogs were.
I had to keep the tissues close, but it is a book I will not soon forget.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply wonderful. A heart wrenching yet hopeful book. Aside from the good this book has done for helping dogs from fighting rings, this is a must-read for those who fear or believe pit bulls to be a bad breed. I cried, laughed and felt many emotions throughout. This is a top read for me in 2013.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'll admit I didn't finish this book - solely because I couldn't get beyond the initial chapters. Too crushing. And I'll forever despise Michael Vick; I don't care what "debt to society" he paid.

[Dachokie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exposes the Positives of the Michael Vick Case ..., November 2, 2010

When I first saw this book, I immediately thought "here we go, someone finally cashing-in on the Michael Vick dog fighting case" ... I was completely wrong. Contrary, to my original thoughts, Jim Gorant's excellent book tells us less about Michael Vick and focuses exclusively on the lives of those that didn't make the headlines ... the dogs themselves. THE LOST DOGS is an inspiring and informative book that does not simply document the tale of these "doomed" creatures, but also does a great deal to dispel the media-generated maligning of pit bulls. For anyone who wants to know more about what effect dog fighting has on the animals, this is the book to read.

THE LOST DOGS is divided into three simple chapters: Rescue, Reclamation and Redemption. The Rescue chapter gives the background leading-up to the discovery of Bad Newz Kennels and introduces the individuals responsible for working the case against Vick and his pals. We are also introduced to approximately 50 dogs that remained at Bad Newz, as well as the elaborate nature of Vick's dog fighting enterprise. Be forewarned, however, as the first chapter is somewhat difficult to read. Yes, most people are familiar with Michael Vick dog fighting case from the news, but most of the reporting glossed over the brutal details of the case. In a necessary step to illustrate the ominous scope of the rescue operation, Gorant provides those anguishing details that most will find shockingly disturbing and may even generate extreme anger in others. The section that gives a dog's-view perspective of what life was like on one tragic day at the Bad Newz Kennel is powerful enough to alter almost any negative opinion of pit bulls being the uncontrollable, bloodthirsty monster reputation they've been handed over the years. I actually put the book down for a day or two after reading this particular section because it was so disturbing. Fortunately, I resumed reading and discovered that these first few sections effectively set the tone for the remainder of the book and serve as a measuring- point when it appears that progress to save these dogs has stalled. With this chapter, Gorant effectively rips the reader's heart out detailing the misery of these animals' plight but balances the emotion by offering a sliver of hope that the rescued dogs wouldn't face immediate euthanasia.

The second and third chapters create a shift as the focus goes from the criminal aspect of the case to the dogs themselves, in addition to the individuals attempting to save them from a court-ordered demise. The emotional rollercoaster also shifts from a sliver of hope to dogged determination (pun intended) as Gorant isn't satisfied with merely introducing the dogs, he succeeds in creating individual bonds between the reader and each dog. Slowly, the façade of "fight dog" dissipates as the pitiful, timid and erratic behavior displayed by most dogs are described, often in direct contrast to the monstrous image that often accompanies pit bulls, let alone fighting pit bulls. Additionally, Gorant injects background on the pit bull breed, the historical hysteria of a variety of (once notorious) dog breeds (including Bloodhounds), as well as information on dog fighting itself. It was at this point where I, myself, gave-in and realized these dogs as being much more than lost causes and I began hoping all of them could be saved. However, there always seemed to be insidious and constant reminders strategically placed throughout the book reinforcing the extremely low success-rate of rehabilitating fight dogs ... an ever-present boot on the reader's neck. This is when the book becomes hard to put down as it creates an itching desire in the reader to seek the outcome ... for each dog. Adding to this effect are several pages of photos that do so much to enhance the book ... they really meant nothing at first glance, but as I continued reading about each dog's journey, I couldn't stop flipping back to the pictures to reinforce my memory of the faces that accompanied the often crazy names: Jonny Justice (formerly Jonny Rotten), Leo, Little Red Hair, Sweet Jasmine and others. My only frustration is that I wished the book had a photo of each of the dogs and not merely a select few.

The end of the book comes as a satisfying reward; as if all the exhausting hard work had finally paid off. There is also an accompanying feeling of justice, appreciation and hope as, more often than not, the journey for each of the Bad Newz pit bulls is positive. Included in the final chapter is a much-appreciated "where are they now?" section that updates the lives of the dogs and the individuals who prosecuted the case, rescued and rehabilitated the dogs.

THE LOST DOGS is a wonderfully inspiring story and Jim Gorant displays such skill in his ability to take the reader from the brink of despair to such rousing joy. THE LOST DOGS is an absorbing, fast and engaging read; a captivating David v Goliath/ struggle against overwhelming odds tale. Even more appreciated, however, is Gorant's effort not to retry Michael Vick and his cohorts. Yes, the storyline of the case against Vick and its eventual outcome course through the entire book, but only as a backdrop, the main characters in this book are the dogs and the volunteers that worked with them. THE LOST DOGS is a must-read for the dog-lover or anyone who enjoys a book that provides a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Lastly, if there is any hope in debunking the myth of the pit bull as being nothing but a killing machine, it may just start with this book.

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book, and at times, it's a difficult listen. The writing is excellent, I really enjoyed how he humanizes the dogs, and I like how he split the book into different sections. The book is also enraging at times due to some people not caring about the welfare of the dogs, allowing Vick to continue dog fighting for years before someone started an investigation, and the local prosecutor trying to thwart the investigation. The rescue groups are incredible and deserve so much support and love.