[purepisces]

I cringe each time I see this thread pop up again. I’ve followed along at various times, but because it is such an emotional issue for me, I haven’t read the whole thing. But it does seem to have turned into a thread more about Michael Vick than about President Obama.

As someone who has worked with abused animals, including pit bulls, the horror of dog fighting for pleasure and money is incomprehensible to me. I know that no one here is validating Michael Vick’s violent abuse & profiting off the abuse of innocent animals (at least I hope not), but it is difficult for me to accept that he deserves “praise” for what he is doing now.

I can appreciate that he is working with the Humane Society. Maybe this has something to do with how I was raised; I was never rewarded for doing the “right thing” or what was expected of me. I was; however, punished when my behavior was found unacceptable. So, I can see that would be my “normal” and is bound to influence how I see the world.

I wasn’t raised by a family that valued the lives of animals. When I was young, my mother had my sister’s dog put to sleep to punish my sister. I’ve seen cruelty to both people and animals. In my experience, someone who abuses animals is way more likely to abuse their children and spouses, as well. To me, violence is violence, regardless of whether it is unleashed upon a woman, child, animal or man. I won’t argue whether violence to a human or animal is worse. For me, I don’t see any reason to compare them. Why would I? They are both wrong.

I hope that Michael Vick proves to be a loyal ally in the fight against animal abuse. Time will tell. I will stand with anyone who will fight to protect the innocent and the abused. I believe in rehabilitation and redemption. But, I also believe that we all live with the consequences of our choices and actions. I can’t forget the suffering he caused, his past doesn’t disappear. Neither does mine. All any of us can do is move forward and do the next right thing. Today is a new day.