Michael Vick ruins it for other celeb Pit Bull Owners

I think it's sad what Michael Vick has done to the breed of Pit Bulls. I don't mean the inhumane treatment, for which I hope Vick pays dearly. We're talking about the fact he's reinforced the stereotype of Pit Bulls as naturally mean and dangerous dogs.

We know some Pit Bulls, and they are delightful creatures--happy, easygoing, and loyal. Many, many Pit Bull owners love to brag about their pets. And then along comes Michael Vick and his headlines, and now other celeb Pit Bull owners are reluctant to speak about their pets.

Michael Griffin is one of those Pit Bull owners. He is the Tennessee Titans' top draft pick in 2007 and is known for his love of his Pit Bulls. When he played in Austin, Griffin would give the media weekly updates about his dogs, how he looked for dog shows on the Internet and how he enjoyed breeding them.

Now, he won't chat about his love of the breed. Michael Vick has ruined it for him. It's sad to see, but hopefully loving and positive owners like Griffin will begin to salvage the Pit Bull's reputation by letting people know the breed can be safe when raised, treated, and bred appropriately.

Read more on OxfordPress.com.

Orlando Bloom dines with his dog

Here's a nice shot of the dashing Orlando Bloom going out to dinner with his date--his dog. This shot is from SplashNewsOnline.com.

Deion Sanders is a Shallow, Stupid, Awful Human Being

Did you hear about this? Did you hear about Deion Sanders' column about Michael Vick? Can you believe it?

Michael Vick's arrest for dog fighting is well known, but let's review the facts quickly to set the stage for the piles of bullshit Deion Sanders heaped on top of this horror:

• A federal grand jury indicted Vick for "knowingly sponsoring... an animal fighting venture" over the course of six years.
• Based on reports from those involved in his illegal operation, Vick is alleged to have participated in illegal gambling, personally handling cash settlements with purses as high as $26,000 for single match. (Big man--makes $26,000 while a dog dies. How proud that must have made him feel.)
  
• The indictment included specifics of the extensive violence against dogs, including executions by electrocution, hanging, drowning, shooting, and other brutality.
• His partners in crime reported Vick direct participated in executing "8 dogs in or about April 2007" at his Virginia property.
• At least one dog was killed by being "slammed to the ground."
• Federal authorities took possession of animals who were recovered alive but had to be destroyed because of their training as fighting animals.

How any normal human could read that and not get angry is beyond us. But of course, athletes have to band together to support each other (and prove how ignorant, crass, and undeserving of hero worship they are.) So Deion Sanders published a column in The News-Press that reads like it was written by a 10-year-old with no sense of right or wrong. For example:

• "What a dog means to Vick might be a lot different than what he means to you or I." True, a dog to me is a living being with feelings, emotions, and the capacity for great caring. To Michael Vick they're living pieces of meat whose torture, pain, and death are cause for drinking, carousing, and a good time.
  
  
• "Some people kiss their dogs on the mouth. Some people let their dogs eat from their plate. Some people dress their dogs in suits more expensive than mine, if you can believe that. And some people enjoy proving they have the biggest, toughest dog on the street." Just to be clear, Deion believes all of the following fall into the same classification: Kissing dogs on the mouth, eating with dogs, dressing dogs, and slamming a dog to the ground with such force that the dog's skull is crushed and he dies from trauma.
  
  
• "You're probably not going to believe this, but I bet Vick loves the dogs that were the biggest and the baddest." Yes, I believe Vick "loved" the dogs that were the biggest and baddest. The others? He drowned, electrocuted, hung, shot, and crushed to death. But hey, he really, really loved the dogs that lived, so Deion says that's just fine.
  
  
• "Are we using Vick to get to the ringleader? Are we using him to bring an end to dogfighting in the United States? The only thing I can gather from this situation is that we're using Vick." Poor, poor Michael Vick. The guy breaks Federal laws on racketeering, gambling, and animal cruelty; he funds it; he participates in it; he personally murders animals in the cruelest of ways--and now he must take responsibility for his actions. And to Deion this is the equivalent of "using" Michael Vick.
  
  
• "I believe Vick had a passion for dogfighting. I know many athletes who share his passion. The allure is the intensity and the challenge of a dog fighting to the death. It's like ultimate fighting, but the dog doesn't tap out when he knows he can't win." First of all, the fact that Deion acknowledges "many athletes" share the "passion" of animal cruelty is disgusting. Secondly, he mentions it as if Vick should be held less accountable because all the other kids are doing it. And perhaps the most offensive part of this statement is the implication that dogfighting is so much better and more enjoyable because the dogs fight to the death unlike, apparently, wimpy human fighters who expect and are provided an opportunity to live, even after losing a match.
  
  
• "It reminds me of when I wore a lot of jewelry back in the day because I always wanted to have the biggest chain or the biggest, baddest car. It gives you status." Yes, Deion is now comparing the torture and murder of living creatures to wearing jewelry. Apparently, so long as a man with big muscles, a small dick, and no brain can achieve "status" by electrocuting or shooting a dog, it's okay to Deion.
  
  
• "The reason this is turning into a three-ring circus is that baseball is boring, basketball is months away, football is around the corner and we in the media don't have a thing interesting to write about." No, Deion, the reason this has become a media circus is 1) Michael Vick broke the law, and 2) his actions are so offensive that any human being with a shred of decency is outraged and horrified. You, Mr. Sanders, are apparently not among the human beings with a shred of decency.

I don't know why you'd want to read more, but to see Deion Sanders prove his ignorance, callousness, and cold-heartedness, you can read the entire text here.

Tell Jeff Bezos to Stand Up for Animals

Do you consider Jeff Bezos a celebrity? You do if you know much about the heavyweights of the Internet. Mr. Bezos is the founder and CEO of Amazon. He is one of our idols--a guy who started a business in his garage, leveraged the power of the Internet, and became one of the most famous examples of dot-com success.

But he needs a little straightening out. Amazon is selling cockfighting magazines and dogfighting videos! Can you believe it? Neither can we!

So, please take action. Help the Human Society of the US send a message to Jeff. In just a couple of seconds, you can complete and send an email to let him know Amazon should not be involved with this kind of horrible animal abuse.

Just visit: https://community.hsus.org/campaign/US_2007_amazon_fighting3

Britney and Dog in Parking Lot Hit and Run

Britney, driving with her dog in her arms, has a low-speed fender bender in a parking lot. What is it that we should find most disturbing?

• That she is carrying her dog in her lap while driving, even though she was criticized by... well... everyone for doing the same thing with her child last year?
• That she checks her car and never even thinks to check the car she hit?
• That everything this gal does is chronicled by at least two dozen paparazzi who photograph every single second of her life?

The video...

Paris buys another pup

Just last week we reported how PETA was protesting Paris and Britney for purchasing dogs from stores rather than going to shelters for a pet. It appears little Miss Reformed-and-dedicating-herself-to-good gave PETA a big "screw you." Not only did she purchase a new puppy at a store, but she did so at the same store where Britney bought her last pup.

Come on, Hollywood! There are so many animals needing a good home at shelters--go be a real animal lover and save one!

Read more on 9WSYR.com.

Britney takes dog to Vet

There seem to be a lot of unanswered questions in this brief article from Us Magazine. Why is Britney, a mother of two, staying out until 2 am? And why did she drive her dog to the vet, only to let her friend take the pooch in? And why does she stay in the car in pull view of paparazzi and then get upset at them?

This chick continues to be a train wreck.

Sheryl Crow's dog gets trained

Hollywood dog trainer Tyson Kilmer is a busy man. In 12 years, Tyson has never advertised for clients. Hollywood stars keep him busy with positive word of mouth. His clients have included Marilyn Manson, Rob Lowe, Mike Tyson, Joni Mitchell, Rose McGowan and Mark McGrath.

The latest start to ask him for help is Sheryl Crow. Says Tyson, "Sheryl wanted to be able to take him on the road with her, take him to hotels, restaurants, backstage."

Kilmer's unique approach -- somewhere between dog-whispering and firm parenting -- is based on his belief that dogs are not trained so much as they are "incorporated" into a lifestyle, and socialized.

Check out this article for more on Tyson and his tips for dog companions.

PETA Protesters Dress Like Paris and Britney

Check out this funny video. It shows PETA protesters dressing like Paris and Britney to make a point. They want people to avoid breeders and pet stores and instead obtain their pets from shelters.

According to PETA, for every dog or cat purchased from a breeder or pet store, another dog or cat on death row at an animal shelter must be killed.

"Forget jail or rehab," PETA Director Daphna Nachminovitch says. "These selfish stars should do a stint in an animal shelter."

We think that's a fabulous idea!

Click here to read more.

McCartney boycots animal-testing charities

Sir Paul McCartney has been praised by animal rights group PETA after announcing plans to boycott cancer charities who test on animals. This is especially big news since Paul is completely dedicated to supporting cancer charities since the passing of his wife, Linda. But now, he's being more selective.

"When Linda died I said I would support cancer charities. Animal rights groups wrote to me pointing out that many were heavily into vivisection - and it's true. A doctor we knew out in America just admitted it as a matter of fact, innocently, like 'Well, sure we do.' What he doesn't realise is that he won't get a donation out of me for that very fact. There are better alternatives but you're not allowed to challenge the status quo."

That's a strong statement from someone who cares a lot about animals and about fighting cancer! We like his principles, and we also like his latest single!

Read more here.

Petra Nemcova Goes Vegan

Czech supermodel Petra Nemcova has become a vegan after reading up on the planet's fish problems. She did so to set an example and help save ocean life. Nemcova explains, "I read that if we fish the way we fish, in 2048 there will be no more fish left, which is pretty soon. So it's a statement."

Brains. Caring. Beauty. We love her!

Click here to read more.