Former famous fighting dog now teaching children

This sweet little guy is Hector, a 4-year-old Pit Bull. Before his career change, almost everyone in the country knew his story.

Today he is a registered therapy dog who visits children’s classrooms and adult groups in Minnesota to help educate the public about dogs and responsible ownership.

The 55-pound dog with scars on his chest and front legs from his former career lets the children pet him and give him hugs.

What is remarkable about Hector is that he was once one of Michael Vick’s fighting dogs. He was seized and almost condemned to death when groups such as the Humane Society of the United States and PETA lobbied to have all the Vick dogs killed. (It should be noted that the HSUS had used the dogs to raise money with the plea to “Save the Vick Dogs.”)

Instead of death, when rescue groups stepped in to volunteer to take them, Hector was rehabilitated and placed with a family in Minnesota.

"He's the sweetest dog in the world," said Kellie Dillner, of Twin Cities-based A Rotta Love Plus, which helped oversee Hector's lunch-hour visit. "It's hard to imagine him having to act any other way." Dillner said visit organizers "set up safety guidelines for kids that might be fearful of dogs in general. We talk to the kids about not shouting, not running around, being very calm." source 

Ironically Michael Vick was recently awarded the Ed Block Courage Award by his Philadelphia Eagles teammates for his “commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.”

Hm, how much courage does it take to torture and kill little dogs, lie about it until his evil henchmen associates ratted him out turned states evidence, go to jail for a few months on a plea bargain, memorize lines written by a PR firm, and make millions of dollars playing a game?

Newly released documents cite witnesses as saying he seemed to get an adrenalin rush from killing the dogs.

I know to err is human, to forgive divine. I’m afraid it is difficult for me to be divine. I wish he would apologize to Hector. I’m sure Hector would forgive him.

Dogs are like that.

Comments

[Jimmy]

He might just "be" Obama's next dog Czar?
I need a spell check Czar!

[Khyra]

Let's hear it fur the intelligent species and not the vikhkhead....

[Dennis the Vizsla]

Yay Hector! Boo Vick!

[jackie]

i am watching the cowboys play the eagles..vick was responstible for a td for philly and a fumble which resulted for a td for the cowboys...there is a goddess and she don't like him either...i love this story..

[Matt]

What a great dog. Thankfully saved. Thank you for posting.
Matt

[Marion]

“commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.”...they've got to be out of their minds.

I'm so glad Hector was saved.

[BunGirl]

My theory is that they were defining sportsmanship as being representative of the behavior typically* exhibited by professional athletes. In that case, Vick is perfect for the award.

Violent? Check.
Spoiled? Check.
Arrogant? Check.
Devoid of any concept of personal responsibility? Check.

*I am aware that there are some absolutely stellar athletes out there whose character is above reproach. Unfortunately they are not the ones making headlines.

[rosemary]

Oh Hector.....I hope you get a chance to pee on Michael Vick's pant leg someday.

[Col]

Yay Hector!!! Now there is the real story of courage.

[M Moser]

We love hearing stories of dogs getting a second chance!