On Owning a Dog, Mike Vick and Thinking for Yourself

First and foremost, I believe in second chances. I have been given them in my lifetime and have had the privilege of giving them to others. Very few things in the world are better than seeing someone take a second chance and really do something with it....

Mike Vick is an example of that. He has truly done well with his second chance. He has kept his mouth shut, done what the humane society has asked him to do and played football.

I think we all knew that the concept of owning a dog again would come up eventually. Then a few weeks ago I read an article by Jason Whitlock and then another article arguing both sides of this issue. I don't think Mike should have a puppy....yet.

I think dogs are a wonderful model of unconditional love, acceptance, and loyalty that we could all learn from. In that way, Mike Vick would benefit greatly from having a dog. But he has to prove himself and that is going to take time and effort. Something that many athletes and celebrities are not used to submitting themselves to. But if he truly wants to have a dog, here is what I suggest...

1. Think for yourself: In interviews, Mike Vick said that dog fighting was part of his culture and no one ever told him it was wrong. (You can read his quotes here) Mike, think for yourself in every situation. No one should tell you what you believe or should you accept an opinion just because other people didn't say it was wrong. Until he can learn to think for himself and consider the consequences of his actions outside of his culture and what other people say, he shouldn't own a dog. Once he develops and is able to communicate his own internal moral compass, no dog should grace his home.

2. Volunteer at a No Kill shelter for 5 years: 5 years seems like a long time doesn't it? My guess is the dogs he used in dog fighting and the ones that were killed would love to have 5 years to run, play and love their humans. So Mike, go volunteer. Learn to see dogs for what they truly are...care for them, love them, walk them, clean up after them. When you are part of the solution to help dogs, you will see them and yourself clearly.

3. One dog only: To avoid any possible compunction to begin the dog-fighting process again, one dog and one dog only. And have the humane society do regular home visits.

If Mike Vick completes 1 and 2, then agrees to 3 then maybe in 5 years he could have a dog.

On second thought, let's start out with a hamster and go from there.......