Panda has a way of penetrating my eyes with hers, and in doing so tells me her thoughts.

I first realized this amazing phenomenon when she was about a year old. I was hitting her for doing something wrong and she looked at me and said,"That shit really hurts." From then on I try not to look at her eyes when I'm mad.

She went on, "We better go inside. We need to talk abut #7. Plus, it's about to rain. I love to swim but absolutely detest rain, shower, baths and especially the hose."

It was revealed that Michael Vick had 66 dogs on his property, mostly pit-bulls. He also had dog fighting equipment and blood stained carpets. He denies involvement but it is pretty obvious what he and many others do in their spair time. It must be the thrill, the brutality, the blood and overall competitiveness that would have go along with a dog fight.

Vick had always been Panda's favorite athlete and always requested I played with the Falcons when playing the EA Sports video game John Madden Football. It is a compromise. Instead of her bothering me every 2 seconds with a ball to throw, she would watch contently as I wasted weeks of my life winning Super Bowls.

Panda- part fan, part pit and completely devastated

It was Vick's play at Virginia Tech that really captivated Panda's attention. Like Panda, Michael Vick is always the fastest and most agile athlete around. He can start, stop, run circles, leap over defenders and still go untouched on his way to glory. It was the Florida State game in the National Championship that got everyone's attention. Vick was a one man show, willing VTech to stay in the game before falling to a superior FSU team.

I remember panda imitating Vick in the backyard, weaving in and out with a football in mouth, emulating her moves and throwing in a couple Panda originals. The thing is, panda is a much better runner than Vick or any other human. She has four legs and is low to the ground in stealth-like form. When she watched Vick on the field, it was the closest thing to watching herself. The difference being that Panda can't throw the ball. Instead, she just bites them and chews them raw. It is an expensive problem.

Panda further explained, "I've had to confront my demons while you were gone. Sure I know dog fighting exists. I hear about it. I can even smell it sometimes. You give me my food like I want, give me a generous lifestyle. I wish we went on more walks, but all-in-all there is nothing for me to complain about. I have two dog roommates who are both cool and know I can kick their ass. Good times. But this Vick thing has got me all messed up. He must hate pit-bulls if he raises them to kill. I've found myself smack dab in the middle of a conflict of interest. My hero vs. my breed."

Panda often talks like she is pure pit. Truth is she is a mut; a delicate blend of Pit, Lab and god-knows-what. I guess you could say the pit-bull is the Italian of the human race. Loyal, proud and territorial.

"There is no way I can root for him anymore. I can still marvel, but I can't call myself a fan, I can't want to 'be like Mike' (Vick) and it sucks."

It would be like a caveman joining Geico, but worse.

Not that I'm a complete sap

I eat meat daily and I'm sure those animals live a pretty terrible life. So, in many senses I'm a hypocrite for judging.

In another sense, though, it is completely different animal (actually, there behavior is completely human). They are doing it for entertainment. They are irresponsibly breeding this animal at alarming rates to be killers. Pumped full of steroids on top of being genetically freaked out to begin with.

I've never personally seen a dog fight but know they happen all around me. I'm ignorant to the fighting itself, as I've never seen one.

But, all in all, dog fighters are like anyone bent on power. For Vick to devote a substantial portion of his private life towards it, as a fan, is disappointing. Media persecutions suck. People's lives are ruined before a verdict has been reached or in this case, charges have not even been filed.

To me this is different. This story goes in the "we are not stupid" department and as a society we have to end harmful breeding habits, let alone torture. Morality aside, Michael Vick wastes his time with stuff that should have stopped in the 19th century or before. Are we ever going to move beyond animal cruelty for perverted means of satisfaction? Perverted, abnormal behavior by staggering amounts of every day people as a result of a perverted, abnormal American culture.

Our hero. Michael Vick.

Note:

ESPN Outside the Lines just ran a feature on this. In a video Vick says, " I'm a football player."

In my opinion Vick is a football player and should still be allowed to play football. I am just not going to be a big fan, personally.

Also, I ripped the animal interview thing, partially, off the book Ishmael . Pearl Jam, Oprah and I all recommend it.

Let me know what you think.

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Christina said:

	I liked this story, didn't know about the Michael Vick thing and don't know much about football, but I really enjoyed reading. Thanks for enlightening us girls on the sports low-down in a creative way!
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May 29, 2007 | url
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Lloyds Apple said:

	Thanks Christina. The media coverage of the Vick saga is officially out of control. I can't help but watch.
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May 30, 2007
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suzanne said:

Michael Vick, I hope, will be dropped from the NFL and Nike. Animal abuse and cruelty is linked to all serial killers. One who can murder dogs in this fashion is a hardened and disgusting person. He needs mental help...I have the Masters in counseling, but wouldn't assist this guy for anything...I have no patience for animal cruelty. I pray he will be dropped from the NFL...I hope they will fear what will happen to their reputation and dump him.

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July 18, 2007
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Sherry said:

	What's our society coming to that pro sports players have nothing better to do with their free time than inflict injury and death - on not only animals but the kids who look up to them as role models? This is insanity!! This guy should be hung out to dry!!!!!!
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July 18, 2007
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