After Michael Vick’s 51 pit bulls were seized from his property in April 2007, two rescue groups took most of them in — Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah, and BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls) in San Francisco. Several other groups around the country also opened their doors to the dogs: the Georgia SPCA, All or Nothing Rescue, Our Pack, Richmond Animal League, Recycled Love, the Animal Farm Foundation, the SPCA for Monterey, Out of the Pits, and Animal Rescue of Tidewater.

Find out how 18 of Vick’s victims have fared around people who treat them as they always should have been treated: with kindness and compassion.

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Audie, adopted

After surgery on his hind knees–financed by Vick’s settlement with the federal court –Audie now lives in a home in Northern California and is training to enter his first canine agility competition early next year.



Harriet, adopted

Believed to be Vick’s personal dog, she was probably never fought. Taken in by a Baltimore lawyer who had two other pit bulls, Harriet now runs free on a farm in rural Maryland.



Lucas

One of Vick’s champions, he is under court order to spend the rest of his life in a sanctuary. Sick from time to time with babesia, a blood-borne parasite common in fighting dogs, Lucas is in Canine Good Citizen training and has even had a girlfriend, a female pit bull who would lick his face through the fence.



Ginger, adopted

At first, Ginger was timid and greatly in need of compassion, patience, love, and understanding. Thanks to Stacy Dubuc–who fostered and then adopted her–she has evolved into a happy, loving dog who adores exploring, car rides, curling up for a nap, and taking up more than her share of the bed.

Gracie, adopted

She started off as Sherry, but her adopter–Sharon Cornett of the Richmond Animal League–renamed her Gracie. Gracie now attends conferences and meetings about animal welfare, goes into schools to help educate kids about dogs, and does anything she can to show people that they have nothing to fear from pit bulls. She’s happiest around other dogs but has always been comfortable around people. She now spends a lot of well-earned time on the sofa.

Iggy, adopted

A once shy and shut-down dog, Iggy lives with former BAD RAP volunteer Nicole Rattay and her husband in Southern California. Within his own world–Rattay’s house and yard–and his regular circle of friends, he’s very happy and comfortable. But the larger world remains a little too much for him, and he turns shy and fearful when he ventures out.

Frodo, adopted

Frodo was one of the shyest dogs that made the RV trip to Oakland, and it has been a slow climb for him. But step-by-step he’s becoming more confident and coming out of his shell. He gets along well with other dogs, and Kim Ramirez of BAD RAP, who adopted him, says that in 2009 he wasn’t even afraid of the Christmas tree, a sight that terrified him a year earlier.

Ernie, adopted

Ernie was initially so stable and calm, he would be trotted out to test other dogs’ friendliness. But once he got into the real world he struggled, reacting negatively to other dogs if he was on his leash. With time, he grew more comfortable and the problem worked itself out. He’s been adopted into a home where he lives with another dog and two cats and he earned his Canine Good Citizen certification in the fall of 2009.



Teddles, adopted

Cindy Houser, a nurse who works with special-needs children, adopted Teddles as a companion for her rescued pit bull, a female named Izzy. It took about two months for him to come out of his shell, but once he did, the two dogs became fast friends. In late 2009, Teddles became yet another of the Vick dogs to earn his Canine Good Citizen certificate.

Bonita, died in 2008

Bonita liked to sit in any warm lap she could find, and her sideways grin was probably, and heartbreakingly, from nerve damage. She suffered from babesia, a blood-borne parasite common in fighting dogs, and her scars and broken, worn-down teeth–and the way she ran away from other dogs–l ed her handlers to wonder if she had been a bait dog. In February 2008, she went for dental surgery and never woke up from the anesthesia. She’s buried at the Best Friends cemetery.



Halle, adopted

Halle had no scars and no fear of other dogs but was afraid of people. As she adapted to being around people, she has become very relaxed and loves attention. Eventually a Best Friends caregiver who has six other dogs and a few cats took her home as a foster, and she fit right in. In July 2009 she became the first Vick dog at Best Friends to be adopted. Her new family has another pit bull and both dogs get along great.

Mel, adopted

Since Mel loved being with other dogs, his handlers thought they could use that to warm him up to people. Once his people fears eased, there was another problem. Mel liked to chew on stuff, including wires. At his foster home, he loved playing with the three other dogs, though he did lay waste to many items, including a brand-new couch. In time, Mel became so people-friendly that he was adopted and now lives happily in a full-time home.

Handsome Dan, adopted

Handsome Dan was shy and fearful of people but not a barker. He would simply retreat and hide when approached. Once he settled down, he got along well with people, dogs, and cats. Adopted in December 2009 by a family with a young child, Dan bonded with the child immediately. At first, he seemed to be reliving the puppyhood he never had — getting into things, jumping on the couch, etc. — but he has since settled into a comfortable new life. Handsome Dan’s family recently welcomed a new addition: a human baby. Initially nervous about the new creature, Handsome Dan now loves the baby.



Ray, still at Best Friends

Ray came in bouncing off the walls, jumping, and grabbing at clothes, but he was very people-focused and eager to please, and–thanks to training–realized that he couldn’t behave this way if he wanted company. A smaller dog (forty pounds or so), he has earned his Canine Good Citizen certificate. He almost certainly would have been adopted already, but he doesn’t get along well with other dogs, which severely limits his options.



Oscar, still at Best Friends

Oscar came in with medical issues but once he recovered physically he made up ground quickly. In December 2008, after intense one-on-one training, he became the first Vick dog at Best Friends to pass his Canine Good Citizen test. As he increased in confidence, he came out of his shell around people. Oscar has also gained dog skills and currently lives and plays with Squeaker, another Vicktory dog.

Willie, still at Best Friends

While initially mellow, Willie has also had a few incidents of aggression. He’s fearful of other dogs and incapable of living with them. One veterinarian at Best Friends who studies posttraumatic stress disorder thinks Willie might be suffering from it, although some believe Willie may be suffering from some undetected physical ailment, and the associated pain is what’s making him lash out. Adding to the confusion is that at times, Willie is still a fun-loving, active dog who particularly enjoys car rides.



Layla, still at Best Friends

Layla arrived at Best Friends on edge, hyperaware, barking, and charging at other dogs. She simply did not know how to settle down. While she hasn’t done well with other dogs–she can live side by side with them in runs without a problem — she will walk right up to anyone and say hello. Around the Best Friends compound she’s a source of much joy, and trips over her own feet in excitement when she sees people. Her favorite activity? Riding in a golf cart.



Meryl, still at Best Friends

Meryl arrived with a history of lashing out at people and a court order stating that she would have to remain at Best Friends for life. At first, the staff limited her contact to only a few people, and as gained confidence and became downright loving. She was always friendly with other dogs and even enjoys hanging around with the dog trainers’ cats, who visit the trainers’ office during the day, and today she can even deal with strangers as long as someone she trusts is nearby.

Jim Gorant’s new book, The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption , will be published next month by Gotham.

Click here for more information.

Related:

Let the Adoptions Begin! Pet Shelters Compete for $100K Prize