In 2007, a dark chapter in the world of animal cruelty came to light when authorities rescued 51 Pit Bulls from the Virginia home of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. These innocent animals had endured unimaginable abuse, subjected to beatings, electrocutions, hangings, drownings, and forced dogfights.
Out of this horrific ordeal, 48 resilient Pit Bulls emerged as survivors, thanks to the dedication of several rescue organizations and their forever families. One of these survivors, Frodo, recently passed away at the age of 15 on December 18th, 2021. Frodo’s journey serves as a testament to resilience, second chances, and the unwavering commitment of those who fight for justice and rehabilitation.
Frodo’s life was a stark contrast to the year he spent in hell at Michael Vick’s compound. Once rescued, he was embraced by a loving family and pampered like a prince for the next 14 years. His passing left a void in the hearts of those who knew and cared for him, particularly BAD RAP, an Oakland-based nonprofit animal protection group that played a pivotal role in advocating for and rehabilitating the Vick dogs.
In a touching Facebook post, BAD RAP bid farewell to Frodo: “To Frodo – We all adored him. He was one of the most valiant survivors we’d ever met.” His passing was peaceful, surrounded by the love of his family, who ensured his final moments were filled with comfort and care.
Frodo’s journey wasn’t just a personal triumph; it became a symbol of hope and resilience for Pit Bulls and dogs with difficult pasts everywhere. BAD RAP, with its extensive experience in working with dogs rescued from dogfighting rings, always believed in the potential for these dogs to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into loving homes.
Frodo’s story dispelled the negative stereotypes associated with Pit Bulls and underscored the transformative power of patience and kindness in a dog’s life. He exemplified the importance of early socialization for dogs rescued from cruelty incidents, showing that with the right environment and loving care, even the most timid and scarred animals can thrive.
Kim Ramirez, Frodo’s adoptive mother, shared insights into his journey, explaining how mechanical sounds and sudden movements used to terrify him. She described the challenges of helping Frodo overcome his past trauma, such as his fear of ceiling fans and microwave popcorn, which likely reminded him of the traumatic events he had witnessed.
Throughout his life, Frodo enjoyed the devoted care of the Ramirez family, who accommodated his needs, including transporting him in a stroller when his legs began to fail. His story was a testament to the healing power of love and the resilience of animals.
Frodo’s passing is a reminder of the enduring legacy of the 48 survivors of Michael Vick’s dogfighting ring. These brave dogs were given the opportunities they deserved, and despite their challenging backgrounds, they lived happy lives, proving that remarkable transformations are possible with compassion and commitment.
While Michael Vick’s actions were reprehensible, the high-profile case did raise awareness about dogfighting and its devastating consequences. It also shifted public perception of Pit Bulls, showcasing their potential for rehabilitation and adoption. Frodo and his fellow survivors are living proof that even in the darkest of circumstances, there is hope for a brighter future.
As we bid farewell to Frodo, we honor his memory and the countless animals who have found their second chance at life through the dedication of animal rights activists and the kindness of loving families. Frodo’s story will continue to inspire us to fight for justice, compassion, and a world where every animal can thrive.
A pilot gives a homeless dog an opportunity to live out her last days with a loving and committed family by flying her 400 miles
Doctors said that she only had a couple of weeks to live, so this pilot flew her to her adoptive family 400 miles away so that her final days would be filled with love.
Ashlyn was an elderly dog in a North Carolina shelter, and she wasn’t doing well. She’d lost a lot of weight and had sarcomas, which were malignant tumors beneath her skin. But it wasn’t too late for her to strike gold.
When the New England Humane Society (NEHS) identified a suitable home for Ashlyn to spend the last few weeks of her life, all she needed was a means to get there. So the founder of Flying Fur Animal Rescue (FFAR), Paul Steklenski, decided to fly her up on his plane.
Steklenski became sad as he piloted the plane with Ashlyn in the seat next him, thinking about how this may be her final flight anywhere.
Even though Steklenski is used to transporting needy puppies to rescues so they may find loving homes — he normally transports between 15 to 30 dogs each month — the elderly dogs particularly tug at his heartstrings. “Those are the ones where you really focus on what they’re going through,” Steklenski explained to The Dodo.
Ashlyn was nervous at the bit of the two-hour travel. “She seemed a touch distant at first,” Steklenski remarked. “Then she’d kind of open up a bit and get closer.”
He surely made her feel better by feeding her dog treats. “She then gave me one paw, then the other,” he explained.
“She then rested her head on my lap,” Steklenski explained. “That means a lot to me. That is all that is important. That is the prize in and of itself.”
Steklenski decided to take up flying as a hobby in 2013, at the same time he adopted a dog. These items were unconnected at the time, but they were irrevocably intertwined soon after.
“We went to pet stores, then to shelters, and began to discover the difference,” Steklenski told The Dodo last year. When he discovered how many needy animals are in shelters, he decided to put his new hobby to good use.
Ashlyn would not be where she is now if it weren’t for him. While everyone assumed they were transporting her to the hospital, her recovery has led rescuers to believe she may have more time than they imagined.
“Her condition crushed me when I brought her up from the airport,” Tracy Lander, who has three dogs of her own and has been fostering dogs for the NEHS for two years, told The Dodo. “She had lost 39 pounds and her optimum weight is between 65 and 70 pounds. She came to me wearing a sweater, and when I removed it, I could see every rib.”
Lander began feeding Ashlyn three times a day to help her gain weight. She also gave her vitamins to assist her deal with her numerous health issues, which ranged from skin problems (induced by chemical burns) to cancers.
Ashlyn gradually began to change. “She’s getting out more,” Lander observed. “She’s a fantastic eater… and she adores me.”
Ashlyn has even begun to cuddling with Angel, another of Lander’s dogs. Xander, Lander’s boxer mix, has also expressed an interest in connecting with Ashlyn. “He’ll simply walk up to Ashlyn and start licking her,” Lander said. “He believes that he can heal everyone with his mouth.”
Ashlyn moved in with the Landers in January, and no one knew how long she’d be there. Now that it’s April, they don’t think of her as the fospice dog, but rather as someone who reminds them to live in the now and cherish every day — which is always a wonderful lesson.
“She understands she is adored,” Lander added. “No matter what happens, she knows she is loved.”
No one expected Ashlyn to make such significant leaps the day she boarded Steklenski’s plane. She went from being a tired shelter dog to becoming a member of a loving family, which is precisely why Steklenski does what he does.
“I never envisioned discovering something so wonderful, so rewarding that it would eclipse practically everything else in my life,” Steklenski remarked.
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