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| Dog Lovers Rank High In Humanity,; Dasdardly Dog Fighters Don't | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 3 2007, 04:16 AM (16 Views) | |
| VickiNC | Jul 3 2007, 04:16 AM Post #1 |
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Dog Lovers Rank High in Humanity, Dasdardly Dog Fighters Don't By Frank Thomas Croisdale This is the story of Mike and Al. The two men have never met but are linked in a figurative way, representing the two polar opposites of our interaction with the canine species. One man is famous; the other one should be. One man allegedly used a part of his fortune earned from playing a sport to organize dog fights. The other man is hoping to raise a small fortune by doing his part in a sport to raise money to help dogs in need. One man is treading water while being investigated by the federal government. The other man is rowing through water while being cheered by thousands. Mike has long been lauded as a gridiron hero. As for Al -- well, he's simply the real deal. Up until recently, Michael Vick was known mostly as the quarterback for the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons. Well, there was the incident in January when he was caught trying to board an airline flight with a water bottle with a secret compartment. Vick said it was to secure some of his very expensive jewelry. There was also the time in November 2006 when Vick gave a middle-finger salute to fans booing him after a loss to the New Orleans Saints. Oh, and there was the famous "Ron Mexico" lawsuit from 2005. You'll have to Google it to read the details, as it is rather unseemly, and some of you may be eating as you're reading this newspaper. The instances of character flaw were just small potatoes in the Mike Vick stew compared to what is alleged in the investigation he is now facing. Authorities contend that a home and surrounding land Vick owns in Surry County, Va., was used to conduct brutal dogfights between pit bull terriers. Vick's cousin, Davon T. Boddie, was residing on the property. Vick has stated he knew nothing of the activity taking place at the house. Authorities are finding that a hard pill to swallow. During an April 25 search of the property, police removed 66 dogs and discovered a pit bull fighting ring. They also confiscated many items consistent with dog fighting operations. Maybe most damning was that buildings in a wooded section of the property were painted black. Police believe this was to obscure them for dog fighting purposes. Vick contends he is simply the victim of relatives taking advantage of his generosity. At the same time, ESPN has reported talking with a source who claims Vick is one of the "heavyweights" of the dog fighting world and has bet up to $40,000 on a single fight. It is difficult to believe Vick's contention of ignorance. Did a conversation like the following take place? Vick: Hey, Devon, I like what you've done with the place, but let me ask you a question. When I said you could have a dog, why would you not tell me you were going to have something like 66 of them? Boddie: Um ... Vick: Say, cuz, why are all my sheds and barns painted black? Where in the lease does it say you can paint anything without my approval? Boddie: Um ... Vick: And what's this I found in the yard? It looks like something used to pry apart the jaws of a dog. You thinking about getting into canine dentistry? Boddie: Um ... The federal government recently made engaging in dog fighting a felony. If authorities can prove Vick knew about and condoned the dog fights held on his property, the NFL star may have to give up his black Falcons uniform for a federally issued orange jumpsuit. All of which brings us to the other main player in our story -- Al Freihofer. Don't worry if the name doesn't ring a bell. The 55-year-old Freihofer isn't known much beyond the shores of his adopted Baltimore. Not yet. Earilier this month, Freihofer spent his Saturday rowing his Adirondack Guide Boat back and forth across Baltimore's Inner Harbor. He rowed 75 miles in total. Why? To raise money for Recycled Love, a Maryland dog rescue organization, that's why. "It may be a dog event, but what this is really all about is people ... about caring and consideration for others," Freihofer told the Baltimore Sun before the event. Freihofer and his girlfriend have served as foster parents to dogs rescued by Recycled Love. They still have a dog as their pet that they first took in through the organization. Dog lovers understand the unconditional love canines give. They also understand there is no more noble pursuit than helping dogs and humans connect. As an old friend of mine used to say, "A home without a dog ain't no home at all." In thinking about the story of Mike and Al, I was reminded of another man, Leo "Mike" Tarapczynski. Mike Tarp, as his friends call him, was the father of my closest childhood friend. He's also one of the great champions of dogs of all time. In the 1970s, Mike had a dog named Max. Max was part something small, like a terrier, and part something big, like a St. Bernard. Max had a broad back and resembled a walking coffee table. Max was also one of the most spoiled dogs ever. The Tarapczynski shopping list always had Oreos on it -- not for the family, mind you, but for Max. Mike also bought liver, kidneys and the occasional steak and cooked them for his beloved dog. Max ate better than 90 percent of the folks in Niagara County. Later a medium-sized mixed-breed dog turned up on the Tarapczynski doorstep. The dog had been abused and was very fearful of people. Mike anointed the new dog "Barney." Through Mike's kind and gentle ways, Barney slowly overcame the effects of abuse and learned to trust people again. In fact, Mike's love of dogs wasn't limited to his own pets. At one point Mike's next-door neighbors had a dog they left chained to their front porch all day while they were at work. Mike took to going through their fence to give the dog water and food. The neighbors complained that it was their dog and it was their business, not Mike's. I don't know how the dog did after the people moved elsewhere, but while they lived next to Mike Tarapczynski, that dog wanted for nothing. In a world of Mikes and Als, there are sure to be folks who love dogs and those who could take them or leave them, but few in the latter group would condone the cold indifference to life shown by those in the dog fighting trade. Al Freihofer used these words to describe his emotions when contemplating his row for Recycled Love: "I like dogs, but I really like what dogs bring out in people." Most people, Al. People like you and Mike Tarapczynski. Frank Thomas Croisdale is a Contributing Editor at the Niagara Falls Reporter and author of "Buffalo Soul Lifters." He has worked in the local tourism industry for many years. You can write him at nfreporter@roadrunner.com. |
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| Deleted User | Jul 3 2007, 05:54 AM Post #2 |
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Deleted User
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I'm familiar with the story about Max. My roommate in the hospital is the mother of Mike's girlfriend. |
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7:51 AM Jul 12