Quick, it’s time to buy some presents! Not the holiday variety, though. We’re talking about can openers, sofas, curtains, and silverware. It’s a house-warming party for two of the Vicktory dogs!

Before you get too excited, they haven’t been adopted yet. But for Little Red and Handsome Dan, it’s a big step in that direction. These two snuggle monsters are now living in the same play area. It’s a far cry from dog fighting! These two pups, rescued from the property of former NFL quarterback Michael Vick, are now snuggling it up together.

When they first arrived at the sanctuary, the Vicktory dogs had a long road ahead of them in so many different ways. One of the biggest was confidence. Some of the Vicktory dogs were so totally afraid of everything around them that they commando-crawled everywhere they went, just to stay closer to the ground and out of the way. Each one lived alone in a private play area.

It’s incredible how far they’ve come. They conquered loose-leash walking, socialization, basic training, and learning how to play. Oscar has even become a Canine Good Citizen! No question, the Vicktory dogs are not the same dogs who rolled off the truck, afraid of their own shadows.

And now, Little Red and Handsome Dan are at the point where they can live together as play pals. Some space opened up in another part of the sanctuary, and the caregivers and managers thought this was a good chance to give them a new experience. So two of the Vicktory dogs, all of whom many people thought would never get along with other dogs, are now happy and well-adjusted roommates. These two dogs who have had such a rough life can now zip and race around in their very own play area as only best buds can do.

Surely that’s worth a celebratory chew toy or two! Congrats, you guys.

Story by David Dickson
Photo by Molly Wald

Learn more about these amazing dogs on the Vicktory Dogs page at Best Friends.

Little Red and Handsome Dan can also be sponsored!

January 27, 2009 : 7:26 PM ET
posted by: #1 ISC Storm

That story made me feel awesome! I was happy to hear that was a happy ending!

January 27, 2009 : 7:07 PM ET
posted by: dreamzofpeace

Best Friends has brightened my life because of all of the animals lives they have had an impact on, I'm so glad to know you are there doing what you do best! Thank you for being loving and caring to those without voice and without choice! I can't find enough words to describe how precious each one of you are!

January 24, 2009 : 7:30 PM ET
posted by: charleneb

First of all I want to say - Kittymom62 you are the best - its people like you that make the world a better place - God Bless! And to Best Friends - you are the best! Rehabilitating these beautiful creatures that others would have probably euthanized--you people have such compassion in your hearts!!! Thank you for giving them a second chance It was a cold day last January and I was working as a pharmacy tech at a local pharmacy. Someone came in and said that a pit bull was hit by a car and left in the parking lot. Later I found out that he was hit by a car and pushed out of a car in the parking lot and left. To make a long story short,I ran out and found him with the local police, with a broken leg, all bloody. I took sick leave, got him into my car, and took him to my vet, who put his leg into a cast and released him to me. Two years later, my little boy is doing fine and living the high life with my other 2 other rescued pit bulls. I wish nothing but the best for the Vicks Dogs. I only wish I could adopt them all. I follow their stories faithfully!!!!!!!!!

January 23, 2009 : 1:27 PM ET
posted by: fraggie

I love this! So many people think that these dogs can't be helped but they can be. I rescued a fighting dog from a bad situation and with some work and patience, she has become a wonderful member of my pack. She has 2 pit bull sisters and they all love and play together as if the past never happened. They make me a better person everyday! thank you for showing what these wonderful dogs are capable of! Keep up the good work BF!!!

January 22, 2009 : 11:38 PM ET
posted by: sue crumbo

I have been to Best Friends. What a place!! I have a rescued dog that is 1/2 Pit and 1/2 Lab. He is so loving and funny that we cant imagine how anyone could think that Pit Bulls are universally mean and agressive. Bear sleeps with us and is one of the funniest dogs we have ever had. Keep up the good work.

January 17, 2009 : 3:05 PM ET
posted by: dogmom50

words cannot express my gratitude to you.how humans can treat trusting animals in such a way is mystifying.the progress they have made is testement to the trusting nature of these poor creatures.hooray for them & god bless people like you.and my god have a special place for people like michael vick.keep up the great work you are doing .

January 14, 2009 : 5:04 PM ET
posted by: myboyz89

I never get tired of hearing all the great news about the Vicktory Dogs. The beginning of their story was absolutely horrific, but thank goodness (& Best Friends), that they each get a happy ending. I wish nothing but the best for each of the Vicktory Dogs, and I would love to see them when I'm visting BF in October!

January 13, 2009 : 1:16 AM ET
posted by: crpykatlady

thank god and best friends for saving these beautiful creatures and taking the chance to show the rest of the world that euthanizing is not the answer-just the lazy pathetic way out.

January 12, 2009 : 3:34 PM ET
posted by: kittymom62

What a wonderful story!! Best Friends, I believe y'all have secured yourselves a place in Heaven!! I myself have sponsored one of the Vick dogs...Georgia. And when I saw her on Ellen that day, the floodgates opened. I couldn't stop crying. In fact, it's hard to type this without shedding tears. Now as far as that POS Vick...may he rot in hell where he belongs. I signed the petition to the NFL to not allow him back in the game. If they let this poor excuse of a human being play again I will never watch football again. And I tell you...I love football. He doesn't deserve to ever throw another football for profit. How I despise that man!! I have a t-shirt that reads..."In prison Mr. Vick will now know what doggie-style really is!!!" I love it!! I wear it to the gym and I see people all the time reading my shirt and then either smiling or start laughing. Best Friends will never ever let this POS get near those dogs again so all of y'all that are begging them to not do that...it will never happen. I think if Vick even attempted to get close to those dogs he just may find a bullet in his a$$!!! God bless the person who would pull that trigger. Again BF, thank you for all you do and for all that you have done for these precious animals.

January 12, 2009 : 8:42 AM ET
posted by: HOVDummy

Congratulations to BF for their heroic work in rehabilitating these dogs and all the others. I agree with the comments about how Vick should never own any dog or animal again, but until the "culture" he came from starts to view animals with compassion, he and his ilk will continue to abuse and torture and not think anything about it. Instead of towns banning certain breeds, they should ban certain groups of people from owning any animal.

January 11, 2009 : 10:54 AM ET
posted by: Nadia

As a proud owner of one the sweetest Red Nose Pit bull whom I rescued, I understand the celebration totally! I brought her home to my other two dogs a lab and a flat hair retriever with concerns and apprehension, but soon with love, good food, security and training she has become the biggest love bug and snuggles with my other two dogs, as matter of fact all three sleep together on a bed in guest room.

I applaud your work, just to think that PETA wanted these dogs to be put down, makes you wonder.

January 11, 2009 : 1:28 AM ET
posted by: pdwlgw

I loved that photograph of Handsome Dan with the ice cube, and the delightful story that went with it. As I understand it, Handsome Dan has been a friendly, kind, patient, playful dog with a number of the Vicktory dogs. And handsome? No-one can beat him. He's the greatest.

My heart, though, is lost to Little Red. The photographs with Mckenzie Garcia reveal a gentle, sweet, affectionate, intelligent, snuggly little creature -- a tiny pit bull who was brutalized beyond imagining by Michael Vick, but whose kindness and resilience and good humor put us all to shame. Best wishes, Little Red, you precious and adorable thing.

January 10, 2009 : 8:13 PM ET
posted by: tonklady

This is a wonderful story. I fell in love with Handsome Dan the first time I saw him and the first time I read that we like the same treat: munching on ice. You look at his face and you see what a sweet and loving dog he is. I'm so glad there are people taking care of this beautiful animal and the other dogs rescued from that awful life. I can't wait to hear more about him.