You should have seen the crowd. The dogs who came from former NFL quarterback Michael Vick’s estate were celebrities for a day as reporters filed into Best Friends to see how the dogs were settling into the sanctuary. One thing’s for sure; if anyone had expected to meet a bunch of mean dogs, they were in for a surprise.

Eight television crews and four newspaper crews came to Best Friends to get a first-hand look at what we’re calling the Vicktory dogs. The dogs didn’t care one stitch about being on the news. They just saw a chance to make new friends. "Nice camera you got there, pal. Now how about a scratch behind the ears?"

Take Lucas, for example. Lucas was one of the grand champion dogs in his former days as a fighter. He has scars all over his big, muscular body. But there isn’t a bigger love mush in the world than this gentle giant. His favorite pastime is to perch on top of his doghouse on the lookout for visitors. When a visitor comes close, he jumps up there and says hello. "Hey, don’t forget about me!"

And don’t worry; Lucas got all the reporters’ attention today. Once the news crews started snapping pictures, Lucas played the hambone role to perfection. Patty Hegwood, Best Friends Animal Care Director, said Lucas looked like he was preparing to receive an Olympic medal. So proud! Always sticking out his chest and posing this way and that for the snapshots.

In another story, one of the reporters was a bit nervous seeing Ellen the pitbull for the first time. Ellen also has a lot of scars on her face. It didn’t take long, though, for the reporter to have a change of heart. Ellen started taking treats right from her hand. Then, Ellen would smush her face over and over in the reporter’s hand for love and pets. By the end of the interview, Ellen had made a brand new friend in the reporter. These dogs have a knack for doing that. For winning people over.

One more hit of the hour was Willie. Willie harbors a secret belief deep within that he’s really a lapdog. When Patty was talking with the news folks, Willie kept crawling in her lap for attention. Never mind that whole interview thing, Willie wanted some love!

All in all, the event was a big success, as far as the dogs were concerned. The reporters got to meet some of the friendliest dogs this side of anywhere, and the dogs, well… to them it was just another opportunity to shine.

Written by David Dickson
Photos by Molly Wald

September 5, 2008 : 6:50 PM ET
posted by: cwiley

I was up at BF volunteering for Labor Day weekend. They sent us up to the Pittie octogon which is right next to the Vicktory dog octogon. Of course we couldn't go in over there, but I did have the opportunity to see and "talk" to Lucas from a distance. He talked back and just seemed to be a normal excited dog. Patty told me that he is just a lovebug. My heartfelt thank you to Patty and the rest of the crew there working with those poor babies. May they all (or at least as many as possible) find a loving forever home that hopefully will at least make up a little for the horrors that they had to endure at the hand of that b*****d Michael Vick. I have alway been a proponent of do unto others, I think that should also pertain to horrors like this. Lets put him in a pen with all of "his" dogs, plus add a few others and let them have at him. It's only fair. I have always been a little nervous around Pitties, but working in that octogon and spending time with my poor girl China (just out of surgery), Jackson, Hera and others, I fell in love. China is such a sweet girl, had to hand feed her after her surgery with her little cone head and she was so gentle if a little bit slimy and slobery (ok alot!). Take good care of them Andrea! I am looking forward to seeing them again in a month or so.

April 14, 2008 : 5:16 PM ET
posted by: jlluttrell

Thank you for all you do! I am so glad you all got these beautiful creatures! Reading these stories and seeing their beautiful faces makes me want to come work with them. They deserve so much love!!!

February 16, 2008 : 6:07 AM ET
posted by: KinderGardening

I am up E-A-R-L-Y this morning ... catching up on the reading I just don't have time to do in my busy life as a mom, an animal advocate, and my SELF a survivor of a life threatening, one time attack upon me by my (then undiagnosed) husband. I was just thinking how much I love your images (I do graphic design for a wedding photographer by day) and how a picture does tell a story without saying any words at all. Keep up the phenomenal work, Best Friends. God bless you for all you do for animals and the people who are compelled to help animals, each in their own way. I used to live in the upstate of SC after being raised in a more northerly environment. Don't get me wrong ... I LOVE SC WITH ALL MY HEART! However, I did see some things there that have broken my heart and I applaud all of those people who are making a difference for animals that would have been doomed to horrific existences without some good old-fashioned loving kindness. If there's one thing I don't understand in life, it's those individuals who prey on the weak, whether they be humans or animals. I appreciate real animal (and people!) friends who go the extra miles to walk the walk, as in these Vick dogs' situations, and don't just talk about it ... about doing the right thing. Best Friends ... you are appreciated and you give me hope for humankind. Leesa Hollerup (kindergardening.net)

February 8, 2008 : 6:22 PM ET
posted by: deeker

Ok, tell me again why pit bulls are so bad?? I have a girlfriend that had a pit bull (he died resently of old age) and a Chihuahua. The pit would lick you to death and give you lots of love. The Chihuahua just growled and snarled and snapped at people. Now, which one am I suppose to be afraid of???????

February 7, 2008 : 4:47 PM ET
posted by: avesher

so wonderful to see what is going on with these dogs. Thank you to Best Friends and all the supporters for rehabbing these wonderful animals. Fantastic

February 5, 2008 : 3:31 PM ET
posted by: dianaj

To Daphne,

If you read the New York Times article, they explain that the floors are heated and that day was set up for the press. The reporter stayed for days and reported on the dogs well after the other news groups left. They have a lot of pics of the dogs in blankets and sweaters and toys. After reading the article, you just want Michael Vick to vanish of this earth because he is inhuman and simply disgusting!

Thank you BF.... for giving these poor animals the one thing they need... Love and kindness!

February 3, 2008 : 6:05 PM ET
posted by: rmlamasney25

Look at that sweet face peeping over the reporter's arm! She's a beauty - is that Ellen? Thank you BF for giving these dogs the life they deserve, of kindness and love, and socialization, safety, healthcare...the list goes on!

February 2, 2008 : 12:46 AM ET
posted by: daphne

I am wondering why the ex-abuse, short haired dog in "Lucas's 15 Minutes of Fame" on the Michael Mountain blog, does not have a coat. Clearly it is cold as everyone else - the press and the dogs handler - are bundled up to the nines. Not only that but someone might think that the little plywood house on the edge of the drifting snow was the short haired pit bulls house and there's no blanket in sight. Even if this was a temporary set up for the press, it looks bleak and cold for a dog who previously lived in a warmer climate and may not have a thick undercoat against the climate in Utah. Can someone explain this to me?

February 1, 2008 : 4:21 PM ET
posted by: veganmarcy

the best thing in the world would be for the ex-"fighters" to be featured on the nat geo show, and then show their real selves. that would educate a ton of people at once. i agree with southerndogmom saying "I truly believe BF will do great things to help educate people about the idiocy of condemning a breed simply for the failings (or ill intent) of the humans who are supposed to care for them."

February 1, 2008 : 9:47 AM ET
posted by: doved04

Thank God there is a BF thank you so much for taking these dogs. It really angers me when people who think they know everything and of course the dogs s/b put down, YA RIGHT. BLess you BF some day I will be back out there I can't wait. Keep up the good work and please give the VICKORY dogs a hug for me.

February 1, 2008 : 9:46 AM ET
posted by: JudyP

I can't thank you enough for the wonderful & beautiful work you all do on a daily basis. Taking the "Vicktory" dogs was such an incredible kindness. You help me remain hopeful in the face of the cruelity that is experienced by so many animals & humans on our planet.

January 31, 2008 : 10:41 AM ET
posted by: mpeaches

It's such a joyous thing, to be able to show the media that these 'killer' dogs are such lovers. I know that some of the dogs have things to work out, and considering what they've been through, that's understandable, and that's what our great trainers are for! But to show that with many of them, the danger you're in is being licked to death is a great thign.

January 31, 2008 : 8:28 AM ET
posted by: pittylover

I look forward each day to reading about the progress these very luck dogs are making! Words cannot express how truly happy the work BF and the other organizations who rescued these wonderful dogs makes me!!!! Pit Bulls are truly a one of a kind breed and it is very unfortunate that most people do not get the chance to see how truly special they are!! Thank you Best Friends for helping give these precious creatures their very own happy ending!!!

January 30, 2008 : 9:16 PM ET
posted by: EmilyS

I think "Lucas" looks (and acts) like "Hector", one of the Bad Rap dogs.. I bet they're related.

January 30, 2008 : 4:21 PM ET
posted by: judylew

I read that National Geographic is going to be following the progress of 4 of the Vicktory dogs. I can't remember where I saw that but it was somewhere in Best Friends.