11.15.2008

Vick-tory For Vick's Dogs

Lucas

22 of the dogs saved from the brutal Michael Vick's pit bull rings have become stars in the realm of wine. The beautiful oil paintings of the faces adorn a new line of boutique red wines. Click the story link for all the info and the full gallery of the beautiful oil paintings.


Vick dogs featured on wine labels
Vicktory Dogs Wine Collection features portraits of 22 dogs confiscated
By MIKE STARK, Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY — Georgia, Handsome Dan, Curly and other pit bulls rescued from Michael Vick’s dogfighting operation are getting a shot at fame as stars of a line of boutique red wines.

The Vicktory Dogs Wine Collection features colorful portraits of 22 dogs confiscated from Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels that now live at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in southern Utah.

Ellen is one of the pit bulls featured on the label for the Vicktory Dogs Wine Collection. Artist Cyrus Mejia painted the colorful portraits of 22 dogs confiscated from Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels.

“As a signature collection, it’s through the roof,” said Matt Hahn, co-owner of Carivintas Winery, a Southern California company that combines wine selling and philanthropy.
Each bottle includes a portrait of one of the dogs on the label. On the back, instead of a description of the wine, there’s a brief story about each four-legged friend.

The pit bulls have been living at Best Friends since January while handlers try to reverse the mental damage done at Vick’s 15-acre estate in southeastern Virginia. Vick, a former NFL quarterback, is serving a two-year prison sentence in connection with the dogfighting operation.
Artist Cyrus Mejia, one of the founders of Best Friends, began painting the dogs after they arrived at the sanctuary. Gone in the portraits are any signs of snarling beasts fit for a fight ring. Instead, there are cocked heads, soulful eyes and floppy ears.

“I think he’s been able to capture the real personalities of each of the dogs,” said John Polis, a Best Friends spokesman.
Read the whole article here.
Thanks Rick!


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