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The Found Dogs: The Fates and Fortunes of Michael Vick's Pitbulls, 10 Years After Their Heroic Rescue
The Found Dogs follows up on the New York Times bestseller The Lost Dogs which chronicled the abuse of 51 pit bulls taken from Michael Vick’s dogfighting operation, and the heroic attempts to rescue and rehabilitate them. Scarred and scared and initially bound to be euthanized, the dogs were saved by a fearless team of advocates who fought for their rights and futures. Now, on the tenth anniversary of the bust, The Lost Dogs author Jim Gorant picks up their stories where he left off, tracking the striving and thriving, trials and triumphs, and happiness and heartbreaks that have characterized their lives. The Found Dogs brings the story of The Lost Dogs full circle.
- GenresAnimalsNonfictionDogs
74 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2017
About the author
Jim Gorant
10 books49 followersShortly after his birth in Brooklyn, New York, Jim's family decamped for the greener pastures of northern New Jersey. Other than the four years when he escaped to college in the distant metropolis of Philadelphia, he’s spent his entire life in the Garden State, where he still lives with his wife and two children.
Jim Gorant's career in magazine publishing began in 1990 with a job at Good Housekeeping and led him to Sports Illustrated, where he is currently a senior editor. In the interim he’s bumbled over seemingly every inch of the vast terrain that exists between those titles, holding staff positions at GQ, Men's Journal, Popular Mechanics, and Power & Motoryacht. In the course of his daily responsibilities at those magazines and during two stints as a freelancer, he's fished everywhere from Alaska to Venezuela, snowmobiled 12,000 feet into the Idaho Rockies, dived on the Great Barrier Reef and played golf with honest-to-goodness celebrities. The high point came when he was escorted off the grounds of the All-England Lawn Tennis Club (a.k.a. Wimbledon). On the more serious side, he’s investigated anti-aging strategies, infant vaccinations, and the psychology and response to child abductions.
His writing has appeared in more than three dozen national magazines ranging from Men’s Health, Outside, and Popular Science, to Worth, the Robb Report, and the Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday Magazine, among many others. As an editor, he’s tinkered with the scribblings of everyone from Mike Lupica to Dan Quayle and worked on two Sports Illustrated books, Tiger 2.0 and The Golf Book.
Jim's original SI cover story on the dogs of Bad Newz kennels won the Humane Society’s Genesis Award for magazine writing. He is also the recipient of the John Southam Award and of multiple writing awards from both the Golf Writers Association of America and Boating Writers International. Prior to The Lost Dogs , Jim authored Fanatic: 10 Things All Sports Fans Should Do Before They Die , and he is also the co-author of Fit For Golf (with Boris Kuzmic).
Jim Gorant's career in magazine publishing began in 1990 with a job at Good Housekeeping and led him to Sports Illustrated, where he is currently a senior editor. In the interim he’s bumbled over seemingly every inch of the vast terrain that exists between those titles, holding staff positions at GQ, Men's Journal, Popular Mechanics, and Power & Motoryacht. In the course of his daily responsibilities at those magazines and during two stints as a freelancer, he's fished everywhere from Alaska to Venezuela, snowmobiled 12,000 feet into the Idaho Rockies, dived on the Great Barrier Reef and played golf with honest-to-goodness celebrities. The high point came when he was escorted off the grounds of the All-England Lawn Tennis Club (a.k.a. Wimbledon). On the more serious side, he’s investigated anti-aging strategies, infant vaccinations, and the psychology and response to child abductions.
His writing has appeared in more than three dozen national magazines ranging from Men’s Health, Outside, and Popular Science, to Worth, the Robb Report, and the Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday Magazine, among many others. As an editor, he’s tinkered with the scribblings of everyone from Mike Lupica to Dan Quayle and worked on two Sports Illustrated books, Tiger 2.0 and The Golf Book.
Jim's original SI cover story on the dogs of Bad Newz kennels won the Humane Society’s Genesis Award for magazine writing. He is also the recipient of the John Southam Award and of multiple writing awards from both the Golf Writers Association of America and Boating Writers International. Prior to The Lost Dogs , Jim authored Fanatic: 10 Things All Sports Fans Should Do Before They Die , and he is also the co-author of Fit For Golf (with Boris Kuzmic).
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 8, 2023
This was an emotional read for me. I followed as many of the Vicktory Dogs as I could online. I watched the Dogtown series. Frodo was a look-a-like to my mixed-breed dog, Hannah, who was 8-years-old at the time of the raid on Vick's dog fighting operation. I loved her to pieces and couldn't imagine how anyone could treat a dog the way that Vick and his henchmen treated them.
Later I read The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption and it became one of my favorite books. In 2017, I lost my beloved Hannah. In late 2021 the last of the Vicktory Dogs left us. Jonny Justice and then Frodo passed away.
Oddly, I didn't realize that Gorant had written a follow-up book on all the dogs. I found it a couple of weeks ago! It was a nostalgic roller coaster that had me crying and smiling in turn, thinking of each dog and their personality quirks remembered from blogs and Facebook posts.
I feel like this is my true goodbye to these special dogs. If you want to know what they look like, just do a search on “Vicktory Dogs” and they will come up.
Later I read The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption and it became one of my favorite books. In 2017, I lost my beloved Hannah. In late 2021 the last of the Vicktory Dogs left us. Jonny Justice and then Frodo passed away.
Oddly, I didn't realize that Gorant had written a follow-up book on all the dogs. I found it a couple of weeks ago! It was a nostalgic roller coaster that had me crying and smiling in turn, thinking of each dog and their personality quirks remembered from blogs and Facebook posts.
I feel like this is my true goodbye to these special dogs. If you want to know what they look like, just do a search on “Vicktory Dogs” and they will come up.
June 28, 2017
Good follow up on a tough story
Just finished and am very emotional. This story continues to wreck me. I don't think I can give anything away but I will say it is bittersweet, but we expect that. The last chapter was the hardest on my heart. The world of dogfighting is alive and well. That will never be okay.
Just finished and am very emotional. This story continues to wreck me. I don't think I can give anything away but I will say it is bittersweet, but we expect that. The last chapter was the hardest on my heart. The world of dogfighting is alive and well. That will never be okay.
July 8, 2017
The Found Dogs
A nice wrap up to the story of the Vick dogs but the book would've been a million times better with photos of the dogs in their second lives.
A nice wrap up to the story of the Vick dogs but the book would've been a million times better with photos of the dogs in their second lives.
May 4, 2019
I hadn't read the first book but anyone who was alive during the Michael Vick drama most definitely knows about the case. As for whether I will ever read the original book I don't know if I would have the actual guts to do so for if "Where the Red Fern Grows" and "Old Yeller" makes me cry can you only imagine how traumatic a book that revolves around dog fighting may get you?
I truly enjoyed the fact that the book did give the reader a bit of a refresher for you if you were around during the mentioned events or even a brief introduction if you weren't so you know where the story starts. The nostalgic tone gives a suggestion to the reader of how this book will read while also implying that perhaps even if they were happy stories there are still sad endings to most of them.
The dogs were broken down into chapters. Not much was given on their past life with Vick but there was some sharing about what they dealt with to get over their training, how they coped, what their responses were as a result of their sad past and their health problems that stemmed from the same. Jim also explained how these beautiful dogs found their homes for the most part and in the majority of cases how long they were about to continue with their lives before meeting what so often seemed an early demise for the Vick dogs.
The book was short and brief in most cases. Although the reader gets an idea of their past, an idea of dog fighting in general and the movement that changed the way bully breeds are seen by possible adopters it also lacked in information. The book suggested another amount of dogs that were found besides the pits but it didn't quite explain what dogs these were nor what happened to them while I cannot seem to find any information on them at all. Although the case was a great step for fighter dogs it does seem to have lost other victims in the run.
The other thing that disappointed me was the pictures. There is no mention of who the pit is on the front of the cover IS while all the photographs were black-and-white as well. For a book exploring these dogs as individuals it would have been nice to have seen them in color to get a general idea of them in the mind.
All in all it is a nice follow-up for those who are into the Vick pits but otherwise still a bit of a sad read even when it tries to encourage readers in the end.
I truly enjoyed the fact that the book did give the reader a bit of a refresher for you if you were around during the mentioned events or even a brief introduction if you weren't so you know where the story starts. The nostalgic tone gives a suggestion to the reader of how this book will read while also implying that perhaps even if they were happy stories there are still sad endings to most of them.
The dogs were broken down into chapters. Not much was given on their past life with Vick but there was some sharing about what they dealt with to get over their training, how they coped, what their responses were as a result of their sad past and their health problems that stemmed from the same. Jim also explained how these beautiful dogs found their homes for the most part and in the majority of cases how long they were about to continue with their lives before meeting what so often seemed an early demise for the Vick dogs.
The book was short and brief in most cases. Although the reader gets an idea of their past, an idea of dog fighting in general and the movement that changed the way bully breeds are seen by possible adopters it also lacked in information. The book suggested another amount of dogs that were found besides the pits but it didn't quite explain what dogs these were nor what happened to them while I cannot seem to find any information on them at all. Although the case was a great step for fighter dogs it does seem to have lost other victims in the run.
The other thing that disappointed me was the pictures. There is no mention of who the pit is on the front of the cover IS while all the photographs were black-and-white as well. For a book exploring these dogs as individuals it would have been nice to have seen them in color to get a general idea of them in the mind.
All in all it is a nice follow-up for those who are into the Vick pits but otherwise still a bit of a sad read even when it tries to encourage readers in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2023
Wow ! These some of these dogs went on to be amazing therapy and service dogs. Going into hospital, schools , homes doing great work. Lots just became amazing pets who lived out their lives loving on their families. I love the authors realistic take on the overall situation. I love that he takes on the falsehood that every dog can or should be saved. It's a nice sentiment that actually just does more harm than good. I love how they had to pass so many tests to be deemed fit for adoption. I love how so many where able to rise to the challenge and prove you shouldn't count out the underdog. It makes my heart joyful to read of how these dogs changed people opinions gives me hope that change is still possible. While on the flip side it makes me so sad to see how far we have to to go. If your thinking of owning one of these amazing dogs or you already do infrom yourself on what it takes to be a responsible owner owning any dog but especially owning a pit type dog comes with responsibilities beyond just loving your dog.
December 31, 2024
Note: you must read Jim Gorant's The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption before reading this book. This small book accompanies and is the epilogue of the "fates and fortunes of Michael Vick's pit bulls, 10 years after their heroic rescue". While some of these dogs had sadly passed on, they were given an amazing life and showed how much pitbulls are truly discriminated against solely on the fact that they are pitbulls. As I type this in the year 2024, I am aware that most, if not, all of these pitties have crossed the rainbow bridge.
January 17, 2019
An update
This book provides the reader with a brief synopsis of the dogs and humans involved in the Vicks case. It offers hope for the continued humane treatment of the breed and an expansion of what was learned in dealing with the dogs to other cases of boarding and long-term shelter dogs. The most valuable message from the text is that all dogs must be assessed on an individual basis. While the book does provide closure for those who read Lost Dogs, its brevity is quite disappointing if the author's intent was in any way to reach an audience beyond those familiar with the Vick survivors.
This book provides the reader with a brief synopsis of the dogs and humans involved in the Vicks case. It offers hope for the continued humane treatment of the breed and an expansion of what was learned in dealing with the dogs to other cases of boarding and long-term shelter dogs. The most valuable message from the text is that all dogs must be assessed on an individual basis. While the book does provide closure for those who read Lost Dogs, its brevity is quite disappointing if the author's intent was in any way to reach an audience beyond those familiar with the Vick survivors.
February 4, 2019
It was good to get updates on the Victory dogs. What sweet angels. They endured hell, at the hands of a monster, and yet trusted humans again. When I first learned about this case and that Best Friends was taking in several of the dogs, I knew I wanted to visit. I ended up going in 2017 and volunteering there for several days. What a magical place. I will always be grateful for the work everyone involved did to save these amazing dogs. May those that have passed rest in peace. I am grateful that many of them were able to be loved.
October 26, 2017
I loved it! I had the opportunity to meet some of these dogs at Best Friends and spend time alone with Lucas about 2 months before he passed. Another Vicktory dog lives in my community and got to meet the family a couple of years ago at a rescue event. These dogs got me started in volunteering with dog rescue, which I continue today. I am so grateful for the blessing that came out of such an awful and ugly thing.
December 9, 2019
Tears and Joy
I read The Lost Dogs and of course I cried my heart out for these poor animals, and bitter tears for the likes of Michael Vick and those who enjoy the suffering of a animals. I was also brought to tears with this book but so many of them were joyful tears as I read about their lives. So thankful for all the people who took in these dogs. Thank You Him Gorant for the updated version.
I read The Lost Dogs and of course I cried my heart out for these poor animals, and bitter tears for the likes of Michael Vick and those who enjoy the suffering of a animals. I was also brought to tears with this book but so many of them were joyful tears as I read about their lives. So thankful for all the people who took in these dogs. Thank You Him Gorant for the updated version.
August 29, 2022
I know all of the dogs from the Vick case have passed away now but I still wanted to know what happened to them in their new lives. The synopsis on each dog was brief and there were no pictures. A few of the people involved in the case were briefly mentioned.
While I'm happy there was follow-up to help bring closure to their stories I personally would have preferred more detail (where possible) and the book definitely needed pictures of the dogs in their new lives.
While I'm happy there was follow-up to help bring closure to their stories I personally would have preferred more detail (where possible) and the book definitely needed pictures of the dogs in their new lives.
December 3, 2017
Thank you to The Found Dogs.
Jim Gorant does a excellent job of bringing the story of The Lost Dogs, the dogs rescued from Michael Vick's dog fighting ring full circle. This important story shows how wring the myth's and stereotypes of pit bull's are. Thank you to all who worked so hard to give The Lost Dogs a chance at life and love!
Jim Gorant does a excellent job of bringing the story of The Lost Dogs, the dogs rescued from Michael Vick's dog fighting ring full circle. This important story shows how wring the myth's and stereotypes of pit bull's are. Thank you to all who worked so hard to give The Lost Dogs a chance at life and love!
April 2, 2018
Thank you Jim for the follow up on these remarkable dogs & their owners. It's a story that desperately needed telling and you gave them their voices. Having been one of the people in the courtroom the day Vick took his plea, and having followed the dogs progress via social media it was wonderful to get an even more depth view into the beauty of love they found.
December 22, 2019
If you followed the story of the Vick dogs and read The Lost Dogs by the same author, this is a great companion book to see where all of the dogs ended up 10 years later. It will make you smile, it will make you cry and it will break your heart while also reaffirming the positive impact this dog fight bust had on animal welfare in this country.
August 13, 2017
Thanks for the follow up story
I know, for the most part, I'm preaching to the choir when I say that no dog should be judged solely on its breed.
This book is further proof that each dog is an individual and should be treated as such.
I know, for the most part, I'm preaching to the choir when I say that no dog should be judged solely on its breed.
This book is further proof that each dog is an individual and should be treated as such.
September 18, 2018
Can’t get enough of these dogs!
The successes of these dogs makes me happy and I’m thrilled for the update provided here. It also saddened me to read of the dogs who succumbed to babesia and other issues - but I’m glad they found love first.
The successes of these dogs makes me happy and I’m thrilled for the update provided here. It also saddened me to read of the dogs who succumbed to babesia and other issues - but I’m glad they found love first.
June 29, 2019
Awww, poor doggies! Interesting to see how the dog-fighting life affected them all so differently. Some of them were just too traumatized to change, and so many of them were sick. It's still a relief that they were rescued though, so they all had a shot at a better life.
January 6, 2024
The perfect follow up to The Lost Dogs, it was great to get updates on these poor souls and to hear vast majority got their happy ending. They were all loved.
There's a special place in hell for Michael Vick's when the time comes
There's a special place in hell for Michael Vick's when the time comes
December 28, 2025
This follow up was exactly that. Not particularly poignant or well crafted, more like a news article than a piece of art. I appreciated reading about these beautiful dogs ten years later, but the original book had the heart and the weight that I wanted.
July 12, 2017
Excellent Followup
Anyone who followed the Michael Vick story has to read this to see how far the dog's have come in their new lives.
Anyone who followed the Michael Vick story has to read this to see how far the dog's have come in their new lives.
September 9, 2017
I read the initial book about these dogs. It was great to check in with them and learn how many of them got a chance to have a family.
December 23, 2017
Short, sad. Not a lot of photos.
June 8, 2018
I loved reading about each dog! What awesome survivors!
August 13, 2019
Great read!
A fantastic follow up to the first book! This case brought the horrors of dogfighting a beloved breed to the forefront.
A fantastic follow up to the first book! This case brought the horrors of dogfighting a beloved breed to the forefront.
January 3, 2020
This was fine. It answered the questions of what happened to the dogs.
May 28, 2020
Thank you
So glad I "found" this book and was able to learn the dogs' fate. Two words for the author - THANK YOU
So glad I "found" this book and was able to learn the dogs' fate. Two words for the author - THANK YOU
February 17, 2021
The found dogs
I would recommend the book to anyone that wants to see the positive and possible come out of abuse. It is amazing to see people rally around the victims.
I would recommend the book to anyone that wants to see the positive and possible come out of abuse. It is amazing to see people rally around the victims.
June 30, 2022
Little Red and Jasmine and Handsome Dan and Ellen and Iggy. These dogs live on in the hearts of those who loved them🖤
December 9, 2025
Very informative and shows that it's good to give dogs a second chance. Very good documentary. If you love animals it's a good read.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews