A lesson that everyone eventually has to learn as an adult is that you can't have everything in life that you want.
Apparently that's a lesson that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, Michael Vick didn't need to learn.
After pleading guilty to animal cruelty in 2007 and serving 18 months in prison, Vick has announced that he once again is a dog owner.
It doesn't seem that Vick wanted everyone to know that he was a dog owner, because he waited a week to comment after posting a picture on Twitter that included a box of dog bones.
When he finally fessed up a week later, there was an air of "I have a dog, so what?" to it.
Perhaps a better idea for a family pet would be a fish, as long as it's not a Siamese Fighting Fish, because you know Mike, old habits die hard.
Or maybe get a bull. That animal will not tolerate your nonsense or abuse.
But a dog? It's not a good life choice and it certainly doesn't give the impression that he comprehends what he did.
In his statement about owning a dog he said: ""I understand the strong emotions by some people about our family's decision to care for a pet. As a father, it is important to make sure my children develop a healthy relationship with animals. I want to ensure that my children establish a loving bond and treat all of God's creatures with kindness and respect. Our pet is well cared for and loved as a member of our family. This is an opportunity to break the cycle. To that end, I will continue to honor my commitment to animal welfare and be an instrument of positive change."
No Michael, breaking the cycle would mean to not own a dog at all, and if you want to teach your kids to respect animals, take them to the zoo, an aquarium, on a safari, but also be sure to explain to them what their daddy did to more than 60 dogs not so long ago.
When the search warrant was executed in April 2007, officials found kennels full of beaten and abused animals.
The warrant led to a discovery of unlawful dog fighting activities at a property owned by Vick. He was implicated in an illegal interstate dog-fighting ring called Bad Newz Kennels with more than 70 dogs, mostly pit bull terriers.
It was a terrible story and Vick watched as his life as he knew it crumble around him.
He lost his position in the NFL, was ordered to pay the Atlanta Falcons back a portion of his earnings and lost endorsement deals.
Now, he has a dog. Again.
His desire to break the cycle is valiant and he should spend the rest of his life devoted to that work, but to break the cycle doesn't mean he should own a dog.
It's a privilege to own an animal, not a right and some people, even highly-paid athletes don't deserve that right.
People should not be judged by their mistakes alone, but it's a tall order to give mercy to someone who abused dogs so horrifically not that long ago. It begs forgiveness and compassion to a man whose dogfighting ring drowned, beat and electrocuted animals to death.
I don't think he will kill this dog, but why put temptation right under your nose.
He continues to volunteer for a variety of humane shelters and has donated a fair sum of change to the cause as well. But has anyone discussed with the famed footballer why he got into this lifestyle in the first place?
Has anyone drilled down to the root of the bigger issue here?
Michael Vick should be concentrating on his game so he can become the quarterback he once was, and a family dog won't help any of that.
There is a sadistic aspect to a person that would have to be in place for a person to be so deep into the dog-fighting culture and not think it's a bad thing.
In order to break the cycle Mick, buy a goldfish, take your kids to a zoo, get a shrink and leave the puppies alone.
