You remember Mel, right?
I first told you his story almost a year ago. It was later picked up by the Los Angeles Times, etc., and became a feel-good national story.
Goes like this: Mel was one of Vick's bait dogs, meaning he was a canine piñata. He was beaten daily by Vick and his cronies to kill his fighting spirit. Once "de-fanged" of his will, Mel was thrown into a pit with prized fighting dogs who practiced their aggression on the hapless, defenseless -- and, even worse, muzzled -- victim.
A blocking dummy, but with a pulse.
Fast-forward a year and Mel is doing much better. No longer scared shitless, he allows strangers to pet him and even frolics in the dog park.
And now, after Vick inexplicably was awarded to the key to the city by Dallas interim mayor Dwaine Caraway, Mel has one of his own.
Last weekend Richard Hunter, who endured an 18-month odessy to adopt Mel, was honored by Dallas' East Lake Pet Orphanage. The award was presented by Dallas City Councilwoman Angela Hunt, who also took time to fire a shot in the direction of interim Mayor Dwaine Caraway.
Quipped Hunt: "One of my colleagues in the city of Dallas showed a grave lapse in judgment by awarding the highest honor our city an bestow -- our key to the city -- on someone who was entirely undeserving and someone who has shown serious cruelty and inhumanity."
She then honored Hunter and presented Mel with ... an edible key to the city.
A million wrongs don't make a right, but somehow today I feel a little bit better about Dallas. And Mel feels a lot better about living.
