Friday Hound Blogging

Those of you whose memories aren't soaking in Stoli may remember that least week we introduced you to overlord Richard Winning, president of the American Greyhound Track Owners Association, and Car Wash who said, "We have a special responsibility to ensure greyhounds are well cared for from the time they are born until they retire."

At the time we were somewhat skeptical of Mr. Winning's claim given the fact that stories about greyhound abuse were about as hard to come by as republicans in trouble with the law, which is to say, not very hard at all, but even we didn't realize the overlords were so intent on carrying out their "special responsibility" that they would actually punish a fellow overlord for trying to do what they say they do all the time.

David Blair has been suspended for two weeks after a hearing by state racing officials. He's also facing $500 in fines. All of this comes after insisting that an injured dog not be euthanized, which was against the wishes of its owner.

Blair has a kennel full of greyhounds whose racing days are long gone, and that is just fine with him."I've never put a dog to sleep, never killed a dog in 30 years," Blair said. "We can't control what he does with his dogs, but by God he's not going to save anybody else's," said Tucson Greyhound Park CEO Tom Taylor."Wait, that didn't come out right."

Taylor called South Tucson Police. Blair offered to take, rehabilitate and adopt out the dog like he's done many times before. But Taylor said that several people agreed that the dog should be put down. "We all agreed the dog wasn't going to make anymore money for its owner," Taylor said. "So what was the point?"

At the hearing, the track veterinarian testified that she had sent dogs home with Blair with worse injuries than the one that was euthanized. The state veterinarian said that while euthanasia was not the only option, it was justified by the fact that the owner "didn't give a crap" what happened to the dog and wasn't going to pay "one red cent" for its care. Which is "pretty much standard procedure in these cases," the state veterinarian said.

He has a point there. Your medical benefits aren't exactly first tier are they Cas?

Cas is playful and puppy like. He likes to lay down on the ground with a cushion. He likes to sneak shoes, pillows and socks and likes to lay with them; if you take them back he’s fine with it. He took an entire shirt out of the laundry, and threw it right onto the family grey as if “I didn’t have anything to do with it.” He has played with the ball. He’s lovable and sweet. He’s got a great personality. He loves to snuggle, put his head down and shove his head at you. He loves to lay with his legs crossed. He does the play bow stretch, and the he will just sit there, like a yoga pose. He stretches and leaves his butt up in the air with his face on the ground. For a greyhound he is very doggy-like; he’s more energetic than most greyhounds. He will fetch and drop it near you. He runs like an insane dog after the toy. He knows when to play and when not to play. He does calm down okay. Cas has a fascination with water. The neighbor’s automatic sprinkler sends a mist through the fence, which he just loves. He doesn’t like the rain; he will go out in it but he comes right back. If his foster mom sprays him with the hose with a mister he enjoys it. He’s very vocal when he sees or hears noises outside. He would make someone a great watchdog. He loves to bark; he doesn’t know he’s a greyhound. Cas would do well in a working family home with well-mannered children, 10 and up. He would be fine with younger children on a limited basis, more of visiting basis. He is good with other dogs and would probably be fine as an only dog. He needs to be in a single family home, as he is more vocal than a typical greyhound. He’s very playful and he would do best with a home that has an enclosed yard where he can get out and stretch his legs. He would like another cuddly dog. He’s a character he needs an active home. He would love someone to come and play fetch with him, and he would love at least one walk a day. For more information about this dog, and other rescued racing greyhounds looking for homes, go here. If you don't know about the plight of racing greyhounds go here.