Friday Hound Blogging

People have accused us of being less than sympathetic to the overlords. They think we have been unfair in our portrayal of people who, perhaps because they have the intelligence of a paper weight, the compassion of a scorpion and the scruples of a jackal have chosen to live out their tiny lives by taking advantage of the enormous hearts of the oldest breed of dog there is.

People, people people. Where would you get an idea like that?

We here in the marbled halls of IM Central pride ourselves on being as fair and balanced as Fox News, so with that in mind this week we bring you the pensive stylings of one Dave Bergmeier Editor and Publisher of the Abilene Reflector Chronicle Telegraph Press Gazette Times Tribune News Journal Post Dispatch.

Abilene has its welcome mat out for what is the annual fall festivities for the National Greyhound Association. The greyhound industry remains one of the important roots in agriculture and allows Dickinson County to have an added asset in its economic arsenal.

Now, to be fair, it should be pointed out that Abilene's "economic arsenal" consists of three bars, a Seven Eleven and, if you want to drive to Solomon, a Krogers that's only about ten years old.

The greyhound industry faces tight economic times, much of which is affiliated with an ever-elusive entertainment dollar. Turn the calendar back to the early 1990s and Kansas had tracks in Wichita and Kansas City, Kan. and there appeared to be positive synergy for developing a track in Pittsburg. Pittsburg has never really been able to develop a track. Meanwhile, Wichita and Kansas City remained open until closing earlier this year -- most notable KCK’s The Woodlands, which ceased operating in late August.

Yes. Tracks often remain open until they close and it's that kind of economic acumen that has kept Abilene in the front ranks of towns that have streetlights.

The greyhound industry and its leadership in Kansas and at the NGA has been proactive... telling its positive story to those who are willing to listen.

Right. Trouble is, the "positive" part of the story only takes about eight seconds. The rest of the week is usually taken up with explaining why dogs are brutally murdered, left to starve, or sold illegally for medical research.

Abilene and Dickinson County, as well as the NGA members from across the country who return every fall and spring, have every right to be proud of the association and its members. The economic impact is well known and documented.

Well, if by "proud" you mean we wish we'd never heard of these guys. On the bright side there is that "economic impact." Why, parking meter revenues go up 20 to 30 percent.

The greyhound industry has evolved into sophistication with the latest in production techniques, much like cattle and swine breeders.

We really don't have to add anything to that do we? Pretty much say it all about how the dogs are thought of.

Members of the greyhound industry serve as advocates for animal welfare.

Right. Just like swine farmers advocate for the welfare of their pigs and cattle farmers advocate for the welfare of their beef. Hey Remy, how about giving us an oink. No? How about a moo?

Remy is affectionate and loving. He follows you around and puts his head on your lap. Remy needs a family that has someone that is at home most of the day and he would do best with another dog in the home. He would do well with well-mannered children, 10 and up. He can be vocal when left alone, so would do best in a single family home. 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.