Friday Hound Blogging

This week we found out that even though everyone with the common sense god gave a black blister beetle has concluded that the last eight years of republican economic theory have been...how to put this politely...outside of the hoped for parameters, republicans, especially republicans in the house, think everything will work out for the best if we just give their ideas one more try. Because, you see, you never know how close to success you are. Maybe it's just around the corner. Maybe it only exists in your head.

Well, taking a page for the republican manual, the overlords in New Hampshire have decided that just because they preside over a dying industry; just because other states have decided to end animal exploitation; and just because career opportunities for third grade dropouts with substance abuse problems are not as plentiful as they used to be, it's time they put their collective feet down and said enough! Enough concern for the animals! Enough expecting that overlord labor should somehow benefit to someone or something! It's time to fight back.

Officials with New Hampshire's two remaining greyhound racetracks urged lawmakers on Tuesday to vote against a bill that would ban the sport. Karen Keelan, president of Yankee Greyhound Racing in Seabrook, acknowledged the track is losing money but said the state should let the tracks decide when dog racing no longer makes financial sense. "We're the trained professionals here," said Keelan. "Well, if by trained you mean housebroken, and if by professional you mean...OK so we're not professionals, but you try getting a real job when your only skill is knowing which side of the door to reach for when opening it."

She said Yankee Greyhound makes more money simulcasting races from elsewhere than from live racing at the track, but the greyhound races attract bettors. "Well, 'bettors' is a bit of a strong word since most of them are broke and those who do have money usually spend it on drugs in the parking lot before they come in, but still we can sometimes get unredeemed lottery tickets off of them."

Keelan said her track has a "no kill" policy unless it's medically necessary and the track actively seeks out homes for dogs that are retired from racing, but when pressed admitted that a lot of those homes "are in heaven."

Legislators defeated a similar bill two years ago. That bill would have shut down the Seabrook track and tracks in Belmont and Hinsdale. The Hinsdale track recently closed. "Right," Keelan said. "So why pass it now. We'll probably be bankrupt in a couple of years anyway. Wait, that didn't come out right."

Rep. Fran Wendelboe, R-New Hampton said she had visited the Seabrook track and found the dogs friendly and well cared for, "if you count being an enemy combatant at Gitmo being well cared for."

Yeah. We kind of wonder about that "friendly" too. You think those were smiles or snarls Starry?

Starry has such loving eyes. She’s curious of everything; if there is an empty box lying on the floor she needs to check it out. She a bit skittish around people. She will stand at the top of the stairs, while her foster mom is in the basement, but then as soon as her foster mom comes up she will run back into the living room. She won’t follow you, but she will go and look for you. She’s playing with squeaky toys now. Starry would do well in a working family home with well-mannered children, 10 and up. She needs another dog in the home to help her understand home life. She is very attached to the other greyhound in the foster 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.