Friday Hound Blogging

You know, you have to hand it to the overlords--if by "it" you mean a flaming bag of dog poo. Oh, we kid because we love. Our point is, a dwindling population of people whose dental care, compassion level, and intelligence quotient are equally poor; governments that are beginning to realize that subsidizing overlord trailer payments is not the high return investment of the people's money they were led to believe it would be; and a general feeling in the civilized world that the overlords are to be regarded in the same category as mushroom fertilizer, have combined to make the future seem increasingly bleak if one happens to be an exploiter of animals.

Still, hope springs eternal in the shriveled little raisins that pass for overlord hearts. If by hope you mean desperation.

The country could learn a lesson from the people at Kilkenny Greyhound track who are not waiting for outside help to save one of the best-loved sporting institutions in the county. "Well, the institution we love. The dogs...uh...not so much," said greyhound trainer Paul Hennessy.

Over the last few weeks, dozens of greyhound racing enthusiasts have been rolling up their sleeves to ensure the survival and expansion of the sport in the city. This followed news that the track company was in financial difficulties. "Nothing gives you a more fulfilled feeling than coming out here and knowing you had a part in saving a track no one comes to anymore," track director Ger Duncan said.

"We are looking at it like our own local hurling club and we all decided to get together to save it," Hennessy said.

OK we don't even want to know what goes on at a hurling club.

"We said to ourselves that we couldn't let it close and about 20 of us said we would roll up our sleeves and do the work and that's what is happening," Hennessy said. The reaction was hugely positive and bookies, greyhound owners, trainers, owners and patrons all turned up to work at the track.

OK, a "hugely positive" turnout to save the track resulted in the appearance of "about 20" people. We think we see your problem.

The track closed in January and there were serious and well-founded fears that it would not re-open because of financial problems. But Hennessy and a group of others with the best interests of the track at heart took over and the change has been incredible. "I haven't seen this many sober people at the track in years," he said.

Awww, overlords. They're so cute when they struggle against futility, right Dana?

Dana is a real sweetheart. She is very affectionate. She likes to give kisses and will push her head into you for attention. She is gentle, confident and easygoing. She likes to pick up various items in the home, so she would do best in a home with children that know to put things away when they are done with them. She loves to collect the family’s clothing and take it to her crate. She is eager to learn. Dana would do well in a working family home with well-mannered children, 5 and up. She is good with other dogs and would probably be fine as an only dog. 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.