Friday Hound Blogging

While most of the main stream media was running after stories about President Obama's first 100 days, one intrepid reporter named Dave Bergmeier discovered a truly heartwarming and inspiring story right in his own back yard: the overlords have come to town to celebrate themselves.

Dave works for the Abilene Reflector Chronicle Observer Times Beacon Press Dispatch Post Review and he's apparently the only one who does because he wrote this article, and this article, and this one and this one.

Not much happens in Abilene apparently.

Anyway, the overlords were in town to collectively pat themselves on the back for surviving another year without having to get jobs, and Dave was on the story like ugly on a bulldog, or, more appropriately, like skinny on a greyhound. Right Dave?

One of Abilene’s largest events plays out twice a year as national and international guests renew acquaintances and look for ways to stay out of the labor pool. The National Greyhound Association, 729 Old Highway 40, right next to that mall that closed down last year.

Like we said, not much happens in Abilene.

A highlight will be a banquet to recognize the late John Seastrom Vi Seastrom, Tracy Wildey and Tonya Mills, said Tim Horan, who is managing editor of the The Greyhound Review, receptionist, chief janitor and assistant secretary for the NGA.

Wow. All those people are dead? Bummer. Kind of cuts down on the acceptance speeches though.

Gary Guccione, executive director of the NGA, said the Seastrom family represented “real history” to the greyhound industry.

What? As opposed to fake history, like when you say the dogs are well taken care of?

Wayne Strong drew a strong laugh from the crowd when he noted that if Seastrom was alive he would have avoided such an event. "He didn't want his kids to know what he did," Strong said. "And he didn't like any of you people at all."

It wasn't all fun and games though, because Dave, being the professional journalistic reporter that he is, knew where to find controversy and uphold the long and distinguished reputation of the Abilene Reflector Chronicle Observer Times Beacon Press Dispatch Post Review. Tell it Dave:

Industry experts have continued to work hard to identify ways to keep the animals safe, identify ways to help producers to cut costs and increase revenues. The auctions have projected a sense of spontaneity as well as make economic sense.

Right. And one way to cut costs and make economic sense is to reduce your...erm...disposal fees.

The NGA meets show that the industry, while facing its share of challenges, has a sense of family. Those issues are common, which include finding compromise that allows the entire family to succeed.

OK, we don't know what that means, but we're pretty sure when they say the family succeeds they aren't talking about you, right Tempest?

Tempest is very calm and very intelligent. He’s very affectionate. He follows his foster mom everywhere in the home. Tempest would be fine in a working family home with well-mannered children aged 10 and up. He loves being 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.