Friday Hound Blogging

Ah America. We're truly a melting pot, you know? Or maybe mosaic is your preferred metaphor. No matter, the point is there's a place for everyone in this giant Frogmore Stew of a country.

Take the overlords for example. Most places are actively trying to get rid of them, or at least cross over to the other side of the street when they're coming. But then you go down to West Virginia and you find out that, not only are they welcome, the state is even willing to build them tracks to train the units...er...dogs on. Is that sweet or what?

The state Racing Commission has set aside $2 million while it studies whether West Virginia needs two facilities to train greyhounds. Legislation passed in 2008 mandates the construction of two tracks to train greyhound pups, one in southern West Virginia and one in the northern part of the state. "Well, it's not like we have poor people, or people who are hungry or lacking in medical care in this state," said one legislator. "We figured this would be a good use of taxpayer money, especially since the schools are in such great shape."

Well said Mr. Legislator sir. See, this is how a participatory democracy is supposed to work. The people's elected officials prioritize the needs of the citizens, and then move to meet those needs. Right out of the democracy textbook, folks. Those jerks in Washington could learn a lot from these guys.

And of course the overlords are most grateful and appreciative of the support they get from their fellow citizens' hard earned tax dollars, right Sam Burdette, president of the West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association?

Burdette says the association doesn't object to training tracks, but believes the state's planned facilities are too elaborate and expensive. "Plus they're out in the open," Burdette said. "You think we want people seeing how we train these dogs? Cripes, you set them to chasing a little pig or something and there's blood all over the place. Not to mention what happens to the dogs that aren't fast enough. Why if just one of those training sessions got out on to the You Tube, racing would be outlawed in this state so fast it'd make your head swim. Er...I mean it would be distracting for the dogs."

Hmm...Yeah, we can see where that'd be a problem, Mr. Burdette. Any ideas TK?

TK loves chewing on bones. He is affectionate and is always close to his foster family. He puts his head in your lap. TK is a confident and easy going boy. He loves to play with his toys. He knows how to sit and is learning to fetch. TK would do well in a working family with well-mannered children, 7 and older. He gets along with other dogs of various sizes and cats and would probably do well by himself. 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.