Friday Hound Blogging

Oscars, Emmys, Pulitzers, Nobels, every organization has prizes, usually reserved for the most talented, most popular, most insightful and most respected members of their particular group. And the overlords are no different, gathering each year in the Hollywood of the Midwest, Abilene Kansas to celebrate themselves, their profession and the fact that they all managed to avoid gainful employment for another year.

And who better to chronicle this night of stars than our good friend Dave Bergmeier, Senior Entertainment Editor for the Abilene Reflector Chronicle Observer Times Beacon Press Dispatch Post Review. Take it away, Editor Dave:

Two of the modern icons in the greyhound industry, Gary Guccione, secretary-treasurer of the National Greyhound Association, and Kay Smith of Frederick, Okla., were recognized during induction ceremonies Thursday. No seriously, they were recognized. Some people saw them in the parking lot and said, "Hey, aren't you two part of that national embarrassment called greyhound racing? You know the "sport" that needlessly kills and injures thousands of innocent and otherwise healthy dogs every year?"

Now, since Gary Guccione is the chief spokesperson for National Greyhound Association that means he has the office Word-A-Day calendar on his desk as overlord official spokesperson, so he took the occasion to mount an eloquent and spirited defense of unit exploitation...er...greyhound racing: "No," he said. "That's another Gary Guccione."

Well, that caught the crowd off guard long enough for the pair to get inside where Charles “Chuck” Marriott, St. Petersburg, Fla., summed up his feelings succinctly: “We are honoring two of the most industrious and popular members of the industry. Why Kay alone is directly and indirectly responsible for the death of thousands of dogs over her long career, and Gary has told so many lies about greyhound racing if you ask him his name he has to look at his driver's license to make sure he tells you the truth."

Guccione got his start in the industry through his father, whom he praised during his induction. “My dad told me six years ago when he was dying how proud he was of me,” Guccione said, "He told me he had really lowered his expectations after I flunked fifth grade for the third time, but he was glad to see at least I didn't become a breeder."

Guccione said the National Greyhound Association is one of the most diverse group of men and women of any professional organization. It is filled with doctors, attorneys, dentists and blue collar workers. “They taught me so much about the human race,” he said. "Well, the part that don't have souls that is."

Marriott who served for six years as NGA president, called Guccione one of his dearest friends. “No one has more integrity in the industry than Gary Guccione,” Marriott said, adding that "no one in the industry can even spell integrity," so Guccione "doesn't really have much competition."

Herb “Dutch” Koerner, Hays, who was on the NGA board for 18 years, offered his congratulations. He said Guccione’s professionalism was always on display and he was a natural spokesman for the association. Then Koerner's probation officer called and reminded him part of the terms of his probation were that he couldn't associate with "certain unsavory elements." He left soon after.

“Kay Smith has been a team player for the industry,” Presenter Vince Berland, of Abilene said , noting that she was a supporter of selling slow dogs for medical research, of puppy culls and the occasional "accident" out behind the kennel, now staples within the industry.

Berland said he never forgot that heartless emptiness when he was told in February 2001 that, after another year of losing money, the Smith operation had been hit with a mysterious fire, he and Abilene greyhound producer Jack Sherck immediately went down to help Smith fill out her insurance papers.

OK, just a minute here. "Greyhound producer" is an actual job title in the industry? "Producer?" Like we produce cars, or toothpaste? Gee, it's almost like they don't think of the dogs as living, breathing, conscious entities or something.

Well, let's not quibble about whether the dogs are actually, you know, living creatures or anything, because the festivities are not over, right Senior Entertainment Editor Bergmier?

On an unusually cool mid-October evening, National Greyhound Association enthusiasts gathered for an evening of one-liners and stories about a popular couple in the industry that warmed the hearts of those in attendance.

Well, would have warmed their hearts. If any of them had hearts that is.

On Wednesday night at the Abilene Elks Club, about 240 people attended a banquet for Dennis and Mary Rider. As part of the festivities leading up to the Riders receiving an award from the NGA for their contributions to the industry, they smiled and laughed at stories told about them. They smiled and laughed and took the ribbing in stride as did their family.

Well, or course they did Senior Editor Bergmeir. After all, they weren't the ones dying and breaking bones. That was left to the dogs. The Riders were free to enjoy the good food, which we hope was more healthy than the dinner the dogs ate, huh Forrest?

Forrest is a little reserved, but very friendly. He is very mellow for a young boy. He is affectionate; he will put his feet in your lap to snuggle with you. When he gets excited he will play bow and stomp his feet to get you to play with him. Forrest would do well in a working family home, with well mannered children, 8 and up. He is good with other dogs of all sizes and would probably be fine as an only dog. He is a little vocal when first left alone, so he 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.