Friday Hound Blogging

OK here's a little analogy. Let's say you're renting an apartment in an apartment building. Let's say you've lived there for a while and have gotten to know your neighbors pretty well. Now, let's say you come home one day and find the landlord in your living room. Said landlord tells you that your neighbors have all gotten together and promised to pay him twice what your rent is if he will just make you move away.

What would you think?

Well, that's just what has happened to the overlords.

Citing a study that shows waning public interest and the expensive cost for casinos to "subsidize greyhound racing", reports indicate that casino giant Harrah's is willing to pay the state of Iowa $70 million to free them from an agreement that requires a set number of annual race dates. "This greyhound stuff is giving gambling a bad name," said one Harrah's representative.

"It's an industry that does not have a lot of following," Representative Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City said.

How very tactful of you Representative Mascher. Do you agree Jim Carney, a lobbyist for Harrah's?

"Dog racing is fading nationally," Carney said. Consumer interest in betting on dogs has drastically dwindled as literacy rates rise and it's expensive for the casinos to subsidize the drunks, drug addicts and all around losers that are left in greyhound racing. The two dog tracks together suck about $12 million a year in profits from slots and other gaming to supplement the prize money, or purses, that dog owners and kennels win. Weekdays, few sober people are in the stands to watch dog racing, but crowds tend to be larger on the weekends because some of the people coming during the week passed out and never went home, said officials from both the greyhound and casino industries.

Ouch. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. 

State legislators now face a decision: Should they accept cash from the two casinos to let them off the hook for their obligation to subsidize dog racing? Or keep racing going for the sake of the economic boost from the small but thriving dog-breeding industry?

Decisions, decisions, decision. Truly a dilemma, but we're a little confused. You say the breeding industry is "thriving." Has that assessment already changed two paragraphs later in the same article when you write: "About a third of Iowa counties are home to registered greyhound farms, but the number of dog breeders is declining, according to the "Iowa Greyhound Study."

And earlier you say,  "Dog tracks have shut down in the past two years in several states, including Kansas, Wisconsin, Colorado, Arizona and New Hampshire."

So, tracks shutting down and dog breeders declining equals thriving? We can see why you're having trouble making this decision.

"It's unfair to yank the rug out from beneath the dog breeders without their input and agreement," Representative Rick Olson, D-Des Moines, said. "There needs to be some type of golden parachute for them at a minimum."

Golden parachute? More like a golden shower, huh  Sunshine?

Sunshine is easygoing and very mellow. She is very affectionate and will lean against you and cuddle. She is very sweet and lovable. She really loves her squeaky toys. She loves to play with them, especially when you are not looking. She also loves to run outside, but is very quiet inside. Sunshine would do well in a working family home with well-mannered children. 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.

Lazlo Update:  Lazlo wants attention from everyone who enters the home. He did okay with a visiting 8 year old child when they were outside.