Friday Hound Blogging

A while back we told you how the community minded people at Harrahs' had offered to contribute to the welfare of the state of Iowa by bribing...er...incentivizing the views of state legislators in order to help them see the value of passing a bill, which we believe was called the No More Free Rides For Overlords Act.

Well, proving once again that even copious amounts of dead presidents cannot overcome the residual effects of being dropped on your head numerous times as a child, the duly elected representatives of the people of Iowa decided in was in the best interests of all concerned (except the dogs of course) to pass on Harrah's kind offer this year, but promised to "study" the issue which, as we all know is what you say when someone asks you to make a decision before the nice man has brought you your medication.

Anyway, even though the residents of the people's house in Des Moines decided that giving money to the overlords rather than taking it from Harrah's was a good idea for now, that didn't end the conversation, and all manner of actual citizens weighed in on the issue by corresponding with their local media outlets. Most of the missives went something like this:

For years, Iowa law has required racetrack casinos in Council Bluffs and in Dubuque to use gaming revenues to supplement purses awarded to winning greyhounds.
But now at least one company says that money could be better spent in the public interest...[L]egislators must weigh the question of whether it’s in the public’s interest to compel businesses to subsidize the greyhound industry.

 Yeah, we know. You were probably as surprised as us to learn that the greyhound racing had to be propped up to survive.  Who knew? Certainly not this young man who's highest goal in life is to become an overlord.

I have applied at Bluffs Run for 3 years as an in-state kennel and have not received a call back, yet they use this as propaganda to try and persuade our legislature to eliminate racing!

 Umm...it's probably nothing personal there Mr. Overlord wannabe, are you sure you told them them that if they let you open your kennel that will be the catalyst that turns a "dead sport" into a winner?

They also fail to claim that they have “choked out” the avid greyhound fans and bettors in ways including horrible customer service, poor food quality and selection, 4 p.m. post times and suspending live racing on the biggest gambling days of the year, i.e. The Kentucky Derby.

Certainly "avid" greyhound racing fans are used to the highest level of service and cuisine, because lord knows when you're spending the rent money on two dollar bets, the last thing you want is for your foie gras to be served at an improper temperature.

Harrah’s has methodically and unequivocally poisoned the image of the breeders, kennel owners and image of the greyhound industry.

 Do you know why all those tracks closed last year? Harrah's. Wonder why New Hampshire banned greyhound racing? Harrah's. Question Three in Massachusetts passed, why? Harrah's.

They were recently quoted in a Las Vegas Sun article that, “We’re not sure this is a business we want to be in.” Does that sound like a commitment?

 We don't know. On the one hand it does seems a trifle harsh, on the other it explains why no one is returning your calls. What do you think Leftie? Leftie? Hey Leftie, wake up!

Leftie is very gentle, calm, confident, and quiet. He is very affectionate. He loves to follow his foster mom around the house. He is a big greyhound collector, and likes to collect the foster mom’s stuff and brings it to his bed. He will sometimes grab the TV remote and change the channel. He likes to play with soft toys and raw hides. Leftie would do well in a working family home with well-mannered children. He is good with other dogs and would probably be fine as an only dog, as long as the family gave him a lot of affection. He loves to run and can be a bit vocal, so he needs a single family home with a fenced yard or with someone who would exercise him daily. 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.