Friday Hound Blogging

You know, it's hard out here for an overlord. We mean, people just aren't that interested in the heartless exploitation of innocent animals for profit exciting sport of greyhound racing anymore. Add to that the average overlord has a third grade education, anger issues and no appreciable social skills, so the job offers aren't exactly falling out of the trees. And as if that's not bad enough, people have taken to pointing out in public forums that the overlords have all the compassion of a wounded scorpion and that the world would be a much better place if all the kennels were turned into sheltered workshops and the overlords trained to make trinkets for Japanese tourists.

Take well known animal rights wacko Caryn Wood who recently penned a missive in the letters to the editor section of a paper right here in the IM Central home state of Michigan.

Greyhound racing is cruel and inhumane. As you reported, racing greyhounds endure lives of nearly endless confinement in small stacked cages. While racing, greyhounds suffer and die from injuries such as broken limbs, paralysis and cardiac arrest. The greyhounds are short-term investments, valued only as long as they generate a profit. The post-racing fate of greyhounds falls to dedicated volunteer groups such as Second Chance for Greyhounds of Michigan that work tirelessly to adopt greyhounds into loving homes.

Now see, when you have stuff like that right out there in front of god and everybody you have to know that it's likely to affect the otherwise pristine and flawless image of an industry that has the abuse of greyhounds as it's major byproduct provides fun and excitement to thrill seeking fans all over the country. Trouble is, most overlords have trouble with that whole spelling and grammar thing, so when it comes to responding to attacks on their meal ticket they're pretty much relegated to grunts and gestures.

Enter Gary Guccinoe, head overlord by virtue of the fact that he graduated sixth grade, and yeah, he was 23 when he did, but let's not besmirch the man's achievement, OK?

It should be obvious to anyone with an ounce of common sense that greyhounds would not be able to perform at their best on the track if they did not receive proper care and treatment off the track. To achieve peak performance, greyhounds must be well nourished, well rested, well exercised and healthy.

 Darn straight Mr. Guccione. And for all you doubting Thomases out there, we have the video to prove it.

In fact, the excellent care and treatment that greyhounds receive during their racing careers is the main reason that most transition so successfully to life as beloved family pets when they retire.

Which explains why people from all over the country are racing to adopt a greyhound from the Tucson track.

The Grey2K member is wrong, too, about injuries. In fact, the vast majority of greyhound injuries are minor, permitting the dog to return to racing in two weeks or less.

Darn straight. And those dogs are gonna keep getting injured until they get it right.

We salute the hundreds of adoption groups that put their political views aside in order to work with greyhound racing for the benefit of the greyhounds.

Oh, we're with you there Mr. Guccinoe sir. If it wasn't for all those people picking up the dogs you dump when they can't make your trailer payment anymore, you'd be hip deep in carcasses. Ain't that right  Molly?

Molly is a two and a half year old girl who raced in Florida. We don't know much else about her except that she only raced seven times, never finishing higher than third and was dumped, so she's probably lucky to be alive. 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.

Silver update:  Silver would do well in a working family home with well-mannered children, 10 and up. She is good with other dogs and would probably be fine as an only dog.