Friday Hound Blogging

You know, we're used to getting mixed messages from the overlords, like how much they luuuuvvvvs them some greyhounds...except when they're killing them, but we seldom get those messages in the same article.

The gates on the starting boxes snap up. And they’re off! As the dogs round the first bend they have one thing in their sights. The lure. The imitation hare jerks ahead of them, circling the track. The dogs buffet each other in their bid to get to the lure. As they near the finish line the racecaller’s excitement is peaking.

"Buffet." Heh, heh. That's a pretty word. This look like buffeting to you?



By the way, Starz was killed in that "buffet," but back to our story.

For 10 years Angela Rowland experienced the ups and downs of the industry. The highest number of dogs she trained at her Ballan home was 25. Her hard work paid off in 2005 when she was named Greyhound Racing Victoria Young Trainer of the Year.

Trainer of the year? Now that's something. Got to be some big time benefits going along with that title right Ms. Rowland? Endorsements? Speaker fees? Movie roles?

About two years ago she gave it all up. ‘‘It’s very hard to make a living training dogs full-time because you’re not getting a guaranteed wage every week.

 Oops. Heh heh. And this is from the "Trainer of the year." Think what it must be like to be an ordinary trainer. Kinda like being the fourth three stooges we figure.

‘‘It’s a really great sport and there are some really great people," said Melton greyhound owner Brian Treloar. "On a Saturday night a lot of families come. We’re in the middle of doing some major works to the area.’’ From the end of the grandstand down 500 metres to the end of the starting boxes is going to be converted into a huge picnic area. ‘‘It’s always been family oriented because a dog is so accessible, unlike a horse. You can’t put it in the back of a car can you?

Well, we certainly can't argue with that, Mr. Melton. And what are these families going to see when they come and enjoy your 500 meter picnic area?

In April, Banger Harvey shattered his hock beyond repair and was destroyed.

Ah, well there you go then. Nothing says family fun like subjecting the kids to the trauma of the violent, painful death of an innocent animal right in front of them, don't you agree Annie?

Annie is a sweet little girl. She is being treated for heartworm and her foster mom is keeping her quiet during her treatment. She is very affectionate. She will approach her foster mom for kisses. She loves treats. She likes to collect her foster mom’s shoes and puts them in a pile (she leaves the other family member’s shoes alone.) 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.