Friday Hound Blogging

Well, it should be pretty obvious that times are tough for the overlords. We mean, even the overlords have figured that out. 

Life has rarely been more difficult in the business of training greyhounds and what drives home that message here at GOBATA is the number of owners, trainers and kennel hands we hear of who are turning their back on the sport in search of an alternative and worthwhile living.

 We feel your pain there Mr. overlord sir, and we applaud you for leaving greyhound racing behind in search of something more worthwhile. Hint: Anything is more worthwhile.

Top trainer at Oxford in 2009 and 2010, Mick Peterson, son of another top trainer in his time, John Peterson's, plight is a sad reflection on the sport’s current struggle, a sport in which, he says, "there is just no money".

 Tru dat, Mr. Peterson, but look at the bright side. At the end of the day at least you get to go home without any broken bones, or not being, you know, dead and stuff. A lot of greyhounds can't say the same.

"Promoters, bookmakers and the GBGB, those at the top end, make money out of greyhound racing but what do trainers get out of it, not a lot I can assure you," he says.

Parasites, without doubt Mr. Peterson, but there's one thing they can't take away from you and that's your love of the greyhounds, right Joe Brazill?

A Kilmallock dog trainer has spoken of his relief after his prize-winning greyhound turned up - at the Mungret Cement Factory.

Whew! We can feel your relief from here Mr. Brazill. So what's next, a new dog bed? Steak to welcome the pooch home? How will you show her how much you missed her and how much you value her now that she's back?

“It is very hard to put a price on a dog, because it is too early. I could not really say. She is just 13 months old, so she has a bright future ahead of her. It is very unusual for a greyhound to be this young. She is one of the few greyhounds to win in her first year.” He added the prize-winning pup “would probably be a good breeding prospect after her racing career was finished.”

 Oh. Umm...OK.  We were going for something a little more, you know, emotional and all, but market value is good too. Didn't realize she was barely a year old. Bet that added to your concern as well, huh?

Joe was fearful she might not be able to find food or water at such a young age.

Well, all's well that ends well. Now that she's home safe and sound, Joe can put her out there on the track every few days where she can run the risk of being seriously injured or killed, right Fuzzy?

Fuzzy’s Douglas is a very friendly and outgoing boy. He walks well on the leash. He is very curious about things. He gets along well with the other dogs in the home and tries to get them to play. He does very good while in his crate. Fuzzy Douglas is not cat safe but would be great with another dog. He would do well with either a single person or a family with older children. 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.