Friday Hound Blogging

Just when ya think ya got something going. Just when ya think you're finally gonna get ahead a little. Get that leaky turlit fixed, get the Chevy down off its blocks, put glass in the windows. Just when it looks like things are turning your way, Wham! Something comes out of nowhere and the next thing you know, it's back to collecting cans along the highway.

A while back we told you about Phase II of the overlords' plan to keep cat food off the menu at least until their social security kicked in. Once they convinced their legislators that just because people weren't in to animal exploitation didn't mean they couldn't be fleeced with slots and poker rooms, the next step was to get rid of the dogs entirely. From there on, it was a limo ride to easy street.

Well, don't have Jeeves bring the car around just yet.

The Florida Greyhound Association asked the director of the state's Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering to intervene to restore summer dog races at the Melbourne Greyhound Park. "This is a wrongful eviction that jeopardizes the safety of these dogs," Greyhound Association President Phil Ruotolo wrote in his request, "but more importantly, without greyhound racing, I'm out of a job."

Patrick T. Biddix, track president, said live races are difficult during the summer because of the heat and lack of interest. "OK, mostly the lack of interest."

Ruotolo asked for an immediate hearing to determine whether he needed to finish filling out his Walmart application.

Already, many of the dogs have been moved out. Sheila Landell, trainer for By a Nose kennel at the park, said their kennel only has 39 dogs remaining at the park. Landell blamed the lack of interest in summer races on park officials.

"They quit doing promotion once they got the poker room and they went to all matinees so the races were during the day when people were working and when it was hot," she said. "They just didn't seem to want the dogs any more."

What? Didn't want the dogs anymore? We are shocked, we tell you shocked. Right Shania?

Shania is outgoing, happy, friendly, and affectionate. She will rub her face and nose against you for attention. She also follows her foster family around the home. She would love to be your “bed bug”. She is playful and energetic for a greyhound and likes to run with the family’s dog in the yard. She is a greyhound “collector” that likes to collect the family’s things and takes them to her bed. Shania would do well in a working family home with well-mannered children, 7 and up. She is good with other medium to larger size dogs and she 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.