Friday Hound Blogging

Last Monday we told you about the eloquence of one of the leading overlords, Gary Guccione. It seems Mr. Guccione had been compelled to take up the pen after an article had appeared maligning the animal exploitation industry he so effectively represents. Well, when he's not working down at the Quickie Mart. Saving up to get cable on the tee vee don't you know.

Anyway, using geometric logic and a thesaurus he demonstrated beyond any reasonable doubt that not only are greyhounds treated as royalty while they are in service to their overlords, it is in fact that very treatment that bestows upon them the gentle nature and loving hearts that makes them wonderful pets. If they aren't killed first that is.

So, case closed it would seem.The final word has been written, the final point elucidated, the final argument argued. Unfortunately, some people are not swayed by Mr. G's obvious intellectual acumen.

I was astounded when I read the May 31 letter from an employee of the American Greyhound Council defending the industry and claiming humane treatment. His assertion that more than 90 percent of all registered greyhounds are adopted or returned to the farm is grossly misleading.

Now, we feel we must come to Mr. Guccione's defense here. As we explained on Monday, he suffers from a condition that renders him incapable of doing math. It's called Octophobia, which, in simple terms means Mr. G is terrified by the number eight. Also October, but that's not the point. Anyway, you can see how this would interfere with his ability to calculate the number of dogs adopted each year. Especially a year that has an October in it.

The farms that the council representative refers to are not the pastoral settings he is trying to invoke. The dogs are often kept in cramped cages, metal muzzles are sometimes used, and there is limited human companionship.

But see, this is Mr. Guccione's point. After years of being mistreated, ignored and living under the constant threat of injury or death they're just so grateful to be rescued that they give their undying loyalty to their rescuers which is why he said their experience on the track in what makes them good pets, right Kaye?

Kaye is fun and lovable. She is outgoing, curious, confident, and affectionate. She is a Second Chance at Life Dog from the Coldwater Prison Program. Kaye 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. 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.

And if you 'd like to know more about the good work the Second Chance at Life program is doing for the dogs, and the prisoners, go here.