Friday Hound Blogging

Well, here we are again looking at the north end of a south bound year, and as we enter this season of peace and comity we'd like to take this time to wish one and all a pleasant time celebrating whatever occasion it is you wish to celebrate. We say that being conscientious objectors to the war on Christmas even given our catholic upbringing. Quite frankly, as long as there's rum in the eggnog and vodka in the punch you could call it Commodified Young Men Concussing Themselves In The Interests Of Corporate Bowl Sponsors Day and we'd be right there with you cheering your toast.

And it seems we aren't alone when it comes to lubricating our merriment with adult beverages.

Officials stood down Whanganui greyhound commentator Brian Martin after five races on Friday night, ruling he wasn't sober enough to do the job properly.

Now, in Mr. Martin's defense we have to ask how could one participate in the ritualized cruelty that is greyhound racing day after day and not be a little drunk?  OK a lot drunk. We mean, come on. You sit up there in that booth night after night and watch those dogs run their hearts out and you know two thirds of them probably won't see their next birthday. That's got to do something to a man.

Steward Mike Austin became concerned about Martin when he struggled to mention more than a couple of dogs in some of his early calls, in contrast to his usual garbled and inaccurate descriptions. "Then when he started calling the names of dogs that had been injured or killed in previous races we knew something was up," Austin said.

By the fifth race only the sound of snoring was coming over the PA system so after discussions with co-chief steward Ross Neal, Martin was replaced for the last seven races by Trackside's Mark Rosanowski. Unfortunately Mr. Rosanowski doesn't speak English so the remaining races were called in Polish, but the four people in the stands didn't seem to notice.

"He was certainly impaired and I believe he went without any dissent." Neal said Austin's report did not declare Martin to be drunk, but said he was obviously unfit for calling. "Most of the people around here are drunk. Shoot, I'm a little buzzed myself right now," Neal said. "It's the kind of crowd we attract. But being so drunk you can't even talk, well spectators maybe, but employees have a higher standard to live up to."

Good for you  Mr. Neal. Got to have standards, right Jax?

Jax Ireland is a very sweet and affectionate girl. She loves to be around and meet new people. Jax prefers dogs her own size. She is interested in cats but would be okay living with them and could learn not to play with them. Jax would do well in a home with a working family or with someone who is home with her. She  would do well with older, well-behaved 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.