Dog Races

[sherpayluvsgreys]

I like debates, and, this is a fantastic one.

Well then...you definitely need to get yourself a greyhound! YOu'll have a lifetime supply!

[K9soul]

Martin, I was actually nervous when on GT you seemed so irritated, I was afraid you would come here and say things in a not-so-tactful way, but I think your post was overall pretty tactful. I do know the dictionary definition of the word ignorant isn't bad, but it does often tend to have a more negative connotation when used in conversation, people tend to feel it is calling them stupid rather than uneducated or misinformed. I agree when speaking about professions, organizations, and agencies (and even message boards ), people often tend to get lumped together. I think we're all guilty of it here and there, I admit it, I've made comments like "I'm sick of doctors" after having bad experience with a few doctors, or "you can't trust any politician." How many times has much of society bashed lawyers as greedy scum? Yet we have a close personal family friend who is a lawyer and is passionate about his work.

It all makes a point that lumping all people together is never good, at the same time I think it's a somewhat natural tendency. Heck even men and women tend to do it with the sexes, or older and younger with ages.

I'm as guilty as as anyone of having a pre-made image in my mind of people in the "racing industry." While there are still things that bother me, I have learned a lot too, and I'm reminded again two very important things: 1) Things aren't always exactly as they appear, and more importantly 2) It is never accurate or fair to lump people together into one category.

[guster girl]

Originally posted by sherpayluvsgreys
Well then...you definitely need to get yourself a greyhound! YOu'll have a lifetime supply!

Ha ha, I am sure I will adopt one eventually. I saw my first greyhound puppy at the dog park a few months ago. I didn't even know what he was, because I'd never seen a young greyhound before! His tail was out of control, like he had a snake stuck to his butt! His name's Derrick, and, he's gorgeous! I never had my camera with me, though, when he was around, but, man, did he ever make me want a puppy like him!

[jcsperson]

Originally posted by K9soul
Martin, I was actually nervous when on GT you seemed so irritated, I was afraid you would come here and say things in a not-so-tactful way, but I think your post was overall pretty tactful.

It all makes a point that lumping all people together is never good, at the same time I think it's a somewhat natural tendency. Heck even men and women tend to do it with the sexes, or older and younger with ages.

I'm as guilty as as anyone of having a pre-made image in my mind of people in the "racing industry." While there are still things that bother me, I have learned a lot too, and I'm reminded again two very important things: 1) Things aren't always exactly as they appear, and more importantly 2) It is never accurate or fair to lump people together into one category.

I wish I could tell you how infuriating it is to hear people toss out words like "disgusting," "inhumane," and "sick" when they talk about racing. The way ARAs casually demonize and slander racing and racing people goes beyond the pale. If you sensed irritation on my part I can assure you it was quite real. I can't tell you how hard it is to face relentless and malicious ignorance on a daily basis.

We are fortunate to have forums like GT and PT so that debate can be engaged and their voices and ours can be heard side-by-side and compared on merit. As hard as it is to resist lashing out at them, I've found that the best thing to do is let them talk. Luckily, most ARAs come off as shrill, mean-spirited and unknowledgeable.

I've enjoyed your posts over on GT. My guess is you're learning a lot.

Martin

[sherpayluvsgreys]

K-9Soul, yes, Martin is....uh...."well expressed" to say the least. He, many others, and a few who have posted here, have been fighting this battle for years. Despite years of improvements and tireless efforts made by many, John Q public still likes to take the sympathy line hook line and sinker. As I mentioned earlier, the positive things that are, and have been happening in the industry are overlooked in the media because it doesn't sell.

[guster girl]

Originally posted by sherpayluvsgreys
K-9Soul, yes, Martin is....uh...."well expressed" to say the least. He, many others, and a few who have posted here, have been fighting this battle for years. Despite years of improvements and tireless efforts made by many, John Q public still likes to take the sympathy line hook line and sinker. As I mentioned earlier, the positive things that are, and have been happening in the industry are overlooked in the media because it doesn't sell.

It's just like the plight of the pit bull. No matter how many people have great stories, great memories, and great pitbulls, the media will always portray them as killers.

[7up]

Originally posted by aly
I'm confused. I said that I know there are a lot of racers/breeders who are very well cared for ... and that I was concerned about the ones who aren't. Are you just looking for an argument or did you seriously miss that? I am NOT being sarcastic here. I just thought I was making myself as clear as possible saying that I know you guys love and care for your dogs and that there are good racers out there.

Aly, I hear you. I tend to do look at it the same way.

Jay

[Love Greyhounds]

Originally posted by aly
I'm confused. I said that I know there are a lot of racers/breeders who are very well cared for ... and that I was concerned about the ones who aren't. Are you just looking for an argument or did you seriously miss that? I am NOT being sarcastic here. I just thought I was making myself as clear as possible saying that I know you guys love and care for your dogs and that there are good racers out there.

Neglect of medical care is the biggest problem that greyhound adoption groups have to deal with. Many people in adoption have seen hundreds of greyhounds loaded with internal and external parasites, some with untreated illnesses, open wounds, broken bones, dislocated toes, and occasionally things ilke mange, and ringworm.

While the good people in racing take excellent care of their dogs, and some even pay for spaying and neutering at retirement, there are others in racing who pay for nothing when the greyhound is finished with his racing career. Adoption groups that are entirely self-supporting struggle to pay for the medical care and treatment of the greyhounds they place for adoption from these other sources.

These people run an adoption/rescue program in FL.
http://www.ahome4greys.org/

[jcsperson]

Originally posted by Love Greyhounds
Neglect of medical care is the biggest problem that greyhound adoption groups have to deal with. Many people in adoption have seen hundreds of greyhounds loaded with internal and external parasites, some with untreated illnesses, open wounds, broken bones, dislocated toes, and occasionally things ilke mange, and ringworm.

While the good people in racing take excellent care of their dogs, and some even pay for spaying and neutering at retirement, there are others in racing who pay for nothing when the greyhound is finished with his racing career. Adoption groups that are entirely self-supporting struggle to pay for the medical care and treatment of the greyhounds they place for adoption from these other sources.

One of the sources of continuing irritation and frustration for racing people who do it right are those in the business who do not. I think AR groups tend to see the worst dogs because they get the dogs that people are just handing over. As a result they tend to see a higher proportion of hard cases than PR groups.

The dog owners who do right by their dogs not only take care of any physical problems prior to handing them over, but give the group a donation to cover feed and neutering. That means a portion of the adoption fee can be used for rent and other expenses.

[Tonya]

I would never go. Horse racing bothers me also. I can't say that I hate the people that do Greyhound racing because I know nothing about it. But I am not the least bit interested in finding out.

[lovemygreys7]

Originally posted by Tonya
I would never go. Horse racing bothers me also. I can't say that I hate the people that do Greyhound racing because I know nothing about it. But I am not the least bit interested in finding out.

Why does it bother you? Just curious.

[lizbud]

I'd like to hear some of the new Greyhound lovers thoughts
about this Greyhound site. http://www.greyhounds.org/

You can skip the intro if you like & get right to the informational
pages. Please read all of it and then give some honest opinions.

[zaylagrey]

Oh boy this should be fun....

[sherpayluvsgreys]

Originally posted by lizbud
I'd like to hear some of the new Greyhound lovers thoughts
about this Greyhound site. http://www.greyhounds.org/

You can skip the intro if you like & get right to the informational
pages. Please read all of it and then give some honest opinions.

Sensationalism...

Negative propaganda at its best...

I believe that even the average anti-racing fan with any real knowledge will take the info presented there with a grain of salt. Those, however, who know nothing about the greyhound world are liable to believe, and pervertedly enjoy wallowing in, and spreading this gross misrepresentation of the facts.

[micki76]

Why do they want to end greyhound racing? Serious question. What would be the benefit?