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I agree if we start a "pro/anti racing discussion" it would never end. And I do agree with the fact that they are GOOD owners and there are BAD owners....rega rdless of WHAT Breed they own.

BTW I LOVE THAT PICTURE!!!! You have some great looking dogs!!!

Renee

That depends on how you look at it.  Not all of us think that racing in itself is the problem.  Not ALL kennels and kennel operators are horrible people who don't care about the "plight" of the dogs. I know many owners/operators/breeders/trainers of racing greyhounds and the people I know are caring, wonderful people who do a LOT for adoption.  It's true that not all racing dog owners are good people, but you really shouldn't make such blanket statements about any breed.  There is a larger percent of non GH breeders out there who are much more unscrupulous than racing GH breeders.  They just don't get the same amount of publicity.  
I know this isn't the place to start a pro/anti racing discussion, so I won't, but  I just thought the the other members of this group should be able to hear BOTH sides of it.
 

Quote from: GabrielleW1 on April 07, 2005, 05:44:11 pm

Greyhound racing is a harsh, cruel and unecessary industry from any angle.  Thousands of years of breeding should never have come to this.

Gabrielle and 2 rescued greys plus a foster

Quote from: bigpawsadmin on March 13, 2005, 05:54:44 pm

Hey Paul,

That's incredible! Do you see any help for the Greyhound in the future?

Michael~

The easiest way to explain this is racing Greyhounds are "livestock", they will be put to death if the owner of the racer wishes it to be. When they are racing, the are working dogs that better make money. They are not treated as pets. If the greyhound is lucky enough to be sent to an adoption group, it will have a great life after racing. Yes, there are a lot of horror stories out there, (pits discovered of shot greyhounds, as the owners didn't want to pay a vet), but there are a lot of good stories too. Lucy and I make it to a lot of meet and greets even if it's just to "spread the word" and let Lucy hang out with some fellow greyhounds. Lucy was bred in TX, raced in TX, and FL. In fact a year ago she was still chasing the rabbit. I've had her 10 months, and boy what a trip. It is true that they know nothing about living in a home, a lot of adoption groups will foster the dogs before adoption if they can.  Lucy was Fostered for almost a month, but I still had to teach her how to climb stairs, teach her about windows, and I'm still teaching her about sliding doors to name a few. When I first got her, her coat was horrible. Most of her hair on her belly and hind quarters was missing. This was due to the excessive amount of time locked in a cage. Her stomach was SO sensitive, I only feed her Nutra Max, and Milk Bones. Anything else is asking for trouble. Most racing greyhounds are fed "meat not to be consumed by humans", in other words in Lucy's first three years, she also had a horrible diet. That's the life of a racing greyhound for the most part. There are exceptions to the rule, but most stories are not nice to type. When a track closes, that's a LOT of dogs to place. I pray most get adopted, however it's the ones that won't be that need the prayers. It amazes me that even though she was a racer, and did not have a greatest start in life, this AMAZING dog, who has lived in FL & TX in racetrack kennels, to being fostered in MI, to permantently living in Canada, is so sweet, gentle and loving. This was her first fall, and her first snow. (Canadian winter to boot), not bad for a newly 4 year old eh?

No, no Birthday cake for Lucy. World's most sensitive stomach in a dog. But she did spend ALL day with us, and shopped around at Petsmart, Petco, and the Local Petshop till we found the perfect present.... A BLUE OCTAPUS!!! Who knew? Well besides Lucy I guess? This thing rattles, squeaks and groans and it's driving me crazy, however Lucy is enjoying every penny of it, and that's the main thing!!! I think she's glad to be 4.

Renee & Lucy

Happy Birthday Lucy!!! I hope your day is Greyt!!!

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
 
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... 

Author unknown...
 

Lucy's name came about as she is a red greyhound. She was so comical that first night, (she acted like a 3yr old puppy, off the racetrack) That the only name that suited her was Lucy. As "I love Lucy" is the only comical redhead that came to mind at the time. I called her name and she came running over right away, so the way I saw it, she liked it. That's the story of Lucy... BTW she still makes me Howl with laughter!! LOL

Renee & Lucy

What a great dog!!! Congratulation s!!!

Renee & Lucy

I agree. It was love at first sight for me and Lucy too. She sleeps with me every night, what a queenie! LOL