Undo the Brain-dead - Make 2013 count!

One of Britain’s leading inventors has warned that the  "Google Generation" ~ those rely on the internet for everything ~  are in danger of becoming brain-dead.

I have noticed that it appears there is a generation in the greyhound welfare movement that has become brain-dead because they lack the guts or the will power to venture away from the safety net of the net. Sadly some even admitted that all they have learned and all they need to know they learned and read on the internet. 

PLEASE get out and educate yourself. Step away from the internet. Turn off that YouTube video produced to guilt you into clicking that donation button. Get out and see the world through your own eyes and your own experiences rather than through the lies and deception of others on the internet who want to control how you think.

In 2013 resolve to make a difference by learning the facts before clicking that donation button. 

Verify the organization you are about to financially support actually uses your hard earned money for the cause they claim to help before allowing that twisted information, sad song laced video to short-circuit your common sense. 

Make 2013 the year contributions count!

Charity ratings?

Found a very interesting article in the USA Today – Enjoy!

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2012/12/27/better-business-bureau-charity-ratings-donations/1636957/

Let us give and share - then reclaim what is ours!

Four years ago I spent Thanksgiving flying to Chicago to finalize some business matters with my attorney. Once our meeting was finished I decided to have a rather un-traditional holiday meal at the Cracker Barrel that was across the street from my hotel. It had been a long trip and I was missing my wife and my greyhounds (in addition to our family Thanksgiving feast) and I venture to guess I looked a bit forlorn while eating my dinner. When it came time to pay my check the waiter informed me that a family who had been at the table next to mine felt sorry that I was by myself and paid for my meal.

 

As we look to the dawn of 2013, may I ask you for 2 simple favors?

First ~ do something kind  for a stranger.

Then after you have helped your fellow man, let us come together and take back the discussions and debates regarding the welfare of greyhounds and get the facts to the forefront. Time is running short for those of us who are true champions of the greyhounds to reclaim the word "humane" from those who work to destroy this pure and noble breed.

 

When it matters - they remain silent?

Care In a recent article about the Affordable Care Act it was noted that Veterinarian costs will increase for those of us with pets as vets are using many technologies that are also found in human heath care. While this is a hot button item, I am only bringing it up because I have one question:

Where were these self-labeled “Humane/Protectors/Lobbyist/Speak for the dogs” organizations during the Affordable Care Act debate? 

If they are truly in it for the dogs, they would have jumped in to offer sound advice on the bill on behalf of those of us involved in animal welfare but from what I can see they remained silent. One would guess that participating in something to inform pet owners of  impacts of a real item of debate would have not brought in enough donations nor offered trips to far off destinations.

A child and his broken record!

This review was posted by a supporter of the dog racing industry and is not factually accurate

This review was posted by a supporter of the dog racing industry and is not factually accurate

This review was posted by a supporter of the dog racing industry and is not factually accurate

Time to end the broken record – How about opening up the books for public inspection – it’s the public’s money after all! 

No speaking DOG here!

So yesterday evening it was treat time. I looked at the pups and asked do you want world peace or a treat…………You guessed it not a peep…………no speaking dogs.

So real world experience tells me that individuals or organizations claiming to know what greyhounds are thinking or saying or wish for or have a spokesdoggie are nothing but a bunch of malarkey!

Humane?

Have you noticed that some organizations have to shout from the rooftops about being “Humane”? As actions speak louder than words, why don't these organizations  just let their actions do the speaking? 

Perhaps it is because their actions say less about “humane” and more about individuals who work to intimidate the public and put a humanistic perception on animals to overcompensate for their dislike of their fellow man as a free thinking individual.

If you can’t respect mankind – you can’t respect the animal kingdom.

Humanizing the animals does not make you Humane!

Greyhound tracks have employees. A “humane” member of a "humane" organization has taken numerous opportunities to ridicule these working individuals. This “humane” individual has never taken the time to get to know the people working the track, many of whom are working the job to supplement income while for others it is their only source of income to support their family.

Is it "humane" to do everything in your power to make sure a human is put out on the street with no income, food or shelter?

The real humane movement is those of us who can equally care for our fellow man and respect the animal kingdom for what it is and morally and legally do what we can to make life better for both.

Rory and Betty Z - TGP

The eyes tell the story

Anyone who has a dog fully understands the connection between human and canine. I see it every day with my own greyhounds – the way they look at myself or my wife, the connection they have between us, the lack of fear they have with us, the excitement they have when seeing us...even if we've been gone 5 minutes to get the mail.

Yesterday evening I spent some time in several race kennels.  I made a point to pay very close attention to the eyes and facial expressions of the greyhounds. If you believe that eyes are the window to the soul, then you will be pleased to know that the race kennel greyhounds I visited last night had the same connections with their trainers that I have with my pet greyhounds.

**The writing of this blog was done without harming any copyrights**

Respect the Dogs

A few days ago as I was sitting in the office yard enjoying the Arizona "winter" weather, one of  my greyhounds came by and immediately grabbed a bit of dog poop and woofed it down. I instantly recalled all the debates regarding 4-D meat over the years and wondered if what Olga just ate was fit for human consumption? 

Of course not! Yet some individuals, who are more than eager to attempt to destroy the livelihoods of law abiding citizens with smear campaigns, claim 4-D meat is not fit for human consumption and should not be fed to dogs.

Hummm...screeching breaks here! 

If the argument is that 4-D meat is not fit for human consumption and should not be given to dogs – just one question – should any attention be given to individuals or organizations that are unable to distinguish between a human and canine?

Now while I have not personally witnessed any dog poop piles marked "Not Fit For Human Consumption", I’m pretty sure it is safe to say it is unfit for human consumption. If anyone out there would like to chow down on a bit of Poop and prove me wrong, go right ahead. In the same vein, many medications that are formulated for our pets are clearly marked for animal (or specifically dog, cat, etc.) use only. Animal medication is not fit for human consumption. 

Canines, no matter what breed they are, can and do consume things that are not fit for human consumption. It is their nature. I love my dogs with every fiber of my being, but my dogs are not human.

Perhaps individuals and organizations that do not understand the nature of a canine should not be given the label of "protectors" if they do not realize that a dog must be respected for the species that it is and not be turned into something that it is not.

Something from the past - great time with GPA

http://www.agcouncil.com/content/rory-goree-retires-after-17-years-gpa-helm

RORY GOREE RETIRES AFTER 17 YEARS AT GPA HELM

Submitted by agc on Sun, 04/10/2011 - 19:24

 

After 17 years with Greyhound Pets of America (GPA), ten of them as the organization’s President, long-time adoption leader Rory Goree retired from that position on April 1.

 

Goree, a U.S. Navy veteran, led GPA through a period of exceptional growth. Under his leadership, the organization added dozens of local chapters and placed thousands of retired greyhounds in adoptive homes.

 

Although Goree will no longer be involved in GPA, he plans to continue working on greyhound welfare issues nationally and internationally.

 

“Greyhounds will always be an important part of my life’s work,” he said. “But I guess it’s time for another adventure.” He expressed appreciation to the officers and volunteers of GPA, saying “it’s been a blessing” to work with them.

 

AGC Communications Coordinator Gary Guccione said Goree has been an exceptionally dedicated greyhound welfare advocate, establishing GPA as a national adoption leader with a dedicated army of local volunteers scattered all across the U.S.

 

“Rory should be extremely proud of the countless greyhounds that have enjoyed a better life due to his service,” Guccione said. “We wish him the very best in his future efforts, and look forward to working with GPA's new leadership in the coming months and years."

 

Goree has been succeeded by current GPA Vice President Jim Shofstahl.