Thursday, May 14, 2020

What’s Important?


Keyboard warriors.

You know the type - those who think they know best, know everything, have mastered all things greyhound racing in 3 short years.  Those who have been on a tangent to rid the greyhound community of good homes for ex-racers based on the social media post of someone they have never met. The keyboard warriors feel being pro-racing makes them experts in all things greyhound racing and adoption since the dawn of time.

Not very long ago the racing industry and the adoption world respected each other's field and boundaries. Everyone focused on their expertise and met in the middle to work together - especially in the time of crisis - and knew the importance of a good home for each ex-racer.

Today's keyboard warriors pontificate that potential greyhound adopters should disclose their personal opinions regarding racing. Today's keyboard warrior’s witch-hunt any adopter who dares to use a word or phrase said warriors don't like. Today's keyboard warriors act as if they and only they are qualified to determine what adoption groups should receive dogs and what individuals should be allowed to adopt.

I for one firmly believe that if a group is placing ex-racing greyhounds into homes where the greyhound will be loved, respected and become a part of the family then guess what, that is WHAT’S IMPORTANT!

I for one firmly believe everyone has a right to their personal opinions on racing however a personal opinion on racing seldom has any bearing on the level of love, care and pride that an adopter gives their greyhound. Today's keyboard warriors often present themselves as never having had a misstep with any greyhound they have ever adopted nor are they able offer their brand of guidance without vilification to anyone who is of a different mindset.

I for one will not let a list dictate my goal of finding greyhounds loving homes, and in reality, the worst thing that happened to greyhound adoption was the creation of all these "approved" lists. When racing makes adoption lists and adoption makes racing stance their criteria for a good home while knowing some in racing have and will continue to send dogs to those that the keyboard warriors condemn, it is the ex-racing greyhound who will get lost in the equation.

That’s my opinion and that’s what is important to me…..the greyhounds.



1 comment:

  1. I must admit I came over here fully intending to mock what Rory had written because, well that's what I do. Been doing it for ten years or more. But when I read the post my first thought was Holy Cow, who wrote this? Couldn't be Rory. I went back and read it again paying attention to the style and it became clear to me that Rory had written the post. It's like he was writing one of my posts. I volunteered with several adoption groups over the years that were perfectly acceptable agencies who took greyhounds until one day they weren't (still aren't) for no other reason than the industry got its knickers in a twist and decided to take it out of someone, namely groups they didn't agree with. I've often said, whether pro or anti the one thing we can agree on is greyhounds make wonderful pets and we could work together to spread that news to the world.

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