Facts First................

The worst mistake of first contact, made throughout history by individuals on both sides of every new encounter, has been the unfortunate habit of making assumptions. It often proved fatal.

~David Brin

Some thoughts on Truth

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth. ~ Buddha

Some people think that the truth can be hidden with a little cover-up and decoration. But as time goes by, what is true is revealed, and what is fake fades away. ~ Ismail Haniyeh

All truths are easy to understand, once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. ~ Galileo

Truth is generally the best vindication against slander. ~ Abraham Lincoln

Never Mind Me….I’m pro………………………..

I'm amazed at the things people will get all worked up about. 

Did you see so and so speaking to so and so???!!!??? 

Did you see so and so walking around???!!!???

How dare so and so be here!!!

People who use their time pot stirring about things they don't know the full story about then blast their "facts" on the Internet may just be French models.

Why the need to yell when you don't have the facts? Why the need to worry what others might be doing or who they might be speaking with? Why the desire to be the greyhound event wrangler, keeping people separated? 

I always thought it was about the dogs. You remember the greyhounds, don't you?

The ex-racing dogs that you adopt and care for and hold close to your heart.

So there is no misrepresentation of the facts, while at a greyhound event this weekend I spoke with a whole bunch of people. People who love greyhounds, I dared to speak with people who love whippets, Italian greyhounds, Scottish deerhounds, Spanish galgos, Russian wolfhound, Chinese crested and yellow labs. I spoke with those of different political affiliations and religions. I spoke with people who live in other states and other countries.  And yes, I even spoke with those who feel differently about greyhound racing than I do. I spoke with individuals who I’ve had disagreements with in the past and even drew lines in the sand because of it.

Boy Howdy!! Call out the internet police!!!! 

In almost 20 years in the greyhound community I never realized that talking to someone is a bad thing. Is talking to others not how we enact change, how we meet in the middle and how we come to an understanding that we can all agree upon?

Well if I’m a bad person for speaking with others then I wear that badge with pride!

I’ve spoken about the sins of “humane advocate protectors” in the past, but since there are Internet talking heads who present themselves as so righteous, now might be a good time to remind those who consider themselves to be pro-racing that the pro-racing side needs to cleanse its ranks of those who advocate violence, slander & cyber bullying. When the pro-racing side has individuals trashing adoption group booths, looking to slash tires of people they do not agree with and dictating who can talk to whom then the pro-racing side is no better than the “humane advocate protectors".

What am I? 

I am and always will be pro-greyhound and will strive to do what I feel is best for the greyhounds. 

I will not stoop to the hissing and hooting of the Internet nor will I condone the actions of those who break the law.

Be not afraid to attend a greyhound event. Meet and speak to others. You may not agree with everyone you meet or everything you hear, but you will learn and grow. And hopefully you will always remember to do what is in your heart as well as your head regarding the ex-racing greyhound based on your own experiences and not be an Internet minion.

Time is long over due for a "humane advocate protector" to be suspended without pay!

NBC News suspended someone without pay for making a false statement………will the BOD of a very hateful “humane advocate protector” organization do the same? The leader was caught lying about a particular incident and we know it was a lie because court documents (which the person thought would never see the light of day) show the statements he/she has made to be a big lie!

I doubt the BOD will do anything as they have been hand picked to be nothing more than yes men/women, they have no control of paid staff and zero interest in the truth and want nothing more than the destruction of the greyhound breed.

Time keeps on ticking……..

Another year has passed and not even a “I’m sorry” nor a “we will clean up our act and act appropriately” from the “humane advocate protectors”!

Greyhound Gate – published  June 2013

Greyhound Gate - The sins of the "humane advocate protectors"

Information the “humane advocate protectors” will not tell you about – Equine and Canine Drug Testing

Horse and Dog Drug Testing – Arizona – Source Arizona Department of Racing FY 2014 Annual Report

Horse Drug Testing                                   FY2012              FY2013        FY2014

Number total equine drug test                   1998                  1951              1910

Number positive equine drug tests            72                       50                 28

Percent positive equine drug tests             3.60%                 2.56%          1.47%

Dog Drug Testing                                      FY2012                FY2013        FY2014

Number total canine drug tests                  2130                     2118             2624

Number positive canine drug tests             10                         8                    2

Percent positive canine drug tests              0.47%                   0.38%           0.08%

Bark it up a Notch............

In one state, 50% of the politicians running for office that accepted awards from “humane advocate protectors" with ties to domestic terrorism organizations were defeated last night. 

Sadly this is no time to celebrate because 50% of the politicians that support the “humane advocate protectors" with ties to domestic terrorism organizations were reelected and will be taking an oath to defend and protect the constitution from enemies foreign and domestic while they continue to sit on the bandwagon of and accept awards from organizations with ties to domestic terrorists.

I whole heartedly applauded the efforts of those unorganized, ragtag individuals who spoke up to expose the hypocrisy of those in the political arena who continue to support, listen to, follow and/or be manipulated by people and groups with documented associations to domestic terrorists.

With no paid lobbyists, no fund raising campaigns or auctions, zero money, but a true love of the racing greyhound they made their voices heard. The time has come for everyone who has ever loved, cared for or adopted a greyhound to work together. It is time for all those in the greyhound welfare/greyhound racing movement put personal animosity aside, ignore political agendas, check their egos at the door and come together for the common cause ~ the preservation of the racing greyhound breed and the continuation of racing done right. It is time to allow those who are most qualified to win the war fight it. This is not a contest for the most likes on Facebook or how many fake names can be gathered on an online petition. This is not a popularity contest for which state has the most social media pretty faces. If all states do not come together for the common goal, then no state will be victorious.

Ask yourself if the fate of your job, your sole source of income, your chosen profession should be given to those who are interested in yearly paychecks and make decisions based on the expectancy of a yearly paycheck for lobbying efforts

The time has come for everyone to stop being reactive to the antics of the "humane advocate protectors" and start being proactive. To be leaders in the care and overseeing of the racing greyhound. Make a plan for the future of yourselves, your industry and your greyhounds. Greyhound racing, greyhound care, greyhound adoption and the noble breed of the racing greyhound should be continued and preserved in the highest standards, with the love, care and safety of the greyhounds as the prime concern.

It Starts At Home....................

13 years ago yesterday the hero’s on Flight 93 did what they could in the war on terrorism in the US. Since that time, organizations and people associated with “domestic terrorist” groups have had unfettered access to politicians and have been driving bills and legislation. It is unfortunate that we have allowed ourselves to back slide after so many have given their lives since 9-11 to protect the rights of US citizens. In honor of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice it is time replace all legislators who have granted access to people and organizations with ties to domestic terrorism.

It starts at home and until we rid ourselves of those with that love to use hate and fear to dictate our lives we will never win the war against these evil doers!

Let’s roll and start voting out those legislative members that have gotten into bed with individuals and organizations with ties to domestic terrorist groups, like the Animal Liberation Front or honored in their "Hall of Fame".

The only way we as a nation will win the war on terror is if we remove the hate, fear and destruction these individuals and organizations cause right here at home!

I for one will never forget and will never vote for nor support a legislature or candidate that has allowed unfettered access to people and organizations with direct connections to domestic terrorists such as the Animal Liberation Front. Always take that extra step to inform yourself about the candidates you are voting for.

The Greed Bucket Challenge..............

Here is a challenge for the greyhounds -

The Humane Society of the United States has been challenged to donate 50% of the money they raise to local shelters instead of the 1% they have been contributing. So far this challenge has gone 1,552 plus days without being accepted.

http://www.humanewatch.org/50-percent-pledge/

Why do “humane advocate protectors” want to horde the money for themselves instead of using it for the actual animals that they use in their ads that generate the donations?

The greyhound world has its own “humane advocate protectors" that use greyhounds and photographs of greyhound for personal profit. Right now “humane advocate protectors” are using a photo of a greyhound from a very tragic situation that happened in 2010 and a donate button is clearly labeled so that the reader can send money to help greyhounds. Unfortunately money donated to these “humane advocate protectors” has very little chance of helping a single greyhound; instead it is used to fund the personal lifestyles of hate filled “humane advocate protectors”. 

Here is a challenge which I predict will never be accepted. I challenge the “humane advocate protectors” to donate every penny they raise from this current grab-for-cash and give 100% of it to the adoption groups that actually volunteered to help the dogs from the 2010 incident. Greyhound adoption groups are truly the ones that help greyhounds both physically and financially every day of the year. Unpaid leaders and volunteers of greyhound adoption groups don't get the perks of many “humane advocate protectors" who use their donations for salaries, trips and other unidentified miscellaneous expenses.    

So I challenge the "humane advocate protectors" that to date have only given 2% or less of the cash raised to the greyhounds to end the greed and return the money to the groups that will actually use it to help greyhounds.

Jump Start Throw Back Thursday……..

With the little hubbub being created about 4d meat by folks who would prefer that dogs and cats be fed a very dangerous “vegan” diet, I thought now would be a perfect time to revisit:

Respect The Dogs

Enjoy

Dogs are Carnivores……….

I wonder if there is documentation to show how many dogs have died from being fed a vegan diet. I wonder how many dogs have had lives cut short by being treated with vegan therapy. 

Those "humane advocate protectors" who cast stones at individuals and industries who feed dogs a healthy, natural diet yet feed their own with vegan diets, and treat ailments with vegan therapy should be the last ones to cast any stones.

Think about all the things that may be fine for humans but are deadly to our pets.
Dogs may be amazingly adaptable in some ways but just because someone puts their pet on a vegan diet does not mean it is the best diet for them.

Next time you hear the “humane advocate protectors” letting stinkers fly about racing greyhounds being fed meat – ask them what they feed their own dogs!

Silly You Two..............

Link to Silly You:

http://rorygoree.blogspot.com/2014/07/silly-you.html

You just know I could not let this one slip by. 

Some “humane advocate protectors” think they are cute and oh-so-smart with their social media ramblings but most of what is floating around is purely made up silliness for the entire world to see.

I know many of you like myself just laugh when someone writes that they have (allegedly) been behind the scenes at tracks/farms/kennels and have seen in person how "terrible "the greyhounds are treated yet they fail to inform the world what they did about what they saw or what authorities they reported it to. If they saw a robbery taking place would they use their phone to post about it as their Facebook status rather than call the police?

A few years ago I visited a farm that was in horrible shape and the dogs covered in fleas and ticks. I and the others on site did not go out and complain on social media or to our friends about how we had witnessed something horrible. We did what was right and reported it to the appropriate state regulators. The state shut down the farm and the dogs went into adoption. Something that wrong was taken care of properly, quickly and correctly

So next time one of these blinded followers of an organization that was co-founded by an individual involved in unregulated dog racing and supports a group whose principal brokers the selling of U.S. Greyhounds overseas for racing and breeding, why don't you ask them “If you really saw something horrible what regulatory authority did you report it to? I’m guessing you will see a “humane advocate protector” supporter go silent as they did not report or document what they saw. 

The next time you see silly statements, ask the next question. Ask for the rest of the story. Ask for what the “humane advocate protector” did to help a greyhound they evaluated to be in dire straits. You may discover that to them it is really not all about the dogs but all about stirring the pot.

Be True, Be Real...............

One December when I was in kindergarten, Santa Claus arrived for our school Christmas party. I ran and hid under a table as soon as he walked in. The principal had to call my mom to ask her to come to school to coax me to come out from under the table. While I remember having a fear of Santa, as I got older I’ve come to realize even as a very young child I had a dislike of liars. My childhood cocoon had already been dashed with the truth that Santa was not real so I could not understand why someone was dressed up as a fake individual and trying to engage children.

In the greyhound world we have a lot of individuals, people on all sides with all views - pro-racing, anti racing and even those who just want to adopt a greyhound and will not get involved with debates or opinions. Most people, regardless of their personal opinion, respect those with differing opinions, especially
when people live a life of beliefs based on true convictions and actions. 

Unfortunately what prompts many to call shenanigans on the “anti-racing greyhound” movement are individuals claiming to be “anti-greyhound racing” yet ignoring facts  and pledging support and donation dollars to an organization touting itself as the flag ship of the “anti-greyhound racing” movement when from its conception one of the organization's co-founders is an individual who breeds dogs, judges dogs and races dogs in competitions that are unregulated by any city/county/state/country and are not required to compile or submit or report any information regarding the number of dogs injured in any capacity in these dog races. And certainly no one will voluntarily admit if and/or expose if there is any illegal gambling is taking place at these unregulated dog races. This organization also has an individual in its ranks that supports and volunteers with an adoption program whose founder brokers the selling of U.S.greyhounds for racing and breeding overseas.

I have said all along it's fine if you choose to be anti-racing. Just do it with true convictions and actions and be informed about the people you support and give donations to. Perhaps your first action should be removing the platforms of the “humane advocate protectors” who have lied yet continue to profit off of your beliefs.

If we can discuss with those of true convictions and actions, those who respect others both as individuals and with different views, imagine the positive work that could be achieved.

TGIF – A Boy And His Dog

Welcome to Friday, I thought this was a good blog to bring back – especially with the filth and nastiness that some organizations and individuals have been so proud of this week!

Enjoy – A Boy And His Dog

http://rorygoree.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-boy-and-his-dog.html

The silence remains the same – ”humane advocate protectors” afraid to tell the truth!

http://rorygoree.blogspot.com/2014/05/throwback-thursday-got-some-splainin-to.html

http://rorygoree.blogspot.com/2013/08/got-some-splainin-to-do.html

http://rorygoree.blogspot.com/2013/06/greyhound-gate.html

Ideology gone bad……………………

A “humane advocate protector”????

lhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/24/kitten-vegan-diet-nearly-dies_n_3644213.html

Imagine...............

Imagine

Remember how that word was tossed around by the “humane advocate protectors” movement years ago? 

Now imagine if the “humane advocate protectors” came across a picture on social media of an individual, in say the racing industry, doing something blatantly stupid with an animal. They’d be posting condemnation, starting petitions and of course asking for donations so that they could fund more fact finding vacations, personal hobby excursions, salaries and other perks all in the name of keeping animals safe.

Now why in the world are they remaining silent when one of their own did something blatantly stupid? Allowing a rescued animal to sit on their lap while driving and then taking a selfie to post on social media? What type of message is this sending? 

Certainly they are aware that driving with a dog on your lap can lead to a distraction that may cause an accident, injury or death.

Certainly they are aware that using a cell phone camera while driving can lead to a distraction that may cause an accident, injury or death.

While they abhor even the mention of the term "dog crate", certainly they must be aware that the safest place for a newly rescued dog would be in a crate in the back seat so that if there were an accident, the dog would not be crushed by the airbag while sitting in the lap of the driver.

Just how important would that selfie have been then?

One thing I will give the industry credit for – when someone did something stupid, the industry took care of it and often times the individual was banned from the industry. Do the “humane advocate protectors” censure and remove their own when found to have put an animal at risk? Or are they allowed to remain as a voice of the “humane advocate protectors”? Where is the accountability, transparency and for the safety of the dogs the “humane advocate protectors” have personal contact with? Where is their animal safety and welfare training? Why do they fail to find fault with themselves?

Imagine a world where those who abuse, mistreat animals - regardless if they claim to be "humane advocate protectors" - would follow the standards they demand of others.

Of course, the “humane advocate protectors” will rally and cry that none of this is true. A "humane advocate protector" was out doing good deeds and wanted to show the world. A "humane advocate protector" would never do anything stupid like drive with a dog on their lap or take a selfie while driving with a dog on their lap. They will of course say the photo was staged.

Fact or fiction? Actual photo or staged photo? Stupidity or heartstring tugger?

Imagine if we knew how many things circulated by the  "humane advocate protectors" are staged or twisted to be advantageous to their fundraising.

Look At Me………I’m so cool with a dog in my lap while driving……………..

I know many of you truly care about animals, but for those who claim to care yet do stupid things that put animals at risk:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2011/01/dog-car-travel-safety.html

Throwback Thursday - Got Some 'Splainin' To Do...................

Anyone else realize that it has been 8 months since "Got Some 'Splanin' To Do" was first posted and not a single answer from the “humane advocate protectors”? Why are they afraid to explain themselves? Does the explanation do them more harm than good – could truthful explanations cut off the cash flow they so desire for personal use? If the truth hurts them, then are they then not the ones who are harmful to greyhounds and the true greyhound adoption, welfare and advocacy movement?

Click link below for "Got Some 'Splaining' To Do.................." posted Aug 2013

http://rorygoree.blogspot.com/2013/08/got-some-splainin-to-do.html

*****UPDATE******
No the "humane advocate protectors" have not address the serious questions (after all telling the truth would expose them and cut off the cash flow) - but it has been brought to our attention that they now have another serious question to address:

And now they have to explain why their own, personal politician shot down the 3 point safety plan, and testified that the greyhound tracks were safe---after all these years of crying "cruelty!" "exploitation!", "abusive!"...could they sink any lower?

Really.............

If you listen to the “humane advocate protectors” (aka the ones who are constantly collecting money and dolling out paychecks, travelling around the world, handing out awards, enjoying perks) you would think they have struck the death blow to greyhound racing in one particular state. 

If you are anti-greyhound racing and have surrendered your hard earned cash to the “humane advocate protectors” hopefully you realize it is most likely spent to fund personal hobby excursions, travel in style, wine & dine and keep files more extensive than the NSA on anyone and everyone. However you may be shocked to know they actively supported a bill that expands the ability of greyhound racing revenue stream. And now that the bill they supported which expands the ability of greyhound racing to make money the “humane advocate protectors” have now informed the world that this law must be removed. (insert donation button here???)

I’ve been crisscrossing the country the last few weeks (on my own dime) and have heard those in the inner circle of the “humane advocate protectors” admit that particular individuals are only in it for the paycheck and have done nothing to help the anti-greyhound racing movement.

Is it not time for change when the inner circle of the movement is questioning the motives of the "humane advocate protectors"? Time for those who truly are against greyhound racing to stop bankrolling the “humane advocate protectors” gravy train and find new leadership? If the liars have been exposed and they have, why keep supporting them? The time has come that you reclaim the donations and either give it to local greyhound adoption programs or just continue supporting those wasting money on salaries & lobbyists, generating paperwork, expense accounts and maintaining secret files.

Till that day, many in the greyhound industry would like to give a big thank you to the “humane advocate protectors” who helped support and pass legislation that expands the ability of greyhound racing to make money and to those of you who support them – THANK YOU. The greyhound racing community couldn’t have done it without you! 

Till that day, the “humane advocate protectors” will continue to seek donations to support laws one year so that they can seek more donations the following year in order to "work" to have those laws repealed.

Till that day the money you donate supports a political lobby organization that spends more on themselves and not greyhound adoption.

Till that day, what you allow will continue!