Legacy……….

On January 4, Mr. Bruce Halle, founder of Discount Tire passed away. I had the privilege of working on a Discount Tire project a few years ago.  Two things were very obvious my first week on the contract.  When a customer called for help, you did whatever it took to take care of it and worked the problem through till resolution was complete. Corporate headquarters did not let those at the stores hang. Another refreshing observation was the friendliness found in the Discount Tire workplace. It was almost like everyone was family

Now remember I was not an employee of Discount Tire. During my time there I was just a faceless contractor hired to assist with an SAP implementation. One afternoon on my way back from lunch, I noticed an older gentleman walking towards the door I had just entered. I went back and I held the door open for the elderly gentleman. The gentleman looked at my badge and said "thank you, Rory". When I mentioned it to co-workers they remarked, oh you just met Mr. Halle. From that point on during the project, anytime Mr. Halle saw me he always greeted me by name. The founder set the standard for courtesy at Discount Tire.

During my time at Discount Tire, a local fellow greyhound adopter needed new tires. She had her greyhound with her when she dropped her car off at Discount Tire. It was during the summer months and for those of you who may not know, here in the valley of the sun temps are often over 100 degrees and it gets very toasty in a vehicle. Later that afternoon when she picked up her car, she did not see it in the Discount Tire parking lot.  Asking where her car was, the Discount Tire technician told her that the car was in another lot parked under a tree so it would be shaded and kept cooler for her greyhound. That is what Discount Tire employees do. They care about their customers.

Courtesy. Caring. Consideration. Doing your job well. Mr. Halle lived that from the day he started Discount Tire with very little money and 6 tires till the day he passed way as a 5-time billionaire. That is a legacy that is passed down from Mr. Halle to many who had the privilege to meet him or work for Discount Tire. 

Be nice, treat others as you would want to be treated and take care of customers. You do that and you will be successful.

We each need to ask ourselves - What will my legacy be? Will it be all about me? Or should we strive to be sure our legacy is what we have taught others and shown to others so that they can pass along kindness and service to others? 

When Is Sexual Predator "Kid Friendly"?

Currently in the greyhound adoption community there is a convicted child molester who is required by law to register for life as a sex offender due to the nature and severity of his crimes against two innocent children. The crimes were committed in the state of Wisconsin when this individual was in their mid-to-late 30's.

When arrested the individual who committed these most heinous of acts was in a position of respect and authority employed as a teacher. Anyone who has studied the patterns of child molesters knows they often seek positions of authority and respect in order to groom and lure their victims. Do you know that an individual with the legal requirement of lifetime sex offender registration who now presents themselves as a “greyhound event coordinator” is perceived by some in the greyhound community as "ok" and who protect/embrace/promote the individual claiming “It’s all about the greyhounds”?

According to Wisconsin, an individual is required to register as a sex offender so that the public is furnished with information regarding the convicted sex offender’s whereabouts. Providing this information is a critical step towards encouraging the public to develop constructive plans to prepare themselves and their families.

The following photo was taken at a greyhound event, designated on Facebook as being "kid friendly". Was the family in this picture alerted and/or given information that a convicted child molester who has life time sex offender registration requirements would or could be in attendance thus allowing parents to be alert and to develop constructive plans to prepare themselves and their families about an individual who is known to the event organizers prior to the event?

From this day forward, I will always be in possession of flyers with information on this convicted child molester who has lifetime sex offender registration so that if this individual is at an event that I’m attending where families with minor children and woman are in attendance, I will notify the event organizers and leave it to them as to how they inform those attending the event. I will also inform all woman and families with children that I am familiar with who may be in attendance of this individuals presence by handing them informational flyers so they can take steps towards being alert and shielding themselves, even if that means requesting their registration fees back due to not being told of the risk prior to walking in the door. My intent is not to deny the individual right of way however the protection of any and all children attending family friendly greyhound events and all women who in any capacity would be fearful of being in close proximity to an individual with lifetime sex offender registration is of great importance.

If this individual, this convicted child molester, this lifetime sex offender registrant feels their past, their present and their crimes should remain secret and hidden away then this individual needs to stay away from any and all greyhound related activities where women and children are present.

It is not only or all about our greyhounds. It is also about the women and the children of our greyhound adoption community who deserve to enjoy a greyhound event that they have paid registration to attend without fear or emotional stress, especially when the individual is known to the event organizers or could be the event organizer. 

It should be noted that the individual’s attorneys were informed of this fact in 2016. It is not unusual for the individual to hire attorneys in an attempt to silence and discredit those who present the facts. Also in 2016, the individual’s attorneys were informed that if the individual does not attend any greyhound events where small children are involved, or attending with their parents, there would be no reason to call his criminal history to the attention of others who are unaware of it.

We live in a world where victimization of children is sadly commonplace and such assaults will forever alter the lives of innocent children. It is for that reason that the Congress and state legislatures around the county have implemented reporting laws so that people with small children can be extra cautious around those who have histories as sexual predators.

As the picture obviously shows, children are present at greyhound events.

Is it not time to say enough is enough and unwelcome/unembraced/unsupport a known individual who molested children and has been trying to silence anyone who expresses concern for the welfare and wellbeing of all in our community?

Happy New Year’s: Duh Moment #3

Before you see duh moment #3 check out moments 1&2 

Another “duh” moment from the ones who claim to know all about the greyhounds…….Posted April 13th, 2016

“Duh” moment #2 (of many) from the “humane advocate protectors”……..Posted April 15th, 2016

It sure seems like the “humane advocate protectors” and friends have one thing in common – they lie and haven’t a clue what they are talking about. Scary thing is some politicians are not bright enough to know better and accept what this ilk spews and base legislation on the lies!

Save the greyhounds – ban the “humane advocate protectors” and friends from influencing any legislation because if they can't tell the difference between a whippet and a greyhound, how can they speak for the greyhounds?

It's not always all about the greyhounds...

Many of us for many years have been involved with the placing ex-racing greyhounds into loving homes. Every year people looking to adopt a pet choose ex-racing greyhounds and every year the ranks of adoption volunteers grows.  As a whole, greyhound adoption will be perceived not by how many greyhounds we place, but on whom we follow and who we allow to be present, admired or supported in our family friendly greyhound community. What we do, what we have done, what we allow lays the groundwork for what the next generation of greyhound lovers accept as gospel. An oft quoted phraseology "My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dog already thinks I am" is tempered with another – “Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful”.

Does an individual's involvement with greyhounds or greyhound adoption make the unacceptable acceptable? 

Let's say a sports figure who was involved in dog fighting became involved with greyhound adoption. Would the greyhound community put their blinders on and welcome this person with open arms? If some point in the future, say 25 or 30 years, a person who was convicted of animal abuse and or animal assault adopts a greyhound, will the greyhound community toss its collective hands in the air and with a shake of the head claim it is not an issue as the crime that a conviction resulted from happened so long ago? Or even worse, a nonchalant "hey it wasn't MY dog so I don't care"?

Yet there are members of the here & now greyhound community sending a distressing message to the world at large - don't abuse animals, but if you molest children it's no big deal.

What other explanation can there be for a convicted child molester who currently has lifetime sex offender registration to be admired and supported and embraced by those in the greyhound community?

This individual's presence leaves a bad impression on the greyhound community, especially as more and more families (and by that I mean with children ranging in age from newborn to 18) are welcoming greyhounds into their homes.  Registering, attending, vending at any event that is associated in any way with such an individual gives credence to the community that we as a whole could care less about children, women and victims of sexual assault and only care about the greyhounds. Continuing on in such a way in our community may well have a negative impact on the greyhounds.

Some may say this is political mudslinging. I call shenanigans on that. It is simply about good judgement and what is in the best interest not only for our greyhounds but for the humans that share their lives with greyhounds. 

I get contacted almost daily from victims in our community. If you think it is ok to continue to support a convicted child molester with lifetime sex offender by registration, attending, vending or paying registration fees (whether you attend or not) at one of this individual's events, think about this - you have most likely offended a dear friend or adoption associate in the greyhound community by showing support for a child molester and opened up very traumatic wounds or triggered flashbacks with your declarations of an event that happened years ago is not important today. 

Tomorrow I will share an open letter from an individual who is a victim of sexual assault that was posted on social media a few weeks ago. I was granted permission to share it and feel it is too important, too powerful and extremely insightful not to stand on its own. The pain sexual assault victims go through each and every day should be more than enough to make us all say – No more! I will not register, attend functions nor vend at any event sponsored by or coordinated by an individual who has lifetime sex offender registration resulting from a conviction of first degree sexual molestation of innocent children.

The character of our adoption programs, our events, and our vendors reflects on the whole. If just one member continues to support a person who has a requirement to register for life as a sex offender due to the sexual assault of children it will negatively impact our community thus impacting the greyhounds.

Some profess the mantra “it's all about the greyhounds” but for some who hide behind that phrase, it is not about the greyhounds at all.

Choices…………….

Did you know verbal assault is defined as?
•    Yelling
•    Lying
•    Name-calling
•    Insulting, swearing
•    Withholding important information
•    unreasonably ordering around
•    Telling a person she or he is worthless or nothing but trouble

Sounds very unprofessional, huh? Certainly not something that an individual running greyhound event would do to a greyhound adopter, right?

Recently I was contacted by someone in the greyhound community who posted the following on social media: 

“The other day, after receiving an email from the other Greyhound event taking place next week, I sent an email back to them with a few general questions: Who were the speakers? What was the schedule for the speakers? Who were some of the vendors? What adoption groups were benefiting from the event? I also wanted to know if it was a family event where children could attend and if a person with a lifetime registration as a sexual offender would be present. I asked these questions previously on their Facebook page and in response I was kicked off their page. I did get a response this time, before being removed from the mailing list.
I felt I should share it with you:”

The person who asked is a greyhound adopter and volunteer as well as someone who donates funds and time to both greyhound and animal causes. This person is also female and did state her name and email address in the inquiry to the organization that runs the greyhound event in question.

Now take a moment to carefully read the response that was sent to the woman by the organization that runs this family friendly greyhound event and who's president and "public face" is an individual who is a convicted child molester with lifetime sex offender registration: (please note -any and all spelling errors are left as they appeared in the original response)

"On Sep 29, 2016, at 6:05 PM, <admin@xxxx.org> <admin@xxxx.org> wrote:
Thank you for writing. It's rare to connect with such a hateful and ignorant person like you.
Not that you care, but we help greyhounds. We don't attack people or spread ignorance or hatred. Just not what we do.

We raise funds for greyhound adoption through holding greyhound events. We have run 18 successful events over the span of 11 years. We have raised over $100,000 for greyhound adoption. And we have done so with a perfect 100% safety record for all attendees. (Don't you hate facts like that? It's so hard to be ignorant!)
Now that said, because you are a selfish and ignorant troll, we know that none of these facts matters in the slightest to you.

So please, if you don't like our event or you don't like any of our volunteers or --what is more obvious -- you don't like yourself very much, please stay home. We won't miss you.
We have hundreds and hundreds of event goers who love greyhounds and support everything we're doing. So, please, crawl back under your bridge and spew your ignorance to those who will listen.

We don't care.
Good luck,
Admin"

Does anyone see a bit of irony that the "Admin" of an organization that runs family friendly greyhound events whose president is a convicted child molester with lifetime sex offender registration makes the statement…

"We don't attack people or spread ignorance or hatred."

Yet proceeds to call a woman in the greyhound community "a hateful and ignorant person" and "a selfish and ignorant troll" in addition to telling the woman “you don't like yourself very much" and to "crawl back under your bridge and spew your ignorance".

So much for this organization taking the high road and not verbally attacking someone, huh?

There are still people in the greyhound community who attend and/or vend and/or support a group and/or individual who authorizes their "Admin" to send out such a missive. Well, that is their right and I can only guess they are proud to continue to have ties to such an organization and such an individual. Now perhaps these attendees and vendors and supporters might be able to inform the rest of us in the greyhound community exactly what amounts and exactly where this "over $100,000" is documented and can be accounted for? My math could be off but 100K over 18 event comes out to a bit over $5000 per event and this amount is supposedly divided up to the adoption groups that assist this organization which runs family friendly greyhound events, claims not to attack people or spread ignorance or hatred and is run by an individual who has lifetime sex offender registration as a result of a conviction of sexual assaults to children.

As this organization only files a 990N with the IRS and no information is available via the normally used, trusted verification sites for not-for-profit organizations, many are in the dark about the expenditures and if they might be a bit over the top. If an organizations bills or expenses far exceeds what is actually donated to individual greyhound adoption groups, perhaps those in the greyhound community would be wiser to send their donations and event registration fee amount directly to a greyhound adoption group they support rather than run donations thru a 3rd party event planner who offers no full financial accounting that anyone has ever put forward.

"Don't you hate facts like that?"

Excuse #1 - They have paid their debt to society.

Many in the greyhound community say that a convicted child molester with lifetime sex offender registration has paid their debt to society and the individual's molestation of two innocent children was a long time ago. 

Actually the individual is still paying on that debt to society in the form of being required by law to register for life as a lifetime sex offender due to the sexual assault of two innocent children. And while not all child molesters are required to register for life, it is only those who commit the most serious assaults and who experts in the judicial system, law enforcement and child protective services believe to be a lifetime risk. If an individual is required to register for life as a sex offender, why are there some in the greyhound community who feel this is nothing to worry about?

Will board of directors of organizations, and in particular a board on which such an individual sits and who have personal responsibility for this individual, be warning all attendees and hosting establishments of such an individual's presence so that all attendees and hosting establishments at such events are given full disclosure, much the same as communities do when a registered sex offender moves into a city or town, in order to make attendees and local residents in the area aware of the liabilities and risks?

The excuse is moot. A debt to society is still owed and the community has a valid and existing reason to know about an individual that may be standing beside them and their families at family friendly greyhound events.

***If you liked this blog, you may want to also read this entry.***

http://rorygoree.blogspot.com/2016/04/before-you-hit-enter-key.html

Excuse #1 - They have paid their debt to society.

Many in the greyhound community say that a convicted child molester with lifetime sex offender registration has paid their debt to society and the individual's molestation of two innocent children was a long time ago. 

Actually the individual is still paying on that debt to society in the form of being required by law to register for life as a lifetime sex offender due to the sexual assault of two innocent children. And while not all child molesters are required to register for life, it is only those who commit the most serious assaults and who experts in the judicial system, law enforcement and child protective services believe to be a lifetime risk. If an individual is required to register for life as a sex offender, why are there some in the greyhound community who feel this is nothing to worry about?

Will board of directors of organizations, and in particular a board on which such an individual sits and who have personal responsibility for this individual, be warning all attendees and hosting establishments of such an individual's presence so that all attendees and hosting establishments at such events are given full disclosure, much the same as communities do when a registered sex offender moves into a city or town, in order to make attendees and local residents in the area aware of the liabilities and risks?

The excuse is moot. A debt to society is still owed and the community has a valid and existing reason to know about an individual that may be standing beside them and their families at family friendly greyhound events.

***If you liked this blog, you may want to also read this entry.***

http://rorygoree.blogspot.com/2016/04/before-you-hit-enter-key.html

Yesterday was Mother’s Day

Today is just another day.

Every day a mother’s child is a victim of sexual assault. Communities notify their residents when a sexual predator is in the area. National databases do their best to contain information about individuals who are registered sex offenders. Yet there could be a child molester who has lifetime sex offender registration within 50 feet of your child ~ at a family-friendly event, at a church, at a national park. People around you may already know and do not bat an eye as they feel if the pedophile has done their time there is no concern and feel no need to share the information because they feel your children are not at risk. Yet what mother is will knowingly allow their child to stand next to a pedophile, a convicted child molester, a lifetime registered sex offender? What mother would not be mortified to learn that the past of a convicted child molester was kept hush-hush by friends just so the party could go on?

Imagine how wonderful Mother’s Day would be if every mother knew that every child would never be the victim of sexual assault?

April is Greyhound Adoption Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Those of us in the greyhound community know that April is Greyhound Adoption Month, but many may not realize April is also Child Abuse Prevention Month (in addition to Sexual Assault Awareness Month).

Wouldn’t it be nice if along with showcasing our greyhounds we also stood up and rid our greyhound community of a convicted child molester with lifetime sex offender registration that lurks amongst us?

This individual who is looked upon by some as a person of importance and influence was arrested for molesting children ages 5 and 7, making them eat candy off his penis and doing things that caused vaginal bleeding.

The individual who did this to innocent children now calls the crimes rumor and innuendo in an effort to continue to run family friendly greyhound events. Many know the truth and have vowed never to attend any event he runs/charges registration fees for. It astounds me that the individual has supporters who parrot the lies. Is it for the donations and perks the individual offers the supporters? Do the supporters see nothing wrong with a convicted child molester with lifetime sex offender registration in close proximity to children?

I feel the time has come for all events to state if they are associated with or have zero association with the individual and if the the individual will or will not be at the event festivities. Why does a faction of the greyhound community turn a blind eye? Sadly, often time’s society fails to support the survivors and instead defend the abusers and minimize their actions.

I would hope that during this month the greyhound community stands up and demand that the actions of this individual are no longer trivialized or justified and insist the individual step away from greyhound related activities. We need to show those in our community, potential adopters and the towns that welcome greyhound events and attendees that we do not condone such actions against children and will do what is needed to provide safe, friendly events for our greyhound community.

The following excerpt is from “Predators: Pedophiles, Rapists, & Other Sex Offenders” by Anna Salter Ph.D. from interviews with convicted molesters & rapists on how predators groom a family:

“When a person like myself wants to obtain access to a child, you don’t just go up and get the child and sexually molest the child. There’s a process of obtaining the child’s friendship and, in my case also obtaining the family’s friendship and their trust. When you get their trust, that’s when the child becomes vulnerable and you can molest the child…”

Think about this - a person claims to be donating money & time to greyhound adoption, galgo adoption, dog hauls and running family friendly greyhound events could be someone that many would easily fall prey to because many falsely equate working with greyhounds as a saintly calling and could view an individual as important, as trustworthy, as a good person then...bam...the unthinkable could happen.

As we take the month of April to showcase the joy of greyhound adoption let us also show solidarity against child abuse. Let’s say goodbye to the one who is trying so desperately to build up trust with our families but is not facing the truth.

Less Drama - More Cold Hard Facts…….

We all know the “humane advocate protectors” like to make claims about injuries, cite accounted for greyhounds as missing, and even stories of removing greyhounds from track with their own hands yet they never ever follow up with any hard facts.

Many like to call them out as liars, yet when anyone connected to the racing industry could clearly expose the lies of the “humane advocate protectors” lying, there is silence. If we truly want the industry to survive, there should be no silence, no vague answers, no clamming up. If you have the cold hard facts, if you know the truth about something, if what you know will help a dog from being used as an anti-racing propaganda tool by the “humane advocate protectors” or ensure the safety of a greyhound or greyhounds and you can debunk the lies and end their charade, you need to step up and do the right thing.

When faced with the cold hard facts that cannot be disputed, the ongoing lies of the “humane advocate protectors” will crumble.

So when a “humane advocate protector” makes a claim about personally pulling a greyhound (or three) off a track, not only ask for further data but be ready to show that the “humane advocate protector” is not telling the truth with cold hard facts.

Pooping On Others

Ever consider that the candidate you feel is an idiot may be the candidate a friend supports? Would you walk up to friend and call them an idiot? Would you post a picture of your friend with dog pooping on them to get a laugh?

While I’m not a Trump supporter I have friends who are, friends who are in the greyhound community. I would never put a picture out of one of my greyhounds pooping on them or something they believe in or support. (actually I would never circulate a photo of one of my greyhounds pooping or vomiting as I feel it's degrading to the breed I love and respect)

Remember – not all of us believe and support the same things. That is no reason to go pooping on the views or political choices of others. And if you are going to go pooping on others, don’t hide behind a dog - show yourself in the photo pooping on others.

Why is Washington so dysfunctional? Well maybe it is because DC is mirroring society as a whole. A society that seems ok with pooping on others!  Poop is not the answer. It just ends up stinking. If we want to enact change we need to stop pooping on others and reach out, working together and realizing we will not agree on everything, 

If we work together with respect each other we will rid ourselves of the stench that surrounds us and enact that much needed change.

Shipmate

A few days ago someone asked me why I was such good friends with a particular individual. I responded that the particular individual is a shipmate.

Shipmates understand that while we may not be close, we may not be best of friends, we understand that we are a brotherhood/sisterhood of individuals who have come together for a common purpose/goal. We understand that we will support each other, and if we must, take over and continue the mission. We have a bond that even our darkest enemies can’t break.

Shipmates know that it’s not about the individual; it’s about a team working together to accomplish the mission. Shipmates know that change of command will take place.  Shipmates know that if one person is holding the team back we must either work to bring them up to speed or cut them loose.

I struggle with knowing the greyhound community is willing to prop up an individual who committed first degree sexual assault crimes against two young girls.

Some in the community insist the individual has paid their debt to society. That term is hogwash. It only means the person served time in jail/prison.  The two young girls, ages 5 and 7 at the time of the molestation, will always be victims until they draw their last breath. They will never be able to remove “victim” from their life. Their life has been forever damaged and the memories of being violated will never wash away. Should the perpetrator be allowed to wash their name clean of the label of “convicted child molester” when the victims will forever be haunted by the violations done to them?

It is time for the greyhound community to be a shipmate and cut loose those whose crimes will bring harm. It is time for the greyhound community to be a shipmate and stop placing those with a criminal past in positions of trust. It is time for the greyhound community to be a shipmate and no longer be enablers.

Perhaps it is time to reflect and ask yourself what type of misconduct was done and to whom that caused others in the greyhound community and outside the greyhound community to dig deeper into the past of an individual.

Perhaps it is time to reflect and ask yourself what you are willing to risk by swearing your support of a convicted child molester you honestly know nothing about.

Perhaps it is time to reflect and ask yourself is it right for an individual to use greyhounds as a prop to wash away their sins.

The only damage that will come to the greyhound community is damage from accepting and celebrating individuals such as this. The damage can be controlled by removing the sore from our community. Those that make the choice to stand by and with these individuals are enabling them to classify their crimes as irrelevant and render the innocent victims trivial and inconsequential.

To those young girls and to those who have received veiled threats or experienced misconduct and felt the need to dig a little deeper– I will be your shipmate!

Do we know us……………..

Years ago the greyhound adoption community adopted the home visit as a standard to learn about the home and family life first hand in order to ensure greyhounds were adopted into good, safe homes. In reality the concept of the home visit started because a group adopted dogs to a “home” only to find out later the “home” was not a home but was a bogus address.

As time has gone by, debate about adding additional checks (example: background check, financial check, etc.) to the home visit.

What have we done, or should do, to ensure the self-proclaimed hero’s, leaders, volunteers in our organizations are on the up & up? Do we do anything to ensure the individuals we give our dogs to are indeed the good individuals they say or perhaps we determine the quality of the individual by their Internet persona? 

Would you place a greyhound with an individual who has a history of using animals for dogfighting?

Is it wise to elect an individual in the position of group treasurer if they have been fired from jobs due to embezzlement?

Can someone with an unaddressed drinking problem truly be able to evaluate the personality of a greyhound?

Should a convicted child molester run meet and greets or have any participation in family friendly greyhound outings?

If individuals are drug tested as a requirement of their jobs, shouldn't those in the greyhound adoption community or non-profit advocates who receive a salary or draw a salary from donations also be drug tested?

Are there ways to improve the knowledge obtained prior to placing a greyhound with an individual?

Will new procedures be enacted to make sure group volunteers and leaders have no criminal backgrounds that would present a liability to a group or event?

How can you claim to truly know everyone you have never met that you friend in social media?

What risks are you willing to take with someone you do not know?

 

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

Quote of the day………..

There are many events in the womb of time, which will be delivered.

William Shakespeare

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.

Caring for Those Who Truly Care for the Greyhounds….

Yesterday (April 9) a tornado struck in Rochelle, Illinois totally destroying the home of a greyhound volunteer/adopter and one who has cared for her dogs and cats for years. Not only was her home destroyed, she lost a few of her pets in the tragedy.

The life of this greyhound lover has been turned upside down.  While we can’t undo the damage that was done by this tornado, we can help with the rebuilding process. 

A GoFundMe account has been set up for Emily Dickow. Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated. 

As a friend of Emily said ~ "Emily helps so many people and animals. She has such a huge heart"

gofundme for Emily

Thoughts and prayers with Emily and her family,

Rory

A new adopted greyhound.

Something I’ve done time and time again, yet every time it is just as exciting.  We arrived home last Saturday a little after 9pm and turned him loose in the yard.  Introductions with the rest of the pack took another 30+ minutes then it's into the house. As expected a new boy has got to find his way around the house and makes a few attempts to claim (mark) things as his own. No worries dude however it is your new home and really no need to mark a thing! 

By the time new guy and rest of pack settled down it is fast approaching 3 a.m.  The new guy was wide awake and looking for fun and playtime. One thing greyhounds know is a schedule! If the kennels workers are up at 4:30 a.m., you know newly adopted greyhound is going to be up at 4:30 a.m. Who wants to play? Your greyhound does!!! 

You may wonder if it difficult taking a dog straight off the track and bringing him into a new home? Nope, not a problem at all! Granted this is my 27th adopted greyhound so I've seen all sorts of situations. Thank goodness for greyhound adoption groups as for the first time adopter an ex-racer coming from directly from the track into a forever home might be a bit of a handful.  Now you many have heard all sorts of rumors about a greyhound's life at the track. Like being refrigerator deprived. Indeed these dogs have NEVER seen their reflections in a shiny black finished refrigerator. When they see their reflection in it for the first time, a newly adopted greyhound will no doubt stare in wonder at the good looking dog looking back at them. It is quite sad they have been refrigerator reflection deprived as I'm sure every other dog breed on the face of the earth has been brought up looking at their refrigerator reflection since birth.

All kidding aside, racing greyhounds do receive care and attention from those who handle them from birth thru adoption day. The fact that they are not deprived is just one of the reasons the ex-racing greyhound can adapt to a loving pet so easily. 

But what I have never been able to figure out is why have every one of my adopted ex-racers jumped up onto my king size bed within an hour of arriving in my home when I have never seen a fully made king size bed in any of the racing kennels? Hummm...

2014.............2015

As the year comes to a close, let's look back on just a few items that were brought to all of our attentions in 20014 regarding “humane advocate protectors”:

1.   A co-founder of a protection organization is involved in unregulated dog racing yet the protection organization seems only interested in destroying para-mutual greyhound racing industry and the racing greyhound as generations have known and loved the breed.

2.   A co-founder of a protection organization has not told the full story regarding an incident used time and again for what is perceived by many to be distortion of the truth and an easy way to garner donations for personal use and a political agenda.


3.  Several “humane advocate protectors" are unwilling to give their support to a safety bill for racing greyhounds which makes it perfectly clear that they have no interest in ensuring racing greyhounds receive the utmost safety and care during their racing careers.
      
I know many of you are tired of the “humane advocate protectors” selective prosecution of a whole industry, we are tired of them lying time and time again and all we ask for is the whole truth about them to be exposed since they will not tell the truth about themselves or the greyhounds!

What interesting truths about “humane advocate protectors" will come to light in 2015? Like they say, truth is stranger than fiction.

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%