Sunday Scribblings: #59 - Second Chance
I used Sammi as a subject for Sunday Scribblings #21 Greyhound's Voice. It is as it implies – the plight of the racer and salvation of adoption as seen through the eyes of our rescued dog. This is a reincarnation of a topic that pleas with animal lovers everywhere to offer greyhounds a second chance.
Most people are not familiar with greyhounds.
This is a greyhound:
More specifically, that is a retired racer.
Retired racers are rather docile and prefer to spend their days lounging about on anything soft. They will make themselves comfortable on your bed, your couch, a quilt you set on the floor for them, or a casually discarded article of clothing.
The average retired racer does not retire. Many kennels euthanize these animals. Disreputable kennels simply fire a single round into their skulls while the trusting dog stands there expecting food or a soothing word. Large batches are sold for laboratory experimentation (yes, dear Readers, they still take perfectly innocent and viable dogs and drop acidic chemicals into their eyes, flood their bodies with poisons, or mutilate them with stimulated cancers in order to ascertain whether or not we “Civilized” human beings have safe products to use.)
Autrice, you are being brutal!
Am I? Yes. One single paragraph to jolt your sensibilities is not nearly as painful as what many greyhounds endure. These dogs are seen as disposable. Their sole purpose is to make money; once their racing time is over, they are nothing but a drain on profit. Forgive me for being so blunt but I am an advocate for the abolishment of greyhound racing.
Save a life, dear Readers! Adopt a retired racer! You will find yourself the proud owner of a very noble pet whilst giving a greyhound a well-deserved second chance.
Please enjoy these pictures of our spoiled boy:
LINKS
US and International Adoption
Greyhound Adoption Program Adopt a Greyhound National Greyhound Adoption Program
Colorado Greyhound Adoption Virginia Greyhound Adoption
The Greyhound Rescue Society of Texas, IncGreyhound Rescue of New EnglandAdopt a Greyhound Greyhound Rescue in the UKLake Erie Greyhound RescueArizona Greyhound RescueThe Greyhound Adoption Center Greyhound Rescue of New YorkGreyhound Rescue AustinGreyhound Rescue and Adoptions of Tampa BayGreyHeart Greyhound Rescue and Adoption of MichiganGreyhound Pets of America Richmond VirginiaGreyhound Pets of America - RichmondFriends of Retired GreyhoundsGreyhound Rescue of IdahoGreyhound Rescue SocietyGreyhound Rescue WalesGreyhound Pets of America - Michigan ChapterFriends of Retired GreyhoundsRocky Mountain Greyhound Adoption, Inc.Greyhound Pets of America - WisconsinGreyhound Rescue and Rehabilitation OrganizationCentral Virginia GreyhoundsCarolina Greyhound ConnectionWings for GreyhoundsGreyhound Lovers of Hamilton-WentworthNational Greyhound Adoption ProgramGreyhound Rescue Foundation of TennesseeRacing Home Greyhound AdoptionArizona Greyhound Rescue
Wine Country Greyhound AdoptionPO Box 8490, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 (1-800-WC-GREYS)Colorado Greyhound AdoptionRecycled Racers Greyhound Adoption of ColoradoColorado Greyhound Companions, Inc.
Greyhound Racing Facts The Humane Society of the United States
Stop Greyhound Abuse - Signatures and Stop Greyhound Abuse Petition
Save The Greyhound Dogs! Inc.
Greyhound Neglect & Abuse (very shocking.)
Greyhound Abuse Media Cases (several links.)
13 responded with...:
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.
Sunday Scribblers: I do not normally ask this, but could you please take a moment to share the link to this article with fellow animal lovers? I am not looking for blog "hits"; knowledge is power and the person you send the link to might find interest in rescuing a retired racer (or they may know someone who might be.) There is also a petition link contained in the article and the more people who sign it, the better.
Please support your local animal rescue groups, ASPCA or shelter. You can donate newspapers, old blankets or towels, pet food, brushes, shampoos or other supplies. You can volunteer. You can foster. You can adopt.
Thank you, again.
~ Autrice
I love that you wrote about this for the 2nd chance topic.
I know several people who have adopted these beautiful and loving creatures and they are so much fun to be around!
They are the only ones who can keep up with my dogs at the dog park! To see them run around then "turn on the speed" is just a delight.
I love your photos of your sweet dog.
what a fabulous 'second chance' you gave your dog
thank you for sharing your story
Moving article. I thought the race were rather barbaric but I thought that mostly the dogs retired to a happier life afterwards...
I shall link this piece in my LiveJournal, where I know that a lot of my friends have a soft spot for animals.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog and leave a comment.
Nathalie
Animal experimentation should be banned for all except vital medical research and in that case it should be phased out as soon as possible. Your greyhound looks a lovely pet. Our rabbit came from a rescue too.
I like this thought provoking post. You have my mind racing..thanks.
Kudos to you for commenting on the subject of abuse of racing greyhounds. I recommend you read my website (www.gcnm.org) for more information on who is and is not advocating for the welfare of racing greyhounds (Go to Public Awareness on my site). Many so-called greyhound rescue/adoption groups are actually pro-racing. Greyhound Pets of America (GPA) has an agreement with the racing industry not to make any negative statements about racing. In exchange for their silence they get funding of various sorts from the racing industry. I'm sure you can see the problem with this....GPA is the best marketing tool the racing industry has. Improving the image of greyhound racing through avoidance of sensitive issues such as killing and horrific injuries of the racers is enabling the industry. Thank you for taking a stand on this "sport". There is nothing good about it. Abolishing racing is truly the only way to protect racing greyhounds from further abuses. Finding homes for greyhounds is only a band-aid approach to the problem. Even with 200+ greyhound adoption programs across the U.S., there are still tens of thousands of these dogs being destroyed each year.
Judy K. Paulsen, Founder
Greyhound Companions of New Mexico
I applaud you for what you're trying to do, for your passion, for what you've done. I'll gladly pass the link along. To live such a hard life only to be tossed away at the end is so bitterly sad. Thank you, really, for this.
How truly caring and most commendable. Bravo Autrice!
Autrice, This is truly a powerful post, especially with the addition of the comment from the lady with the New Mexico rescue organization (listed as anonymous but signed).
The photos of your "spoiled boy" are charming and make it more poignant.
I am not technologically adept enough to link your post to an email to my animal loving friends, but I do have some who have already adopted greyhounds and our Petsmarts here in Florida frequently have in-store greyhound adoption days.
Good luck with your crusade!!
Thank you to all those whom left a comment, and many thanks to those who emailed with information and support for greyt!hounds.
Judy Paulsen - I am in your debt. Your information is timely and I have passed it along to others.
Nathalie, I was shocked when I learned the truth behind the scenes. There are many good kennels out there which take the time to find adoptive families for the racers via agencies such as Judy's. Far too many simply do not care where the dogs end up.
Crafty, I do agree with you. In this day and age, we do not need to continue (ab)using living creatures.
I had no idea this was happening. They are really beautiful dogs, and hopefully your blog will make people more aware of the problem. Thanks for sharing!
Just so you know...
I have mailed a link to this page to Neil Gaiman. His blog gets LOAD of hits so if he were to post that link, the plea woud get a lot of coverage.
And if he does not post the link, at least HE would be aware of the dogs' sad retirement and might be moved to do something (he seems rather tender hearted).
Nathalie
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