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Dapper Doggos 🎩
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Robert recently won first place at pups in the parks best dressed event 🐾
He strutted his stuff around the arena and went home very pleased with himself with his blue ribbon and new prizes!
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Photo credit to Canines of Cork
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robert-the-greyhound · 10 months
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Love is like a wildflower garden, there’s all sorts of colours to be found 🌈
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Today is the last day of Pride Month, and what better way to mark it than a colourful rainbow of hounds in a rainbow wildflower garden! 🌸 Us Greyhounds come in all colours and sizes, and we don’t care who our humans love as long as they love us too! There’s no room for hate or bigotry in our Rescue Hound Pack (unless it’s hating Greyhound Racing of course! ❌)!
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We hope everyone had a joyous Pride Month! Stay Loud and Proud 🌈
#ImageDescription: Robert the Greyhound (fawn/blonde) stands beside Molly (brindle) and Ned (Black) the Greyhounds wearing anti-racing vests and rainbow bandanas in a wildflower garden.
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Happy Easter from our Household to Yours 🐣
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Boo! 👻
Doing a Heckin Spook this Howl-O-Ween Season! 🎃
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“You can’t force a Dog to Run”
That is a sentence used by practically every pro-greyhound racing supporter at some stage during any greyhound racing argument. And there’s a kernel of truth there, you can’t stop a dog from running, and Greyhound do indeed love to run and have a genetic instinct to chase. But what happens when the dog doesn’t want to run?
This is Greyhound “Songful Bird”. She is 23 months old, born and bred in Ireland, exported and racing in the UK. Whilst being loaded into Trap Two at Kinsley Greyhound Track, Songful Bird very clearly did not want to enter the box and struggled to get away from the steward/handler. She made a break from the box but was pinned to the ground by Four grown men and roughly manhandled back into the trap. Upon leaving the box, she veers dramatically across the track, almost clipping another dog and endangering the rest with her erratic running pattern. This is not a dog running for fun, but a dog, panicked and running in fear.
Songful Bird very clearly did not want to race at this occasion, and despite her attempt to flee, was forced into a situation where she was distressed, roughly handled and potentially suffered physically injury but the grown man falling ontop of her or the resulting blind panic run away from her aggressors. The race should have been stopped at the first sign of issue, or the very least, Songful Bird should have been pulled from the running. But the bookmakers were already set up and ready, and for them, the show must go on.
Very telling that none of the stewards present felt anything was wrong forcefully shoving the dog into the trap, and that neither a track vet or welfare officer stepped in at any point to remove the clearly distressed dog from the situation. If welfare was truly at the heart of Greyhound Racing, Songful Bird would not have been put through this abuse.
If you love Dogs, Dont Support Greyhound Racing.
TW: #AnimalAbuse, #DogAbuse, #PhysicalManhandling, #DogNeglect, #DistressedAnimal, #DistressedDog
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You have been ✨Booped✨
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Fifty Shades Of GreyHOUND 💕
The Rescue Hound met up for a Valentines Themed Walk ❤️ Spreading love and licks everywhere they go, showing off just how GREYT Greyhounds are as Pets! What’s not to love about Greyhounds? 💕
Greyhounds are;
Laid Back and Easy Going; known as the 45km/hr couch potatoes!
Great for households with limited mobility; 2 twenty minute strolls a day and they are happy out!
Relatively low shedders compared to other breeds; lack of oils in the coat make for low odour too!
Not big barkers, though the GSOD is something to be aware of!
Big Dog, Small Space Requirements; Greyhounds restful nature makes them fabulous apartment pets!
Wonderful wardrobe; Due to their delicate skin and low body fat, Greyhounds feel the cold, so dressing them in all manner of colourful coats and cosy pjs is necessary and vibrant!
Foodie Furiends; Greys are known for their foodie nature, enjoying human goodies like puppaccinos, toast, snossidges and more, No fussy hounds here!
Wacky weirdos; Greyhounds are full of quirks, from roaching to docking, roping to chittering, the breed really does have something special about it!
So what are you waiting for? Add some love to your life and adopt a Greyhound!
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It takes more than just beauty sleep to look this good! 🙈
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I seem to have ✨Misplaced✨ my Ears….
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Why do they look like they about to drop the hottest album of the summer 😂
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Free Greyhound Kisses! 😘
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Hello Tumblr! 🐾
Rescue Greyhound Robert has finally gotten around to joining Tumblr! 🐾
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The Aftermath; Rising of the People.
The airing of "Greyhounds, Running for their Lives" was a real turning point for Greyhound Welfare Activists in Ireland. It was a literal key to a locked door we had been trying to pick with a hairpin for years. It brought to light the dark underbelly of the Greyhound Racing and Coursing Industries on a national viewing platform. Finally, the world REALLY saw the Truth.
I remember my mother calling me the day after. She was very upset, and said she had to turn the last part off due to the incredibly distressing images and videos. My mother has always been a rather sensitive soul when it comes to Animals. She'll watch a horror or slasher film where guts and blood fly but changes channel when Bondi Vet comes on as she doesn't have the stomach for it. But after watching two parts of the documentary, she was truly shaken at what was happening in this country and abroad, all off the back of her taxpayer money. I remember her saying how she had listened to me and my rants but more-so in a "that's nice honey" kind of way. Seeing everything I'd claimed on the national broadcaster platform really brought to light all the information I had previously shared.
She wasn't the only family member to reach out. Having moved across the country from my extended family years prior, I was very much outside the loop of family chattering. But uncles, aunts, cousin's, they all sent messages or called to chat about the Documentary, ask after Robert and ask what THEY as individuals could do to help. And they weren't the only ones.
Messages FLOODED into the Greyhound Awareness Cork Pages, as well as Roberts personal social media. Outraged citizens wanted to know what they could do to help. At first, we didn't really know what exactly to tell these people, messaging in their hundreds. It was like a dam had broken and flooded our little River valley of awareness events and protests. Now instead of a handful of dedicated Greyhound Activists, we had half of Cork looking to lend their voice to the voiceless!
So we organised a Rally. A march through Cork City Centre. A demonstration that we, the people, are ANGRY and won't stand for the continued systemic abuse and neglect of Irish Greyhounds.
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The day of the March was incredible. Arriving on Grand Parade to see hundreds of people standing where previously only a dozen had was breath-taking. Seeing dozens of rescued greyhounds where before we were lucky to have three or four was likewise inspiring, though it once again drew to light the reality of just how few greyhounds made it out of the industry into loving homes.
Robert and I were invited to lead the way, alongside fellow greyhound advocates and rescue hounds Farloe, Molly and Cooper. There was a short speech to begin before we marched, moving up Grand Parade, down Oliver Plunkett Street and back up Patrick's Street. People stopped their shopping and joined us, or leant their support vocally, joining the chants of "There's No Excuse for Greyhound Abuse" or "You Bet, They Die". The support was truly incredible.
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The one thing I remember clearly that surprised me at the time was the raw emotion. Animal cruelty always seems to strike a chord with people, but having been speaking up for Greyhounds and aware of these issues for so long before they were made public, I had started to become a little numb. There was always another case of horrific abuse. Another death on the track. Another rescue begging for help for the "take them or ill get rid of them hounds". Another dog turning up in Spain, Pakistan or China. Always more abuse, death and neglect. But standing in Cork City Centre, my best fur-iend Robert by my side, surrounded by hundreds of people yelling their support for the cause, I actually felt emotional.
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The March for Greyhounds through Cork City harnessed the new found limelight brought about by the RTE documentary and the the industry and the movement even further into the public eye. There were multiple photographers trailing along the march, photographing the event. Likewise, there were news reporters, recording and streaming the march, taking interviews and asking everyone and anyone for a comment. The answers were all the same; We are here for the Dogs. The thousands of Greyhounds culled annually in pursuit of profit. The 6000 innocent lives lost every year. We are here, and our demands are clear- We want an end to the abuse of Greyhounds on the back of our taxpayer money.
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The march went smoothly, with little to no hassle outside of a few snide comments from pro-racing passers-by. The morning after, our story and mission was the headline for every local paper. Photos and videos of the march were all over social media. It was a resounding success. Our first BIG event had worked out perfectly, raising awareness and pushing for an end of the plight of greyhounds.
Even the day after the march, the messages kept coming in. The public were riled up and people wanted to know what else they could do. Writing letters to local reps didn’t seem to satisfy that itch. Sharing information on social media didn't feel personal enough. People wanted to physically go out and protest, so that's what we did. We organized another trackside protest. And the turnout was phenomenal.
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Previous trackside protests had been a few dozen people at a push, with a handful of dogs if the weather allowed. Now it was a highly organised event, needing high vis jackets and a team of organisers, the whole of GAC was run ragged keeping everyone in check.
That protest was an emotional one, and one of the only times we changed from a silent protest to a vocal one. It was better to organize the outrage into a single cry than try and corral the outbursts. There’s always one or two that get too riled up and start yelling “scum” or trying to spit back at those driving into the track, those few individuals who get so emotionally charged they lose sight of the end goal of a peaceful protest and lash out instead for some immediate satisfaction. To prevent said outbursts, we organized into a single cry “there’s no excuse for greyhound abuse”. Pauline McLynn once again joined us, giving a short speech which I streamed Live on Roberts Instagram for another hundred or so viewers. The support really was incredible.
And it didn’t stop there. After the initial outrage and flood of support had broken the dam, a steady river of messages and requests came in, and so began what I can only describe as the Greyhounds summer tour of Cork.
TW: #Animal Abuse #Animal Death #Dog Abuse, #Dog Death, #Drugs, #Animal Rights, #Protest
Photo Credit: Karl Kachmarksy
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~Muzzle up Pup~
The day I adopted Robert, the rescue recommended a number of things. One of those was a muzzle. They stressed the importance of muzzling so much that we quite literally left the rescue centre to head directly to the nearest greyhound supply store to buy one. We opted for a bright blue one, something that took the edge off that "scary dog" stigma associated with muzzles.
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Robert showed little to no signs of aggression towards other dogs. When small dogs ran across the field, his ears would perk and he would watch them with interest but kept his cool. Birds were likewise ignored, the city centre pigeons were nothing more than ornaments to him. We didn't meet many cats, but like small dogs, they were ignored unless they ran, and even then, there was no mad rush to chase them. All the same, I knew that instinct was there, and had been built upon by his years in the Coursing industry. Until I was confident that he viewed other dogs only as friends and not food, for everyone's safety, he would be muzzled. He was well used to wearing a muzzle, having likely been wearing one on and off all his life, so they never really bothered him.
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What bothered me though, was people's reactions to his muzzle. People crossed the street to avoid him, or made comments about him being an aggressive, bloodthirsty dog. Others told me I was a lazy owner, slapping a muzzle on my problem dog instead of training him. One woman told me my dog needed rescuing from me if I was going to muzzle him all the time. I knew there was a stigma out there surrounding muzzles but until my own dog was wearing one, I never truly understood it.
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There are numerous reasons a dog may need to wear a muzzle. They may be required to wear one by law as part of Breed Specific Legislation. They may be dog or human reactive and need a muzzle to ensure the safety of others they encounter. They may be recovering from surgery and need to be prevented from licking a wound. They may be scavengers, snacking on the delicacies that are rocks, cat poop or rubbish. Whatever the reason, Muzzles, when sized appropriately and used appropriately, give dogs freedom they wouldn't have without them.
For the first few weeks of owning Robert, he wore his muzzle on every outing. As we grew to understand each other and communicate more effectively, I started trialling short periods without it. Those periods became longer and longer until the muzzle stayed on its hook in the hallway gathering dust. We still use it occasionally, such as when we play off leash with other hounds (in which case all the dogs are muzzled, not for aggression, but more as a crash helmet!) or when introducing new foster dogs (again, not for aggression, but just to ensure everyone is on an even playing field!). Many people who are considering adopting a greyhound are often put off by the idea they will need to muzzle them, but I promise you, it truly is for everyone’s benefit. It gives you as an owner a peace of mind whilst you get to know your new dog who is adapting to a loud and often overwhelming world outside of kennels! It gives your dog a chance to experience this new world with a safety net, if there’s a misunderstanding or reaction with another animal, the damage is limited. Muzzles are not a sign of a lazy or cruel owner, but if a responsible one, who is advocating for their dog and their rights to public space in a safe and controlled manner. Your dog may never actually NEED to wear a muzzle, in which case muzzling is just a precaution that can be done away with in time. But some hounds do struggle to acclimate from the Get-that-Bunny mindset, and adding that extra security ensures they can still explore and experience the world safely.
At the end of the day, muzzles are there for everyone’s safety. Muzzled dogs are not bad dogs. Muzzle owners are not lazy owners. Muzzles, when used appropriately and sized appropriately (ie. A properly fitted basket muzzle over a cheaper fabric occlusion muzzle wrap), provide a dog with freedom in a safe, controlled manner. Don’t be afraid of using one, it may give your dog a world of freedom.
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"Need Gone by Friday"
There's a phrase that floats around the Greyhound Rescue World that makes the hair on all seasoned rescuers neck stand on end. "Need Gone", usually accompanied by a short deadline. Greyhounds who don't earn their keep simply have to go, and if there's no rescue space available, well, then they'll be dealt with in other ways, and will still be gone by the end of the week.
The calls often come on "Dump Day", Monday morning. After a weekend of racing and vets clinics being closed, Monday brings trainers to the door, dogs in the back, to be put to sleep. Then come the desperate calls from the veterinary staff. "Can you take a greyhound?", "Do you know anyone who will take a Greyhound?", "Space for a Greyhound?".
And the reality is there never truly is space. Kennels are already full. Hounds who have waited their turn on wait lists, hounds saved from the kill list in pounds, hounds picked up off the side of the street, and often, last week's Need Gone Grey's. The desperate calls to every rescue in the country might pull up a short term foster or an emergency kennel space but it's never a proper solution and just puts even more strain on already overburdened rescues. The GRI and Pro-Racers claim that most Greyhounds are rehomed, but continue to count Greyhounds being dumped on private rescues as rehoming.
I recently had a discussion with a trainer who didn't see anything wrong with "moving on" hounds from their kennel to a pound for 'rehoming'. They claimed that "We can't keep them all" and didn't see any issue with that statement. One of the hallmarks for an ethical, responsible dog breeder is 'backup for life', in which a dog can always return to the breeder for rehoming should the home situation go belly up. For Greyhounds, overbred by 1000% by the gambling industry's demand for fast dogs, this statement doesn't apply. Breeders churn out litters, cherry pick the fastest and to hell with the rest. They are only "wastage" right? To them, the dog has to earn a kennel space, and if it's not earning it's keep, then it simply has to go.
No other dog sport requires such a high turnover of dogs to function. You'll never see an ex-flyball dog on the kill list in a pound, or a rescue dedicated to ex-agility dogs. And why is that? Because those are actual dog sports, where people and their pets compete for fun, a few titles and perhaps a small prize. Greyhound racing is an industry, built on overbreeding, exploitation and discarding of healthy dogs to the tune of 6000 a year according to industry commissioned reports.
The latest "need gone" call came, as usual, on a Monday, and featured four greyhounds in need of rescuing. Two young dogs, around two years of age, and two older dogs. The second I heard "Four Greyhounds", my heart sank. Finding space for one hound is difficult enough as is, let alone four. The fact that the dogs were apparently nervous, particularly one of the older ones didn't help the situation. By the end of the day, I'd say every rescue this side of the country was involved in finding space for these hounds, and unfortunately, one did end up being euthanised. Three out of four is a miracle on such short notice, but I cant help but mourn the one. The one hound who never got to know life outside of the industry built around her exploitation. The one hound who perhaps, with time and care, could grow in confidence and blossom into a beautiful, happy hound. The one hound who didn't make it.
"Need Gone", the sentence that signs the death notice for so many Greyhounds across the country. Sounds to me that the only thing that "needs gone" is the Industry built on the exploitation of these gentle dogs. If you love dogs, don't support Greyhound Racing.
TW: #AnimalAbuse, #AnimalNeglect, #AnimalDeath, #DogAbuse, #DogNeglect, #DogDeath, #Euthanisation
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The Face of a Hound who has gotten a little tangled and requires some assistance 😂
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