Greyhound Fun Run

[hunting4life543]

u should stop that because after the greyhound runs it gets put down!

[holycheezburger]

@hunting4life543 These are just pet owners who want to give their greyhounds an opportunity to do what they love, without any gambling involved. And since they're PETS, I think that it's safe to assume that these dogs aren't getting put down when they can't run anymore.

[TheBron357]

Hi, we took our retired grey to a fair that was held at the greyhound track he used to run at. The starting box was there of course, but not in use. To our surprise he actually trotted up to the rear of the box and wanted to get in! It had been 2 years since he last raced.

[xxsk8r101xx]

learn to hold the camera still dumb fuck 

[nezumi102]

These animals are bred and born to run. I think this is a great idea... For all the people who are saying this is abusive when the dogs are actively racing, it's their treatment that's the problem - not the running itself. By keeping them from running, all you're doing is keeping them from doing what they do naturally (barring an injury of any sort that keeps them from doing so). You wouldn't tell human sprinter to keep from sprinting if that's what they felt they were born to do.

[pugs1999]

You know that after they don't want the grey hound they get sent to the pound or are killed.

[rayozola]

its great to let them run for fun and then give them a nice meal. i adopted a greyhound and she has tracks of cocain, epo and lsd in her blood. i now have 4 grey's, all mistreaded. but not all people mistread there dog. but stop betting guys. this breath was royalty in history. cant believe they are killt whit thousents today.

[UncleTurdMuffin]

Its nice that these greyhounds can run for the fun of it without the anxiety and stuff that other racers get. Its nice for the greys to enjoy the thrill again without the flaws.

[gemmeous]

I agree. Go onto GREYHOUND CRUELTY on youtube and see what you are doing to these poor dogs, you little shits! Explain to me why my greyhound only has half a tail. Hmm, is it because it got caught coming out the gates?? This wouldn't be a "fun run" for a retired greyhound, because it would be taking them back to their racinkg days. Daww

[lurch63]

[half a tail]

the tail could have been amputated because it was broken. lots of adopted greyhounds have "happy tail" and wind up breaking the tail when it hits something with sharp corners. broken tails can heal, but sometimes it's just easier on the dog to amputate because they can be rebroken quite easily. it doesn't mean the dog caught the tail coming out of the started box.

[aprilshowersjrt]

I own a jack russell and am apart of the jack russell club, we do something similiar to this and the dogs love it. It comes natural to them and she goes insane when she sees the other dogs doing it because she enjoys it, I have never forced her to do it and if and when she decides she does not want to do it anymore then she will quite and not be forced to do it. So if its a jack or a greyhound doesn't matter the dogs enjoy doing it, its not cruel.

[ldygwedion]

If these dogs are SOOOOOO loved, then why was I able to adopt a "retired" greyhound (1 out of 40 and the rest will be put down if no homes are found)? He is only 4 years old, explain that to me. I don't care how well they were treated, they were only cared for as long as they served YOUR purposes, it is sad and disgusting

[lurch63]

Hey dumb shit... my dogs (and all those dogs in this video) are ADOPTED.

You wanna claim that 39 out of 40 exracers would be put down, PROVE IT. My wife ran an adoption kennel at a race track. Your claim is TOTALLY baseless!

[evolk8]

I kno i h8 these ppl that always accuse others for no reason its obvious those doggies are perfectly happy and cared for. Don't listen to these tossers.

[teoeo]

thank god, someone who understands that this ridiculous propaganda is completely baseless and ridiculous. The irony, is of course, that most of these people aren't even remotely involved in greyhound rescue//racing// anything

[135snowy]

why do people enjoy abusing dogs?

[oldmusher]

The simple reason is that originally these dogs are not pets. They are working animals. For the rest of them to eat, the working animals must be productive. Doesn't mean they aren't loved. If they lose the ability to do their jobs, then they can settle in to being pets. I know you would like them to be hairy babies, but they are dogs. Not people. They are all loved, but unless you are ready to keep dozens to hundreds, you need to be real. You adopted one: Find more people to adopt them.

[bluecorail]

superbe, véloce, athlétique

[RobbieReineldt]

The reason why vets own greyhounds is because most vet clinics keep unwanted greyhounds for blood donors as they make excellent donor dogs.

They get looked after brilliantly and generally once their time as a donor is over they are found a home.

Most of the people who make stupid comments on these sorts of threads have never seen a live greyhound let alone owned one.

[musicboy1133]

So true...we have a greyhound PUPPY....and it loves to RUN>RUN>RUN>>> when she sleeps...she sleeps...but when she's up...she wants to RUN!!! I cant keep up with her.

[bladnochthesecond]

I would like to take my retired greyhound down to the track for a fun romp. It would be so interesting to see his speed without human greed involved.

[LilGirlBlue]

These dogs are designed for speed. I'm glad to see caring owners indulging that instinct in a kind and positive way. It's a delight to see that raw physical prowess without the ugliness of human greed infesting it.

[MyAwesomeWorld]

@LilGirlBlue no, they do not care about the dogs, all they care about is money. and if one dog they own doesn't race well, they despose of it (shoot it) and get another. they dont care about these loving, sweet, gentle creaters (i own one). im not trying to diss u, im only telling to the truth. my poor dog has scares form these people. :*(

[barnack2]

I have a grey and when he came from the track he was in really bad shape... The vet said he had been abused to make him run faster! Thats not my words but a Vets. They are trained to know abuse when they see it. Please dont go to the track... Please dont bet. The looser every time is the dog...

[lurch63]

So, what about vets that own racing greyhounds? You do know they exist, right? Sorta blows your theory out of the water. What was your greys racing name?

[barnack2]

I understand some vets may own them, but what does that have to do with all the abuse these animals suffer? You my friend may have the dogs best intterst at heart, but many many more people who make money from them do not. If you doubt the abuse continues to this day, contact a rescue or just google greyhound racing abuse, it will break your heart. Best wishes to you and your greys. Dawn

[lurch63]

I don't neede to contact a rescue group, my wife is the director of Pups Without Partners KC, a greyhound adoption group in the Kansas City area. Abuse exists in EVERYTHING man is involved in. EVERYTHING. So, what was your greys racing name, I can probably find some things out for you... if you are really interested in knowing whether the hound was abused.

[barnack2]

Thank you, I would be interested to know anything i can about him. His papers are with my ex-husband... His name I believe was listed there, along with the papers we got during the adoption. I do remember them saying he came from florida i think.And i agree,There is abuse in almost everything man is involved in where animals are. I have done equine rescue as well...also heart breaking. But there was no doubt of the abuse...lacerations, scars and wounds in different stages of healing.

[leenat1617]

ur veiws r blinkerd seeing an old greyhound on the park is totaly different than a young 1. and there r little places 2 take them now and they need proper exercise unless ur sugesting only the rich that can afford land can have a greyhound. u should put more effert in 2 racing money 4 free exersise areas and think of the practicalalitys of ur words b4 u say them

[leenat1617]

my reply waz 4 barnack2 or any 1 else with his views

[JoesephBlack]

I think there are good owners and bad. And you can see it in the dogs. Just like horse owners.

[RobbieReineldt]

That's utter crap mate.

Iv'e owned and raced dogs for 20 years and my animals were looked after better than a few billion people on this planet.

They were fed the best meat and suppliments and were always well excercised and vet checked weekly for any injuries.

How many people who have an average dog as a pet look after their animal that well?

[ldygwedion]

The best meat? Really, what did you feed them, exactly?

[RobbieReineldt]

@ldygwedion prime rump steak meat. Something 2 billion humans will never get to eat.

[channa1974]

I love it. For those opposed to racing...realize the gains that have been made in the last 20 years and see that adoption groups working WITH track kennels have come a long way. Someday we can hopefully reach an equilibrium where EVERY dog is adopted. There is room for both and for anybody that thinks they are forced to run, go watch a race sometime. There isn't anything "forced" about these beauties doing what they love to do.

[greyhoundcrazee]

It's amazing how many ignorant people there are! Fact: Greyhounds love to run.

If all the tracks closed down there would be no regulations, no inspections of the farms, the track etc. If that happens racing will become underground, the racing would continue and the conditions would be much worse! I don't agree with racing but I agree that it needs to fade out on it's own otherwise the greyhounds will suffer much more! I adopted 4 retired racers and they run their hearts out in our yard!

[kbad73]

We took our retired dog to one of these in FL and he had a blast. You could tell that he really loved to run and couldn't wait to get back on the track.

[maccoot]

Honestly, why can't anyone have an opinion anymore? "Don't watch this video" "take your uniformed [sic] opinion somewhere else" etc. I think the angry responses to the criticisms about the video are overdone. Maybe the anger comes from realizing there's a bit of truth to the "rhetoric"

[lurch63]

Maccoot, the persons opinion isn't the issue. This isn't a RACING video. It is greyhounds who have been ADOPTED running for the fun of it. I take exception to people characterizing this as a racing video, and will always reply very forcefully to educate anyone who claims otherwise. If I didn't want them to have an opinion, I'd just delete the freakin comments and block the person, I do have that ability.

[lurch63]

exactly how does this video encourage someone to go to a track and bet? There is no wagering at this event, and no one talks about it. Not sure if you know this, but greyhounds LOVE to run.

[lurch63]

You know what else often results in death? Life. So take your uniformed opinion somewhere else. There are plenty of antiracing videos on YouTube, and I'm sure those folks would parrot your rhetoric.

[lurch63]

Well, as the onwner of 10 retired greyhounds who've run at this event, I find your abilitly to misspell "disturbing" ignorant. Not to mention the fact that the Virgin Islands don't have greyhound racing, so where exactly did you get your informed opinion about racing, or actually a FUN RUN of Retired Greyhounds???

[greyhound001]

I realize that in this case. This even looks amazing. I have, however, spoken to many people who have seen dogs hurt getting them into the chute..pulling on ears, etc...  One of my dogs STILL won't go thru any 'tight' space, or near a gate...

NONETHELESS.....THIS event looks like a LOT of fun.

[greyhound001]

I love taking our greys to 'fun run' days..but I REALLY don't think they should be putting them in the chute for the FUN run. A LOT of greys are very badly abused, and 'cramming' them into the chutes is part of that.

Nonetheless..these guys sure look like they're having fun!

[lurch63]

I've been going to this particular event for five years, as well as having access that most of the public doesn't backstage at a greyhound race track. Let me assure you, from firsthand knowledge, loading a dog into a chute isn't abuse.

[blazerr]

I actually spent a summer working as a dog handler at a greyhound track and personally loaded dogs into the chute -- maybe one out of every 40 or 50 dogs would hesitate getting into the box, but once they were in they seemed fine. These dogs are worth far too much money to be manhandled by forcing them into the box -- believe me, the owners and track officials would all give us hell if they even thought we were mistreating their dogs.

[agentorange80]

greyhounds are born to race.

[Kempley05]

It's not a fun run, it's a fear run. I took my ex-racer to the track at Walthamstow in the UK for a parade. He was shaking like a leaf and was desperate to run away in any direction he could. He was terrified and I'll never bring a dog back to a track again.

Theres a very dark side to greyhound racing, it's about time it was exposed...

[lurch63]

You know your greyhound was desperate to run away? How?  Did you let it loose? I bet money it would run after the lure!

[Kempley05]

Because he was lurching as hard as he could in any direction he could. This was a simple walk around the track in front of the crowd, no rabbit.

Trust me, I've worked on the hard end of the industry, there are some dogs who have been turned into wrecks because of bad trainers. Mine was one and it took us a very long time to get him to feel safe out of doors again.

[lurch63]

Still didn't answer the question. Tugging and pulling (or lurching) at the lead is what every greyhound does at the track. I know too. I've had racers and ex-racers at the track. If you know about racers, then you know that every once in awhile, you get one that won't run, no matter what. But it ain't the trainers fault.

[Kempley05]

In random directions, random. I'm not talking about dogs not running, I'm talking about how a small number of sick trainers are bringing up there dogs to run in fear.

I know my dog was badly treated, why are you trying to prove me wrong. His trainer employed the services of David Smith in Seaham. Need I say more?

[kannasakura]

theres no dark side maybe he was afraid of the crowed

[Kempley05]

There isn't a dark side?!

Look up David Smith in Seaham for God's sake, are you saying that wasn't "dark".

"There are none so blind as those who do not want to see..."

[agentorange80]

kemply fuck you.

[lurch63]

Greyhound America 2008 the Fun Run will be Friday June 13th

You can get information by monitoring this website

racethewind dot org

[lurch63]

I've added a link to the video of the 2007 fun run

[mrhugz1987]

I've got an ex-racer named brutus. he's still really fast i wonder what his time would be? cool vid i didn't know they did stuff like this

[lmharmon]

Thank you for posting a lovely video. We hope to adopt a retired racer soon. Ignore the rude comments -- this video wasn't shot for *that kind of person*.

My kids are really enjoying it. I have been explaining to them how our new dog will be a retired racer...this really helps me illustrate what I'm talking about. (In a positive way.)

Have fun!

[maccoot]

"that kind of person" owns a retired racing greyhound. And you're right: this video was not shot for people like me, who appreciate the dogs for their grace and gentle nature, and don't need to put them back into the racing environment to get a "thrill" from watching them race again. Sorry. I don't think I'm the rude one here.

[lmharmon]

You are obviously just a troll. Your original comment was:

"This is the worst camera work I've ever seen. Hold off on the caffeine next time you're shooting a living, moving thing, and stop wasting camera time on a video that's unwatchable."

In the classic troll-esque move, you've baited an argument and then seized on someone else's points, on a completely different topic.

Get a hobby.

[padmagrrl]

i wonder if my exracer could run like that again. He's too much of a couch potato now. ;-)

[lurch63]

Oh, you'd be surprised. But, if they aren't in shape, or older than 10, then it's best to just let them relax.

[tracybeckham]

I look forward to your 2007 video. My video camera was not so high quality- so I'm sure yours will be much better!

[brittisl]

Love this video. My 2 greys are going crazy hearing the other greys barking and whining. LOL

[PlanetMaker7]

I love those dogs

[FatRef300]

Having 2 former racers adopted in my house, I would love the chance to see them each 'take a lap'.

[maccoot]

Whoa, nothing personal lurch, I just thought the video did not do the dogz justice. Sorry for the bruised ego.

[lurch63]

when you comment to the person to 'hold off on the caffeine' and say it is 'the worst camera work I've ever seen'... then yeah, it is personal. Constructive criticism is appreciated, but flat out bashing is not.

With that said, there will be a new Fun Run video sometime in mid June of this year (after the event). The camera work should (will) be a lot better. I hope you'll come back to see it when it's posted.

[lurch63]

Macoot, nobody told you to watch it. How about you actually shoot and post a video of moving animals, then we'll all come comment on your wonderful camera work.

[maccoot]

This is the worst camera work I've ever seen. Hold off on the caffeine next time you're shooting a living, moving thing, and stop wasting camera time on a video that's unwatchable.

[HCSeelig]

Very Nice. I just adopted my first greyt hound(2 weeks ago), and she got so excited listening to the soundtrack, that she peed on the floor. (always just before racing?). Anyway, she's running all over the house, and outside in "her" backyard, but can't find the dogs anywhere.

Bottom line, I will look for a local fun run for her.

(her last race was Nov 14). THANKS!

[baylee93]

Absolutley wow worthy! I love seeing the thrilling speed of the Hounds, and it's grea to see them doing thier thing thing again. It would have been fun to see a race with all of them running against one another. This makes me want to go into racing the Hounds now; I just can't wait!

[daveb3]

I love to see the old soldiers doing their thing once again.(:

[greyhound412]

I love watching the dogs run, this is what the breed was meant to do. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. It's just the treatment at the tracks that is wrong not the running.

I of course wouldn't have my retired babies do this they are a little too old and have transitioned to retired life a little too well, I think they might hurt themselves ^_^ Great video!