The Beastly Beasts

Me First Blog

posted by Troy at 18:19

Wocha,

Troy 'ere. Seein' as it's bin just over seven mumfs I've bin 'ere, an' it looks like I'm stoppin', I fought I'd give this 'ere bloggin' m'larkey a go.

Havin' bin in and out of places since givin' up the racin' lark darn at Catford, kind of got to the point where you just fink the next one's just for a while; know what I mean? Well guess not on this one; the uver 'ounds are good geezers, and the 'umans ain't bad niver.

'Course, when you first turn up like, you keep yer 'ead down for a bit and sus out the lie of the land. Sum of the uver places I've bin, seemed anyfink you did was wrong. 'Ere, if wanna do it you just get on and do it; well, wivin reason like.

One fing that was a problem to start wiv though was the old apples. The 'umans, up an' down 'em no worries. It's all right for them though ain't it; they've only got two legs (weird way of walkin' if you ask me), but us lot 'av got four to sort out. Anyway, got the 'ang of it after a bit.

Best bit abart 'ere though is the walks; top draw!! Usually it's up the road, which is OK as it's near like, so don't take long to get there. But pretty often we gets to go over to a place called Salcey, and that is dead Robin 'Ood. It's a right long walk, and there's tons to 'av a sniff at 'an places you can go (Kai an' Monty are better at that than I am right now). Anyway, 'ere's a pic of me from the uvver day; we woz 'avin' a right larf when that woz taken.

Troy - very pleased with himself

Mind you, when we woz there today it 'ad bin rainin' a bit and woz a tad muddy. For me that's OK, but the old man weren't to chuffed like - called me a mud magnet. Well ain't that 'alf the fun - runnin' in the puddles? So there I am, 'avin' got myself a decent mud pack, and bugger me, it all gets washed off as soon as we get 'ome!! Not even allard in 'ouse 'til we're clean. Kai told me it's the same if you roll in sumfink 'alf decent. I arsk ya, these 'umans might be all right, but they don't really get the 'ang of wot its abart do they?

Gotta go now, the old you an' me's bein' served. Catch you all later.

Sad Days at Swallows Dance

Reference

posted by Kai at 00:31

Dad has booked us to go on our hols at Swallows Dance in Wales this year, and we are all looking forward to it; it sounds really nice. One of the dogs there, Waljan, is another dog with a blog. So we like to keep up with what's going on and take a look every now and then.

Sad to say that Hestia passed away earlier this month after being poorly; and she was only two. We never met Hestia, and now we never will, but I know what it's like to loose young friends, and it's not nice.

So from me and all the other Beastly Beasts, our condolences to Waljan and his pack.

Kai

Been Here a Year

posted by Jack at 12:32

Well, it's a year since I turned up here, and from day one I decided I was going to stay. Kai and Monty told me I was only supposed to be staying for a few weeks, but these humans are dead easy to get round; give 'em a lick, roll on your back, look cute, and the killer - chatter your teeth and wag your tail - sorted.

Have to say, this is a good gaff; food's good, nice walks, a comfy bed (very important), toys to play with, and good mates; what more could a hound want?

Luv and Licks
Jack

Five's Reply

Reference

posted by Chris at 15:38

Here's the reply from five about the use of greyhound racing clips. I feel it misses the point entirely, but then of course, that may just be the point of the reply.

Date: 27th February 2006

Dear Chris

Thank you for your recent e-mail regarding our FAST ident.

The new FAST ident featuring greyhounds is one of many new spots for the channel. They aim to bring to life four letter words that give a representation of our values. The word FAST was selected because it is a dynamic, energetic word that with positive connotations. We wanted as pure a representation of the word as possible - greyhounds were chosen, partly for their obvious speed, but also for their grace and beauty when doing something that is natural to their instincts.

The sequences filmed for Five involved trained ex-racing greyhounds that were given a full veterinary inspection before and after the filming at Crayford Stadium. The filming involved the dogs running a short distance of the track under full supervision of licensed stewards and with all owners present to personally handle and look after their animals. In keeping with NGRA policy, each dog released from the starting traps ran only once and for the other shots, the dogs were released from hand slips, handled by their owners. Afterwards each dog involved received a clean bill of health by the vet at the end of filming.

The track that we selected for shooting FAST was Crayford stadium; one of the main reasons for this was the support they give to racing dogs. They have their own "homefinding" scheme (Friends of Crayford Retired Greyhound Trust), which is very active with events during the year including a Greyhound Show in August (for ex racers) and a charity night in October with all proceeds dedicated to the trust.

The Company also pays for 20 kennels per month as well as a full time homefinder. All homes are carefully vetted before and after homing and each greyhound has a full medical check by a vet. The dogs are then sent to their new owners along with a brand new lead, bowl and muzzle, all at their expense. Since October the homefinders scheme has housed some 40 greyhounds. The stadium tells us that some of the biggest donations come from the clients themselves.

We hope that this gives you a better understanding of why greyhounds were used and the steps that were taken to safeguard their wellbeing.

We have noted your comments in our Viewer Enquiries Report. This is circulated throughout the company and will be seen by all relevant personnel. Also, your complaint will be noted in the quarterly report to our regulator. Commercial television is regulated in the UK by Ofcom (the Office of Communications).

Thank you for your interest in Five.

Yours sincerely
VIEWER ADVISOR

Quasimodo Has Left the Building

Reference

posted by Jack at 09:27

Back the vet to see about the lump on my back. She had it all but gone - I could have told her that. Anyways, totally healthy me, and it's official.

Must go - bin a hard morning what with getting up and going to the vet an' all, and now I need a snooze 'til it's time for a walk this afternoon.

Luv and licks
Jack