The Beastly Beasts

Save the Greyhounds Gathering - Greyhound Action

posted by Kai at 21:48

The weekend of August 26/27th was a very special one, and once more, I became an honorary greyhound?

Dad was away (diving somewhere in the sea) so it was just Mum and us ? then on the Saturday evening, Mum was cooking some nice smelling food (not that us dogs got any) when Aunty Claire arrived with loads of flowers and green stuff with her. The two of them spent the evening eating, drinking, watching TV and (hindered by Mum) Claire made up some lovely arrangements of flowers, green stuff and rosemary. They said that they in memory of some missing greyhounds.

Mum explained that the next day we were all going to London to ?a peaceful protest? organised by Greyhound Action. We?d meet up with other people and (mostly) greyhounds, in a park near to the home of someone called Lord Lipsey who, from what I heard Mum and Claire saying, does not seem to do much for the welfare of greyhounds once they are of no use, or their racing days are over.

This all seemed a good idea to me, I don?t like the thought of a lot of my greyhound friends suffering or even being killed.

The next day we were all looking forward to meeting Danny (from Sighthound Welfare Trust), Tony (from Greyhound Action) and other people and dogs who we?d met before. We all squashed into Claire?s car with 5 lots of flowers, very comfy to lean on they were too; one of them was from Ange, who is Monty?s friend. (I must just add here, that Mum does not tie our bandanas as well as Dad does).

We arrived at Tooting Bec Common and found Danny ? we liked him, even Maple wasn?t nervous and one of the Beasts was with him all afternoon. There were some very nice police officers there ? not sure why, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Tony and a Police Officer

More and more people and dogs turned up and we all walked over to a nice grassy area, where we sat in the sun then listened to some speeches about what happens to greyhounds, and why racing should stop, and thinking about all those poor greyhounds who are not as lucky as Monty, Jack, Troy and Monty.

Danny from SWT with Maple, Monty and me

The people seemed very sad, but angry at the same time. Our new friend Danny also said some words and placed a very nice basket of rosemary with purple ribbons on it. Tony from Greyhound Action tore something up - he was very angry.

Tony (Greyhound Action) speaking

Beauty and a beast (well, two beasts)

We met up with Sue B and Hugo, Hedgehog (Kate) ? Troy loves her, Lavenderblue (Julie) and spoke to lovely people from all over. Troy also liked Tony (from Greyhound Muses) and leant up against him and his wife for a very long time. Some people came to the park from a place called Scotland, and some from Ireland, where we went on holiday last year. People and dogs had coats, tops and other things with writing and pictures on them ? all saying and showing things about how badly greyhounds are treated.

Some of the hounds and humans

Oh and we saw Bridget again (we met her at the Bristol Greyhound Rememberance Day), her Dad carried her on his back and he made a very good speech, I think he is something to do with a CAGE.

Bridgit on her dad's back

After the speeches some people picked up the flowers and put them along a wall ? near to the house of that Lord Lipsey person. He didn?t say thank you though.

Just some of the tributes to all the greyhounds that have died to entertain people

We were all very tired when we got back and very glad that Aunty Claire was able to drive us, as Mum?s car was broken. I hope the day made some people think, and maybe brings the day when greyhounds die for racing a bit closer. Mum and Dad say there might be a march in London in November, but we?re not sure if us Beastly Beasts will all be allowed to go ? we hope so.

Jack

Jack

Kai x

Been 'Ere a Year

posted by Troy at 17:01

Yep, been 'ere an 'ole year; longest I've been anywhere since gettin' outa racin', and I 'ave to say it's all right. We get to go to really good places for walks - my favourite is Salcey Forest 'coz I can 'ave a good run around there, and after it's bin rainin' I get covered in mud. We get good grub, and cozy beds; sometimes I sneek on to mum an' dad's bed and snuggle up to them which is like leaning when your asleep.

I know most of you lot probably fink I'm all tough an' that bein' a big lad an' all, but you'd be surprised. Why do you reckon I like to lean on people? I'm gonna be 'onest 'ere: I still 'ave nightmares about some of what's 'appened to me, and this might sound daft, but sometimes I get scared about goin' up and down the stairs and comin' in from the garden. Why? 'Coz things just scare me that's all. And they shouldn't I know, not after a year, an' that makes it worse. Mum and Dad 'ave never done anyfink 'orrible - in fact Dad often gives me cuddles on the sofa, an' no-one 'ad ever done that before.

I'm glad I live 'ere wiv mum and dad and the other Beasts, and both mum and dad 'ave said it's forever.

Titch - A Beastly Beast for a Day

posted by Jack at 12:44

We had a gorgeous young lady come to stay whit us for a couple of days; Titch her name was. Titch had bin doin' de racin', but didn't loike it very much, so didn't run after de hare ting - loike it's real anyway - not. So dad went to get her, and she came here for a whoile before goin' on to a new home.

Dis is her.

Titch in the garden

Oi taught she was fantastic and wanted to play whit her, and after a bit she did play. Actually, she turned out to be good fun.

Please play with me

Chasing games

Now, when Troy arrived it took him weeks an' weeks to learn how to do de stairs; Titch - half an hour. Dat is my kind of woman - brains and beauty. Which meant she found de sofa in dads office where we lie when he's doin' stuff on his come putter.

On the sofa in the office

Compare to dis pic of Monty when he first arrived.

Dad had gaven Titch a bath earlier, and put some stuff on her back legs 'coz dey was a bit red. Den in de afternoon we all went to Salcey to get muddy; dad's good loike dat.

The Beasts at Salcey

When we go back Titch wanted to do some cooking - silly girl. Oi told her; we don't do dat sort of ting anymore - we've got humans do all dat for us. We just lie around and wait for tea to turn up; dat's what it loike being a proper Beast. Oi 'spect she'll learn.

Doing a spot of cooking

She certainly got de hang of de sofa roight enough. Little tart - straight on to dad's lap - much to Troy's annoyance Oi have to say - 'cos usually dat's his spot.

On Dad's lap

She's gone now, on de way to her new home soon we hope. She's a great girl, and all the Beasts wish her every happiness.

Take care Titch, and drop us loine when you can me darlin'.
Jack

GRWE Dog Show

posted by Maple at 20:06

'Coz I'm a GRWE girl we got to go to the Greyhound Rescue West of England dog show yesterday in Bedfordshire. I'm not very good at geography, but I don't think that's very West, but it was nice to get invited.

Graham

Graham - the show was at his house

When we set off it was very wet, but all of us were looking forward to going out as mum and dad had put on our bandannas, and that always means somewhere good.

When we got there it was still raining, sometimes really hard, so we all put on our coats. Later on though the sun came out and it turned into a lovely afternoon.

We got the tickets for our classes then had a wander round to see if there was anyone we knew, which their was - Linda, the lady who came to see me not long after I became a Beastly Beast; it was really nice to see her again. She was there with her dogs, but was also helping with the show.

Linda

Linda

Troy, as always, was looking for people to lean on, and while we chatted to Linda he found a nice lady to lean against; only turned out to be the Judge of the show!!

We found ourselves a spot to lie next to two very lovely lurcher brothers, Whisky and Soda. Their mum obviously loves them lots 'coz they had sleeping bags and everything.

Whisky and Soda

And so to the show. Well, I didn't win anything. Trouble is I'm still nervous of strange people, and although she seemed nice, I didn't like it when the judge lady wanted to touch me. I know it's daft, and I know mum and dad would never let anyone hurt me, but I can't help it.

But all the boys won something, and altogether we won got six rosettes. Kai started things off by getting 4th the Best Greyhound & Lurcher up to 7, then Jack came 2nd in the Best Rescued Dog. Although dad hadn't put us in it to start with Kai and Monty, and Troy and me went in for the Best Brace (we'd all like to thank Linda for looking after us in turn while the other pair got judged). Troy and me didn't do too well, but Kai and Monty got 4th place, and then Monty became the 3rd Handsomest Dog of the day.

Best Brace

Troy's leaning up against the judge earlier in the afternoon finally paid off when he got 3rd place as the Greyhound the Judge Would Like To Take Home. Then for the last class mum took Kai in the Lurcher the Judge Would Like To Take Home, and he got 1st place!!

Kai

Kai in the Lurcher the Judge Would Like To Take Home

That meant Kai was in the Best In Show thingy, but he didn't get anything. The winner was a lovely lad who won the Best Greyhound and Lurcher 12 and Over. He is 17, yes, 17, and doesn't look a day over 10 - I'm jealous.

Best In Show

We had a lovely day, and met lots of nice new dogs and their humans. Troy managed to get lots of leans in, and entertained two human puppies 'coz he went for a stroke when they called him; not the most difficult thing with Troy.

The Beastly Beasts and Merlin

All us GRWE dogs had to pose for a piccy. Here we all are.

The GRWE Dogs

Dad said there will be another one next year. Maybe by then I'll be happier about people touching me.

EGLR Dog Show

Reference

posted by Chris at 19:48

Yesterday saw the Beastly Beasts at the Evesham Greyhound & Lurcher Rescue (EGLR) Dog Show. I am having to write this because modesty forbids any of the Beastly Beasts from doing so; you see, they did rather well.

We, that's the Beasts and me (Gill was miffed that she couldn't make it), arrived at the show around one o'clock, and I was amazed to see how many people and beasts were there; it was a lot bigger than I had anticipated.

EGLR Dog Show

We took a wander round to see what was what: a few stalls selling all the usual beast bits, bric-brac, a barby and ice cream van. As well as the main show rings there was also an agility ring and fastest recall competition.

On the way round we got stopped a few times by people asking if they were all mine, at which point Troy was in his element, and invariably homed in for a lean. Kai also did his magic with the ladies, getting loads of complements, while Troy was getting lots of hugs and strokes. Troy is totally loyal to the last person that touched him, and quite prepared to wander off with them.

We met one lady who wanted to know where they all came from, and when I mentioned that Maple was a GRWE girl she asked if we knew Graham Crick (not yet - we're at his do next week) and David and Sue Lampart - which of course we do.

Having got the lie of the land, we entered a few classes in the dog show; all under KCC rules and regs (what does that mean?). The logistics got a bit interesting as dogs and bitches were being judged separately (by Mr. Jon Crossley and Mrs. Cynthia Crossley respectively). This meant the boys had ignominy of having to go into the girls ring when it was Maple's turn.

Maple was first up in the Best Veteran (7+). Less said about that the better. While we were in the ring for that though, Kai's first class (Best Rescued Lurcher) was called, so a mad dash to see if we could get in even though the judging had started. Yes we could - wheew! As we reached the front of the (rather long - there were a fair few in the class) queue to be judged a very nice man asked how many I was showing, and offered to hold the others for me when I said it was just the one. Many thanks to him. Then we were up. Mr. Crossley (a very nice man - obviously enjoyed what he was doing, and had a really nice way with the dogs and the people) had a grope at Kai, and asked me a bit about him. Then we had to do the trotting round the ring and back to our place. I was gob smacked when very quickly Mr. Crossley pointed at us to take first place. Yep, Kai was the Best Rescued Lurcher!

Best Rescued Lurcher

Next one we were in was Best Rescued Sighthound for dogs. Bearing in mind where we were, it should come as no surprise that like the lurcher class there were just a few dogs in this one. We were a triple entry - Monty, Jack and Troy - much to Mr. Crossley's amusement when it was our turn. All the boys were checked out, and then we had to do the moving thing. It took a bit longer, but again we were pointed at for first place. Mr. Crossley was very insistant that it was "for the white one.". Troy had scooped top slot for Best Rescued Sighthound.

Best Rescued Sighthound

Hell, we were on a roll. And taking of hell, it was hot. This was a dog show right? The guy on the PA had pointed out a few times that dogs in cars wasn't clever. What came over the PA? "Owner of car XXX please return to your car, your dogs are in distress!". What total ****ing moron even thought about putting their dog in a car on day like that. Sorry, but it made me mad. However, for us the ice cream van beckoned.

And what a nice ice cream lady! I was going to buy three ordinary cones, but she was selling special dog cones for 50p, and the money for each dog cone went to the rescue. Isn't that great? Me and the Beasts enjoyed our ice creams even more 'coz of that, except Kai - I think it was bit below him to lick cones in public now he was a champeen.

Back to the show and next was Maple in Best Condition, 'coz her condition has improved no end since she arrived, and it didn't clash with any of the boys classes. We were up against some stiff competition here, and not surprisingly she didn't get top slot. But her glossy coat and muscular physique did get her 6th place!

6th Best Condition Bitch

Loads of pepole had asked us if we were going into the Best Twosome or More. Of course we were, and that was next. Actually, we were a bit of a raggedly mob compared to most of the others. There was lots of matching pairs, a few contrasting pairs - colours and size, and us. We were the biggest group, but hardly a matching set. Still, numbers must have counted for something as we took 5th place.

Jack with 5th Best Group

By now we, well I, was getting peckish, and decided to investigate the BBQ. A couple of burgers - one for me - one for the Beasts (except Kai who was still being fussy), and a can of pop filled a hole, and it was back the serious business of the day.

Kai - Most Appealing Eyes - no-brainer. Except that Kai had gone all prima donna and didn't even look Mr. Crossley in the eye; can't really blame him for not picking Kai.

We did equally as well in the Dog Judge Would Like to Take Home. Despite being a nice bloke, I don't know that greyhounds are Mr. Crossley's favourite flavour beasts.

Because we had got two firsts, we were asked to stay for the Best in Show, and so we got the chance for Monty and Jack to go in the Not Got a 1st Today class. By now the numbers were thinning out a bit, but there were enough it was by no means a foregone conclusion you'd get something. But Monty did - 3rd place.

3rd Best No Prize Yet

Kai and Troy were in the Best in Show, but did not get placed. Probably just as well really; I think Kai would have been insufferable had he got anything.

So by the end of a long afternoon - we left just after six o'clock - we had had a really nice afternoon, met lots of new people, and amassed a total of five prizes - one each: two firsts for Kai and Troy, a sixth for Maple, a fifth for all of them (though Jack gets the rosette), and a third for Monty.