Okay – I know I got the words wrong but this whole event reminded me so much of that old song – What a crazy world we’re living in indeed!
Whilst staying with my son and daughter-in-law in Swindon this week I was invited to join them in a visit to Swindon Stadium to see the greyhound racing.
I was in two minds about this as living with Hippie has taught me so much about how some of these beautiful animals are treated when they fail to make money for their owners, and I do remain very concerned about the high numbers of ex-racers that remain unaccounted for.
But – I do love to watch greyhounds run, they are built for speed and nothing pleases me more than the look of joy on Hippie’s face now that we are able to let her off for a run.
The stadium was not busy, well it was a Wednesday evening but the dogs were being paraded for a race as we arrived. They looked gorgeous and very happy, the handlers were fussing them as they walked around and then they put them in the traps to wait for the hare…
Oh it was brilliant to see them go….. once round the track and cross the finish line – trouble is they don’t know the race has finished and keep on going until they reach half way round from the finish line where the handlers are waiting to catch them as they slow down.
We stayed for several races, my son was studying the form but I have to admit it was meaningless to me, I just looked at the dogs (and the names of course) for inspiration.
The last race we watched was wonderful. I had lashed out and put a pound to win on one dog in every race and this was to be no exception.
When they paraded the hounds, number six caught my eye. His tail was spinning round like a helicopter blade, I looked at the form guide Pointone Playboy was my choice for sure, his happy attitude reassured me that my one pound bet would be worthwhile.
And sure enough from the off he was way out in front and romped home in first place. I won £3.25 – riches indeed!
And what good did the form guide do me – none!!!
Em’s “I like the look of him” – did more good!!!
Hi – I found you through English Mum!
When we first got a greyhound from Wood Green Animal Shelters, my two boys wanted to go to the track to see what they looked like doing the job they were bred for. I took them, and they wanted to bet. I said OK, thinking, this will be a useful lesson that gambling never pays!
At the end of the evening, their pool was nearly £10 up on their stake money, and they were jubilant – luckily they’re sensible lads and didn’t turn into gamblers, but how unlucky is that?
We’ve been a few times since, and I usually take houseguests who have greyhounds because they’re interested. I’ve found the hounds are treated well, and they do love to run. My only argument with racing as far as the dogs are concerned is the numbers bred. Yes, there has been cruelty, and I’m sure some trainers are vicious and mean, but you’ll find that anywhere man keeps animals of any type. There are the rotten apples.
I guess we pay for our rare visits to the track by taking on the old ex-racers. For me, the older the better. I have two at the moment, one is nine, the other will be thirteen next month.
Keiron – you have always been the studious type – you know that Emma and I go for ‘the pretty one’ every time. Fortunately it worked – and the chips were gorgeous!!!x
Jay – Hello and welcome to you and your boys! I did wonder whether you could take dogs into the track (didn’t see any there) but on reflection I think Hippie would have leapt the fence and joined in – probably getting us all thrown out – the joys of being a two year old!! Good to know your boys can study form – ask them for some hot tips for me
Kate – no, I don’t think you can take dogs to the track, unless it’s a special ‘retired dogs’ event, which some tracks occasionally run. There are all kinds of regulations aimed at keeping disease out and stuff, also to avoid any substitution, I guess!
The boys are grown now and left home. I wouldn’t ask them for tips anyway, they would just choose on colour, name and prettiness, just like you and me!
I must admit that the problems we had with Hips in the beginning are fading into a fairly dim memory now (its probably down to my age!) and I quite enjoy it when we take her to the RGT events, maybe they’ll have a ‘fun run’ for them Hippie would really enjoy that!