Thank you Samira. As someone who has participated in Kennel Lands since Gulf Wars 5, there is some history. Originally, Mistress Elizabeth Curry started bringing Greys to Gulf Wars. One year she tried to teach a class on the different "types" of dogs that were used in period. There were greys, a rat terrier, a spaniel and she tried to get a mastiff, but had to settle on a rottweiler as an example. She got in BIG trouble and was told under no circumstance was there to be any dogs other than greys. We abided by that for a few years. We then asked for and got special permission for the Italian greys, under very rigid rules.
Some history here. In the past, the owner would kennel his dogs offsite during Gulf Wars. He said it also allowed him to have them get their shots up to date. Three Gulf Wars ago, although he had agreed to Kennel them, he did not, he tied them up and that is when the trouble started. Some of the concern is that if we allow all breeds (not just "pure" breeds), people will not clean up after their dogs. The greyhound people have shown over the last 10 years that we do clean up after our dogs, that we don't just tie them up and leave them. We did have an incident a few years back where the owners of a grey left the grey without water in the hot sun at Gulf Wars and were not paying attention to it. The dog was beginning to suffer from heat exhaustion. The other grey people stepped in and that dog was removed from their care. Since we are all on this weblist and our furry children are very much our concern, I realize that the people here would not do this. However, I am also aware that in the past that someone brought a "service" animal, who would bite other humans and tried to attack the greys every time we walked by. We switched to a different path. I am also aware of a pet raccoon that was smuggled on a few years back. By restricting the people who bring dogs, other than service animals, to Kennel Lands, it is a little easier to make sure that we really are taking care of our dogs and not leaving them tied up. There have been problems in the past with people other than those staying in Kennel Lands. We are very definetely made aware that we are but 1 Gulf Wars away from not being allowed to have greys there just about every year. As past Kennel Land Coordinator, I very much wish it was different and that my Tsunami (lab mix) could come. However, I also want to keep being able to bring my greys. That being said, there are other events in Meridies that all breeds can attend and course. Alot of this is because the greys opened the doors to coursing. Our coursing charter states that any breed can course in Meridies. Some events allow all breeds, some greys only, some none at all. It is only through educating the populace that we can open up doors. Hopefully, more will be open in the future. YIS, THL Rebecca with the Greyhound, Meridies Houndsmistress From: "Edie Bain" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: 2005/01/02 Sun PM 06:25:07 EST To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [SCA_Coursing] The Dream Mevanwy, I think things are getting a bit confused here between "SCA coursing" and "coursing at Gulf War". One can, in most instances, course any dog one wishes within the SCA context. Personally, I have happily run the lure for toy and standard poodles, miniature dachshunds, boxers, dalmations, mutts and corgis, all of whom have coursed admirably. I'm a great believer in "run whatcha brung". However, most of the larger events, have--quite rightly in many cases--concerns about allowing unlimited admission to dogs. Pennsic does not allow ANY pets other than registered service animals. Gulf War: The site owner would really prefer that no dogs attend. He has several dogs of his own that roam at will. One year he DID tie them up. One of his dogs jumped over the porch railing and hung itself. :( My own personal opinion is that for the money he gets from GW every year, he could build his dogs their own personal vacation resort, but it's his land and his dogs. Over many years, we have progressed from his allowing only Greyhounds, to greys AND IG's, and now Borzoi. We also have gotten permission for a GSP (worked with a falcon) and a Scottish Deerhound (by specific request of the Ansteorran royals). Perhaps someday we can invite any hound who courses, no matter which--or no--breed, but that time is not today. One can rather understand the concerns. If there were no restrictions, at an event with 3500+ people, there would undoubtably be people who would bring dogs and leave them unattended in their camps, would not clean up after them, etc. We have already had this problem at Border Raids. In this case ONE irresponsible dog owner almost got ALL of us banned from the event. Unfortunately, as Kennel Lands bod for GW this year, I have to stand by the "party line", whether or not I, personally, happen to agree with it. Samira Yahoo! Groups Links If you want to hear the patter of little feet, I'll put shoes on my dogs Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SCA_Coursing/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
