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Majestic Greyhounds.

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My love of dogs is no secret, Ive always had a fasination with Greyhounds without knowing much about them.They make gentle and affectionate pets but it is their racing prowess that has almost removed them from the home in their younger years.They first appeared on the racetrack in London around 1876.Nowadays greyhound racing attracts large crowds on both sides of the Atlantic. Racing greyhounds is a serious business and expensive for the owner.Racing greyhounds have to be in peak condition with a varied diet and exercised for a number of miles each day. I love to see the kennell assistant walking several dogs together on road or in the field. The trainer will treat each dog as an individual, and train accordingly.Train ing starts at about fifteen months of age and will be race ready in a couple of months.There is great excitement in seeing your favourite in front and chasing the mechancial hare to victory.A racing greyhound can cover a half mile in 40 seconds.I know its not all a fair...
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A welcome for one and all in Donegal

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Dun na nGall translates to fort of the strangers, or home of the strangers, a place where the locals hearts are as big as the mountains and strangers are welcomed warmly. No matter where you go, be it Malin Head right down to Sliabh Liag you will always be met with a welcome smile and friendly chat.Good nature abounds everywhere you go.Do visit the islands of Tory and Aranmore where people live proudly and extend a warm welcome to visitors to their special homeplace.Sitting proudly in the Atlantic Ocean these islands are the jewels in Donegals tourism crown where visitors can experience a vibrancy to a culture that is inspiring and engaging.It is no surprise that artists and musicians have been captured by their beauty for hundreds of years.Donegal is well known for its Blue Flag beaches that offer a chance to chill out,take a leisurely walk or run, or for the adventurous a good gallop on a friendy horse stabled nearby.The oppertunities are endless deep sea diving, sailing,water sk...
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Longford goes to Cheltenham.

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Cheltenham is the Mecca for both Irish and English racegoers in the month of March. Trainers and owners of both sides of the pond pit their best horses against each other for big prize money and trophies.It takes a year of hard work and perseverance to ready a horse for Cheltenham. Thousands of Irish punters descend on Prestbury Park with dreams and hopes that their favourite horse will be in the Winners enclosure after the race.If not there is always another race. Every evening during race week you have the traditional Poker Tables where many a good man has lost his shirt, even if he hasnt lost it on the racecourse.This year Longford businessman Philip Reynolds hopes to lift the Cheltenham Gold Cup in a little over six weeks time, with his star chaser Presenting Persy. Percy won at Gowran last week and was immediately cut down to 11-4 for the Gold Cup in March.Certainly one to watch and might be worth a trip to Prestbury Park to cheer on.It could be Longfords year. Come on Percy.Aine...
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Choosing a Cat

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Contrary to their undeserved reputation for being aloof,cats are charming and devoted companions who comfort us with affection and amuse us with their antics. Whats more, cats are meticulously clean and supremely self sufficient. They are content to spend the day indoors when we are away, and are delighted to see us on our return. Just as their ancestors have adapted to meet the earths changing conditions over the last three million years, modern day cats adapt well to the restrictions of urban living and the cluttered schedules of two career families,and and the hectic family timetable.If you do choose to get a new Furry Friend visit your local animal shelter and chat with the kennell maid about the pros and cons of owning a Cat.There are lots of lovely Cats available for adoption and those leaving the animal shelter will be in tip top health which is very important to new owners.Good luck in your search for your new Furry Friend, and I hope you like my paintings of the beautifull C...
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The Care of our Dog

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We always think of our dogs as our friends, we expect them to stand by us,to be understanding when we are down and to put our interests above all others.In return we allow them to share our lives and join in the fun,playfull when we expect it, or quiet when it suits us.We take care of our pets by feeding them and grooming them.Grooming can be a complex business. Short haired dogs generally only need a good brushing once a week, and maybe more when they are moulting.Rough haired breeds need a bit more care,thinning out the undercoat, and removing loose hairs from the top coat, they also need their nails trimmed regularly.Long haired breeds are real work, they need to be brushed out daily to prevent matting.A bath every so often with special shampoo will leave your dog feeling refreshed, and smelling sweetly.In return for their loyalty It behooves us to take care of our dog.Hope you like my paintings of our faithfull friend and I can be contacted on Facebook at Aine Art,Killashee.
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The Old Bog Road

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Every June as children we walked down the old bog road.Roads that in years gone by echoed to the soft clippety clop of horses hooves,and the trundle of cart wheels,or the soft whirr of bicycles as the turf cutters came and went all Summer long.This work is older than the nation older than any of us know.The Celts made sacrifices to the bogs,to the gods, and bodies have been found preserved like leather in the peat.Men and women mummified in the black thick mass. We searched the hedges on our way for wild duck eggs much to the annoyance of the adult ducks. We had a connection with this place, for it was where our Father and our neighbour cut the sods. They were expert in the use of the slean, and heaped the sods up on the bank for us children to foot. It was hard work but on a sunny day we enjoyed the fresh air, and calling across the bog to our childhood friends who were given the same task. To foot the turf about a dozen sods were stacked up to form a peak, and the wind dried it out...
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The thrill of Greyhound Racing

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I have been to the Greyhound Races a few times now, and I must say it is a great evening out. All the Irish tracks now have comfortable surrounds with bars and restuarants,and live racing on screen if it is too cold to venture out to the track.We are spoiled for choice now with tracks in Longford,Mullingar,Galway, Dublin, Clonmel to name a few. These tracks attract large crowds for an evening of great entertainment. Greyhounds are gentle and affecionate when raised at home but their racing prowess has eclispsed their suitability as pets. it is only when they retire they are suitable to be homed as a pet. A lot of the animal shelters have greyhounds available for adoption,and their is no shortage of people willing to take them.They will provide years of affection. Racing greyhounds have to be in the peak of condition and are regularly excercised by their kennell attendant who walk a number of them at a time. Training starts at about 15 months old, and a healthy dog can be ready to race...
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