Archive for the ‘Adopting a Greyhound’ Category

Someone remarked to me, groping for the right word and then finding it, that greyhounds seem to be so tolerant.  That is an accurate description and a point well made.  We were outside a local supermarket at the time, collecting money and raising awareness for Kerry Greyhound Connection, the charity which takes ex-racers from Ireland to a better life in the UK and other parts of Europe.   My dog was standing patiently with me, accepting all the strokes and cuddles offered to him by complete strangers.  One child really got him in a headlock and was kissing him, which I would usually advise against on first meeting a dog, but Pingu is used to cuddles and kisses so took it in his stride.

Only I could tell that he was actually getting a little restless and fed up.  It's not that much fun for a dog being asked to stand still for an hour and a half, having strangers come up to him all the time, especially as he is half blind with PRA.  However, he has always done this - ever since we got our two wonderful pets from Kerry Greyhounds, we have been keen to give something back, and we and the dogs have regularly given our time to collections and fundraising events to help yet more lovely greyhounds find their forever homes.

My dog was pulling a little on the leash, telling  me that he would rather be over the road scavenging for lost chips (french fries).  It's his eyesight, they were actually cigarette butts, but he never believes me unless he checks them out for himself.  Thankfully he is not such a scavenger that cigarette butts will do...it has to be chips, pie crusts, dropped sausages or ice cream cones to float his boat!  Yes I am well aware all this junk is not really good for him, but he is almost blind apart from the tunnell distance vision now, and if he enjoys his walks more because a few bits of fried potato are involved then I can't deny him.  The rest of his diet is pretty healthy, so I don't worry about it.

Mind you, as soon as someone approached to put money in my collection box and pet him, he was back on parade.  Tolerant, greyhounds are, and will more or less do anything you ask of them.   The more they are socialized and taken out and allowed to meet people and other dogs, the better.  Some dogs who are only taken out purely for exercise, to fields, paddocks or wild places, will not be so accommodating when you want to take them somewhere busy and bustling.

The Social Aspect of Greyhound Ownership

An improved social life may seem a selfish reason to adopt a pet greyhound, but let's not get into an argument about utilitarianism. Anyway, nobody would have a pet greyhound if they hated dogs, ultimately adoption is about getting yourself a beautiful and lovely pet whom you are proud to have as a family member.  Fortunately greyhounds almost always fit the bill there, and most of us who take on greyhounds would never again have another breed of dog.  We never look back!  Although it is altruistic in some ways to rescue a dog who needs a home, that is not the primary reason why so many of us enjoy sharing our daily lives with retired greyhounds.

It is a good and fulfilling thing to raise funds for greyhound charities like Kerry Greyhound Connection in Norfolk, England.  We enjoy the face that our fundraising efforts will enable more greyhounds to be rescued and rehomed with loving humans in their forever homes.  We look at our own dogs with love and affection and realise how much their lives were saved and improved by our care, and we want it for others.  So that creates a warm glow.  Also, getting involved in various fundraising events like collections, special events, carnivals, sponsored walks and the like, enables us to make human and doggy friends, and often have great fun along with the serious business of raising money and awareness.  Thus adopting or fostering an ex-racer is a win-win situation which enhances life in so many ways.

Greyhound Puppies

A whimsical thought: one of the slightly sad things about adopting a retired racer is that you don't have knowledge or pics of them as puppies.  Same applies to anyone who rescues a dog I suppose, unless the previous owner is kind enough to supply them.

At Kerry Greyhound Connection, our local greyhound rescue charity, occasionally we do get a litter of puppies.  These are usually lurcher, presumably produced by a female greyhound who has been cast out into the world who has been tupped by another non-greyhound dog.  She would then have been found by some kind individual and handed over to the charity already pregnant.  She would be allowed to have her pups and then spayed and made ready to become a rescue dog afterwards.  These pups attract an inordinate amount of affection and attention from the volunteers and adopters.  One reason is because everyone goes "aaah" when they see a puppy, but also there is the rarity value in the rescued greyhound community.

One thing is for sure in many cases: greyhounds go through a second puppyhood when they come into a home for the first time.  Our two, both males, did little but play-fight for the first 5 months or so they were with us.  These were no doubt establishing the pecking order between our two boys, but in a comical and non-threatening way.  It got quite boisterous at times, but always funny.  We did wonder where the couch potatoes we had been told of were, they were so active!  Fortunately we did capture some of this puppyish behaviour on video - because it suddenly stopped, and, touch wood, they both know exactly their place with each other and what the perameters are for acceptable behaviour.

The other funny stuff was playing with stuffies, and thieving.  They had a wonderful time collecting things and amassing them on their beds or sofas.  At one stage we had an empty wine bottle from the recycling and a plastic watering can on the garden, both adorning the sofa!  They gave us hours of amusement with their total excitement at being in a home and garden with lots of lovely things to find and do.  This behaviour does not last, and they soon calm down, although sometimes brief flashes of their old puppyish selves appear to delight us.

Greyhound Adoption

Greyhound adoption is similar in many respects to the adoption of any other breed of dog.  One thing to consider though is the fact that Greyhounds usually have no experience of home life.  Although they are naturally clean animals, there might be mishaps at the beginning.  They do, however, learn quickly and are eager to please.

What you have is a fully grown puppy!  This means they are inquisitive and find great joy in finding things in the yard and taking them to their bed!  In the early days we often found watering cans and suchlike on the sofa next to a very contented dog.

Greyhound Adoption - Differences

They usually have not been shown the affection we customarily bestow on our pets and can therefore seem aloof.  Rest assured this is a temporary situation and over time you'll find you've got one of the most loving and affectionate dogs on the planet.

A bonus is the fact that it's unusual to encounter a Greyhound that pulls on the lead, so you'll soon be the envy of other dog owners who are pulled all over the place!

We will be writing about our experience of Greyhound adoption as well as that of others so as to promote the adoption and care of these wonderful dogs.

When considering obtaining a dog, do think about the poor Greyhound who gave his/her all for a "sport" and then discarded like a a piece of rubbish.  Think rescue, think Greyhound adoption.