My Greyhound Space

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.