I didn’t grow up near dog racing tracks. I didn’t even grow up caring that dogs raced or that atrocities occurred in and around the racing industry. I did grow up in beef and corn country in a family that loved dogs.
We had mutts and spaniels and even a German shepherd along the way, but I didn’t start with greyhounds until I was an adult.
One afternoon, I helped my aunt take her cats to the vet and heard another client come in and talk to the veterinarian about the retired dogs in the back. They invited me to tag along.
Having plenty of experience with vet kennels, I was stunned to see ten dogs in kennels – all of them quiet. None of those long-nosed, big eyed dogs was making any fuss about their accommodations.
I fell in love right there. Those calm faces, that quiet, intelligent curiosity. I couldn’t wait to have a greyhound of my own.
It took a few more years, but a greyhound named Bubbles was a wedding gift my husband and I gave each other and we’ve been addicted ever since.
These dogs are bright, less vocal, and more serene than people think. They’re eager to please and adapt quite well to retired life. Blessed with a lifespan of 12-15 years, even a greyhound with a lengthy track career (age 4 or 5) has a lot of joy left to share.
They don’t need a great deal of space, just all the time and love you can give. As a family we’ve fostered about 20 greys so far and over the course of our marriage, six greyhounds have been permanent members of our family.
I grew up loving dogs (fine, all animals) of every shape and size, but for a big dog with a great personality, greyhounds top the charts!
