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GPA-NoVA in the News
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Greyhound Adoption
Washington Post
Sunday, October 3, 2004; Page M07
Racing dogs don't have it easy. At the track, most maintain a highly
regimented existence, with designated times for eating, sleeping and
going to the bathroom. Their lives are "very different from that
of housepets," says Gary Guccione, executive director of the National
Greyhound Association. Unfortunately, once they become too old to race,
many have no place to go. That's why organizations around the country
(including several tracks) are dedicated to finding the retirees good
homes. This Columbus Day weekend, the Adopt a Greyhound Project (www.adopt-a-greyhound.org)
hosts the 10th annual "Greyhounds Reach the Beach," a meet-and-greet
in Dewey, Del., that attracts up to 3,000 fans. Its popularity hinges
on a little-known fact: Rescued greyhounds make wonderful pets. "They
adapt really easily," Guccione says. Tempted to adopt a fleet-footed
friend of your own? Here are four things to keep in mind:
1. They're not used to living in houses
Most greyhounds begin racing at 16 to 18 months old, and they retire
between the ages of 2 and 5, so they're fully grown when adopted. However,
since they've spent so much of their lives at the track, they've never
seen little things like stairs or sliding-glass doors -- both of which
can confuse them. Rory Goree, president of Greyhound Pets of America,
the largest greyhound adoption agency in the country (for their Northern
Virginia chapter, visit www.gpa-nova.org), recommends putting stickers
or tape on doors at the dog's eye level so he won't run into anything.
As for the stairs -- well, once Rover sees you bounding up and down
them, it's only a matter of time before he'll do the same. "Greyhounds
love to be a part of the family," Goree says. "Wherever you
go, he'll follow."
2. They're really that fast
Greyhounds are sight hounds, which means that if they see something
move, they'll chase it. Since they can run at speeds of up to 45 MPH,
chances are that you won't be able to catch them. For this reason, when
they're outdoors, they must always be kept in a fenced-in area. If you're
taking them on a walk, use a leash, says Joan Belle Isle, president
of the Adopt a Greyhound Project. "Just don't chain them up,"
she cautions. "They'll try and break free," and because they
move so quickly, they can easily injure themselves.
3. They may be lonely at first
Greyhounds are pack animals; those used for racing are accustomed
to being around lots of other dogs just like them. When they're adopted
into a family, they may hang back at first. "A lot of people think
they're being unresponsive, but they're just trying to figure out where
they are," Belle Isle says. While the best medicine for separation
anxiety is to adopt two greyhounds at once, if that's not feasible,
give your dog a few weeks to adjust to being an only child. To help
soothe him, Goree recommends giving the dog his own space, whether that
be a spare room or a corner, where he can go when he wants to be alone.
Have no fear: Your pup's Garbo act won't last long. "Once [dogs]
figure out they can have all the attention, they love it," Belle
Isle says. "That's when they become a diva."
4. They play well with others -- usually
Like most pets, greyhounds become irritated if pestered. Instead
of biting the offender, though, they'll usually just walk away, says
Goree, because they're docile animals by nature. If you have other pets
-- especially cats -- make sure you introduce them carefully. Keep your
hound on a leash and watch his demeanor. "If the dog is staring
the cat down, that's probably not a good sign," Goree says. Fortunately,
most greyhound adoption agencies have prospective owners fill out extensive
application forms that ask about the home environment in detail, so
if you have other pets, they can make sure to match you with a greyhound
who will tolerate them.
Michelle Hainer
© Copyright 2004 The Washington Post Company
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