Animal rescue

It’s true. Our easy going adopted greyhound retirees can get stressed out due to a variety of factors. We don’t think about it much, since our current three adopted greyhounds are pretty laid back (now that the puppy is settling down) but they do get stressed out by different things and we’ve learned how to soothe them. Boo has a classic case of adopted greyhound fear of thunderstorms. Her symptoms include hiding in the half bath, panting, trembling. She doesn’t like fireworks either, but...Read Full Story

Through 20 plus years of adopted greyhounds and foster greyhounds, I’ve developed some pretty solid opinions of these incredible dogs. I love them – fine I’m better labeled an adopted greyhound addict – and their many quirks and unique personality traits amuse me. Adopted greyhounds are sight hounds, which is a rather obvious way of saying they are visual animals. They hunt, or race, when something catches their interest. The fake rabbit at the track, the squirrel or bird in the back yard...Read Full Story

Tucson Greyhound Racing: Rally to Remember Missy – 4th Anniversary of Senseless Euthanasia On Wednesday – August 31, 2011 – 7 to 8:30 a.m. RALLY TO REMEMBER MISSY THE GREYHOUND (and all the other greyhounds who have lost their lives from cruel and inhumane dog racing in South Tucson) Meet in front of Midtown Bar & Grill, an off-track betting place (OTB activity props up dog racing) located at 4915 E. Speedway Blvd (2 blocks east of Swan), park on Arcadia. Bring a sign or we will...Read Full Story

Right or not, Bubbles was our first greyhound, a wedding present to ourselves, and our first child. In mostly blissful ignorance we were matched with her by a man who found greyhound rescue to be a hobby that was just as rewarding, but more affordable than flying. We didn’t know much about the breed, but we eagerly listened to everything that experienced greyhound rescuer told us. We got our greyhound education primarily through one chance meeting at a vet and the greyhound adoption...Read Full Story

One more reason for my addiction to the outstanding dog breed of retired, adopted greyhounds: 5 greyhounds in one room and no fighting, not even much grumbling. Even with a stressful situation like noisy fireworks. That’s five dogs with long legs, noses and tails and an average weight of approximately 70 pounds each.  Yup, that means a lot of adopted greyhound cooperation. We’ve been dogsitting for Ransom and Ozzie, a pair of greyhounds we adore, while their daddy took a well-deserved...Read Full Story

Well, we had a bit of excitement this week. Our precious Boo, queen of our three-pack of adopted greyhounds had a grand mal seizure Monday afternoon. It was terrifying as she started with foaming at the mouth and a twitchy lip, then suddenly collapsed in a full blown seizure that lasted about 5 minutes. Absolutely terrifying. I’d had no first hand experience with this and I fumbled, one hand on the phone dialing the vet, one hand on Bandit as we helplessly waited it out. First, let me say...Read Full Story

It’s been over twenty years since I met my first greyhounds up close in the back of my vet’s office as they waited for or recovered from spay and neuter procedures. So stoic – and quiet – they sat in the kennels, seemingly oblivious to the chaotic barking and crying from the other dogs and cats. I love big dogs, married a man who felt the same, and an adopted greyhound became our wedding present to each other. Bubbles was the best, a lovely ambassador of the breed, and a perfect ‘first...Read Full Story

The top five things my adopted greyhound do that bring me joy: 1. Smile! That’s right, all three of my greyhounds ’smile’. It’s fabulous and you just can’t help smiling back. In fact, most of our greyhounds smile, but some are better than others. Best smile in the house these days goes to Brody (but don’t tell the others I said that). He just has the right combination of warmth and goofy. It’s endearing. 2. Romp! Yup, watching my greys romp through the yard brings me joy. They’re so sleek...Read Full Story

In the category of true but rarely admitted anecdotes, I’ll advise you to not kiss a greyhound while wearing lip gloss.  This is probably good advice for interacting with any dog breed, especially the super furry kind, but as this is Greyhound Saturday, I’ll be specific. I’ve been hanging out with greyhounds since…well let’s just say it’s been a long time. I’ve been a pet lover all my life and our life with greyhounds is just that much richer as we pass on our love for these ‘greyt’ animals...Read Full Story

Yup, it’s another Boo post! And another Memorial Day tie in, but stay a minute because I don’t think I’ve told you this story before… My husband, a soldier in the US Army Reserves, deployed to Iraq in the fall of 2007. He’d been gone most of the nine months before the actual departure with various training and schools. Early in that process, we lost two of our adopted greyhounds to liver disease, just weeks apart. It was gut wrenching. Brody was the only adopted greyhound here for the first...Read Full Story