<< BACK TO ARCHIVES
Excerpts from THE DOWNHOMER Article
:: written by Terri Andrews ::
Jeanette Reynolds of Lake Echo is the life force behind GPAC. She formed the group in 1996 and has been saving greyhounds herself for close to ten years. Since adopting her first greyhound, Tegger, Jeanette has placed over 540 dogs in Eastern Canada. In 1998, she connected with Pat Cowan of St. Johnıs
who adopted Darcy, thus beginning the Newfoundland branch of the greyhound family tree.
Greyhound adoption is relatively new to Newfoundland. Since GPAC sent over the first ex-racer in 1998, close to 100 dogs have been placed in the province. Thatıs a fair number considering our location. But itıs only a drop in the bucket.
Each year, thousands of greyhounds are put to death because they are not fast enough or are unsuitable for racing. Estimates place the number as high as 25,000 annually in the United States alone, and this appalling loss of life has given rise to adoption programs all over the country. Together, they manage to save thousands of racers coming off the tracks. Still, the odds for survival are against the dogs. So the elegant, affectionate animals you see walking beside a proud owner in this province are not only lucky, but perhaps the ultimate winners in the greyhound racing game.
Even if a dog is fortunate enough to make it to a rescue group, its life is still dependent upon the availability of homes. Thatıs the bad news. The good news is that increased public awareness of the
plight of these dogs and the legalization of other forms of gambling in the US have led to a shrinking racing industry. And more and more people are considering the greyhound as a family pet.
For those of you who are [considering adopting a Greyhound], be forewarned: your greyhound will quickly make its way into your household and your heart. As I myself found, one will often not be enough. Highly social, greyhounds easily adapt to life as part of a family and are eager to please. They are fastidiously clean with a short coat that sheds only lightly and is remarkably non-allergic. Although greyhounds come in many tones from white to fawn, red, brindle or black, it is fairly unusual to see an actual grey greyhound. Apparently, breeders consider grey dogs to be bad luck or poor runners, and if one is born, it is quickly put to sleep.
Contrary to common belief, greyhounds are not particularly high maintenance pets. Their lives before leaving the track generally involved far more time in the kennel than on the move, and they are the worldıs fastest couch potatoes. Like any other large dogs, they need their daily walk; and regularly, greyhound owners will get together in a fenced field to let the dogs have a good run!
Most of Newfoundlandıs greyhounds found their way here through GPAC from Connecticut where they were lucky enough to end their careers at a racetrack with a policy of adoption rather than euthanasia. They began their 22-day journey into Canada on a hauler designed specifically for transporting greyhounds. Having arrived in Lake Echo, Halifax, they were acclimatized to life in a home versus a kennel. (Remember, these dogs had never seen a staircase, mirror or window up to this point!) Once a home was approved, they completed the last phase of their journey to Newfoundland by plane.
If you are interested in adopting a greyhound, the first step is to contact a local GPAC representative and complete an application form. As you might suspect, GPAC is anxious to ensure that these animals, who have been through so much, go to homes where they will be cared for and loved. One or two representatives of GPAC will conduct a home visit with their own dogs to allow your family, including the four legged kind, to interact with them.
While you canıt specify a colour preference when completing your application, you can identify whether you would prefer a female or male, a cat-safe dog, or a dog of a certain age. Unfortunately, there are enough dogs awaiting adoption so that your request can usually be accommodated. The network of support for a greyhound owner is huge. In the city, dogs are sometimes fostered or doggysat by their 'aunts' or 'uncles', and it is not unusual to see a group of greyhounds and their owners together for a Sunday romp and run. Internet sites connect greyhound families all over the continent, and on recent trips to Halifax and New York, I was invited to meet my dogıs actual relatives. In more ways than one, youıre never alone when you own a greyhound.
To learn more about adopting a racing greyhound, or if you would simply like to get involved in greyhound rescue, call 709-754-3371 or visit this web site: www.gpac.ca. The rewards of sharing your life with so inspiring, gentle, amusing and unconditionally loving a companion are infinite.
<< BACK TO ARCHIVES
