Hounds in Need of Homes

The day after Election Day last year, my daughter texted me about a major upheaval. Not a politician who was elected, but a ballot measure which passed overwhelmingly in Florida: Greyhound racing there will stop by the end of 2020. Florida currently has close to two-thirds of the active Greyhound tracks in the nation. Thousands of former racing dogs will need homes in the next two years. All the hounds who were in the breeding process for these tracks will also be out of work and looking for retirement homes.

Why did she send this to me? First, because we have adopted five retired racing Greyhounds since 1997, with the last one crossing the Rainbow Bridge in 2017. Second, even though we had said we weren’t ready for another hound, she knows I am the weakest link in our family - the one who sees a headline like this and will rush to adopt. She wants another hound, and now so do I!

The only problem is that since our last greyhound passed away, we’ve adopted another dog. Stella is a Bichon blend, a sweet, tiny little mutt who is simply adorable. She came to us when her owner died and has since become the Princess of All She Surveys in my house. I’m not sure how she’s going to take to a new, very tall sister, but we will come to some kind of arrangement. It’s just going to take a little work. Which means a little research first.

The Adopted Dog Bible by Kim Saunders has a good section on introducing dogs to each other. She also talks about common adopted dog problems, different types of shelters and rescue groups, and a great deal on basic dog care. An essential resource for new adopted-pet parents.

Racing Greyhounds are raised with many other dogs and are accustomed to a pack mentality; our Stella, not at all. A good chapter about multi-dog, multi-breed households in Let Dogs be Dogs by the Monks of New Skete looks to be helpful to us with this issue. The Monks are experienced dog trainers and keep dogs in their monastery in New York state. I’m interested in their extensive advice on pack leaders with multi-breed households.

I can’t forget to recommend two other great books for Greyhound fans. The Dogs of Avalon by Laura Schenone discusses the fight to save racers and retired hounds in Ireland. Government influence in racing, treatment of certain dogs and people, and the organizations founded to resolve the problems all play a part in this terrific book about changing perceptions. Cynthia Brannigan’s classic Adopting the Racing Greyhound is still popular after more than twenty years. She founded the organization Make Peace with Animals which finds homes for retired racers just over the bridge in New Hope, PA. This book will become your handbook if you, like me, read that headline above and decide to make a difference in the life of a retired racing Greyhound.

- Sharon GR, Hickory Corner Branch

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