Why do I love greyhounds? They are awesome! That's why. Here are a few stats:
Greyhounds make such great pets! They are intelligent, affectionate, "laid back" and super clean. Although they are classified as large dogs, they are relatively inobtrusive, polite, and easy to live with. Most do well with cats and other small animals and most are super good with children. Other friends of mine own 2 greyhounds and they have 2 toddlers at home. The toddlers will lay on the greyhounds and pull at their ears and they don't even move. It's so cute.
Also, about 60% of ex-racing Greyhounds have no interest in cats, about 20% can easily be trained to be cat compatible, and only about 20% are not able to live with cats. Greyhounds have virtually no "dog" odor either, even when wet! They have short hair, don't shed much (athough they do shed a little), and do not require grooming (other than an occasional bath and nail clipping). Greyhounds are generally very healthy dogs, and live for 12 to 15 years. They also don't need a lot of exercise, but will enjoy as much as you have time to give them! They are family, community dogs and just like being around you. They don't have to be entertained or be the entertainers.
So a bit from my previous story...the morning after our stay at the people's house I took the greyhound for a walk. She was so cute!!! She walked right by my side and didn't pull at all. (If she saw a squirrel that would've been another story!!!) It was funny though. She actually walked slower than I would have preferred, and every time we approached a shade spot she walked over to it and layed down.
More to be continued...
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I wondered if she walked slower than you because she sees you as the leader of the pack. Maybe she looks to you to set the pace. Question: if you are walking slowly with her and suddenly start walking fast, will she then quickly follow your lead and keep up with you? Perhaps, though still slightly behind looking in deference to your position as the leader and the one who decides pace and direction. This is just a hypothesis.
ReplyDeleteWhat is not a hypothesis and an absolute fact is that Greyhounds are fortunate to have someone like you taking up their cause. Some Greyhounds are treated very badly after being dicarded by the dog racing industry. This has gotten better with the Humane Society, PETA, and others keeping a closer eye on them. Sometimes, used-up racehorses are treated badly. I guess there are enough bad people in the world because they seem to turn up everywhere.
Maybe you are right. I should try that the next time I have the opportunity to walk a greyhound again. You're right about the treatment improving, but it's still bad and many greyhounds are not treated well after they retire until their deaths. We do what we can. Hopefully I can get a greyhound or two within the next 5 years. That would make me really happy.
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