I don’t know what it means to live on a race track and run for a living, but I do know what it means to live in a house and what makes a good family pet.
When a greyhound come from the tracks, he has to learn everything about living in a home — including: stairs, windows, other dogs, how to take treats, where to sleep, what to make out of that scary cat creature, mirrors, elevators, car rides, when and where to potty, when do we get to eat??, how to meet people, what to be scared of and what not to be scared of, how to play with toys. It’s a lot. And when do we get to eat? They are like little aliens who have landed in this “world” that we are all so very used to. Everything’s new. Everything. They are such sweet, sensitive creatures and so willing to learn, and we are fortunate to share our home with two retired racers (Gilbert and Savannah) who have settled gracefully into retirement after a handful of years.
We recently started fostering a big, sweet brindle boy who is here to learn the ropes of family life. And there is so much! Here’s just a glimmer.
And part of being a foster is going to meet-and-greets. (I’m pretty sure this was our foster boy’s first time in a pet store.) The fawn girlie is also a foster dog in our program and they did such a lovely job meeting people and other dogs and just continuing to learn the ropes of being retired racers.
And at the end of the day, he gets to ride home in a car. Hopefully soon, sweet boy, you’ll find your new home, until then we’ll keep helping you figure out this new world you’re in.
it is a huge, huge transition for a racing greyhound to leave its racing kennel and to go to a home where everything is brand-new. kathleen gilley’s writing about that transition is an invaluable insight. it’s not surprising that for some greys it takes longer to make the adjustment to home-life. fortunately there are those who take the change in stride with hardly a problem.