Post by CampWhippet on Feb 5, 2006 19:21:26 GMT -5
www.rctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060205/NEWS01/602050380/1006/MTCN0301
Group helps find home for greyhounds
Friendly pooches look for slower pace after living life in the fast lane
By CLAY CAREY
Staff Writer
Sherri Watson had been a pet owner for years, but there was always one thing missing from the Franklin dog groomer's animal family, which, until last month, consisted of three dogs and two cats.
"I've had dogs forever, but I've always wanted a greyhound," Watson said yesterday.
Two weeks ago, Watson made that long-desired addition to her home.
Standing at her side was Cepalla, a 3-year-old, spotted speed machine. Once, the muscular canine spent her days training to race. Now, she spends them curled up in a corner of Watson's home, watching her do all the work.
Since it came into existence four years ago, the Nashville chapter of Greyhound Pets of America has helped more than 300 racers like Cepalla find loving retirement homes. Last year was the group's most successful — according to organizer Mardy Fones, it placed 90 greyhounds in 2005."It's really rewarding. It's such a different life for them," Fones said.
Usually, greyhounds in their racing prime are well taken care of, Fones said. But, like two-legged athletes, they can't compete forever.
Sometimes injuries sideline them. Sometimes they lose a step; most greyhounds are considered over the hill, at least as racers, by the time they reach age 5. Sometimes, they just don't turn out to be very good racers.
When, for whatever reason, the hounds are no longer race-ready, the GPA steps in. Most tracks have kennels associated with them, she said, and the group works closely with them to identify dogs that are up for adoption and find homes for them.
Through other adoption organizations and informal meetings like the one held yesterday at a pet store in 100 Oaks Mall, GPA finds people who are interested in adopting the dogs as pets. The organization's application process is extensive, including telephone screenings, home visits and a fee of around $230.
The result, Fones said, is a truly unique pet. Despite their size, competitive nature and athletic stature, she said, greyhounds are calm and affectionate pets that are usually very easy to live with. In fact, GPA only adopts dogs to families who promise to keep them as indoor pets.
Fones and her husband have two greyhounds, Mel and Indy, and they frequently serve as foster parents for others. Like so many of the people GPA now helps find dogs, she got hooked on the dogs at a public adoption event. "I hadn't had a dog in 30 years," she said. "I didn't really want a dog, but it was like a slippery slope … those dogs would just come up and look at me, and it was all over." •
Group helps find home for greyhounds
Friendly pooches look for slower pace after living life in the fast lane
By CLAY CAREY
Staff Writer
Sherri Watson had been a pet owner for years, but there was always one thing missing from the Franklin dog groomer's animal family, which, until last month, consisted of three dogs and two cats.
"I've had dogs forever, but I've always wanted a greyhound," Watson said yesterday.
Two weeks ago, Watson made that long-desired addition to her home.
Standing at her side was Cepalla, a 3-year-old, spotted speed machine. Once, the muscular canine spent her days training to race. Now, she spends them curled up in a corner of Watson's home, watching her do all the work.
Since it came into existence four years ago, the Nashville chapter of Greyhound Pets of America has helped more than 300 racers like Cepalla find loving retirement homes. Last year was the group's most successful — according to organizer Mardy Fones, it placed 90 greyhounds in 2005."It's really rewarding. It's such a different life for them," Fones said.
Usually, greyhounds in their racing prime are well taken care of, Fones said. But, like two-legged athletes, they can't compete forever.
Sometimes injuries sideline them. Sometimes they lose a step; most greyhounds are considered over the hill, at least as racers, by the time they reach age 5. Sometimes, they just don't turn out to be very good racers.
When, for whatever reason, the hounds are no longer race-ready, the GPA steps in. Most tracks have kennels associated with them, she said, and the group works closely with them to identify dogs that are up for adoption and find homes for them.
Through other adoption organizations and informal meetings like the one held yesterday at a pet store in 100 Oaks Mall, GPA finds people who are interested in adopting the dogs as pets. The organization's application process is extensive, including telephone screenings, home visits and a fee of around $230.
The result, Fones said, is a truly unique pet. Despite their size, competitive nature and athletic stature, she said, greyhounds are calm and affectionate pets that are usually very easy to live with. In fact, GPA only adopts dogs to families who promise to keep them as indoor pets.
Fones and her husband have two greyhounds, Mel and Indy, and they frequently serve as foster parents for others. Like so many of the people GPA now helps find dogs, she got hooked on the dogs at a public adoption event. "I hadn't had a dog in 30 years," she said. "I didn't really want a dog, but it was like a slippery slope … those dogs would just come up and look at me, and it was all over." •
