My dogs
Four years ago I adopted a black greyhound by the name of Billy. He was at the time living at a greyhound welfare kennels in Hersham Surrey. From day one he was perfect, he got along with my labrador and Yorkshire terrier and after a few times of being told no he decided that he could live with my pet chipmunks, to be truthful he was more interested in watching my fish swim back and forth along their tank, something that he had obviously never seen whilst living in kennels.
To this day I have no idea why I was drawn to Billy and probably will never know, but to me Billy is perfect in every way and will always hold a very special place in my heart.
Six months after I adopted Billy I went back to the greyhound welfare kennels with the intention of getting Billy a greyhound girlfriend, again it was a black greyhound girl by the name of Gilly that caught my eye. (anyone that knows me will know that I have this thing about black greyhounds)
Gilly was fine with the Yorkshire terrier and the labrador but Billy was very keen on her in a romantic way, So the kennel manager suggested we try another girl by the name of Megan. This time everything went fine, So I arranged to collect Megan a week later for a home trial.
When I arrived to collect Megan, Gilly was out in the paddock, when I mentioned to the kennel manager I still liked the look of her she suggested that I give Gilly a try after all I had nothing to loose. Gilly's home trial went better than I thought, Billy soon learned that it was best to leave her alone or get told off by Gilly.
I had Gilly at home for 2 weeks before I adopted her in Febuary 2003.
As I write this article Gilly is doing what she does best and that is laying next to me on the sofa with her feet in the air fast asleep.
Soon after I adopted Gilly I began volunteerng several mornings a week at the welfare kennels, it wasn't long before I fell in love with another black bitch by the name of Whoopie. I never intended having more than 2 greyhounds but it was hard not to fall for Whoopie's charms as she would throw her self at you in her craving for attention, her party trick is to put her paws on your shoulders and wash your face.
Whoopie's home trial went so well that I had a name tag made for her before I actually signed the adoption papers, it was almost like Whoopie was part of the family from the moment she stepped into my home.
Whoopie is now 10 years of age but her behaviour is that of a younger dog, as she plays with her toys ofton rushing round the garden in pure excitement.
Whoopie has earned the affectionate name of mummys little precious which I say with real meaning and like all my greyhounds is very much part of the family.
In November 2003 I adopted Maisie who is a litter sister to Whoopie. Although litter sisters they are in no way alike. Maisie is just as affectionate as her sister but Maisie has a naughty streak in her always looking to see what mischief she can get into which quite ofton involves stealing the other dogs toys, not that she wants to play with them herself.
At the time I adopted Maisie I was still volunteering my time at the welfare kennels. Maisie had been in residence there for 9 months and in the end I felt sorry for her.
On 2 occasions the kennel manager talked me out of taking Maisie home with my other greyhounds she said what I already had worked and worked well, but I knew deep down I had to give Maisie a chance, I did however promise that any signs of problems I would take Maisie straight back to the kennels, to my delight everything went well, Maisie was accepted by human and cainine alike. If I'm to be honest I did think Gilly's strong personality would cause problems and I did think that Maisie would be going back to the kennels, but nearly 3 years down the line I don't regret giving Maisie the chance that every ex racing greyhound deserves.
As I write this with my greyhounds sleeping around me I know I made the right dicision to adopt ex racing greyhounds.
Since the article above was written I have adopted another black greyhound called Rosie.
Rosie (pictured left) came to me in very different circumstances, I had already decided that I wanted to take on another older greyhound after Billy was diagnosed with a tumor, not to replace him but to try and ease the pain when the time comes to say goodbye to him.
I first saw Rosie when visiting the greyhound welfare kennels and at the time I thought what a nice gentle little girl she was, 4 days later she was introduced to my already established gang of 4, The meeting went so well she came home with me that morning. I officially adopted her 1 week after first meeting her.
Rosie has made herself very much at home and very much a part of our family (human and canine).
My freinds and family tell me I have lost the plot they are probably right but I know that I made the right dicision to give Rosie a forever loving home.
Meet Daisy-Annie my sponsor dog although she doesn't share my home doesn't mean I think any the less of her.
Daisy-Annie has been tried in a home and just didn't like it some ex-racing greyhounds are like this and is the reason some are on sponsorship schemes.
For more information on sponsorship email ania.catt@btinternet.com
Copyright © Chris Jones 2005/2006/2007/2008/2009
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