Here’s an uplifting story about my greyhound hero, and here’s a somber story about more greyhounds in desperate need of help.

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It took about two hours for Greta to worm her way into my heart after I adopted her. And although there have been challenges along the way, I could not imagine my life without her.

As more and more greyhound racetracks are closing (hallelujah!), that means there are that many more greys that need forever homes.

Here’s a great article on getting a greyhound in the white house.

Or your house.

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Last week’s election was good news for greyhounds in Mass. and animals in Calif., as voters on both coasts made it clear that animals have feelings and animal cruelty should not be tolerated.

In Mass., Ballot Question 3 regarding the state ban on dog racing passed with 57 percent of the vote, ensuring commercial dog racing will be phased out by 2010. There are two dog tracks in Mass., and the hope is that rescue groups will be able to find homes for any racing dogs who become available for adoption. Although I don’t live anywhere near Mass., I took a personal interest in this, as I adopted a retired greyhound two years ago.

In Calif., Prop 2, also known as the Standards for Confining Farm Animals Act, won with over 60 percent of the vote, thus mandating an increase of confinement space for veal calves, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens. The Act is effective Jan. 1, 2015, when these animals will have the right to turn around, lie down, stand up and fully extend their limbs. (I voted yes, and thankfully I was not alone!)

These are but two small steps that will make a huge impact on the lives of many innocent animals.

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The next time I’m in Healdsburg, Calif., I am making a point to stop by Mutt Lynch Winery.

Owners Brenda and Chris Lynch started the winery in 1995, and as if their company name isn’t enough, they also care for Patch, a rescue ex-racing Greyhound from New Zealand.

Mutt Lynch Winery sources its grapes from several vineyards that neighbor their winery in Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County:

• Perotti Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley (owned by Bruce and Ed Perotti) produces varietals for the Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah.
• Unti Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley (owned by George Unti) produces varietals for the Syrah, and Petite Sirah.
• Stryker Estate Vineyard in Alexander Valley (owned by Pat Stryker) produces varietals for the Merlot.
• Stone Vineyard in Alexander Valley (owned by Jim Furlong) produces varietals for the Carignane.

I already have my eye on this wine, and not just because the bottle label is so darn cute!

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Fast forward three years, and our greyhound, Greta, has, at the age of three and a half, become a welcome, if not comical, addition to our family. So it only seemed fitting that when we considered another venture up to Mendocino, we decided to take her along for the ride.

The original room we stayed in at MacCallum house, the Gazebo Playhouse, was quite charming and perfect for my husband and myself, but I knew that adding a dog crate and 60-pound pooch to the mix would turn the cozy quarters into a cramped jail cell.  

I finally decided that the best option for everyone was the Bug’s Ear, a stand-alone cottage about a mile away from MacCallum that offered a bit more privacy and much-needed space.

We hit the road on an early August weekday, and as Greta is not very fond of car rides, she was up and down and panting for the majority of the four-hour ride.

We arrived in Mendocino too early to check in, and I was dismayed to find that not one merchant in all of the small town had a dish of water out for a thirsty dog. Finally, we had to resort to begging for some tap water at a local cafe. (I did bring Greta’s dishes and water for the ride, but she is very particular about when she will and won’t drink from a dish, and in a car, moving or not, she won’t.)

Once we got some liquid in Greta and were able to check in, we set up her crate and she was finally able to get some rest.

The next morning, we took Greta to the beach, where she splashed and frolicked in the surf.

We had to keep her on leash, not only because she’s a greyhound, but also because the beach didn’t allow off leash dogs. (We heard there is a beach in Fort Bragg that allows dogs off leash, but we didn’t feel the need to make the 10-mile drive to check it out.)

The MacCallum house charges an extra $30 per night for pets, and they did provide us with a dog bed, blanket, and a few waste bags and treats. They also provided food and water dishes, although they would have been better suited for cats or very small dogs, so I’m glad I brought our large dishes from home. We also could have splurged on the Tail Wagger’s Club Basket (see photo below), but at $85, I decided to pass (since we were already paying an extra $60 for the two-night stay).

Other than a small coffee shop that had outdoor seating, there didn’t seem to be too many places in downtown Mendocino to dine with Greta in tow. We opted to pick up food and take it back to the cottage for lunch during the full day we were there. As breakfast was included with our stay, we did crate Greta both mornings while we ate, and we did the same for the two evenings we dined in town.

I’m glad we went, but next time I think we will stay closer to home and choose a place that’s more dog friendly. We did see a few dogs here and there during our stay, some large and some small, but in all, I was surprised that Mendocino didn’t have a more welcoming mat out for canines and their human travel companions.

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One of my “greyhound” friends recently had to have her hound’s front leg amputated due to bone cancer, which is, unfortunately, common in greyhounds.

Both she and I know of one amazing “tripod” that we’ve both witnessed run our own dogs ragged.

While my friend’s handsome greyhound who, by the way, is also a pal of my own girl, Greta, recuperates from his recent surgery, I am already looking forward to cooler weather so we can all get together for a romp.

Until then, this video I found on YouTube featuring a tripod greyhound who was rehabilitated at a Spanish animal shelter will have to suffice.

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My husband and I are planning a couple of short vacations in the next few weeks, both of which we’re bringing our greyhound, Greta, on, and one of which we’re also bringing my mother in law on.

For that trip, the four of us will be crammedcarefully placed in our mid-size car, which will also be packed to the gills with vacation paraphernalia.

Among the many accouterments Greta will need: collapsible crate, crate pad, bed, bowls, food (both dry and canned pumpkin, organic yogurt), poop bags, toys, blanket and extra towels for dirty paws.

When I started going through the list of things we had to bring for Greta alone, my husband looked at me and said, “Man, this is like taking a kid on vacation!”

I guess he expected we would be able to deflate Greta, fold her up, pack her in the trunk, then, when we arrived at our destination, blow her back up?

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It turns out bigger might really be better after all. According to a study conducted by researchers Deborah Duffy and James Serpell of the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society, and Yuying Hsu of the National Taiwan Normal University, it seems that the smaller the dog, the more snap.

The researchers gathered data from multiple dog clubs, as well as an extensive online survey which asked owners to report on whether or not their dog nips, or tries to attack, unfamiliar (stranger) humans, owners, or other dogs, including whether or not their dog exhibits any rivalry toward other canines in general.

Ranking in the top ten most aggressive were Dachshunds coming in first; followed by the Chihuahua, which is noted to often snaps at its owners, strangers and other dogs; the Jack Russell terrier; the Akita; the Australian cattle dog; the pit bull; the beagle; the English springer spaniel; the border collie; and the German shepherd.

Among the least aggressive breeds were the Basset hound, golden retriever, Labradors, Siberian husky and greyhound.

Canine aggression studies based solely on reported attacks are often skewed because while most bites from small dogs aren’t serious, bites from large dogs often require medical attention and thus are reported.

While this is just anecdotal information taken straight from the mouths of owners, it does help explain why little dogs are often referred to as “ankle biters”. It’s also a generalization and is not intended to base sweeping breed assumptions upon. Every dog has a different temperment and should not be judged solely on his or her breed.
 
 
 

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Although I could never get my greyhound, Greta, to do this, because she hates water, I love to see the dock dogs doing their thing.

For those (like me) who enjoy seeing dogs have some fun, July 12 and 13, the Meet Me at Mill Creek Festival in Mill Creek, Wash., is having their annual Puget Sound Dock Dogs competition. The event helps raise awareness for the American College of Internal Veterinary Medicine’s Chase Away K9 Cancer organization.

Events details can be found here, and all levels of jumping ability are encouraged to participate–the only prerequisite is that your dog likes to get wet.

If you can’t make it up there to see the action live, check out the video above from last year’s event and enjoy the dock dogs vicariously.

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I’ve already mentioned why I rescued Greta, but here’s yet another reason: the Tucson Dog Protection Act, a ballot measure designed to improve the lives of dogs in South Tucson and, especially, the 540 greyhounds at Tucson Greyhound Park.
 
The measure establishes that dogs deserve wholesome food and regular exercise, and shouldn’t be given anabolic steroids.
 
It’s common knowledge that track dogs are fed uncooked byproducts that are unfit for human consumption. The U.S. Department of Agriculture declares as unfit for human consumption the meat of diseased, dying, disabled or animals already dead upon arrival at slaughter plants, and the Food and Drug Administration recommends this meat not be fed raw to any animal. FDA studies show high levels of bacteria in this meat, including E. coli and salmonella.

The Tucson Dog Protection Act would require that either the meat be cooked or that better quality food be served.
 
In addition, currently, track dogs are kept in small cages 22 to 23 hours a day for their entire racing careers. The Tucson Dog Protection Act would require that dogs spend no more than 18 hours in a cage.

Regarding steroid use, female greyhounds are routinely given anabolic steroids to prevent heat cycles, which can result in serious physical problems, including urinary tract infections, permanent malformation of dogs’ genitalia and liver problems.

This Act is just one small way to help greyhounds at this track in Tucson. Until greyhound racing is abolished, every little step helps. For more information, click here.

Also, as the economy is in the toilet, tracks from Oregon to Florida to Connecticut are closing, and dog racing proponents now admit that their “game” has become “less and significant and appealing” and is on the verge of collapse.

Over 2,000 volunteers have successfully collected enough signatures to qualify the Greyhound Protection Actfor the November election.  The Greyhound Protection Act will phase out greyhound racing at Wonderland and Raynham Parks by 2010.

Buy a Campaign T-Shirt to Support an End to Dog Racing!
 
 

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