Daily Dose of Cute

Dudley. ♥
April is National Greyhound Adoption Month!

Five years ago today, we met Dudley for the first time when his foster dad brought him to our home for an introduction. Before they arrived, Iain and I had resolved that we weren't going to make any decisions that night; it was just a meeting. Two hours later, we were writing the check for Dudley's adoption fee.

On the one hand, I can't believe it's already been five years since he arrived. On the other, I almost can't remember life without him, because he is so tightly woven into the fabric of our lives that it feels like he's been here forever, that we've always had a giant, two-dimensional dog strutting about the place and taking up egregious amounts of space on the furniture.

Dogs aren't for everyone, and Greyhounds aren't for every dog-lover. If you want a high-energy dog who can be your companion in cold-weather sporting and run around off-leash, the Greyhound probably isn't your dog. But if you want a low-key dog who can be your companion on the couch and is happy with a walk and the occasional breathtaking burst of speed at the dog park, the Greyhound may be just the dog for you.


45-mile-an-hour couch potato.
In the five years we've had Dudley, I've had people occasionally express surprise that he is so sweet-natured, so friendly, so ebulliently full of life. There is some prejudice about Greyhounds that they are broken, that they are pitiable creatures who need a special kind of owner to love them despite their brokenness.

This is simply not true. Greyhounds are goofy, gangly packages of indomitable effervescence, whose capacity to give love and willingness to receive it, in spite of their beginnings, is extraordinary. They are survivors. And given the chance, they'll rescue you right back.


BFFs.
Dudley has been an extraordinary ambassador for his breed. He There have been at least a dozen Greyhounds (that I know of) adopted by Shakers who credit the pix and stories of Dudz with inspiring them to rescue a(nother) retired racer. He is a dog with a mighty teaspoon, which happens to be covered in peanut butter.


OM NOM NOM.
If you are considering a dog, please consider adoption/rescue, and please consider a retired racer. I am, as always, happy to answer any questions anyone might have about Greyhound rescue, life, care, cost, companionship, or anything else.