“My husband R.C. and I adopted Samson from MotorCity Greyhound Rescue a little over a year ago. He has blossomed since we adopted him. He didn't know how to walk up and down stairs, how to jump in the car, or even how to show he was happy. When we first met him, he hardly ever wagged his tail and had little interest in meeting people or being pet. Due to the consistency of having him in our home and through the influence of our other dog Loki, who is an affectionate Siberian Husky, his personality has really come out. Though we're still dealing with medical issues from his racing life, we're so happy we are able to share our home with him and take him on adventures with us!”
Jack
“I have a handsome boy, his name is Jack. I was looking to adopt a rescued greyhound and I saw him. From his picture I could see we needed each other. It turned out Jack picked us. He charmed my daughter and won her over. It's been two years now and Jack and I have such a connection. It turns out I needed him just as much as he needed me. He has no connection with anyone else. I'm so in love with my greyhound!”
Rico Suave
“Rico Suave came to me from the now defunct Tucson track. He suffered a neck injury on the track and his owner, knowing that he would no longer finish in the money, did not want to keep him or pay for his veterinary care. I rescued Rico and after months of patient kindness in a calm environment, Rico lost his fear of people and blossomed into a playful, loving companion. He is now a registered therapy dog, visiting hospitals and classrooms. He much prefers his second career bringing laughter and joy to all he meets.”
Titan
“Titan came to KC REGAP a very scared and shy dog. I adopted him in March of 2018 and he has done an amazing job adapting to our home of small dogs and cats. No longer shy, he has developed a very outgoing personality. He still doesn’t know how to jump but learned quickly how to climb in bed. When he came to us he wasn't interested in treats or any regular dog stuff, but now he LOVES cheese. This may seem like normal dog behavior, but when he came home he was more like a scared ghost roaming around. Now he is very happy and we continue to see improvements every day.”
Popcorn
“Popcorn was too small to race, so she was sent to a blood lab. I contacted a greyhound rescue group in Nevada and asked to adopt a young, small, fawn female. The planets aligned. Poppy was considered too small to stay at the lab and she became part of our family. She loves her sister Sophia and our two kitties. She is a perfect addition to our home. We all have a lot of fun together. ”
Lilli
“I adopted Lilli, my third greyhound, six months ago. An ex-racer, she was injured and in poor condition when she went into foster care. She has since blossomed into a happy, healthy girl, who loves her life now! I had two greyhounds previously, Teeni and Tara, little sister sweethearts, who lived until they were 12. They have given me so much loyalty and love, they are my treasures! Forever in my heart!”
Audrey
“With our first amazing greyhound Treyse, I helped end greyhound racing in Massachusetts, mobilizing support, collecting signatures, speaking and manning the polls with Treyse. After she passed away, we held off adopting for 1 1/2 years, when Audrey was looking for a new home. Her owner couldn't care for her any longer. It seemed like a sign because, as mom to two boys, I never used my girl name, Audrey. She wasn't a former racer like Treyse, she came from the racing industry but no one knew the role she played. She was a nervous Nellie, afraid of the world. It took a long time to adjust but she eventually bonded with the whole family.”
Pensee
“My husband and I have been rescuing greyhounds for 26 years. We have had some great greyhounds and we make sure they fit in with the other greyhounds and our cats when they are adopted. We live on a 28 acre horse farm and all of them fall in love with the huge area they have to run and play in safely. Our greyhound Shaw is very happy and active and gets along great with our other grey, Pensee, who is the queen on our farm. Pensee loves our cats and loves to run every day on the farm.”
Suzie Q
“I was an applicant to adopt a greyhound in December of 2013. We were contacted in 2014 when a female greyhound became available in Slaten, TX. Suzie Q has been through so much. She's not tattooed, but is the mother of many pups. This past is so evident; she has lots of scars and is very nurturing to our other two very small dogs. We have had her almost five years and are grateful each and every day. She has taught us to have even more compassion.”
Violet
“Seven years ago we adopted a rescued greyhound from Friends of the Hound in Queensland. Her name was Violet and a shrinking one she was not - quickly taking over the Great Dane's bed and settling in without fuss. This gentle hound won the hearts of all. She was a great hit at my mum's retirement village and lay with her during her last three days. Violet also frequently helped calm a local autistic child and even convinced a dog-phobic family to adopt a grey. Sadly she died at 12.5 years after having suffered a stroke. We have wonderful fond memories of her and have the utmost admiration for greyhound rescue organizations like yours.”
Delia
“Delia was found in Limerick starving and she was near death. She was welcomed to Limerick Animal Welfare. With love and care she survived and I fell in love when I saw her beautiful eyes online. I adopted her from Pet Levrieri in Italy. I called her Delia because it sounds tender. At first it was hard for all of us, she didn't love cuddling and kisses and so I never forced her but waited patiently. With time, she became affectionate. Now she's in perfect harmony with all the family members, humans and animals too. She loves running for fun with her friends, playing with a ball and sleeping on the sofa or on my bed. She's beautiful, sweet and magical and I can’t imagine life without her by my side.”
Jovi
“I've been fascinated with greyhounds for a long time, and have wanted to adopt one, but never thought I could because I've always had cats. After doing research and talking to rescue groups, I finally made my dream a reality, filled out an application, and adopted a greyhound of my own. We got Jovi (his racing name was Hotfoot Bon Jovi) from a greyhound rescue who in turn rescued him from a track in Florida. I've had him five months now, and guess what? He is not only fine with our four cats, but is like a cat himself! I now get to educate others about greys when I walk him and take him out in public.”
Misa
“Twenty years ago, a guy would come into my local coffee shop with his greyhound, and she would lay her head on his lap while he sat. I fell in love with the breed right then. I told a friend and she suggested I rescue a former racer, I hadn't heard of such a thing yet. Fifteen years later, I found myself laid off and getting divorced. I finally had the time to adopt and train my number one big girl, Ibis Carrera. She replaced my heartbreak with her love and silliness. Two years ago, I became a failed foster and adopted her new best friend, Misano Veloce. They're inseparable, and the three of us are the happiest campers.”
Holly
“Bumbleb was our first greyhound from Mobile, Alabama. She traveled everywhere with us from Maine to California. Aggie was our second dog. We attended a Minor league Baseball game in West Palm Beach and Elite greyhounds happened to be attending. Aggie adopted us!!! She was the only one that came over to greet us. Holly was adopted on July 27, 2018. She is a joy and I hope we have many many years with her!”
Charlie Ian
“Charlie Ian 'Prince of the Realm' Keating, was bred for racing. But he lacked a chase instinct and was put in a sack and left tied to a country fence to die. He was just just two months of age. Thankfully, he was found by a Good Samaritan and came to live in happiness with me and my husband for the next sixteen years. Our dear boy passed away peacefully, leaving a huge hole in our hearts.”
Star
“I adopted two greys, male and female. Although Brandy passed two years ago, Star continues as a therapy dog at nursing homes, schools, colleges and our library. We always pass out his calling card which has fascinating facts about greyhounds and his photo on one side with several adoption group websites on the other. Star is a greyt ambassador!”
Nelly and Paxton
“Our grey babies Nelly and Paxton picked us. We were only going to adopt one, but this sixteen month old brother and sister simply stole our hearts. Nelly had a toy and brought it right to me and dropped it at my feet. Meanwhile, Paxton had glued himself to my husand. That's how we became a family. Greys are super special.”
Ivar
“I have been adopting greys since March 2003. Ivar was adopted from Birmingham Greyhound Protection five months ago and he is the best thing that ever happened to me. He is like a big, happy clown! All greyhounds are so affectionate, loving and loyal and they deserve to be respected. ”
May
“May, the eleven-year-old greyhound came into our life like a blizzard from a blue sky in 2011. Due to health issues, doctors gave her only six months to live. But thanks to physical therapy and acupuncture, she made it to fourteen years and 260 days! ”
Emma
“I decided to learn about greyhounds after attending a dog racing event in Colorado. I had never seen a greyhound in person and thought they were beautiful with soulful eyes. After reading about the fate of greyhounds once they are deemed unworthy to race, I could no longer go to another dog track or support that industry. Last year I adopted my fourth retired racer to live a life of luxury and fun. Here is a photo of Emma with Pumpkin, our cat.”
Iker
“When I first volunteered at a Spanish shelter in 2011, I saw a black galgo standing in the middle of a pen shaking like a leaf. I thought to myself, "Oh, he's so cute, I wish I could adopt him." Next thing I know, a foster family showed up and whisked him away but when they turned him in six months later, he came home with me! Iker has grown from being the most terrified being I had ever met to a sweet, lovable and playful greyhound.”
Mimi
“Mimi (Monkspath Meril) ran over 200 times before racing home to us. A terrified soul with just four inches of tail, "Miss Upstairs" spent almost every day hiding to avoid strangers. Dear Mimi had problems with her spleen which led to the discovery that her insides were riddled with tiny cancer cells. So it was farewell to the sweetest girl long before her time at just eight years old. As the saying goes - If love could have saved you - you would have lived forever.”
Dutchess
“We adopted a VERY TIMID Dutchess on New Year's Day. Just three weeks later, her leash clip became undone and she bolted away, losing her coat in the process. Evening came with snow and 17 degree temperatures. With the help of friends and strangers alike, we looked for seven days. I even staked my tagged, bright laundry for six miles, then reduced it to three. On the eighth day, Duchess appeared on my porch. She was eight pounds lighter with a cut on her foot. All the searchers came to meet her and celebrate, forever friends.”
Lola
“Several years ago, I was hiking and met a couple with their two beautiful greyhounds. I guess it was meant to be. I fell in love with the breed and decided to go to a meet-and-greet right away. My daughter picked out Lola and I now have Buddy as well.”
Mandy
“My beautiful black hound Mandy has been with me for two years. She came right up to me at Friends of Greyhounds and we have never been apart since. Greyhounds are absolutely amazing and I would rescue more if I could.”
Bro
“Bro is our fourth rescued greyhound over the last 25 years! We brought him home from Greyhound Pet Adoption in Palm Beach on Valentine's Day. Like our last guy "Luke" who passed last August, he comes to work in our real estate office every day. He's super well behaved and everyone that visits showers him with attention. Greys are the best dogs ever!”
Stella
“I adopted Stella from The Greyhound Supporters (National Capital Region) in Ottawa, Canada who rescued her from Florida. Laura Simmermon leads this not-for-profit group that facilitates the adoption of retired racing greyhounds from the United States and abroad. Her ten year plus efforts have resulted in the placement of over two hundred greyhounds.”
Billy
“We were anxious to bring home another greyhound after our first had passed away. So my son and I went to meet a truckload of rescued greyhounds that had arrived in New Jersey. One of them came over to us and it was love at first sight. Billy our black greyhound chose us! He wouldn't leave my son's side. Billy gives us so many reasons to smile and everyone that knows him understands our special attachment to greyhounds. ”
Danni
“As a two-greyhound family we were asked by the local kennel to foster a one-year-old grey who had been found as a stray. We agreed, but strictly on a temporary basis! Danni was skinny and mangy and after a while we decided to take her to the local animal healer to help her both physically and emotionally. The healer told us "I do not know if this will mean anything to you but I have a message from Danni. She wants to stay!" Needless to say, Danni DID STAY and gave us ten years of love and laughter.”
Mona Lisa
“My husband Paul and I fell in Love with greyhounds ten years ago and have been rescuing, fostering and volunteering ever since. Like they say you have one you want more! I also have a small business specializing in greyhound dog clothing - 15% of all my sales and more goes to support the greyhounds. I wish so much to put a end to greyhound racing.”
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