Why Rescuing a Greyhound is Like Finding Treasure
When you see a greyhound out and about, or at a kennels where you are looking to rehome, they are quite reserved beings on the outside, or can seem scared, as many have spent all day in a kennel and the world outside is new to them. They have a dignity about them, despite their often hard backgrounds. What you see on the outside however, is just a fraction of who you discover when they are in a loving, trusted home. It is like finding treasure! I recently was reminded of this, when I met Annie (pictured here) at Wimbledon Greyhound Rescue. She looked so scared when I tried to walk her and particularly so when she saw men. Just froze. Clearly a picture of her past there. And encouraging her to go on a walk was a challenge.
So I brought her home to foster and see how she did in a home, with the intention of her being here a week — and she is a different dog! She has taken to a home like a fish to water! What a treasure. The resilience. And her ability to trust me and adapt! The first few days I let her be in her corner where she felt safe. And let her come to me in her own time, while giving her little fusses now and then. She loves her food, suprisingly was not bothered by the microwave and other household noises, which some can be. Slept through fireworks (?!), enjoyed a fuss and is very affectionate. She is fine with other dogs, however small, well behaved in the home, with a good appetite and sleeps quietly at night with my current boy. How’s that for adaptation.
On the second night, I started to see who Annie truly is and will be. A character. A cute little poppet (and I am not one to generally use that term, but she just is!!). Her bed was in the kitchen, but another was in the lounge next door. So I assume she decided she wanted the bed from the lounge in her bed and went and pulled first a blanket. And then came back and pulled the whole duvet into her corner bed! If you can watch the video, you will just adore her and smile! I was so amazed. I am constantly amazed by her. I did her a second video, which was a week later, Annie out on walks. You can see how well she is and enjoys walks. In fact today, she jumped up and did a greyhound-style mini pirouhette, she was so excited. And having been scared of men, was fine being walked by a man, can walk past them now fine too! What a superstar! What a resilient character.
What it reminded me, is that who you see at kennels is not the hound you will have after a few weeks, months, years. And it takes a particular person, who wants to give something to these hounds who have been hurt by humans. To show them a consistent, loving, confident environment in which they can become who they were meant to be. Someone who isn’t looking for the quick win in our society that likes instant and convenience, but who will be patient and go with the ups and downs and know that it is all part of the process. And that if we are getting frustrated, just think what this dog has been going through! Someone said to me while I was out walking. “That’s brave of you to take on a damaged dog.” Damaged dog… I have been reading Alain de Botton’s ‘The School of Life’ and according to him, we humans are all ‘damaged’. Which to me in turn means, that is why the animals get damaged in the process. I don’t even think of the risk. I think of the opportunity. To help one life. To un-do what humans have done. That’s what you are doing if you rescue and which many greyhound owners know too well. And as you will read, I believe most challenges have a solution that we can find.
And if you have that personality to rescue, it is so rewarding. Yes, it requires work — but so does a puppy and most things that are worth anything in life. And yes, you will have moments of being frustrated. But there is always a solution to any situation you encounter in my opinion, having fostered and owned a few greyhounds over the years. Search the web and someone has come across it before. Just you being willing to work around any challenges will make the difference and is quite empowering, as a lot can be impacted by us. And I find it so enjoyable to challenge my learning as a dog owner and try to change the way I behave, to make her more at ease and confident. And when you get breakthroughs, it is wonderful! It’s easy to forget or miss them, but they are there, step by step. I wrote a blog when my greyhound boy came to live with me and wrote some tips for if you are new or need reminding of rehoming after losing one that was settled.
My current greyhound was scared of noises in the home. Just the little sounds. He would jump up every time I moved my foot or made a sound. He was on edge and needed me to show calm. So when I got impatient, I reminded myself that he had been institutionalised and just needed me to be patient — something I had to work on in me. His eyes were sad too, just like little Annie’s were 4 weeks ago. And now after 3 years — he was fine after say 6 or 9 months — he is a solid rock, happy and has been a great support to foster Annie. Equally he is very happy on his own and doesn’t need another dog, which is why I am hoping she will find a home soon, rather than have to send her back to kennels to find her home. I’d love someone to snap her up quickly so she carries on going from strength to strength.
My previous greyhound was scared walking past boys playing football, or children on scooters, but we carried on and at some point it was fine. She used to stop on walks and I’d stand like a muppet in the road for 10 minutes. Then I realised she didn’t do it when out in nature, so I used to drive her to a nearby woods and walk her there each morning for a while, until she was more settled. Then eventually I found a way to be calm and confident, pull her collar and firmly tell her we were moving and it was all sorted — and she loved her walks until the day she sadly passed. She had to have time to trust me and know I had it all in hand. That I was her calm, confident leader.
Annie got a bit scared when she first heard the neighbours next door when we were in the garden in the first week. So next time we went in the garden I got some meat treats and threw them on the ground, to make the garden a more positive place for her. She got distracted by that and did her business and the next day was going out looking for treats ;-) I drove to woods or fields with Annie the first week, to see if she could enjoy the walk more there and she did. She walked happily once in her groove, sniffs about, undeterred by crow scarer bangs and generally at ease. Then after less than 2 weeks, we walked out the front door and she didn’t freeze. It felt to good. She now wags her tail and sees that this walking thing is actually quite nice. We can now do road walks all fine, even visited a National Trust property today for her to experience a bit more. When we approach people now, she doesn’t flinch and we can keep walking! From fear of going out on a walk, to trotting out following a tail wagging exercise each morning and being able to walk past people and enjoy herself — and now have a fuss from people after a few minutes of talking — see the latest video! She’s also incredibly confident in the home, relaxed and so incredibly cute, as you will see from both the videos. You would never have thought she was nervous.
My previous greyhound shredded post that came through the door, so I bought an external post box. There is always a solution to things you come across. And you grow as an individual, working on it. What we need to be for them is calm and confident. They feel our energy. So we need to work on ourselves. Walk relaxed and calmly while holding firmly — not tense— as you know the human environment, but your greyhound doesn’t. And they need to know you have it in hand.
So next time you are looking to re-home a hound, look at the opportunity, not who you see in front of you in a kennel or out on a lead. See an opportunity to build your own character too while you help your hound become who they are destined to be. Yes, it will take work. But it will totally be worth it. Look for the small steps and celebrate each one. And they will teach you something too. I have a new motto, having seen how badly Annie must have been treated and lived for 4 years and yet how she has bounced back and enjoys life. “If Annie can face her fears… so can I..” It’s why rescuing a greyhound is so great and is like finding treasure, as you discover the beauty beneath the surface. Enjoy!
Note: If you live in a fairly quiet area and are interested in homing Annie (before we have to send her back into kennels — and this is updated on 25th November that she is still looking for her forever home) or any of the 40 or 50 greyhounds at Wimbledon Greyhound Rescue, visit their contact page. If you would like to see Annie in week 3, here is her week 3 video, the treasure! What a girl. If you are further afield, there are 8,000 greyhounds a year needing homes in the UK alone and plenty of rescue centres around the country. They deserve a good home and adapt well to homes from kennels.
