Surfing through the hound section I have seen severall references to rescued greyhounds not being rescued, but rehomed. I found this on Liveleak which sums up the difference perfectly. The following text is not mine but accompanies the video, I edited it slightly. http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=b38_1303390803 THE JOY of RESCUED GREYHOUNDS. Greyhound people, both Pro and Anti are normally quite decent people who look after, and love their Hounds. However, there are some so far down the evolutionary scale they hardly register. Both sides are aware of these individuals whom are intent on bringing the sport they say they love to its knees, (ThePro's). Whilst several Anti's only see the greyhound as nothing more than a crusade to enhance their own mundane lives. As I stated, there are many within the Industry who have done everything in their power to brighten the tedium of racing or retired greyhounds in their care, but unfortunately these more enlightened folk are often lumped together with the greyhound owners who kill, maim torture and abuse this very gentle breed of canine. The greyhound only wants to please and be loved in return, is that to much to ask from people whom he/she trusted? The people I find absolutely galling from with-in the sport are those who fail to appreciate the term: "RESCUED" as an explanation of how a greyhound came to be in their forever home. This is a short video of two greyhounds enjoying their new life as much loved pets, and yes, these and others just like them have been "Rescued" from a life of living in a wooden box where if they are lucky will be put in a small paddock to empty out a couple of times a day. Minimal human or canine contact, where the true reality is they are just waiting to die, unless of course they are rescued by a caring member of the general public . Many others though are left to live the best they can in their own excrement and filth, until their God welcomes them back into his care. A life with-out real love, no couch, no regular walks to meet their doggy friends, and no tit-bits or home to call their very own, A prisoner of circumstances who has committed no crime other than they were born a racing greyhound. Greyhounds certainly have to be born "LUCKY"
Thanks for highlighting this. Greyhounds are the sweetest natured dogs, and so easy to keep as pets. They are, if only people knew it, the ultimate couch potatoes, needing no more exercise than most, and less than many. (Not to say they don't need walks, or a safe place to run sometimes, but they aren't demanding of hours of walking a day). Currently, I have an English greyhound, 2 lurchers, a Spanish galga (Spanish greyhound) and am collecting another Spanish galgo on saturday to foster. I'd like just to add a word about the galgos here, if I may. Greys in Britain have a tough time, but how many people are aware of just how badly they are treated in Spain, that country of sunshine, sangria and seaside holidays? Here, in their thousands, they are slaughtered in barbaric fashion, abandoned, injured in traps and on roads, and generally treated as vermin. I live in France, near the Spanish border, and work with a charity to foster and find adoptive homes, but we need to get the word out about the situation for these dogs in Spain. There is an excellent website where more info can be had, Galgo News, (google it) which explains how you can help, or contact Nuria Blanco on the Amigos de los Galgos site if you can spare a greyhound coat, collars, scalibor collars, medications or anything else that might help! Or even just tell people to raise awareness. Thanks, folks...for caring.
My SIL has 2 galgos , she live in Valencia , they were from a litter of 5 who were found in a drain at around 3 weeks old, her and her mate hand reared them and got the other 3 into good homes , they also take in allsorts of waifs and strays that come their way, she looks after one of the spanish neighbours dogs who leaves the dog at his holiday home to fend for itself when he is not there for weeks on end, she even pays the vets bills and the guy is happy to accept this ! Luna and Dino the galgos from the drain have a great life now and are much loved and well cared for.The situation for dogs seems much worse in Spain but sure they are not the only country like this. I look at my lurcher and grey and think they wouldnt have stood a chance in another country to get a forever home but we do what we can.
Absolutely...and well done to your sis in law. Those are lucky galgos! i will have 3 new rescue galgos this weekend...1 is staying as a foster, the other 2 being adopted. i would like to do more, but as you say, we can only do what we can! maybe if more people are aware of the problems for these breeds, in all countries, more can be done though...raising awareness is so important. love Joanna
Joanna...well done for helping these poor unfortunate hounds. It breaks my heart to think of what they go through. I look at my greyhound Guinness and my 3 lurchers and wish that all these wonderful, beautiful and graceful angels could have a couch to laze on every day. You people are doing a fantastic job and thank goodness for people like you who work so hard to save these poor babies. It's heartbreaking...it really is xxxx
Believe me, what I do is NOTHING compared to what my friend Nuria in Madrid, and the brave souls who run and work in the refuges there everyday have to face. They are at the sharp end, and I don;t think I could ever do what they do. What I do is very small, in the big scheme of things. If only I had the money, I would love to send huge consignments of coast for winter warmth for the glagos, scalibor collars for tick protection in summer, and pay for vets top help heal the poor broken dogs. And then I would SUE the life out of the hunters ad gypsies whop perpetrate these obscene cruelties. Spread the word...sorry to push, but these dogs need all the help they can get. Lots of love Joanna x
