News from Grey Haven
So what is it we do down on the farm????
One of the difficult aspects of greyhound adoption is taking back returned dogs. Sometimes the return means a family is fractured or someone is ill…sometimes the reasons are vague and the dog will be better off in another home.
And sometimes, we go looking for “our” dogs.
Six and a half years ago, Bob and I had the dubious pleasure of caring for a litter of greyhound pups. There were nine of them…all red… looked exactly alike and all of them were like little piranha, chewing up everything they could get their sharp little teeth on!
In a short time, they were all adopted out, two going to a lady in North Carolina who was going to lure course with them when they grew up. Over the years we lost contact with her and it was purely by accident that I read on the internet that 66 dogs were confiscated from a home in North Carolina…the majority of them being greyhounds. It was too much of a coincidence for me to let it go.
Many phone calls later it was determined that this was indeed the home that Scarlet and Savannah had gone to but no one had come across two six and half year old red sisters with no tattoos in their ears. I was sure they had disappeared. It was a week later that I received the call I had been hoping for…Scarlet and Savannah had been found! They were, however, in terrible shape…underweight…full of fleas and ticks, open sores, patchy, dry skin and fur. And they had spent almost six years of their lives living in crates, not always getting out to potty.
While this is also a legal issue and the woman is being prosecuted, my concern was for the safety of these two dogs. They started out as unwanted by the industry and then spent their lives living in filth, not really wanted there either. But WE wanted them! The responsibility for GAF dogs does not end when they are adopted and we did everything we could to bring them home.
Thanks to a wonderful friend in North Carolina, Scarlet and Savannah were brought back to us about three weeks ago. After spending two weeks with Mary in her home where they were pampered, fed and cared for, they came home to us where Bob and I will help them regain their health and teach them that the world can be a kind place and it’s a good thing to live in a home filled with toys and good food and love.
Both girls have gained about ten pounds and are starting to look like little greyhounds again. Hair is growing back, sores are healing and the amazing greyhound spirit is evident in both of them. They look forward to company…love being with other dogs….and most of all, love being loved. Soon it will be time to finish up their vet work and look for a home for both of our girls. And this time they will go to a family who will give them the lives they deserve.
Let me know if you are interested!
Update!
Scarlet found a forever home and is bouncing around with her new brother and sister greyhounds. Savannah is still patiently waiting. Anyone ready to open to a heart and home to her?
