Lara
is easy to spot on Sunday mornings as she is still the
only Greyhound in the whole club!
She was bred as a racing dog but was
too slow and never made it to the racing track. With
no future in racing, Lara was sent to the Canine Blood
Bank as a blood donor dog where she stayed for three
years. Following this service to doggie society, she
was accepted as a GAP (Greyhound Adoption Program) dog
and moved to the GAP kennels in Seymour.
From here, Lara's life changed rapidly. Firstly she
was fostered out to live with a family for six weeks
so that she could learn all about domestic life and
how to be a pet dog. Then it was back to Seymour to
be put up for adoption into a permanent home (or as
GAP calls it 'a forever home').
Unfortunately, by now Lara was five years old and most
people seemed to want a younger dog. Also, because Lara
was so timid and lacking in confidence, many people
thought she would be just too much hard work. I thought
that she sounded like a dog in need of a good home and
lots of love and I was happy to adopt her. I have to
admit that we got off to a shaky start - Lara was terrified
during the drive home and displayed her terror withnervous
(and constant) flatulence. I wound down the windows
and soldiered on.
When we arrived home, after a quick wee, Lara found
the back room and crouched in a corner refusing to come
out. There she stayed for several days coming out only
to relieve herself in the garden and then scurry back
into the safety of her room. She barely ate. Luckily
this didn't last and one night she just appeared in
the lounge room and sat down beside me. It seemed that
we were going to be friends after all. A few weeks later
we enrolled in dog obedience classes and over the past
two years Lara has become a far more confident dog.
She loves socialising, even though she is still very
reserved in her manner, and is always very excited when
we jump in the car on Sunday mornings.
Lara is a perfect example of how much a lot of love
combined with dog obedience classes can do for a dog.
Not only has she (slowly but eventually!) learnt to
obey commands but the socialising and attention she
gets from everyone at the club has done wonders for
her confidence. She'll always be a timid and reserved
dog, but she is also very gentle and has a sweet nature.
Every instructor I've had at the club has said that
'you get out of your dog what you put in to your dog'
and this has proved to be so true for Lara and me. It
has been incredibly rewarding to watch Lara progress
so much over the past two years and enjoy her life as
a domestic dog.
THE GREYHOUND
For thousands of years the Greyhound has remained as
it is seen today. The Greyhound was a dog for nobility
and it was unlawful for a 'commoner' to own a Greyhound.
Records on the Greyhound go back 4500 years. The dog
was brought to Rome from Egypt and then on to Great
Britain during the Middle Ages.
The Greyhound is the fastest of all dogs and their
speed around the race track averages out to 75kmph.
The temperament of a Greyhound is tolerant and very
reserved. They will tolerate strangers but will not
make a big fuss over someone they do not know, however
they usually will not shy away when approached. Greyhounds
are most commonly known for their racing abilities but
are also show dogs.
There is a big difference between the racing and show
Greyhound. The racing Greyhound is, as a rule, smaller
with less exaggerated features than the show Greyhound.
Both the show and racing dogs have the same sweet temperament
and both make equally good pets. One is bred for speed
and the other for good looks.
While the Greyhound is a very fast breed, they are
quiet and calm around the house. They have occasional
outbursts of activity followed by much sleeping. They
are commonly referred to by their owners as 75 kph couch
potatoes!
oooOOOooo
