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Greyhounds Make Great Pets
Topics: pets, Bakersfield, dogs, greyhounds
Posted by erichina Wed Jul 9, 2008 22:14:30 PDT
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0 responses 4 comments

Dear Northwest Voice:

This article is in response to your recent request for stories about our pets. Attached is a pictue of our greyhounds, Rudy (left) and Kenzie. They were featured in a Californian article last year about greyhound adoption. Kenzie was adopted from Greyhound Pets of America and Rudy from GreySave, both located in the Southern California area. Both are former racing greyhounds and are both 6 year old boys. They last raced at the Agua Caliente racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico, where many American racing greyhounds finish their careers. They were first fostered by volunteers who acclimated them to living as pets and then we adopted them.
 
Some believe that adopting a retired racing greyhound is difficult. In fact, they are typically very gentle, easy going dogs who like to sleep a lot and don’t require a large yard to run around in. In fact, they are indoor house pets, as they cannot be kept outside in a yard unprotected from temperature extremes. All they need is to be given regular on-leash walks to potty and a soft bed or couch to lie on in the home. They are affectionately called “45-miles-per-hour couch potatoes.” Many easily adapt to living with other pets and in homes with small children.
 
Adopting one is not difficult, but most adoption groups require an application to be completed and even may visit your home to ensure that adopting a greyhound is appropriate for your family. If you are approved, the fee is typically $250 - $300, which covers the medical evaluation of your greyhound, spay or neutering, and its care during its fostering. Once you have your new greyhound you are not alone, however, as the adoption groups are always available to assist you with questions that may come up. There is a great group of greyhound owners here in Bakersfield and we regularly get together for play dates with our greyhounds and at meet-and-greets to promote adoption.
 
We really enjoy providing our greyhounds their forever home.
 
Eric Kelley and Tony Cervantes
 

 

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Comment From: sunnica

Eric, thank you SO,so much for posting this online. I had no idea that greyhounds had a bad rap or that there were a group of you in town that own them. This is a very informative article that hopefully people will read when the Google the term "greyhound." P.S. The photo of the two is absolutely priceless -- they are just big sweeties! Please don't be a stranger here. Comment From: dweaver3

What a great picture! What beautiful dogs! I've always wanted a greyhound, but as an apartment dweller it's not really feasible. It's great to hear that there is a strong greyhound adoption community here in Bakersfield! Comment From: erichina

Thanks a lot for the feedback on the pic. They really are greyt boys! In fact, there are at least some 30 families or so with greys as pets in the greater Bkfd area, by my count. We'll be having a public meet and greet at PETCO in September for Greyhound Planet days and are usually at the home shows at the fairgrounds spring and fall. Most owners really enjoy sharing their greys with others. dweaver if you ever get a place that allows dogs, even if you don't have a yard, these guys adapt quite well to apartments. Since they are crate trained from birth, they simply come to treat your home as a crate, and are typically very respectful of your interior. As long as they get out 3-4 times a day for short walks, that's all the potty time they need. So, if you ever get a chance...think about a grey. They can be very "cat-like" actually. Comment From: tonloc

Loved the story. I try to keep up on greyhound stories from other areas and saw this one. My wife and I live in SE Pennsylvania where we spend a good deal of time with grey adoption. We are happily "owned" by three greyhounds, Buddy, Skye, and Becky. Keep in mind we were only suppossed to have one! Enjoy your hound.