Pet Tracks
Jan Jaeger

Joey will be two next week.

Greyhounds

If you ask any owner of a retired racing greyhound about their pet, you will get an earful. Because every dog has a story. And the story for two very fortunate and now former racers is beginning a new chapter as they have a run at life on Nantucket.

Pam Rohdenburg, Geronimo’s Manager, collected the two greyhounds from the just-closed Plainsfield, Connecticut, track on Sunday. She called me, all excited, “I have just picked up the two most beautiful dogs!” Dinky, a red fawn female turning three years old next month, is about 60 pounds. The male, M’s Jumpin’Joe, Joey for short, is a young red brindle who will be two next week. Pam will take the dogs to our MSPCA’s Adoption Center.

Even though retired racer adopters are enthusiastic about the characteristics of the breed and the joys of rescuing, they are also candid about the differences and challenges of acquiring an adult dog that has been kennel-raised and whose entire existence has been structured around a strict training schedule.

Pam comments about her own rescued greyhound, Rusty. “With a background of retrievers as pets, my first reaction to this dog was — is he broken? He just behaved so differently from our other dogs. You would think that having been a racer, genetically and literally born to run, he would want to get out and go. But, he just wanted to lie around!”

And that is one thing retired racers do really well, just lie around. Another islander, Carol Gird, who adopted Mercedes three years ago, agrees. “Mercedes is a true lounge hound, but she is the best dog I’ve ever had in my life.”

Racing greyhounds have lived their entire lives in a crate, housed with other racers, so they have spent little, if any, time alone. To them, a normal life is a strict schedule of eating, training, resting, racing, time out, crate time and being surrounded by other dogs. They have not ridden in cars, climbed stairs, been exposed to sliding glass doors, children, cats, the cacophony of a typical household, or spent time by themselves.

Fostering will often provide a transition and socializing experience for the retired racer. But for those that come directly from a track, the first few days away from their familiar environment can be very stressful.

The dogs are often confused, nervous and frightened. The new adopter is ready to lavish love, attention and goodies on their new charge, eager to provide assurance and affection. Instead, the dog might become alarmed by unfamiliar items and be fearful of close physical contact, particularly if the animal is very shy.

Carol, who adopted Mercedes from a rescue group in Falmouth, knows little of her greyhound’s history, but her sense is that she came directly from the track. “She was so new to the rescue group,” she explains, “and she was withdrawn and shy.

Every little noise frightened her. She didn’t know what toys were for, or how to bark. When our daughter’s yellow lab-rat terrier mix, Lulu, was added to the household, that’s when Mercedes learned how to be a dog. Lulu taught her.”

Sara Farley and her family recently returned to Nantucket with their retired racer, Maddie. While husband Cris and son Bill are preparing to open their new business, The White Whale, Sara is settling in with Maddie. A retired racer from Florida, Maddie was five years old when the Farleys adopted her. Maddie had been fostered, so housetraining and separation anxiety, typically behaviors needing extra work in new adoptive homes, were under control.

Sara is very enthusiastic about the breed and retired racers. “I have always loved greyhounds. They are such beautiful dogs. They have wonderful dispositions; they are very well behaved and smart, too. Maddie is the best dog I’ve ever had.”

Greyhounds are not aggressive toward other dogs or people. If they do growl or snap, it is usually a fear response. Many can go into a household with cats or other small animals, although successful cohabitation depends a great deal on the prey drive of the individual greyhound.

Relationships with children are another area where individual personalities and adaptabilities are important. A racing greyhound has not experienced interaction with children.

For this reason, some rescue groups restrict adoptions to families with children over the age of six. Greyhounds, with their thin skins, fine coat and long, delicate bones, lack the physical bulk that protects many other breeds from the rough and tumble of interacting with boisterous children.

Dinky and Joey, a Nantucket welcome! We are so happy your racing days are now behind you. For further information about these greyhounds, contact Jessica or Stephanie at the Nantucket MSPCA Adoption Center, 508-825-2287.

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo’s, Ltd., Nantucket’s pet supply and gift shop and is a member of DWAA and CWA (Dog and Cat Writer’s Associations of America). Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and three cats. At the shop are the cats Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower Bunny, Millie a guinea pig, and three budgies. Send e-mail to jan@geronimos.com.