Adopt a Special Dog

Are you considering adopting a dog? What kind would you like?

There are as many reasons for owning a dog as there are dog owners. Some want a partner for activities like hunting or fetching. Others like walking their pet for exercise. Yet others simply desire companionship.

Recently, I was introduced to a breed of dog I formerly knew little about. Thanks to Ken Marten, who provides a foster home for one particular breed, I was privileged to meet his foster dog, Jake.

Many dogs like Jake are rescued from conditions where they are kept in a small cage along with up to 50 other dogs in a cement complex. They are detained for 18 to 22 hours per day, lying on shredded paper or carpet that rubs them raw. Fleas and ticks bite them constantly. They wear muzzles at all times except while eating.

Many owners of this breed considered them “disposable property” and would “put their animal down” if he didn’t perform well for them. Some 17,000 like them are killed or sold to researchers every year. Precious few are lucky enough to find their way into adoption programs.

After meeting Jake, I can’t understand why anyone would treat him so cruelly. Many people think dogs of this breed are mean, vicious, high-strung dogs, but that is not true. They are very friendly, docile, and loving. They are very quiet and love attention. I’m told they are compatible with children over two years old, cats, and even other dogs.

They love walking and running. They can run up to 40 mph and has a very strong chasing instinct. Because of this dangerous speed, they must always be kept on a leash. Although they can be very active, they also love relaxing on a soft pillow.

This breed was originally developed to hunt antelopes, wolves, and deer. They were given to Roman emperors and Greek nobility as gifts. In fact, around 1014 English law prohibited all but nobility from keeping them “No meane [average] person may keep any…”. They are the fastest dogs on earth and only the cheetah can beat them. Eventually, they were bred specifically for racing.

Photo Credit: Public Domain (Chris Nelson)
© Wikimedia Commons

Jake is a greyhound and his combined characteristics make him a wonderful companion, an excellent fitness partner, and a good ole hound dog. Please consider adopting him and other loving pets like him through a local greyhound adoption advocate.