hiya bucks in Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, Marlow, Wycombe, Wooburn October 2017 | Page 5

I wanted a dog, but not one that wanted a fuss all the time
Why
Greyhound Rescue brings a gentle giant into your life
Affectionate and happy to be loved, but not demanding, I got my greyhound
because I was working most days and I was told they don’t need lots of exercise.
Cassinova and Blue
Most greyhounds are used
to being locked in a kennel
and 3–4,000 a year are put
to sleep as a rescue place
isn’t found for them. Being
in your home is like a 5 star
hotel in comparison,  and
they know and appreciate
it.
When considering a rescue
dog the best piece of
advice I was given was to
consider your temperament
and your lifestyle  -  and
try and match that to the
dog. Don’t just look at what
looks cute or pretty, but
look at lifestyle, energy and
temperament.
Getting a dog with high
exercise requirements when
you prefer 30 minute walks,
or one that wants a fuss
when you don’t want to
give it constantly, will just
result in dissatisfaction for
you both. Don’t put a quiet
dog in a noisy home, or a
noisy dog in a quiet home.
Jango
Not all greyhounds are the
same of course and each
has their own personality.
Spice is always picking
up my shoes when she is
excited and carrying them
round the house -  so much
so that I often have to ask
her where one of them is!
She squashes in the corner
of the utility room when
we are ready for a walk,
as that is where her lead is,
and she can’t wait.
Some greyhounds are more
affectionate than others,
some more confident,
others less so. In general,
having fostered greys and
spoken to many owners,
greyhounds make great
pets for people that
love their calmness and
unassumingness. “Patience
personified,” someone
once said of Spice.
“Gentle giants, calming
and low maintenance,” are
terms used.
Spice
This doesn’t mean you
don’t have to work to
help them adjust to their
new home and being with
you, or to get over any
insecurities they have. Jane
at Fall in Love with a Rescue
once said to me, it is about
energy. Try and match your
energy with that of the type
of dog you choose.
Not that my energy
matches in this regard, as
I don’t often find myself
running around my garden
at 35 mph… but they have
bursts of energy where they
will want to run around the
garden or a field, but then
that’s it. Think of sprinters,
not long distance runners.
Spice gets her squeaky toy
when I come in the house,
we have a mad squeaking
session for less than 2
minutes, and then she lies
down. Sprint. Calm.
Sophie Hurst
sophieandspice@outlook. com
For more information about fostering and adopting greyhounds please visit
https://www.facebook.com/fallinlovewitharescue/
hiyabucks.com
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