Danville couple shares home with rescued greyhounds
Tonya Salomon pets Minnie , who was rescued from a greyhound racetrack in Dubuque , Iowa . Photo by Carol Roehm
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BY CAROL ROEHM ILLIANA MAGAZINE
Tonya Salomon says it was love at first sight when she first laid eyes on a greyhound .
Admired for its sleek lines and graceful elegance — not to mention its rocket-fast speed — greyhounds also are affectionate , gentle and great with children .
“ I ’ ve always thought they were pretty , and I like the idea of saving one from a track ,” said Salomon , who is known as an on-air radio personality on Danville ’ s WDNL and KRHK radio stations .
Salomon and her husband Ken did just that . Basil and Minnie , greyhounds both rescued from racetracks , now enjoy the good life at the Salomon home where they can be found either stretched out on a large plush cushion or lounging on the couch .
Greyhounds are natural-born runners . Generations of greyhounds have been bred to race , but many greyhounds are now looking for forever homes as racetracks across the country continue to close down at a steady pace .
The controversial sport of dog racing started to decline in popularity about 20 years ago and is now illegal in 42 states . In the handful of states where dog racing is still legal , racetracks are closing due to lack of public interest .
The most recent racetrack to close was the Iowa Greyhound Park in Dubuque on May 15 .
“ Minnie came from the Iowa track ,” Salomon said . “ Kansas City , the racetrack where Basil is from , is closing soon , and then there will be only three tracks left .”
Greyhound racing is still popular in Australia and Asia , as well as in Mexico where tracks will keep the dogs for a year and then euthanize them , she said .
The couple adopted Minnie , whose black ears and markings resemble Disney ’ s Minnie Mouse , in 2017 when she was 2 years old .
Basil was only 18 months old when he joined the Salomon household in 2019 .
“ When they ’ re born , they train them to see who has prey drive and will be able to race ,” she explained . “ Minnie raced for eight months , and she came in second place twice .”
Tall , tan and handsome Basil , however , never raced at his home track in Kansas City .
“ He was a dropout from training ,” Salomon said . “ He never had the prey drive .”
Even the most successful greyhounds at the track race for only about two years before they are retired and need to be rehomed . Greyhounds live to be about 10 to 14 years old .
Because of their relatively short careers , the greyhound community is divided over whether the dogs should be bred for the racing
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