A BLUE and GREYhound WEEKEND

                                                            

Kiowa checking it all out.

                                                                               
                                                                                         The historic blue and grey

                                                                                         Lesson for our day

                                                                                         Accept a different way

              

Meeting a Galgo

My greyhound, Kiowa, and I stride into the building, excited and on point, poised for any surprise.  We are primed and eager - I, wearing my greyhound jewelry, Greyhound Dogs XXF sweatshirt, and other odds and ends that depict my favorite breed, and Kiowa, ears up, nose at the ready keen to sniff out this new adventure.  Dogs and people abound.  The dogs are greyhounds, galgos (a breed of Spanish greyhound), and greyhound want-a-be’s, and the people are all garbed in greyhound paraphernalia.  We are at Greyhounds in Gettysburg,  a greyhound reunion of sorts, held yearly in April in Gettysburg, PA.  

SHOPPING!!

This reunion’s goal is plain and simple fun.  Greyhound owners go to all extremes to make their greys happy, and this is certainly one of the ways they can do it.  For the dogs and humans attending, there are doggy activities like speed greyhound runs, crazy dog tricks, agility demos, a Gettysburg Battlefield walk, and a fenced area where muzzled greys can romp safely.  For people, there are talks, a banquet, demonstrations, food, get-togethers, and SHOPPING. 

Walking the aisles of this convention hall, I experience the nirvana of endless vendors displaying their wares.  I can buy all manner of things: beautiful dog beds, martingale collars, leashes, dog coats, and numerous other objects which Kiowa cannot live without.  Lucky dog. 

YUM!

The vendors, lined up like greyhounds in their starting boxes, prepared and anticipating the sale of their goods, lure us in with everything greyhound.  I see lawn ornaments depicting greyhounds in one booth, jewelry of many designs, yet all rendering a common theme in another, clothing for the fashion conscious greyhound owner, handmade leather pocketbooks, and scores of statues and pictures of greyhounds in flight.  What more could one need?  We, both dog and human, are consumed by the sheer abundance of all this greyhoundobilia.  

The extensive shopping is only part of the fun.  This event begins on Thursday and runs through the weekend to Sunday morning.  During that time, greyhound owners and their dogs experience a special camaraderie born of the connection that exists between greyhound lovers and also between the dogs themselves.  Kiowa has probably not seen this many greyhounds in one place since he left the track.  As he approaches each dog, his excitement is palatable.  I put myself into his doggy skin and feel his joy.  So many butts to sniff, so little time.   He seems to think, “I know that I should not be pulling, but who knows when this will happen again.  Maybe never.  I have to find out if any of these greys are my long lost relatives.”  Sniff, sniff, sniff.

Listening and Learning

As for us greyhound companions, we are also sniffing out, in a sense, friendships old and new.  In other circumstances, we might not have much in common as we come from all different walks of life. But the moment knowledge of greyhound ownership comes into play, our connections to each other are clear. Conversation is not difficult and flows like a river with no barriers.

On Friday and Saturday in addition to vendors, the main building houses an  area relegated to scheduled talks concerning topics from greyhound medical issues and galgo rescue to dog superfoods and book discussions/signings.  We sit in folding chairs with the greyhounds nestled at our feet.  Some of us share a dog bed with our pooches as we all listen attentively to the speakers.  Some dogs sit up alert with ears standing at attention absorbing any sound of human voice.  Some are lying down with heads either on or between their paws.  No sound comes from the canine group.  They are too well behaved to disturb the quiet in the room, all of us riveted for any new information.

Hot Dogs and Beans

A Chilly Afternoon

Social gatherings during the weekend are also an opportunity for dogs and humans to bond.  At the Harley-Davidson dealer, a hot dog and bean gala is in progress.  YUM for all.  Voices mix with chewing sounds as humans and hounds partake in conversation and food.  As voices quiet to hear a leader announce raffles being drawn, a spontaneous “roo” erupts from one grey followed by a chorus of roos from the rest of the four legged crowd.  ( A roo is a sound made by greys, and soon all greyhounds need to join in.)  All the humans in attendance break into laughter.  A Brew and Grey event and an ice cream social later in the weekend are met with just as much joy.

By Sunday, greyhounds and humans are ready to make the trip home.  Saying goodbye for another year can bring varied feelings to participants of this joyful weekend. But with great memories to sustain every person and dog, anticipation for the 2016 event will infuse us all.   Come out next year, and join us. 

We're exhausted.

            For information, go to greyhoundsingettysburg.org