Galgo Espanol, The Forgotten Greyhound

By OmarCurrosSimon - Own work

Creature of flight

Long legs blur the light

Toil to catch the hare

No compassion found there

Hope for the days ahead

Love and a warm bed
                   By Alice Brown

By OmarCurrosSimon - Own work

Consumed as we are with our greyhounds and their previous worlds, it’s hard to imagine there is another animal that lives a life of abhorrent neglect.  The Spanish Greyhound, or Galgo, a cousin to our dogs, lives in a country that uses its skills, disregards its beauty, and when deemed too old or too slow, discards it.  These beautiful and talented dogs live a horrible existence until they are rescued by compassionate groups in Spain and because they are not considered pet material, must be rehomed outside of the country.

By M. Teixeira/Design Madeleine - Collection Privee

At greyhound reunions, I have come upon Galgo Rescue Groups and have marveled at how lovely these dogs are.  Very similar to our Greyhounds, but more petite, they exude a joyful spirit.  They are now available not only from these Galgo rescues, but also on some regular greyhound rescue sites.  Although cousins to the greyhound, they do have some differences.  

The original galgo dogs were believed to be descended from dogs of ancient Celtic tribes.  These Celts migrated across Europe and down into the Iberian Peninsula which houses Spain and Portugal. Their dogs were developed for hunting the hare in rough, wild and mountainous countryside.  The name, Galgo, is derived from “Canis Gallicus” meaning “Celtic Dog” or perhaps “Dog from Gaul”.  

Beautiful Galgo at GIG

Although originally brought to Spain by noble persons and held in high esteem, the years of haphazard breeding by the lower classes resulted in them being looked upon as a “trash dog”.  Bred for hunting and coursing, these elegant sighthounds display varied colorations, coat, and size.  Their height ranges from 23 inches to 27 inches at the shoulder and weight, from 50 to 70 pounds.  Their coats can be smooth or wire-haired.

Hanging around at GIG

Today, Galgos are still used to hunt hares in the Spanish countryside.  They continue to be bred carelessly by their handlers called “galgueros”  They spend much of their lives in “damp, dirty, tiny holes or windowless shacks” and are fed bread and water.  Denied light and affection, these sweet dogs continue to be second class animals in Spain and are not owned as pets.  At the end of the hunting season each year, the ones deemed worthless are destroyed in inhumane ways or abandoned to the streets.  Some are sent to “killing stations called perraras”.  Luckily, there are a few caring shelters that rescue these dogs and try to rehome them outside of Spain.  The number of dogs either abandoned or killed at the end of each hunting season can reach 100,000.

By Tux-Man - Own work

The temperament of the Galgo is very similar to that of the Greyhound.  They are calm, quiet, gentle, and love to sleep.  They have a tendency toward shyness  due to their lack of socialization in their prior life.  However, they bond strongly with their adopting families and display joyful personalities.  Like greyhounds, they are fast and agile and must be leashed in open areas.  Unlike greyhounds, they can jump fences so a higher fence is necessary.

As I researched these dogs, I came across some stunning photographs on the internet.  One of my resources was proof.nationalgeographic.com.  On it was an article called Restoring Dignity to Spain’s Mistreated Hunting Dogs by Janna Dotschkal in which she interviewed Martin Usborne who has photographed many of these dogs. Check this out when you can.

By OmarCurrosSimon - Own work

It remains a mystery to me how in this day and age people can still treat animals in such a cruel and uncaring manner.  You would think that they had no understanding of the Golden Rule which should apply to animals even more so due to their dependance on us.  Hopefully, just as in the case of our greyhounds,  reading and speaking about this issue may bring a new enlightenment where there was none.

Resources:

longhairedwhippet.com

foreverhomegreyhounds.org

examiner.com

       Article by Melissa Stoneburner, 10/2/12

proof.nationalgeographic.com

       Restoring Dignity to Spain’s Mistreated Hunting Dogs

                                      Article by Janna Dotschkal

vetstreet.com

en.wikipedia.org,   Galgo Espanol

Photographs:

en.wikipedia.org,   Galgo Espanol  
  

The Greyhound Mystique

Eyes, ears, body so lithe

A fragile yet powerful beast

The regal bearing so belies

Sweet nature held within

                                     

It’s a beautiful day.  I’m strolling down a sidewalk with the sun streaming through the sheltering trees, my two greys in tow, when coming toward me are a few people walking my way.  We all smile and greet each other as we approach, but instead of just passing by, they stop and ask a question.  “What kind dog is that?” or “Is that a rescued greyhound?”  If you have one or more greyhounds in your household, you have experienced this same reoccurring phenomenon.

Over the twenty-five years of being a greyhound guardian, I still find fascination in the interest people take in my animals.  I can walk by myself and be completely invisible.  Take my greys out for a walk, and it’s a different story.  We instantly lead a parade.  If we travel to any outdoor craft show, visiting a vendor for me seems improbable.  People stop me every few steps.  If my goal is to shop, I travel without my companions, and then I become invisible again.      

Greyhounds have this special effect on us.  Just consider the regal way in which they hold themselves and their charming prance when out for a walk.  They have a bearing that captivated royalty in ancient times.  Why shouldn’t they continue to captivate the modern world with their beauty?  That outside beauty is merely a slight reflection of what they possess on the inside, though.  The sweetness and loyalty that are the greyhound play well into their mystique.  Whatever it is that attracts us, they are completely unaware of their magical effect and their ability to make us love them.

Somehow, this greyhound specialness transfers itself remarkably to the other end of the leash.  The person holding it becomes extraordinary due to its attachment.  A spark of whatever it is that pulls us to these dogs sizzles up the cord to make us special too. Suddenly, we hold awareness and insight not possessed by normal man.  This specialness, in truth, has nothing to do with us.  These dogs are compelling and work their magic within us.  We have no choice but to express details and advice on this magnificent breed.  We happily become part of their mystique. 

If you have multiple greys or even just one, you feel this magic and know that part of your objective with greyhound guardianship is to spread your passion for the greyhound.  It becomes part of the job description, so take up that banner willingly.  Stop and talk to people, answer their questions, give out information, and freely share your love for the greyhound.  You will never know where your influence ends.  Have you taken a walk with your greyhound today? 

A Tooth in Need

A racing grey with pearly whites,

                                                                                                 A lofty goal for some to preach,

                                                                     Yet yearly care to keep them there,

                                                                            With brushing often, we should teach.

Resting

Another day in paradise; reclining on our soft beds, wolfing down sumptuous meals, and being unconditionally loved creates an aura of heaven on earth.  It has been a somewhat tiring day though, after running full tilt outside.  Emma and I are curled up on our beds as tight as caterpillars in a cocoon with only one thing in mind, and that is to sleep.  As we are just about to surrender to unconsciousness, Mom rushes into the room with excitement rolling off her like a wave.  We almost thought she had won the lottery.  She didn’t, but she has news to share.  Tomorrow morning, we are traveling to New Jersey to see her friend, Lori, and her grey, Winona.  (Nona for short.)  The excitement is contagious, and at once we are out of our beds frolicking madly around her.   

The next morning, we jump without hesitation into the back of the van.  Pressing our cold noses up against the chill of the windows, a foggy haze appears adding a dreamlike quality.  We roam from window to window inhaling the thrill of the unknown.  Soon, we settle with the soft rhythms of the road and the gentle sounds of the cars whooshing by, and before we know it, we have arrived.

The Three Musketeers

We feel it the minute the car pulls in, there’s another greyhound close-by.  It’s a  sense unique to us dogs, knowing each other.  Mom opens the rear hatch, and we exit checking our surroundings using eyes and noses.  There, behind the fence, are Aunt Lori and Nona!  Nona attracts our full attention.  After sniffing all parts of each other, leashes are released, and then we go.  All three of us streak around the yard; first, to sniff and go potty, then wildness begins.  We dart around the woodpile, fly past the trees, and zoom at high speed in tight figure-eights.  Finally, drained from this explosion of energy and sauntering over to Mom and Aunt Lori, we rest.

We pass the evening in familiar geniality, all of us reacquainting ourselves.  Plunking down on the living room floor, we hounds soon fall off into a deep snooze.  The next morning is an early wakeup, and soon we are in the van again, all five of us.  We hounds are unaware of our destination, but after a sleepy ride, we arrive in Philadelphia at the National Greyhound Adoption Program’s  Veterinary Clinic (www.ngap.org). 

It's Finally Over

We have visited this place before.  It is a large building in an industrial complex with spacious dog runs outside.  We spy no greys playing outdoors today, but we have seen them there before enjoying the space.  We know it because we come here each year to have our teeth checked and maybe some shots given.  Our moms like this facility because it was established to give vet care to retired racing greyhounds.  The doctors understand our particular anatomy, especially the type and amount of anesthesia we are allowed.  If we only need a cleaning, we are put in a light sleep, and sometimes if our teeth aren’t bad, we don’t have to sleep at all.  If teeth need to be pulled, the docs put us in a deep snooze.  

We three are sent in to see the vet.  The doctor gives us each an exam and checks out our mouths.  Poor Nona has to have teeth pulled this time, and it turns out to be 11.  OUCH!  Unfortunately, many of us tend toward problems with our teeth due to poor feeding and mouth care practices when we were on the track.  Luckily for Emma and I, all we need is to get our teeth cleaned.  I don’t know how they do it, but we go to sleep for a little while, and we don’t feel a thing.  The three of us finally come out from our visit with clean mouths, and a recommendation from the staff for our moms to cleanse our teeth with a special solution between brushings.

Nona Snoozing

    

As we pile into the car again, we are happy that we are on our way home.  We were not allowed to eat this morning so when we arrive at Aunt Lori’s, we are starving.  We all chow down, are blissfully happy, and are soon asleep!  

Next day, Mom, Emma, and I are on our way home.  We had a great visit with Aunt Lori and Nona, and hope to see them again soon.  I am not too sure how to rate the doctor visit, though.  It’s fine with us if we don’t go back for a while.


                                                                Respectfully Submitted:  Kiowa 

So I'm Ready to Adopt

                                            

                                                                                                   The greyhound of my dreams awaits,

                                                                                       I anticipate the day,

                                                                                       After I have chosen wisely,

                                                                                       Lay bare my heart to a grey.

 

OK, so you’ve made the decision to adopt a greyhound.  You might think that there are no more questions to ask.  However, it’s just the opposite.  What is your lifestyle?  Is it fast paced or do you work out of your home and can spend more time with an animal?  Do you think a younger dog with more energy is for you, or are you leaning toward adopting an older one that might be a bit more lay back?  Do you want a smaller greyhound or are you into large dogs?  Do you have a preference for a male or female?  What type of temperament are you looking for in your dog?  Maybe overwhelming questions, but it is good to know how your life and the dog’s life will coalesce.

I didn’t know anything about the greyhound breed when I read that first article in the newspaper.  After I met some greyhounds in person, I was totally hooked by their sweet demeanor and sleek beauty.  I foIlowed my heart, but still didn’t know too much when I made that first call to a greyhound rescue.  Luckily today, many of the people I meet interested in greyhounds know something about the breed.  The levels of knowledge may differ, but many of them have educated themselves to make sure a greyhound would be a good fit for their family.  Smart!  That is something every family interested in adoption should do.

When I adopted my first dog almost 25 years ago, I didn't have the luxury of searching a greyhound adoption website.  My experience was much simpler.  I contacted the rescue, asked questions, and decided if I wanted a male or female.  The rescue person picked one out for me.  When the dog came in, they notified me.  That was the extent of it.  Today, the greyhound rescue websites are sophisticated.  Many of them show pictures and temperament write-ups about available dogs.  Some greyhounds have been in foster care, and that affords more insight into the animal.  This gives the adopter much more information to work with when choosing a pet.  

One of the big questions asked during a Meet & Greet is if I prefer a male or female greyhound.  I believe that each has its own positives.  When I was asked what gender I wanted for my very first dog, I did ask for a female.  My thought being that she would be smaller than a male.  She was, but that is not always true.  I have seen some large girls over the years.  Usually the females are smaller than the males, but bigger dogs can be as graceful if not more so than the smaller ones.  Each creature brings forth its own personality no matter what the size.  Teaching my boys to heel in many cases has been easier than my girls.  Although the boys are larger, the girls still have extraordinary strength and minds of their own.

I read an article recently in Celebrating Greyhounds that addressed the issue of differences between males and females.  In this article, called Battle of the Sexes, the author, Deb Levasseur, certainly hit the nail on the head for me with my present girl, “The dainty, pretty, tiny girls are usually the higher-energy types.  They are very smart little spitfires, extremely cute, and fun to train.  They are perfect hiking and exercise companions……and can be bossy little divas.  Girls are usually guilty of taking beds, toys, food, or treats from the boys.  They often bump their adoptive brothers out of the way to bolt through the door to pee first or nudge their way in for petting and attention.”   Oh yeah, that’s my Emma exactly!  Was the author looking through our window?

Although she nailed Emma, I have had three other females that were not like this at all.  Two were extremely shy and had to be coaxed out of their shells over time, and the other was a happy-go-lucky girl that was not very pushy at all.  So again, we can only generalize as to these differences. 

I have found that greyhound males are very often lovers, wanting lots of rubs and pets.  Deb Levasseur also agrees.  She goes on to address the concern that male dogs lift their legs when they pee.  Some adopters may be hesitant about getting a male for that reason.  I have had 4 males, two have squatted and two have lifted their leg.  Ms. Levasseur says, “The vast majority of Greyhounds are easily trained within a few days and reliable after about 30 days.”, and I definitely agree with that.  My boys were trained within a short time.  As long as you are consistent, the dog will learn quickly.   

Intelligence of the male or female vary from dog to dog, although I do think the girls assimilate information easier.  Many of the girls, though, understand what you want but have their own agenda.  I have found that most of my boys were lay back and basically followed orders.  I add the caveat that these observations were developed by watching my own animals.  Every dog is different, and again these could be viewed as generalizations.  

Occasionally, a greyhound comes along with a few issues.  Remember, these dogs have never been in home situations before and have been crated most of their lives.  Thrust into this new environment, some take longer to acclimate and fit into a home than others.  With love and patience, most work it through and realize improvement.  Understand that all adopted greyhounds need time to really feel at home.  Don’t give up on them as they will blossom into the animal they were meant to be. 

Greyhounds tip the scales at being over the top fantastic.  Whether you choose a boy or a girl, you cannot go wrong.  Do your homework though, assess your family needs, and then adopt a greyhound.  There are so many that will fit into your life and make it wonderful.  Each of my dogs has given me different gifts, and each gift reveals a little magic about who they are.  Your greyhound will surprise you with the same.  

Resources:

Deb Levasseur, Certified Dog Trainer and Behavior Therapist, Ask the Expert: Battle of the Sexes, Celebrating Greyhounds, Summer 2015,

A Greyt Young Life

                                               

Born to run from the start,

                                                                                                       Chasing bunny around the track,
                                                                                                       To catch our only goal,
                                                                                                       A family to be our pack.

Many of us, as greyhound owners, wonder what our dogs’ young lives were like.  Watching them play, we can only imagine how cute and funny they were.  They do retain some of their puppy attitudes, but I still wonder how Kiowa’s and Emma’s lives before the track played out.  To that end, I did some reading up on greyhound farm life and the beginnings of our dogs lives on the race track.

National Greyhound Association (NGA) puppies are born on farms.  They are born in climate-controlled buildings, remain with their mother and siblings, and are handled frequently by their caretakers.   After weaning and reaching between 6 to 10 weeks old,  the litter moves to an outdoor pen called a “run” where they can play and run with each other.   This first run is usually 100 feet long.  As they get older and stronger, the runs increase in length to 300 feet, and the breeders are always checking on a dog’s lure enthusiasm.  Each puppy is tattooed.  The right ear has the puppy’s month and last two digits of its year of birth and a letter indicating the sequence of that dog in the litter.  The left ear has their NGA registration number.  Greyhound puppies remain with their littermates on the farm for about a year.

Between 4 and 18 months, the dogs are put into individual crates, and during this time their training really begins.  Training with a drag lure starts when the puppies are 10 to 12 months old.  This is done at a special training facility where they are sent for their formal race education.  Here they learn routine, and have paddock turnouts 3 to 4 times a day.  The dogs begin by racing in straight lines.  They graduate to learning to run in small circles, and finally they are introduced to the schooling track where they learn to break from the box and run with other dogs.  Now they are ready for the professional track.

At 18 months, their training completed, they are sent to a track.  At that time, they are given six chances to finish in the top four in their maiden race.  If they are too slow to take the top four, they are retired, adopted or euthanized.  If they succeed, they are graded: A, B, C, D, E, or J. If a greyhound finishes or fails to finish first, second, or third in a number of races that greyhound moves up or down one grade.  The best running dogs are sent to more competitive tracks while the ones that don’t win are moved to lower graded tracks.  They can move up and down in the grades depending on their performance.

Kennel compounds are located at each track.  They are independently-operated and house the greyhounds that are needed to operate that track.  Greyhound owners who want to run their dogs are required to lease their dogs to these kennels.  The kennel owner and the dog owner share in the greyhound’s earnings.

Our dogs had quite a working life before becoming pets, and they have earned the right to be lazy now.  If you have a fenced in yard or take your dog to an enclosed area, you can sometimes see the glint in the eye of your dog a moment before he starts to run in circles or figure eights.  Greyhounds run not to win but for the pure joy of it, and we as their companions get to share in that joy.

Resources:

D. Caroline Coile, PH.D, Greyhounds, A Complete Pet Owner’s Manual, New

York: Barron’s, 1996 

Dr. Jim Jeffers, GreySave volunteer, Illustrated History of Greyhounds, GreySave.org

Joee Kam, Raising Baby, Celebrating Greyhounds Magazine, Fall, 2014

A Greyt Commitment

                                                                Only one grey to love

                                                                My heart needed more

                                                                Another was needed

                                                                To balance the score

Taking a dip

                                                                    

Rusty & Kazi in Key West

With the holidays approaching, my husband and I were engulfed in the festivities and the antics of Rusty and Kazi, our two amusing greyhounds, when the unthinkable occurred.  One afternoon, when I was home with the dogs, my large male grey, Rusty, vomited and then proceeded to have an episode that I can only describe as odd.  Backing up suddenly and having no control of his body, his fear was palpable.  After vet visits where no apparent culprit was discovered, death followed at home 48 hours later.  He was 10.  No explanation as to cause was offered by the vet.  We were devastated.  

My Kiowa

Time marched on as it will, and our grieving lessened.  We were lucky to still have our female greyhound, Kazi, and kept her close to our hearts.  In February, we traveled to the Florida Keys as was our usual trek.  Kazi was immersed in her typical Keys dog activities: the dog park, the beach, and visiting Key West.  We all seemed on the mend from our shattering blow.  Our month in Florida over, we looked forward to getting back into our routine.

In March, I got the itch for an addition to our greyhound family.  Upon reaching my favorite greyhound rescue site, a face with a spectacular nose jumped out at me.  His expression insisted that I come and pick him up.  Every four legged wonder had been a blessing to us, but this sweet face spoke to my heart, and I was immediately captivated.  Within a short time, he was home.

Kazi relaxing

One day soon after, Kazi vomited.  Being sensitized to any change in behavior after Rusty’s issue, I rushed her to the vet.  Her blood work was not good, and x-rays were taken.  She had a massive cancerous tumor on her spleen and liver.  Unthinkable!  How could this be happening again?  Nothing to be done, we took her home and loved her.  She seemed comforted knowing we had another greyhound to love and within two weeks, she left us at the age of 9.

Here's Emma!

The sorrow was more poignant this time.  The second loss hit me harder than the first.  Not that my love was stronger, but the loss of two wonderful dogs was hard to bear.  We grieved again.  Kiowa, our new grey, helped fill the void, and we felt blessed to have him especially at that moment in time. 

Almost a year passed, and a need for the balance of two dogs overcame me.  Many beautiful female faces stared back at me when I revisited the rescue website.  But February was again upon us, and our Florida visit loomed ahead.  It was not the time to adopt another dog.  

Kiowa & Emma at home

Back home, my desire renewed, I again began a search.  Finding a little black girl who was just turning 2 years old in May, our search fruitful, we were smitten.  She is delicate and beautiful and a joy.  Easy to teach, easy to love, an easy addition to the family, she was meant to be with us.  We named her Emma, and she, as well as Kiowa, is the love of our lives.  

Each greyhound, we have been lucky to parent, has been special to us.  Starting back in 1991, we had very little choice of temperament, color, etc.  The only thing chosen was the dog’s gender.  We got what we got and loved them in spite of themselves.  Many of our greys have had some type of issue, but all were workable with kindness and caring.  Luckily today, there is much more information available to help you make the best choice for your family when picking a greyhound to adopt. 

Love at first sight

To our considerable surprise neither Kiowa nor Emma seems to have any complication.  They are happy, well adjusted, and play with toys and each other.  They love us as much as we love them.  We have had Kiowa for over a year and know what to expect from him whereas Emma has only been with us for a month. As time goes on, more of her personality will surface and watching her develop will be ours to experience.

My balance

Having eight dogs over our lifetime of greyhounds, each one of them became a unique gift.  No two were ever the same, and their differences, peculiarities, temperaments, strengths made each their own little adventure.  I have been privileged to have been given the opportunity to be their caregiver.  Each one has a piece of my heart, and I know that my devotion for these special dogs was one of God’s purposes for my existence on Earth.

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