Adopting a greyhound
by JOE FORZANO

Wonderful. Sweet. Elegant. Caring.

That’s how Michelle Weaver of Friends of Greyhounds in Fort Lauderdale describes greyhounds. Most people know greyhounds to be racing dogs, zooming around the track chasing the electric lure while spectators cheer them on, hoping their dog comes in first so they can cash in on a winning ticket.

What most people don’t know is that after their careers are over – which can be as short as their first six races (known as maiden races) or as long as three to four years – these retired dogs need homes.

“There are a lot of greyhounds that are finished with their careers and they need homes,” Weaver said. “You’ve never had a dog so appeciative of a home.”

When a dog is adopted into a new family and home, Barbara Masi of Greyhound Pets of America in West Palm Beach says, “They seem to know what this couch is for, what this home is for. They adapt very, very quickly.”

Sonya Stratemann of Elite Greyhound Adoptions in Loxahatchee says, “They are so soulful. It’s just an immediate bond with every one of them. They immediately go into our hearts.”