Eating my bootsdisenchantDecember 11 2006, 15:53:38 UTC
I can totally understand your feelings on that, because I am an adopted human, and people can be very cruel and unthinking in their comments. Many people have gone up to my mom (even strangers!) and in their nosy way, asked if she adopted because she couldn't have "children of her own" or commended her on "saving a child" (I'm a different nationality than my parents.)
The fact is my parents never saw it as "saving a child," and I have a younger brother that's biologically theirs, so she certainly could have children. Adoption is a choice they made, and I'm certainly not their "charity case."
It took a long time for my parents and I to realize that these people are just ignorant, and that gentle eductation works better than snappy, sharp comments in return. It's hard to hold your tongue in the face of stupidity, but it's satisfying knowing that I'm being the bigger person.
So I finally started on the sweater for Oracle, but realized that the pattern I was using was much too complicated for me to devote a lot of attention too. I found another pattern specifically for greyhounds that's much easier. Is she a bigger or smaller dog? The pattern has a smaller size, but I've never seen her and don't know if she's bigger or smaller in comparison to other greyhounds. Again, I'm not sure how soon I'll actually complete it, but at least it's been started now.
Reading your stories about your struggles with your dog remind me of a friend I had in elementary school. Her family adopted a greyhound, but just couldn't handle all the work that was involved with helping her adjust to being a pet. They eventually got rid of her. Reading your stories makes me feel bad for my friend's dog because there are people like you and Dana who'll take the time to really make the dog a part of their lives.
Unfortunately, that happens A LOT. Many people don't do the research involved in adopting any dog, let alone a rescue greyhound. You'd be surprised how many people get purebred dogs without learning about them first...and then end up with a nightmare simply because they wanted something cute. Makes me sad.
She's a 65-pound hound, which is about average. I don't know if that helps you. We took her measurements when we bought her winter coat, so if I can dig those up I'll let you know...or we'll just measure her again.
On a side note, I found MY sweater in her bed. (shakes head) that bad dog. And then later when I was walking around, she causally walked into the bedroom, picked up my bra and ran out.
Out of random curiousity, did the rescue organization give you any recommendations on food for Oracle? My boss told me that greyhounds are usually fed raw meat during their racing days to keep them lean, so when they make the transition to home life, they need to have high quality food. I thought most foods didn't differ that much, but I was very wrong in that assumption.
Alas, I'm a little too poor to shell out for the nice stuff for my kitties.
We got so much different advice and we ended up taking some, avoiding others. We got her some middle-to-high quality kibble and were mostly feeding her that for a few days, until her digestive system got used to it. Currently, she gets fed a concoction of the kibble, some yogurt, a spoonful of oats and a quarter can of dog stew--chunks of meat, vegetables, and gravy that we get from our local pet boutique--per meal. She eats all of it and her waste seems fine.
So true...
anonymous
February 7 2007, 20:57:38 UTC
Hi, I came about your site while searching for info on my grey's owner, Vivian Steffen, which took me to Emerald Greyhound Kennel. Is this kennel still active? Just curious? My husband and I adopted Lars Windoggie, Louie, from St Croix Meadows back in summer of 98. Louie left his finally paw print on our hearts on Monday, 2/5/07, he passed away from liver cancer/failure. He was over 11 years old. We live in Oregon, close to Portland. However, I was born in Milwaukee area and was just curious if all the greyhound tracks are done. I cross my fingers they are. I completely agree on your viewpoint of greyhound racing. Words well spoken my kind man. Not now, but some day soon, my husband and I will be yet another "sympathetic" couple in search for another hound to fill our hearts will joy.
As far as I know, they're still active...we haven't had too much contact with them in the past month or so. I will say that as kennels go, it was staffed by some very friendly people who seemed to genuinely love the hounds under their care.
Sorry for your loss...I wish you and your husband luck in moving on and in your search for a new companion.
I think that almost all of the tracks in Wisconsin are closed up, now, but I know that Oracle spent most of her career in Florida, which is where it seems the "sport" thrives.
I hope the sad story of the racehorse Barbaro would have at least the effect of driving more people away from the professional animal-racing industry. But who knows.
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(I have no idea whether or not I'm joking.)
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Um. Oh. I wasn't punning there. Really I wasn't.
Um. I'mgonnago.
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The fact is my parents never saw it as "saving a child," and I have a younger brother that's biologically theirs, so she certainly could have children. Adoption is a choice they made, and I'm certainly not their "charity case."
It took a long time for my parents and I to realize that these people are just ignorant, and that gentle eductation works better than snappy, sharp comments in return. It's hard to hold your tongue in the face of stupidity, but it's satisfying knowing that I'm being the bigger person.
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Reading your stories about your struggles with your dog remind me of a friend I had in elementary school. Her family adopted a greyhound, but just couldn't handle all the work that was involved with helping her adjust to being a pet. They eventually got rid of her. Reading your stories makes me feel bad for my friend's dog because there are people like you and Dana who'll take the time to really make the dog a part of their lives.
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Thanks so much!
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On a side note, I found MY sweater in her bed. (shakes head) that bad dog. And then later when I was walking around, she causally walked into the bedroom, picked up my bra and ran out.
Apparently, she needs her own damn outfits.
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Out of random curiousity, did the rescue organization give you any recommendations on food for Oracle? My boss told me that greyhounds are usually fed raw meat during their racing days to keep them lean, so when they make the transition to home life, they need to have high quality food. I thought most foods didn't differ that much, but I was very wrong in that assumption.
Alas, I'm a little too poor to shell out for the nice stuff for my kitties.
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Sorry for your loss...I wish you and your husband luck in moving on and in your search for a new companion.
I think that almost all of the tracks in Wisconsin are closed up, now, but I know that Oracle spent most of her career in Florida, which is where it seems the "sport" thrives.
I hope the sad story of the racehorse Barbaro would have at least the effect of driving more people away from the professional animal-racing industry. But who knows.
Thanks for commenting. Take care.
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