Hello to you PTers and good to see my GT family as well! I find myself saddened as well as excited about this thread. I think, though, for greyhound owners, it offers a chance to help explain some things about greyhound adoption and the racing industry to those not familiar with it.

I think that greyhound owners are an extremely sensitive group of people. For the majority of retired racing greyhound owners, owning their first grey becomes the beginning of an end, so to speak. Many owners become completely engrossed in what greyhound ownership can mean. It's a life-altering experience to many.

There are so many dynamics to the greyhound. For many, there is the mind-blowing lineage for you to discover. Most greyhounds have family trees that will put most humans to shame. We have websites dedicated to greyhound genealogy and performance. The moment you learn that you can trace your grey's bloodline back to the 1800's, or you first view your grey's past performace lines, you are affected with an intense desire to learn more. Not only about your individual grey, but the industry from which they came.

While I'm only voicing my own opinion, I think most greyhound owners will tell you it's an on going eductional process with an overwhelming amount of information to absorb. People who have been in the industry for decades will tell you that they still learn everyday. I believe what strikes many new greyhound owners first and foremost is the gross abundance of propaganda out there concerning the life of the racing greyhound. Sensationalism at it's best - or worst. Take your pick.

Are there some undersirable sitations out there? Yes, just as there are with any breed. But these are becoming fewer and farther between. What is so exciting is that the greyhound world is in transition, and actually has been for quite some time. But you see, that doesn't make good reading, so that never makes the papers. It's a harsh reality that greyhound folks have sadly become quite accustomed to.

Increasing numbers of adoption groups and racing folks are coming together to fullfill the goal of 100% adoption. The key, we are all discovering, is that working with, instead of against, produces the best win/win situation for all involved. ESPECIALLY the greyhound.

My hope is, as a result of this thread, that non-greyhound people will take the time to learn about the racing greyhound, the industry, and greyhound adoption and form their own educated opinions... not on bias, but fact.

I look forward to browsing through your site, and sharing some of my own life with my two wonderful greyhounds!