Like a Shooting Star

The featured dog this week is Comet! He's an adorable boy who, through no fault of his own, keeps getting passed over by potential parents. Comet is our little gem but he can be slightly reserved with new people so he doesn't make a great first impression but don't let that fool you, he's a fantastic boy. Give him a toy and he will play and play until he's exhausted and the squeaker is broken and then he will play some more. A typical goofy boy, Comet will keep you company and provide you with endless entertainment if you give him a chance. We could go on but you just have to spend a little time with him and you'll see the wonderful boy we know and love!

Name: Comet
Racing name: Ultimate Comet
Color: Brindle
Weight: 70 pounds
Born: August 10th, 2004

Happy Birthday Jack!

From all the folks with Oregon Greyhound Adoption we would like to extend happy (slightly belated) birthday wishes to our buddy Jack!

Happy 6th!

Just Ask Pasha • Can I adopt a puppy?

We've heard that greyhounds make great pets, but we really want a puppy. Can we adopt a greyhound puppy?

Every once in a while a litter of puppies are available for adoption. Most greyhounds however, are retired racers.

The youngest greyhounds are around 2 years old.

For the first year of their lives, they spend their days playing with their litter mates.

At about a year, they are kennel trained and then they are off to learn to chase the lure. From there, they go to the track, usually between 16 and 18 months.

Once they are at the track, they decide whether or not they want to run, or go in search of a couch. If they have no desire to race, they are put into an adoption program. These are the youngsters, usually around 24 months.

Greyhounds live between 12 and 14 years, so they have nice long lives. Don't think for a skinny minute that an older greyhound can't keep up just like the young ones. When you head out to adopt your first greyhound, think about the match for your family, not the age.

Just in case you need a puppy fix...

This little guy is 4 days old.

These two are roughly 3 months old

And these guys are about 7 months old.

There's no bull in our Chyna shop!

Meet Chyna, the apple of our collective eye! She's a wonderful little lady who is in search of a very special home. Chyna has some separation anxiety and needs almost constant access to the yard as she is unable to anticipate the call of nature. Medically she's in great shape and is everything a young dog should be, plus she's gorgeous and extremely affectionate.

We're looking for a home where these is someone around most of the time. She wilts when her people are gone for too long. Chyna will also need a way to access the outdoors as necessary which also means that she will need a very secure yard (we get nervous when any dog has access to the outdoors when they're not supervised).

If you or someone you knows is looking for what is perhaps the sweetest dog you'll ever meet let us know and we can arrange a private audience with our princess!

Name: Chyna
Racing name: LPH Chyna Doll
Color: Fawn
Weight: ~63 pounds
Born: December 4th, 2004

February's Event

We've set our adoption event for February! It's going to be on the 28th at For Paws, here are the details:

When: Saturday February 28th
Time: 11am - 2pm
Where: For Paws, 3029 SE Division St., Portland, 97202

We hope to see you then!

Just Ask Pasha • Apartment dogs

I live in an apartment, can I still adopt a greyhound?

You have a couch don't you? Greyhounds make great apartment dogs. Their energy level is, well, they're couch potatoes. What they really want is family to curl up to and watch TV.

If you don't have a fenced area, then you will need to commit to walking your greyhound four to five times a day. The benefits are fabulous. You receive the benefit of daily walking. You'll meet more neighbors than you ever you knew you had because they will want to meet a greyhound. And last, but not least, the bond you and your greyhound will build is awesome.

Just keep in mind, a day could come... It is 2:00 a.m., you've got the flu, temp of 101°, it is raining cats and dogs and 34° outside. Your greyhound has to go out, now. Are you prepared to keep your commitment?


Minnie is a true couch potato. Curled up in the corner of a couch, she demonstrates what great apartment dogs a greyhound can be.

Just Ask Pasha • What is this muzzle?

Why did they send this muzzle home with my greyhound? Aren't they cruel?

Oh contrar, for a greyhound putting a muzzle on is just like putting on a pair of glasses. We can still eat, drink and pick up toys with a muzzle on.

Muzzles are great for many things, here are just a few:

1. If you have many greyhounds out running and playing, muzzles can prevent their very thin greyhound skin from tearing if one dog should nip at another—they really are a must have in greyhound playgroups, and ALL of the greyhounds need to wear one
2. When your greyhound is first introduced to a kitty friend, a small dog, or even another dog, the muzzle provides a measure of safety, just in case
3. If your greyhound is left at home alone, especially if you chose not to use a kennel, a muzzle can prevent chewing or other mischief your greyhound could find
4. If you have multiple greyhounds that you leave at home alone, wearing muzzles will keep them safer just in case a fight should break out while you are gone
   

Talley and Joey are modeling their muzzles. Remember, muzzles offer safety for the greyhounds. They can still eat, drink and pick up toys with them.

Thank you Healthy Pets Northwest!

We just want to take a moment to thank the folks at Healthy Pets Northwest for allowing us to host an event at their store and all the people who came to visit with our adoptable greyhounds. It was a fantastic start to the new year and we look forward to helping many families bring home one of our beautiful greyhounds think year!

Just Ask Pasha • Can I let my greyhound off leash

My friend had a greyhound that he let off leash. Can I train my greyhound to be off leash?

No. No. NO. Once again, when you sign your adoption contract, you will agree to always keep your greyhound on a leash or in a securely fenced area. This is purely for the safety of your greyhound.

Your greyhound is a sighthound, he can see a mosquito on a leaf a half mile away. OK, that is a bit of exaggeration. He does, however have a very keen distance vision, genetically he has been wired to detect motion. He can see something in the distance and begin running at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour and be gone before you even realize he saw something. 

As he is running towards his prey, he has absolutely no idea where he is going, where he has been or what dangers surround him. He isn't aware of the cars on the road that he is dashing across, and he is no match for a vehicle.

He may not even see something, but is spooked by an unfamiliar sound or even another human and start running.

There are a few different stories about "Trust, the Deadly Disease." Neither story ends with a happy ending.

"...He spies the neighbor dog across the street, and suddenly forgets everything he ever knew about not slipping outdoors, jumping out windows or coming when called due to traffic. Perhaps it was only a paper fluttering in the breeze, or even just the sheer joy of running--Stopped in an instant. Stilled forever. Every morning my dog Shah, bounced around off lead exploring. Every morning for seven years he came back when he was called. He was perfectly obedient, perfectly trustworthy. He died fourteen hours after being hit by a car."

"...We got to the campground near dark. We were way off any busy roads so right before we turned in I let the dogs loose to sniff around. It never occurred to me that they would wander off. Shelly was 13 and beautiful and I doubt I will ever see her again just because I was so complacent and not thinking. Every minute I'm wondering if she is suffering, already dead, or picked up by somebody."

And so I ask you, "Why would you risk losing your best friend when you simply could keep him on a leash or in a securely fenced area?"

Leona is modeling a "greyhound safe" martingale collar.

Just Ask Pasha • Argh, my dog is eating poo

Why does my greyhound eat poop? It's disgusting!

Just remember, one man's trash is another dog's delicacy. Not all dogs find it so succulent. Personally, I won't touch the stuff. Ick!

This is not completely unusual, it has a name: coprophagia.

Your dog may be eating it because he is hungry, bored, genetically wired to do so, his food could be lacking necessary nutrients or he may have parasites that are leaving him hungry enough that he needs the extra nutrition.

There are many old wives tales suggesting that you add pumpkin, spinach, or pineapple to their food. I've also heard green beans or a meat tenderizer, are great deterrents to keep your pet off of the backyard snack. Veterinarians sell a supplement that you can add to the food. If your pup wears a muzzle outside, you can purchase a stool cup that fits either on the outside or the inside of the muzzle.

Make sure your dog is getting a balanced diet. If he seems hungry, feed him a little more. Take him to the vet and check for parasites.

But seriously, the best defense against backyard snackers is a good offense.

Pick it up as soon as it hits the ground.

This is Minnie modeling a stool cup on her muzzle.

Don't forget to visit us tomorrow!

Don't forget to come visit us at our first event of 2009! We will have some great dogs looking for their forever homes and hope to see you there.

Where: Healthy Pets Northwest
Address: 7642 SW Capitol Highway, Portland
When: January 24th
Time: 11am - 2pm

Just Ask Pasha • If you can't keep your greyhound

Our life has changed, and we can no longer keep our greyhound. Is it OK to list him in an ad in the paper?

When we adopt a greyhound, we sincerely hope that this will be the greyhounds forever home. We also understand that life changes, and the greyhound may not be able to stay in your home.

Please return your greyhound to the adoption group. If you no longer live in the same town or your group doesn't exist, contact another local greyhound adoption group. When you signed your adoption contract, regardless of which group you adopted from, there was a clause that said you agree'd to return your greyhound to the group if you couldn't keep him.

Returning greyhounds to an adoption group is important for a couple of reasons:

1. They will make sure that the new home understands greyhounds
2. If the new family needs help or support, they have an adoption group to fall back on
3. We will make sure that the new family knows about leashes, fences and living indoors

Returning a greyhound to their original group is good for you and it is the best for the greyhound.

Artie is ready for your couch!

Please welcome Artie into the adoption program. He's at that perfect age to bring a grey home, still young enough to be goofy and entertaining but not so young as to drive you crazy!

Name: Artie
Racing name: LPH Jazzephizzle
Color: Black
Weight: 79 pounds
Born: December 29, 2004

Just Ask Pasha • Senior greyhounds

I get a lot of questions about adopting a greyhound. My hope, as a guest rover reporter while our editor is on vacation, is to answer some of those questions for you. These are my own thoughts, but they do apply to most greyhound adoptions.

Do you have any younger dogs? I'm afraid an older dog won't be around for very long and my heart will get broken.

The youngest greyhounds are usually around 18-24 months old when they become available for adoption.Typically a greyhound will live to between 12 and 14 years old, which is great for a large dog. Unfortunately, as with any breed, there are no life expectancy guarantees.

Seniors still have all of the great characteristics of a greyhound with a few benefits. Sue Burkard probably explains it the best.

"Senior greyhounds don’t always give us more. You take the chance of having a couple months, if your lucky, a couple years. However when you adopt a senior greyhound something changes inside your brain. A switch is turned on and suddenly you notice all those things you take for granted in a young dog. You appreciate them more. Those moments of intense play strike a chord deep inside your soul. It’s as if a powerful joy hormone is released throughout your whole body. When they run, the real beauty shines through every time. You see every sprint, every jog, every wobble, and every stumble; and yes, you hold your breath the whole time, and when they are done, you sigh a happy sigh."

"They teach us exactly how precious life is every day."

Roxy-12 in Sept. 2008, Buddy-11 in Nov. 2008, Pasha-12 in April 2008,
Murphy-10 in June 2008, Maddie-13 in Jan. 2009

I am a proud card-carrying member of the Double Digit gang.

My dog has no nose!

You know that old joke...

My dog has no nose...
How does he smell?
Awful!

Well, Stinky doesn't smell awful and he's a total love so don't let the name discourage you, we can tell he's gonna be a great pet!

Name: Stinky
Racing name: LPH Sky Allegro
Color: Brindle
Weight: 73 pounds
Born: May 20th, 2006

Happy Honey went home

Honey went home yesterday and we already have a picture of her with her new mom! She is such a sweet little girl and while we're happy for her we'll miss her dearly...

Possibly sporadic posts

As the primary contributor to this blog I just wanted to let everyone know that I am going to have only sporadic internet access for the next few weeks. I will endeavor to keep the posts as regular as possible but I hope that you'll bear with me.

On the positive side, there is a roving reporter who will be making contributions for the first time!

B-I-N-G-O

Bingo just came into the adoption program. He's a sweetheart of a boy who loves everyone he meets!

Name: Bingo
Racing name: LPH Baileys Boy
Color: Red
Weight: 73 pounds
Born: April 26th, 2006

She's bulit like Daisy Duke

It's our lovely girl Daisy that gets featured this week! She's an easy-going girl who is extremely gentle and very affectionate. Daisy would probably make a great dog for a home with children because she's calm but confident. She was busily searching the field for cookie crumbs left by the dogs who were walked before her romp, I expect that should would love a careless toddler to clean up after. The only caveat is that Daisy isn't recommended for homes with small animals but otherwise she's an absolute angel!

Name: Daisy
Racing name: Lost in Miami
Color: Brindle
Weight: ~ 60 pounds
Born: March 27th, 2004

He's not a Dalmation!

Another new addition, named after one of the dogs in 101 Dalmations, Pongo is all greyhound!

Name: Pongo
Racing name: LPH Pongo
Color: Red
Weight: 64 pounds
Born: May 12th, 2004