Livin' In The Fast Lane...

Once upon a time there was a nice gal from Washington State who (with nice hubby) bought a small ranch in central New Mexico. This was to be the retirement home so she built a pretty pueblo style house on the land and added a spiffy barn for the miniature horses and donkey. Then she waited for retirement to come so she and hubby could get on with their lives and do all the things they dreamed of doing.

The economy tanked.

So, the nice couple had to put life on hold, kinda, until they could sell in Washington and move to the Land of Enchantment. Lots of things were put on the back burner. Getting a new dog was one of those things. Beloved dogs "Bandit" (Australian Cattle Dog) and "Bones" (retired racing Greyhound) crossed The Rainbow Bridge in 2007, just 6 weeks apart. For the first time in 34 years the nice couple was dog-less...and it hurt.

Three weeks ago we went camping with friends and family. Everyone brought the essential camping equipment: RVs, fishing poles, boats with big outboards...and a dog. Except us.

That put a "burr under my saddle", as they say. I decided I needed a dog, now. Not a tiny pup who would prefer to be raised by retired people, full time, 24 hours a day. Not a tiny pup who might, just might, use the new to-sell-the-house-taupe-carpet for a potty spot. Hmmm, think, think.

It didn't take long and I had an idea. Research the heck out of the idea, break it subtly to hubby and hold your breath. Hubby said, "yes". Well, at least I don't remember him saying "no".

It was time to move my life into the Fast Lane, again. It was time to give a forever home to another deserving, oh so deserving, retired Greyhound.

First I went to The Greyhound Project website, the all knowing folks who wrote the website on Greyhound knowledge and acquisition. There I located the agencies in Washington who had Greyhounds for adoption. Greyhound Pets of America (Greater Northwest) had a lovely boy. I hoped he would want to live with me.



"Creel" came to visit last Sunday. His foster "mom" Lori arrived in her new Subaru with it's first dog passenger. He was eager to leave the car and roam, on lead, around our property. We have 5 acres and dogs have always had 1 1/2 acres to call their own. After checking out the perimeter of the property, Lori said, "Let him loose."

A few long, floating strides to test his freedom and Creel was OFF!

There's nothing as beautiful as a free Greyhound in flight. "Poetry in Motion" the bumper sticker says on many a Greyhound admirer's car. It couldn't be said better.

Creel raced in Phoenix and Tucson and not setting any land speed records, he was retired. He was one of the lucky ones. He wasn't euthanized for his lack of get up 'n go. He was chosen by Greyhound Pets of America, given a clean bill of health and sent north. To me.



This is the beginning of a wonderful chapter in our lives. Thank you Greyhound Pets of America, Greater Northwest. I am forever "greytful" for your kindness to me ... and to Creel.




(Pictures of "Creel", courtesy of and with permission from Greyhound Pets of America, Greater Northwest Chapter)