Another Greyhound Story

This week's article is another story from one of our Greyhound Pets of America/Oklahoma chapter volunteers. Greyhounds do become a way of life. This story is written by Kathy Hendrickson -

"My Greyhound story is a hard one to write because of all the emotions it stirs up. It was just a year ago that I got a call from Cheryl Holmberg (GPA/OK President) at the animal hospital where I work. She was checking on a client's record that we care for at the hospital. I asked her a few questions about Greyhound adoption, as I had never heard of such an organization. Neither had I thought about them making good pets; as a matter of fact, I never remembered seeing that breed except on the track. Cheryl told me about Sundays at Petsmart and invited me to come see the dogs.

The next Sunday was going to be a day that will always be sweetly remembered. I called my mother and asked her if she would like to go along. We milled around the store and found our way to the Greyhounds. I knew immediately I wanted one.

I had gone through a sad divorce and had two teenage sons that were causing serious problems. I had to move out of my home and cushy life-style and - ugh - get a job. I needed someone to love and knew it shouldn't be a man! I was very interested in a big, rambunctious male and even put his name on my application form. It was while I was filling out the application that Mom pointed out a shy, little dear back in a cage all by herself. Mom asked a volunteer to get her out and she urged me to look her over. I was reluctant because I had already made up my mind on the rowdy male. The volunteer told me that the dog's name was "Taylor" and that she was very shy. I took one look at her and my heart just melted. She was so sad looking, so timid, but those beautiful eyes looked right into mine and it was love at first sight. I added Taylor's name to the application.

I was approved for adoption and picked up my new friend on Halloween 1995.

Mom became critically ill in January, spent over a month in ICU, and died in February. Taylor is the only thing that sustained me through it all. She was always there by my side, loving, and comforting, when everything else seemed so cold.

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