Elektra and Vixen

…are the names we gave our rescued greyhounds we got a few weeks ago.

I just want to say, you can’t really judge a rescue dog by how they behave in the shelter. Elektra was fairly social right up front, but Vixen was shy and unsure about humans. The lady running the shelter thought she might have been abused. All she seemed to know was her crate and the racetrack.

She didn’t understand being petted, she didn’t understand being given a treat, she didn’t understand what dog toys were for, she was confused about having a  comfy bed and not being crated. The first night we had her, she was up all night, drooling, crying, scared…she didn’t know what being in a home was, she didn’t know what having a family was about, and she was terrified, despite our best efforts. 

She had been injured in her last race and the owner hadn’t had her treated, so she has a limp which is not correctable at this point. She couldn’t look people in the eye. Every time one of us stood up, she would panic. She never wagged her tail, or raised her eyes or ears. Even her body language was sad, and her fur was coarse and falling out.

A few weeks later, she’s the happiest dog alive. Her tail is always wagging, her eyes and ears are often at attention. She is delighted by treats and toys and walks. She is friendly with other dogs and calm and affectionate with other people. She behaves like a perfectly trained dog, never pees in the house, doesn’t beg, doesn’t chew things. Her hair is full and sleek and healthy, she is constantly full of love for us now, and is constantly showing it. 

She loves to run in our backyard with her sister, or with us. She loves loves loves the beach. She’s not just happy, she’s joyful. 

So, I just want to say again, please consider a rescue dog. Not every rescue is going to be a perfect little pooch right away, but with a little patience and a lot of affection, I think most of them will repay you a thousand times over (in doggy affection!).