'45 MPH couch potatoes'

Retired racing greyhound dogs have found new, loving homes in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois, including the Union County area.

Some of the owners, and their dogs, gathered Saturday, Nov. 9, in Union County.

A meeting at Alto Vineyards in Alto Pass gave the owners, and the dogs, too, an opportunity to socialize and meet new friends.

Greyhound Pet Adoption, GPA, of Cape Girardeau schedules regular meetings at the Alto Pass winery on the second Saturday of every odd-number month during the year: in January, March, May, July, September and November. The gatherings are scheduled from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.

Not only did the November meeting give greyhound owners and their dogs from the Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri area a chance to get together, it also allowed others to meet and learn about this unique breed of dog.

Laurie and Jon Geiger of Carbondale are GPA adoption coordinators for Southern Illinois. Robin Harbison of Cape Girardeau is secretary for GPA of Cape Girardeau.

Laurie Geiger and Robin Harbison shared a  variety of information about the work of GPA, and about greyhounds themselves, at the meeting.

GPA is an organization dedicated to providing information and education about retired racing greyhounds.

GPA is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization which relies on donations and the work of volunteers to achieve its goal.

A brochure published by GPA of Cape Girardeau explained that greyhounds “are one of the best-natured breeds – smart, sweet, calm and loving. 

“With their gentle dispositions and good temperaments, these retired racing dogs can easily make the transition from the racetrack to a loving home.”

Greyhounds, the brochure explains, have been bred for speed for centuries, “making them one of the oldest and purest breeds of dogs in the world.

“They can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where drawings of greyhounds were found inside the tombs within the great pyramids.”

Greyhounds measure between 26 and 29 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 55 and 80 pounds. Females are usually smaller than males.

The average life expectancy of a former racing greyhound is 12 to 15 years.

“Because of their training and racing career, greyhounds have some unique characteristics,” the GPA brochure explains.

Greyhounds placed through the GPA adoption program are usually between 2 and 6 years old. Younger dogs may not have qualified for racing.

Older greyhounds are recently retired from racing because they are no longer competitive. Others may come from local animal shelters or from families whose living situation have changed and they can’t keep a dog.

Greyhounds enjoy moderate exercise. In most households, GPA explains, “the shared experience of a brisk walk two or three times a week is enough to keep both the adopter and adoptee in good physical health.

“The most common misconception about racing greyhounds is that a dog capable of great athletic feats is a dog in perpetual motion. In reality, they are rather lazy and greatly enjoy lounging with the family.

“Remember they’ve lived in crates most of their lives, so they really are 45 MPH couch potatoes.”

GPA shares that greyhounds “are very friendly and thrive on human companionship.” They are “very tolerant of children, and will usually walk away when they’ve had enough rather than snap or growl.”

Greyhounds generally socialize well with other dogs. “Some greyhounds can learn to get along with other companion animals, including cats.”

GPA continues to seek qualified people who are willing to adopt a retired greyhound. The organization has established formal procedures “to ensure that retired racers are placed in loving homes with people who will take good care of their new pets.”

The final step in the process is the signing of an adoption contract. A non-refundable donation of $250 is part of the process.

An opportunity to learn more about greyhounds also is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month at PETCO in Cape Girardeau, which is located at 266 Siemers Dr.

More information about greyhounds, and about providing a new forever home for a retired greyhound, is available by contacting:

Jon and Laurie Geiger, 618-527-6480, laurieag23@gmail.com.

Robin Harbison, 573-332-8252, robin_harb@hotmail.com.