Featured Grant Story: A Place for Us Greyhound Rescue

A Place for Us Greyhound Rescue (APFU) is dedicated to placing retired racing Greyhounds and those saved from other circumstances into loving homes. This is the only group focused on saving Greyhounds in the Lubbock area, with the nearest groups in Albuquerque and Dallas.

Since the start of 2018 to mid-June, APFU has placed 16 dogs in homes, with 6 additional dogs available for adoption at the time of final grant report submission. Out of the dogs rescued, the stories of 4 dogs stands out among the rest.

Max

Max is a young dog who was rescued in February. He was captured in a Central Lubbock home and taken to the Lubbock Animal Shelter. When volunteers from APFU, they found him in poor health, with the animal shelter relinquishing him to the care of APFU. Max was admitted to the vet for two nights and failed to show improvement at the kennel, leading to additional days spent at the vet. Following this, he stayed at the rescue kennel for a few weeks while he regained his health and his happiness. After only two weeks in foster care, Max found his forever home. Max now gets to run, play, and nap with his humans, as well as their retired racing Greyhound, Roland. Without the responsiveness and care of the APFU volunteers Max's story may not have been what it is today.

Pictured is Max's new brother Rowan (left) and Max (right) enjoying some couch time.

Ranger

Ranger is a one year old dog who was rescued from the streets of Lubbock after a series of unfortunate events. Ranger, who looked like a Greyhound, was posted on a Facebook lost and found page after the family that found him could no longer keep him due to the discontent among their pack of small dogs. The adoption group that had placed Ranger in the family's care months prior was not able to take him back, leading his adoptive family to abandon him on the city streets.

APFU entered the picture and took Ranger to their rescue kennel when they noticed him limping at times, as well as acting as though he was in pain. Ranger didn't behave like a normal one year old dog should. The volunteers at APFU got Ranger to a vet where he was diagnosed with Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) - a genetic/developmental issue affecting large breeds of dogs which results in painful cartilage deposits. Dogs with OCD do not feel well and experience pain with every step they take. It's similar to the feeling of having a rock stuck in one's shoe that they cannot get rid of.

The cure to OCD is to remove the cartilage deposit. Ranger's surgery was successful, and upon having his stitches removed, Ranger had a family interested in adopting him. Also while at the vet APFU was able to determine Ranger's lineage that aren't quite 100% Greyhound. Instead, Ranger was found to have the following DNA results: 25% Boxer, 12.5% Chow, 12.5% Treeing Walker Coonhound, 12.5% German Shepherd, and 37.5% mixed breed that included Hounds/Sighthounds.

Ranger's story demonstrates the love that APFU has for a dog that was barely even considered a Sighthound. Ranger was adopted, with his new owners taking a proactive stance on integrating him into their family. The family has brought in a dog trainer/behaviorist to help Ranger adjust to his new forever home as well as his puppy stage.

Marley

Marley is an eight year old former racing Greyhound who has had several litters of current racing Greyhounds. Marley was moved directly from the Greyhound farm into foster care. The director of the group fostered Marley and realized she was a little bit on the shy side. It took two months for Marley to readjust being in a home and to learn how to enjoy life as a pet.

Marley's luck and life got better as a family in Albuquerque adopted her even though they had never met her. As Marley happily rode away with her new family, the director admitted she shed a few tears after seeing the heartwarming transformation that Marley went through, from a timid dog, to a happy, loving, and outgoing beloved family pet.

Frankie

Frankie was relinquished to the adoption group after his adoptive family felt they could no longer care for him. The family noted several reasons, including unresolved grief, depression, and marital unrest.

APFU was disheartened to learn that Frankie was neglected while in the care of his original adoptive family. He had been left outside for extended periods of time, with hair loss from fleas and stress, as well as a low weight, and poor coat condition. The volunteers at APFU placed Frankie in the rescue kennel where had had daily socialization from the volunteers and other Greyhounds. Over time, Frankie gained back the weight he had lost and was retested for cat safety and did not show aggression toward cats.

A family that had a Greyhound many years ago made their way into Frankie's life. The family was concerned about the reintegration of a dog into their household since they had gotten a cat, and one of their children had developed allergies that seemed to be triggered by dogs. APFU let the family take in Frankie as a "foster with intention to adopt" status."

Frankie moved in with the family and has done well. He is submissive toward the cat who is know to follow him around and fuss at him. The three teen children enjoy taking Frankie on walks and playing with him in their spacious yard. The director at APFU also donated special shampoo and daily dander treatment to the family to help them try to control the allergy issues.

Frankie was welcomed back into the adoption program after the first family did not work out, and was able to be rehabilitated into his former self. Frankie is now a happy and healthy family pet who loves spending time with in his foster home... even with the cat.

Pictured is foster mom Michelle with a healthy and happy Frankie.

To learn more about A Place for Us Greyhound Rescue, please visit them online at www.aplaceforusgreyhounds.org, or at their Facebook page.