On the Second Day of Christmas... Albie

In the classic “Twelve Days of Christmas”, the true love sends two Turtle Doves on the second day.  Unlike other members of the animal kingdom, Turtle Doves are monogamous. Once they find a mate, they are paired for life. For this reason, Turtle Doves are a symbol of love, friendship and devotion. (As used, for example, in the classic Home Alone sequel).   

The bond that Greyhounds and their owners form is also characterized by love, friendship and devotion. Call me biased, but over the years of rescuing and placing Greyhounds, I’ve noticed that the fondness that Greyhound owners have for their dogs is extraordinary. Oftentimes owners are quick to recognize the joys of brining a Greyhound into their home, and the dog is quickly accepted as more than just a pet. Greyhounds become an integral part of your family.

Because of the existence the dogs have experienced living at the tracks, it is also well known that Greyhounds become very attached to their owners and happily accept as much attention and affection as they can get. After sharing human attention with many other dogs at the track, Greyhounds show a great appreciation when they receive individualized love and affection in their new homes. The term "Velcro Dog" is often used, particularly for dogs that are fresh off the track, because Greyhounds show their appreciation and devotion by sticking to their owner’s presence like Velcro.

So when two adopters recently came to REGAPCT in hopes of adopting a rescued Greyhound, it felt like I was uniting the two Turtle Doves.  The adopters had always dreamed of owning a Greyhound and were looking to share their love and devotion with a special dog. During a brief walk, they immediately bonded with Albie, a three and a half year old retiree, and they decided to adopt him on the spot.

Albie arrived from the track a little dinged up and underweight. As many people are aware, Greyhounds, like professional athletes, are lean and muscular during their racing days. Once they have left the track behind, Greyhounds can afford to put on a few extra pounds, and Albie was no exception. However, it was evident that hr had scuffles with other dogs and the adopters were well aware that transitioning him into retired life would require special effort and care.  

And like the two Turtle Doves destined to be paired for life, the match has been perfect. Albie’s current life is far different, and far improved, from the one he lived at the track. He resides in an apartment high above downtown New Haven and spends a great deal of his time in front of the window, curiously looking at the city below; out towards East Rock Park and beyond. He also loves going for walks at least four times a day and is excited to be up even at 5:00am to get out to explore the sights and sounds in his new environment. He’s quickly learning the rules of the house and he enjoys sleeping in his new owner’s bedroom. His owners could not be happier with Albie as the newest member of their family and they wouldn’t trade him for the world.

In a recent e-mail they said they were looking forward to this being the first of many Christmases together and that they “like to think that we are each other’s own holiday wishes.”