I will admit that the our weather lately has been rainy, not to the extent of our friends down under but we have been on the southern edge of the recent mega snow storms giving us a cold rain. BUT, that is now what my title should suggest.
It is a long story..I will spare you the raw details. A week ago, James River Greyhounds was called by a lady wanting to surrender her greyhounds. When I asked about tattoos, they told me she had none. But she had raced and been bred. I was skeptical. For those of you not involved in non-profit work, we all have mission statements and charters that the IRS holds us too. Our particular one, states we can only adopt retired racing greyhounds or suffer the loss of our non-profit status. It keeps us all honest. Protocol says I am supposed to give her numbers to local all breed rescue groups who could help her with this 'non-retired racing greyhound'. But we werent' 100% sure she wasn't a greyhound from an 'oops' litter.
The conversation led me to believe this dog was in danger in her current home. So we sent a volunteer to pick her up. I decided to foster her..not really knowign what I was getting. Turns out, after some phone calls..there is a new trend in southwest Virginia (my people, yeah) to bred retired racing greyhounds (gotten straight from WV tracks unaltered) to hound dogs to produce a faster hunting dog. The world needs more hybrids, right?
So meet Rainy (they actually said "her name is Rainy, like the weather)
She is a centaur like dog that shows true greyhound features and true hound features. Apparently, her most recent owners acquired her a month or two ago and truly believed they owned a retired racing greyhound. The prong collar she was returned with showed their immense lack of knowledge in the subject. Prior to them, she had been tied outside for 2 years. and prior to that, obviously we assume she was on a farm in southwest Virginia hunting and breeding.
Additionally, she is not spayed, not vaccinated, about 9 years old and heartworm positive.
*cue the happy 'turning point' music*
Now, she has been with us 7 days and has been vaccinated, started on heartworm treatment (there should be no problems associated with the infection, we caught it early and there appears to be no heart damage) and will be spayed next week.
Now..she needs a home. We are placing her as 'dog lovers' not as a greyhound group. She is a GREAT dog. Housebroken, great with my dogs, snuggly, happy, not scarred by her past experiences. (I am not sure how she is with cats indoors, but I would say no small fluffy dogs b/c outside she is a true hunting dog)
If you know anyone who might be interested, please contact me (katrinastumpf@yahoo.com)
The local all breed rescue groups are so full they cannot take her. I have tried them all and had some eye opening experiences. I would like to thank and give props to Hickory Hill Canine and Richmond Animal League. they were by far the most helpful and were not rude or angry. No other group followed through. I know they are busy so I won't bad mouth them..but props will go to those who are due.
she is a good girl. I can't keep her. She needs a proper forever home who will love her, feed her well, take care of her and enjoy her. We will find it.
On a different and just as important note, Miss Dana Roo Roo Pantz turned 10 this past week. (we officially have 4 out of 5 dogs in double digits!). Happy Birthday to my special girl
Please spread the word about Rainy. She has the hound vigor so she is still 'young at heart' for sure.
This was 5 days ago..obviously Dana's elbow was not a grapefruit then. 
As she lays on her bed drooling and see pink butterflies (morphine)..I hope she is dreaming of playing again.
Cali had some 'fetch' time...Jason comes out the door and Cali knows what that means!
he barricades the other staircase so she can't fetch once and inside. Notice Cali follows him in case he throws her toy
Game on (toy is in upper right of photo)
Cali is photogenic..
I will update with Dana's progress.
