I had a mix of emotions when we all arrived in Phoenix. I had some trepidation about what “horrible” condition or treatment I might see and I was very excited to see what my two wonderful furry friends might have experienced before they came to be a fixture on our sofas.
After we all arrived, with some fog delay for poor Cara from Humboldt County, we whisked off to Phoenix Greyhound Park which is just on the other side of the airport. Thank goodness for Ms. Susan’s previous experience and GPS we arrived in a timely fashion to meet our hostess retired track vet Leah Cole. We also met Leslie Wooten who is a race commissioner and is a great supporter of greyhound adoption. She has even written a book about it and Susan will be getting copies. We started with a tour of the facilities before the races started. |
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We met with the owner of the Dorsey kennels and she gave us an overall view of the life of a greyhound from birth to track. While we were waiting outside the weigh-in facility, the owners were bringing in their dogs. I was especially glad to hear of all the state laws they must follow governing the treatment of their dogs. For instance, they must have air conditioned haulers that remain on the whole time the dogs are in the hauler and no more than two dogs can be transported per section of the hauler. |
I was pleasantly surprised to see that most owners brought their dogs directly to us to be petted and scratched and generally “loved up” before they went in. I heard no harsh words or ill treatment and even no reprimands as one big ole’ boy decided to relieve himself on someone’s expensive newer model Toyota. I’m thinking though that this might be a ploy as we are mostly all wearing our “rescue” t-shirts.
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Next we were taken into the weigh-in facility. The owners turn their dogs over to the state at this point and the dogs were put into separate crates two high. There is a whole process where the dogs are weighed (they said a dog has to be within two or three pounds of its last race or they are disqualified), they are checked by a vet for any signs of injury (including split toe nails) and diarrhea or of females being in heat. They have “silks” (which aren’t actually silk anymore, too binding) put on them according to size. There is a urine test in this area to check for doping and every dog is checked. |
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I was impressed by the cleanliness of this area. They have young people assigned to each dog who are responsible from the time they are brought out of the kennel until they are put back in. These are the ones that parade them before the race so that the bettors can see their attributes and decide their bets. These same youngsters place themselves at strategic points around the track so that if an injury occurs during the race they can get to the dog in a timely manner. They also run to the end of the track to “catch” the dogs when the race is finished. |
We next went up to watch the dog’s race. We were the guests of honor and got our own booth while we sat and ate dinner. They dedicated the eighth race to us where part of the prize money was donated to Greyhound Pets of America, our hosts. When that race came around we got to go onto the track and have our photo taken with the valiant winner. That little brindle was prouder than punch at her victory and she knew it.
After dinner, we went outside where we were virtually six to eight feet from the track. The sounds were amazing. The dogs are all patient and almost bored at the parade, but when they enter that gate the excitement is palpable. The sound of their excited barking and rooing shows their enthusiasm for the race. Then the lure (a fuzzy white bone for those uninitiated) starts from half way around the other side of the track. It is on a rail that is intentionally not oiled and the squeaking can be heard as it approaches the gate.
When it is within a few yards, the dogs become strangely silent in anticipation of the start. When that gate opens they leap out and reach full speed within three strides. Yes, it is amazing. My camera was not fast enough to get pictures. The slowest dog is going only a few seconds slower than the fastest. |
The next day was an action packed day with a lot of surprises. We started the day at the Dorsey Kennels. First we went to see where the actual racing dogs were kept. These dogs were not the ones racing that night as they are kept in a quiet zone. If they get too excited before a race they think it is time to go and it can affect the outcome. Everything was neat and clean and there were bows on the kennels of dogs up for adoption. What a greeting we got with howls and roos all around. We were given plenty of time to take dogs out and visit with them. |
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Our next stop was to the breeding kennel where there were---Hurrah…PUPPIES! The two youngest were born on Valentine’s Day and there were groups of six weeks on up. We met the broodies and studs who grinned from ear to ear and didn’t seem to be upset with their job at all. One old guy was almost twelve and he will be up for adoption soon as he is now retired from stud duties. |
Then it was out to the training pens. I’m not sure how long they are but maybe two hundred yards. The puppies go here to develop muscles. There are two to three same sex litter mates in each pen and there were a lot of pens. It seems to go by age as the pups get bigger the further you walk down the line of kennels. Here is where they go until they are ready for puppy track school. They have shade and water provided. |
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Our next stop was to Leah’s home that she so graciously opened to us to meet with the seventeen dogs at her home. Half were fosters up for adoption. Some of our group got very excited about a red male who was described as “gentlemanly” as he would be a perfect mate for their poor little single dog homes. I think he has found one and another red and white male who is cat safe will be coming here for adoption. |
From Leah’s, and of course, we were already behind; we left for the next owner’s farm where we had a trainer waiting for us. God had a different plan for us and we had the opportunity to rescue out of heavy traffic, two Rhodesian Ridgebacks, also sight hounds, and send another one that had been hit by a car to the emergency vet. Long story, but there were some very heroic acts by several in our group. Even seventeen-a-few-days-from-eighteen year old Kyle thought up an ingenious way to use swimming pool loungers to make a sort of X-pen tunnel to direct them. Ask one of the group if you want the particulars. Let’s say they were heroes to some terrified ridgebacks, who were not very happy to be penned.
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That unfortunately set us back so late that we missed our contact at the next farm. Susan, the dog whisperer, choose several dogs, that if they are truly available (Leah thinks she knows which ones are and took names to ask) will be brought first to Leah to cat test and then on to us. |
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From there we drove back across town to a great Mexican dinner, where Susan insisted I drink too many Margarita’s. Then back to our second night at the track. After some fast talking Ms. Susan had talked us up onto the roof (mind you the security guy had never been to the roof as he was afraid of heights) to visit the line judges. I was happy to find out that one of the judges is an adopter himself. I also saw how they actually ‘drive’ if you will, the lure. I thought it was automated. I was told that the operator does not drive the race, the dogs determine the speed. If it is a Grade D race, for instance, it is not going to be as fast as a Grade AA race. He controls the lure and keeps it 25-30 feet ahead of the lead dog.
The first race started while we were up in the judge’s booth. There was a little brindle female by the name of TNJ Brooke that was way out in front for the whole race. Unfortunately, on the back turn the brave little soul broke her hock. She refused to give up and hopped to the finish line. Leah ran down to put her leg in a cast. The owner signed her over to Leah and now she will get to be adopted. Leah will have her X-rayed to be sure she doesn’t need any other treatment. They told us that 90% of the dogs are adopted from this track. The 10% that aren’t may go back to their original owners if they want them. |
We were all tired from a long day by this point and headed back to the cars where we met Leah and TNJ Brooke. She was very happy to meet us and shared kisses and wiggles with us all. Then we headed to the motel.
The next morning we met Leah for breakfast and then it was off to the airport. I can’t tell you how impressed I was with Leslie who stayed to make sure the ridgeback incident was settled in safety and more importantly Leah and her husband Jim, who work tirelessly for greyhound adoption. She treated us all like family as she does the dogs. |
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The moment I ran in the door of my home, I hugged my two girls. I explained to my Pretty Lady, who had a five year career in Florida with about half her races as a win, place or show, that I had been proud of her before, but that I really had had no idea. You just can’t imagine how fast they really are until you stand next to that track and how they run with their whole heart. I told my Have a Little Faith that I now had some idea of her Oklahoma upbringing before she broke her elbow.
I have no illusions. This is one track. It was not horrible. Some are. The dogs are mostly respected even if they aren’t pets. They do talk to and interact with them. They even know their habits. I was very impressed. It was a greyt trip and I hope I get to go again. Of course, both my children want to go next.
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