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THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY |
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These animals are athletes who must have the best food and medical attention or they will not perform well. In fact, they are well respected in the veterinarian community as “structurally correct and of superior confirmation”. Their careers, baring injuries, which can happen in any athletes life, can run a few years. Taking them up to age four or five
When they are no longer performing as well against the youngsters, they are ready to go to a loving home or back to the farm where they are pampered and get to have babies of their own.
Another fact not widely reported on is that there are numerous adoption agencies as well as programs at some of the tracks themselves, that are notified when a greyhound needs to be adopted out. The dog is spayed or neutered and potential pet owners are carefully screened. If, for some reason, the nearest agency is unable to place the dog, we the owners are responsible. The greyhound is shipped back to us and we work through our local adoption agency. The National Greyhound Association has put through a program to subsidize certain adoption agencies to help in the care of the greyhounds while they await adoption.
I can not think of any other industry that looks after the well being of the animals quite like the breeders and owners of greyhounds. The animals are bred to be the best they can be, and the pet industry gets a well-mannered, pure-bred, house-trained, and loving animal who can be registered by the adoptive owner. I have a scrapbook of pictures from new owners of our “guys” living a “dogs life”, which are wonderful and heartwarming. The pet industry is fortunate to have these well-rounded wonderful dogs available.
Once again, I fail to see what is wrong with the way of life we have chosen, i.e., to raise animals we love, care for them, work with the, earn a living, and then provide people with a pet that receives nothing but rave reviews from proud new owners—we all win.
If you are an adoption agency, thanks so much for your help to date. If you are an owner of a retired greyhound, thanks so much and give your four-legged friend a pat for us. And if you are someone out there who isn’t quite sure about it all—come on by and I’ll show you around—I’m proud of our farm and the work we do. |
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Phone: 254.968.0487 jpeck@htcomp.net |
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David and Janele Peck 2274 Private Rd. 935 Stephenville, Tx. 76401-8754 |
