Christie Keith, of the SF Gate, wrote an interesting article on the myths and misconceptions of two well-known breeds. She discusses why people avoid adopting both greyhounds and pit bulls because of all the misleading information that’s out there.

Pit bulls and pit bull mixes are in shelters in overwhelming numbers. They are the most common dog to be killed because no one will adopt them.

People now view them as  “killer dogs”  because of all the negative stories in the news,  preventing potential adopters from seeing the dog in front of them. Couple that with new breed specific legislation (BSL) and the likelihood of these dogs getting adopted is almost nil.

There’s no more maligned type of dog than the vast and diverse group of dogs known, rightly or wrongly, as “pit bulls.” I say “type of dog” rather than breed because the pit bull is not a single breed of dog, but a group of breeds and mixed breeds favored by dog fighters for their toughness, scrappiness, muscular bodies and willingness to fight with other dogs.

So, just who is the real pit bull? Good question. “These dogs have such a wide range of personality types, from couch potato to ones who want to run around all day — as long as it’s with you — and everything in between,” she said. “People need to look at each dog as an individual, not a breed.”

The “classic” or “real” American pit bull terrier is an outgoing, confident, people-loving dog that puts his heart and soul into everything he does.

Pit bulls, like any dog, need to be judged on an individual basis.  Many fighting dogs have been rehabilitated and gone on to be loving family pets. That’s not to say all pit bulls can be saved, there are some that are too far gone to ever be safe in anyone’s hands. The bottom line is the dog shouldn’t be judged by appearance only, there is a lot more that needs to be taken into consideration. Pit Bull Rescue Central is an  invaluable resource for information on all things related to pit bulls, including dogs that are looking for a home.

Greyhounds, on the other hand, are not rejected because of a bad reputation but the worry they are so high-energy they aren’t good in the house. This is totally untrue, they actually make very good couch buddies.

Sure, they’ll get up off the couch and go for a walk with you. They’ll race around happily if let off-leash in a safely fenced area. They might even deign to go jogging with you, if it’s not raining.

But they’re just as happy to cuddle on the couch and join you in watching “Project Runway” every night. A quick turn around the block or trip to the backyard twice a day for a potty break can be plenty of exercise for a retired racer.

“People worry they’ll be wild and crazy dogs that are going to be flying all over the place, and need to be taken several times a day to a big field where they can run in order to be happy,” said Barbara Judson of Greyhound Friends for Life, a Bay Area organization dedicated to finding homes for retired racing greyhounds. “The reality is that they’re couch potatoes.”

Retired greyhounds make wonderful pets, they are loving and affectionate, and they shed very little.  A friend in our neighborhood recently adopted a greyhound, he did need a little training (all dogs do) but he’s a great addition to their family.

If you’re interested in adopting a greyhound there are many rescue groups across the country. You can “meet and greet” at one the many Greyhound Friends For Life events.

I think Keith sums it up best with this advice,  “Just be sure to ask yourself, as you wander the aisles of the local shelter or click around the Web looking for a dog, if you’re choosing or rejecting a particular dog not because of who he is, but who you think he is.”

*Joe is a PB looking for a new home, he’s a big softie. Kevin is a greyhound with a big kissable nose, he loves both kids and cats. Both dogs are listed on Dogster’s Adoption Rescue Center, a great place to find your new best friend.

Don't even think about it!

Photograph© 2009 MarkRogersPhotography.com all rights reserved.

beach Buddies

Photograph© 2009 MarkRogersPhotography.com all rights reserved.

A few Dogsters sent me a message letting me know about an amazing dog that resides at the Nuneaton Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary. This story is guaranteed to make you smile.

Jasmine, the Dog

In 2003, police in Warwickshire , England , opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog. It had been locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had clearly been abused.

In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a Greyhound female, to the nearby Nuneaton Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, run by a man named Geoff Grewcock and known as a willing haven for animals abandoned, orphaned or otherwise in need.

Geoffand and the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims; to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved.

They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home.

But Jasmine had other ideas. No one remembers now how it began, but she started welcoming all animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It wouldn’t matter if it was a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit , or any other lost or hurting animal.  Jasmine would peer into the box or cage and where possible deliver a welcoming lick.

Geoff relates one of the early incidents. “We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the centre and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them.

But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them and it helps them to not only feel close to her but to settle into their new surroundings.

She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose.”

Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary’s resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, 15 chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and 15 rabbits.

And one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, 11 weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the Roe deer with affection and makes sure nothing is matted. “They are inseparable,” says Geoff “Bramble walks between her legs and they keep kissing each other. They walk together round the sanctuary.
It’s a real treat to see them.”

Jasmine will continue to care for Bramble until she is old enough to be returned to woodland life. When that happens, Jasmine will not be lonely. She will be too busy showering love and affection on the next Orphan or victim of abuse.

From left, Toby, a stray Lakeland dog; Bramble, orphaned Roe deer; Buster, a stray Jack Russell; a dumped rabbit; Sky, an injured barn owl; and Jasmine with a Mothers heart doing best what a caring Mother would do… Such is the order of God’s Creation.

* Pics are courtesy Carter News Agency Ltd.

Great news coming from Massachusetts, on November 4th a ban was passed on dog racing. A huge victory considering in 2000 a similar ban was defeated.

The Massachusetts ban on dog racing has been a long time coming-in 2000, a similar ballot measure was narrowly defeated, and attempts to get the question included on the 2006 ballot were unsuccessful.

With the ban’s passage this week (57 percent to 43 percent), commercial dog racing will be phased out in Massachusetts by 2010. There are two dog tracks in the state-each of which is believed to currently house about 1,000 greyhounds.

Because the phase-out will occur over a period of 14 months, greyhound advocacy groups such as Grey2K USA are confident that they will be able to find homes for any racing dogs who become available for adoption.

This is fantastic news, it’s about time.  It once again goes to show that as dog lovers we need to stand together and make our voice heard.  We will not be ignored, the people have spoken. Thanks Dogsters!

The Olympics are a time when childhood dreams turn into reality for thousands of athletes, and a chance for a few of them to have their faces on a Wheaties box.  I know I’ll be watching, along with the ‘kids’, as the drama unfolds.

Since we’re dog lovers here, I’ll take this opportunity to highlight some Olympic caliber records you aren’t likely to see challenged during the 3,600 hours of NBC’s coverage.

-  In 2004, citizens of St. Joseph, Illinois witnessed Olympian hopeful Tigger recording the largest ear wingspan (27.25″ not counting the head) ever documented.  He thanks Bugs Bunny for inspiring him to forgo social norms and grow his ears so long.

- On the night of October 7th, 2006, Cinderella May broke the canine high jump record with a leap of 5′ 8″ (172.7cm).  It has yet to be determined where the greyhound learned to do the Fosbury Flop.

- Quebec City, Canada was the sight of one of the  most amazing achievements in canine and automobile history. Here, on September 1st 2004, a border-collie named Striker managed to record the fastest time ever in the ‘rolling down a non-electric car window’ category. His 11.34 second performance broke the mythical 11.5 barrier most experts thought would never be broken.

- Jimmy Connors never did it, neither did Andre Agassi or even Chris Evert, but a golden retriever named Augie didn’t have any problem achieving it. What was it? The world record for the most tennis balls held in the mouth. On July 6th in 2003, in Dallas, TX Augie managed to open two cans of tennis balls and stick five of the six balls into his mouth all at one time. Now that’s a dog that could use a DogPause Bowl.

Although those records are impressive, I know there must be some fuzzy muzzle record holders in this audience.  For instance, Copper holds the ten second record for most tail wags across a person’s face. I have the red lashes on my noggin’ to prove it.

So tell me, do you have a record holder who shares your house with you? If so, what’s the record?

I want to thank Dogster member Susan Marie and her pal Coffee for bringing us the following message.

Local Greyhound adoption groups are stepping up to the plate to try to assist a sudden huge influx of dogs who are retiring en mass. Some of the dogs will be moved to other tracks out of state, but the vast majority need homes now!

I have been so touched by the Dogster community coming together to makelife better for so many animals, I thought perhaps I could put out a plea to all the Dogster doggies.

If someone is in the Denver/Boulder area, perhaps they could consider fostering. Or of course, we always need monetary donations.

To find out more, visit www.coloradogreyhoundadoption.org. If you want to help a 45 mile per hour couch potato find a forever couch…er…home.