Monday, April 7, 2008

A Rant of Sorts

Not everyone should have a greyhound. They are just not right for everyone. I say this as someone who is in a profession that made it very clear in school, that it was not for everyone. It was only for the few they chose were good enough to continue. Anywho, greys just do not fit the lifestyle of everyone and sometimes they do for a while and then things change. Other things get in the way. The newness wears off. The dog gets pushed to the side and ignored. The dog is still "loved" but not "loved" if that makes sense. I won't go into why I write this today, but I am saddened. I know it is very hard for people to admit failure, not even failure or even defeat, but that they have taken on too much. No one should suffer for that. It's not fair. So how do you handle such a touchy situation. There is love, minimal care, no imminent danger, but really only basic care. Good enough for a yard dog but not a greyhound. That may seems like a harsh thing to say, but it's true. Having had many other dogs who both resided inside and out, the lives of many regular old dogs may suit their needs, character and demeanors just fine, but a greyhound is different. Yes, in the end, they are just dogs, but they are dogs with specific needs. They prefer to be with people and/or in groups. They cannot or at the least should not be left outside. They should have a soft,conditioned place to sleep. Food. Water. Something to play with. Interaction, not confinement. And I don't mean don't crate, we have done that in the past, but not 20 hours a day. Deep breathe. I hover somewhere between pity and anger at the moment. I know that I cannot make them all safe and happy. No one can. But what about this one. What about this one in front of me that deserves so much better? Right now, I just don't know. It's not my place to say. It's a shame.