Spring-Time Azalea

Please welcome the newest addition to our household: Azalea. She is a 7-year-old red brindle ex-racing greyhound; in fact, all of our four-legged companions for the last eight years have been ex-racers because they make great companions. She arrived two days ago to take up the position recently vacated by Arlo, who died on 22 February of this year, aged 9.5 years. Dowland, our red boy who has lived with us since 1999 (he's almost 12 years old), seems happy enough to have some company again.

Although Azalea once raced, she hasn't for a number of years — racing-greyhound careers typically end when the dog is two to three years old. We know that she is a survivor of Hurricane Katrina, living in a kennel when her family was evacuated. Family life before the hurricane had become stressful with the arrival of a new baby, and while she was living at the kennel her greyhound companion died. She made her way north in search of a more stable home, thence to our house, through the auspices of Greyhound Pets of America, Maryland chapter. GPA-MD has matched us up with three of our four hounds.

She is still getting settled in, but she has had some experience with moving to new places so it doesn't seem to alarm her too much. She's been acting comfortable — i.e., sleeping most of the time, as greyhounds will do — and exploring the house with interest. She also likes to have her back scratched a lot. She does seem to have a very nice personality which, as we know from experience with Arlo, can sometimes indicate a taste for mischief of which there have been no signs so far. We don't know that she's channeling Arlo yet, but she does exhibit the same characteristic jauntiness of the ears that he did, ears that fold and point this way and that seemingly of their own volition ("ears akimbo", a friend suggested).

By the way, don't be taken in by the pitiful look she displays in the upper photograph; all greyhounds are masters of this method of getting their humans to give them what they want, which is usually a doggie treat or a walk.

Posted on April 5, 2007 at 11.30 by jns · Permalink
In: All, Reflections

7 Responses

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  1. Written by Patti Lee
    on Thursday, 5 April 2007 at 12.31
    Permalink

    Congratulations on a beautiful new addition to your life! I can't wait to meet her.

    Kisses,

    Patti Lee

  2. Written by S.W. Anderson
    on Thursday, 5 April 2007 at 13.49
    Permalink

    Good for Azalea, who's been through a lot, and good for you, for giving her a good home.

    We recently adopted a little Shih-Tzu whose family moved to a place where they couldn't keep a pet. Roxie also knows how to play on sympathies and is a bit of a scamp. But she's got a sweet, gentle nature, wants to please and suffers annoyances with grace. That even goes for occasional affronts from our young female cat, Lettie, who's spoiled, imperious and the msot talkative cat I've ever had. I should add that in her way and in her own good time, Lettie is affectionate, in addition to being smarter than most people.

  3. Written by David
    on Thursday, 5 April 2007 at 16.22
    Permalink

    OMG she's adorable!!! :)

  4. Written by Rob & Kathy
    on Thursday, 5 April 2007 at 21.03
    Permalink

    We think she is adorable and love the mixed color of her fur. Can't wait to meet her in person next time we come to visit. Hope all else is good with all of you.

    TTYL,
    Rob & Kathy

  5. Written by Jeannine
    on Friday, 6 April 2007 at 07.56
    Permalink

    Hi Jeff & Isaac – congratulations on Azalea!! I need to meet her soon! And maybe we can take her to the arboretum when her flowers are blooming!!

  6. Written by Beth Lingg
    on Saturday, 7 April 2007 at 19.26
    Permalink

    Azalea looks like a beautiful addition to your family.

  7. Written by David Cabrera
    on Tuesday, 10 April 2007 at 10.52
    Permalink

    Congratualtions on the adoption of Azalea. We saw her on the GPA MD site and are glad she found a home. Our Grey Naughty was also adopted with the help of GPA MD.

    David

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