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OVERCAST Temp: 51 °F Wind: WNW at 7 mph Wednesday, February 19, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 12, 2003 Lovable retired greyhounds need homes Homes for Hounds seeks dedicated adopters at Pet Country today By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Central Point resident Margie Owsley always wanted a retired greyhound racer, but assumed the breed’s need for speed would be too much for her. "I didn’t think I could give a dog that type of exercise," the retired nurse said on Saturday. "I read at the library that they needed a horrendous amount." But six weeks ago, Owsley met Karen — a 6-year-old retired greyhound — while shopping at Pet Country where Homes for Hounds was hosting an adoption day. Owsley was tickled to learn that although Karen could run nearly 50 mph, the small black female with a white muzzle was a natural-born couch potato. Like the rest of the adoptive dogs, Karen just needed to be walked a few times a week and most importantly, Owsley said, loved. "She just captured my heart. Look at those eyes," said Owsley, who adopted Karen the very same day. "She’s the most gentle creature in the world. I don’t know how people could kill them." Hoping to find suitable families for retired greyhounds, Homes for Hounds set up shop once again at Pet Country, 2833 N. Pacific Highway on Saturday. The nonprofit organization will return today from noon to 3:30 p.m. with dogs available for adoption. "They’re just the nicest dogs," said volunteer MaryAnne Petersen, a.k.a. "Granny Dollar" from local television commercials. "They make such good pets." Oregon is the only state that prohibits racing greyhounds from being killed when they retire. Homes for Hounds gets their adoptable dogs from a race track near Portland. They are not housebroken and will need training, but volunteer Rayetta Holder said the breed learns quickly. All it takes, she added, is a little love and attention. "This is a retired athlete that you have to turn into a pet," Holder said. "Once they get a taste of being a pet, they can’t get enough." Contrary to the myths, Holder said it’s unusual to find hyperactive greyhounds. The breed is sweet and affectionate and adapts to family life beautifully, she added. "They don’t have a mean bone in their bodies," added volunteer Marian Steiskal of Medford. "I’ve never seen a bad one." Greyhound racers usually retire at 5 or 6 years of age. Younger dogs will leave the track because of injury, lack of desire to race or poor performance. Before adopting a greyhound, applicants must pay $160. The fee covers paperwork, retrieval from the track and the cost of spaying or neutering. Members of Homes for Hounds will conduct an on-site visit to make sure a residence is suitable, and applicants must pass a screening process. For more information, contact Petersen at 899-3959 or visit Pet Country on Highway 99 in Medford today. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S