The Greyhound Saga Begins

Early in 2006, my husband, Tim, asked me what I would like for my July birthday.  I responded that I would love to adopt a greyhound.  I'd wanted to adopt a retired racer for as long as I could remember.  I was surprised when Tim didn't quickly ask me what my second birthday wish would be.  In fact, he seemed intrigued by the idea. 
Being the computer wizard (read: nerd) that he is, Tim began doing all sorts of online greyhound research.  He found a great organization, Southeastern Greyhound Adoption - SEGA, located just a couple of hours from our house. 
For months, the Greyhound Adoption Pursuit was our family project.  Every evening, Tim, Sawyer and I carefully reviewed the available greyhounds on the SEGA website and discussed in infinite detail the merits of each individual hound.  We also read aloud every book we could find about the greyhound breed.  One of the most helpful was Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies:

Armed with (no kidding) a two-page shopping list, off we went to PetSmart.   We bought the recommended supplies - fluffly dog beds, the biggest crate available, martingale collars with matching leashes, the proper kind of food, kongs, stuff to put in the kongs, treats, rawhides (made only in the U.S., of course), elevated food and water dishes, etc., etc., etc. 

Since we happen to have two of the steepest staircases I've seen in my life, we arranged for the interior stairs to be carpeted and we had the deck stairs redesigned so that the steps were broken up by two landings. 

We completed our SEGA adoption application and we were approved!  Tim had been in touch with SEGA and made plans for us to visit the adoption kennel July 22.  We headed out early that morning with great excitement.  We knew we were going to bring our selected "cat tolerant and small dog tolerant" greyhound, Racine Rampage, home with us that day.  Isn't she beautiful?

Racine Rampage from the SEGA website.

When we arrived at the adoption kennel, the wonderful SEGA volunteer asked which hound we wanted to see first.  We told her we were there for Racine.  She smiled and suggested that we keep an "open mind" during our visit.  She said, "You know, people don't really adopt the greyhound, the greyhound adopts the people."  Yeah, I didn't really get that, but I wasn't really paying attention because I desperately wanted to meet Racine.  Oh my goodness, she was a gorgeous greyhound.  She was everything I had hoped for - loving, gentle, graceful and clearly anxious for a forever home.

But - wait a minute - this blog is entitled, "Those Brindle Kids."  Pretty little Racine is white and black, not brindle.  What happened?  Check back for more details.