Cruise the Retired Racer

I adopted 9-year-old Cruise four years ago from Greyhound Connection in San Diego County. Cruise is a retired racer from Arizona. He ran approximately 120 races over a three-year career and won 10 percent of the time. Cruise is perhaps more timid than the average greyhound, but given the unknowns of the first five years of his life, it is remarkable to me that these dogs retire relatively undamaged and transition to home life with such grace. I met my first rescued greyhound when I was just 8-years-old. That dog created a lasting impression on me. I have been moved by the greyhounds' plight; I am attracted to the aesthetic of their aerodynamic appearance, their sweet disposition and their ancient history. I knew that when I was ready to adopt a dog it would be a greyhound. I wanted a gentle, affectionate dog that would be a good companion. Everything you've heard about greyhounds being couch potatoes is true. So my son was disappointed that Cruise didn't exhibit typical dog behaviors like tug of war or fetch, though some greyhounds will learn to play over time. A greyhound will follow its parent from room to room, preferring to bask in his/her person's presence than to be independent. After adopting Cruise, I was delighted to learn that he is polite, loving, happy, non-destructive and reasonably obedient. While some greyhounds are not cat safe, Cruise even shares his food and his bed with my kitten, Elliott. Jackie PETCO Corporate San Diego, Calif.