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JUNE
Here is the story of my special girl June.

I adopted June (racing name: Junior) ironically in June of 2001. She had finished her racing career (33 starts for 3 wins) in the previous February & had gone into the Greyhound Adoption Program here in Melbourne not long after.

I had asked for a "cat safe" grey as at one time or another there always seemed to be a cat or 2 in my family.

When I saw June on the GAP website she was said not to be catsafe but after speaking to Larissa it seemed that June had had a run in with a Foster Carers cat and lost.  So she decided that it would be a better idea to leave these feisty furry things alone from then on.

She was quite full of herself when she first arrived, a little bit of "attitude", it was as if she walked in the door & said "I'm here now, you may serve me", which earned her a couple of 10 minute time outs in the back yard, but she was a fast learner so it didn't take her long to begin to become a very special member of my family.
She was extremely quiet & gentle with my then 2 year old granddaughter Alexandra & it didn't take June long to realise that if she followed Alex around it was almost a certainty that she would get a biscuit etc.
June in fact is extremely good with everything small, dogs, cats & kids.

We have had a few visiting children & dogs that have had great joy in jumping all over Junes face & head as she tries to lay down & relax, she will just get up & walk away when has had enough.

June had a very close relationship with one little kitten in particular. Kasey came to us at 4 weeks old, someone had tried to drown her along with the rest of the litter. She survived and my daughter brought her home to us.

It was apparent from the start that Kasey was "different", she never could bond with us "humans" but right from the start June & Kasey were inseparable.

Whether she knew something was 'wrong' with this little cat I don't know but she would carry Kasey around in her mouth as a mother cat would do. Kasey wouldn't just sleep with June, she would sleep ON June as if she couldn't get close enough.

They would even eat together, in fact I once found Kasey sitting in the middle of Junes food bowl with June eating around her as if it was a normal occurrence.

Sadly Kasey died before she was 6 months old.

Did June sense something with this little kitten, I'll never know but I do know she has never had as close a relationship with another cat since.

I think June may have a special relationship with my newest granddaughter Hayley (4 months), ever since Hayley has been born June has been very gentle with her, will lay next to her, & when she cries June will get up & have a look maybe to make sure she is ok.

I was holding Hayley on my lap on the floor recently & June came & offered her paw (she shakes hands) to Hayley & couldn't work out why nothing was being reciprocated. I had to laugh.

All in all June is a very special greyhound to me, she isn't just a "dog" she is a huge & special part of my life. She isn't the most affectionate girl, but you can almost physically see the love in her eyes, she is also so very stubborn, & has a mind of her own at times. I find it very hard to explain to others what my girl means to me.
I now know why Greyhounds have a large chest & that is to hold their huge heart.
Love you Junee girl.
Debbie Hawkins

Thank you so much for June's story.  This story really makes you wonder just what these Greyhounds are capable of - they never ever cease to amaze me.