Dash | Basil | Jack & Elsa | Nitro | Sam & Bella | Smokey | Toss The Teddy | Winnie | Kara | Stella | Georgie | Fred | Suzi | Joe | Racer | Snowy | Racer-Snowy Update | Fred & Barney | June | Ivy | Sammy | Snowy & Angela | Toby | Dizzy | Dizzy (6 months on) | Jojo | Baccus
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RACER
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This is a story about a greyhound who was born to race. He was sold to be trained, but, time got on and this did not occur.
He was fortunately returned to the breeders. The next step was a phone call to gap and he went onto the program.
Having owned and shown English Setters and our last girl departing for the great kennel in the sky after sixteen loving years, the gap paperwork from the royal show was located and we made a phone call.
Racer (then called `Bongo' had just arrived at gap and after a very rapid assessment to see if he was cat friendly, he came into our lives.
T.C. and Racer became friends from his arrival. He became the quickest dog to enter and exit the gap program.
He very quickly settled into his new home but the kennel for the English setter was too small - so he took his bed into our garage rumpus room.
We endeavoured to purchase a non-treated pine kennel and after exhausting all avenues, decided to have one tailor made for racer.
The stories from the builder were most amusing. As soon as the base and frame were up, racer moved in. No sides, no roof, but he knew this was to be his very own mansion*.
He stayed there during its construction and when the builder wasn't looking, took hammers, saws, boxes of nails, electric leads, anything he found - into his new abode.
After being with us for two months GAP wanted a greyhound to visit a nursing home*… this was a wonderful eye opener to me the way he handled his visit.
For people not able to reach out give him a pat, he very very gently moved upward (even onto day beds) towards the hands who wanted to pat him - all pats were rewarded with a wagging tail.
He made quite a hit and the photos taken were given to the nursing home for their billboard.
Racer loves running and has visited the Wonga Park GAP run where he is able to race with other greyhounds*.
We obtained the name of the breeder from GAP and did some research into racer's history. His father is `Bearability' and his mother is `Rerun'.
He has a brother `Excitability'. We visited the breeders and they were delighted to see him again. Apparently he was a family pet and well housetrained. The welcome from his very pregnant mother was a joy to behold*. They licked each other's face and both seemed to really enjoy each other's company.
Racer is a very important part of our lives and has trained us very well. He loves his morning and nightly walks and visits to the safe off-leash park where he can mix with other dogs, large and small.
Racer is a fanatic for his back seat of the Honda. As soon as the door is open (even for removal of shopping) he is on the seat and ready to go.
He visits the country and this is where he excels in racing around the perimeter of the acre property (dog proof fencing) with my sister's samoyed.
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His lack of respect for what used to be our back lawn (now a racetrack) is something to behold. When visitors arrive he just has to show off and does ten laps to the left of the clothesline and then ten laps to the right of the clothesline. Then it is rest rime.
We would not be without him and intend to get another when we retire to the country in a couple of years' time.
Have attached some photos which tell his story.
Ray and Margaret Thomas
Thank You Ray & Margaret for taking the time to tell us all Racer's story - another beauty.
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