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15 Points Greyhounds Consider When Adopting A Human
Thinking about adopting a greyhound? We have 15 points that greyhounds should consider when adopting their humans – April is Adopt a Greyhound Dog Month. Greyhounds everywhere are asking the age-old question: “Why are humans the ones that get to choose their Greyhound”? As Greyhounds, need to have a say in selecting our human. To that end, the following is written By Ms. Lady Norma Greyhound, as a guide to assist decerning Greyhounds when choosing their human.
- Greyhounds can recognize “Genuine Love”
- Humans can be trained to play “Fetch”
- Humans (Most) Are Foodies
- Humans Can Tell Time & Have Opposable Thumbs
- Humans Walk Rather Well On A Leash
- Humans Sleep on Beds
- Humans Read Books
- Humans Drop Food
- Greyhounds Are Good Teachers and Role Models
- Humans Make A Greyt Audience
- Humans Can Be Very entertaining
- Humans Give Us Purpose
- Some Humans Enjoy Running
- Humans Can Drive
- Humans Can Learn Unconditional Love
- Conclusion
1. Greyhounds Can Recognize “Genuine Love”
We have an extremely high “metacognitive” ability, which means that we have a good idea if something is worth our time or not. Many times, we find ourselves being drawn to a particular person. We get a sense that this person is going to be around for a while, and we feel attracted to them.
2. Humans Can Be Trained to Play Fetch
An adept Greyhound will have rules in place for their human. It is only fair after all they know what we expect of them. It should be noted however if you want to play fetch, you must keep your human informed of the rules before every game. Otherwise, you run the risk of your human continually throwing the ball, expecting you to not only fetch it but return it just so they can throw it again. Greyhound’s sprint, we do zoomies, we throw toys in the air. If we have a truly exceptional human, we may, and I say may, run after a ball, toss it around a bit, and bring it back. Most of us have a limit of two, possibly three throws. More than that, and perhaps your human would more enjoy one of our retrieving brethren. Our retrieving friends go to great lengths to teach their humans to throw repeatedly. They do this out of the love of retrieving as well, as helping their humans keep their arms toned and in shape.
3. Humans (Most) Are Foodies
Most of us hounds are foodies. If you are indeed a foodie, choose your human wisely. Cooking is in most human’s blood. There are some humans (ahem… ours is one) that does not cook just for the joy of cooking. In her defense, she does cook chicken, turkey, and even liver for us to add to our meals.
For the humans that are foodies, a greyhound just knows they can trust that person. The good thing about a foodie human is that you can never tell them not to cook, it is in their blood. If your human cannot cook but is able to work the microwave, he/she may potential. However if your perspective human knows how to make tea, that may be acceptable. Human foodies that like tea, often have tasty morsels to go with a “good cuppa”.
4. Humans Can Tell Time & Have Opposable Thumbs
Most of us are quite capable of telling time and some of us even bear the responsibility of reminding our humans of the all-important appointed mealtimes. Humans get a pass on having to be reminded, as they have opposable thumbs. A less astute hound could look at this as a deficit from the hound perspective. I have come to realize that it makes the selected human parent/servant rather indispensable. They have the ability to purchase and lug bags of kibble home from the store, open cans of dog food, rip open the frustrating bag tops on a myriad of treats, and lovingly produce a special marrow bone or turkey neck for our pleasure.
5. Humans Walk Rather Well On A Leash
Hunting dogs in open field: two greyhounds and a borzoi
Greyhounds are long-legged, which means we have an exceptionally long stride. We need at least an hour of exercise a day. And while backyard exercise is acceptable, walks provide us with more mental and physical stimulation. This time together helps build a strong bond of trust between us and our humans. It is also our inherent responsibility to help our humans get/stay in shape. We are perfectly willing to ease our human parents into longer more leisurely walks. This also allows us plenty of time to sniff and catalog important smells as well as leave our own “pee-mail”. Please note: If for some reason we should stop, turn into a statue, and refuse to move, it is a sign that we are feeling extremely fearful and overwhelmed. In such instances, a human in tune with their greyhound is of paramount importance. Take time to reassure us, and if possible, help us be brave.
6. Humans Sleep on Beds
Most of us have humans that prefer to sleep on a comfy bed. Some may even have what one could call a mattress fetish. Meaning that they take all manner of care and due diligence when choosing one. They also like to doze on soft couches. As Greyhounds, many of us find it our duty to share said bed or couch with our humans. In this case, It is important to choose a human that appreciates the benefits of snuggling with you. You need to ensure they are appreciative of a warm, loving body to keep them warm on cold wintry nights. Please note: We don’t hog the covers as some humans have been known to do. Your human should follow your lead in this area.
In the realm of bonding and snuggling, finding a human adept at reading is an extreme plus. One who enjoys reading and appreciates the items noted above, #6 (i.e., a warm loving body to snuggle). It doesn’t’ matter whether it is on a plush mattress, a soft comfy couch, or a blanket in the park on a balmy spring day. A human who will read either aloud or silently with you by their side should get an extra point or two.
7. Humans Read Books
In the realm of bonding and snuggling, finding a human adept at reading is an extreme plus. One who enjoys reading and appreciates the items noted above, #6 (i.e., a warm loving body to snuggle). It doesn’t’ matter whether it is on a plush mattress, a soft comfy couch, or a blanket in the park on a balmy spring day. A human who will read either aloud or silently with you by their side should get an extra point or two.
8. Humans Drop Food
It is inherent in our Greyhound nature to always be “helpy”. To that end, adopting a human that tends to drop food can really work to our advantage. From our perspective, it is a win/win situation. We go out of our way to help clean up dropped morsels and our human (if the food is safe for us) doesn’t have to worry about “clean up on isle 6”.
9. Greyhounds Are Good Teachers & Role Models
Keeping with the theme that we are inherently helpy, choosing a human that wants to foster Greyhounds is a definite plus. We obviously are good teachers, since we already have trained our human. Partnering with our human and being a role model for other Greyhounds to choose their own humans is very fulfilling.
10. Humans Make A Greyt Audience
Most people see us as the ultimate focused athlete. Greyhounds however love to clown around, throw stuffies, do race around doing zoomies for no apparent reason. We also have an array of wonderful voices and love nothing more to have sing alongs called “Roooo Fests”. Selecting a human that appreciates the lengths we will go to entertain them makes all concerned happy. After all, smiling your way through the day is a greyt way to go.
11. Humans Can Be Very Entertaining
Humans Can Be Very Entertaining When They Exercise! 
Seriously? Get A Load Of This One
The Greyhound Version Of A Horse Laugh
If you are a Greyhound that likes a good laugh, choose a human that has made a resolution to get in shape. Sit back and be prepared to laugh (discretely of course). Humans can be overly sensitive to your laughing so hard you roll off your slumber ball while watching them tie themselves up in knots. Sometimes the next day can be just as entertaining if they have overdone their “workout” the day before.
12. Humans Give Us Purpose
Greyhounds make wonderful Service and Therapy dogs. Partnering with a human that gives of themselves to help others gives us a purpose. However, a human that appreciates the love we have to give every day gives us purpose too.
13. Some Humans Enjoy Running
While we are sprinters and not long-distance runners, a human with the ability to step it up a bit for a nice jog can be a plus. Make sure that your selected human is aware that just because we are greyhounds, they cannot just take off for a long run. We need to be conditioned much as they do. They also need to be mindful that since we have no body fat to speak of, we do NOT metabolize heat or cold very well. Your human must make sure we are well hydrated and be aware of the temperature. If it is cold enough for our human to wear a coat, then most likely we need one also.
14. Humans Can Drive
Humans that drive are especially important. The most obvious point here is that humans can reach the pedals and see over the steering wheel. As greyhounds, we deserve to have a chauffeur at our beck and call. While not all of us enjoy car rides, there are those of us that do. We enjoy being with you wherever you go with the wind in our faces, tongues hanging out, and drool art going down the side of the window, making rivulets down the top third of the door.
While not all hounds can be chauffeured in the “Hound Mobile” complete with dog beds, raised observation bench, and a sunroof. What matters is that if you do enjoy car rides, your human is aware of this and takes every opportunity to have you with them riding shotgun. Humans know the way to Starbucks and can take us to visit friends for play dates. That It matters not if it’s a trip to Home Depot, Walmart to pick up groceries, Hobby Lobby (a personal favorite) or a “Road Trip”.
Note: It is a well-known fact that humans usually have snacks for car rides. A well-trained human can be coached into providing appropriate dog-safe snacks to share.
15. Humans Can Learn Unconditional Love
All dogs practice the ancient art of unconditional love. And who are the first recipients of this amazing art? Their humans!
The universal dog code states that all humans should be loved unconditionally. While a large majority of humans understand this concept and try to emulate their furry companions, there are those who still need some help. So if you choose a human that still needs a bit of work, there is hope.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we Greyhounds feel very strongly about taking an active role in the adoption of our forever humans/parents. While I feel the above 15 points are important points for all Greyhounds to consider, they are not the only ones. It behooves all Greyhounds to make sure they take the time to find the human/parent that will be the best fit for a loving, fun-filled forever relationship.
Greyhounds: If you have any other points you think we should address in this forum, please have your parents jot them down in the comments below.
Parents: The more we are able to share and empower all the wonderful attributes of Greyhounds, and encourage them to take an active role in human/parent selection, the more we can spread the word and, the sooner we can create more Loving Forever Greyhound Homes!
