Do you have a pet that loves to walk through your gardens with you? Our adopted, retired racing greyhound, Charm, loves to promenade in the garden. Every morning, she counts our cups of coffee and she knows we'll walk through the garden with our second cup! Charm is very careful in the garden -- no digging. She stays on the paths and has never trampled a single flower. Charm has been known to stop and smell the flowers quite often. She doesn't chase the bunnies, squirrels or deer, although some greyhounds will chase small critters and need to be on a leash or in a fenced area. Most greyhounds won't sit or sleep on anything that isn't soft, so Charm does get tired of standing around in the garden and eventually has to go inside to nap on her big, soft dog bed.
Being so much a part of the family, Charm doesn't like to be left behind when we go on vacation. So, Charm went with us this week to vacation on Hatteras Island to promenade on the beach.
Taking a greyhound out in public is like escorting a celebrity! Greyhounds attract a lot of attention so you have to allow extra time for your walks. So many nice people come up to us to meet Charm. She just loves to meet and greet nice people, so it works out well for everyone. After a few days at the beach, Charm had a few fans who would call out to her on her morning walks with us. Her propeller tail would start spinning when she'd see her new friends up the beach from us. Being a sight hound, Charm could see them before they could see her.
Charm raced on the track until mandatory retirement age of 4 years and she's been with us for over 5 years. We adopted her from Project Racing Home in Randleman, NC. There are greyhound rescue and adoption groups throughout the US. These wonderful dogs make the very best indoor pets -- and garden companions. Yes, they can run over 40mph for 31 seconds in a race. However, they love to sleep on soft pillows the rest of the time.
If you hug a greyhound, you'll want one, too!
I'm loving your "Charm" ! what a beautiful creature she is. I have heard of these adoption groups and it is such a wonderful thing to see them go to such good homes .. she is well loved and she knows it ! So many gardeners love furry souls so much .. it must be part of our nature ? : )
ReplyDeleteJoy
Joy -- Charm is really sweet and loyal. So many greyhounds are destroyed after racing or if they don't do well on the track. The adoption groups play an important role in finding good homes for these wonderful pets. They just love people! I could go on and on about Charm. She doesn't bark at anything; doesn't even try to get on furniture (many greyhounds do); doesn't destroy anything. Charm has a big basketful of fluffy toys because she doesn't chew them up! She loves Teddy bears! Thanks for visiting, Cameron
ReplyDeleteShe is a charmer, so your name was perfect. :) All of my pets (2 dogs & a cat) were rescues. How wonderful that you adopted her & have given a good home for the past five years. She's a lucky dog!
ReplyDeleteWhat a smart and beautiful dog! I think pets and gardens just seem to go together (of course we have to overlook the digging and all-but it is worth it):)
ReplyDeleteI love both pics. Charm does look like a nice dog, and a garden dog at that!
ReplyDeleteOur yellow lab was given to us by the people we had gotten our other from, who had died a few months before, at the age of 14. I wasn't ready, but this was a rescue, as the people they had given or sold her to said they didn't want her any more, so I gave in. She came with some issues, and we could tell there was a lot of yelling where she was, but she's a sweetie. I don't let her in my beds, but she loves to hang out with me when I garden, and I have seen her smell flowers.
Rescued pets just seem so grateful for a loving home, don't they?
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful dog is Charm! This is a gentlewoman of a dog, staying on the paths, not chasing critters. I think you have a very smart puppy! I have friends who adopted a greyhound but theirs is a runner!
ReplyDeleteGail
Gail, greyhounds have to stay on leash or in a fenced area because they can run so fast (40mph), espeically those with a high prey drive (chasing the rabbit). I know my photos of Charm show her without a leash, but she is under our control... and she's old.
ReplyDeleteYour 'Charm' is a beautiful girl, and how lucky you are to have such a well mannered dog. You must've trained her well. And she's a lucky girl to have a holiday at the beach! :)
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed catching up a little with your beautiful gardens. That Calla Lily is stunning! My mother grew them in her Australian garden.
Your visits and friendly comments are so much appreciated. Thank you! :)
Charm's registered name is Won By Her Wits
ReplyDeleteMy daughter's friend had one of these hounds and it was the nicest dog ever.
ReplyDeleteWe have a rescue white german shepherd mix. She is a doll. She does well in the garden too. However she does have spells. Ha unfortunately she isn't perfect. I love her that way.
Hi Cameron! I'm glad that this lovely post on Charm gets a second life through the Design Workshop. She deserves lots of attention. Thanks for sharing the link!
ReplyDeleteI found this post through Garden Gone Wild. Bless you for adopting Charm. I have never met a greyhound who wasn't a sweetheart. We are big animal lovers here, and I have heard that in spite of their racing past, greyhounds are just as happy being couch potatoes.
ReplyDeleteNan and Les,
ReplyDeleteCharm is our delight. She goes on two garden walks a day (morning and evening). She's the first dog that I've had that doesn't run through flowers or dig in the garden. Very dainty!
Thanks,
Cameron