THE JOURNEY |
GREYT TAILS |
GREYT ADOPTION PHOTO GALLERY
RAINBOW BRIDGE |
GREYTHOUND TREATS
GREYHOUND OBEDIENCE |
SENIOR SALUTE
Rex’s
Excellent Adventure
by Pam Hart
Friday evening the dogs and I went to the Abilene Greyhound Park so that Rex could race in the fun run at the gathering.
The dogs ran 1/16th of a mile individually unless an owner wanted to run his dogs together. Rex was #28 out of about 35 dogs. I had waffled about registering him, as he has had so much trouble with his corns. He went totally ballistic over the squawker when he heard it at home so I thought I'd give him the chance.
The buzz in the crowd was about a dog named Taylor that had raced A in Wisconsin, and there were a few friendly bets being placed among the crowd. The announcer even alluded to it. I knew that Rex had no chance of winning, but I wanted to let him do what he loved so much one more time.
Before the first dog raced the announcer said very loudly "The lure is moving -- HOLD YOUR DOGS!" He wasn't kidding. As soon as they could hear the sound of that lure we were in the middle of a sea of screaming, barking, rooing, whining dogs all pleading to chase that rabbit one more time. It was like they were possessed. Anyone that thinks they are forced to race or don't love it just needs to see that scene once.
Rex was bucking and pulling so much that he would have been spent before he had the chanch to run. There was a small GH farm adjoining the track so we left and went to visit with some puppies until it was his turn. Upon our return I had the option to help load him or help catch him and I chose the latter.
As soon as I handed his leash to the handler he started prancing. I would swear that he was walking on air, not a limp in sight...he had seen the starting box and he was going to race again. He flew out of the box, ran his best, and got to "catch" a squawker hidden in a sheepskin at the finish. Then he was put in the cool down crate and hosed down. If a dog ever has smiled ear to ear, it was Rex. He was on cloud nine. Almost 5 years old? Corns? Limpy? What the hell, he had RACED one more time! Looking at his face as Russ Neely was hosing him down made the entire trip worthwhile.
Rex after
he raced - still smiling
We left the cool down area and walked toward the grandstands. I was in a bit of a fog, sharing in Rex's joy. Suddenly the announcer boomed "Pam Hart and Rex O'Million" -- REX HAD WON SECOND PLACE! Not bad for a dog that waits on the couch for room service. The winner was another big red brindle named Stony that could be Rex's twin. Third was a white and brindle female. Stony ran 6.45 and Rex ran 6.54. Taylor? Far back in the pack :)
Everyone who participated in the fun run said that it was the best part of the trip -- and it certainly was for us. Rex had a light dinner and slept in the bed with me. His body never moved all night but his paws twitching woke me up a couple of times. I like to think that he was reliving his run in his dreams....
