Thanks to a donut

Wending our way up a side street, this morning, a dog dashed out in front of us. There was the sound of two sharply intaken breaths and simultaneously the words uttered, “It’s a greyhound!”

Been there, done that. And my heart was up in my throat.

Greyhounds are sweet, wonderful dogs. They love their people with all their hearts and they take devotion to new levels. But let one escape out the front door and you have a huge problem. They won’t come when they’re called. I have yet to meet a greyhound that will come when it’s called. It just isn’t in their make-up. They take one look at you and run like hell in the opposite direction. And they run fast...clocking up to 40 miles per hour in a matter of a couple of seconds. By the time you’ve collected your wits about you, they’re practically in the next county already.

So it was with near panic that we watched this young greyhound in the street, not more than 40 feet from the busiest street in town. There was a car in front of us who also came to an abrupt halt. Call it darned good fortune or quick thinking or someone with some experience with greyhounds...these people rolled down their window and someone stuck her hand out with a hunk of donut.

The second thing to know about greyhounds is that they are ruled by their bellies. Ohhh. A donut offered was just more than the little greyhound could resist. She timidly walked over to the car and put her front feet up on the car. While one hand fed her the donut, another hand snaked out and grabbed her collar.

The dog’s owner came tearing out into the street with that mixture of terror on his face and the oh-too-well recognized expression of “I’m gonna wring your neck when I get my hands on you!” He profusely thanked the people in the car and took hold of her collar. All the way back up to his house he alternately scolded her and hugged her. So glad to have her safe and sound and disaster so narrowly averted. But still wanting to wring her neck. Oh do I understand how he felt. As I said—been there, done that.

Had she kept on running, the greyhound grapevine would have been activated immediately. There are a number of greyhound owners in this area and we all know what it’s like when one our babies takes off. It’s terrifying. It’s a great comfort to know that there are a lot of greyhound owners who will drop what they’re doing to go out searching for a missing greyhound. I’ve done it, too. Thank goodness it wasn’t necessary this morning. All because someone had the presence of mind to offer the beautiful girl a donut.

Just....whew!