AR-News: (US TN) Many race to help abused Greyhounds

[Animalara2003 at aol.com]

By Deanna Larson, dlarson at nashvillecitypaper.com
March 09, 2004
  
Greyhounds race, but that's a mere blip in their history as majestic hunter, 
tracker and human companions dating back to 6000 B.C.



"The biggest shock was far back they went," said Cynthia A. Branigan, 
pioneering greyhound rescuer and author of The Reign of the Greyhound, Second Edition 
(Howell Book House).

Greyhounds are etched in early cave drawings and mentioned in the Bible. 
Pharaohs of ancient Egypt were buried with their beloved greyhounds, the Greek 
poet Homer wrote about a greyhound in 800 B.C., and greyhounds accompanied 
Christopher Columbus on his second expedition to the New World in 1493.

Modern greyhounds descend from this ancient breed, now known as the 
sighthound group, which includes the saluki, whippet and Afghan hound. These graceful 
dogs were revered for their elegant demeanor, stamina and hunting ability at 
speeds up to 45 miles per hour. 

Most greyhounds are now bred as racers, and become companions when their 
racing career is over. In the nearly two decades that Branigan has facilitated 
greyhound adoptions, she has seen great strides made by racetracks, which now 
cooperate with rescue groups to find ex-racers a permanent home instead of 
reducing the attention given to them or even performing euthanasia.




full story:

http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=12&screen=news&news_id=313
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