Everybody Has A Greyhound

Over the past few weeks, we've had the girls out and about with us in several places.  It's funny, because it doesn't seem to matter where we go, the girls alway attract attention.  I feel like I'm traveling with rock stars wherever I go.  If I'm lucky, I get to hold the end of the leash of said celebrity.  Once in a while, I even get to carry a bag of their poop, although usually Mr. Taleteller gets that privilege.

It doesn't seem to matter what sort of situation we're in, either.  The night we went to Petco and for a walk on Constitution Trail, we were stopped by four different people in the pet store.  One told us her sister has a greyhound.  Another told us that their neighbor had one.  The last two told us how they'd love to have a greyhound and asked us where we'd adopted from.  That night on the trail someone told us they had a family member who had one.  Every single one of these people also had to spend five minutes petting Bunny, Blueberry or both.

The day we went hiking on the I&M Canal Trail, a man who was running on the trail told us they had five greyhounds at home.  A boy and his dad who were riding their bikes on the trail asked if they could take pictures of the girls.  I almost thought they'd be asked to give autographs as well.  Another man on a bicycle stopped to admire them as we were taking a few photos of our own.

At the Wellness Fair, we were mobbed, and I mean that literally.  At one point I could barely see Bunny for all the people standing around her and petting her.  Two people there told me that they had greyhounds of their own at home.  Three more asked us for places where they could get greyhounds of their own.  Blueberry laid down on a dog bed and held court with three or four young children who all sat around her gently petting her head.  I think I saw her perform the royal wave.  They couldn't have looked more like royalty if they'd been sporting jeweled collars.  Thank gosh they haven't heard about the greyhounds of ancient Egypt being carried around on litters by their servants!  The more regally they behave, the more people clamor to be near them, too.  People were begging Bunny to come to them for two hours.

I'm beginning to feel a bit like chopped liver here.  I don't think any of these people would have had anything to say to me or Mr. Taleteller if we hadn't had the greyhounds with us.  It's getting to be like a running joke.  I mean, it isn't as if we're unfriendly people.  We'd be happy to chat with people about the weather or current events if asked.  A part of me is curious, though.  If all these people have greyhounds, how come we never run into any of them out in public?  Where are these mythical creatures?  Are my greyhounds the only ones who ever get off the couch and go anywhere?  Perhaps the rest of the world has adopted invisible greyhounds and we are the only ones whose hounds can be seen.  It's a perplexing thing. 

I know that greyhounds are rather rare as pets compared to labradors or poodles.  It surprises me because they are such good pets, but I do know that they aren't for everybody.  I know other people who have adopted greyhounds, although not too many are here close to us anymore.  I've seen pictures of greyhounds who aren't mine, so I know they exist.  There are adoption agencies full of greyhounds just waiting for homes. 

So, I think I'm just going to start asking people where their greyhounds are when I am stopped by them out in public.  I'm considering the possibility of printing up cards with our blog address and the web addresses of the greyhound agencies that I know of in our area to just hand out to people.  The last few weeks have really made me curious about where all these adopted greyhounds are.  I do know that the three who live here keep us plenty busy with their social schedules, though!  I can only dream of being as popular or beloved as my dogs.