A little backstory
I was born in April 1993 and have lived my whole life with a lower limb disability called hereditary spastic paraplegia. Not to delve too deeply into the details, but hereditary spastic paraplegia encompasses a group of rare inherited disorders that result in weakness and stiffness in the leg muscles, with symptoms worsening gradually over time.
Growing up, dogs have always been a part of my life. At 11, we welcomed Jess, a lurcher, into our family. She was an incredibly funny dog, full of boundless energy and affection. Then came Pixie, a terrier cross my parents adopted at 10. Despite a challenging past, Pixie found solace in our loving home.
When I turned 24 and moved out alone, my work commitments prevented us from getting a dog. However, at 27, with a more flexible schedule, my partner and I decided it was time to fulfil our dream of owning a dog.
Considering my disability and occasional difficult days, we carefully researched different breeds and their temperaments. In the end, we decided on the Greyhound. There’s often a lot of misunderstanding about Greyhounds, with many people thinking they require extensive walking. In reality, they only need two short walks a day and spend most of their time resting.
Fun fact: when they’re at their happiest and safest, they often rest upside down, which we affectionately call ‘roaching’.
After visiting a rescue centre and meeting several greyhounds, we found our perfect match: Dakota, a beautiful black greyhound. Three years later, Dakota has seamlessly integrated into our lives.
It’s fascinating how they intuitively adjust to our limitations. Dakota, for instance, seems to grasp that I can’t handle his exuberant jumps due to his size and weight, so he refrains from doing so, unlike with my partner. During walks, he walks at my pace and doesn’t pull on the lead, recognising when we’re just going around the block due to my health.
He’s also attuned to my well-being, knowing when I’m unwell and opting not to bother me for a walk. Instead, he stays by my side, patiently waiting until my partner returns home.
Dakota’s remarkable intelligence, gentle leash manners, and understanding nature make him the ideal companion for someone with mobility challenges. I highly recommend a greyhound to anyone seeking a loving and adaptable canine companion!
If you’re ready to take the next step and welcome a greyhound into your home, explore our latest available dogs by clicking here.
Your support matters, and donations to KGR, whether big or small, are deeply appreciated. Every penny contributes to saving lives and positively impacting our rescue efforts.