Introducing: Onyx

I had a doggy-shaped hole in my heart and it needed to be filled. It was only a matter of time before it happened. 

Long-time readers and close IRL friends know that I have mused about adopting a retired racing greyhound for a very long time, close to two decades. 

I knew it would take time for my husband to get comfortable with having a dog in the house though. After we got married and bought our condo together, we made a point to stop by several greyhound adoption centers and even met up with a local adopter who generously hosted a meet-n-greet at her home for us. Each encounter further cemented my resolve that greyhounds were the breed for us. However I could tell that W was still hesitant, so I did not push the point. 

Fast forward six years, two kids, and one house move later. 

When Seeing Eye puppy raising program didn't work out (the issue was ultimately with my workplace. I'm very disappointed with them but that's a story for another time...), the conversation about greyhound adoption came up again. This time my husband was ready...or more ready than he was before. 

I put in the application and in less than 24 hours, a volunteer got back to us to go over questions and next steps. She commented that one of my references mentioned that I was a horse owner; they loved hearing that as the combination happens quite often and those adoptions go very successfully. I re-iterated that I had young kids who knew how to behave around animals but they are toddlers. The volunteer appreciated my candidness and reassured they take everything into consideration when evaluating dogs and matching them with a family. 

After a very busy month of October and early November birthday celebrations for both me and my son, our appointment day finally arrived. We packed plenty of snacks for the kids and drove 2 hours south to the adoption center. My nerves and excitement somehow made the trip feel both long and short at the same time. 

When we arrived, we let the kids off the car and let them stretch their legs while we waited outside to meet the adoption center owner, L. 

After asking us a couple more questions, she said "I think I have just the dog for you." 

She had one of the volunteers bring out a gorgeous black greyhound with kind deep brown eyes. We were introduced to CET Onyx who was just about to turn 4 years old. He had a respectable track career with 103 races, winning 9 and coming 2nd in 17. The breeder/owner has a toddler-aged son so Onyx was exposed to young kids his entire life. 

He and his littermates arrived at the adoption center less than a week ago and he was a perfect gentleman from the start. 

After Onyx got a chance to meet us and the kids, the volunteer handed the leash to my husband and we went for a family walk on property. Onyx walked politely. He was interested in another greyhound who was meeting her adopter in the fenced-in kennel yard but his excitement was contained, nothing out of control. 

We waited until the kennel yard was free and got our chance to meet and observe Onyx off-leash. While chatting with L, I kept a close eye on my kids as they decided then it was time for zoomies. Onyx was at most mildly interested. After doing his business, he came back to the adults and asked each of us for pets. We couldn't have asked for a better first-time introduction as he was exposed to my kids' unfettered antics and didn't even bat an eye. 

When we got home, it was the flurry of getting essential supplies and ensuring the house was dog-proofed (which is ironically similar to baby-proofing). The adoption center advised us to set up the crate and dog bed well in advance so the kids can get their curiosity out and eventually ignore it entirely. The suggestion was ingenious and worked perfectly. After about two weeks during which Onyx got neutered, UTD on shots, and a full vetting done, he was ready to come home. 

The first night was the toughest one, as expected, but after that he adjusted without further fuss. He's been with us for almost 3 weeks - we have a routine (which greyhounds love) and he's learned the rules of the house with minimal accidents and mishaps. My kids help feed during mealtimes and have been taught to respect his space when he's sleeping and eating.

...he sleeps in weird positions. 

Greyhounds are infamous for being 40mph couch potatoes and I can personally attest to that now. He is the laziest dog I've ever met/owned in my entire life. He enjoys nothing more than sleeping on his comfy dog bed in the same room we're in. Everyone who has met him so far has been impressed by his chill, laid-back personality. 

We're still in our early stages and I'm still ever watchful especially when the kids are playing in the same room but so far Onyx has been a quiet, gentle addition to our family. 

The kids were reading their new library books to him <3