Thursday, December 21, 2006

Hounds Home for The Holidays

Here's a little bit of ironicus for you. The overlords are breaking the law, but the greyhounds are going to jail.

Twenty-four rescued greyhounds have found a good home in an unlikely place - prison.

A program at the Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater, Michigan is the first of its kind in the state.

Behind the fences and the razor wire, thousands of prisoners serve their sentences here. It's an experience that can be more intimidating than inspirational.

Inside, 34-year-old Christopher Glover-Bey is firm and disciplined with his greyhound, Rachel. But he's also playful and caring.

"Rachel is a dog that wants to be with you," says Glover-Bey. "So when she wants to be with you, you have to look out for her and do the things you want to do with her."

Love, responsibility and dedication aren't necessarily what Glover-Bey thought he'd learn in prison. Then he joined the "Second Chance at Life" program.

The program pairs prisoners with retired racing greyhounds - dogs that would otherwise be put down - and aims to turn both lives around.

"I wanted to do something to help me as well as the dogs," Glover-Bey said. "Because the dogs are in the same predicament we are in. I want someone to help me, give me a second chance at life, too."

Warden Carol Howes says she witnessed a big improvement in both, the men and the dogs, since the program started in August. "The prisoners have to learn how to be dog handlers, groomers. They have to clean up after their dogs. They learn some great parenting skills by working with these dogs."

The greyhounds rehabilitated here are adopted out to good homes.


It's amazing that no matter where you go you make things better, too bad the overlords missed that aspect if your character huh Flip?

Flip is a young, friendly, happy boy that likes to play with toys and with other dogs. He is affectionate; he gives kisses and likes to have his ears rubbed. Flip would do well in a working family home with well-mannered children. He is good with other dogs and would probably do best in a home with another playful dog or with a family that will exercise him regularly. Flip is a Second Chance at Life Dog from the Coldwater Prison Program. For more information about this dog, and other rescued racing greyhounds looking for homes, go here. If you don't know about the plight of racing greyhounds go here.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Greys do good wherever they go. Have a safe trip, stoli or no.