Charm
Charm was adopted by Brad and Jessica Rhodes of Fort Gordon, GA on February 14, 1998.
Charm's Adventure (by Brad Rhodes)
Charm is the newest member of our family. She is an 8 year old retired racing greyhound. My wife and I have never met a sweeter animal in our lives. Charm's adventure began before we even met her...
My wife (Jessie) and I (Brad) took my mother to the airport in Atlanta in late January. After my mom's flight left, we were heading back to our car when a sign caught our eye. The sign read "Give a Retired Racer a Home". The organization that had placed the sign was Adopt-a-Greyhound. On the sign was a picture of a happy looking 'retired' Greyhound. For many months, my wife and I had talked about getting another dog to be a companion to Joy (our 12 year old Keeshond). Unfortunately, Joy did not get along with the last puppy my parents had. We did not want to get a puppy for Joy because she would not have anything to do with it. But now, the answer seemed to present itself - why not adopt a retired racer.
When we got home from the Airport, the first thing we did was hop on the internet and check out places where we could adopt a Grey. Jessie said to me, "You're really serious about this!" I said, "Yes!"
Finally, in the first week of February, Jessie and I called Jackie Brantley at Greyhounds Galore. We got her phone number via the internet. We played phone tag for a couple of days and finally got in touch with Jackie. We told her we were looking to adopt an older Grey (5 years or older - we were looking for a mellow dog who would get along with Joy and our two cats - Gracie and Chaz). Jackie told us about Gracie and Angel and finally Charm. Charm sounded so sweet when we talked to Jackie that we just had to see her.
On February 14, Valentine's Day, Jessie and I (and Joy too) hopped in our car and headed down to Macon from Augusta Georgia. I am 2LT in the US Army at Fort Gordon in Augusta. The trip to Macon took a little longer than expected and the store we were supposed to meet Jackie at had changed names. Finally, we met Jackie in the parking lot and followed her to her home.
When we arrived, Jessie and I were not prepared for how happy and how large the Greys were. At first we were wary of letting Joy off of her leash to meet these dogs which were four times her size. The Greys were very interested in Joy and Joy did not seem to mind them so we let her explore. As we talked with Jackie, all of the Greys were checking us out. We met Gracie, Justy, the puppy and then this beautiful Brindle colored Grey laid down at my feet. "And this is Charm, " Jackie said.
Jessie and I were truly taken with Charm. She was so sweet and good natured. Joy even liked her - of all of Jackie's Greys, Charm seemed to be Joy's choice.
Jackie told us Charm's story. Charm had been a Class A (the top racing class) until she was five years old. She was retired and adopted by a family in the Macon area. Unfortunately, these people had to travel a lot and they had five small dogs who did not take to Charm, so she had to be returned to Greyhounds Galore. Charm also had a terrible flea allergy. The people she lived with did not have the time to take care of her allergy. As a result she lost most of the hair on her lower back.
Jackie got Charm when she was six. Many people didn't want a dog with a white face and no hair on her butt, so Charm remained with Jackie for two years. Jessie and I are still trying to figure out who could not love this dog.
After hearing Charm's story, it was settled. Jessie and I felt we were the home that Charm needed and wanted. As we worked through the paperwork to adopt Charm, Jackie told us how wonderful Charm was, the love she needed, and that she was a special creature. Finally, the paperwork was done and it was time to take Charm to her new home.
As we took Charm to the car, Jackie started to cry. "Charm's my best girl, take good care of her," she said. We all hugged and cried. Jackie truly loves each of the dogs in her care and Jessie and I know that she was loved before she came home with us. Charm got in the back seat of our car with Joy and we headed home.
On the way home, Charm stood up in the back-seat of our car. Jessie and I were still quite surprised at Charm's size!
It took Charm about a week to adjust to life in Augusta. The cats absolutely loved her - many times I come home at lunch to find the cats cuddled up with Charm on the couch. Charm has truly been a blessing for Joy. We have a large number of walking trails behind our house. We let Charm and Joy off the leash to run - and it is one of the neatest things we have ever seen. You ought to see Joy chase Charm down the trail! It makes for quite a sight. Charm and Joy curl up on the couch together and look at us as if to say "What's your problem?" It is like Joy and Charm have been together forever. Charm is so happy to run (and fun to watch - she is such a beautiful runner) - a day doesn't go by when we don't walk the dogs together at least twice. And, Charm loves to wrestle. It is like playing with an oversized puppy. Charm also sleeps on her back legs sticking up in the air; we have never seen a sillier sight in our life.
Just a bit of advice for all of you new or prospective Greyhound adopters. Greys are wonderful animals. They are sweet, loving, and intelligent. They are starved for love and affection and give back twice what they get! Four or five cups of food is the norm (Charm likes soft food mixed in). And if you don't have big yard - be prepared to walk your new family member at least twice a day if not more.
Jessie and I truly feel that Charm is a blessing. We could not have ever asked for a better dog. Charm is so sweet and loving - you can't not love that face. Charm has a special light in her eyes, we don't think she could be happier.
Thank you Jackie for helping us to find such a special Grey to be part of our family. Charm is all we could have hoped for and more.
Charm we love you!
Your Family,
Brad, Jessie, Joy, Gracie, and Chaz Rhodes