By BRIDGET SCOTT
AFTER Peggy Lou’s bull terrier’s life was saved by a greyhound, she made a promise to herself that she would help these dogs one day.
It was all about timing for Ms Lou, and after another dog of hers died a light bulb moment acted as a reminder to her of the promise she made those years ago.
“You know when you have that flashing moment?” she said.
“I thought to myself, you said you would help so I rang the greyhounds (Greyhound Racing Victoria) but didn’t know what I could do.
“She was told straight away what she would be the perfect candidate and nearly two years on she has fostered 19 greyhounds.
“I wouldn’t swap it for the world,” the Berwick resident said.
Once the greyhound has finished racing, or is deemed unfit for the sport, Ms Lou takes them into her home to help them get used to domestic life before they are adopted out.
The Greyhound Adoption Program is an initiative run by Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV).
After looking after the dogs for up to three weeks, the time comes for her to return them to GRV and it’s this process which Ms Lou believes has earned her the reputation as the ’serial crier.’
“In the beginning I am sure the guys at Sandown called me the serial crier,” she said.
“Every time I had to return one I was in tears, I think about the first five dogs.”
Luckily for this hospital co-ordinator, when the dreaded day arrives, it also gives her the chance to pick up her new pooch which she will take care of.
“All of a sudden your head is in that next space, ’oh my goodness what have I got now?’” Ms Lou said.
Through her involvement with the Greyhound Adoption Program, Ms Lou also landed herself the chance to be part of a big exhibition in the city.
In an Australian first, a photography exhibition hosted by GRV called Every Greyhound Has a Story will showcase the unique stories of greyhounds and their foster carers and adoptive owners.
Ms Lou will appear alongside the greyhound she had at the time, which had only been with her for 15 minutes when the photographer arrived.
The free exhibition will run between 14 March and 20 March and Ms Lou is excited to see her photographs for the first time at the opening.
Ms Lou has also attended the Greyhounds Industry Awards night and embraces her opportunity to take care of these dogs before they go off to their new home.
“I’m enjoying it, it suits me,” she said.
“I enjoy the challenge and the fact that you never know what’s going to walk through the door.”
“There’s a greyhound for every person.”
