One of the dark sides of the racing industry involves the mistreatment of the greyhounds by their handlers behind the scenes. Thousands of greyhounds each year face a death sentence for failure to deliver a winning performance in the economic arena called racing.
Some are extremely mistreated. Beaten. Starved.
Magdalena came to Operation Greyhound as one of those mistreated dogs. So terrified of all humans, Magda hid in the back of her crate, wanting no contact with humans.
Through Operation Greyhound’s patience and love, she slowly began to emerge. After three months of care, Operation Greyhound decided they could do no more for her in their facility and she was sent into a foster home with other greyhounds so she could start to rebuild her social skills and learn to trust.
Slowly Magda is becoming a new dog.
The first month she spent hiding in a back bedroom and would only run outside pressed against the walls, coming out only at night while everyone else was sleeping to explore. At 3 a.m. she would start to discover toys and bones. Playing like crazy in the dark until she was discovered. Shredding newspapers. Roaching. A new personality emerged.
Although she has been in foster care for five months, Magda has a long way to go. She has mastered car rides and dog parks like a veteran. Playing with toys and bones does not occur only in the dark.
Magda likes car rides
However, trusting humans will take longer – still preferring not to take food from a human hand – she eats in privacy away from everyone else.
But her need for love brings her out of her shell more and more often – cuddling with her humans on the bed for brief moments, a brief kiss, a lean, are cherished events.
The foster mommy and daddy adopted Magda.
One has to wonder — what the hell happened to Magda?
Operation Greyhound is the best! Please consider buying a bracelet or three. Mothers Day is right around the corner. Buy a green one for St. Patrick’s Day. There’s even a bracelet named Magda (now that’s a coincidence); it’s beautiful bursting with color.
You can bracelets online via Etsy or in Tucson at these fabulous venues:
–-Silver Sea Jewelry & Gifts, 330 N. 4th Avenue, 624-9954
–-Clues Unlimited Mystery Book Store, 3146 E. Fort. Lowell Road (SE corner Country Club), 326-8533 (closed Sun/Mon)
–-A K Jensen Apparel, (St. Philips Plaza), 4340 N. Campbell Ave., Suite 72, 529-2775
–-Sissy’s Pet Salon, 7350 N La Cholla Blvd (by Albertsons), 229-9898
