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Lady - our thirteenth contribution (by Becky Wilson) This is Lady's story as told by Becky.

Becky now takes up the story of Lady which starts with a shopping trip to Cheltenham and an encounter with Greyhound Rescue West of England . .

I was in Cheltenham on the 3rd April doing some sale shopping when I saw a few people standing outside the Regent Arcade shopping centre with greyhounds. One had a neck poster saying "I need a home" it choked me to see this. I talked to the people about this for an hour about the plight of the racing greyhound by this time my then three old son was getting bored. So I took a leaflet produced by the West of England Greyhound Rescue and said that I would ring as I could not bear to think of what happens to these poor dogs after there racing career are over. It played on my mind for the rest of the day. When we got back to Gloucester I went to my mums and showed my dad the leaflet. He said that if was really serious about having a dog that I should ring them.
So I did. They said that they would need to come and do a home check to see that my home was suitable for a greyhound. And we arranged a day. They came on the 7th April 1999 and I passed with flying colours as I have a big garden and I am close to Gloucester Park and Robinswood Hill.

Then whist at my parents on the 11th April I got a phone call from the West of England Greyhound Rescue, to say that there was a black greyhound bitch at the N.C.D.L. Evesham, and if I was still interested would I like to meet her. If I was then to ring Evesham direct to arrange to go and visit her.

So I did I went to see her on the 14th. My dad took me, as I do not drive and my son came too. It was such a heartbreaking day

We meet her. Well we went to see her she did not come to the front of the kennel she just lay on the sofa and looked really unhappy. They asked if I wanted to take her for a walk. I don't know who was more nervous the dog or me she was very jumpy and her tail was curled right under. We had a long walk and then took her back. They took her back to the kennel. I had all these questions to ask where did she come from? Will she always look as skinny as she does now? Will she always be nervous? But they didn't know much about her. All they knew was that the dog warden had rescued her from the track on the 10th.

I decided then that I had to give this poor sad looking dog a good home. I wanted to take her then but she would have to see the vet and be given the all clear to go. So they said that I could have her on the 16th but I could not get to Evesham until the 18th as my dad was working until then, that was really upsetting for everyone. So I rang everyday until the big day came I could not wait.

We went to collect her at about 11am she had to have her stitches out where she had been neutered and she was also micro chipped. They brought her out and she still looked really sad and her tail was under but she looked as though she recognised us.

We took her first back to my mum and dads to meet everyone and their Westie as we go there at the weekends so it would be a good idea for them to meet. They got on really well. And it was the first time that I saw her tail wag it was a lovely sight.

We then took her to my house and she sniffed around and found a spot to lie down. We had a good first night. The next day I had to leave her to take my son to playschool. I was very nervous about this. But when I got back I had the best welcome ever her tail was wagging she was jumping up with excitement.

Now I can not imagine my home without her. She is such a well-tempered dog. She loves human contact more so than the canine type. She is not nervous now, she is so outgoing and great fun she gets on so well with my son Harry who is now 4

If I could I would take her everywhere. The only thing I can't do is let her off the lead yet. As I have two experiences with her and that is that she will run for miles and it's hard to get her back. But I am working on this and if anyone has ideas and tactics to overcome this problem I would be grateful, as my son wants to play with her in the park.

IN MY EYES LADY IS THE QUEEN OF GREYHOUND RESCUE!