I re-homed Dali (Dalcash Paid) in January this year. I had visited the R.S.P.C.A to look for a companion for my blue merle Border collie Patch. I hadn't found a suitable dog and was telling all of this to our greyhound trainer Grenville Mayes who looked after our racing greyhound Darkie (Coolmohan Darkie). He asked if I had considered a greyhound as there were so many needing homes. I hadn't really but I was listening...! He actually said he had recently bought a dog over from Ireland who just wasn't fast enough & it could be that she would need a home shortly. I had seen Dali in the kennels before and when she failed to make the grade a couple of weeks later I couldn't bear the thought of her travelling back to Ireland so I agreed to try her - on the one condition - that Patch liked her!

Nearly a year down the track (ha ha!) the dogs get on famously and every day they have a wonderful run at the stables - running beside my horse as we ride out. It did take quite a while to build up her stamina however, (and teach her to be horse-wise) but now we enjoy brilliant trips out - the dogs come with us to the country park where we ride though the forest and she behaves so well off the lead & with other people & dogs that we meet.

We are lucky that I keep my horse on an enclosed army base where she can run off the lead every day & she re-pays me by being the most loving & loyal dog at the yard. When we get home she is usually so tired she likes to snuggle up and have a cuddle on the sofa (or the bed - much to my boyfriend's frustration!) I am so glad I was persuaded to consider a greyhound and as I hear so often - I don't think I'll ever be without one again!