The Day Begins

The long rays of the early Spring sun cast a slightly golden glow onto the morning air.   Henry has brought six dogs up to the track to sprint for exercise.  Three at a time, we loose them from their leashes and they choose to run together, galloping around the large oval chasing each other in play.  They romp to the tote board on the back stretch and then two decide to run back to us, tails wagging and eyes sparkling.  Powell  thinks he’d like to explore a little more; Henry reaches into his coat pocket for a squawker- he hears it and comes running back for pats and praise.  The track surface at this time of day is open and soft; later before racing starts it will be dragged once again and compacted.  We bring the dogs back to the truck as there are other kennels awaiting their turn to let their dogs freely exercise. 

Back at the kennel, Henry checks the stew’s progress (today’s feature: bell peppers, lentils, chicken, and a little pasta) then starts benching the dogs who will race or school today.  The bench is a wooden two step platform on which the trainer examines, grooms, massages, or treats the dogs.  They love it and most, once they know what to do will step up onto it as they know good things always happen there.  The first step is low and easy to step onto and the second is about a foot higher.  It is here that the dog places the front paws and is comfortable whilst being assessed- the trainer does not have to bend down as much as a result to give care.   Their ears, eyes, and teeth are examined and cleaned as needed.  Toenails are checked and trimmed as there is a correct length for a racing dog’s nails.  The skin, haircoat, and musculature are inspected; the trainer will find any possible soreness or sign if he or she is thorough and believe me, Henry is.  Next, he grooms the coat with a shedding blade and each dog is fitted for a racing muzzle to be put on later today.   As each dog finishes benching they play on the floor, jumping back onto the bench for more or running over to the scale as they know that if they are weighed that they might be racing that day.  It’s cheerful pandemonium in here- the dogs all around us bark because they want to be benched, the “benchee” prances over to Henry to get a marshmallow peep (it’s Easter and they love them) then runs back to their crate very happily.  The racing muzzle is hung outside the crate on a peg with the dog’s regular turnout muzzle and we go on to other preparations.

Steve Sarras benching a greyhound; photo from the Expo website.

It’s great to be here today.  I’ve really missed the dogs and Henry and have at least a thousand new questions to ask him, five hundred of which he has already patiently answered already this morning…  

Tags: greyhounds, greyhound racing