BLITZEN

1984 Denver Colorado, the beginning of Blitzen's story.

I have just been transferred to Denver where I know no one. I meet a nice guy through a co-worker (Thanks, Don D.) On our second date he takes me to Mile High Greyhound Park to watch the races. I'm not much of a gambler but what the heck, it's a night out. Then I see the Greyhounds for the first time. I am IN LOVE. Not with the guy, altho I did end up marrying him, but with the dogs. Someday, I tell myself I will adopt one of these guys.

Amber Lea, daughter of Kunte Kinte (1991 Greyhound Hall of Fame Inductee) and Jill Alure is one year old. Kelso's Hot Rod, son of K's Flak (1987 Greyhound Hall of Fame Inductee) and Able to Run is also one year old.

1988 - Sweet Jen, daughter of Amber Lea and Kelso's Hot Rod is born.

1989 - Wright Bye, son of Shogun Warrior and Wright Fonzie is born.

Halloween 1993. While visiting husband's family in Omaha, we are treated to a night out at Bluff's Run Greyhound Park in Iowa. Haven't seen many greyhounds in the intervening years, but I am reminded of my first impression. When they dress some of the dogs up in silly costumes and parade them around the clubhouse, I actually get to meet & pet some of the dogs in person! One in particular, wearing a huge, authentic Indian head-dress does the "lean" on me and I am hopelessly lost.

Dan Lea, son of Sweet Jen and Wright Bye, born July 17, 1993 is 3 months old.

May 1996. Working at a Vet Clinic, I send away for some information on special collars a client is looking for. Included in the packet is a brochure "Running for Their Lives" by Cynthia Brannigan about the plight of the racing greyhound when their careers are over. **Warning - Do Not Read This Brochure if You Are Wearing Non-Waterproof Mascara***

Husband poo-poos the whole thing, "We DO NOT need another dog".

Unbeknownst to me, he reads the brochure when I'm not around, completes the application for adoption and sends it in. My "birthday present", he says.

June 1996. The phone rings, it is Ms. Brannigan, herself. Make Peace With Animals has approved our application. They have a dog, fawn male, 3 years old, good with cats and small dogs, at the Seabrook, New Hampshire Track, do we want him?

July 1, 1996. We rendezvous with the MPWA volunteers who have gone to pick up our boy and we meet Dan Lea for the first time. He was one scary looking hound! (Oh No, What Have I Gotten Myself INTO???). Bald butt, bald tail, nose rubbed raw (probably from his muzzle) and 2 suspicious spots on his forehead where it looked like someone sawed off a pair of horns right before he left the track. Is this a dog or a mutant deer?

Flash forward to the next day where "the deer/hound" comes to the clinic with me. An elderly German gentleman is there with his pet and asks me "Is that a Blitzen dog"? A What? "Blitzen, like Donder & Blitzen, you know, Thunder & Lightning?" The hound who has not yet responded to his "real" name looks up at that comment - He Has A Name!!

I could write pages about his antics since that day, but to sum it up:

He is patient, loving, elegant, affectionate, appreciative. He bounces like a pogo-stick when it's "walk" time, he twirls his tail like a propeller when he's happy, he loves his "blankey" and mopes when it's being laundered, he gives doggy kisses when he misses you, he is completely "barkless" until he hears our cars in the garage, then he howls like a banshee, he runs with the big dogs & lets the little one and the cats tumble over him without a comment, he wins over everyone he meets & loves being an ambassadog for greyhound adoption. Blitzen was well worth waiting all those years for. I wonder if he would like a brother or sister???

Any of My Relatives Lurking around Out There? Not Sure if you are Related, then
Check my Pedigree

I also have more Photos (if you're interested).

Think Maybe YOU want to Visit more Greyhounds or maybe ADOPT a Greyhound

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