Dash and Celia Cross - Part 1

Last Sunday, Dash and I were special guests of the Celia Cross Greyhound Trust at their Annual Charity Sale & Show in Cranleigh, Surrey. Despite the rain (almost continuous), we had a great time. But that’s not what this post is about. This post is about what happened a month earlier, when volunteers from Celia Cross entered the abandoned kennel of a local greyhound trainer. It turns out he’d been arrested for growing cannabis, then skipped bail and fled the country. Fellow trainers had already ‘rescued’ those dogs that could still race, but sixteen greyhounds that were retired or injured had been left to fend for themselves. We all know that dogs are smart; dogs can do tricks. But they can’t clean their own excrement off the floor or change soiled bedding. And they can’t find food if it’s not there. Just look at the poor beast in the photo above. Black with a white chest, just like Dash. But Dash doesn’t sleep in a 2x4-metre cell with the ceiling about to cave in. You can see the fear in the eyes. Awful. OK, worse things have happened, and dogs aren’t people. But dogs trust us, and the worst thing someone can do is abuse that trust. If you think you can help the CCGT in any way – by donating money or food, or even adopting one of these greyhounds so desperately in need – then get in touch. It only takes a click: http://www.celiacross.org.uk/