I got to thinking about my excitement over spreading the word about sighthounds, and sharing our love of the our hounds with people, and then I remembered myself. Another thing I would personally love to see is: 1. Education in sighthound ownership for perspective owners, and 2. Rescue group info distributed wherever we have events. I always have tons of people wanting Salukis after seeing mine, and there are lots of reasons not to get one (or more, as we are gluttons for punishment). BUT! there are lots of Rescue dogs in need of help. I'm a member of STOLA and work with a Greyhound group in Phoenix, so I know I have literature aplenty. I should have brought it with me to the field Sat, but I was silly and didn't think about it. I am also a member of a Perpetuation group, so I have some pretty specific advice for people who want these dogs -- I usually tell them to buy as many books as they can before they even think about buying one, and tell them all the negatives about Saluki ownership so as to make them aware of the negatives about sighthound ownership before they opt to take the plunge seriously. I did over 5 years of research before I even considered looking for my first Saluki. And I know there are just as many different issues with Afghans, Greyhounds, Ibizin Hounds, Pharoahs, Azawhaks, IGs, etc... that necessitate education being a part of such events. I would HATE to think that I left the impression in anyone's mind after last weekend that Saluki always recall as mine did (even as slowly as Na'amah...), or that they can't jump over a 5' fence at a stand-still, or that they don't need a minimum of 1 hour a day of *fast* running -- even in the rain or 110 degree sunshine, or that they won't open locked fences/cabinets/etc... or slip through the tiniest of spaces if they want to be somewhere on the other side of a barrier. Or that they won't ignore you in the chase, or that they won't sneak up on counters or into your bed when you aren't looking. Most of what they do is normal doggie behavior. However, especially young ones, will jump over 2+ story balconies, will run 45+ mph and be over a mile away in minutes, will slip anything non-martingale, and will get themselves killed if you aren't absolutely 100% cautious ALWAYS. Saluki *think* like little people -- you can see them process like no other dog I have owned. In fact, they think a lot like our parrot -- and they say the intellect of large parrots is close to that of a young child. I have developed nervous habits as a result of my Salukis and my kids -- but more over the Salukis. Yes, they are simply beautiful -- but a picture is worth a thousand words. And Rescue Salukis are good too, for 1st time owners. And, there are unscrupulous breeders among Salukis -- like Afghans and other dogs prized for their looks, many are bred to be "show" dogs. Like the Westminster dog last week. Beautiful male, but very typical of the American show Saluki. Creamy color, sleek feathering, long and lean body with a particular tubular thickness not usually seen in the Middle East bred dogs -- which is another difference between my taste and values in Saluki ownership. I have reputable contacts for both types, though, so while I press the adoption of DB pups, I also see the beauty of the other. So, this is just my incredibly not so humble opinion, but something that should perhaps be considered at our events. Jami'a
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