Oreo is an 8-year-old retired racing Greyhound. We adopted her two years ago from https://gemgreyhounds.org/. GEM takes Greyhounds from racing tracks when the dog is through racing and places them in homes. (I haven’t had the heart to tell her that she was adopted, though. She believes that she is our baby!) She was a very successful racer and is now a very successful teacher of how to live a life of happiness, joy, and freedom.
Oreo was given the name of Oreo because the top of her head looks like the sweet, popular cookie of the same name. Black with a white, creamy stripe through the center.
How does she now “earn her keep?” Oreo does not judge, punish, or harbor grudges. She just loves unconditionally. She approaches everybody and everything exactly the same. “Hi! I’m Oreo. Let’s be friends!” If you have a treat for her, she loves you greatly. If you don’t have a treat, but you smile and/or give her a scratch, she loves you greatly. Avoid her, she loves you greatly. If you are loud or aggressive toward her, she loves you anyway from behind me instead of in front of me. The next time, she will still try to approach you with love.
She has taken our subdivision by storm simply by being Oreo. Whenever she sees a garage door open, she assumes there is someone in there that she loves and who would love to love her back.
She has taught me so much in the two years that we have had the great fortune to have her in our family. The beautiful thought, though, is that she is not through teaching us. And for that, I am truly blessed.
How were we ever able to have Oreo come into our lives? For some reason, I was slowing down physically. My walks were shorter and becoming non-existent. I was missing interacting with my neighbors and the nature that is all around us. I used the shortened version of AA’s 3rd Step and said “God, help me.” Then I stood aside and let Him. The next thing that happened was Oreo! As the lyrics from the old song “I’ve got rhythm” go, “Who could ask for anything more?” Peace be with you!
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