More time around the dogs is proving the best therapy

Greyhounds excel as therapists 

"When you need some light in dark times all you need is a greyhound!"

The quote from Gail May has been in my head all week. The funeral of her father was on Wednesday, with many from the greyhound fraternity in attendance to pay their last respects to John. 

Those who know me personally, will know that I lost my wife Laura back in November. The 11 weeks since have been something of a daze and the reason why there has not been an Editor's Chair in a while. The different headspace required to write something that is hopefully 'meaningful' or at least 'thought provoking' rather than race reports is notable. 

Though this is likely to be more of a directionless ramble than anything else!

Gail could not have hit the nail on the head any better with her quote. I've made much more use of having a kennel hand license to be more hands on with the greyhounds than I have been at any other point in my 25 years in the sport. 

That time spent with the dogs is what has kept me going. They are outstanding listeners, doing so without judgement and certainly without giving any unwanted opinions. 

A quick Google search shows a wide range of greyhounds as therapy dogs, and this is something that we should be pushing more as a sport. The nature of a greyhound is calm, loyal and loving, perfect for those who need a little help.

While Laura was in hospital, a man came round once a week with his springer spaniel, asking patients if they would like to spend some time with the dog. He was particularly popular with the older patients who loved the company.

Laura worked in a care home which specialised in dementia care, and they too would have visits from therapy canines. They were always days that saw both the staff and residents with huge smiles on their faces, it's just the effect that dogs have on us humans. 

With such a wide range of characters, there must be an outlet for them to have this second role in life. They love their job as a race dog as well as having something to enrich their lives after the track.

My personal favourite at the kennel (for those who care) shows me to be a typical Brit, cheering for the underdog, a bitch called Westfield Aida. 

She is a tiny brindle bitch who goes by the kennel name of Mouse but she has a serious zest for life and has really come out of her shell since hitting the track. She won't ever amount to much as a racer but she never fails to make me smile when in her presence. 

When it comes to the most likely therapy dog that we have, that award would have to go to Westfield Bullet. He's a fierce competitor on the track where he wants to do everything as quick as possible. But at home, he is a soft, laid back lad. A very sensitive dog, he is the perfect boy to have around.

Speaking of awards, it was interesting to see the GBGB announce the return of the track of the year as voted for by the racing public. Sadly, the cynic in me has a fair idea of the volume of reviews that certain tracks will get from people who have never set foot there simply because of the people who hold the license. 

That is a disappointing part of the sport, and without wanting to go over ground that has been trodden on so many times that there isn't a blade of grass left, the backstabbing and in-fighting is a massive part of the reason why greyhound racing is in the mess that it is. 

I phoned up the GBGB to buy my ticket this week and was asked if there was any particular table that I wanted to sit at. Once more the inner cynic piped up that the question was really being asked the other way round, to make sure that I wasn't sat on a table containing people who don't like me or those who I don't like! 

The problem as a journalist and giving opinions is that it upsets a lot of people. So, if anyone wants me, I'll be on the table for one in a corner!

The awards often get criticised for being a 'backslappers ball' but backslapping is something that we massively lack in the industry. We don't like lifting other people up, we'd much rather try and put them down.

That is something that I've noticed far more since becoming more than just an owner. We all want our dogs to win but there are very few who are willing to give credit to others when they are beaten. 

It's a competitive sport so we are never all going to sit around a campfire holding hands and signing Kumbaya, but how hard is a simple well done rather than 'it just isn't his track', 'he had no chance from that draw' or 'if he'd not been bumped'? Those take away from the achievement of those with the winner, and really wouldn't take too much.

Nobody likes to lose but one of my favourite memories in the sport was on a losing night. The Regency in 2021 saw Aayamza Royale win, much to the delight of Lorraine Hyde-Banning. Billy Boyle who saw his Bo Shine Bullet finish fifth was the first person over to give Lorraine a hug and give his congratulations, with our Blue Tick George owners following suit.

Naturally we are not going to like everyone in life but even for the betterment of the sport that we all allegedly love, so many can't give any credit. 

The sport is not the be all and end all of life. 

Sadly, I can testify that there are things that are a million times more important than this job/passion/hobby, as much as it feels like the end of the world when things don't go our way. Real perspective in life can be a painful lesson to learn.

However, I have some good news for those who have a face like thunder when they have a loser, I have the perfect therapist for you if you're interested!