“These dogs have feelings and intelligence, but they are treated like racing slaves so people can gamble,” says retired police officer Irvin Cannon, a dog lover whose book, For the Love of Dog Tales (www.FortheLoveofDogTales.com), gives voice to man’s best friend. “Who is the winner in this scenario?”

The Humane Society estimates thousands of retired racing dogs are put to death every year. Rabbits are another industry victim; thousands are maimed or killed in the race-training process.

Cannon says there are some things to remember for those considering adopting a greyhound:

• They typically don’t have issues associated with abuse: Greyhounds may not get a lot of love in the kennels, but are not oftenabused by track personnel. They tend to respond to fear and violence by either freezing in place or running. Since they are trained to chase rabbits, they may be inclined to pursue small running animals.

• Greyhounds tend to be intelligent, timid: These dogs are considered gentle and reserved, but stubborn. If they sense they can take control, they will, so owners should quickly establish authority.

• Not used to other breeds: Greyhounds are born and raised around people and other greyhounds only. They may become confused or frightened by other dogs, and may need to get accustomed to cats.

• No fat, little hair: No dog should be left outside in the cold or heat. Greyhounds are especially sensitive to extreme temperatures and rain.

• Sweet affection: They do not bite; they show affection by licking, leaning and rubbing, much like cats.

Although there is a well-known and dedicated effort to find homes for aged-out greyhounds, Cannon said there is only one way to fix the racing industry – it must be ended. There are several national and international groups trying to put a stop to greyhound racing and gambling, including the Humane Society, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Until then, Cannon hopes these gentle dogs find homes.

“When you adopt a needy canine, you won’t find a better companion,” he says,“ whether you bring home a greyhound, a mystery mixed-breed or a purebred Labrador.”

About Irvin Cannon

Irvin Cannon was a poor kid growing up in Detroit when his family took in a stray dog. It surprised young Irvin that his father would be willing to share the family’s meager groceries with a dog, but he soon discovered the return on their investment was enormous. A former police officer in Detroit and Denver, he also worked as a corrections officer.

Organic dog treats have become the next popular trend which is all natural dog food which means they are free of insecticides and pesticides. However when you are purchasing the foods you should be aware of the food labels which can be a bit confusing. Natural dog food is actually not the same as organic dog food and this can be very hard to differentiate. You should know that the natural foods are actually not held at the same standards as the organic foods. The USDA should certify the dog food to be organic if the dog food is labeled with the tag.

Natural dog treats are also not so expensive as compared to organic dog foods and such are also not deemed to be reliable. However, natural dog foods also guarantee the absence of food additives and coloring like ethoxyquin and sodium metabisulfite which can cause brain damage and even cancer. When you choose to feed your dog with organic foods rather than preservatives and chemically rich other foods will definitely give you a long way in helping your dog live more trouble free and healthy of all the problems. For more tips on dog foods visit www.DogFoodArticles.com.