Just over a year ago we adopted our second rescue greyhound, Molly, from our local sighthound rehoming charity, Gracehounds. Molly was just 3 years old when we adopted her, but seemed as if she had missed out on her puppy-hood (she is making up for it now!). Having had a short racing career in Fife under the name ‘Monica’s Girl’ , she was rescued by Gracehounds when her trainer put up a notice to say she would be put to sleep at the end of the week if no-one gave her a home.
My beautiful Molly
Molly was an anxious wee dog when she first came to Gracehounds – she did not know how to walk on a lead or interact with other dogs, becoming very excited in their presence & ‘spinning’ (a sign of anxiety in dogs). After being fostered by Gracehounds for several months, she was placed in a new home. However, unfortunately she did not settle there & was soon returned to the charity once again. Which was when I met her for the first time…
Molly pre-adoption
When I started volunteering as a dog walker for Gracehounds in mid 2008, Molly was one of the foster dogs that I walked. I used to walk her with our own greyhound, Max, & found that when by his side she was much calmer & less anxious / excitable. Gradually she learnt from Max how to walk nicely on a lead & how to interact appropriately with other dogs.
Molly leans on ‘big brother’, Max
Over several months of walking, I built up a special bond with Molly, as did my partner Martin. It was just before Christmas time that year, when someone contacted the charity to enquire about adopting a dog, that I realised I couldn’t bare to part with her! Having 2 dogs wasn’t part of ‘the master plan’, but sometimes you just have to grab opportunities when they present themselves & this was one of those times: Martin & I (with Max’s approval of course!) decided to adopt Molly.
Molly & Martin
We are now a year on & have no regrets about our decision. Together, Max & Molly complete our wee family & we couldn’t imagine not having the both of them. Now I know what people mean when they say ‘you can never have just the one greyhound’! & it turns out Max needed her as much as she needed him: since bringing Molly home, Max has become a much brighter & livelier dog, with an added sparkle in his eyes 
Molly with her wee ‘cousin’, Moss
A far cry from the dog she was when I first met her, Molly is now one of the most sociable dogs I know! She adores the company of other dogs, of all shapes & sizes. Since I started my own dog walking business last year, she is always the first one to welcome new clients’ dogs into ‘the pack’, & I have never known her to be anything but friendly & playful with any dog that we come across. She was particularly good with my Mum’s border collie puppy, Moss, when she met him last year. Furthermore, she has now welcomed foster dogs Torres & Tar, into our home, whilst they waited to find a special home of their own.
Molly & foster dog Tar share the sofa
Molly has really grown into a beautiful dog! People are always stopping to remark how lovely her markings are (she’s black with white splodges, just like a wee friesian in dog form!). Her coat is glistening & silky to touch, her teeth are in great condition (minus the rotten ones she had to have removed when she first came to the charity), her long curvy tail is always wagging, & she carries herself with confidence & grace!
Molly never hesitates to jump up on your lap for a cuddle!
She does still have a playful streak though, which comes out every now & then when we least expect it: She’ll indulge in puppy-like antics & flail around with her long limbs all over the place & run round in circles like a daft kangaroo! But, she loves nothing better than to curl up right beside you on the settee for a cuddle, & you can guarantee that every morning as soon as the alarm goes off (& sometimes sooner!) she’ll be up on the bed like a flash & wriggling her way down under the duvet to snuggle in beside us
Having fun on her summer hols last year!
Looking back, Molly has enhanced every day of our lives since she walked into them – she’s my special little ‘Molly Moo’ & I love her to bits!
Molly & me
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Jane this is such a special rescue story and really reinforces the message that greyhound racing be banned for good.
Molly was especially lucky to have met you, and you her. She definitely is a warm, loving sweetheart and I loved every minute of being there on the couch with her – even the part when she stretched out and there was no room for me!!
A very beautiful lady and a true compliment to handsome Max!
Thank you for taking them in and all the great work you do for greyhound rescue and raising animal awareness issues
many thanks, Annette
Jane I love the way you have told Mollys story.
I have known Molly since you rescued her and the change in her is quite remarkable. She just oozes confidence.
With Max by her side they are a lovely pair and truly compliment each other.
Like everyone who gives a greyhound a ‘forever home’ the the dogs repay kindness 10 fold. They are so happy and a delight to have.
Keep up the good work!
Alison