By BRIDGET SCOTT
A LIGHT bulb moment in Peggy-Lou Athorn’s life reminded her about a promise she once made to herself.
After one of Ms Athorn’s bull terrier’s lives was saved by a greyhound, she told herself that when the time was right she would do what she could to help these dogs.
It was all about timing, and after another one of the Berwick resident’s dogs passed away she remembered that promise.
“You know when you have that flashing moment?” she said.
“I thought to myself ‘you said you would help’, so I rang the greyhounds but didn’t know what I could do.”
Unsure about what she could do, she was told straight away she was the perfect candidate to be a foster carer.
Nearly two years on, Ms Athorn has cared for 19 dogs and wouldn’t swap it for the world.
Once the greyhound has finished racing, or is deemed unfit for the sport, Ms Athorn takes them into her home to help them get used to domestic life before they are adopted out.
The Greyhound Adoption Program is an initiative run by Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV).
After looking after the dogs for up to three weeks, the time comes for her to return them to GRV and it’s this process which Ms Athorn believed has earned her the reputation as the ‘serial crier.’
“In the beginning I am sure the guys at Sandown called me the serial crier,” she said. “Every time I had to return one I was in tears, I think about the first five dogs.”
Luckily for this hospital co-ordinator, when the dreaded day arrives, it also gives her the chance to pick up a new pooch to take care of.
“All of a sudden your head is in that next space, ‘oh my goodness what have I got now’,” Ms Athorn said.
Through her involvement with the program, Ms Athorn landed herself a chance to be part of a huge photo exhibition in Melbourne which finished up today.
In an Australian first, the photography exhibition hosted by GRV called ‘Every Greyhound has a Story’ showcased the unique stories of greyhounds and their foster carers and adoptive owners.
The free exhibition opened earlier this month and Ms Athorn was excited to see her photos for the first time at the opening.
Ms Athorn also attended the Greyhounds Industry Awards night and embraced her opportunity to take care of these dogs before they go off to their new home.
“I’m enjoying it, it suits me,” she said. “I enjoy the challenge and the fact that you never know what’s going to walk through the door.”
