Dogs and owners from all walks of life gathered at Cambridge Raceway for the Great Global Greyhound Walk.
There were 72 sighthounds and their owners at Cambridge Raceway. Photo: Yvette Bodiam
The Waipā-based event placed first in New Zealand last month, numbers wise, courtesy of 72 sighthounds attending.
Sighthounds include greyhounds, lurchers, deerhounds, salukis, Afghan hounds, Italian greyhounds, Ibizan hounds, podencos, galeos, whippets, borzoi, Wolfhounds and sloughi.
Organised by Jenny Bartlett and the Shoebox Appeal, this marked the third time Cambridge has hosted a segment of the international movement.
Heidi (Haidee Bale) looks on excitedly in her floral outfit. Photo: Rhian Farrell
The annual event started in the United Kingdom in 2010 and went global in 2014.
On the same day, throughout the world there were 659 walks in 47 countries, involving 16,562 sighthounds.
Cambridge placed 40th in the world.
“In New Zealand we had 23 walks and a total of 496 sighthounds,” Bartlett said.
“It was huge. It’s really cool to be part of a global event to showcase our retired racers and other sighthounds.”
This year’s event at the raceway also served as an adoption information day.
Three retired dogs found new homes via May Hounds rehoming agency.
“It gave us an opportunity for people to meet these dogs and see what great animals are,” Bartlett said.
“Even if people that have greyhounds had questions to ask, we had professionals on hand, helping with questions and answers. It was a very good day.”
These five dogs were big award winners. Photo: Yvette Bodiam
The theme was love and plenty of awards were dished out.
Best dressed, furthest travelled and newest adoption were among the categories.
“The newest adoption was from only a week before and she’s got that dog in Cambridge,” Bartlett said.
“The one that travelled the furthest was a gorgeous little 7-year-old named Ariel and she was a pink fairy because it was dress up time.
“The dogs that won it were amazing. It was a woman that had five greyhounds. She had them all done up with red tutus and had little sticky hearts on their coats and foreheads.
“People really went for it, they got right into it.”
Next year all the “weird and wonderfuls” will arrive for the theme of Mythical Mutts – an Armageddon Expo-like event for sighthounds.
“It was fabulous seeing and meeting dogs that I knew when they raced, now retired in their forever homes,” Bartlett said.
“The biggest thing at the end of day, is seeing how many wonderful people are adopting these amazing dogs. That’s the key to it – and it’s not slowing down.
“If you are not in a position to adopt a dog then please consider fostering one.”
Ariel the pink princess really got into the theme of love. Photo: Yvette Bodiam
