Miracle Man running Race For Adoption at Wheeling Downs, courtesy Linda Russi and d**k Ciampa
Some people enjoy Greyhound racing because of the adrenaline rush it induces, while others enjoy the money associated with it.
However, for some Greyhound racing enthusiasts this is more than just a sport. It is this notion of finding depth in a seemingly shallow activity that led to the creation of the Race for Adoption program.
The main idea of this drive is that a Greyhound is donated by the owners to an adoption group and a part of the earnings of the Greyhound then goes to the adoption group that utilises them to help support other retired or ailing Greyhounds.
Greyhound Pets of America-New Mexico Greyhound Connection (GPA-NMGC) is one such Greyhound adoption program. Its newest dog is a Greyhound originally known as Sam but now rechristened Miracle Man. He is currently running at Wheeling Downs for owners d**k
Ciampa and Linda Russi.
Linda Russi said:
"I am very proud of Miracle Man and am very happy to be helping adoption through the Race For Adoption program. Sam is the first greyhound that I have personally owned who has raced for adoption".
Russi says that the concept of enabling current racers to help their predecessors is a good idea as it promotes animal welfare. The extent of Russi’s love for animals, especially Greyhounds can be gauged from the fact that she has adopted over forty dogs
in two years.
She adopted her first Greyhound, Oreo, in 2001 after which, her interest in Greyhounds and Greyhound racing escalated so much that she started buying her own racing dogs.
Miracle Man’s naming rights were auctioned online at eBay and the funds raised were used to pay the vet’s bill for another Greyhound ‘Fancy”, who had been involved in an accident.
In appreciation of the donation, GPA-NMGC’s spokeswoman Candy Beck said:
"Linda's (Russi) generosity and Sam's winnings have certainly been a help to our group. Our deepest thanks go to Linda for donating this wonderful pup".
Miracle Man ran his first race in November 2010 and won his first race four races later, in December 2010. Under James Roche’s training he has now climbed the grade ladder up to AA Grade.
Tags: