What Remy has taught me about the greyhounds behind the statistics

Every now and then I bring Remy into the Humane World for Animals office, and it doesn’t take long for everyone to gather around him. 

He has become loved by the local community, with regular visitors always asking if he’s about. 

Remy has a way of winning people over. It’s something I’ve seen time and time again, whether he’s greeting someone with his goofy enthusiasm or leaning his whole body against them for a pat. 

He has a personality all his own. He has favourite pyjamas, an extraordinary ability to sleep through almost anything, and a talent for folding his long legs into seemingly impossible positions, usually tucked up under a blanket. 

I feel incredibly lucky to call Remy part of my family, but one of the things I love most about him is the way he makes everyone around him feel loved. 

When Remy sees his friends, he bounds over with an excitement that immediately puts a smile on every face. 

Before Remy came into my life, I understood the many issues greyhounds face. When you work for Humane World for Animals there are ever-present reminders. I knew the statistics. I knew about the injuries, the deaths and the suffering experienced by so many dogs within the racing industry. 

Being aware of what greyhounds go through also comes with knowing there are so many of them that need help after being deemed surplus to industry needs, which is why I adopted Remy in the first place.  

But sharing my life with Remy has brought those issues into a much more personal focus and shown me that being a greyhound dad is far from an act of service. It is quite simply a joy and privilege. 

Because Remy is not a statistic. 

He is gentle, affectionate and deeply sensitive. He has his own routines (that start as late in the day as possible), his own preferences and his own little quirks that make him who he is. He enjoys his comforts, loves the people around him and has absolutely no interest in proving how fast he can run. 

It is difficult to imagine that this same dog was once valued primarily for his performance on the track. 

Before he was Remy, he was a racing dog. His worth was tied to his speed, his results and his ability to contribute to an industry built around competition and gambling. 

That contrast stays with me. The dog I know today is loving, trusting and full of personality. He is not a commodity; he is a companion. 

And that’s the thing about greyhounds that I think many people don’t realise until they know one: they are individuals. Like all dogs, they each have their own unique personalities, their own ways of dealing with the world and connecting with the people and other animals around them. 

What Remy has shown me is how much greyhounds have to offer when they are given the opportunity to live as companions rather than being valued only for how fast they can run and how much money they can make a human. 

It is heartbreaking to know that thousands of greyhounds continue to be bred into an industry where their futures depend completely on their performance. When an animal’s worth is measured by winning races, those who cannot compete or who are no longer profitable can be left facing uncertain futures. 

Every greyhound deserves better. 

They deserve safety, kindness and the chance to simply live their lives as the unique individuals they are. 

At Humane World for Animals, we are working towards a future where greyhounds are valued not for their speed, but for who they are. 

After years of advocacy, we know change is possible. More people are recognising that animals should not suffer for entertainment and gambling, and there is growing momentum for a better future. 

But meaningful change requires continued pressure, public support and people willing to stand up for animals. 

When I look at Remy, I don’t see a former racing dog. And these days I don’t even see the skittish boy fresh from the tracks that flinched at every sound and movement around him. I see a confident and kind member of my family. I see a dog with a huge personality, a gentle nature and so much love to give. 

And I think about all the other greyhounds who are still waiting for the chance to experience that same life. 

Every dog deserves the opportunity to feel safe, loved and valued, and to give their affection back. 

Every greyhound deserves the life Remy found.