“Look, Mom, it’s a deer on a leash!” “Somebody needs to feed that!” “You call that a dog?”
These are just some of the comments you’ll hear May 12–15 when hundreds of greyhounds take over Kanab for the annual Greyhound Gathering in Kanab. But beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, and from those who love greyhounds, you’ll hear, “They are 45 mph couch potatoes.” “They are part of our family, and we give up our couch to them.” “You can’t have just one!”
Founded by greyhound devotee Claudia Presto, the Greyhound Gathering in Kanab is intended as a celebration and fundraising event assisting recognition and rescue of this gentle, athletic, and very beautiful breed. If Cleopatra believed greyhounds were to be prized as elegant companions, why should we argue? The history of the breed is unusual and fascinating, ranging from their special place in Egyptian culture through their great popularity in Greece (Greek and Roman mythological figures were frequently portrayed with greyhounds as companions) and into the Dark Ages, when ownership of greyhounds was the exclusive right of the nobility and no “meane person” (meaning people like you or me) could dream of possessing one. They were the first featured breed in English literature, and during the Renaissance they were the most common dog used in heraldry.
Their history here in America hasn’t been as delightful. Greyhounds were first introduced in America in the late 1800s to keep down the rabbit populations on farms. Chaucer had been right in praising the greyhounds for being “as swift as fowls in flights,” and racing competitions soon became common among farmers. By the early 1900s, the artificial lure had been invented, and greyhound racing was an official sport. The many dogs that don’t make it to the track and the dogs needing to retire after their brief lives in the fast lane are at terrible risk. Popular events like the Greyhound Gathering are raising recognition of their need for adoption and raising awareness of the loyal, adoring nature of these gentle athletes who wouldn’t mind becoming couch potatoes in a loving family home.
Claudia herself is the perfect example of a convert to Greyhoundism. Escaping from the pressures of a very well-paid and stressful corporate job, she took her Afghan hound to Vermont for an obedience class. As her dog sat stubbornly under a shady tree, admiring the view but refusing to participate, Claudia saw her first (well-behaved) greyhounds. That day was her “ah ha” event, and within a few years she was leaving her job in New York and driving her new Chevy pickup west with her new greyhound buddy, “Slim,” keeping her company. Now she says that she’s “the slave of the Greyhound Gang, a nonprofit labor of love that will get me into Doggie Heaven and brings me immeasurable joy on a daily basis.”
Others get to share her joy now when they come to Kanab to play over this special three-day weekend. The costume parade on Saturday is the most popular event for viewers and participants. Over 300 hounds from across America will strut their stuff down the center of town while Elvis croons “Hound Dog” from the announcer’s stage: “Well they said you was high-class.” Dogs arrive in imaginative costumes like Grey-ola Crayons, a Greyhound Bus, an Iditarod sled, WhoVille residents, a prison gang, cowboys, a cluster of grapes, and on it goes. Claudia doesn’t believe in awarding prizes, “because greys have been killed for not winning.” Instead, every costumed hound and human receive recognition in categories like “Who is Tutu Pink?” “Color Me Grey,” and more. Other wacky, wonderful special events include the Blur of Fur Runs, a Yappy Hour (muzzles to the sky for a communal hound howl known as the Greyhound “ROO”), Dancing with Dogs, speakers, artisans, pet painting, an agility demo, and plenty of other food, fun, and frolic. During the event, Best Friends Animal Society will be conducting sanctuary tours.
All are welcome to join in the festivities. Spectators can join in the hike, parade, dancing with dogs, and Blur of Fur. Register at greyhoundgang.org. All details are found on the website. If you are interested in visiting Kanab during the gathering and want more information on places to stay and things to do, please go to visitsouthernutah.com.
To watch a fun video of the Greyhound Gathering Costume Parade, go to youtube.com/watch?v=MqbtqwJ5sFw.
