by Warren Young, Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds
As an avid listener to Talking Couch Potatoes, a podcast produced by Free the Hounds, I was intrigued by episode 57: “Simba: A Story of Survival”.
The story was documented in a book by CPG volunteer Kim Whiting, so I bought it online. It turned out to be the most amazing story I’ve ever read. It particularly resonated for me because I also adopted a very anxious greyhound, so I could relate to the fearful behaviour of Simba.
I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone who wants to read the book, so this summary is very brief. Simba was a scared and anxious brindle boy adopted by Kim, who brought Simba to her home in the Dandenong Ranges. Spooked by something when entering his home, Simba took off and was lost in the bush for 16 days, until he was finally rescued for a second time!
This heartwarming story has a few key themes. First, Simba was a scared traumatised dog but his resilience to survive, trust others, and flourish is amazing. Second, the sheer dedication of Kim to search for Simba under incredibly challenging conditions is so admirable. Her love, persistence, and patience is astonishing. Third, as a member of local greyhound walking groups, Kim discovered a greyhound community and other dog lovers who assisted in the search and rescue were exceptionally supportive.
What else can we take away from Simba's story
All dog breeds have examples of dogs with different personalities. Some individuals might be described as chilled, while others are more anxious. Greyhounds are not an inherently anxious breed, but anxiety is understandable in an ex-racer who has led a sheltered life (e.g. lack of socialisation, living in a kennel), so transitioning to a home with new sights, sounds, and unfamiliar obstacles becomes overwhelming. Simba was an extreme case of a traumatised greyhound, scared of everything around him. Although his background prior to adoption was a bit of a mystery, it’s hard to believe that this fearful behaviour is purely determined by genetics. Surely, Simba must have had some awful experiences to become so withdrawn and afraid of people.
Anxiety and fear can also be seen in greyhounds that have never raced, as I’ve described previously. If a greyhound isn’t suitable for racing for whatever reason, it’s understandable that a trainer or owner places little value on these dogs, as they are incapable of earning income. Why would a trainer and owner provide love and adequate health care to a dog that just costs them money to keep in a kennel? My adopted greyhound wasn’t surrendered for 5 ½ years, despite never racing. It’s distressing to think of how she must have been treated and how this contributed to her anxiety and stress. Some greyhounds will respond to a loving home and live a normal life as a companion, but some carry their anxiety with them for the rest of their lives.