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Someone once asked when I’d write a blog about the one creature who inspires me to write the most (besides God, of course). Today seems like a fine day for a snarky blog, so I’d like to take a walk inside my canine buddy’s head. (Go with me on this one).

Dasher is a 75 pound ex-racer.  He’s a purebred Greyhound striped like a tiger. He was retired early last Fall and found his way into our hearts and home in December. He’s only two and a half, retired about five years prematurely. But he is the sweetest dog I’ve ever met.

Dasher, what was it like being a race dog?

Well, there’s not much to say, really. We were kept in our kennels most of the day. We were released to a larger outdoor kennel four times a day for 30 minutes each time.  There would be four or five of us allowed to play in the space which was the size of an average living room. Then it was back inside to the kennel. Of course there was always training. That was fun. I’d get to play with the other dogs and chase their tails. Once in a while the trainers would walk us through the crowd to meet the people who came to watch the races, they smelled like hot dogs, cigarettes and soda. I love to smell things.

We hear you retired early, why?

Apparently, playing with the other dogs and chasing their tails isn’t recommended on the track. Something about a blue ribbon and a number. I don’t know, I got numbers. Usually there were a couple of them like a 1 followed by a 2 (for those of us that are already dreaming of the weekend, that was a twelfth place) . I thought that was pretty cool. The trainer didn’t.

Did you have a racing name?

Yup, I was dubbed Yo’ My Bust ‘Em Up. But when my family adopted me they named me after the fastest reindeer, since it was Christmas and all. I like the new name, it’s much easier to listen to. Especially since they yell it a lot.

What do you think about your new digs?

Awesome! They leave me chicken and fish on the counters. I usually wait until they leave to eat, though. No sense in eating in front of them, that would be rude. They also take me for walks when I tell them to and the short one, they call her ‘shark bait’; she sleeps with me on Friday nights. She makes a great pillow.

Any last words you’d like to leave us with?

Yeah. I just want to say thanks to all those great folks out there who adopt pets from shelters; pets like me. We really appreciate it!

For more information, check out Pets.Answers.Com

*Other interviews: Interview with a teen.