Kahlua

Kahlua was one of the most incredible dogs to ever come through the Gang’s doors. More incredible because she doesn’t have a lick of greyhound in her. She is SMART, with a capital S. She knows what you’re thinking, and she definitely knows what you are saying. She wants to please you no matter what. She’s beautiful – in a very big dog way. She weighs about 77 lbs, and is solid, with the most beautiful brindling and expressive, look – right in your face and into your soul.

I got the picture and the call. They were going to put down a greyhound mix in the St. George shelter the next day. I could tell from the picture this was no greyhound mix, but she looked pitiful. Head away from the camera, tail tucked, skinny as all get out.

She’s a really good girl. Right from the start, she used the dog door, and never had an accident in the house. She would look at me continually with those big brown adoring eyes. She knew how to sit, stay, speak, come, lay, roll over. She slept through the night next to the bed. She got along well with my dogs. Initially hesitant with strangers, she quickly warmed up to women, giving guys the once over before extending her friendship.

At seventy plus pounds, she is in her full glory, now wearing a pink collar, because she’s been mistaken for a boy. Her heritage is unknown, but I think she’s predominantly Plott Hound, with maybe some Lab or Great Dane. Probably around two years of age. Good teeth. 🙂

One of the smartest dogs I’ve ever met, she sometimes pretends to be a guard dog, especially in her initial meeting with men, but is really a big mush puppy. But she would never hurt a flea. She’ll cuddle with you as much as you’d like. She loves to adore someone. She hikes very well off leash, though her hunting instinct does take over, and you need to keep track of her when she gets sidetracked. She can go forever, and would like nothing better than to be chasing rabbits all her life. However, she’s not a hyper girl at all. She likes to lay at your feet when you are working, and also sleep with you at night. She’s OK on short drives, though does need a window to stick her head out of. She gets a little anxious on longer car drives. She will wait patiently for errands. She is not crazy about children, and is initially put off by men, but warms up quickly if they are nice to her.

Likes boy toys (that is boy dogs to play with), and likes to be listened to by them. Will mountain bike, and horseback ride, and hike and do everything with you. She does need her daily dose of exercise to keep trim and happy.

I’m the greyhound lady, so I thought I shouldn’t and couldn’t keep Kahlua. She was a real dog, and needed an active family to enjoy all life had to offer. I found a lovely home in Las Vegas, with young, active professionals. They had a male lab, and I thought Kahlua would get all she needed. I was in a hotel in Illinois, doing a greyhound event, when I got the phone call. A dog, dead on a Las Vegas road, in the middle of the night. My tags still on her. How I howled. How she didn’t deserve that death. She had escaped out the gate when her people weren’t home, and got hit and killed by a car. Her big spirit is soaring in the sky and I will feel guilty until I die.