It was a case of love at first sight for two Oxford Stadium racegoers who ended their evening as the new proud owners of a retired racing greyhound in search of a forever home.
Steve and Trudy Johnson were getting ready for a night at the races when their evening took an unexpected twist after bumping into Dizzy – aka Savana Dismount – a two-year-old blue dog recently retired by trainer Frank Gray.
The couple were taken aback by Dizzy’s placid character and instantly enquired about homing the two-times A1 winner. Following a full veterinary inspection, Dizzy was granted the green light to enjoy retirement with the Johnson’s at their family home in Wheatley.
“We’d been at the stadium for half-an-hour when we met Dizzy on parade as a retired greyhound in search of a home,” said Steve. “We instantly fell in love with him, and by the end of the night we were his new proud owners.
“Trudy and I have just moved into our new property and Dizzy has turned what was a house into a home.
“He has a lovely temperament and loves a good fuss – just like every greyhound. He’s settled in really well and it’s great to see him adjust to life after racing in new surroundings.
“I would recommend a retired greyhound to anyone in search of a four-legged friend. They’re so gentle, calm and are great around children. We’re so glad we found Dizzy with Oxford Stadium’s help and look forward to giving him the best retirement.”
Dizzy is the latest greyhound to be rehomed as part of the Cowley venue’s Loved in Retirement campaign, which aims to shine a light on retired greyhounds and educate people about the key requirements of owning an ex-racing dog.
The campaign is supported by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain’s (GBGB) Greyhound Retirement Scheme.
Launched in 2020, the scheme safeguards the future of all racing greyhounds when they retire via a bond which is paid by the dog’s owner before its racing career begins and is matched by the GBGB.
To date, over 6,000 retired greyhounds have been successfully retired through the scheme and £2.5 million distributed to 130 GBGB approved homing centres.
Steve added: “I’ve been a greyhound enthusiast all my life and welfare has never been so important.
“Dizzy enjoyed a fantastic upbringing and this year raced on the biggest stage in front of 4,000 racegoers on English Greyhound Derby Final night at Towcester.
“Now, he’s the ultimate couched potato and her calm temperament and chilled out nature is testament to the care and attention she received from her trainer Frank Gray.”
Kevin Boothby, Oxford Stadium MD and Savana Dismount’s previous owner, said: “I’m so pleased to see Dizzy has found a loving home in retirement.
“He enjoyed a fantastic career on track and it’s fitting his new life will be a stone’s throw from Oxford Stadium where he enjoyed his last career run.
“The average greyhound will retire from racing aged four to five. But a typical greyhound can live up to 14 years of age.
“It’s therefore essential we take full responsibility for these magnificent animals in retirement by finding them loving homes where they can enjoy a health and comfortable life after racing just like Dizzy.”
Anyone interested in rehoming a retired racing greyhound can contact the stadium via enquiries@oxford-stadium.co.uk or 01865 966900.
