In a new regular column, George Sell talks to a wide range of passionate greyhound people to find out what makes them tick. This week we go behind the traps with Lisa Samson, who works in rehoming, at Barley Greyhound Sanctuary, and in racing, as a kennel hand to Richard Devenish.
The best part of my job is…
Working with the dogs. I just love being around them, even on the dullest of days they have a way to make you smile.
The most challenging part of my job is…
To be honest I think every aspect of rehoming has been hard in recent years, not just for greyhounds but across all breeds. Greyhound rehoming groups are nagged and hassled by trainers/owners everyday about taking dogs in. Some are wanting to add 7/8/9/10 dogs to the waiting list at a time. All rehoming centres want to help but we physically don’t have the room to accommodate the dogs as quickly as is needed by the industry.
There are so many greyhounds (and other breeds) needing rehoming spaces but not as many adoption enquiries coming in. The cost of living is obviously playing a massive part in people choosing not to have a pet at the moment, but I also think the lack of awareness of greyhounds and what amazing pets they make doesn’t help. I, with the support of Livi Noble contacted the GBGB recently about possible ways to raise more awareness but we’ve heard nothing back. Something needs to be done because the current situation is soul destroying, but the dogs keep you going.
My proudest moment in greyhounds was…
On the rehoming side of things, seeing my mum (Joy Battley of Barley Greyhound Sanctuary) be awarded the Founders Award for services to retired greyhounds in 2017 was a very proud moment. She has dedicated her life to greyhounds, so it was nice to see her finally getting some recognition for her hard work.
Reaching the milestone of finding 1000 greyhounds loving forever homes was also a very proud moment for us and our team.
On the racing side of things, the dogs make me proud all the time, they give you all their love and love what they do. It’s always extra special to see the pups you’ve worked with since birth go on to win races though.
The best/favourite dog I have worked with was…
This is going to be hard because I have loved every single one of them, whether they be racing or retired, but one that instantly springs to mind is Clonbrin Show, who I worked with when I was a kennel hand for my uncle, Mick Puzey. Show was the most loving dog at home, and I adored him. He had a very successful racing career but the standout moment for me was when he won the Grand Prix at Walthamstow in 2005. When he retired, he went home with his racing owner, and I still got to see him regularly until he sadly passed away in 2016 aged 13.
In more recent years it has to be the lovely Tea for Tess. Tess is the happiest, most loving girl you could meet, and she absolutely loved her successful career. The race I always remember the most is when she won the British Bred Oaks final at Doncaster in 2018.
Anyone who followed Tess will know she had electric early pace and won her races from the front. On this particular night she pinged like usual but was matched for pace to the bend and ended up going round in 2nd, I must admit we thought her chances of winning from there were over, but she found another gear from somewhere coming off the last and she managed to get up on the line to win. I had a sore throat for a week afterwards having screamed her home! She got lots of treats from the buffet at the after party! I still get the best cuddles from her whenever I’m down at Richard’s helping in the kennels.
I must also mention Megs So Pretty (Meg), Caseys Shadow (Fizzy), Fire Height Dan (Dan), Siesta Frisby (Frisby), Perceptive Pacey (Pacey), Too Risky (Risky), Kindred Rebel (Rebel), Show Vision (Molly), Silbury Ruby (Ruby), Million Shan (Shan), Hare Ruffler (Tom), Mustang Maybe (Kate), Posh Nosh (Bob), Glatton Gianni (Baby Tim), Blue Mischief (Dusty), Wendil Waves (Bruce) and Wendil Wishes (Phoebe). There are so many more, but I best stop now!
If I wasn’t working with greyhounds I would like to have been a…
I’ve only ever worked with animals so if it isn’t greyhounds it’s horses or whippets! Do a job you love, and you never work a day in your life!
The best piece of advice anyone ever gave me was…
‘Don’t worry about the things you can’t do anything about’. Easier said than done but I always try to remember this.
If I could tell my 18-year old self one thing it would be…
Don’t listen to people who don’t know you or your situation, but feel they need to give you their unwanted and unnecessary opinion!
The person I admire most in greyhounds is…
My mum, her dedication, love and kindness to greyhounds throughout her life has been an inspiration, and she is the reason for my obsession with sighthounds! From the racing side I would like to mention Polly (Smith – the vet), she is one of the kindest and most compassionate people I have ever met, and she has a genuine love for the dogs. She has given our beautiful Bob (Posh Nosh) the most amazing home in retirement too.
The person I admire most in history is…
Whoever invented chocolate! It certainly helps get you through the difficult days!
I am surprisingly good at…
I’m not sure, other than looking after animals, not a lot!
I am surprisingly bad at…
Hiding my opinionated facial expressions! And keeping plants alive! No matter how hard I try, me and plants just don’t get along!
My perfect day off would be…
A chilled day with my animals.
