___It is the perfect time of year to recall the "Simpsons" network pilot. Remember? After struggling to find cash to buy his family Christmas presents, Homer bets and loses at a greyhound track. What did he end up taking home but Santa's Little Helper, the family greyhound. And when I had a chance to meet some rescued greyhounds last week at the Petco on Westshore, I was greeted at the door by quite a few of these curious dogs, and, as if they weren't adorable enough, several were donning little Santa hats.
___I was smitten at once with these kind animals, and as my friends and family could tell you, I haven't stopped talking about them.
___Former racing dogs, these greyhounds belong to one of the oldest recorded breeds, if not the oldest recorded breed, of dog. This is not surprising since they seem so comfortable around people. But it is not as if they can go straight from years in the kennel to your family room in an instant. That's where GREAT, Greyhound Rescue & Adoptions of Tampa Bay, comes in. They rescue the dogs and first find them foster homes, where for at least two weeks they become acclimated to human conditions before finally getting adopted.
___I spoke with volunteer Brenda Hodges, who had been with the non-profit organization since 1996, when her family adopted their first greyhound.
___"They make great companion dogs," she explained. "They're not used to some of the things we take for granted everyday, like sliding glass doors, large plate glass windows, stairs... so everything is new for them, a new adventure for them. They do not make good guard dogs because they love everyone. And they're a very gentle, docile breed."
___Docile and lazy, despite what what one may expect of the fastest sprinting dog.
___"If you have fenced-in yard they run a couple laps and then they're ready to come back in. We call them 45 mile-per-hour couch-potatoes," she added.
___They are looking for more than just adoptive families. While GREAT does gladly accept financial donations, Mrs. Hodges pointed out that "one of the biggest needs for our group is foster homes, because the more foster homes we have, the more dogs we can take in and find homes for".
___The adoption fee is a mere $150, which includes all shots and spay/neutering. But in order to be considered an adoptive family, GREAT has to assess your household to make sure you can be coupled with the right dog. "Our policy is not to adopt to families with children under six primarily because of their size and because they have not been raised around children," Mrs. Hodges said. She continued to tell me that the dogs have independent personalities. While some prefer to be the sole pet, others adore other four-legged friends, including cats.
___The volunteers were happy to dispel myths about greyhounds. They reiterated the fact that they really don't need anymore exercise then other breeds. Why do they wear muzzles? To safeguard the animals as they race and because they do have thin skin. When racing, greyhounds are very expensive investments.
___"Expensive investments" --as long as they can pull a profit. When the volunteers were asked if most greyhounds end up in an adoption agency, they declined to go on record. I was told it is a sensitive issue and that they could not prove the numbers. By numbers, of course, they mean the unsaved animals that are not kept for breeding and no longer serve a function.
___Meeting a greyhound is not a hard thing to do in Tampa. This particular Petco, which has been very supportive of the whole project, is not alone among places GREAT showcases greyhounds in the Bay area. Every Saturday they can be found at a number of pet stores.
___This holiday season they will be attending many events, including "Santa Paws Photos", where, as you probably guessed, you can get your photo with Santa Claus and his favorite dogs.
___Visit www.great-greyhound.org for a complete schedule, and to learn more about GREAT and their great dogs.

___"Thank you's" go to the volunteers and foster parents who contributed, Kelly Faircloth of GREAT, Inc, for organizing the interview, and the management at Petco on Westshore Blvd for their continued support of greyhound adoption and their kindness in regards to this article.