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GALTx eNews: JJ Races Home

From JJ's mom:

I first heard about JJ (formerly known as Tyler) when I received a call from my adoption coordinator. She called to get my thoughts on adopting a GALT hound who was being fostered out-of-state at the time. As a first-time hound adopter, I was hesitant. How could I be sure we would be a good match without meeting first? She informed me that he could be relocated to Texas, but that doing so would require moving some dogs around to make room in a local foster home.

To complicate matters, GALT had another hound, Tyler, whose foster home wasn’t going to work out and who needed to move to a new foster home as soon as possible. With only a couple of weeks before Christmas, I immediately responded that if Tyler needed a new foster home, I would be happy to take him in and see if we would be a match.

December 19th, with less than a week until Christmas, Tyler’s foster parents brought him over. He explored the backyard, destroyed his first gifted squeaky toy, and discovered the couch (which may be the true love story here). Within two days, my family began questioning me. “We’re keeping him, right?” And while I wanted to answer “yes,” I wanted to give Tyler a chance to settle in and for us to get to know him better.

While he wasn’t racing anymore, “Heidi’s Gift” turned out to be the perfect Christmas gift.

We officially welcomed Tyler (renamed “JJ”) to our family on his 6th birthday, just one week after ringing in the New Year. The past year with him has flown by faster than a 45-mph couch potato and my family truly does feel like part of the GALT pack now. As his Australian handlers said, JJ is, "a beautiful boy who has a heart of gold... and he can't help but spread joy wherever he goes." Indeed, his love of walks and of making new friends means JJ is now something of a neighborhood celebrity. It is such a gift to see the world through his eyes, to watch him fall in love with life off of the track, and to see his personality shine. I couldn’t be more grateful to Julie Waller, Amy Mech, Pat and Peggy Brown, and the countless other amazing people who played a part in matching me with JJ and delivering him to his forever home. And I couldn’t be more grateful to JJ, for bringing more love and joy into my family’s lives than we could ever hope to return. We are so excited to continue on this long, long life journey with him.

GALTx eNews: Luther Is Ready To Find His Forever Home!

Many of you already know Luther, affectionately called “Big Luther”, as the resilient stray who survived alone with a shattered hock and a spirit that wouldn’t quit. Brave. Resourceful. Unstoppable. With lots of help from his humans, this big guy has made remarkable progress toward finding his forever family.

Back in January, Luther underwent surgery with Dr. Robert Radasch and the team at Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center to repair the broken hock. His recovery came with a few setbacks: a broken pin that required replacement and added weeks to his healing, and more recently, a pin that pressed painfully against his Achilles tendon. That discomfort discouraged him from placing his right foot on the floor while walking. On July 22, Dr. Radasch removed the problematic pin. Within hours, Luther was walking more naturally and putting more weight on his foot.

These days, Luther continues his rehab at his foster home through slow therapeutic walks and playful obstacle courses fashioned from pool noodles. With each step, he’s rebuilding muscle, balance, and confidence in his leg.

About five years old, Luther is a striking mixed-breed sighthound whose love of people is boundless. He has a great zest for life, human laps, sleep, meals, and his packmates. His journey is a testament to perseverance and the power of compassionate care. He is now ready to find his forever home and we can't wait to announce his adoption.

GALTx eNews: The Meaning of GALT's Mission: No Grey Turned Away

Most people are familiar with GALT’s motto, “No Grey Turned Away.” We do not turn our back on a sighthound in need. Several times a year, we are contacted by various people and groups, across Texas and beyond, to help when they hear about strays, puppies, dogs on Craigslist, seizures and the like. When possible, we want to get “eyes on” to make sure the dog is actually a sighthound. So many well-meaning people think a dog is a greyhound when it’s not. As much as we want to take them all, without a kennel, we must have available foster homes ready. This means GALT has become more creative in how we make sure dogs are kept safe and find the right places to go, all while keeping true to our mission.

Oftentimes, we work behind the scenes to find homes for hounds in need. This summer, our team in New Mexico and Colorado was contacted about a litter of 7-week old sighthound mix puppies. Using their extensive network of volunteers, all six puppies were placed with other groups. Recently, the sighthound community was alerted to a Craigslist post in the Houston area for six free 10-month-old greyhound/whippet puppies. Other groups weren’t able to take them and then a pair of kind sighthound Good Samaritans boldly stepped up to initially foster them. GALT, with help from our Houston connections, hired a vet to perform the primary medical needs including spays and neuters, and then coordinated with organizations to take the beautiful boys and girls.

GALTx eNews: Magnus's Adoption Story

Magnus’s journey to his forever home began in March, when he arrived in the United States from Australia as a retired racing greyhound. Like so many hounds who spend their early years on the track, he had lived a very different life before finding his way here—a life of routine, training, and racing. Leaving all of that behind, Magnus was adjusting to a whole new chapter: one filled with love, quiet moments, and the promise of family.

Not long after his arrival, I attended a Greyhound Adoption League of Texas (GALT) meet and greet. I showed up with an open heart but no urgency. I wasn’t determined to find the one that day; I simply wanted to meet a few pups, enjoy their company, and see where the afternoon led.

I walked a couple of the sweet ladies first, each charming in her own way. Then I noticed him—Magnus. Tall, handsome, and reserved, with a quiet dignity about him. When we went for a stroll together, he was gentle and timid, carefully watching the world while staying close to me. Our loop wasn’t dramatic or full of fireworks, but there was something special about the calmness we shared in those moments.

When we returned, I spent more time playing with the other pups, but Magnus didn’t wander off. He lingered nearby, keeping me in his sight. Then came the moment that sealed it: Magnus leaned his whole body into my leg, giving me the unmistakable “greyhound lean” that signals trust. It felt like he had made his choice before I had even made mine.

The volunteers and his foster at the time noticed it too. Smiling, they said, “Well, it looks like you’re his person.” And they were right. That lean kicked off my journey as Magnus’s short-term foster, though in my heart, I already knew fostering would only be the first step. We lived together for 2 weeks before I became a “foster fail” and made the adoption final.

Today, Magnus has settled beautifully into his new life. The timid boy I met that day has blossomed into a loyal companion with a gentle soul. He still leans in for comfort and connection, but now it’s part of the rhythm of our daily life together—our morning walks, quiet evenings, and everything in between. His personality has emerged in ways that make me smile: he’s affectionate but dignified, playful in bursts, and always happiest when he’s close by.

Adopting Magnus wasn’t about me choosing him—it was about recognizing that he had chosen me. From his racing days in Australia to his retirement in Texas, Magnus’s story is proof that every greyhound deserves the chance to live the good life. And in return, I get to give him what he had been waiting for all along: love, comfort, and a true sense of home.

For Magnus and me, happily ever after is not just an ending. It’s every single day we get to share.

~ From Richard Martinez

GALTx eNews: More Aussies Are Coming

These gorgeous boys and girls will arrive in Dallas on Friday, October 17, 2025, and go to their foster homes for a little rest and relaxation. Be on the look out for them at upcoming Meet and Greets!