The image is startling. Sculpted by nature in flowing lines and sinewy muscle, the greyhound in full stride is grace personified. It is of little wonder that this breed was honored for its beauty and demeanor since the days of the Pharaohs. Its likeness is emblazoned on the family crests of English and French aristocracy. Even the King James Version of the Bible describes the greyhounds as one of the three creatures which are "comely in going." The swiftest of all dogs was once held in such high esteem that ancient English laws deemed that "no mean person" could own a greyhound. Famous personalities who owned these sleek dogs included actor John Barrymore, President Theodore Roosevelt, and General Armstrong Custer, who was rumored to have coursed his nearly 40 dogs on the eve of the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

How bitterly ironic that today this most noble of canines has suffered such a horrendous fate at the hands of man. Each year, an estimated 12,000 greyhounds are euthanized once their racing careers have ended. The fortunate ones die painlessly by lethal injection. But many others are shot, bludgeoned, starved, or left to roam and fend for themselves. Recently a shallow grave unearthed in the northeast revealed the bodies of approximately 70 greyhounds, each with small caliber bullet in their skull. To avoid identification, the dogs had their ears torn off. (Racing greyhounds have their birthdates and National Greyhound Association identification numbers tattooed on their ears, which can, in turn, trace them to their owners and kennels). The careers of these swift athletes are rather short-lived. Racers who do well on the track face mandatory retirement at age 6 years, and are later used for breeding purposes.

However, many others who suffer injuries or are just a fraction of a second too slow have their careers prematurely shortened and face an uncertain future. Only 30 percent of the greyhounds bred for racing are actually chosen for the racetrack. The remaining majority is considered a financial liability and is cast aside as so much waste. Racing greyhounds begin their careers at eighteen months of age, and are first entered in a series of maiden races. If successful, they advance in grade to major stakes events. In essence, these dogs are literally running for their lives. Those select few who do advance help to make greyhound racing a nearly 3 billion dollar a year industry, and the sixth largest spectator sport in the country. In the 1980Õs, greyhound-racing tracks outdrew NBA basketball arenas.

But times have changed, and the greyhound racing industry has suffered economic hardships. In Florida for example, Indian gaming casinos have competed for the public's gambling dollars, and racetracks have answered with simulcast racing events and Poker rooms. State legislators have also intervened. In the past year, the state of New Hampshire has abolished greyhound racing, and other states are considering following suit.

I had known for quite some time of the gross mistreatment of retired track dogs, and was appalled. What I did not know, however, was that fate would intercede, and I would one day discover firsthand the efforts made by the nearly 200 rescue organizations across the country dedicated to the preservation of the racing greyhound. Fate intervened nearly two years ago when my wife and I were involved in a nearly endless search for the "perfect family dog." Having attended numerous dog shows and canine shelters, as well as researching the nearly 150 breeds of dogs recognized by the AKC, we became utterly confused. Which breed was the best? Ask this question to any breeder, and the immediate answer is "Why, my breed is the best!"

Not easily discouraged, our search continued until one day when a friend, a greyhound owner herself, suggested adopting a retired greyhound. Admittedly not our first choice of breeds, we nonetheless agreed to meet with a representative of a local adoption program. While we waited outside the kennel asking ourselves if we were making the right decision, a beautiful 5-year-old female greyhound, its coat a glistening white and red, cantered towards us.

She suddenly stood up on her hind legs and proceeded to lick away any remaining doubts (as well as our faces!). The decision was swift and firm. This elegant dog would now become a member of our family. But how would she react to living with our 3-year-old son?

As a pediatrician, I found this last question perhaps the most important for any family considering owning a dog. Having seen firsthand the results of dog bites inflicted on children, my wife and I still remained somewhat hesitant on our decision to adopt a greyhound.

Today, however, nearly two years after that fateful afternoon, any remaining doubts have long since vanished. Once known on the tracks as Hold the Ace, we renamed our dog Scarlett not only for her coat coloring, but also in tribute to Scarlett O'Hara, Margaret Mitchell's famed literary heroine who survived personal tragedy with courage and spirit. We like to feel that our Scarlett is as equally heroic, and certainly a survivor. Ryan, our precious son, now considers her as not only his pet, but his "sister" as well. As I sit here writing my thoughts and experiences about this remarkable dog, Scarlett lies gently at the foot of Ryan's bed, a position I hope she maintains for years to come. Greyhounds in general make wonderful pets. They are gentle, do not require a great amount of exercise, and are meticulously clean. They have been nicknamed the "forty mile per hour couch potatoes," and my wife and I have accepted the fact that our leather sofa is Scarlett's private domain. Greyhounds have also shown to be marvelous companions for children.

It should be noted that Scarlett shares her love for children in a most unique way. Every month she visits patients at Plantation General Hospital's pediatrics floor as a pet therapy volunteer dog. Greyhounds make wonderful therapy dogs due to their gentle nature, and they are tall enough so bed-ridden patients can enjoy their company.

Dressed as a Greyhound Bus for Halloween, and Indian for Thanksgiving, a Reindeer for Christmas, and as the Easter Bunny, she has made a lasting impression on children whose hospital experience otherwise would be miserable. One recent experience immediately comes to mind. A 10-year-boy was admitted after suffering a vicious attack by a neighbor's dog. I had planned to avoid visiting the boy's room so as to not evoke painful memories. But having seen Scarlett in the hallway, he called us in and managed to pet her with heavily bandaged hands. I can only hope that my future hospital rounds can be as emotionally rewarding.

As a proud pet owner, I often find myself extolling the virtues of my dog, sometimes to the point of unabashed excess. After all, she has appeared in numerous newspaper and magazine articles, was featured on a television news story, and was recently offered her first modeling contract. Scarlett has admirably filled the roles of family pet, therapy dog, and ambassador for the greyhound adoption movement.

But there are times when I am humbled in her presence. What have I done to deserve to be in the company of this regal and elegant creature, who, abused and abandoned by man, has every reason to loathe and shun him, but instead provides unending love and devotion? As I gaze at times into Scarlett's limpid eyes, it is as if I am staring into antiquity. Surely such a magnificent animal deserves a far better fate than man has provided. Surely we can make amends by denouncing their cruel treatment and welcome more of these gentle souls into our homes and our hearts. We can only hope.

-Michael J. Freimark, M.D. is a Florida pediatrician and a devoted pet owner. He resides with his wife Rita and his son Ryan in Broward County, Florida.