Beau, a former racing greyhound here in Florida
Meet Beau! Beau is an excellent example of how great a pet a former racing greyhound can be. Yes, Beau's previous life was a dog used in the world of gambling at the Derby Lane located in St. Petersburg, Florida. In 2018, Florida voted and passed Amendment 13 which phased out all live dog racing by 2021.
Derby Lane, St. Petersburg
The Derby Lane in St. Petersburg opened by the family of Alexis Winning in 1925. Now, after almost a century, dog racing has ceased at the Derby lane. The final live greyhound racing was held on Christmas Eve and the weekend following in 2020. The Derby Lane Greyhound Track located in St. Petersburg, Florida was the oldest continuously operating greyhound track in the country until it officially closed on December 27, 2020. The Derby Lane does remain open (as of this writing) for simulcasting and has a poker room.
"After the races ended on Sunday, some of the greyhounds will continue to race at tracks outside of Florida, some will live on a farm with other former racers, and others will be adopted" said Winning. Derby Lane worked with a group called "Greyhound pets of America" that has a 98% adoption rate for the former racing greyhounds.
Greyhound Pets of America (Tampa Bay)
This organization lists it's mission as "to find homes for ex-racing Greyhounds and to educate the public about this wonderful breed." They are an all-volunteer, nonprofit chapter of the Greyhound Pets of America.
Beau
We photographed Beau at his 'retirement home' in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was (is) the foster brother of another dog named Brie who is with the Maxx and Me Pet Rescue (www.maxxandme.org). Beau enjoyed hanging out on the front porch on what appears to be the "dog relaxing couch".
Beau is a beautiful brindle greyhound with long legs and a slender body.
What's that you said? As Beau perks up to see what is going on.
Beau with one of his favorite toys.
A painterly effect added to this head portrait of Beau - Beau was moving a little fast for the camera settings, but the cute look wins and we decided to share this photo.
Blogging with Pet Photographers
This is a personal project that I try to participate in each week (as much as possible). This post is part of a 'blog circle' which is with several other Professional Pet Photographers around the world. Each week a different theme is provided to the group and we, as pet photographers, interpret the theme in our own way. Follow the link provided at the end of each of my blogs to the next pet photographer's blog - and when you arrive back at my blog - you've completed the entire circle of blogs for this theme. For more pet photographers sharing their take on this theme, head over to visit Tammy Snyder Photography, photographing dogs and the people they love in Southeastern Pennsylvania and the tri-state region
Interested in a Pet Photography Session?
If you would like to discuss or book a custom pet portrait session, send an email to [email protected] or give us a call/text Linda at 813-610-2671 in the Tampa Bay area (Hillsborough/Pinellas/Pasco/Polk counties in Florida). We have flexible rates and packages to fit most everyone’s budget as we believe that having wonderful photographs of your pet is important to so many people.