By Darren Cartwright
Bred as a racing greyhound, Cookie not only never made it onto a track, she was never officially named.
However, after being rehomed, she’s surrounded by winners at Brian Wakefield’s racing stables at Hendra.
Cookie found her way to the stables through the Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) after the racehorse trainer’s daughter Erin took the advice of a relative and adopted a greyhound.
Erin had been looking for another dog to join the family before the second of their two long-term border collies passed away at 17, but that proved problematic.
The GAP, run by the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) at Churchable, matches greyhounds with their potential owners based on several criteria, including if they already have pets.
“We were looking for a second dog, but it was harder to match, obviously, with having a dog already,” Erin explained.
“So, when our dog passed, it was easier to match Cookie with us.”
The suggestion to adopt through GAP came from an aunty who has worked for the rehoming scheme.
“My aunt has been one of the vets at the GAP and she convinced me to adopt a greyhound, but I didn’t take much convincing,” Erin said.
“Cookie’s a great dog and so easy to get along with. She was called Carol, but we renamed her Cookie. She’s not a Carol.”
Cookie’s racing career was over before it even started, said Erin’s mother Natalie Wakefield.
Unsure why Cookie never chased, Natalie said they could not be happier with their family pet who sleeps most of the day.
“We're not sure of the story, but she didn't get an official name,” Natalie said.
“We are from a racing family, and I felt we could give a greyhound a good home because we understand how animals transition from a racing life to a post-racing, and we do make sure all of our horses are rehomed.”
Cookie certainly likes to keep good company at the stables.
Her bed is directly outside the box of multiple city winner Roman Aureus (pictured at top of screen), who chalked his seventh victory at the Sunshine Coast last Friday night.
Cookie also possesses the same “quirky” qualities as many greyhounds, and rarely, if at all barks, said Natalie.
“We knew that they were placid dogs, and they are certainly very different to any dog that I've had,” she said.
“They're very quirky and have different characteristics that you don't see with other dogs, like the chittering nose, roaching (sleeping on her back with all four legs in the air) and leaning into you.”
Having had Cookie for a year, Erin said; “I think everyone should have a greyhound.”