Do you know my greyhound, Harley, aka as the laziest greyhound in the Southern Hemisphere? Yes, he is the one who is famous for nibbling 27 plastic ballpoint pens to pieces, for swallowing my $3000 hearing aid before I had even paid it off and he is also the dog who can ignore commands in three languages (English, Dutch and French).
My daughter's 16-year-old collie-cross Manix stays with me while she works. He was brought over from New Caledonia many years ago and became the first bilingual dog in New Zealand and also Harley's best mate. It is from him that Harley learned his French.
But Harley has another claim to fame: Last Monday he was supposed to have a corn removed by our wonderful vet Alastair Ferguson, but later in the morning I was phoned by his assistant.
She said that a dog had come in with severe internal bleeding and was close to death and asked if Harley could give blood. Of course I gave my permission and I was able to pick Harley up later that day.
The vet was very grateful and said that without Harley the other dog would certainly have died. He had to have his spleen removed. When the sick dog came in, Alastair wished he had a greyhound there and who did he see? Harley B., minding his own business!
I was told that 70% of greyhounds have a universal blood type, which means they can give blood to any dog. Their blood is also higher than average in red blood cells and lower in white blood cells and platelets. Greyhounds also make superior blood donors because of their gentle nature (but we knew that already) and their veins are easy to find. The procedure does not hurt more than an injection and the blood is "remade€ after a day or two.
Harley was thrilled that he was given quite a number of amazing treats at the vet's (smoked duck breast anyone?) and did not mind in the least that his operation was postponed.
I put a photo of him on the GAP website wearing his special blood donor badge and hundreds of people liked this or commented on it.
Harley has remained humble. He said that not he, but Alastair was the real hero as he saved that dog's life like he once saved Manix's life when Manix had eaten a whole container of rat poison!
However, Harley is practising his autograph as I speak, so just ask if you want a signed photo. And he whispered in my ear that from now on he wants to be known as Harley, the bloodhound!