From agony to calamity, Alma the Greyhound’s rescue journey
We first met 8-year-old retired Greyhound, Alma, back in December 2024 as she limped through the doors of NAWT Hertfordshire.
She was admitted as an emergency welfare rescue, and it soon became clear that she hadn’t received the proper care she needed. Alma had been living in a stable outside with only hay and straw to lie on, and very limited human interaction. Her diet was poor, only being fed a bowl of cornflakes for breakfast.
What made her ordeal worse, was she had been suffering a lasting injury from fracturing her hock back in 2021. Although we were told she received treatment for this, it had clearly not healed properly. Therefore, she was unable to use the leg to support herself, and as she couldn’t move around normally this resulted in pressure sores covering the underside of her body.
Alma was lifting her leg up to walk
We booked Alma in with our vet straight away, and it was discovered that she had a ruptured Achilles tendon. She was given pain relief, and a medical boot was fitted to try and make her as comfortable as possible. One of our foster carers took Alma home so that she could rest in a nice warm house and have the love and care she so desperately deserves whilst we figured out what steps to take next.
Alma was referred to a specialist clinic and an appointment was scheduled in March to see their Head of Orthopaedics. It was suggested that surgery would be in Alma’s best interests, so they can correct her leg and hopefully get her walking again. We knew the operation was vital to improve Alma’s quality of life and finally end the pain that she had been suffering for 3 years. After being quoted £4,125 for her treatment, we created a fundraiser to help raise the money, and NAWT supporters didn’t disappoint.
The operation was booked for the 1st of April, and Alma is now recovering in her foster home after successful treatment. She has 6 weeks of rest ahead of her before she can be considered for adoption.
Alma recovering from her surgery
Alma isn't impressed by her neck ring
During #AdoptaGreyhoundMonth, we wanted to share Alma’s story to show just how loving these beautiful creatures are, and why they make the perfect family pet. Alma’s foster carer said:
“As a family we have loved greyhounds since our first adoption of a retired racer more than 20 years ago. When we heard about Alma’s story, we wanted to see how we could help. It was clear that Alma was getting depressed in the kennels and that she would need some intensive care after her operation, so we offered to foster her. From our first meeting with Alma (when she was carried out of her kennel as she did not have the energy to walk), we fell in love with her. She and our whippet got on well from the beginning and when she arrived at our home and walked with me (albeit slowly) around the garden, we knew she was going to be ok.
When Greyhounds feel secure and happy, they are known for “roaching”. This is when they lay on their back with their legs in the air. It took Alma nearly a week of living with us to do her first roach, but it was a very special moment for us all.
It was quite emotional for us to leave Alma at the veterinary surgery for her big operation, but we knew she was in very good hands. It was still a shock to see her when we picked her up two days later. Alma is now two weeks into her six weeks of cage rest to recover from the surgery. She is the perfect patient. In all the time that we have had her, despite the pain that she must be in, she has never once cried. But when she looks at you with her beautiful dark eyes, you can tell that she has had some very difficult times in her life – now it’s her time to enjoy herself and we have been fortunate enough to be involved with this part of her journey.”
Alma is so popular with the team at NAWT Hertfordshire, she has even populated her own fan club amongst the volunteers. Linda and Laura, two of our dog walking volunteers, said:
“Despite her traumatic past Alma is such a sweet, sensitive and gentle soul. She deserves a happy life full of love now.”
Have you ever considered adopting a greyhound? The National Animal Welfare Trust is an animal charity and we rehome dogs, cats, and small animals. Maybe your new best friend is waiting for you right here in one of our 5 rehoming centres.