Celebrating Greyhounds Magazine
Summer 2004
Review by Alice O'Hearn
I scanned the horizon for a glimpse of the island from the deck of a luxurious cruise ship as it approached Bora Bora. It was a balmy 75 degrees, sun on my face, a gentle breeze in my hair, and I had only one wish - to be home, where it is too hot or too cold, too windy or too still, and the rocky Nevada terrain looks like the lunar surface. I had always considered myself to he a fairly intelligent human being (although that often comes into question as my co-workers see all the Greyhound paraphernalia on the walls of my cubicle), so how could this be?
I had just finished reading Cindy Victor's novel, Leo, A Greyhound's Tale, and I wanted nothing more than to be home with my own Greyhounds, Riley and Gidget.
I wanted to tell them all about Leo, who goes by an alias because he's worried that his super-canine abilities will lead to his being the subject of scientific research. Lovingly stroking her velvet ears, I would explain to Gidget that like her, Leo was not the fastest hound at the track, sending him to an early retirement. Gazing deeply into his amber eyes, I would soothingly tell Riley that Leo and he could be described the same way: "a tall... handsome brindle boy, with a refined muzzle, expressive eyes, incredibly silky ears, and touches of white here and there for added interest."
While this book is a light-hearted, comical, fictional account, it teaches us the truth that it is not material things but courage, loyalty, and love that make life worth living.
Leo's facility with language is both a help and a hindrance as the volunteers of the fictional adoption group GAPAC (Greyhounds Adore People and Couches) present Leo to potential adopters. He hears that the first couple, the Smiths, want an energetic and playful dog. Smart as a whip and eager to please, Leo bounces off the walls, pogos to the ceiling, and snatches Mr. Smith's wallet from his pocket, playing a game of "catch me if you can."
Another couple indicate they want an affectionate dog. Leo goes for the wife first. By the time he finishes with her, she has makeup on just one side of her face.
Because Leo's previous attempts to give adopters just what they desired had failed, when famous Hollywood couple Douglas Drake and Amaranth Drueten come in, indicating they simply want a friendly dog who will accept their love and give love back (even the best adoption profilers can be misled), Leo tries the opposite. As he humorously describes it:
I tried to raise my hackles, but they wouldn't go up. Even so, I walked into the room with my entire demeanor announcing, "I'm bad."
Amaranth Drueten leaned forward on her chair and cried, "Oh look! He's smiling! Isn't that adorable!"
Douglas Drake, leaning against a wall, said, "I don't think he'd be smiling if he knew he's being neutered Friday."
The three humans laughed. My ears went up. My lips and tail came down. My limbs went weak. I sat.
Amaranth Drueten clapped her hands. "He sits! I heard Greyhounds don't like to sit. But this one does. He's absolutely wonderful."
The volunteer stroked my head. "Leo is wonderful. He's friendly and bright and exceptionally handsome. But I know looks aren't important to you, Ms. Drueten and Mr. Drake. You said so in your application."
Douglas Drake said, "Call us Douglas and Amaranth, please. No, looks don't mean a thing to us. We would never choose a dog for its looks. But Leo obviously has character. It shows in his eyes. Look at him. He's thinking very deeply about something. "
Yes, I was thinking about it and sitting on it.
Not only do Douglas and Amaranth have Leo neutered, it is a media event on live television. Leo realizes they are not looking for a loving companion, but an accessory for photo shoots. Initially, he is not disappointed with the prospect of a celebrity life spent on satin pillows, although both Douglas and Amaranth are shallow and uncaring. His priorities change when he meets the live-in housekeeper, Kim.
Kim reminds us of what it takes to be a good Greyhound guardian: daily walks, food, fresh water, nail trimming, eye and ear checks, tooth and coat brushing, yogurt for digestion, and most of all, good communication. Leo is happy with Kim, but a conflict between Kim and Douglas jeopardizes that happiness as Kim is forced to leave. Leo is heartbroken and can't bring himself to live in a household that doesn't include Kim. Through some amusing and creative problem solving, Leo finds an alternative.
At this point in the book we meet Mike Dozer, a dog-loving freelance writer and plumber's assistant. Through Mike's eyes we view those endearing Greyhound peculiarities - terror at the prospect of steep stairs, snarfing up a noseful of water, and reverse sneezing. Mike handles it all with good humor and affection for Leo, and Leo's fondness for Mike grows.
But we haven't seen the last of Kim, as Leo draws her into Mike's life. Will Leo be forced to choose between the two people who care the most for him? While Cindy Victor answers this question for the present, she leaves the door open to greater possibilities in the future.
I hope Leo will return with more tales to tell. And, this time, I hope to read about them while curled up in front of a roaring fire with Riley and Gidget, whom I will never look at quite the same, now that I've met Leo.