Mabel may only have three legs, but according to her family, she’s living proof that a missing limb doesn’t mean missing out. Since joining their busy household, the affectionate greyhound has become an expert fly catcher, an unwavering routine keeper and most importantly, a beloved member of the family.
Originally known as Monet by the GAPWA team, her humans felt a different name suited her.
“Mabel looked like an old soul, and given that she is a tripaw, we thought Unstable Mabel was a pretty fitting name! It suited her perfectly, and honestly, the name has proven to be just as entertaining as she is.”
As with many pets her name has evolved over time.
“She now gets Mabel-May most of the time, and then other variances like Mabel Graybel, Boney M and Baby Gray.”
Mabel shares her home with a lively mix of family members, including three children, a blue Staffy named Magnus and two cats named Steve and Lulu.
“Steve has never been particularly fond of dogs (or people, for that matter; he is a bit of a grumpy old man!), but Lulu absolutely adores Mabel and they are best of friends… Mabel gently nibbles Lulu’s ears, which Lulu loves. We call it ‘tasting the kitty’!”
The decision to adopt a greyhound came when the family was looking for a companion for Magnus, but it was a chance sighting online that sealed the deal.
“I spotted her picture on Facebook while we were in the airport flying home from being on holiday and just relentlessly showed my partner her pictures until he agreed that she had to come and live with us!”
Looking back, they describe adopting Mabel as one of the “best decisions we have ever made.”
“Her resilience, gentle nature and hilarious personality have brought so much joy to our family. We knew greyhounds were lovely dogs, but we had no idea just how much character and humour she would bring into our lives!”
Before Mabel, the family had little experience with greyhounds. Like many first-time adopters, they quickly discovered some of the breed’s quirks.
“I remember being beside myself with worry in those first few days because she slept so much that I thought she must be sick! It turns out that greyhounds really do love their sleep, and I quickly learnt that a lot of what initially seemed unusual was simply normal greyhound behaviour”
When Mabel first arrived, GAP recommended creating a quiet space where she could retreat while adjusting to pet life. A bed in the walk-in robe soon became much more than a temporary arrangement.
“We now call it ‘Mabel’s Cave’, and it has become her favourite sanctuary.”
Mabel settled beautifully alongside Magnus, who embraced his new canine companion immediately.
“Magnus was three when she arrived, and he has absolutely loved having a doggie big sister from Day one. They have their own little routines, playing together and they get along wonderfully. Mabel learnt from Magnus that whenever a dog rises from a seated position, it must shake its ears. Now when Magnus does his shake, Mabel does hers straight afterwards.”
Ask her family to describe Mabel’s personality and one word comes up again and again: funny.
“Mabel is legitimately hilarious.”
“She always seems to have a happy, slightly bewildered expression on her face when she walks, and people regularly stop us to give her a pat.”
“I was also surprised by just how funny greyhounds are. Mabel has so much personality, and her facial expressions alone could keep us entertained all day!”
She’s also known for her impeccable manners.
“When we put the dogs’ dinner down at night, Mabel refuses to touch hers until Magnus starts eating. The moment he begins, she does too. She is an absolute lady! She also loves all of her food, but her favourite little treats are blueberries, green beans and strawberries.”
Mabel shares a particularly strong bond with her dad, something made clear by one unforgettable moment.
“One of my favourite stories is the night Dad was out. Mabel found his shirt on the floor, picked it up and brought it over to me, dropping it straight into my lap.”
“It was as though she was saying, ‘Where is Dad, and what have you done with him?'”
While she enjoys couch cuddles and long naps, Mabel is also an enthusiastic explorer.
“Mabel loves her walks and will stop and smell every single flower if you let her. We sometimes call her Mortein because she is unbelievable at fly control, zooming around and chomping ‘sky raisins’.”
Life as a pet came naturally to Mabel, and these days she keeps the household running on schedule.
“If her usual walk time comes and goes by even a couple of minutes, she lets us know! It is a subtle look that says, ‘Excuse me, aren’t we forgetting something? On one occasion when I had ignored some more subtle signs, she simply dropped one of my shoes in front of me. Message received, Mabel!”
Although she only has three legs, her family says it rarely crosses their minds.
“We sometimes genuinely forget she is missing a limb until a passer-by asks what happened to her… She has adapted so well that it is a wonderful reminder of just how capable and resilient these dogs are.”
Reflecting on the impact Mabel has had, her family struggles to imagine life without her.
“Mabel has brought so much laughter, love and personality into our home. Between her funny expressions, her little routines and her very clear opinions about how the household should operate, there is never a dull moment.”
For anyone considering adoption, they have a simple message.
“Do it! I would not hesitate to recommend adopting a greyhound. We are so grateful to GAP for bringing Mabel into our lives.”
And for those thinking about giving a tripaw a chance, Mabel’s story speaks for itself.
“Please do not let the missing limb put you off. Mabel is living proof that three legs do not mean three-quarters of a life. She runs, plays, explores, and gets up to mischief just like any other dog. After her accident, Mabel could have been defined by what she had lost, but instead she has shown us everything she is still capable of. She is happy, confident, affectionate, and completely herself.”
