Sometimes, finding the right dog happens when you’re looking for something completely different.
For Morticia’s adopter, the search began with a practical checklist. With a busy household, full-time work and a young daughter, they were looking for a dog that would suit their lifestyle.
They filtered GAPWA’s website to show only male dogs, but through an admin error, a female hound popped up.
“I wasn’t initially looking at a girl dog. I filtered for a boy, happy to be alone for long hours and good with kids, after selecting all of that….Morticia popped up. It felt like it was meant to be”
The name was also another sign.
“Our whole family loves anything to do with Halloween, my husband and I are millennials and grew up with the Addams family movies and got our daughter into them from the live action and animated”
That one unexpected profile led to a new chapter for the family, one that was needed after the loss of a very special hound.
“We previously owned a Greyhound and felt that emptiness from his passing, my husband and daughter were asking for a Greyhound whilst I was unsure at first but seeing Morticia changed it all for me. We owned a beautiful dark brindle Greyhound named Galahad or Sir Galahad, we adopted him in March 2019 and has been our noble gentleman till July 2025 when he passed suddenly at the age of 11. Everything we learned about greyhounds was through him”
The first few weeks were an adjustment for everyone.
“Morticia was very excited about the new environment, happily explored and it took some adjusting for all of us as we grew used to our former Greyhound boys habits. We made sure to keep her stimulated and used the backyard camera to keep an eye on her. Overall think it took a good month before she started truly feeling at home alone. Though inside she had no issues making herself at home so there were no worries there”
These days, Morticia has settled comfortably into family life.
“Overall a very happy relaxed girl in the morning, we say good morning to her which usually wakes her up enough that we may get a snuggle or just a look of “Morning”…and when we get home, that’s when her excited toddler nature comes out, jumping and tapping away as she gets all wound up before bounding around happily at us.”
Her favourite activities are simple.
“(She) Loves a walk around the neighbourhood, whether it’s a short or a very long walk, she’ll happily trot along with our daughter. Though one of her favourite things is snuggling up to my husband, it’s adorable and honestly having such an affectionate dog is new for us but welcome”
Although, if you ask Morticia, there may be one family member who ranks even higher.
“When we visit my husband’s parents, Morticia is obsessed with grandad that she leaps onto the couch to get to him first. Doesn’t matter whose there, she wants to snuggle, kiss and be all over him”
And then there are the toys.
“She loves a squeaky you and will flip them around in the air as she plays, though she’s recently become obsessed with an old toy of Galahad’s that he was obsessed with too, so it’s been therapeutic”
One of the biggest questions many families have is how a greyhound will fit alongside children. For Morticia and her young human companion, the bond came naturally.
“Morticia and our daughter adore one another…just little moments and honestly our daughter is a very proud Greyhound owner”
Their daughter even became part of the training team.
“It did take some teaching regarding her excited nature…but we remained firm and even our daughter has told her “Morticia, be calm” and that’s helped”
Ask this family about life with greyhounds and the answers come easily.
“Were very typical Greyhound owners and refuse to have any other breed, we always seem to spot greyhounds when out and about to, we’ve always raved about the breed from telling family and friends, even our co workers who knew nothing about greyhounds beyond the racing part. Both Galahad & Morticia have definitely been representatives for it when we take them out as kids and adults are fascinated. Our whole family were never big dog breed lovers but since us owning a Greyhound since 2019, it’s changed the family views”
The most surprising part of greyhound ownership?
“How obsessed we’ve become with the breed, ensuring they have the best coats that suit them, must be fashionable of course! Figuring out their favourite foods, toys and such, but overall how loving they are in their own way. Morticia loves cuddles, kisses and belly rubs, and we shower her with all of the above”
For anybody considering welcoming a greyhound into their family, Morticia’s adopter has a simple recommendation:
“Reach out to GAP for sure about it but honestly joining a Greyhound group like Long Nose Society and GAPWA’s own group has been the best resource as we are a community”
