Long legged beauties are a model's best friend
Calendar Girls star Annette Crosby is supporting a new calendar, featuring big-hearted models and elegant dogs, to help raise awareness of the plight of retired racing greyhounds.
Thirteen glamorous models from across the UK and Ireland have posed with rescued greyhounds for the unique ‘Long Legged Beauties' calendar.
Thousands of greyhounds are put down when they reach the end of their racing careers, usually after no more than four years on the track. Rescue centres across the country help to ensure that as many of the dogs as possible are given new homes where they can enjoy their retirement.
The calendar was the brainchild of Stuart and Jenny Stott from Witherslack in Cumbria . The couple are members of a charity, which rehomes greyhounds from across the south west of Scotland, Cumbria and North Lancashire.
“The long legged beauties are of course the greyhounds,” explains Stuart Stott . “They are beautiful animals. The whole idea behind involving the models in this calendar is to help us reach a wider audience.”
“We want to show people just what great pets greyhounds can be and also make existing owners of racing dogs more aware that rescue centres are able to find new homes for the animals. We'll also be donating £1 from the sale of each calendar to Dumfriesshire Greyhound Rescue.”
Annette Crosby has been campaigning for better treatment for greyhounds for eight years. The actress, who also played Victor's wife in One Foot in the Grave , has three rescued greyhounds of her own and is a patron of Dumfriesshire Greyhound Rescue.
She says: “I think this calendar is a wonderful idea. I hope it will help to increase awareness about what happens to these beautiful dogs as well as raising valuable funds to help look after them.”
The greyhounds in the calendar include the Stott's own pet greyhounds, Bobby and Indi, as well as dogs they have successfully rehomed over the last year. Over 70 models applied to take part in the project, many of whom are themselves dog lovers.
Model Britney-Lee Banks from Dunblane in Perthsire and Bobby paired up for the October photo shoot at Biggar Park in Lanarkshire.
Ms Banks says: “ Very few people are aware of what happens to these dogs after their short racing careers . I hope the calendar will draw attention to the commitment and sheer hard work of the people involved in greyhound rescue, who make sure these dogs are given the love and care they deserve.”
Dumfriesshire Greyhound Rescue has found new homes for nearly 200 dogs since it was set up in 2001. The number of dogs they have rescued has also been increasing every year. Arthur Robinson, who is the organisation's Chairman, has welcomed the new calendar.
Mr Robinson says: “It will give some much needed publicity to the plight of greyhounds. The more people who know what good pets they make the more homes we will be able to get for the dogs.
“We're also delighted that some money will be donated from sales of the calendar to help our work. We need to raise a lot of money every year for things like vets bills and advertising. This year we've also spent over £3,000 on new kennels. The more money we can raise, the more dogs we will be able to help.”
Jenny Stott has already fostered 15 dogs since she and her husband became involved in greyhound rescue last year.
“As fosterers we welcome the greyhounds into our home and house train them. With the help of our own two greyhounds Bobby and Indi we encourage them to settle into the family way of life until they find new homes. In addition to fostering we also complete home checks and follow-up visits in this area as we want the greyhounds that come into rescue to go to loving homes where they can happily retire and enjoy the rest of their life.”
The calendars are available at www.longleggedbeauties.co.uk or telephone 015395 52394 to place an order . There is also more information about fostering greyhounds and greyhound rescue at www.ourgreyhounds.co.uk
