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An open letter to the organisations that believe they have my best interests at heart.

My name doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m a champion. But I didn’t get here alone. Every race I’ve run is the result of the effort, care, kindness and commitment from others. Breeders who gave me my start. Trainers who knew every knot in my muscles. Vets who checked every heartbeat. Minders who stayed up with me when I was restless. Track officials who kept me safe. People who loved this sport and loved me.

It has never been just about winning. It’s about becoming the best version of myself, supported by people who treat me like family. They feed me, stretch me, walk me, watch me, and understand me. They make sure I am fit and happy before I ever put a paw on the track.

However, all of this will come to an end on 31 July. 

I can hear some of you whisper under your breath, “Good job.” And that hurts. Not because it’s the end of my racing. I know my days on the track are numbered. What hurts is knowing that the support system that keeps me healthy and safe will vanish, too. My regular check-ups will stop. The people who know how to guide a greyhound from athlete to family pet will no longer be funded. My long-term health will fall entirely on whoever takes me home. I might be one of the lucky ones with a foster home lined up and a plan in place to help me settle into life beyond the finish line, but many others won’t be. Thousands.

This ban punishes everyone. The good people who cared for us with pride and the many great dogs who will slip under the radar when the support disappears. Those who fought to end racing were so focused on the argument that they never looked beyond it. They never asked what would happen to our futures or to the people who built their lives around our well-being. Where did they think we would all go? Those ‘well-respected’ organisations that care for dogs’ welfare can’t deal with the number of strays who appear on their doorstep, let alone 1600 finely tuned athletes.

I’m asking you to extend the ability for Greyhound Racing New Zealand to operate long enough to protect us.

Please don’t walk away when we need you most. We deserve a safe path beyond the finish line.

From a greyhound who still has plenty of life left to live.