9The gentle and sensitive nature of retired and unwanted greyhounds has led to them becoming a popular pet in recent decades, although at times they are misunderstood. Coming down to us almost unchanged through many centuries, they are a kind of living history. This book reflects the timeless enjoyment of owning a greyhound, and combines impressions and advice from centuries past with experiences gained through running a rather unique, non-kennel sanctuary for retired and unwanted greyhounds. In researching centuries-old manuscripts, there are practical and charming snippets of advice on the care and training of our hounds, and much of it is still useful today. From an ancient Greek historian insisting that we regularly speak to our hounds, to a more recent discussion on socializing greyhounds to cats, this book combines some of that useful historical advice with more recent lessons learned from the sanctuary in Ireland. The greyhounds we so enjoy today are a bridge to the owners and greyhounds of the past. In fact, the hounds they were enjoying then are the direct ancestors of the hounds we are enjoying now. They have been, and still are, our companions through the ages.