TGIE Back In Black Foster Experience

On Thursday, July 7th, Rhett and I took a small road trip to Valparaiso, IN to pick up a greyhound. This Greyhound's name is Shadow. He came in with the "TGIE: Back in Black" Greyhound group from Coldwater, MI. TGIE stands for The Greyhound Inmate Experience. Yes, Shadow spent 10 weeks in a prison with 2 handlers named David and Tom. They kept a detailed log of Shadow's experience at the prison and when the time came, they gave him to American Greyhound to be fostered and adopted. "Back in Black" refers to the fact that every dog in this haul was black. Black dogs are least likely to be adopted from shelters or anywhere else, so the group decided to raise awareness for this issue by taking all black dogs this time. Shadow is, as his name suggests, quite the shadow dog. He's adorable! His racing name (from a track in West Virginia) was DKC Burrito, but all dogs at the prison get renamed to something more "pet-like."

I'd like to give you a rundown of the prison programs for dogs, because it is one of the most positive, amazing programs out there. All involved are benefited, from the inmates, to the grey's, to the future adopters, and even for the rescue groups. The dogs get picked up from a track and dropped off at a prison, where they undergo veterinary care such as worming treatments and vaccinations. Then get a bath! They are assigned two handlers and spend the next 24 hours/day, 7 days/week with these men for 10 weeks. During this time they are trained, socialized, fed, played with, and loved. The inmates sew dog beds and coats, knit blankets, compose poems, and for Shadow's group, they all hand painted bags to send the Greyhound "home" with. Inside the bag was Shadows stuffed bunny, fleece blanket, toothbrush and toothpaste, and the log of his stay at the prison. David and Tom wrote about how he did each week. How is appetite was, if he was scared of anything, how well he followed commands, how well he socialized with other dogs and inmates, how he played, etc. One of the things that touched me most when I read Shadow's log was that he sought out the disabled inmates and would let them pet him as long as they liked to. The whole log of Shadow's prison experience was seeped through with love. Tom and David really fell for him, not that anyone could really help themselves around him.

The prisons which are elected to have this program, must have all the inmates on good behavior. Good behavior means some of the inmates get dogs! The inmates who get to be handlers are serving life sentences, and must show exceptional behavior. Though all the inmates get to interact with the hounds during outside time, etc. It's a great reward system to keep prisons safer for all. Morale gets boosted for the cops and the inmates at the prison. The whole prison environment becomes enriched. The inmates families have comfort when they talk to their loved ones and hear the joy in their voice about working with the hounds. The greyhounds come out well trained, and very adoptable, which is great for the rescue as it makes room quickly for more hounds to be rescued. The future forever families get a wonderful dog. For me, the best part is hearing how these men, who have committed terrible crimes against humanity, now get to experience unconditional love. It gives the inmates more sense of purpose, to provide love and hope to a dog just rescued, and to even provide coats and beds and blankets that they make themselves! They learn hope and joy from these hounds; they learn what it is to be accepted for who they are. The hounds don't care what crime was committed, they have the best deal of all: and they are given the means for a successful adoption into a loving forever home. On top of which, they are provided with lots of affection until the time they leave the program. And did I mention, it's FREE?? That's right, it doesn't cost the prisons a dime (no taxpayer money), as all food and supplies are donated to/by the TGIE group. They're non-profit organization that manages the hounds going in and out of the program.

I know it is hard for the inmates to say goodbye to these beloved dogs, but they know that the dogs will be going to good homes. And after the dogs leave, a new haul arrives! A new hound to bond with, train and love.

Next post I'll actually talk some about Shadow. He got adopted almost a month ago now! I emailed the TGIE program head about Shadow's stay with Rhett and I, as well as his adoption, and she then sent the update along to his handlers. I'm just so impressed with the whole program.

A few pics to show Shadow's experience with us:

The black dogs. Pick up point in Indiana.

Shadow's Inmate Journal.

His ride home with us. He was tired, and just wanted to be close to us.

He liked going for car rides.

He thought he was sooooo sneaky, just putting his bum on the couch, but not his paws. 

The ride to Petco in Indiana where he was officially adopted.

Love you, Shadow!