As the racing season closes, greyhounds, from the Harlingen race track, are being bathed and then shipped to foster homes across North Texas to await their adoption destinies, according to the Dallas Morning News.Greyhounds are “graceful, affectionate and clean,” said Angel McQuade, a founding member and board chairman of the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas.

As an owner of a retired greyhound, I feel qualified to agree with McQuade. My greyhound is the most gentle and intelligent dog I’ve ever had.

We raise these dogs to race for our enjoyment and pleasure. Breeders all over the United States are breeding greyhounds for profit.

After a few years of racing, these dogs must retire; they cannot keep up with the younger dogs being brought into the race.

It is not fair to these extraordinary animals to be born into a life of work and then discarded like an old rag.

Agencies around the DFW area will be looking for foster homes and permanent homes for these charming animals within a month.

This is a time when we can all give a little of ourselves. If we are not able, for whatever reason, to adopt or foster an animal that has been bred for human entertainment, then we should at least feel inclined to donate.

In the early 1920s, greyhound racing had just started to be a spectator sport. If the dogs were injured in a race or were not physically capable of racing after a few years, they were killed.

We are lucky this does not occur today. Donating is something we should all partake in at some point. God gives to us daily, but we hardly give back. This is a perfect opportunity.

I don’t believe we always have to give to charities or to the homeless, though both are extremely admirable.

Sometimes, I think it is just as nice to give to something less serious so we can see the results immediately. It is always nice to see what good things our love or money can bring.

The National Greyhound Association, the group that registers race dog owners, contributes about $2.2 million each year to adoption efforts. They understand that these incredible dogs deserve the best lives after retirement.

This should motivate us to give part of ourselves. These charismatic creatures need our help, they need homes and they deserve homes.

They are a gentle breed and even though they race, they are not high-energy dogs. They love to run and need room to do so, but they do not require a lot of exercise.

Another deciding factor about greyhound adoption is that they are less likely to trigger animal allergies as they lack an undercoat, where most allergens hide.

My greyhound loves to greet me at the door, lay in the sun while I am doing yard work and doesn’t even need a leash when I walk her. She is incredibly obedient.

Deciding to adopt or foster a greyhound is a big decision, but it is one you most likely will not regret.

In fact, if you choose to foster one of these sweet dogs, I can almost guarantee you will not be able to let it go to another home. You will become that animal’s permanent owner.

This is our chance to give back to something that has brought us momentary happiness. This is our chance to save the life of a dog that has been born to please.

Marissa Warms is a junior advertising/public relations major from Irving. Her column appears Fridays.