Volunteering for JR Whippet Rescue is both rewarding and fulfilling – though my partner might say it’s more like a part-time job with no clocking off. It usually begins with my phone lighting up with a voice note from Lisa Samson. No need to listen straight away – I already know what’s coming. A whippet needs help. Somewhere, probably not nearby. And just like that, the wheels begin turning. This familiar notification has become a running joke in our household. It’s usually followed by a sigh from my very understanding partner and the standard questions: “Where are you going this time?”, “What time will you be back?”, and the classic: “Don’t wake me up when you get home.”
Much of my time is spent travelling the length and breadth of the country, collecting Whippets from difficult situations. Every trip is different – and almost always ends in a heated disagreement with the sat nav, which seems to think “shortcut” means single-track road with no passing places and a flock of sheep for company. Sometimes it’s a long motorway drive to collect a nervous dog from a home where circumstances have sadly changed. Other times, it’s a precisely timed handover in a motorway services car park. No two trips are the same, but each is driven by a shared purpose: to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome Whippets in need.
Equally important – though often with fewer arguments with the sat nav – is the work I do conducting home checks for prospective adopters. These visits are about more than just measuring fences or counting dog beds, they’re a chance to get a feel for the heart of the home. Whippets are sensitive and affectionate, so it’s vital to find families who truly understand their quirks – like the belief that a space on every sofa is theirs by divine right.
Of course, rescue work is not without its emotional challenges. Recently, I’ve been reminded of this after picking up two dogs who were painfully thin, with the older one clearly having some health issues. These two dogs really pulled at my heart in ways words can’t fully explain. But having weekly updates from Diane (foster carer) really makes me smile and restores my faith in humanity. It makes every mile
travelled, and every hour sat on a motorway worthwhile. I’m proud to be a small part of the JR Whippet Rescue team. It’s a network built on compassion, commitment, and a deep love for this gentle, elegant breed. For every whippet that finds their forever home, there’s a story of dedication behind the scenes and I’m honoured to play a part in that journey.
Cy Bridgman.
