Steven and Flory were very interesting to chat with. They shared their story of Meadow and how Meadow came about in their lives.
Through Buffalo Greyhound Adoption, Meadow came straight from the Wheeling, West Virginia Greyhound racetrack, into their foster care on September 9th, 2023. Her racing name was VJ Mellow Yellow. She was their third retired racing Greyhound foster at that time. It wasn’t long before they knew they’d keep her and made her “gotcha day” (adoption) official on October 21, 2023.
Before leaving the racetrack, Meadow spent approximately 23 out of 24 hours a day in a kennel/crate. She was let out for potty relief, some exercise for a total of about an hour, and a few days/week she’d be transported to the track. Her fastest race was 548 yards in 30.19 seconds. During her career, Meadow completed 75 races, coming in first 8 times, second 2 times, and hitting the board or “in the money” placing 1-4, 39% of the time. Her final race last summer was on August 27th, 2023, coming in 8th place…when she decided it was time to retire and find her forever COUCH.
Having never been in a house, Meadow had to be introduced to stairs, windows/screens, furniture, cars, toys, and most of all LOVE and human affection. At first, she had a tendency to jump up an entire staircase with one leap!
Meadow has adapted quickly to becoming a pet. She is the most wonderful companion. Meadow doesn’t bark at ANYTHING (!) and is friendly to all people, strangers, and other dogs. Meadow has become obsessed with chasing a ball, something she never experienced in her former life. Flory and Steven are happy to oblige by bringing her as often as possible to the dog park where she can run and run – something she was born to do! While many consider her lucky to have found them, she has touched their lives in ways they cannot describe and for that, they are grateful they found her!
Flory executive produced and directed a documentary-style film about adoption which won a 2004 Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence, recognized worldwide for quality family/children’s entertainment. The film, “I Have Roots and Branches… Personal Reflections on Adoption” featured many local adoptees and adoption professionals, was shot locally, and is an intimate look at adoption with a positive, encouraging, and honest message about adoption; how it feels to have been adopted and the common experiences of kids growing up in their homes, surrounded by the families they know and love.
Steven and Flory wanted to start a family and adopted their two children, now 32 and 29, privately. Flory then opened her own private adoption law practice in 1992 which eventually merged into Adoption Star, Inc. Their daughter earned her Master’s Degree in hotel management and will be managing a Marriott hotel in Rochester. Their son is a professionally trained chef. He left the world of culinary due to COVID-19’s impact just as he was starting his own restaurant in Florida. He now enjoys a position in manufacturing at Derek Industries.
Steven and Flory are both retired. Steven was a physician at Roswell for over 25 years. Flory initially worked as a pharmacist (1979-1985) and then as an attorney since 1988. In retirement, Steven enjoys golf and bridge. Flory enjoys nature walks and anything having to do with animals. They both love scouring recipes, the world of culinary and food, food, food! They also enjoy reading, card games, and participating in books, movies, and other discussion groups in their Florida community.
Flory is also a writer, having co-written a feature screenplay (as yet not produced); a romantic drama set in Buffalo during the 2006 October Storm.
Right now their focus is on Meadow-daily walks and as many dog park (and other) excursions as possible. Steven and Flory attend the dog park with Meadow 2 to 3 times a week. They are a busy couple traveling and living part-time in Florida!
Happy to have you join us at our dog park!