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I have to admit that I am almost hesitant to blog about this particular dog. His name is Max and he is one incredibly sweet pooch; I hesitate to let the world know he's available because I would love to take him home with me.

Max is a stout boy. One of the volunteers at the League of Animal Protection where Max lives joked that he is part chocolate Lab, "part hippopotamus." He's not overweight; he's just has a burly build.

I spent a morning last month at LAP, and found myself drawn to Max, who always came up to the fence to sniff my hand in a "Hello, nice to meet you" manner.

Max's bio on the LAP Web site reads: "Max came into the shelter on January 21, 2006. Max is housebroken, sweet and calm. He is a super nice dog and is fine with other dogs and children, too. Max is two years old. Max obeys well and is very intelligent. "

So he has spent his whole life in a shelter. And he's still a great dog.

If you know someone who wants to add a happy, calm dog to their home, please send them to Max at the League of Animal Protection, 603 Poor Farm Road, in Fincastle.

Hurry, before I try to convince my husband he followed me home.

No, not the tequila. Take this big sweetie named Cuervo Gold home. I have one at home who looks just like him and he's a great dog.

I really do try to refrain from pushing my greyhound-loving agenda too often on this blog. But these are such wonderful dogs, and if it weren't for rescue organizations like Star City Greyhound Adoptions, these dogs would have no chance to continue living, much less find a loving home.

The greyhound racing industry is just that: an industry. And like any other industry, there are decent folks who are part of it and some that are not so nice. But since it is a business dedicated to making a profit, there is little room for low performers. In the greyhound racing business, the dogs are livestock. When it is clear they will not generate profit, they are an expense that has to be cut.

The lucky ones get placed with people like Sarah Orrick of SCGA, who has dedicated her life to saving these remarkably sweet and affectionate dogs. The rest are disposed in the most cost-efficient manner. That is the reality for a racing greyhound.

In Kansas, home state of the National Greyhound Association, greyhounds are specifically exempt from the laws that prevent cruelty to dogs.

Here are some facts about greyhounds:
• They do not require any more exercise than any other dog.
• They are certainly not hyperactive; in a home setting most of them are quite lazy.
• They bond very closely with the people in their lives; you will not find a more loving pooch.

Contact Sarah at 387-9641 if you have room on your sofa for Cuervo.

Meet Curley, a handsome 1-year-old greyhound looking for home.

Curley and his siblings were rescued from a farm in Florida. They were intended to be racing dogs, but now they are intended to be pets. And I can tell you from personal experience, greyhounds make great pets.

Contact Sarah Orrick of Star City Greyhound Adoptions at 387-9641if you are interested in Curley or any of the other fast hounds looking for a soft couch. Stop by PetsMart most Saturdays and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. for a greyhound meet-and-greet.

Today we start a new feature here for Fridays at the Happy Wag: Take Me Home.

Each week, I will feature at least one pet from here in the Roanoke Valley who is looking for love in all the right places. And I will try to keep you updated on each pet's status in their search for a family.

We will start with Garcia.

Garcia has been living at the League for Animal Protection since August of 2006. He is a 5-year-old border collie/lab mix and is really a terrific dog with a super personality. Garcia is probably best suited for a home where he is the only dog.

Garcia is currently the Lobby Dog at LAP. He's never had an accident in the lobby and loves to hang out on his soft dog bed watching the volunteers do their chores.

So, if you would like a super sweet pooch who can hang out on a soft bed, patiently waiting for a walk while you do your chores, then Garcia may be your next best buddy. Come to think of it, I would like to be your best buddy. But Garcia is much cuter, so adopt him.

You can meet Garcia at the LAP shelter at 603 Poor Farm Road in Fincastle.