We wrote the book on caring for greyhounds

She was due to return home to Worcestershire and wanted to bring with her a greyhound she had rescued.

Of course, her dog-loving parents said yes, even though they had no particular interest in greyhounds at the time. But all that was to change and they have been caring for abandoned and ex-racing dogs ever since.

Now Mrs Barford, aged 71 and a bit of a campaigner for the greyhound's plight, has written a story which is published in a book called Greyhound Survivors.

The book is a collection of stories from all over the world of rescued greyhounds and includes a foreword by 60s model Twiggy.

She said: "I take every chance I can to promote greyhounds. This is my first story in a paperback and I feel very proud."

Mrs Barford tells the story of Bill, a greyhound that had been abandoned and was half starved when he was picked up by a rescue group.

"It was so sad," she said.

"The look on his face was a look of utter despair. He had been turfed out and someone picked him up on the side of the road. I fostered him first and then I kept him. We could not let him go back - he was so beautiful."

Mr Barford, aged 76, said Bill was in such a bad state that the vet thought it would be best to put him down. But he read up on how to care for a neglected greyhound.

"I didn't really want him - Jean wanted him. The vet thought he had gone too far, but I bought a book on what to look for and what to do. There were certain vitamins he was short of. It was that, and care and good food, that did it."

Bill went on to win the Best Dog for the Greyhound Trust trophy for ex-racers aged eight and over. The couple had him for four-and-a-half years before he died.

Ever since the first rescued greyhound - Fred, who they kept for 12 years - arrived with their daughter, Mr and Mrs Barford's lives have revolved around the breed. By contrast, Jennifer now runs a cattery and keeps dobermann pinschers rather than greyhounds.

The couple currently have two rescue dogs - Tom and Bob - and Mrs Barford is a judge for local shows, does home checks on people who want to adopt ex-racing greyhounds, raises funds for rescue groups and campaigns for improving the lives of greyhounds. Mr Barford follows all the bloodlines and does research on the breed as well as fund-raising.

"Since we had Fred, the family has become smitten with the breed. They are easy-going, affectionate and they are not hard work - a short walk a day is ample. They are not aggressive and they love you so much," she said.

Mr and Mrs Barford have mixed feelings about greyhound racing. They admit that greyhounds love racing but too many people involved with the sport are motivated by money and the dogs' welfare often comes second.

"Too many greyhounds are bred. A lot that get bred for racing, and do not make the grade, get put down," said Mrs Barford.

"There are a lot of good people in racing but there are a lot that are not good. There are people in racing who drug the dogs to make them win. The dogs should win on their own merit. It is very money orientated - that is the problem.

"They are racing dogs and I like to see them racing but there are so few owners who look after their dogs properly."

She said her main aim is to raise awareness about the plight of greyhounds and encourage people to care for them.

"I hope that greyhounds will get the respect they deserve," she said.

Half the profits from the sale of Greyhound Survivors, which has been compiled by Helen Etheridge from Norfolk, will go towards the campaigning group Greyhound Action. Copies can be bought at www.greyhoundaction.org.uk In addition to writing stories, judging at shows, campaigning and caring for rescue dogs, Mrs Barford has raised £2,500, with Sue Boone of Wychbold, near Droitwich, in 10 weeks through the collection and sale of unwanted gifts and bric-a-brac. The money will go to Greyhounds In Need and anyone wishing to donate gifts can ring Mrs Boone on 01527 869394.