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BONITA SPRINGS — Pamela and Christopher Courtney and their two young sons spent part of Sunday afternoon walking greyhounds in a sunny meadow at the end of Longfellow Lane in Bonita Springs.

The Naples family was looking for a new dog.

“Once we got our first greyhound, we knew we’d always have them,” said Pamela. “They really adapt to the home setting and become part of the family.”

The Courtneys have had three greyhounds since adopting their first in 1998. They visited Sunday’s open house at Hollydogs Greyhound Sanctuary to find their fourth.

Hollydogs is a nonprofit kennel that has been finding homes for retired race dogs since 1993. Founders Sergio and Silvana Cortella have operated the Bonita Springs kennel since 2000.

They also own a facility in Hollywood, where they live.

The Bonita open house marks completion of renovations at the 5-acre facility, including 20 new 4-by-8-foot pens, each complete with a raised bed and soft mattress.

The pens are in a refurbished clean and air-conditioned space that opens up on fenced dog exercise areas in the back.

Working with Florida dog tracks, Hollydogs carefully matches about 200 greyhounds with new owners each year, said Silvana.

“They all have different personalities so we match the dog with the people,” she said. “Some dogs need to exercise more than others, some do well with cats or kids and some like it more quiet.”

“We also want to make sure the owners are committed for the life of the dog, that they are serious,” she said.

Michael Mattia and Mary Murkowski were looking to adopt their first greyhound on Sunday.

“I have never had a greyhound but we read about them in the paper,” said Mattia. “I’ve been to the track but that’s the closest I’ve been. I’m looking to see if they have a smaller greyhound, hopefully an Italian greyhound.”

Volunteers like Jerry Goodman were on hand to help new owners learn about greyhounds and find the right dog.

Goodman and his wife Myra usually volunteer at the Hollydogs in Hollywood, where they live. He has traveled as far as Pennsylvania to place dogs in the right home.

“We do it because we love the dogs, we’re very passionate about it,” said Goodman. “They’re wonderful pets, good around kids and very docile.”

Kim Cassidy of Bonita Springs attended the open house because she would like to be more involved with greyhound adoption.

“I came to see if they were looking for help,” she said. “I adopted two greyhounds from the track here and they are wonderful, loving dogs. They each have their own personality and I’m matched up perfectly.”

After walking several dogs, the Courtney family settled on Soul, a 4-year-old brindle.

Pamela Courtney said Soul would be a good match for the boys, age 3 and 6, and the family’s four cats.

“She seems very even-keeled and happy,” she said. “They are awesome dogs.”

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E-mail Pete Bishop at lpbishop@comcast.net