She used to race, but is now retired and lives with Aimee and Ian Martin in Bolwarra Heights.

And from what Mrs Martin says, Belle has had no trouble adapting to a slower pace. In fact, she loves being retired so much that her owners are convinced she is “the dog version of a cat”. 

“She likes being inside with people, she is calm and she enjoys a walk as long as it’s not too long,” Mrs Martin said. 

“We usually laugh that she is pulling me up the street and by the time we come back I am pulling her along.” 

Belle is one of the greyhounds who will be attending a Retiree Day at Maitland Showground on Saturday between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

It’s an exclusive event for greyhounds who used to race and it gives them a chance to socialise. It also allows their owners to meet. 

There will be a free sausage sizzle, games, family activities and entertainment by singer Kumari Lamotte.

The event is the first of its kind in the city, and it puts a positive spin on their prospects for a good life after racing.

The state government moved to ban the greyhound industry last year after an inquiry told of mass killings, live baiting and animal cruelty. The ban was later overturned and the government chose to implement a range of recommendations to improve the industry. 

Belle was bred by a Maitland trainer and is the second greyhound to live in the Martin household. They had another, called Molly, for a few years before she died of cancer in 2014. 

“She was a really beautiful friend to our daughter who went through cancer treatment when she was quite young … we didn’t consider any other type of dog when we were ready to get another one because of our experience with Molly,” she said.

“It’s nice to get an adult dog, especially when you have young kids … They are very good family pets.

“They want to sit with you and Belle will usually have a sprint a couple of times a day and then she thinks ‘I’m done’ and wants to sit down again.”

The Retiree Day will be held in the committee room near the grandstand.

Dogs and their owners should enter through the Evans Street gate, off Louth Park Road. 

For more information phone Tony Edmunds on 0472 842 690 or 4933 7095.