BoomBoom’s Bio

BoomBoom was sired by a hall-of-famer in the Greyhound racing world, but didn’t follow in his father’s paw steps. He’s quick and agile, but did not have the speed and drive needed to succeed at the track. BoomBoom also likes to cut and weave when he runs. What we call “Freestyle Greyhound Racing,” is what those at the track called, “trouble maker.” The result was BoomBoom being weeded out of racing at an early age.

Born on April 15, 2007, this Texas-bred Greyhound meandered his way up to New England through the rescue network used to find former racing dogs a home. BoomBoom was adopted in January 2010 at the Cocheco Valley Humane Society and blossomed into a great family dog, displaying many talents other than running fast.

After quickly learning basic obedience, BoomBoom earned his Canine Good Citizen distinction from the American Kennel Club (AKC). That paved the way for him to be registered by Pet Partners to do pet visitations in a variety of settings. BoomBoom made weekly visits to a nearby hospital where his simple presence had a calming effect on patients and helped boost their spirits, along with those of family members and the healthcare staff. Over the years he visited several hundred hospital patients, assisted care facility residents, along with college and elementary school students.

Although classified as a sight hound, BoomBoom proved he could use his nose for hunting. In 2011 he started training in the sport of K9 Nose Work and became a member of the National Association of Canine Scent Work. BoomBoom was first Greyhound to earn an NACSW Nose Work title. Like with most K9 nose work teams, the Nose Work 3 level proved very challenging. But when he did title in November 2016, he did so in style. BoomBoom earned the very rare “Pronounced” title, awarded to teams displaying extraordinary team work. He continued to joyfully play the sniffy game for the rest of his life.

Sadly, a month after his 10th birthday, BoomBoom died from a sudden illness. In the last several months of his life he had never looked better. He maintained a great weight, and during his last winter he seemed to prefer bounding around in 2 feet of snow rather than using the paths carved out for him with a snow blower. His legacy includes having influenced his mother to become a NACSW Certified Nose Work Instructor; and his father to be come a Pet Partners Licensed Team Evaluator.

And when the overwhelming messages of condolences came in after news of his death, it was clear BoomBoom touched more lives than ever imagined.