Sighthounds Afield: The Complete Guide to Sighthound Breeds & Amateur Performance Events (With a Comprehensive Chapter on Adopted Ex-Racing Greyhounds)
As the oldest of six children in the suburbs of northern New Jersey, Denise Como''s parents would not let her have a horse. When a neighbor introduced her to the world of purebred dogs and dog show competition in 1963, Denise was hooked. In 1966 she bought a Collie with her own babysitting money, and began showing with her best friend and her Borzoi. In 1972 Denise began her lifelong association with sighthound breeds, beginning with Afghan Hounds. She was introduced to the sport of lure coursing in 1978, with Borzois of her own. Lure coursing - sighthounds chasing artificial lures around a field in controlled circumstances - led to her interest in amateur oval racing, then to amateur straight racing. At first competing with her own hounds (Borzois, then adding Greyhounds, Whippets, and smooth Salukis), Como eventually became a fully licensed lure coursing field trial judge, and also judges at racing events. She continues to write for various sighthound magazines as well as in other genres - with a hound or two lounging around the desk.