Kiss Me Ketut may no longer be recording victories on the race track but he is certainly enjoying the next stage of his life – retirement.

Kiss Me Ketut, more informally known as Ketut, was and still is one Greyhound Racing Victoria’s most highly decorated Ready 2 Race greyhounds, who drew crowd support and entertained punters throughout a career that saw him win more $250,000 from 80 starts (24 wins and 24 minor placings).

Trainer and past owner David Burnett still labels Ketut as one of the best dogs he has put a lead around – and it isn’t just because of his talent on the track, his personality is something David will never forget.

“He is a special dog,” David said.

“I spent three months trying to find a home for him myself because I wanted to find the right person who was local so I could keep in contact.”

Trainer and past owner David Burnett with Ketut after his 2013 Melbourne Cup Heat win at Sandown Park.

When finding a home in close proximity became difficult David decided to turn the assistance of the Greyhound Adoption Program.

“I didn’t want to part ways with Ketut, but my living arrangements don’t allow me to have a pet. The main reason I put him through GAP is because he is such a lovely dog and I know that he will enjoy life outside of racing just as much as he did in it,” David continued.

Two months into life as a pet, Ketut has found himself in the care of 20-year-old Commerce and Law student Zack Smith.

Ketut and Zack’s bond was apparent from their first meeting at Seymour, but that bond may have been forceful on Ketut’s behalf as he used Zack as a human leaning post.

“Ketut was just so friendly!” Zack explained.

“We fostered him with the view to adopt but I knew in the car on the way home he wasn’t going back.”

“He has fit into our household as if he has been here forever. He sleeps in my room, well sometimes even on my bed – I really can’t believe how much he sleeps.”

Zack has loved having a greyhound in his family so much so he has a second, Jacqui who has become Ketut’s long lost friend.

Ketut and his new friend Jacqui, who was recently adopted into the Smith house-hold.

“They get along great! Sometimes I catch them laying on my bed together,” Zack said.

Ketut’s success as a retired racer is owed to his trainer and past owner David Burnett who went to countless walking groups to help socialise his star chaser who was known for his abilities on the race track.