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An autographed hardcover copy of Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy will be auctioned off to help raise money for Greyhounds as Pets.

GAP is a special charity that rehomes retired racing greyhounds.

Hairy Maclary is lending a helping paw to Greyhounds in need. Photos: Supplied.

Dame Lynley Dodd kindly donated the popular children's book with a special hand written dedication and an accompanying hand drawn illustration by the author herself.

Katy Greco-Ainslee, who is overseeing the auction and is a GAP Foster Care Co ordinator says: 'it's wonderful to have this support from Dame Lynley and the extended Dodd family.

"GAP really appreciates this generous gift and unique fundraising opportunity especially as Hairy Maclary and his friends are loved and revered world wide”.

Katy says greyhounds have two special connections and links to Hairy Maclary - Bitzer Maloney, one of Hairy Maclary's world famous gang of mischievous friends, is also a greyhound and one of Lynley's family members is a GAP foster carer and has just adopted their very own GAP greyhound too.

'Some greyhounds live in a foster home temporarily when they first stop racing to help them get used to life in an everyday home to make the transition from racer to family pet smooth and easy as possible,” says Katy.

The auction for the Hairy Maclary book closes this Wednesday, December 2, and can be found under Trade Me auction id 986485608 in the books/children's and babies/picture book category.

'People wanting to find out more about greyhounds can always look at the Greyhounds as Pets website, follow their Facebook page or join the regular group dog walks GAP does throughout the country or visit us at some the public events and activities we attend, says Katy.

'Watch out though, if you go to the GAP site you'll likely end up adopting one. The hounds are simply just too adorable and endearing not to,” she says.

'Yes you really can own a greyhound, they make fantastic fun pets and there is the right happy hound just waiting for the right family, person and type of home.”

You can find out more about greyhounds as pets, profiles of the dogs currently looking for homes at www.greyhoundsaspets.org.nz or follow them on GAP's Facebook page.