Oscar's new home: Life after racing for an adopted greyhound

He's hoping to head back to school, and maybe to help kids unwind through reading.

But for now the lucky greyhound is just enjoying a casual stroll down the beach and acclimatising to his surrounds with new owner, Lyn Thomas.

Lyn adopted Oscar through Racing and Wagering Western Australia's Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) program just over a month ago, giving the speedster a loving new home to unwind in.

In his racing hayday, Oscar chalked up 12 wins from 58 starts, accumulating more than $12,000 in prize money.

On the track, he went by the name of Tombstone Boy.

But the somewhat frightening alias bears absolutely no resemblance to his loving personality, Lyn said, as she described her new best mate as a "35-kilometre per hour couch potato."

"Honestly, he's so loving, and extremely lazy," she said.

"We go for a walk in the morning and a walk at night, but outside of that he just lazes about all day.

"People have these misgivings about greyhounds because they see the muzzle and think they're aggressive, but truth be told they are one of the most gentle breeds of dogs there is."

But Lyn, who has worked in the library at what is now John Tonkin College for almost 20 years, is hoping his laziness can come in handy at the local high school.

Essentially, she hopes Oscar can simply take his lounging habits to the school library and be there for any student hoping to destress through reading.

"The idea is he would be in the library for just one day per week to start with, and kids who might be feeling a bit wound up or under the pump can just come and spend some time with him," she said.

"Sometimes just having a non-judgmental presence with you while you read is really therapeutic.

"Greyhounds are the ideal breed for this. They aren't overly energetic, and they're easily house-trained.

"That's what we're hoping for anyway, but for now Oscar is just getting used to his new home."

Many schools across the Perth area already use greyhounds to help children through their reading.

Oscar is one of the many success stories to come out of the GAP program, which aims to rehome retired greyhounds once their careers on the track come to a close.

During their National Adoption Day event in April, GAP found new homes for more than 48 greyhounds, including Oscar.

So while Tombstone Boy might have been known for his hell-for-leather pace around the track, Oscar simply hopes to enjoy his new life with a bowl full of a food and a comfy spot on the couch.

For more information on the program visit rwwa.com.au/our-community/greyhounds-as-pets/