the chicken

Disturbing Habits

Greyhounds have some odd habits. Our very first foster Jeb introduced us to roaching. This is the term for when the greys sleep on their backs with legs up in the air.

He also used to sleep with his eyes open. And smile. I had heart failure the first morning I got up and went to check on him. Here's this dog, upside down, legs straight up in the air, eyes rolled back in his head, teeth showing and tongue hanging out.....

I thought he was dead. Turns out not, he was just having a nap. So being acquainted with these things I am used to seeing demonic eyes and smiles and know that it in no way reflects the dogs nature. Our new flatmate however, isn't quite so sure.

He said to me yesterday, "Max tried to bite me today.."

This I take very seriously, I don't in a month of Sundays think it would actually happen, but he has a genuine concern. Jeb actually growled and may have tried to bite our previous flatmates. This was EXTREMELY UNUSUAL for a grey. He had a guarding instinct, he barked at people outside the gate at night and the boys anytime they got between me and him. You should always trust a dog, Jeb knew they were not good people, took us a little longer to work it out, he knew straight away. Anyway..

Pete and I get exuberant greetings from Max, they get more over the top and he smiles more every day. This is a worry for my flatmate as he thinks that this large dog baring his teeth intends him harm. Well, his tail can sting bare legs when he wags it so hard and when he jumps up to lick you his head is a wee bit solid...

I did point out that he gets excited when people come and go and he is not in any way growling or intending to hurt you. Just take a look at the way he sleeps...

He has such nice teeth for a grey, why not show them off?

I do understand how someone who is not familiar with these dogs and Max in paticular could be scared by this. I will be noting carefully in his adoption book that he is prone to do this... if he goes to a home familiar with greys they will take it as a compliment, as they well should, dogs don't just smile at anyone you know... and if he goes to a first time grey owner they will need to understand that he is the biggest softie you have ever met and just has a few quirks.

Dog Park Etiquette

There is a sign in the off leash dog parks that advises of acceptable behaviour. Dogs must be under control etc. There is also the unspoken etiquette of owners, make sure your dog isn't doing things it shouldn't be, pick up poo etc. Having greyhounds puts an extra responsibility on us, people think they are vicious (HA! that makes me laugh..) so you have to make sure you keep an eye on them and they don't chase little white fluffies. Luckily Patch is an angel and Max is very laid back and gentle. I always watch them just in case. Today I freaked out a few people.

Max was desexed, all good. Has stitches, all good. Took him to the park, on lead, didn't want him to bust them. Well, the best laid plans and all that... I don't think he actually popped any stitches out, just had a little bit of blood. Not good. Max was fine, it really just was a tiny bit of dried blood. That didn't stop me from fainting in the middle of the dog park. Hmmm, human laying flat out on the ground, everyone who has dogs knows that is not a good place to be, especially when you are unconscious. After the shock some of the owners helped me up and got me some water. Gotta love Patch, she was whining and trying to lick me through her muzzle while I was out cold. She looked terribly concerned about me.

Max is very calm, he didn't quite get what the fuss was about.

At home, after a slightly dodgy drive, lucky it isn't far! I should get a sash for being a drama queen, it truly is pathetic, I can't go near hospitals, haven't had a needle or blood test since 5 people forcibly held me down and drew blood while I screamed down the entire hospital ward. Have even tried hypnotism to see if I could get over it. I think it made it worse.

Am going to have a cup of tea, a bex and a good lie down now...

The Diggyest Dog

Patch is very much a puppy, she likes to play with, and steal and hide things. She also likes to dig.

There wasn't anything in the garden bed, it just now has a hole about 2ft deep in it.

And if this wasn't enough to keep her amused for the day, she also took to her bed.

What fun, foam everywhere! She has dug out two distinct Patch shaped holes, in which she sleeps.

Blaze was starting to catch on to the digging thing, she now has other things to keep her busy. An Irish Wolfhound and a couple of toddlers. She went to her forever home yesterday.

Her last car ride with me, to a dodgy car park to hand her over.

From what I have heard the wolfhound loves her, and she loves the kids, or at least their sandpit!

So Patch had her normal sulk session, then joy of all joys, I came home with a new dog for her...

Meet Max, he is very pretty and serene.

He is a gorgeous blue boy with little bits of white. I have no idea how old he is or even if he raced. I do know that he thinks chasing the ducks is great fun, The Chicken is scary and he must hide behind me when he comes out, that he sleeps through the night and knows that you pee outside.

Having been in kennels for a while before here I wasn't sure how he would adjust. So far he is doing well, except for a few minor indiscretions, such as trying to mount all the boy dogs at the park, however, to his credit he totally ignored a very in his face yappy dog and exchanged kissy licks with a 3mth old Lab puppy. I was very proud of him as everyone at the park commented on how gentle he was. Does alot to raise public awareness of the breed when people get to see up close and personal just how lovely these dog are, doesn't hurt that they also feel beautiful to stroke and they all make sure they get lots of pats!

Due to the testosterone thing Max is scheduled to be desexed tomorrow. Small mercies, I am dropping him off and he is being returned after he has had the snip. No torturous drive trying not to keel over and crash the car on the way home! This just leaves me to placate poor little Patch for the day as no doubt she will think I have taken him away when we leave in the morning. Can't be good for her head, she is becoming Bi Polar, utter depression when she is alone and ecstatic when she has a foster to play with.... I guess I'll just have to adopt another one to keep her company....

Somehow I will convince Pete this is for the best. As for Chicken, I may have my work cut out. He loves it when the fosters leave.

Took a few weeks but I got rid of that one too. Now I can just kick back and relax....

This one is ok, I have her well trained, she doesn't even THINK about coming in the kitchen.

Can you at least pretend to like me? My friend Blaze just left... why do they all leave me? I'm a nice dog, I share my bed, not my toys, but my bed, and my food!