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DocsDoctor

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    Clare Graham

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    London, UK

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  1. He's a handsome boy - Bel Ami! Strongly agree with what @FiveRoooooers says. Bed guarding is an issue I have had with Tiger; he too had bounced back to the kennels, when it emerged with his first adopters. The rescue thought it was because he had been living in a very small, rather crowded flat, with people who were well-meaning but didn't know to leave him alone on his bed. Having however been bitten by him myself, I suspect there is more to it than that - genetic inheritance? Bad early experience in the training kennels? He is a clever chap, mostly a very good and loving boy these days, but all the same his is a 'harder', more self-interested temperament than those of my first two soppy fellows Doc and Ken. Like Ami he would give off mixed signals - appear to be enjoying attention, then suddenly lunge and snap. In the initial stages some of this was surely down to uncertainty - being in a new home, not sure whether he was going to be able to hang on to his lovely new bed. These days he feels much more secure, but I have accepted that it is an issue to manage, rather than cure - I am super-cautious about sleep startle, for instance, knowing that this would be likely to result in a bite, not a snap. And when he managed to nick a packet of 4 pigs' ears from the cupboard under the stairs the other week and take it to his bed, I just let him get on with it. (Fortunately there were no illl-effects beyond gas!) Normally he will get happily off his bed if offered a tempting treat - but I can't imagine what would have been more tempting than 4 pigs' ears! Please note, he is my dear boy - and if we are out on a walk and he scavenges something, he would happily let me take it from his jaws. But bring the bed into the equation, and the stakes go up. Definitely not a dog for an inexperienced adopter!
  2. They are both lovely - and Sammy is evidently quite the character
  3. I'm sorry you had to deal with this - as you say it wasn't Doolin's fault, but it is tough to see and deal with, even tougher if the death has not been immediate. RIP little bunny.
  4. To be honest, I wouldn't use one for walking - would be worried that the dog could back out of it, and definitely going back to the harness and martingale. Are they even meant for taking a dog out for an on-leash walk? I would say they are intended for use only when you are expecting to release the dog quickly to run free, further down the line - e.g. a pet in the park, a gun dog in the field, or a coursing greyhound. Oh, or for dogs in the show ring, by convention (and all too often to yank their heads up, alas). They *are* used in greyhound kennels in the UK, so she will probably have been familiar with them already - but just for short-term use while being moved around within the premises, turned out in the paddocks, grooming, etc. I have one here which I acquired on the recommendation of my rescue, for encouraging Tiger out of his bed if need be. (He came to me with a tendency to guard that, which he is thankfully just about over!)
  5. Happy Birthday dear Milo, from Clare and Tiger! x14, wow!
  6. I thought others on here would enjoy this story too - The Guardian runs a regular feature, with celebrities reminiscing about their departed but much-loved pets. Today Mike Gayle, a British author and journalist, talks about his friendly blue greyhound, Sail:
  7. There are vets who specialise in dermatology and at this point I think you should ask your regular vet for a referral to one of those. My old greyhound Ken came to me with similar issues with his paws and nose, initially this was treated as an infection but when it kept on coming back but then a new vet at the practice suggested he see a dermatologist who following on from some tests was able to diagnose it as muco-cutaneous lupus, an immune system issue. She then prescribed medication which soon had him much more comfortable; after that he was kept permanently on vitamin supplements and antibiotics, which may sound alarming but was actually easy enough to manage. Of course this is not necessarily what your girl has, though the dermatologist did tell us that she had seen the same issue in other greyhounds and whippets. But after six months it sounds as if you are your regular vet are stumped, so I would say it it is definitely time to see a specialist, which may actually not be that difficult to arrange - here in London we saw one who was a university lecturer, but also did regular consultation visits at our local hospital.
  8. I was so sorry to read this - sending you both . That is a wonderful tribute you have written (and illustrated); run free dear Buddy Molly - and know that you live forever in your Mum and Dad's hearts
  9. I am so sorry for your loss. That is a lovely tribute to your good boy. Run free dear Logan
  10. se non è vero, è molto ben trovato (“even if it is not true, it is a very good fabrication”). ---- Giordano Bruno, 1582 Your thread title reminded me of one of my favourite pictures - January. from the Duc de Berry's Tres Riches Heures: Your eyes will I expect go first to the white greyhound, bottom right - just about to be offered a tit bit by a page. But look above his head and what do you see? Two of the Duke's lapdogs, carrying counter surfing to a whole new level! Painted c1416; the Duke's the one in blue - and he loved his lapdogs, so quite likely they were allowed on the table!
  11. Just to add, my black dog did feel the heat more than either of my brindles. The dark coat absorbs the heat, I understand. Hopefully your Rocket will tolerate the heat better as the summer continues, though - go gently on these first warm days, as you are already doing, and he will probably begin to acclimatise. Grooming is the best way to encourage him to shed his remaining kennel coat, which should also help in the heat. I am also wondering how fit he is - could he be a bit overweight? How much exercise has he been getting over the winter? I am a little surprised to find a still-young dog struggling with the temperatures you give too, so am also going to suggest asking your vet to give him a condition check - i.e. assess his state of fitness by weighing him, listening to his heart, etc. This was something my own vet was really helpful about, when I was a first-time greyhound owner. In my own case I was worrying that Doc (see signature below) sometimes wouldn't finish his food, and was getting too skinny - and he was firmly informed that he was looking great, and had evidently worked out for himself just how much he needed to eat! But Rocket might perhaps get prescribed a little less food, and a little more exercise
  12. Happy Birthday Odin - hope you have a greyt day!
  13. What a lovely relationship you and Lucas had - and what a beautiful tribute you have written for him. Run free Lucas And a and a for you GreytOwl
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