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winnie

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Everything posted by winnie

  1. This is our third galgo. We've never crated any of ours. Urinalysis didn't turn up anything. Guess we'll see what turns up in the blood panel. Vet confirmed he is a senior, but we don't know his age.
  2. I just don't know how much pee is normal for male hounds since we've never had one. It doesn't seem like he tanks up on water, but who knows. We do leave out a big bowl for both hounds, but they don't empty it. Rhythm is extremely chill - certainly doesn't act nervous if he is. He's a confident, happy boy. I'm not sure the extent of the medical workup they do in Spain. They test for a few required diseases and give vaccinations. DH is at the vet now. They're doing a urinalysis and senior blood panel. Hope to have answers in a day or two.
  3. DH got home to walk dogs before vet appointment. He said the Poise pad in the belly band was filled, plus he peed about 5x on their walk. It had been approximately four hours since his last walk.
  4. A urinalysis is definitely on the agenda for his vet visit today.
  5. We adopted our galgo boy Rhythm on July 30. He is our very first male dog after 4 female greyhounds and 2 galgas. He is a senior boy that likely never lived in a home until recently. We were warned that he lifted his leg in his foster home, despite having people around during the daytime. He really doesn't give cues and that leg lift happens fast! DH and I both work full time. I walk the dogs twice before work - once when they get up and then after they eat breakfast. Rhythm pees A LOT on our walks, whereas our galgo Encarna pees once maybe twice. I've been putting a belly band on him during the day. When I come home to do a midday walk, the Poise pad is completely soaked. Ditto for when I come home after work. During the evenings, he gets about 3-4 walks before bedtime. DH is taking him to the vet today for a general wellness check and to see if there are any physical issues. However, any tips on house training a senior male hound? We're just not used to such frequent peeing from our female hounds. ETA - Crating is not an option. Galgos aren't crate trained like retired racers. He's a very good boy around the house - not the least bit destructive. We do limit the number of rooms he has access to when we're not home using baby gates (as we've done with all our hounds). A doggie door is not an option either - due to home security and the fact that he has a high prey drive. We're committed to keeping him. It's just that male dogs are a new thing for us. Thanks!
  6. No problem here either on four different hounds.
  7. I'm so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Gigi. I hope a heart healer comes into your lives soon.
  8. Everyone we've met in person through greyhounds has met Celeste. She was the first and outlived so many of her pack mates. It definitely feels like the end of an era.
  9. We celebrated Celeste's 11th Gotcha Day in April. We were definitely lucky to have her for so long. She really was doing well until this past week. Lots of good memories and things to be grateful for.
  10. My condolences on the loss of your Buffy. She was a brave soul.
  11. Celeste... what can I say? You were our first greyhound, our introduction to GreyTalk and this cult, our Meet & Greet pro, the one that showed all our other hounds the ropes... to put it simply, Celeste was the best. When we asked for a low-energy dog, GPA-NoVA delivered. You were not only low-energy, you were no energy - Flat Dog Celeste. When we wondered why you were retired after a seemingly good career and no injuries, we only had to watch you run to realize you were a Roller Derby Queen. If you can't run fast, take your competition down! Yeah, those cards at the track helped you land on our couch. When I reached out to your race breeder and owner, she told me that you were one of 13 puppies born via an emergency C-section. You had a traumatic start to life, but that just made you live life to the fullest. Everyone loved Celeste. You were a GPA-NoVA celebrity who convinced many potential adopters that greyhounds were the perfect dog. July 4th was hell for you. You seemed to lose your will to live. I'm glad you made it to your 14th birthday on July 8th. When you didn't bounce back, we took you to the vet. She discovered the hemangiosarcoma around your spleen and internal bleeding. You were so brave. I'm glad you went so peacefully, and for that we are grateful. Your loss hit us hard, especially after losing galgo Beatrix only six weeks before. Please say "hello" to your sissies over the bridge - your BFF Faye Oops, Beautiful Bonny, your Spanish sissy Beatrix... and yes, even old crab pot Darcy. Celeste, the end of an era. We love ROOO!!! I haven't gotten our photos moved over from Photobucket yet, but hopefully this works. https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19894958_10213623146715741_5599501511935129831_n.jpg?oh=cca2dd82f65e64c2e229459479b0eafe&oe=5A0A9FE3 https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19895079_10213632191821863_9142529437641432275_n.jpg?oh=b946a70a44944d5a5160c1152aac2257&oe=5A107C81 Celeste, the internet sensation!
  12. Honestly, in this case, I support Fromm's decision.
  13. Congratulations! How exciting to have both a new home and new dog. Time to celebrate with some pizza! I hope you can resolve her medical issues quickly.
  14. I'm so sorry, V. What a lovely tribute to your beautiful Brin.
  15. I'm so sorry that you had to say goodbye to your Buffy. Its such a heartbreaking disease, but you did right by her.
  16. All of our greyhounds have developed "shaky legs" as they've aged. Everything else you mentioned sounds typical for aging dogs too. Try not to worry. With the exception of the two hounds we lost to osteosarcoma, we've had three others that have lived well past 13 y/o even with their "shaky legs," etc. Our girl Celeste will be turning 14 y/o on July 8. She has become particularly demanding about going out and mealtime. She has lost weight, so we've been adding more high protein add-ins to her food.
  17. Great news! Extra scritches and treats for Tanzi!
  18. What about leaving out piddle/pee pads?
  19. Drs Foster and Smith has a special going on the Seresto collars now (ends 6/1). http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=25802
  20. Yes, it was the eyes. Beatrix's eyes were so mesmerizing to me. Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these sunken eyes and learn to see All your life You were only waiting for this moment to be free.
  21. Beatrix crossed the bridge on Monday. She declined rapidly during the weekend and it wasn't fair to make her wait. I posted in rememberance.
  22. Whatever it was, it became obvious that Beatrix wasn't getting better. When the pain medications no longer made a difference, we knew it was time. I hate not knowing, but we did the right thing for Beatrix. In the end, that is all that matters.
  23. We first fell in love with Senorita Beatrix when scrolling through Facebook in September 2013. Petra posted her picture on the SAGE page. We had three greyhounds and really weren't looking to add to our pack. There was just something about Beatrix though. She was older (7), she was black and she had a broad chest. I felt as though Faye Oops, my heart hound who we lost in December 2011, had sent Beatrix to us. We applied and were approved to adopt Beatrix before she even came to the US. Our GT friends, Robin and Nancy, went to Fundacion Benjamin Mehnert to volunteer. We received a couple of Skype calls from them to meet our Beatrix. Nancy took this photo of Beatrix at the shelter. Beatrix was not a little galgo and had a fresh scar on her head from a scuffle. We thought she was perfect. On October 17, 3013, we drove 12+ hours r/t from VA to NYC to pick-up Beatrix from JFK. After her long journey, Beatrix walked into our home and immediately discovered the couch. Beatrix's body had many scars. She'd freeze when anything would touch her back, which made using a harness impossible in the early days. It took her many months to let her guard down, but the wait was worth it. I often wished others got to see the goofy, affectionate side of Beatrix. She tended to be aloof in public. At home, she loved her butt rubs, ear striches and kisses. The little black spot on her head was affectionately known as her "kissy spot." Beatrix was always very polite, even when it came to begging for treats. It was about two months ago when we started noticing Beatrix yelping when she'd lay a certain way or jump on/off furniture. Our vet's office took x-rays, said they were clear and assumed it was a soft tissue injury. Beatrix loved her family trips. She has been to many Greyhounds in Gettysburg and Grapehounds. Our last trip this year's Greyhounds in Gettysburg. She did well - better than expected - so we were optimistic that she was on the mend. When we returned, Beatrix started dragging her leg and slowed down on walks. We called the vet who referred us to a specialist. We assumed she might need surgery for torn ACL or MCL. Instead the vet noticed changes from the initial x-rays to her pelvic bone. He assumed osteosarcoma, but our primary vet, Dr. Couto and many others were not convinced. The only thing we knew for certain was that she was getting worse. She stopped using her left hind leg and was in pain despite a cocktail of medications. We had an oncology consult last week and were scheduled to take her to get a CT scan today. Beatrix would barely get out of bed this past weekend, expcept for short potty breaks. When she was no longer comfortable, even after increasing her medications, we know it was time to let her go. Her comfort was more important than having a definitive diagnosis. We let her go yesterday. Up until the end, Beatrix still loved to sing. She was the best roo-er we've ever had the honor of knowing. This was taken the night before she crossed the bridge. I so miss my goofy galga. It doesn't feel fair that her life was cut short, but we're glad we were able to show her kindness and love. There is nothing more rewarding than watching a rescue dog blossom. We took in Faye Oops as a foster on Memorial Day 2010. Beatrix left us on Memorial Day 2017. Both girls were about 10.5 y/o when they crossed. The Universe works in funny ways. The Beatles "Blackbird" came on the radio yesterday. The lyrics reminded me so much of Beatrix.
  24. Yes, Dr. Gordon mentioned the biopsy option. He just wasn't confident it would do any good without doing a CT first. He feels that he'll be able to identify within 80-90% certainty with just the CT. That would be enough for me. I really wish we didn't have to wait, but they squeezed me in for consult and we're already overbooked. Dr. Gordon was glad to hear Dr. Couto and others thought x-rays were inconclusive too. Beatrix has a lot of vets interested in her case. He was very nice - sat on floor and pet Beatrix the entire time. It really put her at ease. I'll let you know next week about meds. We have enough for two weeks. Thank you!
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