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galgrey

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Posts posted by galgrey

    Lilah's Limp Is Back

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Lilah does not seem any better today. The vet says I can give her 100 mg of tramadol, but other than that was not very helpful. I've stayed home from work to be with her. I have not even been able to get her to go out to pee. :( Please say a prayer for my beautiful baby girl. :weep

     

    Prayers for you and sweet Lilah. I'm so sorry she's going through this and you have to too.

    Newbie From Ohio

    in Introductions & Biography

    Posted

    Hello, and I'm thrilled to find such a wonderful site. We've had our adopted greyhound, Benson for a full 5 days now and already can't imagine life without him. He was added to a brood of 3 children (Bobby 10, Harry 8 and Riley 2) and one crazy Jack Russell (Max, 4). He's wonderful, and we definitely understand why you can't have just one!

     

    :welcome

     

    Congratulations on Benson, your new addition! I adopted my first greyhound 13 years ago and I've been completely under their spell since. I look forward to hearing more about your new boy.

     

    Let Me Show You Why They Give Us Those Muzzles

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    I am really upset about all these posts. You see I am planning on adopting a greyhound and everything I read other than here indicated they are sweet natured, gentle dogs. In my long life I have owned several dogs at a time on rare occasions and never have they attacked each other! I know its possible with any breed, I am aware of that, but I am shocked at what I am learning here on the forum about greys regarding sleep aggression, space aggression and now this. Why would they attack each other so mercilessly? I don't mean to sound critical but just trying to find out all I can. anne

     

    I think you've asked a good question and in my rather long winded way, I'm going to tell you why.

     

    Obviously most of us here love this breed and will joke that everyone should have a dozen or more :colgate , but no one breed is for everyone. Every pure bred dog has been selectively bred for a purpose and has characteristics, physical and behavioral, that reflect that purpose. Factor in what may be unique handling for the breed and what you get is a general breed stardard. Everthing about the racing greyhound is bred for speed and the desire to catch the "prey". I've read in more than one source that their thin skin with the blood vessels close to the surface makes them more aerodynamic and more efficient runners.

     

    It isn't that greyhounds are more prone to attack each other than other breeds -- it's that their skin is so thin and tears so easily. What would bearly leave a scratch between, let's say, two weimaraners, can turn into a horrible gaping tear in a greyhound. Yard play between two adult weims can get really rough and tumble and mine used to sometimes end up with scrapes or scratches. The same incident would have likely resulted in a wound needing sutures between my greyhounds.

     

    Also if this rough and tumble play was between two GSDs or two huskies, their hair would have further protected each other's skin from a stray tooth or nail. Weims are very short haired dogs, so I would often see little nicks on scratches or them, but their original purpose was to be an all terrain hunter they were bred to have tear-resistant skin.

     

    Regarding the sleep space aggression issue, other breeds of dogs or mixed breeds can and do exhibit it, but data indicates it may be seen disproportionately in retired racers because of their early training -- being kenneled where they always have their own space and sleep alone. Even so, you see it in some retired racer and not in others. Many breeds of dogs have "space issues" and will defend their territory -- the herding breeds are a good general example and in my experience many weims exhibit it. A friend's shepherd mix lays in front of the pantry where the dog food is and dares any of the other dogs to come within 3 feet of her, for example.

     

    Large groups or packs of dogs of any breed are in the end just dogs and when unsupervised and unencumbered by the human rules of behavior we impose on them many will revert to dog pack behavior. Dog parks are a good example. There are dog park fights between every day and sadly some end in tragedy. Sometimes (not always) the breeds involved here are the dogs who have been bred to fight -- these dogs are often genetically endowed with physical and behavioral attributes that make them superior fighters!

     

    My point, in all of this, ( and I do have one :) ) is the importance of researching what makes each pure bred dog unique and then making an informed decision about whether or not it's the breed for you. Most of us are here on this forum because we adore the retired racers and can't imagine our lives without them. As responsible dog owners, we learn everything we can about them as a breed, and do everything we can to keep them safe and healthy.

     

    I think it's great that you are reading this forum to gather information before making your decision. If more people did that sort of homework, fewer dogs of all breeds would be abandoned in shelters after the novelty of an impulse buy/adoption wears off.

     

    I've been at meet & greets and had people ask me what are the negatives about retired racers. For those of us dedicated to this breed our first tendency may be to deny there are any negatives to greyhound ownership, but that's not true nor fair to the breed. One man's joy can be another man's "negative". It's a negative to some folks that they can never be trusted off leash in an unfenced area, that they can't live outside, that they may love your cat indoors, but chase the same cat down like prey in the backyard, or that a normal dog skirmish over a favorite toy can result in a trip to the E vet and require drains and stitches.

     

    I think potential adopters should know these things and then weigh them against the many uniquely wonderful things about these dogs and make an informed decision.

    She Ate Fish Food.....

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    QUOTE(Brandy_b @ Nov 4 2006, 03:44 PM) 2410746[/snapback]
    So I get home today and Caliloka has eaten a whole thing of fish flakes, I didnt think it would really bother her but I'm just wondering everyone elses thoughts on this. Should I do anything ot just leave her be.......she has been playing and everything so I'm guessing nothing bad has really happened.

     

    <3 Brandy & Caliloka

     

     

    While a friend was dog sitting for me a few years ago, one of my dogs ate a large quantity of fish flakes. She didn't suffer any ill effects, but my friend paid dearly for not heeding my warning that she was a counter surfer supreme. He said her gas nearly ran him out of the house for the next 24 hours!

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