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greyhoundlady

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Everything posted by greyhoundlady

  1. I have a couple of leather collars from longdogleatherworks.com. They are beautiful. You can get the martingale collar with the buckle - which I have - and have had no problem at all with them. I still slip the collar over my grey's head, but I have the option. I'll admit I have more than a few collars, but these are my usual 'go to' collars.
  2. So sorry Boo and your husband had to go through that. It is a nightmare we all fear. I hope all are doing better. I don't think it is a good idea to put up signs or flyers in mailboxes as that could infuriate this guy even more and he doesn't seem like someone you want to do that to. The best way, in my opinion, is to let the authorities handle it. Police and animal control. Avoiding the home of this dog/person is wise, and carry Direct Stop spray or some other protection when you walk Boo. If nothing else, it will make you feel a bit safer. We had a situation in our neighborhood where an owner's two aggressive dogs got loose and attached another neighbor's two little dogs while walking. One was seriously injured, but recovered. Animal Control told the owners of the aggressive dogs, that among other things, they had to pay the vet bills, which they did. We all found out about this by word of mouth - better way to go. Good luck and I hope Boo feels better soon.
  3. Staying with the foster home is a terrific idea. When I adopted my guy, we knew that two months later we had to attend our son's wedding in another state. Hard to get out of that commitment :-). My grey stayed with his foster family and their greys and it worked out wonderfully. I don't think he was that used to us yet and he was so well taken care of. When we picked him up he was excited to see us, and came back into our home like he was there forever. I think from his aspect, he visited with someone he already knew, was well cared for, and then happy to get back to us. Don't worry, it will be fine.
  4. Same here. Vet said normal, although I asked them to do a urine analysis as he was new to me at the time and I wanted to rule anything out. All came back fine.
  5. Wow, I feel for both you and your sweet hound. I had two greys who were fearful of storms (and fireworks). Not as badly, though, as it seems your girl is. My first thought is that confining her makes her more fearful, i.e., the crate locked. She seems to be in such a panic that all she wants to do is escape and so there is where all the destruction comes in. One of my greys would go in the bathroom and into the bathtub and just lay there in a storm. She did not want a blanket or anything in there, just the cold porcelain. At the height of the fireworks, I gave them a vet prescription to calm them - I think it was like Valium. It helped and they just laid down, but they still were a little worried. Since she does like her crate, could you put a blanket or a sheet over the whole thing, but leave the crate door open, so it feels like a cave for her? I wish I could help you with perfect advise, but ask your vet to see if he could prescribe something. It doesn't seem to me that if she is left alone in a storm she will be calm enough to not be destructive and medication might help her. I am not an expert on which med is good or bad as I rarely use them, but others here on the forum will know. Good luck. Thank you for trying to help her. I feel bad when they just don't understand they won't be harmed.
  6. I guess I could say my greys' 'poop' is very important to me, because I seem to constantly be analyzing this stuff!!! It has even become a topic during dinner. Geez. My guy is fairly new and I have been on a quest to achieve the very best 'outcome' possible these past few months. So here are my answers: 1. How important - pretty important. I do think what comes out is a good indication of what is happening inside. 2. I define good as having a nice firm texture, and pick-upable. I don't think I care too much about color, smell or frequency. But if the poop is good, those things should not be such an issue anyway. 3. Yes, I want his skin to be itch free, shiny coat, great digestion, no gas and eagerness to eat - all very important. I think if all that is happening, then the hound feels good and happy. Now, if only I can find the magic food that will do all that! I am still working on it.
  7. I am so, so sorry for what you are going through. Just focus on the love you have for him and let yourself cry your eyes out. I, like so many other here, have walked in your shoes. It is so very hard and you have loads of others here who understand and send you caring thoughts. Hugs to you.
  8. I lost my Saber (Yopon Dodger) last year to osteo. He was almost 10. He had both Gable Dodge and Wigwam Wag in his direct line. I also lost Cheyenne (Dewey Wild N Free) last year - she was 10, but it was her heart, not osteo, and did not have Gable Dodge or Wigwam Wag in her line. It was an extremely painful year for me. I now have Sambuca (GV Leon) who just turned 3. He has Gable Dodge in his line. I didn't realize there was this connection with cancer and Gable and Wigwam, but it makes no difference to me. I guess the info helps us keep an eye out, but I know we all love our hounds no matter what their relatives pass on to them. This is an interesting investigation, but scary.
  9. Yes, that is such a beautiful story. I was getting tears in my eyes. I, too, lost two of my greys last year. I loved them both and one was my true heart dog. I sat with him on the floor with his head in my lap and let him go. I could not even talk about it for so long. I was certain I was not going to let my heart break again because it was in too many pieces. Well, it took about 3 weeks without these beautiful greys and I went and rescued another grey boy. He is a sweetie. Funny how they have the amazing ability to glue all the broken pieces together. So glad you are sharing your story.
  10. Just what the others have said - when my guy first came home, I watched him as he walked around the house sniffing. Then he found the bedroom dresser and raised his leg to mark it. I caught him in the act, calmly did a no-no and said let' s go outside and find a tree. That was the only 'accident' he had inside. (I did clean the dresser really well and then Pledged it to a nice shine... I don't think that dresser has looked as good since .
  11. Like everyone else here in New Jersey, I have been trying to figure out what this 'restraining the animals in your vehicle' is all about. I have found a link - maybe it will help some. http://www.njspca.or...l_statement.doc Sorry the topic should read 'Unrestrained' !
  12. Congratulations on your new boy, Teddi. As others have said, don't worry too much about him seeming bored. But, I know how you feel. I adopted my boy 9 months ago at age 2-1/2. He seemed bored (and truthfully at times he still does) and would just lay there and look at me. It is really hard not to put human characteristics on them and think they need constant stimulation to keep them happy. Just some ideas of what I do - he gets a long walk/hike three times a day (if hot out, then only early morning and late evening). I take him for rides in the car to the drive thru bank, pet store, etc. He loves the pet store because everyone makes a fuss over him. He goes to Meet and Greets and also on a weekly Greyhound walk with a group of greyhounds (maybe there is something in your area like that). When I first got him, I had his crate up, which he used as a den and I left the door to it open. After a few months, he wasn't interested in it anymore so I have taken it down. He sleeps in our bedroom on his own bed, and has dog beds throughout the house. He plays with toys only when brand new, and then loses interest. He will run around the yard when in the mood, but not too often. Mostly he just wants to hang out with me and meet people. I do work from home, so I haven't had to deal with separation anxiety - but there is lots of advice on this site about that. Oh, and he likes to sleep. I guess my best advice to you is just enjoy Teddi. Show him lots of things, bring him places when you can (people love to see greyhounds) and love him. You are doing everything right so far!
  13. Pure canned pumpkin added to the kibble with a little bit of plain yogurt has done wonders for my guy. He, too, has been cleared of all issues, but we always had some form of pudding-serve. I think the pumpkin has really helped. On a side note - when I walk him I carry a full size sheet of a paper towel, and just went he is about to 'go', I slide it under the 'drop' site. (You have to be quick.) Then it is a snap to pick up the whole mess with the poop bag and leave nary a smear.
  14. Does anyone know if this is safe? I have never used any form of fertilizer/pesticide/chemicals on my 'lawn' (if one could call it that). Recently we had to have a huge crater in our yard filled in due to de-contruction work. The company that is doing the work will then grade the area and cover it with topsoil, then seed and Pennmulch. I actually thought that was some form of bark mulch - but apparently not. I am very reluctant to have this put down as I don't know if it affects greyhounds, but I haven't found anything negative in my research so far. I am leaning toward just having them put the seed down and forego the Pennmulch. Is there something else that would work? I can then have my regular weeds, clover, moss, etc., do their handiwork in time. Right now I have a giant muddy mess out there. Thanks for your opinions!
  15. I feed my grey Acana Ranchlands - same company, but a little less expensive. The sodium is also less. I haven't noticed any excessive thirst or peeing and he really likes the food.
  16. I always rotate food. Especially if Patrick does not have a problem with food switching, I don't see a problem with doing so. There are also other options, like giving him his 'main' kibble and doing add-ins to it. You'll find lots of ideas for that on this forum. My two bridge greys were very picky eaters. With my current grey (I have him for 8 months now) I tried a few brands i.e., TOTW, Natural Balance, Wellness, but even though he is a great eater, the pudding poop was there. Then with the recalls (arrrggg) I now have him on Acana Ranchlands. He loves this food, eats every morsel, and I don't need to add in anything to get him to eat it. I do put in a tablespoon of plain yogurt in the morning breakfast, though. Just get ready to do lots of research as some of these greys are like chemistry. You have to keep trying things to find what works. (Then it may all change again!)
  17. My boy has a black coat, too. When I got him he had flakes which really showed up because of his color. I have given him salmon oil on occasion, and also rotate his food with fish based ingredients. What seems to have worked best, though, is brushing him every day. I use the rubber type brush (Zoom Groom by Kong) so it is gentle, but it seems to help stimulate his own oil production and he is pretty much flake-free and has a beautiful shiny coat. He also really enjoys his groom-time.
  18. Yes, as others have said, Bag Balm. It really works wonders. I have used it on my own cracked hands in the winter. Also, as others have said, cover with baby socks/booties/etc., as it is greasy. www.bagbalm.com
  19. I am not sure if it would help, but I can tell you what I have done. I adopted a black grey and he had flaky skin at first. I started feeding him really good kibble (Taste of the Wild and rotate all the flavors) and I also brush him every day with a rubber brush and then follow it with a wipe down of baby wipes. I was adding Salmon Oil to his food at first, but he was very mushy on the poop end, so I decided to just go with the good kibble. I am now adding either Core canned or my own cooked chicken to the kibble. He is no longer shedding and his coat is shiny and beautiful. I know all greys are different, but this is working for us.
  20. Well, firstly, congratulations and best of luck with your new grey. I, too, would lean toward the cautious side when meeting other dogs. I have had two greys before my current guy, and one was not other dog friendly at all. I always kept him away from other dogs because although he wasn't ready to start a problem, if another dog got in his air space he would react suddenly. (I loved him dearly, though.) Both of those two are now at the Bridge, but I recently rescued another and have him for 6 months. He is a sweetie and appears to love all creatures great and small. However, I do notice that if he and another 'unknown' dog are together for more than say '30 seconds' of sniffing, things can get touchy. Usually the other dog decides that it wants to escalate things in an overly friendly way, so I have learned not to go longer than a 'hello, how are you?' and then on to our walk. The best way, in my opinion, is to learn your grey's feelings. If he/she is uncomfortable with other dogs, keep moving, but if he/she is curious, a quick hello and then onward is the way to go.
  21. I, too, applaud that you are fostering. I know she will find a great home and meanwhile she is learning all the good things of being in a home and establishing her good manners. I, also, had a foster and she did not work out with my guy - through absolutely no fault of her own. She was a sweetie but my other grey just wasn't keen on her. She found a wonderful home, and came totally prepared for it. Thank you for fostering - it is a noble thing you are doing!
  22. Congratulations on being adopted by Jack! I see he has already moved right into your heart! I think he is what is called 'Black Irish' Today, my grey who is also black, (although only Irish on St. Paddy's Day) wore his green St. Paddy's Day bandana and we referred to him as a Black Irishman. I, being of Irish/Scottish descent, know of such things! Best of luck with Jack - you are both very lucky!
  23. I use Frontline Plus and check my guy all over for ticks when he gets out of 'grassy' areas.
  24. I let my grey out around 10pm before bedtime, and give him a little treat/cookie to tide him over. He sleeps in until 7:30am(ish). I have had him for almost 5 months now and he is almost 3. He also sleeps in our bedroom next to my bed on his own bed, and will pretty much stay there until I get up. I think you just have to wait for your grey to accept your routine. She'll get it.
  25. All great advice. I especially agree about giving a treat (reward) when you come inside. Something they have to look forward to. I have my 'new' guy for 5 months now, and from the beginning, he always gets a little treat each time he comes through the door into the house. He is now so used to it that, as soon as he gets in, he waits by the treat jar. He has no problem after our walks to come right inside. As a funny note - there was a time he would go to the back door and wait, as if he needed to go out. I would let him out and notice that he would stand to the side of the door - out of my sight line - for a few seconds, then appear at the door again. When I let him in - you guessed it - straight to the treat jar. These guys are just waaaaay too smart!
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