GeorgeofNE

Yes! Many years ago, one of our dogs is thought to have been one of the first cases of Lyme Disease from Nantucket. No one could figure out what was wrong with him so we ended up at Angell Memorial in Boston. While there, the doctor saw something in his eye, and sent us to a specialist at Tufts. They first removed the mass from the eye, but months later the eye started to atrophy and it was suggested we have it removed. They sewed his eye "hole" shut, and it wasn't gross at all. He just looked like he was winking! He did just fine. My poor father also had an eye removed. Initially he wore a fake eye, but as he got more and more senile, it was too much of a struggle for my mother taking it out and cleaning it (barf!), so he stopped wearing it. Sadly he also refused to wear the neato pirate patch she got him. And it was really gross because his eye "hole" was not sewn up. But his eye had become very painful, and it had to come out.

They'll figure it out. It's simply not possible to hold it forever, so given no option, your girl will go.

I'm with Greysmom. More exercise. And I personally think it's a little bit unreasonable to expect a dog to be alone all day while you work and then alone again at night when you go out. I mean there is nothing WRONG with that--but from your dog's point of view, you and your boyfriend are all he has. We ask a LOT of single dogs--behaving alone in the house all day. To come home, feed him and walk him, and then leave him again? For all he knew you were going to be gone for another 8 hours. Maybe take it a little slower??? Get him rock solid for your workday routine before you throw a night out in??? My opinion only--and I seriously am NOT being critical. Just thinking about my own experiences and that dogs are very social creatures.

My first Greyhound, George, was a funny fellow. I've worked with dogs since I was old enough to walk--and George simply did not want to be trained. I joke and say that it was all about him, all the time. As if he knew he had already had a long, moderately successful career, and in retirement he CHOOSE to simply ignore me! Sure, I taught him to sit, and I taught him to lie down, but he would look me right in the eye, touch his butt down, then stand right back up. Almost as if he was daring me to do something about it. I admit to taking the easy way out and just giving up and being content that he walked really well on a leash, but our training never went anywhere. My current dog, Buck, is very sensitive and I have managed to teach him sit and down. He mostly comes when called--indoors. But Buck is one of those semi-spooky hounds that I would never, ever, ever let off leash unless it was a fenced area. Not because he is a greyhound, but because things like a rock painted white or a bug landing on him freak him out beyond reason. He MIGHT come when he was called if he were off leash, but if a bug landed on him? He would bolt, and he would not look where he was going, and would no doubt meet an untimely end. My dog before greyhounds was a mutt. I had him offleash all the time, in the city (at parks, but we were still in the city). He had excellent recall, because I worked on it for a full year before I dropped the long line. He was one of only two dogs at our little "dog park" that reliably came when called. The only time his recall failed was when he just HAD TO poke the "funny kitty" that was black with a white stripe down it's back....luckily the skunk punished him so I didn't even have to remind him that he needed to obey me!

If he were my 12 year old, I would take him to the vet. The diarrhea could possibly indicate some kind of blockage. The liquid portion that was in his bowels was able to pass, but not the solid.

Preventic collars are safe for Greyhounds. Your "rescue" group should really know that. You don't have to be hiking to pick up a tick. Your dog can get them any time he is outside. If ticks aren't a big problem in your area, routine brushing should work just fine.

He may "prefer" his bed in the living room. That doesn't mean you can't make him sleep in your bedroom. I'd make a new schedule, and stick with it. Most dogs need to go out after they eat, so I'd go with first thing in AM, after breakfast (at some point this dog needs exercise, not just a trip outside to go to the bathroom! If he's tired, he's more likely to sleep) for a longish walk. Then take him out again later in the afternoon, take him for a walk after he eats, then one last chance right before YOU go to bed. Then you're going to have to wean him off the "every time I whine, I get what I want" or whoever adopts him will not thank you for your foster work! If you REALLY think he has to go, take him out on a leash, take him to wear you've seen him go before, give him no more than 5 minutes. If he DOES go, praise him. If he doesn't, take him straight back to his bed and say goodnight. Make it all very non-fun, non interactive. He has to learn that you're not available to him 24/7.

Yes, Seresto is safe. No, it does not INSTANTLY kill a flea that might jump on your dog. It's easy enough with a Greyhound to run a flea comb over the dog and get them off if there are a few strays. That's what I did when Buck came back from "camp" with some fleas. We have since switched to NexGuard, which is an oral, since the Seresto collar is just so darned ugly!

I read a veterinarian code of ethics somewhere on line. This is one of the issues specifically addressed. You are a CUSTOMER. If your vet won't help you save money, find a new vet.

We moved from CT to CA with two dogs, and back from CA to MA with four dogs (the two we moved out with, and their two sons) and two horses (and three teenagers who had no interest in leaving Southern California!). Believe me, it's all doable! Stairs is no big deal, really. People make more of that than they need to I think. Although my George was a huge challenge in that area, Buck just walked right up them like it was no big deal! One or both of them may well have been born and raised no where near AZ, so they may already know about cold weather. Just get some winter coats, and they'll be fine. When our Southern California horses got snowed on for the first time, they were quite shocked! But they got over it. As far as the potty on the leash thing--your girl will go eventually. She has to. I'd plan on putting down potty pads and confining her to the kitchen of the new place until she is re-housebroken though. You don't want her using your new rental as a bathroom, and she might try. Start walking them now. I know it's too hot to walk that much out there, but a nice evening stroll around the block every night would be helpful! As to the trip itself--make SURE your dogs are secured in the car some how. Also, that their tags have your cell phone number on them, not your AZ home phone. Good luck, and I think they'll both be fine!

I'm not sure where you got the idea that greyhounds are fragile, delicate flowers. They're actually pretty darned tough. Their SKIN is delicate, but you're talking about a dog that is probably 75 pounds or so of pure muscle. You're not going to hurt him by compelling him to do what you want him to do from time to time, be it with a leash, or a little knee nudge. He is most likely sensing your hesitation and using it to his advantage. A gentle nature doesn't mean you can't train the dog to behave. It's important that he learn normal home behaviors, and those include going outside when the humans tell you! Try being matter of fact about the whole thing. A good upbeat tone, "Let's go!" and a gentle tug on the lead, and then start walking with purpose. Use a treat if you have to. Remember, the more stuff he learns in his foster home, the easier his transition will be when he's adopted! You're doing a really good thing for him--so don't let him be the boss!

None of those powders and potions and neutrceutical things are intended to relieve pain. All they purport to do is "support joint health." LS is not a joint issue. A compressed spinal column cannot be helped by things that simple (hope) to add lubrication to joints. NSAIDs are actually also of questionable value with LS. The tramadol/gabapentin mentioned above should help. I know they helped George, who also took Deramaxx, but that was for his other pains, not his LS.

I assume you're in the UK? We rarely let greyhounds off lead in the US-- I have a nervous walker too, and while some will not agree with my method, I just carry on. I act as if there is nothing to be afraid of, hoping that he will learn that if I'm not concerned about it, he shouldn't be either. He has improved so much since I first got him. He used to be afraid of everything from a waving flag to a rock painted white. And now we can generally do our walk with no trouble at all. Perhaps keep some nice treats in your pocket to encourage her forward when she's nervous? My dog won't take them, but maybe yours would.

My bet is a new animal has moved into your neighborhood and she is picking up a scent, and leaving her own on top of it--or she just likes the smell and wants to bring it home with her!

Exactly what "Hawthorn" said. That's normal dog behavior. She's not a toddler, she's an adult dog who was raised with other dogs and knows how to speak dog to strangers! She's politely telling them, "That's enough of that stranger, back off."

Funny--as soon as I read your post, I hovered over the link, and yes, that's Greyhound Welfare's advice--that's the group I adopted from with my first dog. They believe in "heavy" crating at first. It made George and my first few weeks hellish. I understand their theory--and I disagree with it. For what it's worth, if you're adopting two dogs at the same time, there's very little chance there will BE separation anxiety!

Ducky, seriously, I almost threw up at that last picture!! Percy! Dude! What's going on??

I use regular scissors. It's never been a problem.

Just fyi, my dog goes from 7 AM to 4:30 PM every day. Never has an accident. A healthy adult dog can hold it for longer than you think providing he gets a good long walk to empty the tank before you go.

Your dog most likely is "cat safe." I think that designation is applied to a dog who has shown that it understands that a cat, indoors, is part of the family and to be left alone. A cat outside is prey. Long-time GreyTalk users have seen many photos of my two greyhounds with my cat, Mister Bigglesworth, literally sleeping on them. Either of them would happily chase and no doubt kill a cat they encountered outside. Here in the US, if you let your cat roam, you take your chances. The law is not on your side if someone's dog kills your cat. I don't know what it's like there, but you better find out. If your neighbor chooses to risk their cat's life, you need to know how diligent you have to be about making sure it's not in your yard when you let the dog out.

Dogs puke. Often it means absolutely nothing. If you're feeding him an appropriate amount, he does not need a snack. I would not personally start adding more food to a diet of a dog who I have had less than a month based on one vomit incident. May I ask why you're gating him out of your room? Most dogs are happiest sleeping with their people.

Foreign body. George had a hole exactly like that once, and the vet had to dig it out. It was a tiny piece of glass.

I assume you mean he's whining. Some dogs whine a lot, all the time. Some dogs whine for attention. Some dogs whine to express themselves. Some dogs just seem to like the sound of their own "voice." Only time will tell if you have a temporary issue, or you adopted a whiner!

There's a reason the nickname of the breed is "45 mph couch potato." My dog is only 4 years old and he sleeps ALL DAY while I'm at work, then most of the time when I'm home! You have to appreciate them for what they are. Excellent, usually very quite companions.