greg1229

I have had Gracie, my spook foster for 5 months now, For the first 3 days I didn't even see her. She had her "safe" place in the spare bedroom. The key I have had with getting her to open up was to let her open up at her pace. I free feed so she is able to eat when she wants. I know that everyone in the family wants to help your pup open up by helping with the feeding, but that may be overwhelming her. Maybe you should do the feeding for now and once she is comfortable with you then the rest of the family can start helping. Once she starts trusting one of you she will slowly open up to the rest of the family. I know that sounds mean, and i don't mean it to be. But the spooks I've fostered have become the sweetest hounds I've ever worked with. I know the frustration you are feeling, I've felt it often. But Gracie is now such a snuggle bunny and even goes out back with me on "poop patrol" to make sure I get it all. For 3 months, if I was outside she would not even think about coming out. And if she and the other dogs were already outside if i went out she would cower and sneak by me out of arms reach to get back inside. To this day, she still shakes and lowers her head at meet and greets. But at home, a total 180. Give her time and I bet she will become an attention loving houndie.. Greg

I noticed the other day that Adams now has a flea and tick topical similar to Advantage and Frontline. I know the spray and the mist has not been an issue with greyts, but was wondering if anyone has used this topical. With the 4 hounds in the house it would be a lot cheaper then the other ones.

From the Grand Master of Spookie Fosters, I can tell you from my experience the best thing is don't force it. I have had Gracie here since Nov. And she still is a spook when it comes to wearing a leash or going out for walks. One thing you can do to get the pup use to a leash is to put a lightweight leash on her collar and let it just hang there. Let the pup drag it around the house even. If that is too much for her get a long piece of ribbon or twine and do the same thing. After 5 months of having the ultimate spook here, Grace still will not let me walk up to her if we are both standing up. But the second i lay down or sit down she is in my face giving me kisses and wanting neck rubs and ear scratches. Each shy has their own "timetable" when it comes to opening up. Time and patience is the answer. Greg

Don't worry about it, a few weeks is nothing to be concerned about. I'm fostering an ultra-spook right night. I've had her almost 5 months and it's just been about a week the I can actually walk up to her is she is standing up. But she has turned into a love bug when I am sitting or laying down. Just give you "child" a little time and he will get more and more comfortable. Greg

Being desert dogs.; I've noticed my girls get lathargic when it is around 80 in the house. So my electric bill in the summers here (ave. day temps outside 100+ everyday for 6 months) show it. I keep the indoor temps around 75 during the day and at night around 68. They are fine at that. If I get it any cooler they seem to get jacked up and turn into little bundles of "let's keep Dad awake by doing zoomies in the house" Not sure that really answers the question. But seems the experience I've had with my greys around 70 degrees give or take a few degrees works great for them Greg

It's a lot better..Was a little sore for a couple of days, but much better now. The bruising is gone, doesn't look like a lost a bar fight anymore. Greg

She is doing fine. Paw is a lot better. Even after the bite, she did something she hasn't done in the 3 months she has been here. She jumped on the bed and layed next to me and slowly wiggled and roached until she was on top of me..

Hang in there..the best advice I can give you is patience...Let her come to you on her terms, don't try to force acceptence. I have had a ultra-spook for 3 months now. I didn't see her the first 3 days I brought her home. Even now, if we are both standing I can't get near her. When I give her a treat, I have to toss it on the ground about 4 feet away from me. I know it can be frustrating at times. But your little spook will come around.

Monday, my spookie Grace cut her paw so I did the usual clean and to keep her from licking I wrapped her paw up with some gauze and vet wrap. Tuesday did the bandage change, no problem she just layed there and I went about my business. Well, Wednesday while in the middle of changing the bandage, I must have touched something different then before because Gracie went from laying down to a full blown rattlesnake lunge at my face. Ever look down a greyhound's throat when they are doing an Aliens on your face?? Luckily the only damage I ended up with was a cut over one of my eyes. This fat old man still has good reaction time. But it does wake ya up when you feel greyhound teeth under your chin and over your eyes. After all the greyhounds I have had and had through the Magic Foster House Gracie is the first to take a bite at me. It did show me that you can never let your guard down. I got complacent and paid for it. Always muzzle a pet when you are doing first aid.. Greg

When I walk my girls depending what side the road is, either right or left. I keep me between the road and the dogs.

We are good to go..she is wearing a t-shirt and hasn't tried to take it off. I think she likes it in the mornings when it is on the cool side..

They left the bottom unstapled, and there was some drainage and oozing some yesterday. Took an older t-shirt and cut the end a bit, got it on her and tied the cut end together. It's a fairly snug tie. I checked this morning when I got up and now when I got in from work. Not a lot of drainage and she hasn't pulled it off. So I think I can avoid the blowup neck ring. Oh the humiliation that would have been.. I would be getting the stink-eye for a year if I did that to her. I think when I go back to have the staples removed I will get another bottle of Ceph, just to have on hand. Greg

I put another piece of gauze on and vet wrapped but it looks like it is slipping. I plan on going by a pet warehouse place tomorrow and get one of those doughnut neck ring collars. They use the dog door and the old fashionbed e-collar wouldn't let her get through the door. I may see if I cxan get a t-shirt on her tonight..But it is right at that borderline of will or will not a t-shirt work.

So last night about 1 in the morning I wake up to a yelp..Tessa hops on the bed but doesn't really lay down like always. So I turn on the light and apparently in the midst of play, someone's claws ripped open about an 8 inch gash on Tessa's side. It isn't bleeding much. So I get up get out the tackle box of stuff and start my doctoring. Cleaned the wound,put the anti-biotic creme, put on a guze pad and wrapped it up in vet wrap. Since it wasn't bleeding and she was pretty calm, and I did what I could, instead of rushing to the E-Vet, I kept her warm and this morning I called the vet and they had an open slot at 8am. So at least no extra charge for an E-Visit. When I got her in to see the vet, she asked how it happened and how long ago. I told her I gave her a Tramadol for pain and she went right to sleep after a few miinutes. I told her if it was a few inches smaller I would have gotten out the super glue and sealed it but knew the length and position it needed staples. And some anti-biotics. She seemed happy that I was pretty cool headed about it too..After having greys for 9 years and playing pari-vet and talking with the adoption coordinator who is a retired vet I've learned a few thing.. But have I really learned a lot or just become more jaded over the years?? I baby these kids because they earned that right. And I think if you get all freaked out over it that sense transfers to them and they wig out. Ok, here is the results of "midnight playtime" She is going to have a sexy scare. Right now I gave her her anti-biotics and a tramadol and she is contently sleeping on the futon kicking her legs in her dream race. If she starts licking on the wounds I will wrap it back up and tomorrow go get a blowup neck doughnut to keep her from infecting it. But it will still allow her to get in and out of the dog door. Greg

Welcome from Phoenix...can't wait to hear all the things your new child is going to teach you.. Greg

Sorry to hear the news, having gone through that with Isis almost a year ago, I know all the emotions that are running through your heart. I will light a candle for Smiley and you. Greg

one simple answer.... Adopt a friend.. When I first got my grey 9 years ago, I treated her like a little child and got those child-proof zip ties for the lower cabinets. The top of my fridge is like a king of the hill pile of stuff. They haven't figured how to use a step ladder.......yet. I got one of the heavy lid steel kitchen trash cans and the bathroom waste basket gets emptied every night into that one. I've gotten accustumed to have "confetti" in the house on almost a daily basis. All my remotes are put in a drawer in my desk. Luckily, any power cords I have care behind desks and chairs and entertainement centers that they can't get too. I'm usre there will be a load of helpful suggestions from the folks here. Hang in there Greg

Hi Molly and your furr-kids from lovely Phoenix, AZ 3 greys own me, they are in my signature at the bottom of this post. And I am a foster home for newly retired greys.. Right now I have Gracie, a white/brindle ultra-shy girl. You are going to love it here. You have any questions feel free to ask. There are NO stupid questions, we all went through the same stuff at one time or another. And welcome to the Darkside.. Greg

I have IE 6 and I know it will not work here, so I went to another browser I have on the machine. Opera...so I use that for GT and no problems. Opera is free and it hasn't had any conflicts with my IE at all Opera Browser Greg

Hiya neighbor Greg

1/2 a 2mg tablet for a 20-30 lb. dog, 2-4x day max at 4-6 hour intervals for dogs, So an 80lb pup should get a 2mg pill of Imodium

Lexi my little girl, I knew you wouldn't let me down..woohoo Now just eat a little more and get a little more weight on ya and I will rest easier Greg

Bijou will be 12 in Feb. and for the last year or two she has slept more. She prefers to go back to my bedroom and sleep on a pile if blankets I have set up for her in the closet. That is her space and she loves it there. She still has her bout of energy and will join in with Tessa and Ellie to play for a few minutes but, like me, prefers a little peace and quiet. If you fell she is sleeping way too much a blood workup might night be bad just for peace of mind. Greg

I have only lost one greyhound..Isis was my first and my little heart girl. She was the shy one that was looked over everytime the group would take her to possible homes because of her "standoff-ish" demeanor. Isis taught me that sometimes the shy ones are the best. Because of her, whenever we get a shy pup in the foster program I am one of the first to say let me foster them. Seeing them come out of their shell and become the greyhound they were meant to be really warms my heart Thank you Isis for giving me that gift.. Greg

hmmmmm...right after my GT Supporter donation ended, the board goes down....hmmmmm What a devious way to remind me to donate again... Greg