rascalsmom

Any GT old timer (like me) remembers the story of bumper(?). Can't recall names but a gt'er took her female dog to a meet and greet hoping to choose another. Her dog would not leave the side of an older female, despite the owner not wanting an older female; she eventually decided to adopt this older dog whom her dog seemed drawn to. After awhile she did some digging on the dogs background-- it was her dogs momma! I had littermates and I am pretty sure they remembered each other. Found out that they were 'inseparable' as pups, raced at the same tracks till one retired, then the other one retired a year later and came to live with us. Those two were never far from each other. They did meet up with one of their brothers a couple of times a year and showed no recognition ....but the woman who raised my girls said they just played with each other, not really with the rest of the litter. They were awesome together.

Are you sure he doesn't have corns? Check his toes. My Jack appeared to dislike the tile floors but I really think it was his corns (which I didn't know he had at the time). It hurt him to walk on the tile; he wasn't really afraid of the floor. Once I discovered the corns, it all made sense. And throw rugs became a way of life.

I remember you and Alan! I also remember that Alan and my Buddy died within a couple of weeks of one another.... Nice to "see" you here.

Buddy had a similar story. He scratched his cornea not once, but twice, and the end result was pannus in that eye. He was put on drops and ointment, and never developed it in the other eye. Good luck with your old fellow. He is so adorable.

I agree that you should contact Lilian Akin. I spoke with her about one of my dogs once and she was very helpful. Also agree about contacting Going Home Greyhounds as they might be of help. But definitely get him completely checked by a vet first. There is a very greyhound-savvy vet practice in Wexford. I can supply their phone number if you'd like.

Poor jake, and poor you. Hang in there, better days are coming!

When my friend's greyhound had a back injury that prevented him from walking she took a listerine bottle and...'arranged it' over his hoohoo to catch the pee. You could try something like that to help him stay clean. Hope your handsome guy is soon feeling better!

Oratene maintenance gel is what we're using.

What's nice about this gel is you don't have to brush. We found that if you put it in your palm and smear it around a bit she'll lick it right off, and the vet said it'll distribute around her mouth. Easy peasy. Silly dog loves the stuff and goes into an automatic sit when I get the tube out.

Phoebe, who we've had for 2.5 years, and who just turned five, had her annual checkup a few weeks ago. The vet remarked that her teeth "looked beautiful"! She's not had a dental since she came off the track, and I don't brush her teeth. Her breath is horrendous, though, so I asked the vet about that. She said she could do a dental, but in the absence of brushing afterward it would just get bad again (and seriously, why would I want her to have a dental if she doesn't really NEED it??); or I could try this gel they've had a lot of luck with. I opted to try the gel--$17 vs hundreds for a dental--and I've been using it on her twice a day. She loves the stuff! And now, less than a month later, her breath is noticeably better!! So I thought I'd share it with you all, who may be have a similar issue. It's called Oratene maintenance oral gel and I bought it at the vets. Might also be available online, I imagine. So far, so good, and I am thankful to finally have a greyhound who doesn't have awful teeth! I've even started brushing her teeth, thinking that if she really has "ok" teeth, it's in my best interest to keep them that way.

If he doesn't enjoy going, don't make him. We've had five greyhounds over the years and none of them particularly liked meet and greets. When we got Phoebe she expected every person she passed on a walk to pet her, but now two years later she doesn't really want people touching her when she's out for a walk. We attribute it to the fact that we are also sort of reclusive, as you put it, and we've rubbed off on her If he's happier at home, I wouldn't force him to go for visits. I can't say I blame him--I'd rather be at home than anywhere else, so why would my dog be any different?

She IS adorable!! And she looks itty bitty, too!

Things are looking up. I think most of the puke stains came out of the carpet; Phoebe goes to the vet this afternoon for her annual checkup, and she seems to have no ill effects from her little 'treat'. Thank heavens for small favors. And if anyone is wondering, no, I did not wash the pipe cleaner cat toy off and give it to the cats, in spite of it coming out much like it went in, if a bit more swelled up.

She was in the process of lunging toward the cat, hoping to get the cat to a hard surface, when she somehow broke her foot. No slipping in the puke involved. She had a Jones fracture, and the first doctor she went to casted her; then she developed blood clots so they removed the cast and gave her a boot. It all happened right before we all went to Costa Rica on a service trip. She went, though, with crutches and all! Nothing will keep MY sister from going on a trip! In hindsight, she probably should've just dealt with the puke on the carpet.

My sister once tried that very thing when one of her cats was puking....she broke her foot in the process!!

That's a good question!

The good news is that the pipe cleaner has reappeared! The bad news is that it reappeared at 4:00 this morning, puked up on my bedroom carpet. At least it's out of the dog, and now there are no more worries!

I don't know-I never really got a good look. I think it was spiraled up into a cat-enticing shape, but it *was* a pipe cleaner!

Today we took one of our cats for grooming. Since this was his first time, the groomer gave us a little packet with some freeze-dried cat treats, and a tiny little toy--a pipe cleaner twisted into a cat toy. When we got home, DD took one of the treats and gave it to Phoebe. Then, before I realized what was happening, she took the cat toy out of the baggie and threw it onto the kitchen floor for Silas (the cat).....well, of course Phoebe the Pig Dog ran over and promptly swallowed it!! [This confirms my suspicion that she will eat ANYTHING.] Is this going to be ok? I gave her a hamburger bun right after she ate the toy, will that help? I was told once, when a dog ate chicken bones (cooked) to feed them bread, so I figured maybe it will help?? Should I be worried? should I do anything else??

What a pretty girl. She reminds me of my dear Ruby a little bit.

You're only 'greyless' in spirit....Cody will always be part of you. I'm glad you're still on GT.

I haven't read through all the responses, but when we had our first batch of greyhounds (Rascal, Ruby, Buddy), they were all 'kind of' used to smaller kids; our DD was 5 when we got our first greyhound. However, if one of the smaller kids from next door came into our fenced yard to get a ball or something, I ALWAYS had to remind them not to run! If they ran for their ball, and the dog(s) was/were out, they never failed to chase them. That would startle the kid, who'd scream, and then they were even more 'inviting' to chase. And none of our dogs had enormously high prey drives--Buddy was the only one who ever caught anything. I don't think they saw the neighbor kids as 'prey', but as something small-and-quick-and-maybe-it-would-be-fun-to-chase. Kids need to be taught that all dogs are potentially dangerous--our neighbors had a lab/golden mix who was as mellow as the day is long, but the kids weren't used to our dogs, who weren't raised with running-around children.

Phoebe is a pretty easy dog, but she will eat ANYTHING. That's also a nice thing about her....kind of a paradox. The biggest problem we have with her right now is that she loves to be covered up at night, and DH has created a real 'princess' out of her. She's got her very thick and cushy dog bed, in our bedroom; on top of that is her Care Bears fleece blanket, which is doubled up [actually, that blanket is TWO layers of fleece, tied together, so that makes FOUR layers of fleece]. Then DH puts down one end of a twin-size comforter, which has been folded to make two layers; stay with me, there's more.....on top of the two layers of comforter is her fleece "Jesus Loves Me" blanket [also made of two layers of fleece], which has been passed from Rascal, to Jack, to her, after DD made it in Vacation Bible School many years ago......then FINALLY, the little 'princess' can lie down, at which point her daddy covers her with the remaining half (doubled over, of course) of the comforter. Our little "Belle's Sweet Pea" is truly the 'princess and the pea' by the time she's in bed for the night. On top of the dog bed, she has, basically, eight layers of blankets, plus the doubled-over comforter on top of her!

I am so very sorry, Tricia. My thoughts are with you, Burke, and Holly.

I've always had our dogs sleep in the bedroom. Like others said, if they need to go out, or otherwise need something, you are way more likely to hear them. I've had a couple of greyhounds who did not bark or otherwise make noises when they needed to go out--they'd just pace or stare at you. Since I'm a light sleeper, I know right away if Phoebe needs to go outside. Even though I am not fond of getting up in the middle of the night, I'd rather do that than clean up a mess the next day! And it's very rare that she needs to go out anyway during the night. Mostly it was the time she ate the pound of uncooked rice.....