greydad92

Prayers for a speedy recovery from Zero and I. You will be in our thoughts and prayers

Hi All, I checked him and he's not dehydrated. The skin pinch thing worked positively, it was a quick snap back of the skin. His mouth is moist. The small mount of honey worked in the water. Actually I let him lick a small amount off a spoon and dropped it in the dish and he lapped away. I'll try to feed him again tonight and see what happens. I'm still not sold on him though to be completely honest. I just don't know if I can handle this kind of stuff right now. I'm still very unsure about him. My last dog (not to compare) was a mutt and he adjusted way more quickly. Actually now that I know how to post pics, here is my dog Echo that died nine months ago. He was my heart and soul.

I'm trying this for the first time, here is Rubber Band Man - no real name yet http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt54/aryon92/P2160005.jpg more pics

Hi All, Tony here. If you've been reading my previous forums my first greyhound experience is not going well. I'm a wreck. Please check out my previous forums. Previous forums: "Should I rturn my greyhound?" http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php?showto...p;#entry3858519 "New Greyhound owner questions" http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php?showto...p;#entry3859455 "Help, diarrhea everywhere!!" http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php?showto...p;#entry3859639 In short, I adopted a 4 year old male brindle from the track three days ago. The track rescue neglected to tell me to do a smooth transition between food, stupid me...I should have known that as well. The track fed him Purina Hi-Pro and I switched him to Castor & Pollux (high quality) food. Hence, "Diarrhea Everywhere". I was told to fast him for 24 hrs and then give him a bland diet. So I did that. This morning when I gave him his first bland diet mean (boiled chicken & white rice - 2 cups), he only ate about a cup and that was it. He took a few laps of water this morning, but that was it as well. He hasn't drunk any water since yesterday early afternoon. I've been encouraging him to do so, but no luck. When we went for our walk this morning (before meal) he didn't pee at all and we were out for about 1/2 hour. He tried to poop, but just gas and a little poop liquid came out. His mood is like he's still a little freaked out to be in a home. Loud noises scare him. All he wants to do is sleep on my bed. He doesn't follow me around all the time now like he did when I originally got him home. I've gotten him into playing with a squeaky toy this morning and that was fun, but again....he just mostly wants to be on my bed and sleep. So what to do. I've become attached to this dog, but feel that maybe it's best to return him. I called the owner of the rescue and she doesn't know what's wrong with my grey. She said I could return him if I wanted to, no problem. I don't know what is up with this dog. I've really tried hard to make it an easy transition, besides the food of course.......duh. I had no idea the transition would be this difficult. Unfortunately I have to go back to work tomorrow. I have a walked scheduled to come over. Between me and her, someone will be here every two hours. Help. I'm at my wits end, but I remain calm as possible around my grey (no name yet). I know he's freaked out (I'm sure more than I), so he doesn't ned to me mor stressed by me being stressed. Help. -Tony

Thanks all. My boy is not feeling so great. He's sleeping lots and pretty lethargic. Tomorrow morning I'll start him on the chicken with rice.

Hi All, Adopted my first grey two days ago. Stupid me, I did a lot of research, but missed this one. I switched the dog from his food at the rescue to Castor & Pollux Natural Ultra Mix Adult. You can check out their website at www.castorpolluxpet.com. I didn't transition from old food to new. The woman at the rescue should have told me this as well. Now he's pooping everywhere. He's got major diarrhea. It's pretty much just liquid spraying out. I called the woman from the rescue and she told me to give him 2 tbs of Pepto Bysmal after he poops and put him on a bland chicken and rice diet for a few days. Does this sound right? I feel so badly. I totally messed up on the food thing, but that's here-say at this point. Please help. I don't really know anyone to turn to with a greyhound besides the woman from the shelter. I found out today he was on Purina High Protein food. Should I wean him back onto that from the chicken & rice? What to do. Thanks, Tony

Oh yea, the dry kibble is about 1/4 inch in diameter. Should I be feeding him something larger?

Hi All, Remember me? The "potential greyhound owner"? I'm also the guy who posted "should I return my greyhound". Anyway, on a different note, I adopted this guy from the track. He's a 4 year old brindle male. I'd say he weighs around 80 lbs. I've got some questions for you: 1.) Food: The woman from the adoption area at the track just told me to feed him a real quality kibble. I don't know what they were feeding him at the track. So, this food is totally new to him, hence the diarrhea....I'll get to that later. -For kibble, I'm feeding him Castor & Pollux Natural Ultra Mix Adult. You can check out their website at www.castorpolluxpet.com. It's a very high quality "holistic" pet food. I mix in a small amount of canned Castor & Pollux Natural Ultra mix for taste, yuk. Is this ok? -The woman at the adoption area told me to feed him 4 cups at night. I disagree and am feeding him 2 cups in the morning and 2 cups late afternoon. Is this a good amount? 2.) Vitamins: I have some left over Pet-Tabs from my last dog. I got them from my vet, they are made by Pfizer Animal Health. They are under a year old. Should I give him one multi vitamin? Or go with separate vitamins? Fish oil, yes or no? -Plenty of water -He took an instant liking to biscuits, but now won't touch 'em. They are Old Mother Hubbard brand, high quality. 3.) Diarrhea: His first poop was fine, the next after that - soft serve ice cream and now very liquid. I'm positive it's from the quick transition of food. I was going to give him chicken, brown rice and kibble tonight. Good idea? Poor thing, thank god he hasn't gone diarrhea in the house yet, but Im expecting it when I leave him alone for his first 4 hours. 4.) Leaving him alone: I got him Friday morning and started create training Saturday morning. I was leaving him in there for just 15 minutes with classical music playing while I went down the the basement. He didn't like like that, whining, carrying on, etc. I baby gated my bedroom and left him there for fifteen minutes, again with classical music playing. He was whining and carrying on again. I read that TV is the most popular with greyhounds so I tried that. I left him alone for fifteen minutes with the TV on and he did fine.......go figure. I went up to 1/2 hour and 1 hour, which he also did fine. This morning I left him in there for 2 hours while I went to breakfast, supper market, etc. He did fine, but immediately wanted to go out to pee and diarrhea. Now I'm trying another 2 hours. I'm in the basement. On Tuesday when I go back to work it will be 4 hours, so that's why I'm trying to train him this way. Of course I'm giving him plenty of love & exercise in between "sessions". 5.) Bed - I bought him a really nice LL Bean 52" round bed. Initially he slept on that, but has taken a liking to my bed. I don't mind it, but he doesn't use the LL Bean one anymore. This website has been a wonderful resource for me. I appreciate all your help, advice and friendship. Sincerely, Tony

my prayers go out to you and Suze.

Tony here......"potential greyhound owner". I walked my previous dog Echo (rhodesian / shepherd mix) twice / day, morning and late afternoon. We walked 1.6 - 2 miles per walk. I go with the theory that a tired dog is a happy dog. I'm a fan of Cesar Mellan who strongly believes that walks are the best way for owners to bond with their dogs. You get to know each other very well, the dog gets his exercise and gets to see new surroundings and things going on outside the back yard. On walks you can also show your dog who's the boss. You lead him vs. him walking you which I see a lot of people making that mistake. So yes, Im a big fan of walking dogs. I think it's the best thing you could do with them.

Hi All, Tony here "potential greyhound owner". What are the best greyhound friendly veterinarians to go to in the Metrowest, MA area. I live near Milford, MA. Sincerely, Tony

Run and be free Mack. My prayers go out to you and your family left on Earth. They will join you at the Rainbow Bridge someday. Sincerely, Tony

Welcome home Ember

Run free Dowland. I am not yet a greyhound owner, but hope to be soon. I lost my last doggie eight months ago so I feel your pain. I know there is a Rainbow Bridge and I'm sure Dowland is there playing with my Echo. My thoughts and prayers go out to you.

I am so sorry for your loss. Scotty looks like he was a beautiful boy. Rest assured that he is running free at the Rainbow Bridge and will be there when you get there. :gh_run2

I am so sorry for your loss. Pets are special to humans no matter how small. I lost my dog eight months ago so I feel your pain. I'm sure Edna is at the Rainbow Bridge waiting for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Should we tape this tonight, what is your email address? Again, so sorry for your loss. I know how you feel. I'm going walking with a local greyhound group tomorrow so I can meet some more dogs and owners. I've been doing a lot of research on them and they seem like wonderful animals. -T

if u guys are running a tape and can shoot me an mp3 of that, i would love to hear it. thank you We'll most likely be taping

Run free sweet Seminole, our hearts and prayers are with you.

I am not a greyhound owner yet, but hopefully I will be soon. My last dog Echo (Rhodesian / Shepherd mix) died in front of me eight months ago of an embolism. I am still crying over my soulmate, my best of best friends, by brother & my son. My prayers go out to Ember. I play in a Grateful Dead tribute band in Boston, MA called Playin' Dead www.playingdead.net. I am one of two drummers in the band. I will request that we play "Black Muddy River" in honor of Ember. I'm sure Ember is with my Echo at the Rainbow Bridge playing with all the other animals. Sincerely, aryon92 aryon92@comcast.net

I'm not a greyhound owner yet, but hope to be someday. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and Harmony.

My prayers go out to you and Coby.

Hi All, Thanks so much for your responses, they are really helpful. -Tony

I'm a single guy and live alone in my own house in a nice quiet suburban town. I had a rhodesian ridgeback / shepherd mix as my previous dog (Echo). He was my best friend, by brother, my son and my soulmate. He died three months ago and now I'm out looking for a new dog. I work 30 - 45 minutes away from home and work 8 hour/day. Echo did great being home 10 hours per day by himself. He had a couple picture frame windows to look out of (doggie TV) and I think he slept a lot of the time as well. He never peed in my house and only pooped in the basement when he had diarrhea which only happened a few times the entire time I owned him (6 years). When I got home from work, Echo was fine. He was happy and wasn't dieing to get out the door to expolde. I spent all my other time with Echo and made the best of it. We went for lots of walks and had a lot of happy memories together. FYI, my vet said Echo died of most likely a brain embolism because he died very quickly. We were playing Frisbee and he just laid down and died. It was very tragic for me because he died right in front of me. He was eight years and three months old. I would like to adopt a Greyhound as my next dog, but am not 100% yet. Every Greyhound I've met has been great and I haven't heard any bad stories about them. They are very mild tempered, soft, friendly and overall great dogs from what I can see. When I first get a Greyhound I plan on crating it for short periods of time (slowly building up the time) and spending several days at home with it so it gets used to my home. When I go back to work I plan on crating it for four hours at a time and eventually weaning him off the crate. Does anyone see a problem with eventually leaving my new dog at home alone for ten hours per day if I plan on spending quality time with him when I'm with him? I guess it all depends on the dog and his bladder size. I just wanted to get an opinion for the Greayhound community out there. Thanks for listening. Sincerely, Tony