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tra708

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Posts posted by tra708

    Affectionate-Ness?

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted · Edited by tra708

    Hi all,

    after almost 9 months, i was resigned to the fact that Lola was going to be a dog that was just not very affectionate. She did not seem to enjoy being petted, and sometimes when you did that, she would simply walk out of the room, or move further away on the couch. :blink: bummer. But otherwise, she's a really good girl and we love her no matter what.

    However, for the last couple of weeks, this is slowly starting to change. The look in here eye has softened, and she seems more confident and loving. This is really cool, and i was wondering if any of you had dogs who took a long time to act as if they actually LIKED you. :) Your experiences??

    thanks,

    tracy

    Looking To Adopt For The First Time

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    We got one female greyhound, and then another 4 months later. For me, that was a good way to do it. That way, i was used to what it was like, and our first dog was really settled in. It has worked out well. i do agree with others who have said that if there are 2 together that have been bounced from another home, then get them together! i should mention i had a dog for 14 years right before that, but i got her as a grey-mix puppy, so she was an only dog her entire life. good luck, and great choice in wanting to adopt greyhounds. i can't imagine life without them. :)

    Ali's Ashes Are Back

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    When we picked up Abby's ashes, they had them ready for us in a beautiful, engraved wooden box. I was grateful that a caring, responsible place had done the job. Even so, i started crying when they gave them to me and had to rush out of there. Once, i got them home, i sure was happy to have her back with me. We put them on a table with her picture on top. I also had an artist make a glass pendant with a small amount of her ashes inside it, which i wear around my neck. Some people think this is weird, but i like having it. I know this all sucks, and i hope you get through it okay and feel a little better soon.

    The Life Of Our Hounds

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    It is a nice way of looking at it. I always wondered how long I would have Alan and that thought haunted me. I know he was happy during that period of retirement and death. I think that belief may have helped me a bit because his passing destroyed me for a while. I hope that one day I will adopt again and I will keep this in mind.

    i know. abby's passing away destroyed me too. i have often seen your posts about Alan, and thought...that must have been your once-in-a-lifetime dog, like abby was. my two new ones are not like her, but they are beautiful souls who need someone to take care of them. and that's what keeps me going. when the one year anniversary of abby's passing happened a week ago, i was finally able to look at some other posts in the remembrance section, and put my two cents in. i guess we should just consider ourselves lucky to have loved these dogs. :grouphug

     

    My Favorite:

     

     

    Why Dogs Don't Live As Long As People

    ======================================

     

    Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old

    Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and

    their little boy, Shane, were all very much attached to Belker and they

    were hoping for a miracle.

     

    I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family

    there were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the

    euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made

    arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good the four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They

    felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

     

    The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's

    family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the

    last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.

     

    Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy

    seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.

     

    We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud

    about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

     

    Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

     

    Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next

    stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said,

    "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life like loving

    everybody all the time and being nice, right?"

     

    The four-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that,

    so they don't have to stay as long."

     

    Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

     

    thank you for sharing that. t.

     

    Your words reminded me of this lovely poem, which seems to be a variation of a poem by Edgar Guest:

     

    I'll lend you for a little while

    A dog of mine, God said

    For you to love while he's alive

    And mourn for when he's dead.

    So will you, till I call him back

    Take care of him for me?

    He'll bring his love to gladden you

    And should his stay be brief

    You shall have his memories

    As solace for your grief.

    I cannot promise he will stay

    Since all from Earth return

    But there are lessons taught down there

    I want this dog to learn.

    I've looked this wide world over

    In my search for teachers true

    And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes

    I have selected you.

    Now, will you give him all your love

    Nor think the labours vain?

    Nor hate me when I come to call

    To take him back again?

    I fancied that I heard you say

    Dear Lord, Thy will be done

    For all the joy this dog shall bring

    The risk of grief I'll run.

    Will you shelter him with tenderness

    And love him while you may?

    And for the happiness you've known

    Forever grateful stay?

    But should the angels call for him

    Much sooner than you planned

    Brave the bitter grief that comes

    And try to understand.

     

    Author unknown

     

    yeah. i think that's what i was trying to say. thanks. :)

    The Life Of Our Hounds

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    i wanted to share some thoughts i had about how to deal with the inevitable time when our hounds leave us. I like to think of these wonderful dogs as creatures of God (whatever your concept of God might be), and that we are just sort of "borrowing" them for a while. In the time between retirement and death, they need somewhere to live and someone to love them and take care of them and basically spoil them rotten. It might be one year, it might be 10 years. However long that is, it's my job to keep them happy and comfy. Then, when that time is finished for them, they return to the universe. Of course we will miss them, but they were never "ours" to begin with. Then, we start the job again with another one who needs us.

    I don't know; this might seem like rubbish when it really happens, but abby's death last year left me so distraught, that when i adopted another, i tried to also adopt some new thoughts to cope with the inevitable. I hope it helps someone going through this painful time. :angelwings

    Riley

    in Remembrance

    Posted · Edited by tra708

    wow i just read your great tribute to riley. and i have to say, he is one of the most handsome greys i have seen. i lost my first dog a year ago, and i was in the same state of grief as you. maybe you already did this, but after Abby died, we wrote down all our favorite things about her, and all the amazing and cute things she did. we are glad now that we did that.

    peace to you in the months ahead,

    tracy

    My Dear Sweet Kyshi Is Gone

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    so sorry for the loss of your sweet girl. we had to do the same thing with Abby last year. it was absolutely the saddest moment i've ever had, so i know how you feel. i think our girls are playing together somewhere over the bridge.... :grouphug

    One Year Without My Girl

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    i think i know how you feel. i couldn't sell my station wagon because i know it still has some of abby's hair in it. and it's pretty old. i guess it gets a little easier with time, but that first anniversary is hitting me harder than i thought. your misty was beautiful!

    One Year Without Abby

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    We lost our abby one year ago today. We miss her every single day, still. She will always live in our minds and hearts. this photo was taken the morning of her last day. it was like she was looking up to heaven. i weep with everyone who posts on here when they lose their beloved friend, and i like to think our hounds are all running and playing together in a better place.

    70jtqx.jpg

    Shaking Head

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    hey anne, thanks. those threads were reassuring. i guess it does happen to some, and there appears to be a connection with either the Frontline or the deworming meds, or both.

    hugs to Beth (love her pics with the purple flowers)

    Shaking Head

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Twice this last week, i've noticed Lola's head shaking back and forth. She'll be lying there quietly, but awake, and her head starts moving and i don't think she can stop it. It lasts a couple of minutes, then stops. Do you think this could be a mild seizure? She recently had de-worming meds and frontline. The rest of her body doesn't move at all, just her head. Anyone had this happen with your dog?? I'll obviously see the vet if it continues.

    thanks!

    tracy

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