Hello All,
I adopted 4 year old "Eggplant Tree" in early December. His orange and black brindling reminded me of a tiger, and after much thought, I decided to rename him Hobbes (if any of you read Calvin and Hobbes, you will know that Hobbes is an imaginary/stuffed tiger and Hobbes has the more positive view of humanity than Calvin does).
I remember the first time I ever met a greyhound. A woman sitting at a coffee shop had one at her feet at an outdoor table and I stopped to pet and chat. She told me they were not the dogs people thought they were (I was surprised at the time to find out they don't have a crazy energy about them).
And well, our tastes make the world go around. I could love any animal, but realized I likes the ones with the long snouts and long legs. I have been wanting a dog FOREVER! But never had the time until recently. I had spent many hours on Petfinder and also had been to the SPCA. Recently, I was very excited as Massachusetts had finally banned greyhound racing, and that led me to Greyhound Friends near my home. And that is how I met Hobbes.
I originally had a lot of questions, but have read a lot (before I adopted him and after). I am astounded at how many other greyhounds do the things Hobbes does, and that is relieving, so thank you! I thought they were only particular to him (ie what I call his "poop dance" where he goes back and forth FOREVER before pooping, or I was reading about others who wondered if their greys sit, as Hobbes has not done that, to the belly band, which I have on the way in the mail as he pees whenever I am not around).
At this point there are things I worry about: I worry he is BORED. He absolutely lives for walks, but how many walks can we take in subzero temperature? ("many," Hobbes would type if he could ), and I am hoping that he is at the point where he realizes that we always come home when we leave him. I also wonder why he does the body shake whenever he wears his snood, why he whines and catches up to other dogs who are on walks, and then after a minute is bored with them and wants them away. Why his teeth chatter when I tell him we are going BYE BYE (his first word), and why, after all the garbage cans and bins we pass on our walks, why he seemed so FRIGHTENED at that one black plastic bag and another day a big snow clump.
It's hard because I would give anything to know what his life was like before he came here, then I could better serve him and make his life easier. It can be frustrating. But I guess i have to remember that I've had him barely over a month, and from what I've read here, I have to be patient.
Anyway, nice to meet you guys and I look forward to learning about Hobbes and your loves as well
Liz and Hobbes
(hmm, how in the heck do I post a pic of Hobbes?)
