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TwiggysMom

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Everything posted by TwiggysMom

  1. From your title, I wasn’t sure whether this was about an accidental poop, or an unsavory alternative to toothpaste (hmm, I guess that would have been spelled with an “o” rather than an “i" – but we may have just invented a new euphemism for coprophagia!) To address the issue, as you suggested, it probably is best to listen you your inner alarm that says “he should have pooped, why didn’t he??” However, I can attest that excellent potty behavior at home is not necessarily indicative of potty behavior at homes away from home. Twiggy has never had an accident at home (except for an unfortunate incident when I unsuccessfully tried to switch her to a very rich, grain-free food); however, she has had accidents at every other home she has visited. Talk about embarrassing – how can I brag about my perfect girl after she poops on my mom’s white wall-to-wall carpeting? If it’s any consolation, Twiggy only had to have one accident at any of the home away from homes, so maybe Badger will be OK there from now on!
  2. Maybe calm down the dog? You might want to try some herbal/holistic things people use for stressed dogs – Rescue Remedy, melatonin, or Chinese herbs come to mind. You would just use them when you knew he was going to be in a situation that triggers his excitement. By the way, I agree with the vet’s assessment – marking isn’t just for pee!
  3. ! This is a really interesting comment to me. It could explain a lot! I had a foster who was returned to the group I foster for from a neglectful home (lived in the garage, never spayed, terrible teeth & nails, etc.). She did what I assumed was reverse sneezing. Several months after she went to her forever home, her new family emailed me with a heads up that their vet told them she was “full of whips” (they were concerned that she may have passed them to my girl). Your comment makes me now think that she was actually exhibiting symptoms of her whipworm infestation. Great piece of info to tuck away for future reference!
  4. Crate debate aside, if you want her to be happy to go in her crate, I have something that might work. It is what I do for all my fosters, and it has worked so far. (BTW, I crate because I have cats and work all day, so I don’t want to take the risk). All meals served in crate. I use stainless steel bowls/holders that attach to the inside of the crate. I also feed 3 times daily (not specifically recommending, just that it works for my fosters, and my own girl). 1 of those meals each work day is given just as I am leaving for work. The pup is too busy eating to care that I am leaving. Also, 3 meals means that odds are, when they go in for a meal, I won’t be leaving. (I don’t know if that enters their conscience, but they were racing dogs…) Of 15 fosters, all have learned within 2 days to happily trot into the crate for their meals (a few balked for the first day or so). Once in, I haven’t had any of them be frantic to get back out again, and all of them have spent at least some time in the crate voluntarily (i.e.: door open & many other available dog beds that aren’t in the crate). Of course, there will be some hounds that just won’t crate well no matter what you do, but there’s a chance that this could help.
  5. Twiggy came up lame once, and I could see a small spot on her pad. I ended up taking her in to the vet, and after I pointed the spot out, she took her into the back to investigate it. Turns out the vet found a PEBBLE stuck all the way inside her pad. Apparently, she had a small cut, then stepped on the pebble and forced it inside her pad (not between her pads, inside her pad). It was not at all visible by looking at it, except for the tiny spot. Highly unlikely this is the same, but you never know what it could be!
  6. Welcome! Might as well embroider “Delphi” on that sofa – it’s hers now! She’s a beautiful girl
  7. I would call the vet, too. When my ACD ate a peach pit, my vet was quite concerned - he told me it is one of the worst things a dog can eat. (maybe he was exaggerating, but still). With so many peaches on the ground, you probably don't have any way of knowing if she managed to throw up all of them. Good luck, I hope she feels better soon!!
  8. First, I don’t see this as a reflection of how Junebug feels toward you as her person, caretaker, packmate, etc. It seems to me that this is solely about her having always slept in her own completely personal space untouched in her life prior to now. All of a sudden she is happily drifting off to sleep cuddling, being petted, and then she is soundly asleep when she discovers AAAAUUUUGGGHHHHH!!!!!!! Something is touching me!!!!!!!! HELP!! It wasn’t her fault, it wasn’t your fault, it was just probably just too soon to “go to that level”. Many greyhounds take quite a long time (if ever) before they can take sleeping/cuddling with their people. I have had some fosters (current included) who don’t have this type of personal space issue, but I wouldn’t try sleeping with my girl Twiggy – she just isn’t a cuddler. I would say that the jury is still out on whether Junebug will ever be a cuddler, but my advice is to give her her space for now, and see what time brings. On the other hand, I don’t think you should feel that this has an influence your relationship while she is awake.
  9. It is always tragic to have to face the loss of one so loved. The loss of your first is just that much more difficult. Over the years, I realize that I let some go too soon, others too late, and some at just the right time. You do the best you can with the facts and emotions you have at the time. Whatever happens, and whenever it happens, it will be with the most love and care that Sherman could ever know. I’m so sorry for your pain. .
  10. As heartbreaking as it is, I also think that the most fair thing to do for all concerned is to return Caroline to the group and adopt a hound who really is cat-workable or cat-safe. From your description, it doesn't sound like she can ever live calmly and comfortably with cats. I think it is also in Caroline's best interest, even though it may not seem like it. The poor girl is probably constantly thinking about how she can get those kitties, and is likely stressed about that. Kudos to you for working so long and hard to try to make this work - you have gone way beyond what many people would do in this situation. Clearly you love and care about Caroline, and want to do the best for her. I've had a fair number of fosters, and most of them settled in quickly with the kitties. One I had a really hard time with, and he bit the cats a quite a few times over the course of the first couple months (no damage, but still), but eventually learned to love them (even snuggled with them!). One foster, however, was simply not workable. She sounds very much like your girl. Same types of behavior, never settled down because she wanted to eat those yummy cats. We moved her to another foster home w/o cats, and she quickly became a permanent resident there! Good luck with your decision, and don’t beat yourself up if you do decide to bring her back to the group. It’s rare that I think that returning a dog is the best option, but it sounds to me like it is the best, kindest, and safest option in your case here.
  11. I am in Chicago, and a playdate sounds like fun. Twiggy loves meeting other greys. Twiggy became Twiggy when I decided there was nothing I could do to salvage Js Fully Exotic as a pet name. Everytime I mentioned my new dog’s name, every man within earshot stopped what he was doing (even phone calls) and looked to see what I was going to say next lol. In retrospect, “Twiggy” was probably a rather silly newbie choice, but I really do think it suits her well; both in physique and personality. And how funny is it that my current foster is Tyra (raced as Flying Tyra). So now I have the supermodels.
  12. I'm so very sorry. Just last week I was smiling at the captions for that picture of her all pretty in pink and pearls, and at how fantastic she looks on the carnation packet! May your good memories outweigh your current pain. Run free, beautiful little Nina.
  13. Wow, thanks everyone for your nice welcomes, it’s great to be here! Yes, Twiggy is a girl who knows how to have fun, she’s my little nut case. (I mean that in the best way possible). Thanks for the siggy compliment, PhillyPups! These were from our Radar Run last year – I can see the sheer joy in her face. It’s like she’s yelling “YEEAAAAA!!!”. I should add that I am not responsible for the photos, just the editing of them. I love fostering, I would be very sad if I couldn’t do it any more. The different “dogsonalities” are amazing, and I learn from each one of them. Twiggy learns from them as much as she is a role model for them. That’s how she learned to give kissies, and to be more cuddly. Now, if only Tyra would teach her to sit – I sure haven’t been able to do it! Thanks again for all the replies!
  14. Hello GT’ers! Finally introducing my girl Twiggy and myself. I’ve been lurking ~1.5 years, signed up a few weeks ago, and finally posting. I always find great info and discussion here, not to mention hilarious and cute photos. I originally came to GT via the Amber Alert while participating in a lost hound search. The Amber Alert is an amazing resource. My girl Twiggy came to me 2.5 years ago, she is my first greyhound. I have 2 kitties, Donnie and Aiden, who have generously participated in training 15 foster greyhounds to live with kitties in their future lives (and endured more than a few chase incidents in the process). I’m amazed at how much those kitties love the hounds. I’ll try to add a few pics below: Twiggy’s Yearbook Picture: Twiggy enjoying the dog park (what passes for one in Chicago): Twiggy chasing down the ball (one of her favorite pastimes): Aiden and my current foster (the stinkin’ cute Tyra): Thanks for looking! Wendy
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