ChelmsfordGrey

On Friday, Data and I went to the Greyhound Friends kennel to adopt a sister for Data. It's a rough trip for Data because he gets carsick. He's fine all the way there until Saddle Hill Road. Anyone who's been to the kennel knows it's windy, narrow, and hilly. So he got sick. Then he got out and did his business. Then we went inside and he pooped on the carpet (why!@#%, he is housetrained). Then we started looking at the girls. I figured with Data being 10 1/2 that bringing a young male home would be too much for him to take. The one I had sort of fallen for last week went right up to him and he growled like a grizzly. Guess not! Then we met Abbey. She's not full greyhound and was anonymously abandoned at a shelter in Indiana. She's a bit older than the bouncy wild girls (she's guessed to be about 5), and she and Data seemed OK with each other. Here's her kennel photo (my digital camera got chewed up, thanks Data): She stood the entire trip home, and for the last 10 minutes was trying to get into my lap. She's settling in very well. She had been in a foster home so is housetrained. She slept on the bed with me last night. Welcome home, Abbey!

Thank you all for your condolences. Data is doing better than I thought he would on his own. In a couple of weeks or so, we'll see what we can do about getting him a buddy.

Yesterday I had to have Woody put to sleep. He let me know it was time by refusing his favorite foods. He wouldn't take cheese, or even hamburger. He was a month shy of 12 years old. Woody slept on my bed up until the end, and he slipped away peacefully. I'll miss you my sweet, big beautiful bubba brindle beastie boy.

I have a galgo. Stairs weren't a problem at all. I believe Data was used as a hunting dog, not a racer, so he was accustomed to "terrain". This means he is agile. At the adoption kennel, he scaled an 8foot chain link fence and got himself free. He can clear a 5 foot fence without any problem.

I miss dancing with Shadow (miniature poodle). I would scoop him up and we'd dance, and he'd lick my chin. Can't do that with my greys.

I went through a similar situation witn a miniature poodle. 17 years old, cushings, finally couldn't walk. I would like to think I didn't make him hang around longer than necessary, but that's something I'll probably never know. I thought I was prepared, but it was still hard. You need to do something -- exercise, make something, just move. Donate any items you do not need for another dog to an Animal Shelter. I saved his dog tag and made it into a Christmas ornament. It's been 4 years. When I put up the tree, I always sigh, and then I smile remembering all the love and fun I had. Another pet is not the answer, although it sometimes helps. I'm guessing you already have others, at least a grey. Spend time with them, cuddle, walk, play. They're probably missing their beagle buddy, too. The only solution really is time.