SPDoggie

You really could tell that in every one of his pictures, Diane. He was lucky to have had you, and you, him. I'm so very sorry Yes-- could see his sweet soul especially in that last shot of him eating ice cream. Many prayers for you and this grief

Ruby ate a stick of butter, wrapper and all. The wrapper passed through, and she came through all-that-fat just fine.

Kingsley is our shy boy, and it took years, but he no longer hides in the house when we have people over and doesn't mind trash cans and blowing bags like he used to! So, some of these behaviors will probably change with time (years of time). Each dog is different and Kingsley would not have benefited from too-much pushing to socialize, though he LOVED greyhound walks and we would drive for him to get to walk with other hounds.

Our dogs never really get to run. They get 2, 1-mile walks a day. They used to run-around the house for 30 second spurts, in their younger days, but seem healthy and content with a couple walks and a bed to sleep on the rest of the time. We do have every intent of the next house having a fenced-in yard where they, and future dogs, are able to gallivant a little.

Our dogs were not inherently aggressive, but we kept our daughter and them separated (completely) for the first year - 18mo of her life. (gates across door ways) They were not in the same room as she was, especially when she was on the floor playing. Now our daughter is approaching 3 and we generally still keep the dogs out of rooms while she is playing, but they do interact, and she has always known to respect their space... "you do not touch the doggies while they're on their beds", "you do not touch their water bowls" So, hopefully you can keep Joe and the baby separated, and as the months go buy, your family will continue to morph into what you all need. If Joe likes walk, maybe a bunch of all-family walks, with the baby in a stroller will help everyone feel bonded.

Another 6 months?!? If you know she doesn't NEED to get outside do your best to ignore her and hopefully she will transition to later-and-later for you. (our boy Kingsley used to get up at 3am, walk to the front window and bark once... for about 4 years! Could tell time by his wanderings)

from a hike in 2007... such a sweet gal!

As a mom of 2 greyhounds and a 2.5 year old... the dogs have never played/slept/hung out in the same room as Elsie. If Elise's playing in the LR, then the dogs are gated out of the room. As she has grown, they certainly interact and she laughs out loud when their tails thwap her in the head, and we all go for walks together and such... but we just don't allow child/dog interactions all down on the floor together. I was pleased when Elsie was less than 2 and she said, "doggies on beds... leave alone" So just simply separating them might give Timmy some calm he needs. Bets of luck, and if it does become safer to re-home him... you have shown him the love he needs to protect him from the stress.

Prayers for you and your pack

So sorry for this loss... but your tribute to him, and his loving passing is such a gift.

We have one crated and one not... each is left in their preferred "position" so no problems.

oh no... too much loss in your household this year. My prayers to you and your pack. (both human and houndie)

Saw you siggie first, and then popped here... so so sorry for the loss of this beautiful girl.

So sorry... your closet will seem so empty.

I'm so sorry for your loss after all his fighting. He had a great life with you and Safari and I pray for your grief and loss.

oh no I've had the same types of thoughts with Kingsley as he has had several (non-cancerous) surgeries and I have felt that i wouldn't want to put his aging body thru it again... I do not know what I would/will do when the time comes. This post is of no help, just sending prayers and hopes that others will have good insight (they often do here) But I bet your heart wants to do whatever you can until is just can't help any more.

I had heard thru the GT grapevine that he had passed, but just now came to Remembrance... I am so so sorry for this loss and what a special boy he was.... many prayers for your whole family

Oh... yours hearts must be awfully empty... prayers for your whole pack

Our experience was not as severe as yours, but we did find that we could no longer have toys out for the dogs when our Alpha girl showed up and really dominated over our shy boy. But once we removed things that she was using to "control" him (or take-away his fun) all was fine and she did not act like a bully. I might remove all the toys first and then work on all the advice been given about teaching him his place. Good, good luck

Just want to ask if you have done official "alone training" He needs to get used (and bored) by your coming-and-going. Since he seems so stressed you may have to start with picking up your keys, and putting them back down... over-and-over. Then pick up keys open and close door... over-and-over Then pick up keys, open door, walk outside, close door.... eventually you will get in the car and drive around the block... over-and-over then leave for 15 min, then 30 .... and on-and-on. We were fortunate that both our dogs went through this process over a long-weekend. Kingsley, we learned within a month, did NOT want to be in a crate, while Ruby still gets put in her crate when we leave. Hopefully with some serious alone training he will get used to your being away. Sorry for the stress.

It sounds like you are well-prepared (maybe too prepared?!?) We were able to take 3-4 day weekend when we brought both of our hounds home, and found that really helped in teaching them to be alone. And from reading you know that your hound will probably be timid/shy/nervous for a while, and they will most-likely be thankful for the crate you have provided them to have a safe spot to go to get away from all this "new". Just go slow, have patience, cause it can take months for these guys to adjust... and it also can take 10 minutes... so have fun, take pictures, and hope you get as much info from GT as I have over the years.

Ours sleep 18-20 hours a day... and my husband is home with them too. He will occasionally call me at 2pm to tell me the dogs have not moved from their beds yet (after being out at 6:30 and eaten at 8am) They have bursts of energy for 1.5min and then have to rest up for 6 hours!

When Kingsley had to have eye drops, they must have really felt good, cause he would raise his head and stand there awaiting them... amazing... I can't stand eye drops, but here's Kingsley calmly asking for them.

I couldn't believe when I saw Wabi's name here... I am so sad for the loss of this special girl. Even the 100's, 1000's(?) of us who never knew her personally... we feel we knew her. May dandelions always bloom brightly before you and your family!