Guest UrsaLunar Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 (edited) Hi all! So glad to find this board and am here to learn more! Have been doing a lot of reading on Greyhounds info/FAQs pages but so often the info from different places contradicts that it would be nice to read about real experiences and be able to ask questions and get responses. Our family doesn't have a Greyhound yet, but we've gone up to volunteer to walk and socialize Greys at a rescue kennel not too far away and have been really enjoying it ... we have two German Shepherds, three cats, three boy children, and a partially fenced yard. I thought I'd feel safe from wanting to adopt because of all of the above and the fact that these sweet babies are safe and well cared for (hubby won't let me volunteer at local humane society because I'd want to bring everything home and he has a hard time saying "no"). Well, I brought hubby with me and HE fell hard for one of the Greys ... even started talking about how "Buddy and our Gaia would have so much fun playing together." Teasingly I asked him "so, if I brought Buddy home ..." he replied "I wouldn't argue too much." I'm the one who instigates the addition of furry family members, so for him to say that much is amazing! (Mind you, he adores all of our furkids as much as I do - sometimes is even goofier.) So, tomorrow I'm headed back up to the kennel and will be asking more about Buddy, to see if he'd be a good fit with us and us for him. He really is an awesome dog; was very interested in my two youngest boys, gentle, calm, and got along well with the other Greys there. I guess I need to know if he's cat safe (or could be trained) and how he'd do with our two German Sheps - they are wonderful dogs too, Gaia is a rescue without a mean bone in her body, and Oskar is everything one could ask for in a dog; intelligent, loyal, and has taken on watching over and loving up all children and vulnerable creatures that he comes across. And they're both very polite house dogs, so a good influence perhaps. Not sure what else to ask yet ... Just can't help but think Wow! A third dog would be a big change! And that's why I'm here - to learn as much as possible before taking the plunge - I understand how a German Shep's mind works and know they are excellent family dogs when well trained and treated kindly, but I don't know Greyhounds ... yet! Edited May 24, 2008 by UrsaLunar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GreytMuse Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Welcome to GreyTalk! This is indeed a wonderful site if you do decide to add Buddy (or another lucky hound) to your family. There is so much kindness and wisdom here, I learn something new every day, and not just about greyhounds!! Greyhounds are dogs first, sighthounds second, so much of your dog-knowledge will apply! GreyTalk is here to help with the particulars and peculiarities of loving a greyhound, so never fear! What adoption group has Buddy? Is there a link to his information? I want to see a picture! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest UrsaLunar Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Buddy is with http://www.NorthernGreyhoundAdoptions.org in St Albans, VT - I think some members here are familiar with this organization He's pictured on the "Adoptables" page. We've joked that Gaia must be part Greyhound; her body configurations, the way her ears lay back, and the fact that she is very much a sighthound and runs like the wind! Thankfully she has excellent recall now - it took work to get there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GreytMuse Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Oh what a gorgeous boy Buddy is! He has the same marble-rye-bread-head as my Atticus! I hope you don't mind if I post his photo here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest UrsaLunar Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Isn't he lovely? And he has the cutest little tip of white on his tail! Can't wait to kiss his pretty nose again tomorrow (Am so thankful that my heartdog Oskar doesn't get jealous when he smells new dogs on me!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CircusGreyZoe Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 What a cutie! Welcome to the site from another Vermonter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest UrsaLunar Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 (edited) Hello back atchya! We had the nicest day yesterday - for a few hours midday went to the fund-raiser tag sale that NGA holds; donated some stuff, bought some stuff, had a picnic lunch, had Buddy with us for most of our time there ... My two oldest boys are pictured below with Buddy (14 & 5, the 3 yo stayed home with Dad yesterday - and I only show obscured faces of photos of my kids online) Buddy is an imp! In a fun way We had the back of my station wagon open to change my middle son's shirt and Buddy found the croissants I'd bought as a treat for our picnic - he didn't get into them, only slimed the bag ... one of the things that's important to me as a prospective adopter is a soft mouth. My GSDs are used to carefully accepting treats (even steak!) from all my boys, and I want no less in any other dog we bring home. So I broke off 3 finger tip sized pieces (don't want an upset tummy!) and gave them to him one by one - he accepted them SO gently! No lunging, no jumping for more, YAY! I also took the shirt I'd taken off my son and rubbed it along his back and had my two dogs sniff it this AM (ok, they snuffled deeply) while praising them ... they were interested in a very calm & pleasant way. That may help introductions go better when that time comes. Buddy is feeling better and better for us - and maybe us for him! Edited to add: He kissed my chin! Three times! LOVE! Edited May 25, 2008 by UrsaLunar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greyhound1 Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 Welcome from Florida! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiliDog Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 Buddy!!! My sweetie!! He is so nice! Oops gotta introduce myself I'm Donna from Montreal. Klaus (hubby) and I do "over the border" adoptions for Dorothy and Don. We're at the kennel regularly! I love Buddy (well I love them all but some are "more special" than others ) Hope to meet you one day (perhaps at the reunion picnic on the 21st of June ...) Donna PS if you have any questions about the kennel etc don't hesitate to PM me Quote Donna & The League of Extraordinary Greyhounds Adoption Squad; Buffy and Rik T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest UrsaLunar Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 (edited) YAY! Someone that knows Buddy!!! Yes Donna, I will most definitely have questions for you! Just have to think this out, we're busy as heck next few weeks with several different things so we wouldn't be able to bring him home until mid-June - and that's if he does well with meeting Oskar and Gaia. Also, even though it was my hubby that initially fell for Buddy, I need to see what he means by "wouldn't argue too much" LOL! But I am thinking that so far everything is pointing to us being a good match. I've fallen for SO many of the sweeties at NGA Wonderful personalities all! (Even Sarah who barks so much when a new person first comes into the kennel that she foams at the mouth - calms down afterward and is lovey too!) I have to admit, it was Dorie, Delight and Jamocha that stole my heart first ... but hubby hasn't picked out a furry family member himself so it's his turn. And who am I to argue? My three year old adores Leka especially, remembered her from the first time we went, saw her pic online a few days later and proclaimed "I lub Leka!" *gross story warning!* He really liked Tigger too ... was walking Tigger when my 3 yo picked up pooh - he freaked! He wasn't familiar with pooh because fastidious Oskar goes well into the woodline around our yard to pooh and has taught Gaia to do the same. Shook it off his hand (splattered everywhere - ugh!) and wiped his hand on his shorts. Thank goodness I never bring my kids out for a day away without a change of clothes and a full thing of diaper wipes! [grumble]wish everyone would pick up after the dogs they walk![/grumble] I stuck my head into the kennel and asked the young guy if he could put Tigger back for me because of what my son did, he laughed and said it was OK, could bring Tigger with us to the car with us. OK ... well Tigger cuddled down in the back next to my son as I changed him and was SO adorable with my son - I felt bad to disappoint him that we weren't going to take him for a ride - Sue said he loves those. Oh man - am so excited!!! Edited May 26, 2008 by UrsaLunar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiliDog Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 Well Dory (now Dia) has found a home in Granby Quebec. Why don't you PM me your e mail address and I'll send you a copy of the latest "Northern Bark" the email newsletter I do for Northern. Quote Donna & The League of Extraordinary Greyhounds Adoption Squad; Buffy and Rik T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fsugrad Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 Buddy is SUCH a cutie pie!!! Quote Rita, mom to Dakota (Dakotas Dream) & Wish (Kiowa Wish Wish) and my angels Toby (Sol Marcus) and Robin (Greys Robin Hood) Forever missing our beloved Robin and Toby "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Anatole France Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest UrsaLunar Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 Thanks for the nice welcome everyone! Have many questions and will post them in appropriate forums this afternoon while my lil' ones are napping. Donna - I sent you an e-mail yesterday because the PM feature doesn't work for me yet, if you've sent a reply already you might need to send again; my hubby has our server set up so it does "gray listing" and bounces a first-time e-mail to make sure it's legit ... it's cut down on spam, but can be a pain in the tuckus otherwise, LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest UrsaLunar Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 We will be going early on Saturday morning to introduce our current two dogs (GSDs Oskar & Gaia) to Buddy ... if all goes well *fingers crossed!* Buddy will be coming home with us! We're all so excited! Worry-wort hubby was a bit hesitant at one point, but has come around 100% ... he did make a connection with Buddy the first time they met so I think once he lays hands on this sweet boy again he will be very very glad he did! And all three of our sons adore Buddy too! When I last went to see Buddy (to bring him a stuffed cow that smells like my dogs and gave him treats with it) I swear he remembered me!!! Oh man I am so in love with this boy - here's to hoping my "Heart-Dog Poopala" and our "Itty-Bitty Honey-Grrl" like him, too! Here's pics* from Thursday's visit ... * will usually only show a child's face obscured online, but my son was making such funny faces he wouldn't be recognized from these, LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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