Hello From Columbus Ohio

[Guest Steev43230]

I've been a dog owner all my life with the exception that except for one year in college I've never had a dog, only cats! (My roommates and I, that year, owned a Saint Bernard, a "toy doberman," a mutt, two ferrets, two or three cats, and my AKC Samoyed, who ran away and got adopted by a nice family to whom I gave the papers when I discovered they'd discovered and adopted him.)

 

25 years later, this has begun to bother me and after a few years of watching Dog Whisperer and continuing to grow as a person I now feel ready to make a commitment, which begins with moving in early spring to an apartment complex that allows dogs, reopening my adoption application, then taking a week's vacation. And, of course, making a commitment to get out of bed at 6 when the alarm goes off instead of 6:45 when I feel like it.

 

As far as Cesar Millan goes, I recently visited the home of a friend who had a rotweiller-colored toy dog. Perhaps a min-pin, though I had thought min-pins were 18 inches and this one was under 10. Lots of racket and noise when I entered there home - which I completely ignored. Several minutes later when *I* decided to meet the dog, I went to the room where he was, prevented him from jumping on me, and continued to "back him off" until he calmed down. Later that night (it was their Christmas Day event), I picked up the dog and we had a nice little visit. No one else picked up the dog - but, then, I don't think anyone else could've gotten close enough to do so.

 

I'm away from home at work during the day and though I live close enough to come home for lunch, it is important that I do this right, and everything I've read leads me to believe that a greyhound will be the easiest-going dog to start with, not to mention the fact that they're beautiful shorthairs.

 

My relationship with my cat has never been better than when I started ignoring him, and though he does attack me about once a week when I ignore him too much and he wants to play, I think I've finally got it almost right where animals are concerned: be inviting, not in their face; be confident, not pushy; and be clear about what your expectations. And, of course, stop thinking and just relax.

 

I'm quite looking forward to my first "real" dog - the one where the adoption is a one-way move and there's no going back.

 

I'm glad to be here and meet all of you.

Edited January 1, 2012 by Steev43230

[Greydawg]

 

Careful... this Greyhound thing is pretty addictive!

[Houndtime]

Well, that was pretty fast.

 

Glad to see you here.

[Guest Steev43230]

Well, that was pretty fast. Glad to see you here.

One does try to follow instructions as one gets older....

[ClarksMom]

Welcome! As you can see I'm in the area and would be glad to answer any questions!!

[joejoesmom]

Welcome,

 

I am also in the Columbus area -- Westerville. I work with Team Greyhound Adoption of Ohio. We have a meet and greet at the Sawmill PetsMart on Saturday the 14th from 1 to 3 pm. Actually, we have a meet and greet there every month on the 2nd Saturday. We also do meet and greets in the Easton area but we might be changing venues. It would be best to check our website:

 

Team Greyhound - Columbus events

 

You can also email me: Jane

 

You've come to a great place to learn all about this wonderful breed.

 

Jane

[Guest Steev43230]

Thank you Jane - I have an application in with Team Greyhound and am simply on hold till I can move to a dogs-acceptable apartment complex when the weather warms up and then schedule the home visit.

 

So let me ask - aren't the dogs cold in winter when taken outside and their overcoat only covers the back? I would think there "should" be coats the drape all the way to the ground, all the way around, though I've never seen them.

[joejoesmom]

Thank you Jane - I have an application in with Team Greyhound and am simply on hold till I can move to a dogs-acceptable apartment complex when the weather warms up and then schedule the home visit.

 

So let me ask - aren't the dogs cold in winter when taken outside and their overcoat only covers the back? I would think there "should" be coats the drape all the way to the ground, all the way around, though I've never seen them.

There are some that cover more of the underside. I'm sure someone else can chime in with a link (I don't buy coats, I make them for my kids). You can also use a sweatshirt or 4 legged PJs under the coat.

 

I have a fenced yard, so mine go out when they need to and come in when they are ready. Since you will be walking him/her, I bet you will find that when the weather is nasty, he will do his business quickly and then want to go back inside. A regular coat will probably be fine, unless you want to go on long distance walks when it is very cold.

 

You don't want one to drape all the way to the ground (impedes movement) and any that go underneath need to be tight enough that boy dogs can't pee on it.

 

I probably won't be at the Jan 14th meet and greet. Wendy usually is -- she is our president (and also one of the Columbus adoption reps).

 

Lastly, I am working on a good pattern for a coat that will be reasonably quick for me to make. If I come up with one, I will start making it for Team Greyhound adopters and give a portion back to the group. I currently do this with collars. So far, all the coats I have made would take me too long and would end up being prohibitively expensive.

 

Jane

[Guest JustGreyt05]

Welcome! I'm from Columbus too and all of the local greyhound adoption groups are awesome! My dog and I love them all!

[Guest Steev43230]

Thanks to all. Hope to have a GH soon.

[ozgirl2]

I was a 'cat person' till I got my grey! (I actually liked dogs, just not in-your-face dogs...)

 

Greys are probably the most cat-like of dogs, but they are still dogs. But much more independent than a lot of breeds...

 

And, yes, they are VERY addictive!!!