mikefc Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 I felt the need to share this with the community. After losing our cherished boy Lander at the age of ten last July 2014, we immediately went searching for another rescue. My wife wanted a female this time and for me, with my heart so broken, any dog that needed a home was OK with me. We fell in love with Frannie a 2.5 year old from Florida who only raced seven times and did poorly. As we were contemplating taking her home, the adoption agency informed us of her sister, with whom she had spent her entire life, was also up for adoption. Chloe and Frannie had raced from the same kennel, lived together at Becker Veterinary College for a semester and had been languishing at the adoption center for over six months. The center did not want to break them up and most people only wanted one dog. My wife and I took both. Having never experienced two greys and certainly never having litter mates, we were so excited to watch them develop in their new "forever home". Frannie and Chloe love each other dearly and it is so wonderful to see how they display that caring. Frannie is adventurous , leads on the walks and always has her ears up ready for adventure. Chloe, is her protector, quiet, following behind and keeping an eye on her sister. She only comes forward when they feel threatened by another dog, then Chloe "blocks" and barks if she has to, to warn the other dog away from Frannie. Frannie whines a bit. They share everything, even their most prized smokey bones, never possessive of toys, even the newest, coolest squeaky toy is given to her sibling if she ask for it. This is all background for what happened last week. While sleeping on their respective beds in our Den, Chloe had a nightmare and awoke startled. She stepped on a sleeping Frannie and startled her as well. When Frannie jumped up and barked at Chloe, Chloe gave her such a reprimand as I have never seen. Not a dog fight but a real angry exchange. Frannie left the room and went to the kitchen. I found her there, trembling and heart racing. I comforted her for a bit then opened the mudroom cupboard where her treats are, she went into the room and leaned against the back door asking to leave. When I offered her a cookie, she refused and instead laid against the door to the outside and stayed there. It was clear she wanted out of the house! I would have expected that she went up to her crate ( her safe zone ) but no, she wanted to actually leave! So I asked her if she wanted me to take her out to her kennel to settle down. When we got the the kennel she stiff necked me and asked to walk down the driveway..... without a leash, my dear Frannie would have ran away from home. My heart was broken. After a short walk I insisted we return to the house where she went directly to bed. For the next three evenings she refused to lay in her TV room spot and stayed upstairs. Fearing she would no longer stay with us, two nights ago, I had an idea, I locked both crates so when she went up to hide, she found them locked I placed her day bed near me at my end of the TV room while Chloe stayed in her normal spot at the other end. Finding her crate closed she came back downstairs, noticed where I had put her day bed and immediately settled in for the next two evenings on her bed in this new location away from her sister. Yesterday I moved the bed back to where we started and last night they slept side by side, while my wife and I watched television. Back to normal..... I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but this is why we love greyhounds.... all they want is for someone to care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest june Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 What a lovely story. Thanks for sharing and I'm so glad things are back to "normal." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cendrine1 Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Wow. Just shows how sensitive and emotional they can be. I am glad things are back to normal and I hope they have a long and loving time with you both. Welcome to the club! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest normaandburrell Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 What a beautiful story. They sound like wonderful girls. Hope they are helping you heal from the loss of your boy Lander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeedlenoseJake Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Just like human sisters, there will be fights but at the end of the day they love each other. Congratulations on adopting such loving girls. Quote Photographer in Phoenix, AZ www.northmountainphoto.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Your girls sound just like my own set of litter-sisters, Rascal and Ruby, both gone now. Raced at the same tracks, were inseparable, I was lucky enough to adopt both of them, though a year apart (Rascal didn't race long, Ruby raced another year longer). Fortunately they never had an incident like yours did, though. Glad to know all is OK now. Isn't it wonderful having litter-sisters? How lucky for them, and for you. Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest herbsofmine Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 My litter brothers have "discussions" also, but unlike your girls, it doesn't seem to bother them past the original snark. I guess they are more like human boys that way--get it out and it's done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandiandwe Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 My two girls have lived together since before they were two when they came home to us. It took them days to get over the initial shock of their recent fight and weeks to go back to normal. Both needed a lot of attention and cuddles. Drama lamas the pair of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Just curious, why put the beds back to being side by side? Even though accidental, a sleep startle could result in a nip. Even though they were together at the adoption center for 6 months they may not have been sleeping side by side there. They sure do have their own unique personalities, don't they? Quote Freshy (Droopys Fresh), NoAh the podenco orito, Rita the podenco maneta, Howie the portuguese podengo maneto Angels: Lila, the podenco, Mr X aka Denali, Lulu the podenco andaluz, Hada the podenco maneta, Georgie Girl (UMR Cordella), Charlie the iggy, Mazy (CBR Crazy Girl), Potato, my mystery ibizan girl, Allen (M's Pretty Boy), Percy (Fast But True), Mikey (Doray's Patuti), Pudge le mutt, Tessa the iggy, Possum (Apostle), Gracie (Dusty Lady), Harold (Slatex Harold), "Cousin" Simon our step-iggy, Little Dude the iggy ,Bandit (Bb Blue Jay), Niña the galgo, Wally (Allen Hogg), Thane (Pog Mo Thoine), Oliver (JJ Special Agent), Comet, & Rosie our original mutt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KickReturn Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Amazing how sensitive some of these dogs are. Very touching. And yes, definitely spread the beds apart. It's a simple, practical safety measure that won't interfer with their affection for each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefc Posted January 23, 2015 Author Share Posted January 23, 2015 to Greyaholic : you know you make a good point and I have considered this. Being new to having sisters, I'm open to suggestions. On the one hand, they are each concerned for the other, they eat at the same time, side by side, even drink side by side from the same water bowl, they sleep in their crates which are against one another and seem content. So naturally I we felt they would like to doze side by side while were watching TV or reading. But after this incident maybe I should give them space? I don't have to tell any grey owners here how "out of control" sleepers they are, 'roaching, stretching, rolling over, etc. Incidental contact with her sister is inevitable I guess..... I know I would't like a foot in the eye if I was in a deep dream state . what do others here feel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefc Posted January 23, 2015 Author Share Posted January 23, 2015 What a beautiful story. They sound like wonderful girls. Hope they are helping you heal from the loss of your boy Lander. Lander could never be replaced but the gaping hole is now full again. Every time I look at Lander's picture on my desk , I thank him for the memory he left. He was the total opposite of these girls, 85 pound male, raced 49 times, won more than a few and suffered tremendous scars. He displayed the mistreatment of racing greyhounds on his skin and in his heart. He gave no quarter but loved without limit. All he ever wanted was his sofa, a walk and to be with my wife and I. And boy did he like to run, right up to his declining health. he was special in that after six months, no leash was ever required. It was used in public but we ran trails in the woulds, he ran full speed on the grounds of the small airport near our home. And on beaches, that was the best.... I see him running still......... Amazing how sensitive some of these dogs are. Very touching. And yes, definitely spread the beds apart. It's a simple, practical safety measure that won't interfer with their affection for each other. i'm taking the advice from the group...... ty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefc Posted January 23, 2015 Author Share Posted January 23, 2015 This is how they slept in the den before we got them serpent day beds...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefc Posted January 25, 2015 Author Share Posted January 25, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliemac Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 how sweet! I'm glad that they have each other ... and you as well. If you think that there was 'sleep startle' (versus someone stepping on another when asleep), I would leave about a foot between the beds to be safe. I have 2 of my own, and when my friend comes to visit with her 2 hounds, I seem to get all 4 dogs in my bedroom. Her two hounds have some pretty strong snarlies if disturbed while sleeping, so I've had to be creative to ensure the safety of 4 dogs. If I can't put a foot between the beds (allows room for 'bed fails'), I put a body pillow or folded blanket as a separator. Looking forward to seeing more pictures of these beauties! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefc Posted February 1, 2015 Author Share Posted February 1, 2015 ah! "bed fails" that's it, seen a few of those. like falling off the bed, stretching and knocking over a lamp table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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