KickReturn Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 (edited) With the deer seeking missile Archer rehomed, I decided that life without a greyhound was nowhere near as good as life with one. I was in no hurry, but when I got news of a 7 year old gentle blue brindle that had lost his family due to medical reasons (their's, not his) I just couldn't ignore him. What it must be like to know proper retirement, and then to end up back in a crate in a "facility" without your family? I can't imagine. It broke my heart to think what this boy must be going through. So I filled out some paperwork, hopped in my SUV, crossed an international border and two states, and grabbed him. Apparently he was motionless all day as people came and went but when I walked in to the area where the dogs were held he went berserk. When I got him outside he threw himself at my vehicle. He knew! Some interesting notes in the first few days. The family that gave him up was devastated, so distraught that a surrender form was not properly filled out. As a result we really know nothing about him other than he is cat safe. His nails were very long which doesn't mean much except I wonder how much he was walked, I would expect them to be shorter - particularly because he seems to prefer walking on the cement sidewalk as opposed to grass. He walked with his head down, not looking around or sniffing much. Again it makes me wonder exactly what his routine was. Perhaps he was walked in a more regimented fashion as many owners do. He does prefer the left side. Could not do stairs! Our stairs are fully carpeted and very wide - as easy as stairs can be. After a day he could go up but not down. Then he got the down part but forgot how to go up. All sorted out in a week but odd for a dog with home experience. When I gave a wait command, he showed some fear and retreated to his bed. Interesting. We do use "wait" outside and he is fine. Weight was good, hind quarters decent, shoulders a bit soft and weak. When I let him off lead to romp around he was a bit awkward, even had a bit of a spill. Perhaps he has never run on uneven ground or maybe he hasn't done much or any running since retirement. He seems slow for a dog with 70 races. Teeth are very good but his jaw is very weak. We are addressing this with some half frozen turkey necks or pork neck bones ever day as a mid-day snack. Recall is not bad unless there is a bum to be sniffed. Nicely house-trained and only minor SA. Now that we are three weeks in, it is apparent we have an absolute gem of a greyhound on our hands. The guy is just thrilled to meet any person or dog we encounter. Helicopter tail, talker, smiler, lots of teeth chatter. He just loves human contact and will not let you be until he has had a full rub down and body scratch. The belly must also be stroked for several minutes or there will be consequences. I can tell he still has some pain from his loss but we are pulling out all the stops to give this boy the best life possible. He is learning to love our thrice daily hikes and he marches enthusiastically along. He is looking around more and stopping to sniff regularly. I think this is a function of leaving the leash completely loose and allowing him to make all the decisions. He gets happier by the day and is bonding with family members well. Showing signs of becoming quite the velcro dog with me. We are all thrilled with him. Meet Honor. Better photographs will follow. The light is so bad this time of year I haven't even bothered. If any forum members happen to be familiar with this dog from his earlier life, please respect the privacy of the previous owners. If you know them, tell them their Honor is in a great place and will be deeply loved for the rest of his days. Below with Hester's widow (didn't take her long to get over Hester's passing lol). I borrowed her from her owners for the first week to help with orientation. Never seen a bed share like this before in my house. Edited December 3, 2016 by KickReturn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 What a handsome guy! Congrats to all! Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramonaghan Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 Welcome Honor, and congrats! What a stunning boy; his eyes are so striking. Glad he is adjusting well to his new life with you. Looking forward to reading about your adventures together. Quote Rachel with littermates Doolin and Willa, boss cat Tootie, and feline squatters Crumpet and Fezziwig. Missing gentlemen kitties Mud, Henry, and Richard and our beautiful, feisty, silly Sweep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time4ANap Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 What a handsome boy! Sounds like he was waiting for you! Quote Camp Broodie. The current home of Mark Kay Mark Jack and Gracie Kiowa Safe Joan. Always missing my boy Rocket Hi Noon Rocket, Allie Phoenix Dynamite, Kate Miss Kate, Starz Under Da Starz, Petunia MW Neptunia, Diva Astar Dashindiva, and LaVida I've Got Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliemac Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 What a wonderful gift to Honor, his previous family, and your own. Thank you for sharing, and I'm so glad to hear that you've got a new pup in your home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 He's a handsome devil! Congratulations on Honor adopting you and I look forward to hearing about your adventures with him, as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 I have a soft spot for blue brindles! His eyes are absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations all around! Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 Looks like you both lucked out. Congratulations ! Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vampiric_Conure Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 Congrats, Honor I'm glad things are working well for all of you !!!! Quote Beware of dog? Forget the dog - BEWARE OF CAT! No wait. The budgie is a killer, too. Aaerro by Vampiric Conure, on Flickr Rainbow Bridge - Aaerro march 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 He's a beauty, congrats! Thanks for giving him another chance, I am sure he is thrilled to be back in a loving home. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beledi Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 Quote "Then God sent the Greyhound to live among man and remember. And when the day comes God will call the Greyhound to give Testament, and God will pass judgment on man." Persian Proverb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesiRayMom Posted December 4, 2016 Share Posted December 4, 2016 Greyt news......for all involved! Quote Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurfette Posted December 5, 2016 Share Posted December 5, 2016 (edited) Congrats to both of you. It seems you were meant to find each other. Edited due to my lack of language Edited December 5, 2016 by smurfette Quote Sorry for butchering the english language. I try to keep the mistakes to a minimum. Nadine with Paddy (Zippy Mullane), Saoirse (Lizzie Be Nice), Abu (Cillowen Abu) and bridge angels Colin (Dessies Hero) and Andy (Riot Officer). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted December 5, 2016 Share Posted December 5, 2016 Sounds like a perfect match! He is very handsome One of my dogs was a bounce after his owner died, and he has been just the sweetest dog ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenEveBaz Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 He sounds a love, and what striking eyes. Welcome, Honor! Quote Ellen, with brindle Milo and the blonde ballerina, Gelsey remembering Eve, Baz, Scout, Romie, Nutmeg, and Jeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inaandmax Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 (edited) what a sweet boy! Edited December 8, 2016 by inaandmax Quote Loving life with my first greyhound Max (4 year old dark brindle boy)! Check out our hiking blog! www.greythikes.blogspot.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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