Brotherly Love

Well, it is starting to happen. Hoss and Bud have started to view each other in a brotherly way. They have become quite playful, and even sleep a lot closer together. In the past - Hoss didn't want Bud within 3 feet of him, but the other day I caught them practically nose to hiney!

Here is some video of the boys playing "nicely". They do this once or twice a day, and it is so funny to watch. If you didn't know any better, you would think that it was mean-spirited, but they are just being silly!

Bud Update: Bud has fully recovered from his SPD injury. His staples have been out for a while and the hair is starting to grow back in. He is such a doll! He has become quite affectionate lately and is listening very well when told to do things. Bud has some new girlfriends in the neighborhood. He is quite enamored with two dogs that live down the street. Each time we go out for a walk, he is looking their direction, hoping to see them. One is a little 8 month old bulldog named Pudge, and Pudge like to give Bud kisses!! It is the cutest thing ever!

Hoss Update: Hoss is such a mellow dude! He has become very laid back - even more so than he already was! He too has become more affectionate as of late - pimping for more ear and butt scritches any chance he can. As I mentioned earlier, he is really starting to love Bud like a brother. I even discovered that he knows a trick!!! He will stand up on his back legs for a moment - almost a rearing position like a horse. We are working to perfect it - making sure that he only does it on command and never on his own. It is scary when a big dog rears up like that, and I don't want him to misuse his super powers.

Other news.....Well, we've taken a big step here at the house - the boys no longer stay in the kitchen when I leave. That's right! They get full run of the house (other than my bedroom which is closed off). They seems so much happier now, and show less anxiety when I leave. I still slip them a treat before I take off, and it is less stressful for me since I don't have to fight Hoss to get him in the kitchen. He was developing a bad habit of running the other direction then laying down and playing dead anytime he thought I was going to leave. I'm now able to get out the door on time now that I don't have to fight with him.

The sweet spot

I've only had a few dogs in my life, so I'm not sure if this is true for all them, but my boys have their favorite "spot" to lay. During the day, they have their spots. In the bedroom, they have their spots. I guess we are all that way - we have a comfort zone that we like to stay within. I know I like to sit in the same spot on the couch - and now that cushion is a little flatter than the others!!! LOL

I've noticed that Hoss like to nest. Blankets, beds - whatever he can get his paws on. Whenever I do laundry, Hoss is right there. He thinks my sorted piles of clothes are little nests for him. He holds nothing back, and plops right down in the middle. I suppose it is okay - the clothes are already dirty. My only issue is when he starts "fluffing" and messes up my sorted piles!!!

The road to recovery

Ok, now.....I'm not one to dress up my dogs. Yes, they do have jammies - but only for when it is REALLY cold out. And, I do have coats for them, but could you imagine going out in -20 degrees without a coat??? But, when Bud first came home after his surgery, I wanted to find a way to keep his wound clean and keep him from licking it. It was mentioned on a few message boards that a tshirt works great. It did for the first few days, and was such a cute site.

After about the third day, I came home at lunch to find a big hole in the side of the shirt, and a big wet spot from where he had licked and chewed to get at his itchy, healing wound. So......off to PetSmart we went to get the dreaded E-Collar. I've been the official "bad mommy" for the last two weeks. Because of the size of a greyhound's head relative to their necks, the cone had to be pretty tight to keep him from slipping out. Don't misunderstand - I could still fit fingers between the collar and his neck - but he was sure to make sad grunting noises to show how uncomfortable he was. A treat cleared that up right away. :)

On Thursday of last week, Bud was able to get his staples out. A quick process and he was a free boy! Getting the staples out took less than 5 minutes, but the wait at the vet's office took almost an hour! Geesh! I've continued to use the E-Collar this weekend, and only this morning decided to forgo it's use. The scabs have finally dwindled down and he doesn't have anything to pick at - just and ugly scar with hair trying to grow back in around it.