Greyt Times With Greyt Dogs!

A first

2009-03-26T21:05:00.005-05:00

I've got a race this weekend. Actually, this summer, I have a lot of traveling on the schedule. Lots of quick, weekend trips. As a single mom to two furkids, finding someone to watch the boys can be difficult. So I'm trying something new.

Tomorrow, I'm dropping the boys off at doggy daycare, and they are staying the night.

Daycare is not new for them. I used to take them once a week when I first got them. They LOVED it! Would come home pooped!!! The new part of this is the boarding. I've never let them stay overnight with anyone I didn't know very well.

All I can hope is that they have so much fun that they are EXHAUSTED and don't care where they sleep. It's only one night, but I'm hoping they make some new 4-legged friends and I can use this place more this summer.

My boys are growing up!

2009-02-12T09:30:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday Hoss and Bud!!!

Hoss - the big 1-0!!! My senior boy...
Bud - 6 years and going strong!

I think we need to party this weekend, don't you???

A new friend

2009-02-01T19:17:00.004-06:00

Well, I know I don't update this blog much anymore - the boys have settled into my life quite nicely, and while they still constantly surprise me and make me laugh, it isn't as noteworthy as it once was. My more recent endeavors are chronicled on my other blog and while they aren't the stars of that particular show, they still are my #1 priority every single day. First, taking care of and loving them, second is the rest of my life!

It's been a few years now, and we have found our groove....the things in our days that make for a nice routine that the boys and I enjoy and take comfort in. I know they take comfort in the blandness because they seem happiest when things are status quo, and seem taken aback when the routine is broken.

For instance - I recently (Dec) quit my job to go out on my own. It was right around Christmas and as we all know, the holiday season can throw routines right out the window. The boys, especially Hoss, were frustrated with the constant schedule change from day to day. We are all glad to be back to a normal weekly routine.

Back to my original reason for the post - I wanted to share some pics of a new friend. Her name is Olive, and she is the newest edition to some friends' household. She is a ball of energy (as she should be at the ripe age of 4 months) and this afternoon she came for a visit. The boys and I will be dog sitting for her in April, so today was the grand introduction.

You'll notice all of the pics are of Olive and Bud. This is because Hoss has some personal space issues, and didn't take kindly to Olive's lack of personal space....as you'll see in the pics...

I'm sure Hoss will lighten up a bit as he gets to know her. He did with Tito, but then again, Tito never tried to get in his face like Olive did today. :) She is such a lover - of humans and other dogs. It was a lot of fun, and we look forward to having her back over a few more times before April!

Bark and Brew

2008-07-15T12:50:00.002-05:00

A few weekends ago, the boys and I attended a fundraising event for the establishement of a dog park in Ankeny. Here are some photos that were snapped of us....

What's 4 months between friends?

2008-04-07T10:50:00.002-05:00

Yeah yeah....so I've been neglecting this blog a bit. Sorry! No news is good news, right?!?! Actually, that has been true in this case. The boys have been greyt! They've both maintained their gentleman status - always so sweet and polite to everyone they meet. They've put up with my crazy training and travel schedules. And health-wise they are stellar!

With my training and traveling they've been able to hang out with their buddies Grizz and Bear. These two greys own the couple that fostered Hoss before he came to own me. The boys L-O-V-E hanging out at their place. The last few times there has been a foster as well, so 5 greys have rule of the house!

As boys will be, sometimes they get a little rambunctious. When I came back from my Galveston trip, I was greeted with some stitches on Hoss' neck. The boys got a little rough and he caught a tooth. Ouch! But it didn't phase him at all and he is doing fine. It is times like that when I am glad to have such grey-knowledgeable sitters for the boys! They know exactly what to do, no questions!

Vet Visit

2007-12-19T19:13:00.000-06:00

Well folks, this year is wrapping up. And what better way to bring it to an end than with...........a teeth cleaning session??

Yep. Fun stuff.

I'm not sure when Hoss was in last, but in the 1 year and 3 months I've had him, we've been what you'd call "lax" on the whole dental hygiene front.

But, all news was good. No extractions! And the doc said everything looked really good!

I also had them do some bloodwork to check for underlying issues. No issues there either!

Bud got his shots up to date, too. What a day!

I hope everyone has a great holiday!

Unseasonal Sunday

2007-11-11T20:23:00.000-06:00

Can I just say, "Wow!" It is November in Iowa......and it was 67 degrees this afternoon. A weird, balmy air - something not typical of this time of year.

Of course, we had to take advantage of it! The boys and I, along with our neighbor and her dog Boz, went out to a local, vacant, baseball diamond for an afternoon of fun. It was fun to watch Boz chase the ball, and the boys chase Boz!

Big Dog in a Little Bed

2007-11-05T08:31:00.000-06:00

Chris Farley would be proud......

Hoss, desperately wanting to nap in the sunroom with Mom, Jim and I, tries many positions on the floor but never one that was comfortable. The bed closest to him was Tito's little sofa. It does fold out to sort of a chaise lounge chair, but still.....

Who says greyhounds take up lots of room? Look how small he can make himself!!!!

Couch, collars, and just plain goofy

2007-10-30T19:08:00.000-05:00

I have PROOF!!!!

I had blankets left on the couch from when my Mom, sis and cousin were here for the marathon. Guess they were inviting!

I was sitting on the couch, working on the laptop, when Hoss walked over and stepped right on up. At first I wanted to stop him............but I gave in. :) The boys are now allowed on the couch. Bud has even found it to be quite comfy, and will sit next to me when he is feeling snuggly.

I like this shot.....you can almost hear the dialog between them!

Fall is here, so it was time for some new collars. Of course, DogmaLondon.com had just the right ones to suit the boys' current moods.

Here is Hoss in "Inked" - it has various tattoo-like graphics, including one that reads 'I love Mom' :)

Bud is wearing "Super Dawg". He really has exhibited superhero-type actions lately. Whether it is stealing toys away from Hoss before he is even noticed, or sliding quietly into the favorite bed at night, knowing very well he will have to fight a battle of wills in about an hour when Hoss decides HE wants to sleep there. (Note: this is where Bud's superheroness falls short, as Hoss always wins the battle-for-the-bed.)

Here are some shots of the boys enjoying an ice cream cup one afternoon. I've been awfully busy lately, so I try to give them some "good treats" every once in a while to bribe for their affection!!! :)

Greymates?

2007-10-09T15:31:00.000-05:00

This is too cute! http://www.greymates.org/

Oh, and I'm not intentionally neglecting the dog blog. Been a little busy getting my other blog up and going.

The boys are doing good. Been kind of boring around here lately. We do have some greyt events coming up soon, so they will out in full greyhound force. Pictures will be taken.

If only it could be.....three?

2007-08-20T10:12:00.000-05:00

This is Trever. I met him for the first time this weekend at an HGA event. What a lover!!! If only my association would let me have a third, I would have chipped this weekend. Do you think they would notice an additional 80+ pounds walking around with me??? The beautiful brindle acts like camouflage, right? I think I could have gotten away with the "I'm just dog sitting for a few weeks" excuse.....for a few weeks. Eventually they would have caught on and someone would report me.

Trever is such a sweet boy! But all is not lost. A nice young couple is ready to adopt this handsome pupper. They are moving into a new house soon - what a greyt house warming gift!!!

*Sigh.*

Oh well.....

Frogs and Hogs

2007-08-17T12:14:00.000-05:00

Our evening walks have become quite entertaining. There seems to be a large number of little bity frogs that come out at night and chill on the sidewalk along our potty walk path. I have no problem with them being there, if only they would just STAY STILL!!! Every time they get to hopping around, I have to hold the boys back. Don't they know we have a pact???!!? You don't jump around in clear sight and I won't let my dogs eat you!! :)

So, the other night, after our final frog-filled frolic of the evening, the boys and I head to bed. Well, let me clarify. I went to bed. The boys, about 30 minutes later, finally decided to join me. Bud headed up first and had his pick of the beds. (The one closest to mommy is the primo spot.) About 5 minutes later, Hoss decided to join us. In my half asleep'dness, I hear him coming, but think nothing of it. Until......the undertone of growls starts. I open my eyes to see Hoss, pawing at the bed as if to fluff it - only instead of the other bed, he is priming the one Bud is laying on. Bug tried to defend his spot with a growl and a few warning barks, but Hoss is the Boss and was too stubborn for that. Since Bud wouldn't move, Hoss decided to lay down on the floor between me and Bud. (That is not a lot of room....he was crammed in there, making a point.) Eventually, Bud got the hint, gave in, and moved over to the next bed. Hoss claimed his prize and they both drifted to sleep.

Exhibit #1: Drool Spot

2007-08-10T22:13:00.000-05:00

Your Honor, I would like to present Exhibit #1: a drool spot on a throw pillow from the couch.

Upon arriving at home after a long, exhausting bike workout, I greeted the boys with my usual love and affection. As I walked over to turn on the laptop, I noticed a dark spot on one of the pillows. A quick touch - wet. A quick sniff -not pee (phew!).

The prosecution feels this evidence is substantial in our ongoing efforts to prove that one of the household hounds is seeking comfort on the plush, leather wrapped cushions of the living room couch while their super-fly owner (that's me!) is not present.

New trends....

2007-07-25T22:33:00.000-05:00

The boys have developed some new habits lately. I guess they are still "settling in" to their new living situation - though we are quickly approaching 1YEAR as a family. Here is the latest trends:

- Bud has started marking when we are out on walks. He used to be a go-one-time-and-I'm-good kinda boy, but now he will go two or three times when we are out. Hoss has been a great role model (Mr. 6-7 times).

- Now that Bud marks, we have had an increase in the number of times the Bud ends up peeing on Hoss' head!!! They sniff out a spot together, then Bud hikes a leg while Hoss is still investigating. I have to keep a close eye so that I can divert Hoss' head at the last second.

- Bud has always been one to wait until the last possible moment to do his "business". Usually it is on the last little patch of grass available. I guess he wanted to push it just a little further. Now, about 50% of the time at least, he ends up leaving a present for me on the sidewalk! Like a good owner, I pick up after them each time, but the little spot that is left....I almost feel embarrassed!

- Hoss has become excited about eating his meals again. (At one point, I had to convince him that he needed to eat.) At least 3 times now, while I'm standing at the counter preparing his food, he will ram his nose into my backside! As if to say "Hurry up Mom! I'm hungry!"

- I think one of the boys (I'm guessing Hoss) is getting up onto the couch while I am at work during the day. I've been noticing unusual amounts of dog hair on the cushions, and today, I found one of the throw pillows on the floor. I know I didn't put it there!!!

- Bud whines. When we are out on a walk and we stop for longer than 30 seconds - he whines. If we are standing and talking to neighbors - he whines. It's really annoying.

The day finally came....

2007-07-06T09:40:00.000-05:00

...when I had to deal with the inevitable.

So, I was getting ready to head out for my July 4th 8K race. The boys (Hoss, Bud, and Tito) were outside enjoying the cooler morning air (relative, since it was already 79 at 7:00 am). I took a peek out back to make sure all was well. I saw Hoss laying in the grass, playing with something. He was acting as if he had a stuffie out there with him. Chomp, chomp, toss, chomp, chomp, chomp....I knew I hadn't put one out there with him.....I wonder what he's......OMG it isn't.......yep, OMG, yes it is......an animal of some sort!!! Eeeeekkk! A baby bunny!!!! Where the.....what the......"HOSS!!! NO!! PUT THAT DOWN!!!"

As I went outside, freaking, Hoss chomped down on his prize and tried to calmly walk away as if he hadn't done anything wrong. I grabbed him by the collar and tried to get him to drop it. Yeah right!! Like he was going to do that, with Bud standing there, waiting anxiously for his turn with the new toy. I had to pry his jaw open to get it out, holding both Bud and Hoss at bay. This was the event that I knew would happen some day, but I didn't figure it for a while since I don't have a yard where they have free access to chase little critters.

Poor baby bunny.... :(

Update!!!

2007-06-10T20:41:00.000-05:00

Wow! It has been over a month since my last entry. So much has been going on - mostly for me and less for the boys. But, the boys have had some excitement. I've been traveling a bit lately, and Hoss' former foster parents agreed to watch both of the boys while I've been away. The first was for a quick two days while I traveled to Moline for work. The next was for a long weekend (Wed night - Sunday evening) while I was in Denver for a triathlon. They got to spend time with Hoss' old buddy Grizz (Grizzley). They all had a great time playing in their big back yard. I guess there was a little bit of jealousy going on from Bud whenever Hoss and Grizz would play together. Bud felt a little left out! :( On both occasions, I was ecstatic to pick up my boys and take them home. They seemed so happy to see me!! It is great to know that they love you and miss you when you are gone!! Especially after the trip to Denver, Hoss has been a little more clingy than usual.

Their free-range living is still going great. I haven't had any issues with them having full run of the house. I have noticed that they aren't as spastic when I come home from work as they were when they were kept in the kitchen. I think they don't realize how long I've been gone now that they can casually lay about.

I also recently got them some new collars from Dogma London. Check 'em out!

Brotherly Love

2007-04-27T09:56:00.000-05:00

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

2007-04-11T19:52:00.000-05:00

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

2007-04-03T18:54:00.000-05:00

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.

Luck of the Irish???

2007-03-18T16:26:00.000-05:00

St. Patrick's Day is a big event in our family. We get all dressed up in our best layers of green, help out with the local parade, then celebrate with our fellow Irish friends. This year was to be no different, but halfway through my second glass of Guinness I got a phone call.

It was my parents. The boys and I were staying at their house this weekend, and they had stayed behind while I was at the festivities. Apparently a romp around the yard had turned dramatic. Somehow Bud caught his side on a branch which put a big gash down his right side. The phone call was to let me know that my parents had loaded him in the car and where on their way to the E-Vet. Car-less, I found someone to give me a ride home so that I could meet up with them. When I got home, I loaded up Hoss and we took off.

When I first spoke to my mom I misunderstood her description of the wound. I heard "a half inch" and assumed she meant length. Not so. It was a good 3.5" long by the time I arrived, and had spread to about 2-2.5" wide. Ouch!!! If you want to see it, you can click here. (I don't want to gross anyone out unexpectedly.)

Since we weren't at home I was unfamiliar with the E-Vet. I asked her lots of questions to see what her knowledge was on greyhounds and their special needs regarding anesthesia. She seemed knowledgeable and claimed she had plenty of experience, so I let her go through with the procedure. About 4 hours and $500 later, I was able to pick Bud up - 12 staples and stitches that were too numerous to count. He had done very well and was just a bit wobbly as he was still just feeling the affects of the anesthesia.

He slept pretty well through most of the night - just re-adjusting to get comfortable every so often. Sunday morning he seemed to be feeling a bit better, but was still moving slow. As time went on, he became more and more mobile. The 2 hour ride home was uneventful, and now he is just resting on the floor.

Power-less

2007-02-25T08:28:00.000-06:00

It all started around 2:30 yesterday afternoon. The first flicker of the lights, then the deafening silence of a powerless home. The day had been filled with rain, sleet and high winds. Downed power lines were to be expected.

I had an appointment across town at 3:15, so I manually lifted the garage door, jumped in the Jeep and took off - slowly. The temp wasn't too bad and I wouldn't be gone long, so I felt ok leaving the boys at home. Plus, I needed to stop by the hardware store and get some survival gear. The drive out was wet - just rain. But the drive home was a TOTALLY different story. The sleet and snow had started - blizzard condition. It was piling up on the roads. 35 mph down the interstate, with only one lane really cleared. Fun.

The hardware store did not have much left for choices. I wasn't the only one without power that was forced out to buy survival gear. In fact, as of this morning's news, over 100,000 people across the state are without power. The pic above shows my investment - a propane heater and some battery-operated lights.

After having some dinner, the boys and I snuggled up on the floor near the heater. We napped off and on until about 10:30 pm, listening to 70's tunes on a local radio station. Around 10:00, I heard the scraping of shovels on the sidewalk outside. I was excited that I wouldn't have to wade through un-shoveled sidewalks for the last potty walk of the evening. As soon as the coast was clear, the boys and I set out for one final walk of the evening. When we got in , we just went to bed. It was warmer upstairs anyway, and our respective beds were certainly more comfortable than the floor.

Around 3 am, we were awoken by the flash of resuming power. Followed quickly by the soothing hum of the furnace!!! Yeah! So, we survived. It was a boring evening, but I actually appreciated the extra shut-eye after the long week of drama-filled work events.

Bad Blogger!!

2007-02-22T19:51:00.000-06:00

It has been 18 days since my last blog. I can't even believe it has been that long! Me and the boys have been quite busy - so much so that I haven't had time to sit down and blog a bit.

I need to post some pictures of Bud's birthday, which we celebrated just a few days after Hoss'. Again, we had special treats and a new toy. And with the birthday has come new personality traits showing through. He is such a goofy boy! He certainly has grown into his sock monkey collar.

We've also been experimenting with staying home all day, without me coming home at lunch for a potty walk. They both have been doing WONDERFUL!!! No accidents at all! I don't plan on doing it every day, but with recent changes at work, my schedule has become less predictable, and a trip home at lunch may not always be possible. Today we did a lunch potty walk, then I stayed late at work a few extra hours. They seem okay so far. We'll see if I have a 2:30 am wake-up call tonight. Something about the extended hours without a potty break seems to make them need to go more frequently when I am home. Weird. It's like they have a quota for how many times they need to pee in a 24 hour period.

Since my last blog, the boys and I had another grey-get-together with Miss Daisy and her mommy at the Breakroom. In true Daisy fashion, she continued to stand over top Hoss each time he laid down on the floor. What an alpha-girl!!! She is sooo precious. I'm making her a necklace to wear in an upcoming wedding. We got to do a fitting that day, and now I need to make the final adjustments. Doggie bling.......

This warm weather has been so nice!!! Our walks over the last few days have been coatless!!! The boys love it! We even did a little jogging the other night, just to get the blood going. Unfortunately, the boys hadn't been down that path for a while due to snow coverage, so they were distracted, constantly checking their pee-mail and leaving replies!!!

Happy Birthday, Hoss!

2007-02-04T19:24:00.000-06:00

Friday was Hoss' birthday - the big 8!! With Bud's birthday quickly following this week, I made one trip to the Brown Dog Bakery to get some birthday goodies for both days. Confined to the kitchen, I gave each of the boys a couple of different treats. Some were enjoyed more than others, but overall they were excited for the change. Along with the treats, I bought a few new stuffies. I only gave one out, and will give the other out on Bud's bday. They have both really enjoyed the new stuffie. Every time we come downstairs, Hoss attacks it, even if for only a split second before flopping over for a quick bout of shut-eye.

In other greyhound news:

- Bud is showing a lot more aggression over the last week or so. I've noticed that he will bark or growl at Hoss at bizarre times. Sometimes I think it is a possession issue - with me, with food, with toys. Usually I'm quick to follow with a No! and a stern glare. He backs down, then comes to me for an apology snuggle at first chance.

- Both of the boys have been a lot more affectionate with me lately! Lot's of leaning, on heads on the lap. Hoss likes to bury his head between my legs when I'm standing. It is really cute! Maybe they know it will get them scritches......I don't care. I like it anyway, and will give scritches if it means they keep it up!

- Hoss' ability to go lengths of time without needing to go out is starting to regress. Maybe he just takes advantage of my being home, but he has been awfully whiny lately. He even had an "oops" this weekend. He got himself riled up as we were getting ready to go out. He was doing mini-zoomies and raced down to the bottom landing where we exit at. As he got down into his Egyptian pose, I started to hear him pee! I told him to stop but he looked at me like he was confused. I was mad for a bit, but soon realized he probably didn't realize what he did. When we went out right after, he did his normal potty routine, so it must have been an oops that slipped out. Poor guy!

ZOOM ZOOM!!!

2007-01-23T20:58:00.000-06:00

I've waited a long time to get this on video. Hoss in the middle of a zoomie attack! Enjoy!

Greyt Art

2007-01-22T21:16:00.000-06:00

It isn't unusual for pets to be inspiration for artists. Their unconditional love, their quirky actions at unusual moments - it's good stuff! I saw Hoss laying amongst a pile of stuffies, with his face buried deep within. I grabbed the camera and snapped a shot. After a little Photoshop filter magic, I got the watercolor displayed above. Abstract to some.....precious to me.

Here is the original photo:

A new friend and snowy morning

2007-01-21T20:32:00.000-06:00

Last weekend, I picked up a new stuffie while we were at a Meet & Greet. It was the one I featured in a previous post. The boys pretty much fight over it. One waits for the other to look away, then they do a drive by and snag it before the other knows what hit him! So, when I was out and about this weekend, I ran across this cute green alien stuffie. I just knew the boys would love it. Sure enough, they both went crazy when I brought it home. I've even seen some Hoss vs. Bud tug-of-war going on. I love it!!!

With the snowfall last night, it made for some interesting walks this morning before the plows came through. I had heard the rumor that greyhounds will just sit down in the snow if their feet get packed and they are uncomfortable. I witnessed it today as Bud plopped down and started gnawing on his feet. Yikes!! I warmed them up and cleaned them off, enough at least to get him home.

Jail Break!!!

2007-01-18T17:56:00.000-06:00

As I closed the garage door and walked into the house, I heard an unusual sound. Down the stairs and around the corner, here came Bud and Hoss!!! AAAACCCKKK!!! WHAT THE?!?!?! I'm not sure when it happened, but they had busted out of their confinement to the kitchen. They seemed so proud of themselves!! Smiling and prancing around. "Look at me, Ma!!" "Look what I can do!" Apparently, the screw in the wall stripped out from the drywall. I knew I should have put an anchor in first. Guess I need to make a trip to the hardware store.

Stuffie time!

2007-01-15T21:14:00.000-06:00

My new camera has the ability to record video. Today I got some video of Hoss working on a stuffie while Bud looks on. What you don't see in the video is that Bud had been playing with the stuffie, looked away for a mere moment, then Hoss stole it away. Bud isn't as aggressive, so he patiently watched Hoss until it was his turn again. Kind of cute, so I thought I would share.

Nesting

2007-01-15T17:55:00.000-06:00

Hoss is my nester. He will paw and dig at his bed or blankets to get them into proper nesting form. With the weather so cold, I brought out the comforter so that the boys could use it in the living room. Hoss proceeded to gather up his bed and the comforter to build himself a nice nest. Notice the stuffie close at hand in case he needs a quick fix.

Money well spent

2007-01-13T19:17:00.000-06:00

If you remember, I purchased a pair of jammies for each of the boys a few months ago. I've tried a few times to get them to wear them, but they always fussed about it. With the temperatures dipping down into single digits the last few days, Hoss has been a bit whiney. I thought maybe he wanted attention since he doesn't whine about food or going potty. When I went to lay with him and rub his tummy, I noticed he felt chilly. So.........I pulled out the jammies and gave them another try. Wouldn't you know, IT WORKED!!! He is now zonked out!!!

Another First!!!!

2007-01-10T18:23:00.000-06:00

When I come home from work at night, the boys are at their prime playing condition. It is usually a romp back and forth between me and the stairs. A few hugs......ear scritches.......belly rubs.......and for Hoss, it is Attack of the Stuffies time!!! He pounces on them, throws them from side to side, then begins the greyhound-nibble (if you have a grey, you know what I'm talking about.) Bud will tend to follow along, but when I try to instigate a game of tug, Bud has always backed down and just let the stuffie go.

Tonight he growled, then proceeded to play along. It was complete with head jerks from side to side and full lunge backwards, tugging with all of his might. YEAH!!!!! I love playing tug, and so does Hoss. The next step is to get the two boys tugging together. How sweet that would be!

Shadow

2007-01-09T08:52:00.000-06:00

It is so funny, the difference between my boys. Hoss is very content to find a spot to lay and just "be". Bud on the other hand, is my shadow. Every time I get up, he is at my side. "Whatcha doin' ma? Food for me? Scritchies for me? Somethin' for me? Heh????" If I walk downstairs to do laundry, Bud thinks we are going for a walk and gets excited. As soon as he realizes it is a false alarm, he gives me the sad eyes, like I am depriving him! Such a pitiful life, huh?

This is the typical look - "What's next?"

Random thoughts

2006-12-30T18:44:00.000-06:00

This is Tito - cousin to Hoss and Bud. When I first introduced the boys to him, I was worried that they wouldn't be good with the "little man", but amazingly, he is the one that likes to instigate things. Tito is cool with Hoss, but he still seems to have an issue with Bud - constantly showing his teeth and growling. He is so ferocious!!!!

Bud looking happy on Thanksgiving. He was doing his happy dance for some reason - first guess would be food.
"It is so rough being so cute. New toys, people petting me all day.....I need a nap."

"Did you know those big boys are stealing MY stuffies? MY STUFFIES!!!!"
"Stuffies, ear scritches......life can't get much better than this!"
"Since when do the stuffies have the right to attack me?!?"
"I didn't do it, I swear!!!"
UPDATE: Mr. Giraffe has lost his other eye. Only two of his feet still squeak.

Christmas as a family

2006-12-26T14:11:00.000-06:00

So, me and the boys packed up the dog-mobile on Saturday morning and made the trek to CR. It was uneventful as always, and the boys were ready to get out and run in the yard as soon as we arrived. We couldn't have hoped for nicer weather!

The weekend was full of various events. Last minute shopping. Eating. Sunday mass. Preparing potato soup and chili for the festivities on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve celebration with the family. Christmas Eve mass. Wrapping gifts. Cleaning the house so that it was presentable to our Christmas morning guests. Christmas celebration with more family. All great fun. As a side note - I did get to try CR's newest sushi restaurant. I was impressed! The red tuna was wonderful! I even brought some miso soup home to my sister who was feeling under the weather.

Hoss is always very content wherever we go. He finds a spot where he can lay down, and he will sleep through anything. Bud on the other hand is a nervous wreck all of the time. He paces from room to room, making sure he knows what is going on at all times. Given that I don't have to leash and walk the boys each time they need to potty, their schedule became a little "off". Saturday night I had to let them out at 12:30 am, 3:30 am, and again at 6:30 am. Sunday was a little bit better - only 4:30 am and 6:30 am. In most cases it was Bud that was whining. Part of me thinks he didn't really need to go, but just wanted to make sure nothing was going on without him upstairs and outside. On Monday morning, it was Hoss that was whining - very unusual. I let them out, they did their business right away, and back inside they came. I led them downstairs, then did a few things upstairs before heading back down. When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I saw Bud laying in bed, but could not see Hoss. So I called his name, and "jingle, jingle" of his collar - his head popped up.........from my spot on the couch where I was sleeping!!! The little booger took my bed!!! Rather than fight with him, I stole my pillow out from under him and took residence on the opposite end of the couch. We shared the spot all night - my legs draped over him most of the time. :)

All in all, it was a good weekend. It was wonderful to see the family and eat some good food. The boys made off with some new toys which they really enjoy. Everyone came home in one piece.

Breakthrough

2006-12-18T18:59:00.000-06:00

Hoss and I have a special connection. He is my heart-hound. He comes up to me in those special ways and shows me his affection. (And for a dog that doesn't give kisses, this usually involves him rubbing his head up and down my leg, often getting hair all over my dress pants before work. ) When I brought Bud into the house, I tried to make sure that I equally showed my affection to the two boys. I didn't want Bud to feel like the second.

I got him at the end of October, and since then, I've been waiting for the signs that Bud was finally feeling at home. It took Hoss about a month, so I was expecting to see signs around Thanksgiving. But Thanksgiving came and went, and he still seemed nervous and unsettled. I was starting to worry that he wasn't ever going to love being with us.

I think it was last week when I noticed the first sign. It was a weekday morning. After my shower, I usually sit down by the boys and give them belly rubs to wake them up before breakfast. If ever I am giving belly rubs, Hoss will whine if I stop rubbing for a split second. That morning was the first time Bud reached out with his paw and touched my arm when I paused for a mere moment. When they start to care whether you are paying attention or not is when I know that they are becoming attached. I saw the switch in Hoss, and finally, now in Bud. I'm so excited. Now I know, when I look into his perpetually pouty eyes, that he loves me.

Cruel and Unusual?

2006-12-17T11:37:00.000-06:00

I know my posts have become sparse through the month of December. It is one of those months that I always wish would just get over with. It is always so packed with random things that need to be done, usually centered around Christmas, that my whole schedule gets out of whack, and I feel like I am constantly running. Not to mention that December is always one of the busiest months for me at work. I won't even get into that......

A few weeks ago, I ordered some goodies from a place in Seattle for my previous foster for Christmas. At the same time, I ordered a new stuffie for the boys. They LOVED the grunting monkey I had previously bought for them, so when I found these grunting toys, I wanted to get another. Well, the package arrived this week, and it didn't take long for the new stuffie to become the new favorite. The boys are sneaky with each other. If one has it and turns his back, the other will snatch it up and claim it for himself. It is comical to watch.

In less than two days, we've already had a stuffie emergency. It was horrific. I heard a long grunt come from the other room, a thud, then the smacking of jaws. I knew it wouldn't be pretty. I walked into the other room to find Hoss laying on his side, licking his chops. To his right, the tragedy lay.

Mr. Giraffe has decided that he can live with only one good eye, so we are not going to operate. I have noticed that his grunting has ceased, so there was internal damage as well. With time, he should recover, but he will never be the same. His squeaker feet are still functioning, but I'm sure it won't be long. I've seen Hoss looking at Mr. Giraffe with a devilish grin. I know he is plotting something.

Coffee

2006-12-13T22:40:00.000-06:00

On Monday night, the boys and I met up with my previous foster Daisy and her forever-mom at a local coffee shop that is pet-friendly. It was a chance to have a little social time not only for the dogs, but for us as well. We hadn't been there long when I had a flashback to the days when Daisy lived with us. Hoss had found a comfortable position on the floor, so Daisy took her position - standing over Hoss! So funny how my very alpha boy lets this alpha girl take her position. This was very common when she lived with us. If she was standing up, she was usually standing over Hoss.

I like this picture because it looks as if Daisy and Bud are talking and laughing like they are the best of friends. Notice Daisy standing over Hoss.....

Here are a few others from that night:

Ridin' Sleepy.....

2006-12-11T20:44:00.000-06:00

The drive from CR to DSM is always an uneventful one. The boys in the back, sleeping. Me up front, jamming to some tunes and going through the motions to get us home.

Apparently, Hoss decided he wanted to shake things up a bit - get a change of scenery. I'm driving along, and the next thing I know, Hoss is climbing over the back seat. He plops down right on top of everything I have packed in the seats. I grabbed my camera, pointed it towards him, and the picture above is what I got.

Wednesday night already

2006-12-06T19:37:00.000-06:00

I noticed that my last post was almost a full week ago! Wow - where has the week gone? I began to think about everything that had happened over the last week. Let's see...

Thursday was a post-daycare night, so it was pretty quiet. I think I had something going on that night. I don't even remember now what that was.

Friday was a crazy day at work. I did some quick shopping at work then it was home for the evening. I knew the next few days would be hectic, so I took advantage and got some sleep.

Saturday started with a photo session with me and the boys. Oh man, that was a hoot! Hoss was quite the ham - posing for the camera and acting so cooperative. Bud on the other hand is sooo anxious all of the time - he kept pacing around, trying to figure out what was going and why we were in this strange place with the light that keeps flashing in his eyes! We were lucky to get off any good shots. But, all was good! We picked out some nice pics, and they should be in soon. I'm excited!

Saturday evening was the holiday party for the greyhound rescue group. It was a great time, and I got to talk to other people and hear their stories. Funny how, even though it was one of the few events where we didn't bring the dogs, the dogs were all we talked about!!!

Sunday was a relaxing day. I figured out how to use the hard surface attachment on my floor cleaning machine then tackled the kitchen. Sweet!!! So much better than my mop! Later on, I caught a movie with a friend, picked up some Thai food from my favorite place on the way home, then relaxed with the boys the rest of the night.

Monday was a Monday. Chaos at work, so I looked forward to coming home at lunch and walking the boys. A great excuse to get out and clear my mind.

Tuesdays are always a rush. I teach at 6:30 pm, so after work, it is rush home, walk the boys, feed the boys, change clothes, then run out the door. When I got back, I snuggled with the boys on the floor while watching tv, until it was time for bed.

Today, I had to go out of town for work, so the boys went to daycare. It wasn't greyhound day like it is on Thursdays, so they were with a more rambunctious group. They both passed out on the floor after we got home. I had to wake them up for dinner. Now that dinner is over, they are both sleeping again. I can hear the wind howling outside the windows. I'm not looking forward to the potty walk before bed.

This week is their lucky week. They will get to go to daycare tomorrow again. Two times in a row!!! Yowza! I'm glad I have daycare as an option in the event that I need to be flexible with my schedule during the day. Plus, the boys love it and it is nice that they get to be social rather than being stuck in the kitchen all day.

I've been considering installing a webcam in the kitchen so that I can watch what their typical day is like at home while I'm at work. I'm so curious......

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr........................

2006-11-30T22:48:00.000-06:00

17 degrees......

First, I layer on their jammies.....then their winter coats.

Both stick a nose out the front door. Hoss turns as if to go back inside. He has gotten me up at 3:30 am the last two nights. He is going out to potty.....

We start our walk. Hoss takes care of both to-dos on his business list, then refuses to go any further. Rather than fight him, we turn back, drop Hoss off, then Bud and I head back out so that he can take care of to-dos.

Of course, he hasn't figured out that the quicker you go, the quicker you get to go back in. He waits until the very end our potty walk loop, then goes. It is back to the house as quickly as possible. It is too cold out here.

Back inside, Hoss is still in his jammies (I took off his coat when I dropped him off), but looking rather uncomfortable. Bud runs upstairs as if to go to bed (still in his jammies). I start to hear an odd sound.

I run upstairs to find Bud in an infinite loop of the greyhound-shake. (For those of you that don't know, that is the head turning one direction, the trunk of the body turning the other with legs flinging, butt in the opposite direction as the trunk, and tail whipping around like a propeller.) Shake. Stop. Repeat. Over, and over, and over. I think the static build-up was really bothering him! As soon as they came off, he was much better. Weird.

Both now zonked out....Hoss down here with me, and Bud upstairs in his bed. Let's hope that 3:30 am comes and goes with no potty run. 17 degrees will feel mighty warm compared to the low we are supposed to hit....I think they said 5 degrees on the news.

Reunion

2006-11-25T19:04:00.000-06:00

In my previous life, I adopted a little puppy - a black and white, spotted, Jack Russell-Springer Spaniel mix. His name was Marty, and he was very precious to me. Circumstances changed and I needed to find Marty a new home. A good friend of mine had recently moved to Florida and had bought an acreage. Knowing how much Marty loved to run around outside, and that my friend was a "dog person" in need of a dog, I knew it would be a perfect fit. After some discussion, the adoption was set, and I drove my pupper to Florida to be at his new forever home.

Over the years, I had seen him once or twice, but never any real quality time. Today was my lucky day!!! My friend is in town for an extended trip, so we got together to introduce my new dogs to my old dog. What a treat!!!! Like my boys, he is so well behaved (that is due to my friend and the diligence he put into training him). We all went on a walk together, then just hung out at the house and talked about old times.

My friend and I concluded that it was a case of destiny, or "meant to be". I was able to adopt and rescue him, give him a home temporarily until it was time for him to go to his forever home with my friend in Florida.

Turkey Day Tug-of-War

2006-11-24T20:27:00.001-06:00

Jack: Hello?!?! I have a perfectly good stuffie sitting here. Does anyone want to play? Hey you there! Old man!!! Yeah, you! Bet you can't keep up with me!

Hoss: You talkin' to me?!?! I'll take you up on that challenge!

Let the games begin!!!

Hoss: HA!!! I got it!!! Now, who you calling an old man?!?

Hoss: Ahhhh! The sweet taste of victory!

Looking handsome

2006-11-20T19:27:00.000-06:00

Finally!!! The new collars for the boys arrived today. I think I squealed when I opened the mailbox and saw the package. :) Check out how handsome they each look in their new duds.

(Notice Hoss and his pile of stuffies.....one just isn't enough!)

Toenail Terror

2006-11-19T19:55:00.000-06:00

I've always trimmed the toenails of any dog I've had, and my greys would be no different. I don't have to trim them too often. Because I walk them on the sidewalks in our neighborhood, the cement helps to keep them filed down. But over time, they grow out and then need a trim.

I've noticed Hoss' nails were getting a little long, so this evening I decided to trim them down. I had done it once before and it had gone well. He laid there like a perfect angel and didn't whine a bit. Snip, snip, and I was done.

This time didn't go quite so smoothly. I was down to the last foot and I did it - I cut one too short. Hoss jumped which freaked me out, but no yelp. I looked down and saw the bleeding start. I got a rag in hopes that I could get it to stop, but no such luck. And no, I don't have any of the magical stuff that you are supposed to put on in events like this. I tried cornstarch, which sort of worked, but not really.

I gave each of the boys a treat and waited to see how the bleeding would do. It seemed to stop, so I was feeling pretty relieved. About an hour later, I took the boys out for a walk, and when we came back in, I noticed the bleeding had started again, with much more gusto than before. In fact, when I noticed it, Hoss had laid down on his bed with his feet up underneath him, so blood was all over his belly and chest! It looked like a war zone!!!

The pet store was closed so I couldn't get any of the magical stuff to stop the bleeding. I'll definitely make sure I have some for next time. Once again, my carpet cleaning machine will pay off - cleaning up the little blood spots I've seen here and there around the house.

I think Hoss has forgiven me, but he is definitely taking advantage of the guilt trip and soliciting more belly rubs than usual! :)

Jammies and Jackets

2006-11-16T21:47:00.000-06:00

Today was like Christmas for the boys. Two of the three apparel items I ordered recently arrived today. Their new winter coats.....and their jammies. Yes, you read that right - I ordered them each a pair of jammies. I keep the house somewhat cool (3 levels is hard to regulate), and have found the boys to be somewhat chilly on really cold and windy nights. I figured it wouldn't hurt to have a pair on hand for when it gets really cold out.

When they tried them on this evening, there was some looks of annoyance pointed my direction. They are a little awkward to get on and off - and Hoss being as klutzy as he is, we had to work on his balance a bit. After I got them on, each of them did walk a little funny at first, but quickly got used to it. I think if we have some "practice sessions" over the next few days, they'll get used to it.

And what can I say about the coats but that they are exceptional! The fit so good, and the colors I picked out look great on each of them! (thank you, thank you)

Now I'm just waiting on their new collars - and I know they've been shipped, so it is just a matter of time!!!!

Total Relaxation

2006-11-16T16:11:00.000-06:00

Greys are funny in the mornings. This is the time when I see the funniest facial expressions and body positions. Bud will smile (show his teeth, often mistaken as an aggressive expression). Hoss will cross his "arms", cover his face and eyes, and this....
Do you notice the tongue??? Just hanging out.....drying out..... It turns crispy because he leaves it out so long!!!!

That is total relaxation......

Race Footage

2006-11-14T21:48:00.000-06:00

I always thought it would be really neat to have been able to see my boys race. Few people have the unique perspective of knowing and loving a dog as they watch it run with such passion and grace. I had heard that some of the greyhound tracks archive their race footage, so I started doing some digging. I went out to Greyhound Data to look at the race history for each of my boys. (I started with Bud since he is so recently off of the track. You can see Bud's history here and Hoss' history here.) In his last races, he was at Bluffs Run, and Greyhoud Data provided a link to their website. Turns out that they have video archives of their races for 2006! I checked Geneva Lakes, which is where Hoss raced last, and they have since closed and their website is gone. I'm bummed about that, seeing how Hoss was such a big racer (197 races!), I thought it would be cool to have some footage of him racing.

WOW!!! It was so cool to watch Bud run and win!!! I kept saying "Go, Buddy-boy! Go!!" I love it!!!

I've included the video below. He is in box 6 with the yellow silk on.

Pumpkin

2006-11-13T22:37:00.000-06:00

I kid you not - my boys' favorite mix-in with their food right now is pumpkin. 100% pureed pumpkin. My personal opinion?? ICK!!!! I was reading about how the fiber is great for greyhounds, and that they love the taste. In the mornings, I've been doing pumpkin and yogurt, or just the pumpkin. In the evenings, I do the pumpkin and some shredded cheddar cheese. The boys go crazy at feeding time!!! If I don't have the pumpkin mixed in with their kibble, I get "the look". Hoss has refused to eat!!! (Of course, by the next meal, he is starving!)

One heaping tablespoon of this orange goop along with their kibble, and I am the best mommy in the whole world!!!

What's up with that?

2006-11-12T19:13:00.000-06:00

I love the weekends. I get to spend lots of quality time with the boys while at the same time, getting lots done around the house. Lately it has been time deep cleaning my carpets. Since the addition of my previous foster and continued with Bud, I've had to deal with a few extra spots on the carpet. They both have an issue with gulping water after they eat, then coughing up excess onto whatever surface they are near - usually the sitting room or bedroom floor. It isn't horribly messy, but icky none the less. I invested in a carpet cleaning machine, and so far it has been well worth the money.

Aside from the pseudo-vomit, the boys have been randomly peeing in the house! They are both very well potty trained and are taken out frequently. I make sure they do all of their business when we are out so that nothing is left to have accidents with. But take this evening for instance. We went for our early evening potty walk and both did their duties. We came back in and it was time for dinner. Bud ate first, and as always, came lumbering over to me when he was finished for the "pet of approval" from me. Not one minute later, he walked into the sitting room, sniffed around, hiked his leg and started peeing on one of the chairs!!! Aaaaarrrggg! I instantly was up and yelling "No!!! Bad boy!!!" (I hate having to say that!) He dropped his leg and took off, whining and crying, knowing that he was in trouble. I took him outside to do his business, but of course, he was so nervous that he couldn't go.

I don't get it!!! Hoss has done something similar in the not so distant past. The fact that they are both doing it makes me think they are mad about something and are trying to prove a point. (Hoss used to do things like that when we were going through his SA issues.) Otherwise, I would think it might be UTI or a bladder infection, since random urinating is a symptom. But both at once? I suppose I should go the route to get a medical condition ruled out.

Frustrating.....

For the cause...

2006-11-11T18:52:00.000-06:00

Today, the adoption group hosted a meet and greet, so I took the boys down and let them show off how wonderful the greyhound breed is. They let anyone and everyone pet and love on them (how tough!) and were very good sports about the whole thing. Especially with the little kids. They were such good boys - so well-behaved.

It is fun talking to people about the breed. I've met some very interesting people - some that would be great adoptive parents, and others that I would severly have concerns about. Today was no exception. I think there were at least 3 families that will be adopting soon, and then there is the crazy couple that I really hope does not get approved for adoption.

After seeing the boys with all of those people, it is nice to be sitting at home with them all to myself.

Lazy weekend mornings

2006-11-11T09:12:00.000-06:00

I love the fact that my boys will sleep in on Saturday mornings. We get up very early during the week, and I was afraid that they would fall into this routine and wake me up early on the weekends. But this has not been the case. They are more than happy to sleep in, and really like the laid-back routine of the weekends.

I try to take the dogs with me during weekend errands. Today we have a Meet & Greet, then will probably stop a few places before heading back home. If I had their winter coats, I would think about taking them out for a longer walk, but they both look at me after about 10 minutes with eyes that say "My feet are wet and cold, I'm feeling a draft on my tushy, I want to go home."

Their winter coats should be here next weekend. I ordered them from a gal in Chicago, and am excited to get them. I'm not a fan of dressing up dogs in goofy outfits, but the fact that they NEED these coats - I felt compelled to make them as stylish as possible. No crazy colors - just basics. And of course, they will be walking side by side, so they had to compliment each other. I can't wait to see them!! I'm also looking at buying some new collars - ones that are a little more funky and that would show their personalities. I've got Bud figured out (see his collar here) but I'm not quite sure on Hoss. I think I may just go with something Celtic for Hoss.....

Daycare means a quiet night...sort of.

2006-11-09T22:24:00.000-06:00

Every Thursday, the boys go to Happy Tails doggy daycare (behind Iowa Pet Foods off of 22nd Ave). They are soooooo excited each morning, hoping that they will get to go. When Thursday finally arrives, I get such a kick out of their enthusiasm as we prepare to leave the house. They both bounce up and down and give me the look of "is it time to go yet?"

Their day is full of playtime and socialization with other greyhounds (as well as a few miscellaneous greyhound-for-the-day dogs that may happen to show up). They get to run around, play-fight and sleep -- whatever they feel like doing. I've been told by the owner that Hoss is the policeman of the group. If things get too wild, he will step in and settle everyone down. But don't get me wrong - Hoss likes to play just as much, if not more, than the next grey. He is always instigating play-fights at home with Bud.

By the time I pick them up in the evening, they are happy to see me and ready to go home. The drive home is usually quiet, with both of them zonked out in the back of the Jeep. When we get home, they gear up enough for dinner and a potty-walk, then they crash on the floor. They are OUT!!! Tonight, Bud went upstairs and went to bed on his own instead of staying downstairs with Hoss and I. He took his new stuffy with him to snuggle with.....

I can count on daycare nights to be quite entertaining. They tend to dream a lot more on these nights, probably recalling their fun and games from the day. I can usually plan on a startling wake-up due to some barks and growls throughout the night.

Introducing Bud

2006-11-08T18:17:00.000-06:00

As time went on and Hoss began to settle into living with me, I began to notice signs of separation anxiety. I tried all of the textbook techniques in hopes of curing this, but none of them worked. The head of the adoption group suggested we try introducing a second to the mix. We started with a foster - Millie - who was a petite little girl. I had her for three weeks before her adoption was final. In that time, all of Hoss' issues disappeared. I knew I was in for a lifetime of two.

Bud had been off the track only two weeks when I got him. He had already mastered stairs and was trained to potty on a leash. With those two items already mastered, getting him used to living at home with Hoss and I has been pretty simple. He fits right in, but is definitely the needy one of the bunch - constantly by my side and seeking my approval.

Like Hoss, Bud is fairly laid back. Being 4 years old and just off the track, he likes to play a bit more than Hoss does, but mostly with his toys. Hoss tries to engage him in some play-fighting, but he hasn't quite figured out that it is okay to play a little rough sometimes.

Last week was Bud's first day at daycare. Once a week, the boys go to a local doggie daycare where they have established Thursdays as "Greyhound Day". This is a great way to get them out of the house and get them some good exercise and some socialization time.

Introducing Hoss

2006-11-07T21:39:00.000-06:00

When I decided that I wanted to take the big step of adopting a dog, the search for the perfect breed began. Being a "dog person", I have never met a dog I didn't love. Little ones, big ones.....but like kids, I liked them best when they went home with their parents, and not with me! They were never "my" dog, so I didn't have the love needed to overlook some of their quirks. I was in search for that perfect "one."

I talked to friends and family for suggestions and insight. I was searching the adoption and rescue groups - that being the only way I would adopt. A friend of mine suggested I look into rescuing a greyhound. "Seriously?!?" I asked. That first question was followed by all of the standard misconceptions that people have about the breed. Being my typical self, I did the research to validate my feelings. I found many sites that explained the behavior and needs of greys. The more I read and the more pictures I saw, the more intrigued I became. Their eyes were so precious!

I saw that our local rescue group had a Meet & Greet coming up, so I planned to attend. Wow! I didn't expect to fall in love so quick. It was at this first m&g that I met Hoss. He drifted towards me - more like lumbered - and velcroed himself to my legs. He was the perfect height for petting, and he had a great temperament.

I had it in my head at that time that I wanted a female, so adopting Hoss didn't even cross my mind. That same weekend, I went 2 hours East to attend another m&g where an available female was being fostered, and would be available to meet. She was sweet, but I did keep thinking back to Hoss and his demeanor. She wasn't quite the same, but I still thought I wanted a female. I wasn't ready to adopt anyway, and knew she had another family interested. I figured (hoped) I would connect better with the next one.

I moved forward getting my housing association to change their rules to allow for a greyhound (which is way over the 20 lb limit that was currently in place). I finally got the email that said I was good to go, so I called the adoption group right away.

There were no girls available, but Hoss still was. At 7 years old, he wasn't at the top of the "Most Eligable Greyhounds" list, given greys typically live 14-15 years. This didn't matter to me - his personality was so cool, I just knew he was right for me. We set up a home visit and all went well. I had bought a stuffed ducky as a gift for him, and he played with it that day. He even laid down to relax with the duck between his arms.

On September 6, 2006, my adoption of Hoss became final. We met up to sign the paperwork, then Hoss came home with me. I was so nervous, thinking to myself and wondering if I was really ready for this animal to be reliant on me to take care of him. Because of my research, I was prepared for the transition period that was about to occur. He didn't hardly eat the first few days, and he just seemed to be going through the motions. I wasn't seeing that personality that I had seen before. I knew I had to give it time......just give it time.

2 months later, wow, what a difference. Hoss' personality is bigger than I ever imagined. He is so charismatic and has a defined sense of self. We've been through some separation anxiety issues which has led us to getting Hoss a brother (more about that later). And now that I have two, I've gone so far as purchasing a second vehicle just to haul the dogs around.