Kitt

Harley, good idea about walking them home together from a neutral place. I know that some people don't think this is encessary, but I imagine that it certainly wouldn't do any harm. My Mum will be visiting me that day, so I might ask the rescue lady to bring Lucy up the road so that Mum and I can walk the two dogs home together. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks Harley and Showdog. Showdog - your dogs are beautiful. Good point about the fact that Deanna might have problems settling in the new place. I'm thinking she might be ok, because I've taken her with me to stay at friends' places and she's fine in the new environment as long as she knows where I am. So I'm hoping that she will be the same in the new place - relaxed and happy because I'll be with her for the first 4 weeks. However, what you've mentioned - introducing the new dog after Deanna has been in the new place for a while - is something I'll discuss with the rescue lady and foster carer. Any other tips about signs of trouble or ways to ensure a successful integration would be great. Thanks again, Andy.

Hi everyone, I've done a few searches but haven't found any threads dealing with exactly what I'm after, but please direct me elsewhere if this issue has already been addressed. Also, please be gentle if pointing out that I'm doing something wrong. I'm after advice and will be happy to take on board everything that is said. I have a very healthy, desexed, 12-year-old female greyhound named Deanna. We're moving to a bigger house in two weeks especially so that I can get a 2nd greyhound (that was the condition my OH put on my getting another greyhound). The new greyound will be arriving the day after we move in. The new greyhound, Lucy, is a desexed 2-year-old female. She has been in foster care for several months with a few dogs, including a female; and with cats and kittens. The foster carer and the rescue lady have told me that Lucy has no problems with other females, and has curled up with the kittens. Deanna met Lucy at her foster home and they went to a dog park together; no problems. So there is nothing glaringly obvious to indicate that there would be problems. My current greyhound Deanna is very submissive and I feel that she would happily allow another dog to be top dog. Also, Deanna has played with female dogs at the park without problem, and has lived with several dogs, but I'm not sure if any were females. I know that two females can be a tragic combination. After Lucy arrives, I will have 4 weeks at home so that I can watch them. My questions are: 1. What things should I look for that might indicate that there would be serious problems between the two dogs? That is, what is a minor, to-be-expected issue as they sort out pack order; and what is an indicator that they really shouldn't live together? 2. Do you think that it's simply not sensible to get two females? Obviously, there is no combination of dogs that is absolutely guaranteed to be 100% safe, but do you think it's just ridiculous for me to be getting a 2nd female dog? Deanna and Lucy have both been fine with other females, and the rescue lady said they should be fine, but I just wanted to get DOLers' opinions. I will check with the rescue lady to make sure that there is indeed a trial period so that I can return the dog if there are any major issues. The dog is from a lady who is associated with a rescue group (not GAP or Friends of the Hound). I would prefer not to name the rescue lady on the public forum, for her privacy. Also, any tips on ensuring a smooth integration would be great. My understanding is that I should continue to pat the existing dog first (i.e., treat her as the top dog) until they sort out the pack order; and feed them separately. Lucy, the new dog, is due to join us in two weeks, so I do have a bit of time to discuss the above points with the rescue lady - just wanted to get DOLers' advice. Please be gentle with your advice Thanks in advance, Andy.

A delightful little girl who was patting my greyhound asked, in amazement, "Where's her tummy?!"

Perhaps if you trust your neighbours not to retaliate (sounds like you do), then it might be a nice idea, as others have suggested, to tell them that your dog got the rat and it was killed in an instant (i.e., not tormented etc). After confirming that it's theirs (if possible), wrapping it in a cloth and giving it back to them does sound like a nice idea. Like others have suggested, being compassionate and honest might be what the rat's owner would really appreciate. Of course, I'm not suggesting that in all cases (e.g., crazy nasty neighbours) that this would be the good thing to do; I'm just saying that if you trust your neighbours, it might be the way to go, for you (in terms of not feeling guilty about lying / withholding truth) and for them (in terms of having closure).

Pandii that is absolutely hilarious. Unfortunate, but hilarious.

Only 6 on my list: Greyhound (currently own one; still convincing my boyfriend that we need another one) Saluki Pharoah Hound Ibizan Hound Smooth Collie (need to learn more; I know nothing about them, but there's something about the way they look ) Borzoi

Oh dear, I've fallen in love with Coconut (photo number 5). Actually, every time I see Greytmate's signature I notice how gorgeous s/he(?) is, but to see the lovely face close-up is great. Lovely colours.

Hi Fran, I think you have shown a lot of great insight into the issue. You seem to be heading down the track of thinking that the issue / problem is your interpretation of what's happening. There are at least two ways of interpreting what's happening. You seem to have started off thinking "She doesn't like me; she wants to do other stuff rather than play with me." A more accurate (and much nicer!) interpretation could be: "She feels very secure with me and in this environment, so she doesn't need constant reassurance or attention. She knows that I'll be here when she needs me. This means that I am a good owner!" (Please note: I'm not saying that super-cuddly dogs do NOT feel secure.) Hope you start to feel better about the situation soon. Kitt.

Hi Deelee, From your message and some of the other posts it sounds like you've had an unpleasant time recently. So it's lovely to hear about your bond with Honey. My greyhound, Deanna, is 11 years old and I've had her for just over one year. She is absolutely one of the best things in my life. Nice to hear that other people feel the same way about their dogs. I don't think non-dog people "get it". Andy.

Hi, so sorry to hear that you had such a traumatic experience. People often play these things over and over in the minds. It was a very sad accident - not the fault of the person driving the car. It sounds like the dog passed away very quickly. It wouldn't have known or felt anything. It just would have gone into shock / lost consciousness and then died immediately. But of course it would have been terrible for you and your friends to see. Like the others have said, the owners probably didn't know what they were saying. You did all the right things.

Kimzy so sorry. Maybe my suggestion in my previous post could be helpful. So that you don't have that nagging, sickening feeling, maybe you could just say to yourself that the ashes ARE Princess, that they're a symbol of her. Allow yourself to have the normal grieving process without having to worry about whether the ashes are hers or not. I really hope that doesn't sound insensitive. In fact, I'm highly sensitive about this sort of thing, that's why I'm trying to offer a suggestion about something that might reduce that horrible sickening feeling. Maybe later you could provide written feedback to the company.

Hi Kimzy, Very sorry to hear of your loss, and that it has been made even more difficult. I'm not sure what stage of the proceedings you're at right now. I was thinking that if the cremation has already been done and you're about to get the ashes, perhaps the easiest thing to do is to just tell yourself that regardless of whether the ashes are in fact of Princess or another dog, you are choosing to accept them as symbolic of Princess. Hope that makes sense? I'm not at all trying to minimise the experience - rather, I'm trying to offer a suggestion that might help reduce that sickening feeling in a situation that can't be changed. That's why I'm saying IF the cremation has already occurred. I do hope that I'm not offending you by making that suggestion (ie the suggestion that you just choose to view the ashes as Princess's ashes, as symbolic of her, even if you can't be sure that they are). Because the cremation hasn't been a helpful service for you, perhaps you could also choose another way of remembering or farewelling your little Princess? (Oh dear... I've started crying...) Perhaps you could get someone to paint a picture from a photo of her. I can point you in the direction of a good website that could help you find an artist, if you like (not sure if I'm allowed to "promote" websites). Kitt. Edit - Just saw your most recent post. Seems the cremation hasn't been done yet, so my suggestion won't be relevant.

Neither Deanna nor I are looking very excited in this photo, and Deanna's scarred eye looks a bit weird, but I still like the photo.

Hi everyone, Thanks very much for your helpful responses. Persephone and VintageDiva: I think I will continue giving Deanna the dried kanga tails that she likes so much. I was worried that she would hurt her gums on the tough meat and the bone, but the other day when I bought a kanga tail the lady in the shop told me that if they hurt Deanna, she wouldn't eat them... makes sense, I guess! And yeah, the meat isn't as rough as rawhide. AnnieK, GayleK, and puggy-puggy: the veggies, lamb, and ox tongue suggestions have given me more options too - so thanks for that. Jed: glad to hear that your cavalier enjoyed the bones. I'm thinking Deanna would like them, too. She really goes to work on the kanga tails so I think she'd have fun gumming the bones. Off to the shop! Thanks again, Andy.

Hi everyone, I recently acquired a lovely 10-year-old female greyhound who I have named "Deanna". Her teeth were very bad when I got her, so she had 29 removed. She has only her canines left. I would like to give her a long-lasting treat that she can chew / lick / mash with her gums when I'm at work. She has managed to eat kangaroo rawhide sticks and dried kangaroo meat on a bone, using her canines to tear and then her gums to mash. However, I would like to find something softer for her to chew, so that her gums don't get hurt. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions? I've done internet searches for lick toys and lick treats but haven't found anything. I have tried filling a kong toy with her fresh meat, but she doesn't seem very motivated to try to get the meat, even if it's her breakky (ie even if she hasn't been fed for a while). I need to encourage her to get the food out. However, she was quite happy to work on the kangaroo bone while I wasn't there. So, I'm thinking she might like some sort of chew treat (rather than a food-filled toy). I would love to hear any suggestions. Thanks, Andy.