Brandiandwe

I'm actually ordering another collar as I type - Brandi needs a Halloween themed collar for her next therapy visit!

Two words: greyhound gas. Even on diets that work with probiotics etc etc, every so often one of them lets rip with something which should be banned under the Geneva Convention. It generally occurs when we're helpless and asleep. We are ripped from sleep, clutching at our throats, eyes streaming, thinking we are under attack by chemical or biological weapons, grabbing for a light switch and hoping no spark occurs to ignite the gas. We look through the green fumes swirling to see a roaching greyhound, moaning blissfully and smiling.

It's lucky we love them!

And finally, some rescue groups are not doing the breed any favours by not adequately assessing all hounds and assuming they're all suitable as pets. My little one should never have been adopted out - she would fixate on another dog at 250 meters, thousand yard stare, body stiffened a

Racing greyhound owner next door deliberately socializes his puppies with other dogs & children. He says that one day they'll retire or mightn't be suitable for racing, so they'll need to be experienced & fine around people, children & other dogs.

He uses our small tibs ... who love the greyhound puppies. And gets the neighbours' grandchildren to visit & play with them, too.

Often the puppies leave him at 4 months & return a year or two later. And they remember their little tib friends. They run to the fence with tails wagging.

I wish more did that! It would make life much easier.

I have two of the rejects (one too slow and one too timid) as well as a retired racer. I work closely with GAP in NSW. I'm not sure what the answer is. I think limiting breeding would be an excellent place to start. I know many people have asked me if I would breed from my girls and seem surprised when I point out that they weren't good enough to race - why would they be bred? Apparently, I should because you never know, which is the attitude of some.

But I've also gone behind the scenes at the races, spoken to trainers and vets, had people come up to me in the street who all adore these dogs. I'm in contact with 2 of the three trainers of my dogs who love hearing about them. It isn't all bad.

And finally, some rescue groups are not doing the breed any favours by not adequately assessing all hounds and assuming they're all suitable as pets. My little one should never have been adopted out - she would fixate on another dog at 250 meters, thousand yard stare, body stiffened and a whine that I never want to hear again with a frothing mouth, before exploding towards the other dog in an attempt to kill it.. Cats, small animals and birds were the same. Two years on, she is a lot better, but she is never trusted around other dogs or animals who are not sighthounds. It is fortunate that she is a small dog and I'm paranoid, but I cannot imagine handling one with a higher prey drive. They are not all suitable as pets and are not all suitable as pets to the same homes. Some need work.

I know that the call is going out through employee networks (DH is defence) but he was concerned and asked if there was more that could be done. I'm on my IPad now but will grab the email and photo later when I get to the computer. I know that they legitimately do place many dogs within the family, so to speak, but it depends on how many dogs there are, when they come out of the system, wht the posting cycle is like and who's around vs on deployment.

AFAIK yes. His photo looks gorgeous, even to a greyhound person!

I don't think so. He's young still, so probably not a superstar. I suspect they think he's going to do well as a pet but not quite cut out for on-going service. So hopefully someone here will get a lovely, well-trained obedient guy. I will suggest I though!

I'm not putting this in the rescue section because it's not really a rescue situation, but I've just been forwarded information on a dog who is retiring from active duty and who would love a home for Christmas. Boof is a 4-5 year old Staffy cross, fairly small who has been working hard as an EDD (explosive detection dog) and is now ready to move onto the next part of his life. He's friendly, well trained and obedient and person and dog friendly. He's also described as an active bundle of energy so really good for an active family with teenagers or an active couple to run with him and play ball. All of the dogs who have gone through this training tend to be ball oriented (that's the reward used for detecting something - tennis balls appear out of nowhere!).

Boof is located in Sydney and sadly will be returned to the RSPCA if he doesn't get a home. I've informed DH that he won't be going to the RSPCA (too many staffy-esque dogs there already)and I feel that given he's served his country, he deserves better than that .

So does anyone know of anyone who might be interested in this dog? I would love to take him but bitter experience has shown me that the playing style of my greyhounds and a Staffy are probably not going to gel very well, but I'd be happy to help out with fostering or transport.

I've got all the contact details etc so if you're interested, get in touch and spread the word.

http://www.jansmartingales.com/greyhoundsize.htm

Wow!! How would you stop ordering? I'm thinking of getting Greyhounds just to buy the collars :laugh: :laugh:

We don't stop. There are support groups available though.

See that's what I thought. It might be cheaper to make them for myself and sell a few to recoup some of the costs. Hmmmm. Or just continue buying overseas?

So is there a market for someone doing fabric martingales? I'm not talking mass production but some fun designs in whatever sizes?

I've been thinking about starting up a little store and making them myself. However, I get mine from Collar Town, Wetherby Collars (or something like that) who are both on Etsy or 2 Hounds Design. All do great work.

I'd strongly suggest not going down this path though. I have multiple collars for my hounds. They are addictive!

Good update! Hope you have a chance for an afternoon nap today!

I hope so!

Posting for an update. How are you both this morning?

THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. I AM NOT A VET AND DO NOT PLAY ONE ON TV.

A quick google indicates that these symptoms might be normal. Your poor pup is probably disoriented, possibly nauseous and/ or in pain and shaky. People seem to advise keeping the dog warm and comfort as much as you can.

I'm new, but thinking of you today.

When Brandi was sedated (to get a seed wart removed and her nails clipped. Le sigh.) she was out of it for the rest of the night. We roused her to take her outside for a pee and then put her back to bed. I kept a close eye on her made sure she was ok. The next morning she was a little hung over.

The breathing might worry me a bit though. Could you call a vet? Is she distressed otherwise? Dreaming?

We don't play with other breeds. The greys play loud and rough with lots of teeth, snarling and barking. But the real problem is playing chase. With other hounds who can keep up, it's fine and they chase each other, body check then take off again. When other breeds try to play (because despite my warnings, their dogs are 'pretty fast!') the greys gang up on them, let them get a bit ahead, then run them down, roll them and stand over them. Fun for my dogs, not for others, so we don't do it.

I'd also be careful. I get annoyed when people tell me my dogs are too skinny. They aren't and although dh wants me to get weight on his boy or drop his exercise I won't because he looks good to me, vets and other greyhound people.

Having said that I've suggested to someone owning a Lurcher we meet on walks that she may like to cut the weight a little as the dog is to my eyes a little chubby and soft but is also having problems with lameness which seems to be caused by conformation issues (don't get me started on cross-breeding for pig dogs!). Oddly the owner admits when the dog is lighter, it's happier. But refuses to cut its food. So I've given up.

So this week I stocked up on Advantix and am starting the summer regime. Fortunately the prevalence of bindis means that paws are checked regularly.....

Sigh. I need a much bigger house, a fatter wallet and a longer life!

This is what I love about dogs! There truly is one for everyone! Afghans truly look spectacular and are obviously worth the effort. I guess my feeling is that to own one you need to put in the work of grooming because, after all, in addition to temperament, part of the attraction is how they look when well presented. But I just don't have the personality to want put in the time needed to get that dog looking amazing, so the coat would be a constant source or irritation.

Also, after greyhounds, everything requiring a bath and grooming more than once every three to six months is high maintenance! :laugh:

Frozen kongs? Antlers? While he's home, those Nina Ottosen toys can wear them out mentally?

We call it 'cat candy' in our house. Disgusting but once I spotted him getting it from the source...like a soft serve machine. Cat is so tolerant...