Brandiandwe

One week ago today, private messages, Facebook messages and texts were flying around trying to organise a pick-up for Benny. This time last week, at nearly 2.00, DH, Hermon and I had driven to Bringelly to pick him up and bring him home. Our first sight was of a terrified old dog. It was impossible to assess how strong he was in the back end because he was so scared it kept collapsing. The first few days involved hi coming to work with me and every time he got in the car, he got scared again because I think he thought he was going to be left somewhere strange again. Today, I am lying on my bed with Brandi and Benny. He has obviously been very well loved as he is affectionate and cuddly. He has been roaching for us, snuggles close to us every chance he gets, is first out the door and gate on walks and, though he's not as quick as the others, shows plenty of enthusiasm for chasing leaves. I am the lucky one in this, as I get to see him every day. We are working on his teeth and he has a corn which we're also dealing with (long and painful process!). He's eating well, sleeps through the night and is a complete love. It is through the initial efforts of VizslasMomma and Maddy that this started happening, with support from HazyWal. Maddy paid his pound fees, and we used these $$$ to buy Benny his own donut bed and memory foam bed. Rebanne has made sure he's cosy in a beautiful coat from Annie K. Alyosha is giving him a collar of his own. And everyone else has been incredibly supportive! We got his name tag engraved yesterday. So Benny would like to say thanks, and show you some new photos. Benny enjoys lying in the sun, but on days when there is some winter chill, Benny prefers Annie K's coats above all others, for fit, comfort and warmth! Saturday morning breakfast. His new donut bed. It is very soft and comfy and is now the bed of choice for all f them! Benny ends up on it most of the time though. Memory foam. Another popular choice for everyone but I think his best option in terms of support. It has a pillowed top, with a doona, pillow and two fleece blankets. Hermon is sleeping in it right now, but at night, it belongs to Ben. Thank you all for looking, and thank you all again for your support.

Just to update I was at both Sydney Costcos today and no joy on the food at either (was checking just in case). Also, if anyone is interested, no dog beds except at Casula. None anywhere else and none ordered.

Just as well you're planning on making the switch then! Let me know if I can help.

I'm going to Costco tomorrow. Did you want me to check? If so, how many bags, which store and for which member?

There is a great book called 'Switching to Raw' which I've used to plan meals and transition my dogs, but I follow essentially the 20/10/10 too. One of mind is on 3-4 % body weight! the other two fatsos are on a strict 2%. Benny is on whatever I can get down him right now but will be on meat by the end of the week all going well. Agree that the organs are rich and mine turned their noses up at first till I heated them up. I've also found turkey drumsticks are popular.

Thanks, they look lovely. If Benny stills needs to get DH on side, I hope he doesn't express his enjoyment of his dinner in, ummmm, a particularly doggy and aromatic way. :laugh: :laugh: That was this morning. Fortunately DH was up and heading to work! So he left in a hurry, and I'll deal with anything to follow. Fortunately too, DH is understanding about new dogs and upset tummies.

My three are Brandi (brindle), Paige (black) and Hermon (white heffalump). Ben ate all his dinner tonight (yay!) and is currently lying on the couch with DH.

And yet easier to manage than some smaller dogs I see around the place!!! Though if he stays, I might be investing in a belt...

Nah. We're the lucky ones. Whether we are his final stop or a stepping stone for him, I think I can safely say that being involved with this dog is one of the best things I've ever done, and working with everyone has been amazing.

He's doing great. Not eating much yet, but he's hungrier in the evening than the morning, so that's what I'm going with. He gave me a demi-roach this morning on my bed, gets out of the way of any snarking by others, and is generally a complete delight! At work helping me. Until everyone knows each other a bit better, he's a little too vulnerable to be left with three younger hounds who are already a pack. So he's helping with the marking and admin. Could everyone please note the tail. My three have long spindly rat's tails so to have something with a bit of fluff and colour is rather nice. Pack walk this morning. Fortunately Brandi's winter coat fits nicely although she's a little miffed about being stuck in her fleece! He's a champion walked though. Dances when the leashes come out and spends the whole walk looking around and smiling. Yesterday morning before heading out. Its dark, and cold, but he was still the first out the door!

You are too kind! And always welcome. I'll make another cake and maybe this time we could eat it together! Scritches to your pack, but especially Ursula and Zander.

He needs to convince DH not me. Apparently he managed to wangle half my PhD's sandwich off her today, so his appetite is obviously coming back. But I'm wondering what he's used to eating!

Benny says thanks for all the well wishes and love. He feels very flattered, if confused, by the attention. He is also going to be a very well dressed and warm greyhound for winter. He slept well last night, though didn't eat then or this morning. He went for a good walk with my crew and I can confirm that he is a very lively 11 year old who is definitely NOT cat safe! He came to work with me today as I just want a little more time with observation before leaving them all alone for the day, with or without muzzles. He went to the vet clinic today and has had his nails clipped. They were too long and tough for my little clippers (must invest in a dremel), but it was money and time well spent as he is now walking much more naturally. He's lying in my office, half on and half off his bed (could have brought the smaller one in). The vet's say that he's got extra long cuticles, so trimming the nails as short as ideal will take time. He's also got a few pressure sores, but he is sleeping on soft beds with doonas and fleece blankets so I'll be keeping an eye on them. His teeth will be worked on and I'm showing no photos till they're better! I'll give him a few weeks to settle a little, then get him Green hound assessed. I think future updates (and there will be many!) may not be in the rescue section. Benny will never need rescuing again if I can help it! But he will continue to pop up on the greyhound thread or in general discussion. He's also keen to meet as many well-wishers and fans as possible so if you're around the northwest of Sydney, so is Benny!

:) This made me smile!

I can't take credit. This was definitely a group effort! He's definitely a DOL dog!

Maddy, tell me about it. I haven't done anything to them yet - he's had a big and tiring day. Tomorrow, after his morning walk, he'll have them clipped. It's going to be a little bit at a time. He's only 26 inches base of neck to his tail top though he weighs about 33 kilos. Weird proportions, but delightful. Hermon is a groover. He doesn't care. The girls aren't overly impressed. Paige has tried throwing her weight around. He's given a bit back. Brandi has gone all sooky. I think it's going to be fine. Everyone just needs to shake down and get on with it. Meanwhile, muzzles will be used. Once he's settled a bit, I'll sort out his greencollar. But meanwhile, he's safe. We've even put the heater on for him tonight and he's having an epic bed fail, waiting for dinner. Sadly for him and the other starving hounds here, they've got an hour to wait.

Still not doing this right. But as you can see, he is a completely lovely dog. Give me a few weeks with him and I think we'll have something rather nice! This week I'll be heading out to buy him a new jacket (just because!) and probably a Costco memory foam bed or two. It's a sad story, but not as bad as it could be. He is a seriously nice dog and DH is a bit smitten.

Whoops!

That works! As you can see, the nails need some work!

He's gorgeous! As you will see when I get this technical issue sorted!

I'm not sure why I can't post some more photos. Hang on!

He's home! Thank you to everyone involved here. We arrived out at Renbury with Hermon, our biggest and top dog. The staff's faces were a picture - they though we were there to surrender Hermon! DH had been given strict instructions not to give the dog to ANYONE so I explained that I'd heard there was an 11 year old grey here called Ben. Was he still there? Faces changed, a few quick questions about H-Dude and she walked back into the shed. Then Ben appeared. He could barely walk, his legs were shaking so bad, and his eyes were whale eyes, but when he saw Hermon he perked up. We walked them away from the barking and I gave him a quick check over. His nails are nearly 2 cm long so I'll either be looking for a groomer or trimming them very slowly over the next few weeks. Teeth aren't great and will be worked on. He got a few abrasions on his legs but is a reasonable weight (33kg but not much muscle. I'll see how he goes with raw and some more exercise). We told the staff we were taking him, did paperwork, paid the money and left. But how did Benny end up there? We found out that his original owner had died. He'd spent many years curled on the couch beside an elderly lady. When she passed on, he went to her daughter. The daughter had cats, so after establishing that he isn't cat friendly, he was surrendered. Quite a sad story for a dog who is very obviously a pet! He's been tested for heart worm (negative), his heart is fine, and he's doing ok for his age. Eyesight and hearing declining a bit, but very spry leaping into the car and going up the few steps to our yard. We walked all four together when we got home and get was pulling the whole way, looking much happier. He's now on our bed, after a vet visit and a bath. It's been a long and stressful day but it's the start of his new life. Our plans for him right now are to sort out the teeth and nails and give him a few weeks to get put back together then sort out the next step. He'll either be rehomed or stay here. Either way, he has a home here as long as he needs it. Photos are on their way!

We also gave hats. And some with antlers and bunny ears. I am not allowed to take any photos.