Mumsnet Talk

Pointy hounds include-
Greyhounds (Grunds)
Whippets (Whippys)
Lurchers
Italian Greyhounds (Iggys)
Salukis
Afghans
And any others I have forgotten. If you are a new pointy hound owner, an old and experienced owner or looking into getting one of these fabulous creatures, come and have a seat (that's not taken up with a hound).

Share advice, stories and shopping tips!
AK Creations
Bonnie dogs
GRWE shop
Our very own Scuttle's Milgi coats
Silver Peacock

Jake
I didn’t really want you,
I wasn’t really sure,
And I’ll admit I had my doubts,
When you first came through that door.
 
Not small, or cute, or fluffy,
With big, soft puppy eyes,
But tall, and thin, and bony,
With bald, pink, bulging thighs.
 
You weren’t the kind I had in mind,
Not in any way,
“Perhaps it would be better if I took you back today,
Before we know each other,
It really won’t be kind,
To keep you here for one more day,
And then to change my mind.”
 
But against my better judgement, I decided you could stay,
And quickly I discovered you were kind in every way,
Your gentleness and patience, they really stole the show,
“Why these dogs are wonderful, I must let others know!”
 
For you’re my gentle giant,
Who just needed the chance,
To show us all what you could be,
To wipe away that history,
And dispel our preconceptions, which put us all to shame,
And so we come to know and love,
What lies beneath that frame.

And now I’ve come to understand,
What I missed right at the start,
That greyhounds need that great deep chest,
To house their great big hearts!
By Denise Dubarbier

Come The Day

Come the day I take that final bend,
Can I count on you to be my friend?
To see I’m treated just and fair,
It means so much to know you care.

For, what the future holds in store,
Now that I can race no more,
Should be addressed for every hound,
Who parts the punter from his pound.

Tell them I don’t ask for much,
A kindly word, a gentle touch,
Somewhere warm to lay my head,
A meal each day to keep me fed,
Not just life- but quality,
This is how it aught to be.

Do not see me swept away,
I long to live another day,
With peace of mind, tranquillity,
And those who care surrounding me,
So tell them all- you have that choice,
I beg of you to be my voice.

By Denise Dubarbier.

Lovely poems, describes them beautifully.

Potential/previous owner here but have just been adopted by a stray cat so will need to wait a while again

I've come to settle down on a bit of the cushion not taken up by hounds.

<Parks self> (on floor as sofa seems to be erm... occupied)

<Muzzles DS2 to prevent him 'washing' and 'loving' licking the dog again>

<Lights Yankee Candle>

Arf at DS licking hound!

Foster Callie's back from the vet. She has had nearly all her teeth removed - the vet said it was like a row of dominoes, and once one was out, the others came very quickly as most were loose/rotten. She's managed to eat a little bit tonight, bless her, and is looking a bit zonked (understandably) near me on her duvet. She's got painkillers and ABs for the morning and will go back in a week for a checkup.

I really do love those poems, especially the first one. I can remember feeling very uncertain about greyhounds initially and even more so when Andy first turned up and I thought "What on earth have we done?" Now I can't imagine life without a pointy in it.

Signing in to pointy love from a campsite in France. We have been away 3 weeks now and I am heartsick for my whippety baby. He on the other hand is having the time of his life on holiday with his brother. Counting down until I see him again on Saturday.

Callie! Poor girl, she must be so sore. I can imagine she'll be in line for a lot of loving over the next little while.

We took ours with us to France, Lost (we just got back), the whole pet passport thing makes it really very easy - I was quite surprised. One thing we wondered though, our dogs seemed to react very confused towards some of the dogs in France - do you think that dogs evolved to "speak" in different lanuages like people depending on which part of the world they come from ? Can you imagine it? A french poodle might bark with a nasally sounding "Bonjour", whilst a nottinghamshire whippet might bark with a gruff "hey up me duck" .

Our two got lots of stares over there though. I think sighthounds are quite an unusual sight there and we heard a few times comments about "chiens très grands" (they really are not, being a whippet and a whippet x grey).

Oh poor Callie how will she eat now? Does she have to have soft food from now on or will she be ok with crunchy things? Or is that a silly question?

Bonjour Lost! Hope you're all having a good time, what's the weather like?

Magrat that's something I've always wondered, if dogs speak in different languages. I wonder if there's been any scientific research done on this? Am laughing at 'Hey up me duck' though, being from Lincolnshire and about as close to Notts as you can get without actually being in it, that language is very familiar

Magrat you've just reminded me, my mum was friends with a few students over here from Japan who were living in Sheffield, by the time they left to go back to Japan they had picked up a few yorkshire phrases, like 'Hey up duck', and 'cheers lovey' and other classic yorkshire phrases. It was hilarious listening to them use them because of course their accents were Japanese

Well they're out anyway! I'm not entirely convinced they were ready. The woman we saw didn't appear to know what she was doing, "Well I think it looks healed enough." I'd just opened my mouth to say maybe she should ask a colleague to come and have a look when she snipped them out. Then she went and got a 2nd opinion but the 2nd opinion just said to keep a close eye on it and keep it clean. I got the feeling he thought they weren't quite ready either, he looked slightly disapproving.

You know that thread 'What would your dog do if people burst your door down'? I always thought Sprocket would either greet them happily or just stay in bed. But now I'm not so sure. A van pulled up in front of our house and a couple of blokes stood there looking at the massive dip in front of our garden wall, Sprocket stood at the window, staring, head and ears up. And he growled it was very quiet, more of a faint rumble but still a growl. I feel quite honoured/pleased in a way, because it says to me that he knows he's home and he felt he had to protect it/us. I feel quite teary now of course I'm probably talking bollocks and in actual fact he just didn't like the look of the men but still. . . .

Oooh, brave Sprocket. How was he when the stitches were removed? Did he squeak or squawk?

Andy says to pass on his best wishes, and says to look forward to the scar

Callie is amazingly perky this morning. She has demolished some pilchards and is getting her ABs and painkiller wrapped in morsels of pate so is very happy. She has just had a little second breakfast of some mashed rabbit and that went down without touching the sides.

Yes, Cunny, know what you mean about it being home for them. Andy is VERY protective of the house - would cheerfully eat anyone who tried to get in.

Watching!

He was fine Scuttle his ears went up a few times but that's it, no squeak or squawk! Very proud of him. He's well 'ard init

Ooh, impressive!!!

I've just found out a lovely random fact. Trent Reznor, of Nine Inch Nails is a huge fan of rescued greyhounds and apparently has several, and regularly fundraises in the USA and helps publicise greyhound adoption. Johnny Cash's version of his song "Hurt" is one of my all time favourites.

What a legend.

DH met a producer a while ago with 3 greys - they had a knowing chat!

Think I ought to join this thread. Currentlygot two lurcher bitches. Hazel ( greyhound/collie/bedlington/pointer) and skipit (whippet/collie). Both 50% soppy tart 50% ruthless killer. Both outside dogs having lost indoor privelages by constantly skanking food and eating it on the bed and sofa.

Welcome to the thread Hazel Hazel sounds like an interesting dog, I bet she's gorgeous! Yy to soppy tart, give Sprocket the slightest bit of affection and he's yours

Yes she is very lovely she looks like a deerhound in miniature.

Love my Whippy. Gentle Mr William - my gorgeous fawn 2 year old ...

Haha ohh bless her, she sounds beautiful!

Welcome iMoniker Mr William is a brilliant name and he sounds beautiful too! Fawn is my second favourite dog colour after shiny black. Is he a pale fawn or more orangey?

They all sound beautiful-pics? Pics?

So we've cancelled our plans for the weekend. The builder is tiling our kitchen. Billy doesn't like him and I cannot fathom why. He's an old friend, we're relaxed with him, the DCs love him, he's calm, friendly to Billy in the right way... and Billy returns the love by growling and barking at him. I can't leave them alone together! DH is in LA. 'Tis going to be a long one...

Betsey how odd! I would love to know what goes on in dogs heads. I hope your plans weren't anything too important or exciting? at your DH. Does he get to do any sightseeing at all when he travels to places?

Nah. Not usually. Just airport > hotel > club > airport > hotel (sometimes) > home! I have to say, I'm not that jealous of him when he goes to LA but am well jealous when he goes to New York.

We're members of ZSL and there is a family festival at London Zoo this weekend. It's free to members to get in. We were going to go and my neighbour walk Billy but I just can't trust it to work! Never mind! School uniforms need sorting...

Bit like Sprocket and the van? Odd.

Cunny - he's pale fawn with ark grey points. I love him a lot !!!

Funny how the hounds get a mood on at times. Mr Will is the meekest dog ever, except when next doors Lab pup is anywhere near. He turns into this bizarre alpha male??

Mmm, Billy's got a Lab thing too!

Hi

I'm considering getting a rescue greyhound, just started initial discussions with the rescue centre. I've not had a dog for years as I work full time so I'm out 8-6, but I can arrange a dogwalker to come in at lunchtime so if the right dog is available I think this could work.

Any top tips? i've only had terriers before so a greyhound is a bit different!

TIA

YES! to the greyhound/labrador thing: we saw a black lab in the woods recently and grundgirl went ballistic, but in a good way - like she really wanted to play with him and just couldn't control herself. Still get shocked at how loud her bark is (scary and booming like a big attack dog) and how strong she is. Still, she's wonderful even if she does scare the sh*t out people when she kicks off (esp. when she's in her black Hannibal Lecter muzzle)

Hello all, it is very comfy here on the new cushion!!

Sam has taken to 'protecting' the house aswell - the other day there was some noise outside (next door wheeling an old lawnmower from the garage to his car) and Sam stood by the back door doing a low growly thing.
Most odd because he is the biggest scaredycat known to man!!

Another odd thing that is happening to him - he is white with fawn patches. He has always been quite thin furred with his legs, sides and tummy being mostly bald. His legs, sides and tummy have pink skin with black spots on them.
Recently his white fur has become ?thinner? or ?see-through? (yes I am aware of how ridiculous see-through sounds) and the black spots are now also visible on his back. But only where the white hair is.
He is well and healthy so I am not worried, and have read up on various whippety forums and the general concencus seems to be that the black is more visible because they are freckles and the sun has brought them out, OR that it is the natural aging process of the dog (which would also tie in with the sun theory) He has been outside a large amount of time.
Any thoughts?

No idea on the spot theory Lock, whippety has them too, but as he is only 10 months I will have to wait to see about the ageing thing

Well we are back and I have managed to come home to two Whippets as my friend has tag teamed me and gone straight on holiday herself so I've got my darling boy and his beautiful brother. They are both looking so healthy and glossy after having three weeks sport together, I can't wait to take them for a walk and show them off!

I would have loved to have taken him on holiday but we met up with my parents half way through which is a regular thing in the summer and they stay in a dog un friendly place unfortunately but next time we book we will be able to look into dog friendlies. It was rather warm for them mind, one of the places we camped was 40 degrees . The lovely ladies in the tent next to us had taken their terrier for a walk and ended up at the vets getting a stern telling off as they could have killed him!

I hope Callie is improving Scuttle, I imagine eating is a joy without painful, untrustworthy teeth. Give Andy a pat from me .

<waves at the new people> My name is Losty and I am a pointy hound addict

Hi

can I join in properly now. We've had the home visit from the rescue centre and met a beautiful black girl who we went out for a walk with and she came back to ours with her foster family. She is gorgeous, behaved beautifully on the walk and was very relaxed in the house. Now just need to sort out some stuff in the house and get bed/bowls/food etc.

She's coming for a trial visit next weekend. I'm really excited

Hello Hiding - how exciting!! What is her name?

She's called Prue. She's a 4 year old ex racer but had been very badly neglected in her previous home and so has been in foster care since April. Coincidentally, she moved last week to someone about 5 minutes away, which is how we managed to sort out a visit so quickly.

She's such a lovely softy. Still got a way to go with learning about 'family' life, doesn't really understand the concept of 'play' for example, but I'm sure that will come with time. her foster 'mum' says she's coming out of her shell already. She was lovely with my daughters (15 & 17), and we're really looking forward to having her here

Welcome to the thread Hiding! How exciting! Maybe I'm biased but I think the black ones are the best, they are so glamorous and shiny when they're in top condition!
Greyhounds are extremly lazy, so be prepared for a dog that sleeps 90% of the time
Is there anything in particular you'd like to know? Eg what kind of food, collar etc? A raised feeder (or ikea plant pots!) is best because Greys are so tall it's a bit difficult for them to eat off the floor!
I'm sure Scuttle, our resident grund guru will be along soon to give you some good tips

Welcome back Lost! Your holiday sounded fab, I've tried not to follow on FB as am very but I failed

No idea on sam Lock, Sprocket has black spots on his belly but tbh I've never given them a second thought! How old is he?

<twirls> was naturalnature but an longer standing poster had a similar name.

Thanks for the welcome, I was looking to adopt a rescue greyhound work with them but have had all plans scuppered due to a stray cat and will have to go for a pup now and/or wait for a non ex-racer

We think Sam is somewhere between two and three, probably nearer to three but we just don't know.
I am sure it is because he is so white and thin furred that the black patches are suddenly so noticeable! Or perhaps he just fancied being a dalmation for a change!!

Lost - I avidly followed your holiday pictures on fb - it looks like you had a fantastic time and your boys are very photogenic!! (and I just adore little G!)

Last day of the summer holidays tomorrow - back to school on Tuesday for me (could cry) but a fab evening at the Olympic Park to look forward to for Tuesday eve. Betsey - will text you once we are on the road and have an approximate arrival time :-) xx

Yay! We're off there tomorrow and plan on cycling and walking. However, as your trip will be in the evening and you'll be returning after dark I still recommend public transport!!! Will get the kettle on but I do warn you; we'll have had 4 small boys (plus my 2, so 6) storming the house all day so be prepared to wade through Lego bricks and biscuit crumbs to find the kitchen.

I should also say that Billy has been a naughty boy with the builder again this evening. Barking and growling. I do hope he behaves himself with you guys.

Hiding what exciting news! Prue is a super name and she sounds an absolute cracker.

VintageEbonyGold I found a lovely 80s cashmere cardigan from a posh charity shop where my mum lives that reminds me of your name. It's black with a lovely gold beady detail... sorry I digress! Hang on in there for the not so keen hounds. Just give your deets to as many rescues as poss and they do come in. We got a calls about two dogs who were deemed 'cat friendly' after Billy had come to live with us!

Sorry should say 'a call'.

Just checking in after a week away. Something very wrong here tonight as all five dogs are on the floor and I'm not fighting for the sofa. Don't think that the three greyhounds have forgiven us for putting them in kennels for a week!

Lurcher boy is still with us - he went to mum's while we were away. Not too sure how much longer we will have him but he's still happy enough for the time being.

Interesting to read about your dogs and labs - the fifth one of ours is a lab, so chaos does happen quite regularly in our house!

Welcome back Sanity, did you have a good week away? Pleased that lurcherboy is still with you, enjoy him while you can.

Lock what is it that you do at school?

Well I am very pleased with my vets, they sell dog rocks for £8.99, cheaper than on ebay! Also got £5.53 back for his cone of shame so the rocks hardly cost me anything just worked out I spent approx £250 on Sprocket in August that's a lot compared to £20 every 6 weeks with a few quid here and there in between!

Hello all - had a bit of a surprise tonight. Our beautiful Callie, who had the major dental work last Wednesday, decided to pinch a big rawhide chew that I'd given to each of the other three hounds and lay on the sofa with it, gnawing contentedly.

I think it's a good sign as her mouth must be healing but it was a big shock, especially as she is on soft food. I guess also she must miss the action of chewing.

Hope you had a good time at the Games, Betsey!

Cunny, ouch! Big bill.

Yes thanks, it was amazing. Saw Pistorius in the actual flesh at his medals ceremony. YUM. Though I had a migraine by the time we got home and have spent afternoon/evening being sick and in horrible pain! Has passed thank God and I'm awake now cuddling on the sofa with my giant hound.

Billy went out with our friends this morning and had a cracking time. She brings her own treats for him it turns out - spoilt dog! As a result of my mankiness though he didn't get a second walk today and got a bit naughty and bored and started stealing food etc. I found plums, hula hoops and two pairs of sunglasses in his bed.

She must be healing well Scuttle to have fancied a chew. Does she have to keep the clots in place or is it OK if she shifts them?

Yeeowch at that 250 Cunny. What's a dog rock btw?

Blimey Callie must be feeling better then! Is she ok to do that so soon afterwards?

Betsey these are dog rocks. They're bloody wonderful! We definitely noticed when they stopped working as the grass started going yellow. Glad you had a fab time yesterday, but ouch at the migraine! Hope you're feeling better today. at Billys' loot!

GGG has changed from highly unlikely to very likely now and I can't work this out c+p'd from the RGT website
'What time:  Registration from 9.30 a.m and judging starts at 11.00 a.m in all rings'
this is wrt the show. So If I register online, do we still need to show up for registration around 9.30? and what happens if Sprocket is in more than 1 class and they happen to be on at the same time in different rings? I'm really confused

Oh and I accidently bought Sprocket a new martingale yesterday for the GGG my fingers just took over and picked out, ordered and paid for it.

Well, you want him to look smart for such a big occasion! Completely understood.

Don't know how they will avoid clashing classes. The only option I can think is if they run them completely sequentially, but that will make it a very long day, so I think some classes are going to have to be judged at the same time. You'll just need to keep dashing between rings I expect.

Online registration is a great idea - it means you don't have to queue up at 9.30 with five million other people but can stroll in at 5 to eleven, watching the admiring glances as they all admire Sprocket's new collar. To be honest, the website is massively unhelpful, as they don't make it clear whether you'll need to pick up a competitor number or how multiple class entries can be managed. What a lot of dog shows do is post out your number to you, so you just turn up for your class. They might be doing it without competitor numbers? I reallly don't know, as it's our first time there too. We do loads of charity dog shows and I've organised and judged many too, and most are much more helpful than that.

Betsey, no idea about clots she seems to be healing nicely and pinched some of Andy's kibble this morning, so is apparently keen to try things. Vet on Friday for post-op checkup.

Love the random combination of hula hoops and sunglasses!!!

I tried my new dog walking shoes today - courier arrived just before taking out Round 1. Here Verdict - very comfortable and bouncy.

We have just started using dog rocks - here's to patch free lawns!!!

Ah, I only mention the clots because DS1 needed a tooth out and they told us we had to keep the clot in the socket for as long as possible. So I guessed it might be the same for dogs.

I think our lawn may be beyond repair but he's worth it.

Hello ive been directed this was by GOLD. Iam now the proud owner of a blue/grey whippet x bedlington whippet. We got him on sunday having been told he was 8 weeks. Was confirmed by vet today he's more like 6-7, so feeling rather guilty now

We do also have a lhasa apso x JRT, she is currently on a hunger strike since hobo joined us. Is this normal when introducing anew dog? she seems to have got a right grump on. She's not been mean to the puppy, she's growled at him if he's got too playful, but other than that she just runs away if he comes near her and wont come near me if he's next to me

Pics!? He sounds gorgeous tennessey. Another lovely whippy and friend to join the pointy gang!

Oh dear. I've been on here this evening again. So many long stayers and new hounds. There's a big waiting list for the kennels apparently. When my new life/course/job settles down...

And look at this. I had no idea. Same markings as our Bill.

Ive put a pic on my profile of him, for some reason its gone on upside down but you can get the gist from the pic! He's being very naughty playing with my knitting in it!

Hello,

I am morethanyoubargainfor and I have one very loopy lurcher! I believe he has ADHD ( if that is possible for a dog!).

He has lived with us for 3 years and he came from Ireland after being a stray for several weeks and needed to be caught via traps. He loves people, dogs, walks, food, did I mention walks! Everything is his favourite thing especially our chihuahua and curly coated retriever and my ds. He is a house dog and is very clever. We have done agility in the past. He is my favourite, just don't tell the other 2! He is called bailey, affectionately known as burp! He is a blonde brindle, atleast that is what I think they are called.

Welcome all.

Betsey, both the Norty Minx and Callie are grand daughters of Top Honcho. Minx is our little tiger and is a brindle and Callie is black, though she is greying a lot now on her chest, face, neck and legs. Andy and Cunny's Sprocket are by Brett Lee, another incredibly prolific black sire. The sad thing is that black dogs are always slightly harder to home. I really don't understand why as they look so stunning when they have a glossy coat. It seems a lot of people are superstitious about them, and a friend who does cat rescue says that black cats are always harder to rehome too.

Big welcome to Tennessy and Morethan

Welcome to Tennessy and Morethan . I always wanted a bedlington x whippet, as they look so adorable, but ds2 has numerous allergies and a smooth-coated dog is a better mix with his hayfever. I am jealous though.

I'm actually just popping in though with a quick question - we usually feed the dogs on raw/homemade, but I've been short of time of late (and being on holiday - tbh in france they got what we could find in the supermarket supplemented with green tripe from the butchers, sardines or other yummies), the dogs have been getting complete dry food. I just wondered, however, we ran out of dry food this evening and I had to nip to the supermarket for more but they only had Baker's, which I won't touch and Harrington's with salmon and potato, which I got for them. Is this food generally OK quality-wise?

We use Harringtons with Billy. I know it's not the best (and we wanted kibble because I'm totally not organised enough or the owner of a big enough freezer to feed fresh/raw) and with the lamb one his stomach is a treat. Poos small and firm. We supplement it with pilchards/whatever fish (we don't eat much meat) every day and it suits him. Soooo... it's not the ideal diet for him but it's working for now. I think there's still a lot of cereal in it; the turkey one we started off on was OK but the lamb is tops here. Our ASDA don't have the salmon one!!

Met a lovely MNetter yesterday and her gorgeous, smiley, friendly family!! Billy had just had a bath, in which we were ably assisted by our DS2, who greeted our guests not wearing very much at all as he was a leetle bit wet...

Joining in.....our rescue is a lab/greyhound and a very soft and gentle personality. Can run like stink though! We do know a bit of his history and he's had quite a few homes, but now he's in his forever home...and doesn't like being away from it although we did have to kennel him once overnight.

He is our first dog, lives with a g-pig and a cat and ignores both...particularly our small rescue cat who goes up to him when he's lying down and sniffs him..you can virtually see him gritting his teeth and pretending she's not there! He has been such a joy to have...but I can't beleive that I have refused to have the car I always wanted when we at last have enough money..because the boot is high and I think it's too small for him!
Dogs...they take over your life like children!

Oh yes febel the car, we have got through numerous cars in the last 5 years because of the dogs! We now have a 7 seater for our very large family of 3, plus the 3 dogs! My dh is reguarly looking like and asking 'why can't we just be like normal people!'. Because I tell him we have a loopy lurcher that is 3 and half foot long excluding his tail and a large curly coated retriever! He will get there in the end!

Welcome to all the new folks! Great to have you here
Blimey it's busy on here now, I feel like we need welcome packs or something to hand out

Tennessey your profile is set to private I think

Ok question, for the GGG I was going to send Sprocket to the groomers the day before so he smelt nice and his socks would still be white and not brown and yellow. But my friend said to get him bathed a week before so his shine is back in time for the show. As bathing takes the shine away for about a week. Is this right? Should he be bathed on friday instead?

Just rung a couple of groomers for quotes on a bath, claw clipping and ears cleaning. The first said £26!! The second said £10. The woman I spoke to at the second one thought wednesday would be a good day to do him so he's off to be pampered on wednesday

Hello all,

Am back after two whirlwind days at work with a visit to the Olympic Park sandwiched inbetween. Met the lovely MissB and her gorgeous family - thank you for making us feel so welcome, it was so so lovely to meet you all

Sam had a great time with my dogwalker friend, he loves her dogs and sees them as his pack, especially her little jack russel / poodle cross.

Ds was back to school today, he is now ensconced on the sofa playing PS3 with his mate Will

Dd is back to school tomorrow, so back to getting up at 6.30 to walk Sam before we go.

Betsey - how did today go? Did DS2 enjoy school?

Cunny - £10 sounds like a very reasonable price. We are doing Sam ourselves, he is only whippy sized so easy to lift in and out of hte bath. Have both some ear cleaning wipes and dh is brave enough to cut his claws...

Right, need to get out of these school clothes, get the washing in, start thinking about dinner... Back later

Wow, Cunny, Sprocket is going to win! All that and a new collar too. Can't wait to see you all there.

When Callie and Mick came, they had a bath the day they left the kennels, and both looked fine, just a bit fluffy. Harder to tell with Norty Minx, as she's a brindle but she looked perfectly fine after her bath, but we do use a nice shampoo. You could try polishing him (seriously) with a velvet or a silk cloth once he is dry. You can also get various shine sprays that you could use too (show horses often use these).

With my crystal ball, I foresee many rosettes.....

Well I'm thinking about putting him in 2-3 classes, so we may come home with a max of 6 rosettes (!!) because apparently you get one anyway even if your dog doesn't place! I've bought you a little tent warming gift Scuttle, hope you like it. It makes me laugh everytime I look at it

Lock sounds like you've been a tad busy did you have a good time at the park?

ROFL @ Sprocket at the doggie parlour. I love it! Nice price too. And just tell those judges... Madame Scuttle has pronounced! Sprocket shall win!

Thanks for asking Lock. DS2 had a good first day at school - he just had a lovely play all day I think! Sadly, not so good for DS1. He's always had problems 'fitting in' and I think now his year group are all a bit older it's getting more difficult. I picked up quite a miserable lad who just wanted to cuddle with his dog. We did go to the park after school but none of the boys he desperately wants to be his friends wanted to play with him there or at school... Perhaps it'll settle down as the year goes on. So lovely for him to come home and get that amazing unconditional love that a dog gives you though.

Oh poor DS1 bless him. I know what it's like to not fit in. I went to a tiny village primary with 8 children in my year and only 2 of us were girls! I was the weird horse and dog mad one and the other girl was into boring girly stuff. I ended up playing with a girl 2 years younger than me most of the time! I hope it gets better for him soon

Otoh I'm glad DS2 had a good first day

evening all! have changed setting to public so you can now see my blue eyed boy! his name has been changed to frank in the last few hours from my dh suggestion of hobo! my lhasa cross was at groomers today where we pay £28 which is expensive but they bathe, cut hair/nails do anal glands (boak) shes there a good two hours! he seems to be settling in well and our other dog has stopped her hunger strike!

Oh he's gorgeous! So erm where did you say you lived? <makes plans for puppynap>

That's one beautiful pup. Glad the other one's decided to eat again! Now I do love a good goo fest but I'm afraid I have no clue about canine anal glands and nor do I have the curiosity to find out!!!

Thanks Cunny. Although I know we all come out the other side of school it's still so hard to see your child so miserable. He spent a really sad evening at home, so withdrawn and not like my chirpy cheeky boy I sent in this morning. Luckily Billy was there for hugs; he really settles with him.

That sounds like a really tiny school. I think lots of children have the capacity to be horse and dog mad, given half the chance! So I suppose I'm saying you weren't the weird one - they all were!

Oh my cunny you got me all worried there, I was in a class of 8. And only one of 2 girls! Then I read that the other girl was into boring girlie stuff and I sighed a big sigh of relief! You can't be talking about me .

Tenn he is gorgeous, I want a lurcher puppy, burp was apparently 14 months when we rehomed him but I think he was well under a year. I wished I could see him when he was the size of a peanut!

ha ha i have to admit betsey i was bit when we first took her and they asked if we wanted her glands doing, ihave no idea why but i thought they meant her ears! i have one of each sat either side which is the closest penny has let him get to her so far!

cunny i will keep my eyes open for puppy nappering!!

Morethan if you're 21 and come from Lincolnshire then it might be you

Betsey it really is a tiny school! There used to be about 50 pupils and 2 teachers. Reception, y1 and 2 in class 1, and in class 2 there was y3, 4, 5 and 6. It's all changed since I left though. My old school has been merged with the tiny school in the next village. Even though the 2 schools are still in seperate villages they are one school. So reception, y1, 2 and 3 are at my old school, and y4, 5 and 6 are at the other one! It's very confusing. They've merged the names too so it's now 'Blyton cum Laughton'

I knew it wouldn't be me, the comment about being girls and boring gave it away!! I was 21 once and nearly moved to Lincolnshire 10 years ago, but I think it is safe to say I am not that girl you are talking about

Hello all, what a lovely surprise to stumble across this thread. We've just moved to Texas in the states and our 9 yr old retired racing greyhound has just arrived after a very long cargo flight. He is still a bit shell shocked what with the change in climate but we're adjusting together. We were living in Suffolk in the UK and really enjoyed the quiet open fields for walks. If anyone could recommend some good dry food for his very sensitive stomach we're willing to give it a try as currently using something from the local PetSmart and not sure how good it is. Would love to get him a companion one day, I've got my eye on an Italian Greyhound!

Cunny, it's a pity you're not nearer. I'm judging at a small show on Sunday organised by our local branch of the RGT, so we could make sure Sprocket goes home with a rosette.

Ooh Scuttle that's naughty

Wow all the way from Texas! Is it the same as it is in films, all flat and dry looking? My grey is on CSJ CP xtra, it seems the perfect thing for a grund, wheat and gluten free and low protein. £20 for a 15kg sack, not sure what that would be in Dollars though, or if you could get it over there or sent to you. Although I guess you could find out!

CSJ here

By the way, what time is it right now in Texas? It's 9.03pm here

It's just gone 3pm in Texas and it's hot as hell!! Luckily my pooch is snoozing on his blanket in the glorious air-conditioning. We have to go for walks before it gets light in the mornings because it's too hot at any other time of day! This morning we were pounding the pavements just after 6am. Thanks for the tips on food Cunny will have a look. And yes, it is flat and very dry. The other day it rained for all of fifteen minutes and I nearly went outside to dance in it!

I think I would've gone out to dance in it how long have you been out there? Weird to think it's mid afternoon where you are and I'm sat in bed!
Wrt the food I'm sure there's more that are suitable for greys but I guess you just have to shop around for them!

If I wasn't 37 weeks pregnant I probably would have! I've been out here nearly a month now. I still have my laptop set to UK time, can't quite bring myself to change it just yet. We used some lovely food called Natures Harvest in the UK so will have a look and see if I can get some out here. We leave Texas once the baby arrives and next stop is Columbus, Mississippi for several years. I'm hoping since we'll be a bit further north our greyhound might not suffer so much in the heat. I don't think he's eating as much as he normally would but I guess that's to be expected after change in routine and new surroundings.

Oh blimey, 37 weeks pregnant in that heat?? I thought it was bad enough over here when I was that pregnant and it was hot! Will you be staying in the US permanently after Mississippi?

I have a fascination talking to people in different countries I have an old school friend who lives in Australia and everytime I speak to him the first thing I ask is the date and time

DP has just rung me, he's not going to be home until late after midnight! He got a call out at just gone 7 for a major gas leak (a whole village has been evacuated!!) and he has had to close all the roads leading into it, and redirect people. And he's also got a blow out on his van so now he's had to call out a colleague to come and rescue him and someone else to change the van tire.

Oh and he passed his class 2 HGV yesterday so now he will be out this winter driving gritters!

Ooh, could Sprocket be his mate? He could sit in the cab, and eat Yorkies and wear a scarf and a hi vis dog coat (obviously a special non toxic yorkie bar). And he could be his banksman when DH is reversing. He could hold a little lollipop up to stop traffic.

Realises Scuttle is now becoming slightly deranged...

Just how much gin have you had this evening?

Not sure if we'll be staying in US after Mississippi, will all depend on DH job. He's just had 4 years in the UK though with lots of adventures around Europe so I'm hoping he may be up for a posting out that way after a bit of time back home. I personally can't imagine calling the US my home, perhaps that will change once we have children?!

Ha Ha. You could pack him his kibble in a special little lunch box with a rabbit on the front. Only as deranged as I am permanently Scuttle!

Your DH Cunny - what a legend! Kitchen building, gritter driving, village saving hero!

What a life dickie! You must have some cracking photo albums. And an address book that's bursting at the seams, ready for lots of lovely holidays!

Argos do doggy lunchboxes actually, they have a food compartment and a water compartment.

i am without the burp earlier today he stuck his ace in some of that dart type grass and a piece got lodged i pulled out the majority of it but he wa sneezing blood. he continued to sneeze and lick it and the nose was all crumpled so of to the vets i go, who has kept him for evening sedation to removed offending grass seed. very without the loopy one.

Oh morethan how sad for him I hope he's ok!

He is home, minus a grass seed! A very large grass seed, the vet kept it for me as amazed at the size of it!

He had to be helped up the stairs and on to my bed as he is so Doopey from the sedation his legs aren't working in unison. Still atleast he is home. .

Bless him, he'll be getting lots of extra cuddles tonight then will he?

Of course he will! When he is awake enough to realise that I am actually cuddling him! I am currently on the bed with him, he has no awareness of this fact!! The others are missing their loopy friend.

Not one, but it is one of my life-long ambitions to be. I want a grey rough coated lurcher with soulful golden eyes. Or any lurcher really. And I really really need a campervan so me and my lurcher can go on lovely holidays together (just the two of us)

Morethan, hope your lovely lurcher will recover, and be back to full loopiness in the morning..

Teeny, that's a fab ambition to have.

Thanks scuttle, as much as his usual loopiness drives me mad at times I miss it when he is like this! Still out of it having snuggles with me on the bed, we are taking in turns to sit with him whilst we eat dinner! How spoilt is he?

Teeny that is a great ambition! Sounds heavenly!

Morethan how is loopy lurcher today? I hope he's feeling better.

Scuttle I asked about the GGG classes on the LGT FB page and someone reckons there are 2 rings, one for dogs, one for bitches and the classes just run one after the other!

Oh my god oh my god oh my god!!! Sooooooooo excited! Have managed to find a field not far from us that is 100% secure, rabbit and mole free, and you pay £6 so your dog can run around for an hour! All I'd need to do is get a bus it's a 'Field Of Dreams' field, apparently FOD is one of the very best dog training companies in the country. Me and my friend with her greyhound and whippet are going to organize a few of us to go

Ooooh, Cunny, that looks SO exciting!!!

You and Sprocket will have so much fun (even more than eating Yorkies on DH's gritter). I've just been looking at the website and it looks lovely. If any of you have a video camera, it's great to film them running round like lunatics.

Will you be taking Sprocket to any of the classes? They look fun too.

Callie went for her post op check up this morning at the vets. Vet was delighted with her progress, and we weighed her again. She's gained over a kilo in the fortnight she's been with us, which I'm delighted about. She was actually half a kilo under her racing weight when we picked her up . Stilll a way to go with her, but her condition is improving all the time. She's turning back into a well cared for dog.

Help, I need some advice please.

My grey has awful teeth, always has. She won't let me near her, believe me I've tried everything to clean them over the years. Mtoothbrush, finger tooth brush, meat toothpaste, normal stuff, just my finger. She goes mental I can't get near her teeth.

I use plaque off and bones.

For the last two years she's had an expensive dental yearly. Cost in excess of £400 and involved extractions both times.

Last one was 11 months ago and they only sorted out one side as she nearly died, her heart slowed down a lot. Of course I still got charged full price for half a job but anyway......

She's 7yo and has a significant heart murmer.

Her teeth are bad again, especially the side that wasn't cleaned last time. They're black, totally black. Her breath stinks the house out.

I know at her yearly check up next month the vet is going to recommend it all again. I'm loath to do it again, partly as its so expensive but also because I'm worried aout her from a health point of view, having a GA again. What should I do?

And if I do leave it what can I do about the smell. She only eats dry kibble stuff btw.

I know Scuttle I can't wait until his leg is 100% healed! I'l have my iphone with me (as always) so I can video it and put it on FB for you all to watch and go 'Ooooh, Aaaaaah!'
Brilliant news about Callie! Did you tell the vet about her having that hard chew and some kibble? at her weight! Have they not been looked after as well as they should since their owner has been poorly?

Viva I'm sorry, I have no idea what to suggest. I can totally understand your reluctance for the GA, but I'm not sure what other options there are. Do you think you could maybe get some sedatives and give them a good scrub when she's dopey?

750g of Mature English Cheddar. Waitrose too, the expensive stuff, not the Asda stuff I use for cooking. About 7 quid's worth.

That's what Billy has just stolen off my worktop the filthy thief. No wonder he's looking a bit peaky. I was going to take him out with us when we go for an ice cream in a bit but on second thoughts, if he's going to be sick I don't want that going all over the pavement at the cafe.

I didn't realise he'd nicked it and gave him the cheesy scraps from lunch and his real kibble lunch too.

Viva, you really, really need to be guided by your vet on this. They will not recommend a GA unless they believe it is safe to do so. If your dog's teeth are this bad, it's really important they are sorted out. Not sorting them out will increase the risk of a number of infections, including bacteria that can damage the heart and kidneys. She could also be in pain.

We have just gone through this with a foster bitch - all but her canines were extracted. She's a senior girl but you wouldn't believe the difference in her health. Because the teeth (like your girl) had gone black and stinky, the infection had moved down into her throat, her lymph nodes were hugely enlarged and she was in pain, and losing condition. If you don't sort this, you will be putting her health at risk. Sorry to be so blunt.

Following her op, our lovely foster stayed on ABs and painkillers and the difference was remarkable and immediate. She's gaining weight, looks fabulous, and has healed beautifully. I know lots of very elderly greys who've had GAs for dental work - it's such a common issue with greys - but the difference it makes really is worth it.

Please, please chat to your vet about your concerns and ask about paying by instalments etc. If you adopted through a charity, and you are desperate, can you go back to them for help?

at Billy!!! Andy is v impressed though.

I am just back from spending a lovely afternoon judging at the charity dog show for our local RGT branch (who Norty Minx is fostered from). Absolutely wonderful collection of dogs, some adorable children, and really nice owners. Had a fab day, and it stayed dry!! Can't believe it. Also had the benefit of a tall, dark and handsome ring steward (DH)

Oh Billy! How is he Betsey? Any spectacular puddles of vomit yet? Why do they always nick the good stuff??

Scuttle was it today you were judging at a show? Hope it was a good day and the weather stayed nice!

Well Sprocket has had his muzzle off for 3 days now and his leg is healing wonderfully and he hasn't touched it

Can't wait for next Saturday!! We're going to this little show they call the Great Greyhound Gathering

X posts, sounded like a lovely day!

Yikes Betsey!! Do you have bleach and a mop on standby??
I will never forget, many years ago, when our then one year old Cocker Spaniel managed to eat a 1.5kg tub of Haribos followed by a packet of chilli spice mix. That evening was not pleasant!

Cunny, glad to hear Sprocket is healing up so well!!

We volunteered at the Celia Cross Cranleigh Sale this weekend. It is basically a large table top sale, with pony rides, dog show and the now famous Blur of Fur - a straight stretch of field, you pay £1, you hand your dog over, go to the end of the run, holler their name and a man with a radar gun measures how fast they go. Sam won the lurcher category with an impressive 41mph!!!! He is now snoring on the couch dreaming of a future as a racing dog....
(the fastest greyhound 'only' managed 45mph and Sam is tiny compared to a grey so I am very impressed!! He was given a rosette and a certificate and a pair of wineglasses with greyhounds on them

Am absolutely exhausted now, but very happy. Dh and I were in charge of the sports stall and we took just over £100. Ems was in charge of Sam and did a stirling job as our resident dog sitter. Ollie decided he much preferred the lovely ladies in the PR tent and spent the day helping them.

Am going to start cooking dinner in a mo and shall have a lovely glass of wine in one of our new glasses, cheers Sam!!

Lock that sounds like an amazing day, @ blur of fur! Well done Sam! 41mph is impressive!

Wow Sam ! Good going !

My two are currently on their backs on the sofa , absolutely knackered after going to the Game and Country fair at Sandringham all day . Both came home with rosettes , Daisy for junior handler , and Rocky managed to win Best Rescue , despite leaning heavily on the judge when he said hello ! And he didn't even try to pick up any small dogs and shake them , so he's done really well bless him.

That sounds like a lovely day too Plomino! Perhaps Rocky knew exactly what he was doing when he leant on the judge

Of the lovely days people have had today. DP got called out to work at 11 and didn't get home till 7 so it's just been me, DD and Sprocket all day!

What an eventful day! Congrats to the winners! Sam you speed merchant; I bet he'll sleep well tonight.

Glad to hear good reports from sick bay too. Sprocket and Callie on the mend and him ready to take show world by storm.

Billy just looked a bit queasy for a while but, amazingly, no vomit. He must have steelier guts than I give him credit for! We had a roast dinner too so he got the scraps when I boned the chicken too.

On a sadder note, so, so many dogs in his kennels and several returns. Apparently their waiting list is longer than ever too.

Ah, but Cunny, your turn will come next Saturday. Srpocket will be a buffed demi-god and will come home festooned with rosettes.

Sam, what a star!!! See, Madame Scuttle and the Tent of Destiny correctly foretold this when they sent you the blue star bandana

I'm exhausted (in a nice way) after this afternoon - it was lovely but surprisingly tiring. However, restorative gin has worked its magic and it will be time for bed soon.

Well done to Plomino too!
Wow, the cushion is going to need its own trophy cabinet at this rate.

Scuttle - Sam wore the blue star bandana all day and especially during the Blur of Fur. No wonder he won!!
He had lots of compliments about his bandana. I hope you don't mind but we gave the bigger one (the peacock fabric one) to our friend Alison who adopted a grey (Dexie dog) from CCGT and who is also always volunteering at every event and gives a lot of time to the trust. And Ollie adores Dexie dog and felt a peacock bandana would be just the thing

Of course not!! Glad it's being worn by what sounds like a very deserving and handsome grey, Dexie. Pics would be nice (hint, hint)

Oh I know Scuttle, apparently he gets a rosette just for entering so he'll come home with at least 2/3! Yy to trophy cabinet

Betsey I'm glad Billy didn't throw up! Bet you are too
It is so sad all the dogs being returned, LGT had seven returns in June with a waiting list from racing kennels of around 30

I don't know what to do. I want to enter him in 3 classes, classes 3 & 4, and 29, but I just know that DP will be moaning and griping and wanting to leave way before class 29 (he doesn't really want to go anyway, he just knows he'll never hear the end of it if we don't!). Class 29 is Handsomest Dog Someone please tell me what to do.

Do I go for 3, 4 and 29 or just 3 and 4 to stop DP whinging my ears off.
He's such a miserable arse about things he doesn't want to do

I think the 2nd picture down might've been at last years GGG

Personally, I'd hold out for Class 29 - my thinking is that the GGG is a once a year event, not something you can do every week. Reinforce how grateful you'll be, and is there a similar event for him that you can offer support/attendance at?

Also, I'd stick him in Best Condition (class 25), and if P is able to toddle, pop her in to Best child handler. There were three year olds in the show I was judging yesterday and you often see grunds at charity shows, basically walking a toddler round. That way, there'll be less of a gap, and if P is in the ring, it's a good opportunity to be a doting dad.

And I'd definitely pre-enter - psychologically, you are much more likely to stay if you have already paid for that class!

And is it too late to think about Fancy Dress? I'm thinking P as a flower and Sprocket as a bee.

And last thought, looking at the class list, and assuming they start on time and are brisk with stewarding, I reckon they will probably get through that list of classes quite smoothly - probably no more than three hours for the whole lot. I'll guess they'll split the first lot into dogs and bitches so there will be no more than half a dozen greyhound classes of each - that will be about an hour to an hour and a quarter. Then they'll do the Companion Show - say another hour, then the last Novelty classes so I really, really don't think you will have too long to wait. By the time you have a coffee, visit some stalls, give P an icecream, it'll be time to be back in the ring.

Dear LORD that dog in the jester outfit looks as though it can't quite believe what is happening!

Loving the flower idea. I fancy the idea of Billy in a steward's white coat and DS1 in a little racing bib. Or muzzled.

He stole the chicken carcass out of the bin today. DH took the bin bag out and left it this morning to sort out something the DCs were doing upstairs and, like a rocket, the dog was in. Carcass gone in seconds. Bit worried about him but keeping a close eye for signs of distress. None yet - snoozing happily on bed after long walk.

I know. You can just picture the dog's interrnal dialogue. "Retirement, you said. A nice day out with other greyhounds, you said. Sausages, you said. Rosettes, you mentioned. Mutter, mutter. Right, that's it, that's a years worth of toxic farts right there...."

Billy is on a roll! I know I shouldn't be impressed by stealing chicken (cos the bones are such a worry) but he is impressive. Think you start calling him Raffles, or the Pink Panther....

Just got off the phone to a lovely american chap at RGT who patiently explained how the classes will work, there are 3 rings altogether and it's all worked out that none of them should overlap. So we will be ok with those classes

Scuttle I love the flower idea! That would bee amazing <gets coat> think it's too late though. I'll store that idea for next year. I also thought of a good one although I reckon it's a bit too obvious and possibly other people have already thought of it. Sprocket as a race horse, Poppy as a jockey I think she's too young for child handler this year. It would just end up as one of us carrying her and holding the lead

Betsey that is a brilliant idea for fancy dress. If you go to any shows you have to dress them up like that. Maybe have DS in head to toe black with white bits to match Billy too, with a long tail and ears and make a long nose and somehow attatch a muzzle <gets carried away>

We can't go just discovered our car needs a new part that costs £350, so we can't afford it now am gutted, was so excited.

Yes! Raffles the gentleman thief. Fitting as his sidekick was Bunny wasn't it? That's so my next greyhound's name.

Oh Cunny that's bad news alright. Do any family drive that could put you guys on the insurance for a weekend? My mum did this once and it cost her about 15 quid I think. It would be such a shame to miss it as it's so local to you.

Ok, another change of plan. I mentioned we couldn't go on the LGT FB page and someone my sister used to work with has offered to squash me and Sprocket in. So DP and DD are having a daddy & daughter day while me and Sprocket go off to the show!

Hello, week one down with puppy and we have survived! He's had a 3rd and final name change to merlin. Him and our other dog are getting on brilliantly now which is great. he seems to spend most of his time asleep with his legs in the air ( new pics on profile!) i did gave a few q's that i thought id ask experienced hound owners! 1: what kind of dried food do you feed yours, wet food, despite being what we were told he's on, gives him the runs. 2: to toilet train we've discovered he has a thing for cheese, its our other dogs preferred treat, is it ok for him to have it with him being so little?

Sorry to hear about your show cunny id love to do something like that with my two!

Ooh must have x-posted, glad you can go now!

Merlin's a great name. I can't advise about pup food but we feed Billy Harringtons Lamb and Rice as it's what seems to suit his tum the most. So good to hear harmony is restored.

Merlin is a lovely name! What were his other names?
We feed Sprocket on CSJ CP Xtra, it's what the rescue recommended we use. CSJ also do puppy food I think.

Merlin is a lovely name! What were his other names?
We feed Sprocket on CSJ CP Xtra, it's what the rescue recommended we use. CSJ also do puppy food here.

Thank you both for food recommedations. Will try both pets at home and local petshop for the above named foods, see if they have any samples!
He was hobo, frank and finally merlin!

So i went to pets at home today and had a lovely lady talk tome for ages about food! I was recommended wainwrights or james wellbeloved. Have gone for the well beloved complete food and some little pouches of wet food to mix in as he isnt too keen on dry food on its own and we need to feed him up! I was even given 25% off which was rather nice!

Hi all

We have a gorgeous 12 year old greyhound that we have had for nearly six years, he came from Battersea as a rescue, won 10 races apparently! No idea if that's good to not lol.

He is amazing, once he learned how life works when living with humans and not in a concrete kennel.

We feed him on Country Valu Greyhound Kibble, we soak as his teeth are appaling! Not to mention breth that could knock you out. It's about £10 for 15kg, we use subscribe and save on amazon.

Although he is showing his age, he according to my friends looks really good, a little skinner and of course his muscle tone is awful now compared to when we first got him. He loves to sprint around the tree in our garden, we seldom walk him as he gets awful cramps and sounds like he is dying lo!
We got him and less than a yr later had our son and he has been wonderful, so accepting and just so placid, we couldn't ask for better.
He has growled/yelped a couple of times at our DS but so would you when rammed with a train, tractor or toy of some sort!

I'm not sure how much longer our dear boy will be with us, what I do know is that when the time comes, I know I have given him the best and he's been spoilt. We have two or three people that look after him if we go away and he is so easy, in fact they at always asking if we are going away again they love him so much.

He is a bit of a snob but very friendly with other dogs, we have let him off in the past at the indoor school at my friends stables and he goes nuts, its funny though as he's got older how much shorter the time has become that he like to run.

I live greyhounds...went in for a Jack Russell though lol!
Xx

Welcome to the cushion nanny! Your old boy sounds lovely, yy to the snobishness 10 races is good! My Sprocket ran 31 times and won 3 his dad ran 32 and won 27 do you know what his racing name (or his ear tattoos) is? If you do you can enter it here, on Greyhound Data and you'll be able to see all his races, where he ran and how well he did. You'll also be able to trace his family history back for years. I can trace Sprocket right back to the late 1800's!!

Well I'm sat at home waiting for the phonecall to pick Sprocket up. He's having a bath no doubt he'll be grumpy with me for the rest of the day. A nice crunchy chickens foot should keep him happy though.

Anyone elses hound poo-shy? see my thread, here.

Hi Nanny, and welcome to the cushion!

Sorry to hear about your dog's teeth - has the vet recommended a dental? This can often make a big difference, especially as left untreated mouth infections can spread bacteria into the kidneys and heart, as well as being painful.

Also very sorry to hear about his cramps - never come across that before - again, what does your vet say? It must be awful for him not to go for walks. We recently lost two of our very elderly hounds, and both the 12 and the 13 year old adored walks and running - it was a big part of their day. We still miss them very much - there's something very, very special about senior hounds.

Hello Gold and Scuttle!

Thanks for the advice, his teeth can be done and are terrible but our vet is not keen to operate as he has a slight murmur and due to his age. If he gets so he can't eat, we will look at it again.
He previously had a dental about three/ years ago and didn't cope well with recovery either.
At the mo he is well and not in pain, very happy and waggy. The local rescue can recommend a vet but it's over an hr from here but when it comes to it, we will take him. He has detail sticks but they are gone in two secs so not sure they work lol!

Omg you should hear him when he cramps, high pitched squeal! It's horrid...to be honest he's too blooming lazy to miss the walks lol! When we do take him out for a small walk round the block, generally if not quick or short he's ok. It just means we have to be on top of his claws as they don't get worn down naturally. He is more than living upto the name "40 mile an hr couch potato!!"

Awww so sorry to hear that,it's so tough losing any animal, especially when they are such a big part of the family, I know our son will miss him terribly as more recently he has become really attached to him.
I fear it will be me taking him in when it's time, my husband just can't cope with that decision ( he has has two repreives this yr) and should I too be a mess, we have a fab friend who adores him that has offered to come with me or take him in.

Anyway let's not dwell, the old loveable thing is still with us, still up to raiding bins and the kitchen side.
I just hope he hasn't had an accident today..as he does most days ( we have used a temp food and it always causes issues!) his regular food should be fri, can't believe I ran out!!

I look forward to keeping in touch as it would be great to meet fellow greyhound owners in the area

Xx

I know what you mean about the dental sticks- ours just seem to blink and they are gone!!

Sounds like your boy is still enjoying the kitchen raids They are so bloody good at theiving. Sigh.

Whereabouts in the UK are you, roughly?

Oh yes...we brought another new bin but he just somehow gets the lid off by nosing it, bumping into it..no blooming idea!! Lol

We are in Surrey nr m25 j11
X

nanny that's just reminded me of a story my grandma loves to tell us about her old border collie. Her husband threw a chicken carcass in the bin, and my grandma and DH were upstairs and all they heard was a click. They went down to find Meg sat there looking at them as if to say 'What, me?'. They looked in the bin, no carcass. So not only had she nicked the chicken, but she put the bin back aswell!

Billy just nearly ate next door's cat. I opened the back door to give the guinea pigs the veg scraps from dinner and I realised he'd shot past me and there was a sort of thrashing around on the lawn. He'd pinned the cat to the ground; the cat escaped by wriggling out and jumping over the fence. And running off, so I think he must have been OK. He looked alright as he ran off.

I went next door and explained what had happened and we checked their garden; no cat. I said we'd pay for any vets bills incurred.

Our garden is secure. The dog can't get out, but cats do come in. I feel bad but I don't feel in the wrong iykwim.

Oh dear Betsey I hope the cat is ok, was there any blood on the grass?

Oops posted too soon, I know what you mean. Tbh it isn't anyones fault. Cats are a law unto themselves!

No, no blood on the grass or on the cat as far as I could see. I checked inside Billy's mouth too. I hope the cat's OK too.

Hopefully it will be ok if a bit shaken up. Do you know if it has turned up yet?

Well Sprocket has forgiven me for his ordeal bath. He looks and smells gorgeous, he's really shiny too

Betsey , it's still a bit daunting though isn't it ? I remember how terrible I felt , when I was out walking Rocky down a public bye way , when a Yorkshire terrier ran straight at him from behind a bank of fir trees , having escaped from a garden . I had absolutely no warning , and the next thing I know , he's grabbed it by the throat , and it's dangling from his jaws , screaming . I ended up throwing myself at him, and managed to get him in a headlock, which fortunately preventing him from shaking it , whilst hollering like a banshee for some help . As luck would have it , he was so gob smacked at being rugby tackled , that he lost his grip, and it got free , managing to run away crying . The owners were all apologetic , as it should have apparently never have got out , but I shook all the way home .

Oh, Betsey, I understand completely. It's horrible.

We've got extra trellising (sp?) around the top of already high fencing in an attempt to keep out any cats. Fortunately, next door's cat is well aware and never comes in but occasionally we get cats sort of passing through and that is very hair raising. They caught one once and it was horrible. Interestingly, it was at this time of the year, and wasn't one of the neighbourhood cats, and a vet nurse we know said that in late summer/autumn, cats (toms especially) are often "on the move", so are passing through gardens they may not know.

Even though there is nothing you can do, it still is very upsetting, and really shakes you up.

The RSPCA prosecuted a greyhound owner last year, when they were walking their greyhound and a cat jumped out of a hedge right in front of it, and even though grund was on a lead, it was able to attack and injure the cat. Prosecution was that the greyhound owner had caused unnecessary suffering to cat. This is one of the reasons why I love muzzles - no matter how many ninja Yorkies are out there or cats with a death wish, a muzzle makes it safe.

Cunny, I CAN'T wait to see Sprocket - am so excited about Saturday. Picked up 85 (!!) bandanas tonight from machinist. Am packing and sorting tomorrow - dining room looks like a coat factory. Glad he is looking so glossy and perfect - this augers well for success in the ring, especially with new collar as well.

Mmm, always sobering to be reminded that the big, soft as butter dog who rubs noses with your children each morning is actually 40 kilos of killing machine! I muzzled him the whole way around our walk today (my need, not his I think but anyhow...)

Crossing EVERYTHING for you and Sprocket on Saturday. You'll have such a lovely day; although it would have been nice for P to come too it will be rather fun to have a day by yourself!

Sorry, dipping in, spent some time yesterday with a lovely boy who's found his forever home but a very anxious mum needing reassurance on everything pfg she's suckered.

Re cats and greys, they unfairly get a bad press, I know other breed dogs who have killed cats not be prosecuted which is bloody annoying to hear when they will prosecute grey owners

Betsy, to help maybe, it could have been a fox/intruder but to ease tensions could you do a muzzle greet with the cat so it's a known smell

And, not advocating it, but I've also removed a cat straight from the jaws of someones pit bull unprosecuted proven cat killer whose owner relished in his dogs killing ability and came away without a scratch.

on me, the cat or the dog.

Ooh yes Scuttle that happened to us once, a cat just appeared right infront of Sprocket from a hedge. If I hadn't have had the lead wrapped around my hand as many times as I did that cat would be dead by now without a doubt.

We're so excited too! It's a shame that not all of us lot or you lot will be there though. Is Andy very jealous of you meeting his brother from another mother? 85 bandanas! Here's hoping you sell every last one

Betsey I know what you mean and I've often wondered the same kind of thing. How can these killing machines be so lovely and gentle yet so dangerous at the same time?? I am actually secretly relieved and excited at having the whole day to myself to spend with Sprocket is that bad?

Andy is very torn. On the one hand, he really wanted to see Sprocket so they could have a good bum sniff and do boy things like pissing against fence posts together. He also wanted to compare scars On the other hand, he knows he'll be spending the day with his grundparents who are known for being even more soppy than us and for bringing very high quality dog treats (usually from the local Farmers Market) - think finest Somerset cheese, hand made sausages and delicious bones.

I can completely understand though about being excited to have the whole day to yourself with Sprocket. I'm really looking forward to that with Callie, funnily enough. She's still underweight but is such a sweet girl, and so affectionate.

At the moment, the weather forecast is looking very good, which is great.

NO! Not bad at all. Very healthy in fact. You'll be dying for a cuddle and a tiny slobber by the time you get home.

Thanks Vintage you're right, it could have been something else! And I really think the cat was OK. He won't be making his way through our garden for quite a while, I'm sure.

Oh my word Betsey, what a scare!! Yikes! Glad no damage was done though.

Sam is the daftest, soppiest, laziest sofa hugger I have ever known. We often say he is not a real dog. Yet a few months ago he managed to catch and kill a pigeon whilst out on a walk. And a few mornings ago he managed to catch hold of a squirrel. He shook it and accidentally let it go but it was a close call.
He is becoming more and more alert and we walk past a few canal-side cottages on our walk which have feline residents - he chased one in the past and it managed to scale a fence before Sam reached it but I always put him on the lead for that bit now. It terrifies me!

I am so jealous Cunny and Scuttle are going to the GGG meet. I would love to go (for the shopping if nothing else )
Have a great time both of you - I expect to see lots of pictures of gorgeous shiny buffed hounds with funky bandanas and a plethora of rosettes!

I think Magrat mentioned they were going too didn't she?

Scuttle yes I looked at the weather, it reckons 19 and sunny. I'm taking waterproofs for us both because after all, this is england
"boy things like pissing against fence posts together" yy to this!

Lock am at sam! I thought he was too nice for that
There'll be plenty of pics don't worry!

Those cats better not mess with the 'Blur of Fur' champ Lock!

Off to buy my first 'work' outfit for five years. I had kept a few pairs of smart trousers only to try them on and find they don't go past my thighs.

And a big YY to PICS of the buffed hounds wearing their best outfits.

Betsey I was like that with my pre-pregnancy clothes. There was one thing I could still fit into, before, during and after pregnancy. It was a tent maxi dress

I am soooooooo excited for tomorrow. Need to wash Sprockets feet in the morning. Yellow socks are not a good look when he's supposed to look his best!

Today is the day! Just got out the shower and came into our room to find Sprocket on his bed cuddled up with my bra

Hi all - we are back from the GGG, which was a very nice day. The dogs are shattered (we let them go have a run on the track with some of the greyhounds - whippetty did not like the fact that when he was running at full pelt, most of the greyhounds were still accelerating!). Lurchergirl is also quite taken with her new coat which I believe was the first one to be bought with card on the site ;-)

My award winning greyhound is snoozing on his bed after a very long day. In his first class he only got through to the short list, and in his second (Black greyhound dogs) he placed 4th! So very proud of him his bath obviously paid off! Apparently the judge was a crufts judge! Not bad for my first ever time at a dog show
Also met a very lovely mumsnetter, her equally lovely husband and one of their gorgeous foster dogs, Callie. I bet you can't guess who it was

Scuttle the inlaws have been round and they admired his bandana I hope you had a safe journey home

Magrat you went too? Would've been nice to meet you all. Did you enter them in anything? Was it safe to let them off on the track? Wish I had taken Sprocket on there now.

Hi Cunny, no we didn't enter them for anything. Dp and ds1 only got there at lunchtime, whilst ds2 and I arrived later as ds2 had a birthday party to go to earlier.

What did Sprocket win? I wish we had entered ours for something, but it was too late I think when we arrived.

I think it was safe enough to let them off on the track. It seemed enclosed and a few people were walking with their dogs off. Lurcher girl discovered a half eaten hare on there though and was happily trying to munch on it before we could stop her - yeuk!

It was lovely to see so many calm dogs though (even though our lazy whippet was described as a live-wire). He really is not, but it is all relative I guess.

How's it going with Lurchergirl Magrat ?

Big congrats to Sprocket - we always knew you were a star darling. He'll be vogueing to camera next! Maybe he could develop his own 'look', 'Blue Thunder' in Zoolander style. It sounds as though a lovely day was had by all.

Ah, too many s. DH in Ibiza til Monday. Off to ILs tomorrow... cue FIL hopping around like a loon every time Billy sets foot out of the kitchen. He'll be overruled after an hour or two though when everyone remembers just how awesome it is to get a greyhound cuddle!

If only the GGG were in Essex or even Kent or summat. I totally understand why they might not want to do it in East London though. Although... hang on... we did have a big event here a few weeks ago and that went alright!

He just won a green rosette with '4th' on it. I registered online for Sprocket, was much easier than queueing with 3 million other people

Betsey I'm now half tempted to enter him in the next series of 'Top Dog Model' you'll HAVE to come next year, it's now the law I was actually really quite surprised. Quite a lot of people came from all over the country to go! Scuttles DH was telling me he saw some people he recognised from the last show they went to in devon , there were people from Durham, Wales, London, all over really!

Thanks for asking, Betsey. We are still working on things between ds2 and her (though she did go into a down for him, for the price of a piece of liver cake the other day). I think the danger of course is just letting things slide again rather than keeping on working on it.

It is funny though, we tend to think of lurchergirl as being a lumbering big girl (and next to whippetty, she is), but she looked so petite next to all the greyhounds. I think they both found it quite bewildering but intriguing to be among so many other pointy dogs though.

Lurchergirl loves her new coat though (and practically did a little dance to get it on when she went out for her walk this evening), whilst whippetty has been modelling his new bandana too .

Would you say things are better between them then Magrat? Obviously still more work to do of course though. I really hope it turns out ok. Fab that she went into a down for him, I would say that's good progress!
Did you see all the Iggies there today? Aren't they tiny? Which bandana did whippetty get? Sprocket got the black one with flames on, he looks very dapper in it

I think she is improving. It is very difficult to say, as she seemed OK with the boys previous to the incident too. I don't think she will ever be as close to the boys as whippetty is, but that's OK, so long as there is no more teeth-showing.

We saw the Iggies. There was someone with about 6!!! So cute. They make whippetty look massive. Though when ds2 and I arrived dp had been looking at some of the rescue dogs looking for homes. Not good.

Whippetty also got a black bandana with flames on. It seemed the clear choice for a black boy-hound.

It was a very good day though, Betsey, I'd certainly recommend coming up for the next one.

Only if we can hang out!

They'd better say when the 2013 one is soon so DH can get it in the diary. I'm not driving it on my own.

Oh, and it sounds as though things are improving with Lurchergirl. So glad!

Betsey I'd love it if you all could go Scuttle will hopefully take Andy next year if they go again and come hell or high water I will be going too! We could get a lovely photo of Andy, Billy and Sprocket together Judging from the past dates of GGG I imagine it will be on 14th or 21st september next year but hopefully we'll know for sure soon enough.

Magrat I saw the woman with 6 iggies! Seeing one stood next to Sprocket really made me especially funny as they are both greyhounds

Yes, perhaps a mumsnet pointy dog meet-up?

Yeah that would be awesome!

SO it was you, you NORTY Magrat? You didn't say who you were, you are a very, very naughty girl.

We had a wonderful day - it was amazing especially meeting up with so many lovely hounds and gorgeous people. And Cunny presented us with the most brilliant tent warming present I have ever seen - it is a little plaque with "Tent of Destiny" written on it with some stars Awesome!!!! I am so chuffed with it.

I'm exhausted today though - we set off at 5 yesterday morning to get there for 8 and we left around 5, but got stuck in the football traffic so it took us an hour to get to the M1. Then home by 9 pm - shattered.

Would definitely be on for a MN pointy meet up.

Betsey, there is also a similar event in June, which is held at Newmarket which would be much more accessible for you, I think? We are going to have to decide whether to take the stall there next year - that would definitely be an overnighter.

Mme Scuttle also foretells that Sprocket will be entering more dog shows. After success like that at his first one, I think it's inevitable that his future contains more rosettes. Seriously, he is a very, very handsome boy and looked magnificent in the ring.

I know, I know, sorry (shy)....

I will upload photos later of the hounds in their fashions. Lurcher girl (aka Jessie) is really very impressed.

Photos are now on profile.

Sooo lovely! Will google Newmarket and block out weekend so DH can't work then! In FACT if it's in June I may INSIST it's my birthday treat!

Thank you Scuttle the woman who gave us a lift said he moved well too <proud> it may have been his first show, but it's certainly not his last. I've caught the show bug now
I am so glad you love the plaque, I really thought/hoped you would
Aside from getting stuck in the traffic did you have a safe journey home? It was so lovely to finally meet you

Magrat they look gorgeous, Jessie really suits her coat and whippetty (Woody or buzz? ) looks very smart in his bandana.

our dog is half whippet, half alsation!
she is called buffy and has very pointy ears which stick up all the time- unless shes been told off for ripping the bin apart.
buffy is 11yrs old and loves playing fetch, but hates cats

Ah, speaking of dogs hating cats... further to Billy's altercation with next door's tom... I was stroking him the other day and I felt an odd lump in his fur on his shoulder. On further investigation it was a cat claw! I pulled it out and it didn't seem to bother him but !

Welcome to the thread allotment whippy x alsatian? Wow sounds unusual! Yy to cat hatred! My Sprocket would quite cheerfully kill any cat he came across.

Betsey was it just stuck in his fur or was it actually stabbed into him? Do you know how the cat is yet (apart from a missing claw of course)?

Stabbed in! Cat's fine. Checked with neighbour and she said he'd been a bit hangy around the house but seeing as he doesn't come home for weeks at a time she says that's fine!

So Billy is well 'ard then?

I'm really excited for when it turns cold so Sprocket can wear his gorgeous new housecoat

Cunny, whippetty is Woody - surprisingly not many even with children get the connection.

Betsy, oooow, the cats claw sounds painful. Glad the cat is ok though.

Allotment , welcome. An alsation x whippet sounds like potentially lots of energy! Must admit though, I saw my mum get bitten by an alsation when I was younger (she pushed me out of the way as it came for me), which made me scared of them ever since. They are beautiful though.

Woody the Whippet I'm surprised not many people would make that connection. My 5yo nephew is a MASSIVE Toy Story fan (except he calls it Story Toys ) and I think he would get it straight away!

I've just seen this if it wasn't a risky thing to advertise, it would be brilliant!

Magrat that must've been really scary, not surprised you are scared of them. How old were you?

The sign is brilliant! (Though the majority of the time it should read "Overly aloof Whippet" for ours - he gets affectionate at dinner time, walk time and the odd five minutes in the day when the need for a cuddle overcomes him and he buries his head into your legs).

DP btw wanted to call Jessie, Lola (as in Lola the Lurcher, but also as in "Lola, she was a showgirl" - he sayes it would have gone with her tiger stripes and her look of overly heavy eye make-up). The idea was veto'd quite quickly.

About 12 or 13. We were on a camping holiday and this dog (which was on a long line, but the line was way too long) just came running up all teeth and snarling, my mum pushed me away as I was closest and it bit her on her back hard enough to go through several layers of clothing and to break skin!

Ahahaaaa I love Lola the showgirl

Ouch, I hope the bite wasn't too serious! What did the owners do?

at Billy with an embedded claw!!

Welcome, Allotmentgirl

Aaargh, now I've got Barry Manilow running through my head.

Barry Manilow?

Have the hounds tried a foot yet Scuttle?

Hello everyone

Can I sneak in and ask you all a quick question?

What are doing over winter about coats and off lead walks? I've read they really shouldn't wear coats when running in case their legs get caught in the belly strap. This has been fine up to now because we only ever walked/ran in the park which is quite sheltered.

Now we go to the beach, which is wet and cold and windy and very, very cold. And did I mention it's bloody cold?

Whippy is soo teeny and skinny. Will she need a coat? Which coat is safe for running in?

A racing bib made out of fleece. Tbh I have no idea. Sprocket can't go off lead unless it's in a very secure field. And we have no secure fields near us that I can walk to or get a direct bus to.

Actually a fleece racing bib isn't a bad idea if your dog is prone to getting tangled up in belly straps.

Hi Dooin,

Whippety has a lovely fleece lined coat with a velcro strap which goes around his tummy relatively tightly. So I can't see how he could get tangled up in it? (unless I am doing something wrong?)

Well she has never been off lead in a coat so I am not sure if she is prone to getting her legs tangled in her coat

We only ever did off lead in the local park where she would have 10-15 minutes off lead running zoomies and then we'd pop her coat back on and finish our walk.

We now do 2hr off lead walks at the beach where she is not running constantly, but does run often.

We were not sure what exactly whippy was, we only knew that she was definitely not a whippet and had to be bought puppy coats and even those were sometimes too big for her, so I could see how she could get her legs tangled up. Perhaps when her Iggy coat arrives (made to measure just for Whippy) I will feel safe letting her off lead with her coats on.

Lurcher pup won't need one. He runs pretty much constantly and is often found cooling off in the sea, even when it's fecking cold . Devil dog has a toweling coat for in the car to keep him warm on the way home.

Dooin, ours have got the heavy duty waterproof fleece lined winter coats plus an assortment of other coats and I have NEVER seen them get tangled or heard of any other dog getting tangled, and we regularly take the dogs for off lead mad scampers at the greyhound field/beach etc.

I suppose it's theoretically possible but ours have Velcro closures and are snug round the body so even if a leg did manage to get between, the downward pressure would probably ensure the velco came undone. What I think would be dangerous potentially are some of the coats on the market I've seen that have a clipped belt which fastens round the body, but again, I've never heard of these causing accidents.

On a related issue that is why the bandanas we make and sell are velcro fastened - much safer than the ones that knot.

Norty Minx has just had to be rescued. For reasons known only to herself, she has managed to get a trouser hanger stuck over her back leg, leading to a lot of pathetic squeaking and hopping about while I was trying to remove it. Now the trauma is over she is hiding on the bed waiting for a cuddle.

Doin - we need pictures of this Whippy-who-is-not-a-whippy

Scuttle - live with NortyMinx is never dull is it?? Can you put a picture up of the Tent of Destiny plague Cunny gave you, would love to see it

Will go and have a catch up of the rest of the thread, it is moving so fast I can't keep up (especially now I am back at work, sob)

The thing with teeny little whiggy thingys is that they are either moving very quickly or curled up into a tiny ball.

Sea dogs Whippy is the middle one. The white blur is Devil Dog]]

Whiggy puppy

Whiggy vs Greyhound size comparison

Well D0oin just hazarding a guess, but as she is smaller than a whippet and very skinny, she doesn't look small enough to be an iggy (saw quite a few on Saturday at the GGG), so maybe she actually is a whiggy (whippet x IG)? The Iggies I saw reminded me of skinny chihuahuas with long legs they were that dinky.

Scuttle that norty minx sure knows how to keep you on your toes!

Yup, she is very skinny. My Dad keeps threatening to steal her because she is not getting fed at our house. The other dogs must be stealing her food . I have tried explaining that this is impossible because not only are they are all fed in separate rooms but Whippy is locked into her crate while she is eating.

He has told me when he looks after her in December for a week he will make sure she is fed away from his dogs and he will watch her eat to make sure no one takes her food. He is utterly convinced she will put on weight She won't. She'll probably get skinnier if anything because she will be having 2hr walks every night as opposed to 3 x a week, like she gets now.

She's definitely a cross breed of some description, but tbh we don't really care what she is. she is lovely and that is all that matters. Now we've found an IG shop that does made to measure we can get collars and clothes that fit right so we are happy.

There's an ebay shop that makes made to measure pyjamas they have sheep patterned fleece. Just sayin. . .

I covet the blue sheep fleece ones but DP says no

We bought Billy an RGT coat last year, fleece lined and waterproof. It's very warm and he's had some cracking runs in it (actually of both kinds ) and it's washed well and been very warm. The velcro is very tough. I know from experience as it gets very very stuck on everything remotely fuzzy that it comes within 1 ft of.

My mum walked him this morning. He refused to get off the sofa for her and when she got him to the pavement outside the house he refused to move! Cheeky dawg.

I love the blue fleece sheep pyjames but dh won't hear of it! He does have a rather fetching blue fleece house coat though which will do nicely as his winter house coat (won't it, Scuttle, or is it not suitable?)

Sam has gone freckly all over, all his white patches of fur now have black freckles on his skin, and as he is so thin furred it is showing through. Bizarrely though he is growing fine fuzzy hair on previous bald areas (thighs, tummy, the thin bit of skin on what I would call our achilles heel etc) so he is not going bald... ) I can only assume his skin pigment is coming out as he has been in the sun so much....
He does look rather bizarre, like he fancied being a dalmation for a while...

Lock, absolutely that Sam's housecoat is suitable for the winter!! It's beautifully lined in snuggly cotton flannel so will be warm and soft and cosy for him. And he has the option of wearing the roll collar up (and looking like Roger Moore in the 60s) or down.

Reading about his freckles is lovely but sad, as Boola was the same. His tummy had a mixture of black freckles on it that were much more apparent during the summer months.

Arf at Billy going on strike!

Scuttle, that's what I thought, I love that coat, quite fancy one myself. Just wanted to double check I could use it as pyjamas - Dh does not believe in keeping heating on throughout the night so in deepest winter we all live in pyjamas, joggers over the top, three pairs of socks etc. (except for DH whose only concession to cold is to put on a pair of socks (sexy )
Sam solved the issue by crawling under the duvet with us but now he is sleeping in ds's room (and we are training them both that Sam needs to stay in his own bed!!) a cosy coat is just the thing

I hope Sam's freckles don't make you too sad (hug). Just find it so strange to see them peeping through his fur. He really does not look white anymore Will they fade in winter?

Yes, they faded a bit in the winter. Didn't disappear completely though. It's a good sadness, if that makes sense. I have so many happy memories of him, and some are so physical - reading your description made me picture Boola's tum so vividly I almost felt I could turn round and see him on the duvet.

Callie is starting to wear a coat at night - she is still underweight, bless her, and I want to make sure all her calories are going on gaining weight not on heat generation. And it's getting quite nippy now. In the winter, we generally have the heating on till about 10.30 at night and then the timer kicks in again at about 6.30 a.m. but that means even in a modern, well insulated house, it does get surprisingly chilly by about 4 or 5 in the morning.

Yes,we'll have pictures soon, but they won't be of the plague - not the sort of gift I'd hope for!! The plaque, on the other hand is gorgeous.

Yikes, sorry about the plague / plaque confusion - can I blame it on English being my third language?????

I love Sam's tummy spots. It is the ones all over his back that leave me puzzled. Because they are visible through his fur he does not look white anymore, more a blotchy dirty greyish white...

Dh does the same with the timer, and it gets chilly!

Have a fab day and with Norty Minx around I am sure it will be a fun one!!

Betsey I can't imagine Sprocket ever refusing to go for a walk! Did Billy just want you to take him instead?

Plague english is your third language Lock?

We don't have the heating on at night either. I'm itching for it to get cold just so Sprocket can wear his gorgeous new housecoat.

Your third? Wow. Obviously Dutch first, but am intrigued about the second?

He wanted one of us to take him, the old bugger. He's on the muzzle all the time now too, after another cat lunging incident on the pavement. For the amount of bother it is to him, it's not worth not doing it iykwim.

YY Lock what's the other language? How clever are you!!!

Sprocket needs a new muzzle, but the ones LGT sell just have plastic crappy straps and fake plastic leather noseband. The noseband on his has split and I meant to get him on on saturday from the GGG but totally forgot! Where can I get him a good one with nice leather straps?

Ours is just the one he came with - it has a plasticky leather nose thing but the strap that goes behind his ears is quite soft leather. Think it's an RGT one but I've looked on Greyhound Superstore etc and it seems just a standard kennel one. I always think the wire racing ones look a bit sinister!

It's the plasticky leather noseband that I'm most bothered about, his has split and his muzzle was brand new when we got him at the end of January! That's the only type LGT sell so I don't want another one from them. I'd prefer one with a proper leather noseband.

There was a stall at GGG that sold them with all leather straps and nosebands for about a fiver. Bloody forgot to get him one

Can't comment on muzzles as Sam does not have one - although I won't rule it out as he is becoming more and more 'switched on' to furries and he seems to be getting faster too

Second language is German. We lived there on and off whilst I was growing up and I did Dutch nursery / German kindergarten, Dutch and German primary schools and Dutch and German secondary schools before going into an international English speaking school at age 13. T'was a bit confusing at the time but am glad of it now

I've told DH he either has to keep the heating on overnight for the hounds or buy them PJs. He settled on PJs. Last year we had a special oil heater just for Whippy but it cost us a fortune to run. PJs will be cheaper.

And I've just discovered the rescue we fostered our last greyhound from has started selling them, so I'll see the foster co-ordinator about buying some next time she comes round to check on puppy. They don't sell muzzles I've just checked. None of mine have ever needed one. We have a cat so we only get furry friendly ones.

I've just had a lovely walk with puppy. We met some terrier owners who did not tell me to put him back on the lead in case he ate their dogs, which has been happening frequently lately. In fact they actively encouraged their dogs to chase him so he'd wear them out

That's a novelty then is it D0oin?
See, even though we have a rabbit and Sprocket has learnt he can't get to her and he's not allowed to get her, he leaves her alone. He would quite cheerfully kill any cat or other small furry he came across. He is also a bit iffy with dogs with bollocks. He only ever seems to get aggressive to entire males. The rescue lady says it's because neutered and un-neutered males smell different and it can make some dogs unsure of the other dog so they get aggressive.

Lock that's ace, are you fluent in all 3? The only thing I can remember of German is 'do you sell stamps please?' which according to google translate (I needed the spelling) is 'verkaufen Sie bitte Briefmarken?' but when it's translated back to english it says it means 'please sell stamps?'

D0oin has puppy been eating dogs? "did not tell me to put him back on the lead in case he ate their dogs, which has been happening frequently lately."

Ooops. No puppy does not eat dogs. He does morph into a kangeroo when he spots one

There is an elderly gentlemen who has two westies going around telling everyone greyhounds are dangerous and should not be let off lead in public spaces. I do understand his apprehension, I over heard him telling someone a pack of three greyhounds chased and almost killed one of his dogs not so long ago , however it was not any dog to do with me, nor did it happen in the park by all accounts he has just started walking there because he daren't go back to his previous haunt. It is very sad and I do feel for him and would gladly talk to him about it if I could get close enough, but I won't keep my perfectly socialised, awesome with recall lurcher on a lead to appease just one person. I do call him to me when I see this man and let him pass.

@ Lock. I have always wanted a second language but I struggle enough with my own much of the time

Lock, how wonderful to have grown up being tri-lingual - what a wonderful gift for a child. I wish I spoke German - but I don't travel overseas very often and I think with all languages (especially ones learned as an adult) you have to keep in practice. Do your children speak Dutch? My cousins are bilingual French/English as my uncle married a Frenchwoman so have been brought up with both which is lovely.

Dooin, arf at kangaroo puppy!

Don't forget there's this, ahem, rather nice online shop based in Wales that does very smart fleece housecoats, ideal for the lurcher or greyhound of distinction....

Norty Minx is enjoying squirrel season over the park. She does an impressive vertical take-off and a kind of mad leaping to follow the squirrel up the tree. Last week she got as high as my head. She has also done some spectacular leaps but then in her excitement forgot about poor Andy and landed on him. Fortunately no harm done.

Scuttle where do you get your muzzles from? Are you sure Norty Minx is as old as they said she is? She sounds more like a puppy!!

Kangaroo puppy

At the moment, now that Booty's no longer with us, Andy is the only one who regularly wears his. We got given ours by GRW when we adopted Andy and Booty. They are red lightweight plastic, with leather straps. I keep the straps soft with saddle soap and the plastic is very easy to clean, but there is no special padded area on the nose. However, I'm thinking of putting Mick in one as he's prone to being a bit barky with some other dogs (though not all, and I'm still trying to work out what his particular triggers are, since it only happens sometimes) .

Unless her tattoos are wrong, no she is definitely a "veteran" . The park hosts a regular Saturday morning 5K run and Andrew is thinking of doing that with her - she is so lively and bouncy I think she'd really enjoy it. Obviously we'd build up the distance first...

Sprocket's like that and it tends to only be dogs with balls that he gets barky/slightly aggressive with, could it be that?

Evening everyone - just dropping by again.

I've caught DH looking at the dog PJs several times now... and have pointed out that our very warm house means that the poor hounds will swelter in them (plus our boy grey is camp enough without putting him in fleecy PJs).

We've got a couple of very brave cats around here that keep looking in our back door - so far the dogs haven't seen them, but cats had better move quick if they do! The lab has no strong feelings about cats, but she can open any door if she can reach the handle so just need her and the greys to work together and we might be upsetting the neighbours. Fingers are crossed that this never happens (and back door kept locked just in case)

Out of interest, did anyone go to the 1000 greyhounds attempt a couple of weeks ago?

So DH and I were chatting and he says he'd like to visit a trainer's, to see how the dogs live when they work. To give him a better idea of Billy's life before us. Anyone else thought this?

Hi Sanity,

We have an ad on the 1000 greys site, and would love to have attended. Normally we would have, but it clashed with our local RGT show, and I had a long standing commitment to judge at it, so didn't feel it was fair to drop that. I met the organisers in August at the SW Greyhound Gathering at Upottery, which was a lovely day. Are you in that part of the world?

Betsey, that's a very good idea. The kennels where you adopted will probably have contacts in the racing world, possibly even the kennels Billy came from.

i Dont know how i missed this thread!
got a lovely girl 8 year old lurcher since around 2.
Dont know why she was put to the rescue as a total babe and always has been- very lucky!
2 previous rescues 1 of them a lurcher both psycho!
hi! x

Hi Scuttle.

DH was there with the three greyhounds - unfortunately DD and I couldn't get there, and lurcher boy wasn't up to it at that point (plus he wouldn't have counted). But yes, we're quite far into Devon - wonderful place to live, but complete pain in the arse if you want to go anywhere!

Apparently 300 greyhounds was quite a sight... There are rumours of it happening next year, but being made open to all types of pointy.

I agree Sanity, we lived in Plymouth for around eleven years, and still go down regularly to see friends. But it was a faff having to go up country for hours to get anywhere.

Hi Bigger (I love your name btw.) Had a little larf at the 'psycho' description of your other two. Every lurcher I see I think is beautiful. I have an especial soft spot for the rough coated ones.

I just saw this thread! I was born for it! I currently have two Italian Greyhounds- one of them's at the vets after being bitten by a Labrador . The other one is still a little puppy and has destroyed HOURS of work when I tackled DS1's room/bombsite.

Before those two, I had a beautiful lurcher who was the naughtiest, loveliest dog ever and before those I fostered a whippet (we wanted to adopt her, but she was so old that she died before we could ), two salukis (double trouble) and a really beautiful greyhound x Old English sheepdog. That was my first dog ever, and was really beautiful and loving. She'd been abused and beaten, and had the tip of her tail cut off- and she was still so trusting and affectionate. She's long gone, but was a really special dog.

Can I sit down? <hopes answer is yes, and attempts to wade through crowd of dogs to find a seat>

Oh wow Iggies! I saw loads of them at the GGG on saturday. You are most welcome Black <pats a spare spot on the floor as all available sofas are taken by numerous hounds>

Welcome Bigger at psycho dogs! They sound like characters

Welcome back Sanity!

phew this thread is busy nowadays

Oh and I think Sprocket has a corn see photo here. But I'm not sure as I googled greyhound corns and the photos look totally different to Sprocket

Someone please tell me it's treatable without a visit to the vet, we just cannot afford another expensive vet bill

I can't open your picture Cunny (Flickr does not like me) but what makes you think it is a corn?

Lock because I posted a photo of it to the LGT FB page and someone commented saying it looks a lot like one. I'm reeeeally hoping it's not. It only appeared today so it could only be in the early stages? I dunno

Yikes, don't know much about corns. Are they painful?

Hi Cunny, pic is a bit blurry, but it does look like a classic corn. Greyhounds and lurchers are the only dogs that get them. They are not really cureable as such but can be managed. However, the good news is that there is no need at all to take him to the vet, if that is what it is, since most of the remedies/solutions that work don't require vets, and in fact some vets advocate very harsh methods up to and including removal of the toe

Keep an eye on it. Several options open. If it's not hurting him, then leave it. Andy has one like that and it doesn't seem to bother him at all, so I don't fuss with it. If it does give him any bother, then your first option if possible is to walk him on softer surfaces such as nice grassy park rather than doing all walks on tarmac for instance.

Several options for removing or hulling the corn. Easiest and less stressful is to moisturise the pad a couple of times a day. I did this with Booty and used a cream I got at the country store, for horses hooves, cow hoof cream is similar. Just rub in and soften, soften, soften. After about a fortnight, the corn will just pop out/work loose. There are various suggestions/devices for hulling more aggressively but I never bothered with those. Also various options including bathing his foot in oil and other comedy suggestions - can just see Sprocket going for that! some people use Therapaw booties (you can google them) - we had one for Booty but she wasn't keen. There were several dogs wearing them actually at GGG. If we've still got it, you are very welcome to have ours.

Finally, go and have a look at Greytalk - a very good forum for greyhounds, with MASSES of threads about corns and all sorts of pictures/discussions etc. It's actually a very good forum anyway but for grund specifics like that it's invaluable.

So much pointiness!

<presses hand to forehead, faints stagily onto the tiniest spot left on the sofa>

It is bothering him, he is a temporary tripod. He's not making a fuss, no whining etc but I guess that's only because he thinks it won't do his 'ard man image any good it just wouldn't do to be a wimp with a macho bandana. Speaking of which, if you flick through the flickr pics there is one of LP wearing it

So pleased it doesn't need a visit to the vet. I saw all the hounds with boots. Looked on amazon for them and at nearly £17 plus £4 p+p it would be cheaper to go to the vet! Is the cream a specific brand or just any horse hoof stuff? It might be easier to tell me exactly what you have then if I can get that I won't go wrong thank you for the offer of the boot but I'm guessing Booty had dainty little paws, not like Sprockets canoes so his paw might be too big for it

Oh and the pic is blurry because he was wiggling around being impatient for his kong

Will check out greytalk.

Blimey Black I've just had a nosy at your profile. You sound like a very busy woman and I am incredibly at horses! I'm allergic but love them so much
Am at monkeys though!! Actual monkeys? Furry monkeys with tails and good at climbing monkeys? That is amazing.
And you're expecting twins aswell? You must be superwoman. Seriously.

Room for another new one? We just collected our lovely boy Paddy from Celia Cross yesterday. He is just utterly gorgeous - so calm and laid back - even with the cat (so far). Cat less so - very grumpy! He's probably less than a year old.

Am currently searching for tips on crate training for the night (not much sleep last night!) and housetraining.

He's so sweet - had the zoomies this afternoon - reminds me of Bambi

Welcome Paddy Celia Cross you say? You might be local to Lock upthread what kind of pointy is Paddy?

Photos on profile - your guess is as good as mine Whippety sized at the moment - plus a certain je ne sais quoi? Saluki stylee ears, smidge of irish terrier and a dash of collie someone said today?

We're actually in sarf London

Paddy is gorgeous! I just had a nosy on the CCGT facebook page Paddy suits him so well, beautiful colour

Your profile is set to private I think.

Oh, so not very local to Lock then

hope public now - excuse incompetence

Incompetence excused

Corr look at those legs!! They look far too long for him he is adorable!

paddy - oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, you've got Ike!!! (sorry, Paddy!!!) Welcome to the cushion and I am sooooo jealous!! Had some lovely snuggles with Paddy and Tina at Celia Cross a few weeks ago.

Our whippety boy came from Celia Cross last summer, we have volunteered a fair bit at Celia Cross since then (running a stall at their fundraising sale etc) and Jane has become quite a good friend.

Love Celia Cross

paddy - he's lovely!

Right, not sure if I've done it right, but there's a pic of most of my lot on my profile now (just the lab that is missing). The picture was taken a year or so ago and has the three greys plus lurcher boy before he started to look old. Not too sure who the blue grey in the foreground belongs to.

lock - I know we are beyond lucky to get him. Still can't believe it - just happened to get down there at the right time. Not usually lucky about anything but really celebrating this one.

So impressed with Celia Cross, Jane and her crew. My next project is to get my Dad down there. I just know there is a space for a greyhound in his life. We went to the fundraising - so hot. Blur of fur was a hoot

sanity thanks - your lot look great - like they are all waiting for a bus?

Sanity they're gorgeous! The black one looks a lot like Sprocket! White chest, white dart up the muzzle and 4 white trainer socks.

Yy to bus

Paddy - did you see a lanky teenage boy carrying Paddy around? That was ds
We put Sam through the Blur of Fur - 41mph!!
Dh and I were running the sports stall, ds was meant to be helping but had more fun being useful anywhere other than with his parents!

Celia Cross is fab, I just love it down there and we try to visit regularly (although not often enough now we are all back at work and school)

Enjoy Paddy, he is truly wonderful!

Ah, well... that's the well-behaved photo. Thought it was about time that I gave them a proper introduction to the board - apologies for not using their names on here.

They were at a fundraiser - I think that we should probably have been offended that the brindle girl decided that she was going to spend most of the day led next to the 'Dogs for rehoming' board. She's the old girl now at 12.

The black one is a very sensitive girl - lots of issues and quite highly strung.

The mainly white one was the fifth 'most handsome dog' in a local fun dog show - we'll gloss over the fact that there were only six in the class and the dog that came last was a JRT whose belly almost dragged the ground.

And looking at the slightly scruffy lurcher on the end, I would say that he had fairly recently suffered one of my terrible attempts at hairdressing!

Scuttle RE the hoof cream, is it this kind of thing?

I have a couple of questions

1. How do I measure for an open box muzzle? We want to take our whippy to a couple of events next year and they ask for spectators to be muzzled. Our whippy is only 9.2 kg so I don't want to buy one that's too big. (Normally I buy large IG collars iykwim). Any recc'd suppliers?

2. Any tips for dew claw clipping? I'm utterly hopeless at clawclipping and normally take her to the vet, but's just one claw needs doing right now. Can I file it with a fiberglass human emery board or do I have to fight my fear and dig out my fancy smancy saftey claw clippers? She's as good as gold and won't wriggle so that's not an issue.

Cunny, no, it wasn't that. I am very busy today/tomorrow till late pm but will contact you again when I've had a chance to look up what it was. After Booty died, we got rid of the pot as we obviously didn't need it any more, so can't refer to it. The stuff you linked to looks a bit heavy duty. The one we used was much more moisturising, like udder cream etc. Basically you are looking for a rich emollient cream that won't be toxic - hence why I used one that was safe for horses/cows.

Hello everybody!

Does anybody have any suggestions on where I can find the loopy lurcher some pj's? I quite fancy the fleecy ones with all four legs in, but can't find any that I like at the right price!

He is feeling the cold at night now, keeps sleeping under the duvet, he only ever does this in winter, and the two nights dh was away this week I didn't notice him gone as the loopy me slept in his place under the duvet! He has been wearing his hotter dog overnight but I think he still has cold bits!

Hope to find him something soon!!

morethan here not sure if they do four leg though, you'd have to ask the seller. And in the OP there is a linky to AK Creations, they do lovely PJs

Bochead is whippy just a regular sized whippy? If so, GRWE sell whippet muzzles (link to GRWE shop in the OP), or just look on ebay for whippet muzzles, Sprockets new muzzle has arrived today, £6, and it's all black with leather straps and noseband. Ebay is fab no idea on clipping though. But I imagine if you have safety clippers you should be ok to do it yourself.

Btw thanks Scuttle. See? If left to my own devices I would've gone totally wrong I asked in the petshop and they tried selling me hoof oil

Thanks cunny, I shall get shopping!

I'm owner to an old greyhound (am I traitor for having another two dogs which aren't pointy hounds?). He's called Aksel, and just mopes around and snoozes all the time. Loves a cuddle though.

bochead our chap has really long quicks in his nails so they look really overgrown but when you actually look at the underside (his nails are mostly black so hard to tell otherwise) you can see the end of the quick in nearly every one. Because of this the vet has advised us not to clip but to use a regular human nail file. We use a large metal one now - we did have fancy clippers with a file on but it ran out too fast.

No Laplander you pass the pointy test!

She's only 9.2 kg and a bit smaller than the few other whippets I've seen in the deep, dark staff territory of SE London. ( Though there really aren't that many around to compare) I buy 19 inch coats for her & iggy/puppy collars if that helps. Regular whippet collars don't fit - hence my query re the muzzle as I'm presuming if it's too loose it's not safe? She's a delicate fine boned flower from working, not show lines iykwim.

I'll file that one rogue nail then - thanks peeps (I'm so pathetic at manicures that my mate used to do DS's nails for me when he was a baby).

Any tips for introducing a lurcher to a new puppy?
We lost our old dog about 7 weeks ago, and our lurcher hasn't been very happy as an only dog.
She's almost 3 and a saluki x so has a high prey drive. We get pup next week and I'm hoping he'll stand up for himself against her.
He's only 8 weeks old, so won't be able to go on walks with her for a month or so and I think this will help. He's a GSD x ? so won't be able to keep up with her with regards to speed but we do hope they might play together.
She usually ignores puppies when we are out and about....

Just thought I'd say hi. We've now had the gorgeous Prue for 3 weeks and she's settling in nicely, has the sweetest nature (and the smelliest bottom) of any dog I've met. We are having a bit of a problem when she's left though - she keeps eating the doorframe :-(. It's a bit odd as she doesn;t show any sign of stress/anxiety when we leave and is fine when we get back.

I've sprayed it today and will do it again tomorrow so hopefully will break that habit before it gets ingrained, and will get a stairgate for her room. Failing that we may need to use a crate. Any other suggestions gratefully received.....

Try leaving a frozen stuffed kong with Prue when you leave her. This usually distracts The Lurcher for a bit. Also DAP diffusers can help.

Um, I'm sorry, I have no useful advice to give.

Except, if you were thinking of buying Xmas cards yet, get a load of this !!!!

I like the one with Santa. And the ones with the rainbows and cosmic weirdness.

bochead maybe you could take whippy to a petshop/pets at home to try on some muzzles to find one that fits? Or google how to measure for a muzzle.

No idea about puppies I'm afraid five, I have no experience with them and I don't plan on having any either too much hard work for me

Yy to frozen kong, they last ages. If you want any ideas of what to stuff with, just ask

OK so the rainbow thing was me having an eye infection (don't ask - I look like a lizard) but there is one with an angel or a star shooting some sort of ray out of it. With greyhounds too.

And you can buy greyhound wrapping paper on the GRWE website.

<flexes Visa. Prepares for entire family disownment, including by 5 and 4 yo DCs>

<groans> Nooooooo not christmas stuff already! It's only chuffing September!!

<squeezes eyes closed to resist looking at and buying all things greyhoundy and christmassy>

Yes I know I know. But DH is going away for a month from the end of Nov til Xmas eve so I have to be super organised.

We are also hosting Xmas this year too. I am training Billy to offer canapes and pour champagne. Will give you some tips for Sprocket at the wedding.

Oh of course, I'd forgotten about that. You're excused then Betsey, I'll let you off for that

Greyhound waitering tips will be greytly <arf> appreciated

Fantastic link Betsey

This one looks worryingly like our three... complete with trail of destroyed presents.

Although some of ours are more devious than others... the boy just crashes into stuff, I think working on the principle that if he works quickly then he'll be able to swallow whatever it is that he has stolen before we get to him. THe black one however, she very delicately and quietly takes something and disappears with it - usually the first that we know is when we discover the wrappers.

As an example, DH took dogs out in car to go for a run over the weekend. In the course of a 10 minute drive (and bearing in mind that whilst he had his back to the dogs they were all in an estate car with rear seats folded down so fairly close to him) she had found a packet of crisps leftover from DH's lunch box, carefully opened them without shredding the packet and eaten them without him noticing.

She sounds a very clever girl. And a tidy and efficient one.

I did try the charity Xmas cards first (I always buy the charity ones) but these were hilarious. The charity ones were just a bit tasteful. Although there is one on the GRWE site with a greyhound sort of melting over the top of a Christmas pudding. That worried me a bit.

I need to get out more.

lock didn't see your ds carrying him but one of the kennel girls was lifting and shifting

Can I ask everyone for housetraining tips. Am taking out every hour, usually wees on command, cue treats and praise. Still having accidents though including last night just after taking him outside. Should I remove rug where he's been for now? He did it in front of us so not sneaking off. He's hugely food orientated so almost as if look at me give me a treat!

Hardly wees and has never pooed on a walk.

We had a rug in the kitchen that Billy was fond of using if we didn't make it down in time in the morning. We did remove it; it seemed to smell right for toiletting for him and it was also much easier to clean up afterwards as he went on the tiled floor after that. Only for a while though; it seemed to get better as we established more of a routine.

Routine was what worked for us. So walking and feeding at more or less the same times every day. He was mostly housetrained when he arrived but only went really reliable after the establishment of routine, and continuing with it for a month or so. We had a protest wee when I took the DCs up for their evening bath for example; so I made sure I let him out for a wee just before this.

My belief in routine was furthered when the routine changed or got thrown off. So about 2 months after we got him it was Xmas; we went to the ILs for a few days and he peed everywhere. When he's been back to kennels when we've been away he always as accidents there for a while. Perhaps it's tension and being in a different place too though; even though they don't seem stressed I think they can be and we don't notice.

So I guess, in my VERY limited experience (like, that of one dog!) keeping on what you are doing will probably, eventually work out fine. But it will take some time. I'd say it took Billy about 6 months to settle in absolutely and for us to bond completely.

Hello, Paddy!

Betsey is absolutely spot on. Greyhounds love routine, and really flourish on it. That includes housetraining. Given time, they will also learn how to "tell" you that they need to go out - sometimes the signls can be very subtle, and we've missed these in early days with all of our dogs. After a while, they learn how to let you know in a more overt way, and everyone is happy, but we still do the whole routine thing too.

Also, make sure nothing on the floor still smells of wee, or that could be encouraging them to keep marking. PAH do a variety of odour killing sprays etc that are designed to work specifically with dog wee.

The other issue of course is that after a summer of having doors open and being able to pop in and out of the garden at will, we are now in the wet and cold weather, which means that egress into the garden is more restricted, and like many greyhounds, there is a reluctance to go out even when the door is open. Time for the gentle and loving shove up the bum! We also have the variation here of "Yes, I will reluctantly go out the garden, but will then stand pathetically by the door, refusing to wee, till you let me back in." Sigh.. More tough love needed.....

our lovely lurcher goes like clockwork on a walk .
the second she is off the lead poo then wee probably right next to the dog poo bin!
BUT often we will wake up to a poo movie landing if yucky weather when letting her in garden bt night
and she is 8!
any answer to this?

not movie landing!
on the landing!

Help!

Have posted on my original thread, but this might get a bigger response.

hope grund birch will try us out for a fortnight from this weekend.

Smallest grund, ex racing.

What do I need to have? Food, bowls, basket, rug, lead, collars if not provided,
Do I need to put all food away in the kitchen? Do they really eat weetabix for breakfast?

Bitch not birch!

poo movie is that with Eeyore, Tigger and the others? no advice though I'm afraid, I haven't done housetraining at all as Sprocket had already lived in a home for 2 years.

I made Sprocket a shoe thing today with a chunk of memory foam, that bandage stuff that sticks to itself and a food bag. It worked though, he walks much better with it on!

And speaking of his paw, Scuttle did you get chance to look up that cream?

thewhistler how exciting!

Sighthound collar.
Muzzle.

You'll probably get given both these by the kennel.

And YY to all the food put away! My homechecker had a tiny bitch that leapt up on the worktops from the first. She also advised me to get some child locks for the fridge - our chap hasn't tried this yet but his recent form tempts me to think he will!

We are all soooo excited.

Fridge locks might be good for us as well as pooch!

HI Cunny, something like this would work -

Udder cream here

or you could even use something like this

Ohh sorry Whistler I missed your post! Yy to everything Betsey said. No idea about Weetabix though, Sprocket's never had any (off me anyway!) and milk tends to give him the squits. So he just has his kibble twice a day with extras mixed in a few times a week!

any chance of borrowing a crate - I can't imagine Paddy being able to roam around at night - he'd eat the house

Thanks Scuttle, Ooh would normal E45 (not foot & heel) do the job? I have nearly a full tube of that in my bedside drawer!

I guess so, Cunny. The main thing is that it is non toxic and moisturising. I did consider using my nice L'Occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream, but even I as a greyhound obsessive thought that was going too far! Really it just needs to be a nice simple emollient cream that can be gently rubbed into the sole of that pad. You don't have to go mad and do a full on foot massage . How is he doing? Is he limping on it?

He is limping round the house but now I've fashioned him a slipper (as mentioned above) he's so much better outside now, he actually trotted along this morning instead of hobbling and dragging behind looking miserable he looks stupid though but if it helps it helps! I only put it on for walks though. I imagine if I left it on he'd just chew it off. He seemed a bit and when I fastened him into it today but soon cheered up outside!

Oh bless him. Andy sends fraternal greetings to a fellow wounded warrior - he has a little eye infection at the moment and is milking it mightily. Not liking his eye drops and is demanding extra cuddles (which of course he is getting).

Oh poor Andy! I bet he's not a happy chap at the moment then.

By the way, how did the feet go down with them?

I wish Sprockets corn thing would make its chuffing mind up on what it actually is when he first started hobbling around I looked at it and it looked cornyish, it changes everytime I look! Looked at it today and it had vanished looked again later in better light and it actually looks like an old cut!

Poor Andy. I'm sending him lizardy love. My eyedrops make a horrid taste in my mouth about 10 mins after taking them.

And poor Sprocket. Wonder what it is?

Cunny,you must have thought me very rude not to have thanked you for them before or to have passed on a description of them being enjoyed by the hounds. I am sorry. Unfortunately, when we came back from the show, we unloaded the car the next day and brought the boxes (including the chickens feet) into the dining room. I made the mistake of opening the box to deal with a coat to send to a customer who'd ordered via website and NOT putting the lid back on. You can see where this is going.

The next day, I remembered the feet and said to DH "You know, I'd like to give them to the dogs now, I'll just go and get them." All I could find was the bag they were in, looking rather chewed and a bit bedraggled. I checked with DH if he'd moved them and the answer was no. So, I think we can safely assume that at least one of the greyhounds thinks they were delicious and sends their thanks. Callie is the only one with an alibi on the basis of her not having any teeth.

So thank you from the Butter pack, though I don't think all members were given a chance to sample these lovely gifts!

Of course not, I figured you would have more important things on your mind than stinky chickens feet!
So glad someone enjoyed them, I just hope they shared their loot with the others!

Betsey how do eyedrops give you a taste in your mouth? How odd!

Oh dear, oh dear. On Monday afternoon, I got fed up with a smelly house and car and dragged DH off to local Yankee Candle store. Also starting to think vaguely about Christmas and wanted to have a sniff of some of hte festive scents to think about. Stocked up basket with some lovely autumn fragrances, got some tea lights for the study and some air fresheners for the car. All good.

Fitted the little dangly thing in the back of the car and a delicious aroma of cinnamon began to pervade. All was happy in the Butter household and even DH said how nice it smelt in the car. The grunds seem to have taken this as a challenge - the equivalent of me throwing down a gauntlet - and every time we go out in the car the girls especially have been producing smells of eye watering intensity. I arrive at the car park each morning where we walk them and leap out of the car, gasping for oxygen - must look v strange for passers by. Even as i am writing this, Norty Minx is asleep near me on her duvet, and emitting a regular pffft as she snoozes. I fear my little tealights may not be able to compete....

<thanks lucky stars my hound is not a stinky one>

Poppy gave Sprocket a biscuit today he's usually very snatchy with food out of your hand. He ignores her most of the time, acts like she isn't there at all, so I decided to enforce some positivty towards her. I gave Poppy a milk bone to give to him. I held her hand steady and he took it, ever so gently. I was most impressed.

Ha ha! I love that they pick their moments to ambush you. You're trapped when you're in the car of course! Maybe they're just getting excited because they're about to go for a walk.

Aww, good old Sprocket. They are such gentle dogs. I love it when Billy touches noses with mine when they get in from school. He's definitely improved too - when we first met him we took the dogs some chicken and he was waaay too enthusiastic taking it from us. Now he's settled in and he knows he's not going anywhere and he'll have it every day for the rest of his life... nice and gentle!

Oh dear. The Lurcher is terrified of the pup Hopefully she'll get used to it.

I'm sorry to hear this Five - I have no knowledge of puppies or helping older dogs to adjust ... have you done a post on Doghouse?

Hi All - back again, sorry, was away for a while as RL got too hectic!

It looks like loads has happened in the meantime.

Btw, can I join you guys on facebook too? I've resurected my account. I can PM my name.

Five I have no advice as I know nothing about puppies. I hope your lurcher gets used to him!

Magrat feel free to pm

Hi Magrat, yes please do PM - would be nice to see you on FB.

DH has gone out for a run with Norty Minx. Local park does a regular 5K Park Run every Saturday morning, and we think she'd enjoy that, so this morning, DH is giving her a little training run to see how she gets on, and then will work up to the 5K.

Andy is feeling v sorry for himself. I let him off lead yesterday to chase squirrels in the park which he loved, but then as we were walking later I could see blood on his back paw and he had managed to rip one of his toenails - not right out, but torn right on the quick, so the little stump is sitting there looking very vulnerable. As you'd expect, he's getting lots of extra cuddles and was delighted when DH came home yesterday and sat on him all last night sharing some man love.

How is Sprocket, Cunny?

Oh poor Andy! First an eye infection and now this. Sprocket sends him some brotherly love and a manly punch on the shoulder, he also says he knows what it's like to be hobbling around.

Sprocket is still hobbling, I can't work out wtf is going on with his paw it looks like a chip on his pad like what you'd get in a car windscreen iyswim? So I haven't a clue. Looks like it may have to be a vet trip after all. We'll all be on first name terms with everyone at the surgery soon

Thanks guys. The Lurcher is now quite happy with her little playmate. They are at my feet doing doggy face wrestling as I type.

Oh that's good news five, I know when my MIL stole her sons puppy it took a while for her older dog to accept him.

Hello everyone, just thought I would share my day with you guys! The loopy one had a 'taster' session at fly all today. Apparently he is now on the team!! I didn't even realise this was a possibility! He was really good, we ave previously done agility and he was good but a little over eager at. Times and lacked implies control. He was 100%responsive today, did exactly what was asked of him and brought the ball back and dropped it at my feet every single time, I am so so proud of him. Well done burp

Sorry about typos, darned iPad. I meant lacked impulse control.

I am very jealous, morethan. Mine are not blessed with brains. Jessie the lurcher does standing (and looking confused) as an Olympic gold medalist!

Thanks, burp is the Brains of the group. He ultimately just wants to please. I was shocked too! He was exhausted last night.

I wish I knew his history and knew what his mix was. I think there is a picture in my profile if anybody fancies a guess.

i meant that he is the brains in our group, just my 3 dogs.

morethan that's brilliant! Well done Burp!

Burp says thank uo very much! he is very proud of himself, he just wants to know if he gets a team shirt and what colour it is going to be! he has to think about these things what with being stripy, nothing much suits him .

Does anyone on the pointy thread feed raw? Any advice?

Berris, Scuttle feeds raw, she's very knowledgeable about raw feeding

Hi Berris, yes, we feed raw, though I wouldn't describe myself as being very knowledgeable. We started when our lovely old boy had a sensitive tum and was prone to colitis on kibble so we looked for alternatives.

What would you like to know?

General tips really! I have 2 greys and have been pondering raw feeding for a while - mainly for the reduction in "output" and flatulence control. My old boy is VERY farty and can bring tears to your eyes!!

They've been on general Wagg for ages, no tummy problems or anything, but looking for a better diet really. So general quantities and what you feed - just to give me an idea and how to start.

Hi all, some of you know we've had our rescue lurcher for nearly two weeks now. He is doing great and I'm wondering when I should allow him off the lead. Doing loads of recall work around the house and garden and he seems pretty good. I managed to get him down from upstairs where he was after the cat's food yesterday - which is pretty amazing considering how greedy he is.

Have tried him on the long lead in the park with DH - and pretty good there too. Don't like long lead though as he is so fast he could get caught up in it and hurt himself.

He's so desperate to have a proper play/ run around with the other dogs down the park and I hate seeing him jumping and leaping around at the end of a lead. He's still very puppy like and gets excited and bouncy when he sees other dogs. It's just playful though - nothing aggressive at all.

How do you know when he's ready or do you never really know?

I think you have to just do it. The first time make sure it's somewhere safe, with fences making sure can't get to the road and he is with another dog that does a solid recall. The only thing worse than a dog that won't come back is TWO dogs that won't come back...

Hi Paddy,

If in doubt, take him to Celia Cross and use their field. It is fully enclosed and Jane does not mind people using it to give their dogs a good off-lead run. (I think some greyhound owners whose dogs can never go off-lead go there quite regularly)
That, or any other enclosed field, would be a good place to first try off-lead if you are not certain he will come back just yet

When we got Woody, we were told to wait around 5 to 6 weeks to ensure he had started to develop a bond with us. With Jessie, we waited 3 months and still if she sees something fluffy, she is deaf to us (we've had to train Woody to bring her back, though he is considerably slower than she is).

I'd maybe take him somewhere enclosed with little chance of seeing fluffies to try him first.

well, tried him again on the long lead with the 3 of us throwing the ball in a nice quiet area of the park. He was great. Really good. Will keep on working with him like that.

Unfortunately getting to CC is quite a trek for us - at least an hour's drive away if not more. Plus no fully enclosed spaces here. Fortunately he's not that excited by fluffies so far.

Billy's got no recall still but he doesn't go off for long. And when he is off I can see him constantly checking back to look for us iykwim. If there's a furry he's gone though.

All in a 99% enclosed area tho. Had to stop taking him on the marsh as there were too many other dogs and it made him a bit edgy.

Paddy, I'm going to go against the grain here - I think two weeks is a very short time, and I wouldn't personally let my pointy off after that length of time. We've just let one of our fosters off yesterday for the first time, and she came to us just before the August Bank Holiday.

I'd endorse all those who suggest using a safe, secure off lead field for play, and practising recall. Have a chat with the rescue where you adopted or use one of the many lurcher/sighthound online forums/FB pages etc. Lots of greyhound charities offer use of a secure field, and many organise regular sighthound type playdates. I'm delighted because someone is actually organising these now in S Wales at an indoor riding centre - we can't wait! In the meantime keep going with the training, and don't think on lead means being boring - far from it. DH loves going running with a couple of ours and you can also start doing classes, plus things like clicker training at home. All these will help strengthen the bond between you and keep lurcher occupied and busy. You could also think about lure coursing - Lurcher Link have info on the regular events they run on their website/forum.

A little patience now could save a lot of heartache and worry in the future.

Thanks all. I will err on the side of caution. Tried runing with him the other day and will do again. He keeps getting under my feet so some training needed on that!

Will hunt around for somewhere secure near S London but if anyone knows anywhere do let me know

mind you he's still being very resistant to leaving the house and walking to the park at all so need to work on that first

What about this place? here

Depending on which borough you are in it may be worth contacting the Parks department or council pound. There may be a park near you with a secure dog area. Dogs Trust do a CityDogs service and often have a mobile clinic near us - they keep a list of local doggy info.

There are two near us; one's in the middle of Hackney and I have never taken Billy there. The other dogs and owners are... not ones I think either of us would enjoy mixing with. There's another closer to us with a wooded area that is (apparently) soon to turn into a 'family' area. I'd have thought the whole park was a family area but hey ho.

We often bump into the guy who runs the local pound on our walks (actually he's often being walked by about 3 staffies!) and he's very friendly and informative. He tells me he loves and hates his job in equal measure.

Scuttle I've had an awesome idea! I noticed that at Nottingham quite a few people wanted things in sizes you had run out of or didn't do small enough, so you could carry a tape measure, and an order book so the dogs can be measured there and then and the item can be ordered there and then!

We do! We took a tape measure and order forms to the show, and we had a big sign up saying "If what you want is out of stock, order and pay today and we'll post it to you FOC."

Do saw some beautiful black lurcher pups on the scruples site. I keep telling him we are NOT having another dog. We do not have space or time for another dog. <<sigh>>

Should have read dp not do, stupid autocorrect on tablet.

I can't remember how long we had burp before we let him off, he used to coming running with me and loved it, well I ran he trotted!! One thing he does love is cycling. I have a bike lead, a walkydog lead (google it) and we have been miles with it, when we are on quieter lanes I let him off and he runs alongside me quite happy and stays with me. Occasionally we race and that's great fun for both bailey and I!

Oh See? I knew it was a good idea although am very I didn't notice/can't remember the sign.

Magrat does he want another dog?

I'm craving another dog, but a different kind. I'd love a dog like MILs spaniel who treats DD just like an adult, he drops toys at her feet and sits waiting for her to throw it. I'd love a dog to want to be her friend, at the moment she wants to be Sprockets friend but he ignores her, when she pats him he stands like a statue, not moving a muscle. It makes me slightly nervous as that's what he does when other dogs come and sniff him, he stands like a statue. I'd love to know what he's thinking and feeling.

Cunny, I think he's getting dog broody. It is not going to happen.

I know what you mean about Dogs treating the children like adults. Woody seems to think he is one of the boys and follows them everywhere, especially ds2. Jessie mostly ignores them (though is improving) and actually sniffled ds2 the other day and wagged at him too.

Just left Billy at the vet hospital.

Discovered an empty packet of Garibaldi biscuits in his bed this afternoon - he must have had them out of my 'out for the day' rucksack while I was out. I can't believe I a.) forgot they were in there and b.) left the bag on the floor in the hall, knowing how clever he's getting at getting into stuff.

I called the vet as soon as I made the horrible discovery and they were brilliant; phoned the poisons hotline straight away and called me back in minutes. Luckily their 24hr hospital is only about 15mins in the car and he was in within the hour. He's got to be in for 2 or 3 nights, made to vomit and on IV fluids to support his kidneys or liver, I can't remember which. He has to have blood tests tonight and every 72 hours thereafter until the toxicology stuff comes back clear.

Thank GOD we are insured. It'll be about 600 quid by the end.

Poor chap. I feel so bloody stupid. He's had a hard enough life already and I feel like every day we spend with him and he's in comfort and enjoying good food, lovely walks and lots of love we're making up for his lost time! He's going to be OK I think but oh dear.

Poor billy. It's so easily done, though.

I know but I still feel awful. The oddest thing was that he seemed fine; apparently the poisoning can become apparent after a few days though. I am such an idiot. I will never buy those sodding biscuits again.

Poor Billy! Like magrat says, it's very easily done. It's so easy to just forget. You're only human Betsey, we all do stupid stuff. Thank goodness for insurance!

DP did this once, he left his workbag on the floor with his lunchbag in with a full pack lunch in it, Sprocket helped himself to the pack up, for reasons known only to himself DP still left the bag plus lunchbag on the floor, the next day Sprocket helped himself to the lunchbag

Oh my goodness! Sending big hugs to Billy and to you. You must be desperately worried. Please don't blame yourself - they are such clever buggers when it comes to getting into stuff. And also thank heaven that you found out so quickly and acted so responsibly. We'll be thinking about you. xx

DH got back from work at 7ish (he'd been away and just flown back home) and luckily the kids were playing at my neighbour's. She kept them while I whizzed him in. To tell the truth he could have had the biscuits at any point from about lunchtime onwards today.

We're sitting on his stinky sheepskin and missing him lots. I know he's in the best place so there's nothing I can do now. Vet was lovely and said he thought greyhounds were hero dogs for being so lovely after all the hard work they do for humans. I bet he says that about all the dogs but it was nice to hear.

The old timers around here send their dogs to that hospital - I mean the elderly owners with elderly dogs who've had dogs their whole lives and they really rate it.

Keep them crossed for him. And no lasting damage.

Tried to leave two posts last night but each time I pressed post message my mn page shut down!!

Just wanted to send a (hug) to you and yours Betsey, what a scare. Am confident Billy will be just fine though, fingers crossed he will be home with you very shortly!

These dogs are very crafty at getting into things they should not; our old Cocker Spaniel once ate his way through over half a 2.5kg tub of Haribo Tangfastics - yikes! And the day he ate some balloons and they would only half come out of his backside and I had to pull them out gently <boak>
And the day he ate some colouring pencils (only the inner though, he discarded the woody outer) and his poo came out multicoloured!!

Will be thinking of you and Billy xx

Thanks Lock. He's in for the next few days and on a drip to support and flush through his kidneys. He's also still having the charcoal to get any last bits out of his system.

I called this morning and the vet who's looking after him was on a home visit so she rang me back; he's doing fine and is up, about and chipper. She also said that he was relaxed in his kennel, which sounds like Billy, happy to bed down anywhere! We're still waiting on the blood results. They will show the toxin reading for last night and will have to be repeated 72 hours later and be clear before he can be released. We might not get him back til the weekend, possibly even later.

We're going to see him tonight after we get the kids from school. Luckily DH is working from home today so we can all go together. I was a bit hmm about taking them into the hospital but I think it would be a good experience for them, especially as things seem to be working out OK. Also, as visiting hours are 3-6 I won't be able to get in Thursday or Friday as I'm at college.

I'm pleased he's doing fine Betsey, you must all be so worried about him. I bet he was pleased to see you!

Lock I am sorry but I couldn't help but pmsl at multicoloured poo it reminded me of the MNetter whose dog ate tinsel and had lovely sparkly, festive poo for about a week or so around christmas

Well this is turning out to be a really shit week. Found out 2 lots of awful news last night, my cousin possibly has cancer again, she has a tumour on her liver and she had tests yesterday to see if it is cancer or not. She is only 13 and this is the 4th time she will have had it and also, my brother attempted suicide on saturday night, took an overdose of his anti depressants, (22 tablets) and drank 4 cans of lager. He left our grandma a message and she called the police (but not an ambulance? ) but he's ok now, back home and carrying on as normal.

The weird thing is, I knew he was going to do it. I know it doesn't make sense at all but I had a random thought pop into my head last week "Davids going to commit suicide" and I didn't think anything of it because I know he's having such a hard time (separated from his wife, no job etc) and I'm such a pessimist and always see the worst in every situation. So I thought that my thought was just me being stupid and pessimistic. Turns out it was true

Oh no Cunny what horrible news. I'm glad he contacted your grandma and thank goodness she got the message in time. I hope the MH team in your area are able to serve him well. This time of year can be so hard - the nights drawing in, Xmas approaching.

Your cousin's a toughie, isn't she? Is she the one who was bullied at school too? It may be benign right? I'll be crossing everything for some good news.

xx

Oh Cunny, what a lot of bad news at once. Glad to hear your brother will be ok, I hope he will get the help he needs as soon as possible.

And I am so so sorry to hear about your cousin. Such a young age to go through so much! I hope she can fight this yet again, she sounds like a wonderfully strong girl to have coped with so much already

Sam had a bit of an accident this morning. I had taken him for a walk early this morning before work and he was off-lead on the lye. He saw a squirrel and gave chase. He was so intent on chasing this squirrel he misjudged his way past the wooden posts which border the footpath and ran full pelt into one. His leather collar is sporting a big crease and scratches, that is how hard he hit this post! He has taken a bit of fur off his neck and given himself a massive green smudge from the algae on the post. He also has a small cut on his rear leg. But I think he has badly bruised himself (his shoulder area I am guessing) as he is limping and whilst happy he squeals when you pick him up.
I was all set to take him to the vet at lunchtime but when I got home he was brighter and he even attempted to chase a squirrel on our lunchtime walk.
He is still hesitant negotiating the stairs and won't jump on the sofa / bed.

Oh and then this evening he bumped his head on the dining table whilst we were laying the table ready for dinner.

Sigh.

He is too daft for this world!

There are some sorry looking dogs in the animal hospital. Billy wasn't too happy - looked a bit groggy and completely miserable but that may be to do with the fact he's not had anything to eat or been walked too much because of the drip. He brightened up a bit when he saw us but not much.

Hopefully we get bloods tomorrow. If all is going well, home on Saturday, maybe.

On the upside, the boys loved it and it definitely helped them to see where he is. DS2 was not at all happy to leave him, and we had to drag him out but eventually he understood. It's hard to explain to a deaf child with a severe language delay why he can't take his dog home when there's a very very friendly golden retriever licking his good ear!

And poor Sam! If he's chasing squirrels it can't be that bad!

Gosh, I've had a busy day and have come back to find all this is going on.

Betsey, so pleased to hear that His Lordship is continuing to improve - the Butter pack sends woofs, hugs and tickles.

Lock, poor darling Sam. Hope he continues to recover - those pesky squirrels are just so tempting.

Cunny - Such awful news about your cousin and your brother. Sending an unMN hug and Andy sends special regards to his "aunty" xx.

Awww Betsey, poor Billy, and poor boys, counting the hours till Saturday

Sam is very good at milking an injury for all it is worth. I was worried I would find him still very sore at lunchtime, and he indeed came sedately out on his walk with me, we slowly ambled along the towpath, he was a few steps behind me.... And I was just beginning to worry that perhaps he was more injured then I had feared when, Whhoosh! He shot past me as he had seen a squirrel!!
He is genuinly sore though, ds picked him up earlier and he yelped. So a bit bruised perhaps. But in true pointy stile he will behave as if his leg is hanging off!

On a more positive note, the Tent of Destiny poses a question to its friends. What are your views on Dog Christmas Stockings? A beautifully made Christmas stocking for your hound in festive fabric with applique bones and on the top a lovely cuff embroidered with your hound's name or in Billy's case, his title. I spent a long time at the embroiderer this afternoon while they are sorting a bespoke order for me and this struck me as a potential new line. Any thoughts?

Stile? I did not think that looked right!! Style of course, style.... harrumph!

I would! I'll be so insanely grateful to have His Lordship back after all this that I'll go for it!

The receptionist told me she didn't see many of the dogs in the hospital area but that she had seen Billy that day and that he had had a LOT of fuss from the staff, other clients etc etc when he'd gone out for a wee. And that he was a handsome chap with such a beautiful glossy coat.

He'll need a bit of feeding up when he gets out no doubt. But that is very enjoyable!

Ha ha Lock you are allowed, you triligualist you.

Cunny, I'm very sorry to read your news. Your poor cousin, especially at such a young age . We got a letter home from school today saying that a little boy in reception at the ds's school is having cancer treatment and anybody really contageous needs to stay away as obviously he will be immunocompromised. It is so horrible at so young.

Also sorry to hear about Sam's injury, Lock. Woody hurt his leg last year chasing squirrels - he was on enforced bed rest for a couple of days.

Scuttle, yes, to dog stockings (ours do get presents at christmas). DP also suggests bags/dresses/ties for owners to match the dog coats!

Thank you Betsey

I love the idea of a stocking for the doggle, problem is that we are completely short of money at the moment (it is all a bit scary) and secondly that due to Sam's tummy issues he is not allowed many (any) commercial treats. Raw stuff all the way (a bit awkward to put into a stocking, not a good look either...)
But I am a sucker for beautifully embroidered things so don't count me out...

Thanks everyone.

Betsey, yes this is the same cousin who was getting bullied at school and on FB
I did chuckle at DS2 and the golden retriever bless him. Sounds like Billy is getting plenty of love which is nice. Just a shame he isn't at home. Fingers and paws crossed here that he can come home tomorrow!

Lock poor Sam, how is he this morning?

Magrat that poor little boy here's hoping he makes a full recovery.

Scuttle yy to stockings! Sprockets would be full of food and squeaky toys, he has just discovered squeakies. He likes to squeak them and shake his head around 'killing' it. He actually killed my friends dogs squeaky bone thing (one of those with a thin round bit in the middle and a ball at each end) a few weeks ago, he was squeaking it and chomping and both balls fell off either side

Scuttle are snoods something you could think about doing? Hardly anywhere (that I can find!) sell them so I think it would be a good idea to have more choice available. All there really is that sells them is AK and someone on ebay. No christmassy ones are available though

I have no idea how or why that has just linked to ebay

Wtf is going on???

We are thinking of getting a puppy which is a lab(dad) crossed with a lurcher/collie
are we mad?
new dog owners here...

very pretty puppy

Hi Silence - I can't advise really... I only met our dog when he was 3 so the puppy years are way gone for him. Scuttlebutter is the resident expert tho and I'm sure she'll be along soon!

Hooray! We can fetch His Lordship later. Apparently as he was got in fast the charcoal got up any poisonous stuff before it could work any harm. I always knew my crap driving would save the day one day.

DH is fetching him as I've got my first session at university later. Unfortunately, I think the stress of the last few days has got to me and I have a horrible migraine today.

That's brilliant news Betsey! I'm so pleased he can come home

Silence I haven't a clue. I suppose it depends on your lifestyle! Collie's are very active and intelligent dogs so you'd need to have plenty of free time for daily training and exercise. I really would NOT advise to get it on the basis of it being 'very pretty' though.

Silence, my knowledge of lurchers is considerably more limited than of greys. All I'd say is that with that mix, you'll be looking at a dog with brains and stamina, who will be up for a LOT of exercise, will need masses of training, and if they are strongly Lab like in their characteristics, will be slow to mature, not really reaching adulthood till about 2 to 3 - you will be facing two years of having your slippers chewed along with everything else in the house. I really wouldn't recommend that as a first dog unless you are very committed and are able/willing to give a LOT of time to training and exercise. Anything else will result in a hooligan who will get up to mischief on a heroic scale.

I certainly would not choose on the basis of them being a "pretty" pup (though they are undoubtedly adorable).

Betsey, hooray for His Lordship's safe return to Trotwood Towers. The Butter pack send their best wishes.

at your migraine. Sending gentle, quiet, darkened thoughts of recovery.

Oh Betsey, yikes at migraine. I get tension-migraines too, the only thing that helps is a hefty dose of Syndol and a lie down in a dark room. I prescribe that for you for tonight along with a large dose of Billy cuddles. <peers over glasses doctor-stylee>

Silence, I agree with Scuttle - as lovely as the pups may look, the mix of lab / collie would have me worried...
My friend has a lab - he is now two and only just beginnign to calm down. I know nothing about collies.
I have a whippet lurcher. He is lovely, but forever haring off after squirrels / cats / other wildlife. I have to be very vigilant where I let him off lead as he now will run straight onto a road in hot pursuit His recall is fantastic, until he is in 'chase' mode, then he is completely fixated on what he is doing... Luckily he is predominantly whippet and utterly daft so we have it quite easy. If there was collie / lab in there too I would feel 'over dogged'.
As for the lurcher part - is it greyhound / whippet / other sighthound, what is in the mix to make the lurcher? Any case, you will get something strong, intelligent and fast!! Sounds like too much dog for me (and I am on my third dog, second with dh)

Lock has summed it up very well Silent, a lab collie lurcher would be very fast, very greedy and also very smart. Tbf I would steer well clear if you are novice owners.

Thanks guys that is very helpful

Ah, I can't take any migraine medicines - I did once and it brought on stroke symptoms! Vv scary. Feeling much better now for an afternoon of actual vomiting and even made it to college.

But best of all His Lordship is home and stretched out over all 3 seats o the sofa. According to the vet he'd vomited a lot of raisins, so just as well he was in!

Hadn't thought about snoods, Cunny, as DH laughs at them . We got one once for Booty, but to be honest, it kept sort of wrinkling up, so she looked like she was wearing a very peculiar ruff - not the sort of thing we wanted at all. I will do some research.

Betsey, so glad His Lordship is home and reclining gracefully as befits a convalescing aristocrat. Glad you are feeling better too. Stroke symptoms - scary stuff!! Not good. Hope the migraines don't happen too often.

Hi all

Just saying hello because hopefully I'll be joining you at some point - waiting to hear about a home check. They seemed to be making positive noises so fingers crossed! If we get a yes, I shall be straight on here for your sage advice.

Just saw my last post. That's a lotta vomits.

<eww emoticon>

Hooray Besom ! What you getting?

And a Y to snoods. Billy does already have a very hard wearing outdoorsy coat but it is very boring. A jazzy snood would defo glam things up a bit. Might be a good line for offcuts from the housecoats? A kinda patchwork one even?

Enough of the bitty posts, had better attend to the kids. DS is drawing a picture of me on the laptop. NOT GOOD. I've got that 'I can do ANYTHING now I feel better' feeling after yesterday's vom horror.

Good day all. Thinking of your cousin and brother Cunny x

Welcome Besom !

Tell us more. We want DETAILS. And hopefully pics too.

Ooh patchwork snoods! I like it
I'm glad you're feeling better today Betsey, headaches suck at the best of times so can't imagine how bad a migraine is!

My brother is acting surprisingly normal he starts a college course soon, something to do with computers I think so that should keep him busy and lift his spirits a bit!

Scuttle Sprocket had a lovely woolly snood that I got him last winter and it was fab for keeping his neck warm, didn't ride up or anything! I say had because it somehow ended up in the tumble drier and was then more Iggy sized
How is Andys claw?

Besom how exciting! What kind of pointy are you getting? Yy to details and maybe pics!

Oh and I'm pretty sure it is actually a corn on Sprockets paw, just seems to be a very slow forming one looked at it today and there's a hard white circle starting to form. Looks more like the pictures of grund corns on google now!

Hi Cunny, Andy is back onto full squirrel chasing, postman-barking form. Obviously it'll be a while before it grows back, but he's doing well, but happy to milk it if he thinks there's the slightest chance of an extra cuddle or a sausage.

We had a lovely walk this morning. Mick was playing in the puddles left after last night's rain, and I kept thinking about Boola. Boola had such beautiful fawn and cream legs and would come home with little muddy ankle boots - he loved puddles.

Some other good news, one of our local greyhound volunteers is setting up a regular monthly greyhound playdate at a local riding school. Looking forward to it!

Bill's got a big bandage where the drip was. I assume it was put on yesterday and he really, really needs a bath as he just smells awful and hospitally.

When can I take it off do you think? We were planning on walking him early tomorrow morning and then taking it off. He keeps nibbling it.

I'd love to see a pic of muddy Boola Scuttle if you've got any! What a game chap. Billy sidesteps puddles with a horrified look on his face.

Bandage can come off straight away, Betsey. It's probably a bit itchy which is why he is nibbling it. He'll have to wait a little while for the shaved hair to grow back though

It's off and a bit red looking. All the better for a bit of air methinks. He's not licking it so all ok so far.

Look they're full to bursting. I hope they get lovely homes soon before winter comes along.

I love the look of Robbie in you link, Betsey. The expression on his face is wonderful.

I am annoyed with my DM today though, who collected ds1 from school for me, brought him home and went up to the living room (our house is a weird design), leaving the dogs shut in the hallway downstairs . They had been on their own since lunchtime, so would have appreciated some fuss and cuddles when people came in. No idea why she decided to ignore them.

Anyway, there's my gripe of the day. Thank goodness it is the weekend.

Hello hello

Just to say that after a very wet walk today I was wondering what Scuttle and The Tent of Destiny's take was on terry-towelling dog coats? Was walking with my friend Sharon and her whippet, whippet x, JR x and my friend Kathy and her JR x in the pouring rain this afternoon. We thought it would be fab to have a terry towelling dog coat we could pop on the dogs so they can dry in the car on the way home. Scuttle, can you do such a thing? How much would it cost?
Also, I am going to give your Milgi Coats details to the two friends mentioned above as they are interested in dog coats. Do you cater for short-legged JR crosses?

All is well here, Sam is lovely, we are glad it is the weekend. Had a lovely email from MN to say I had won tickets to go and see the hairy bikers live - am thrilled!!!!

Glad to hear Billy is feeling better Betsey I want all the dogs on your link <eyes up sofa>

Aww- lovely to see the hounds bigged up

I'm not a greyhound/ lurcher/ whippet owner (in my madness I have a beagle!), but I'm a vet and I LOVE greyhounds and do a lot of work for 2 local greyhound rescues, so I meet a LOT of them, and they are fabulous dogs- so gentle, loving, the ideal pet for almost anyone, and I always recommend them to anyone and everyone. Fab dogs!

I use the troves coats after a wet walk and baths etc! They are brilliant we have had them for 3 years and they are still going strong.

We have walked Robbie and he and Billy didn't get on. They were OK but as soon as we stood still they got a bit bored and started squabbling. He's very friendly though. Must have been odd for the dogs that they could hear everyone in! My mum is a bit nervous about looking after Billy - she's always worried she'll do something wrong!

We were sad to see Barney back. I bumped into him once on a walk with his new owners and I wasn't sure about them. He's striking and beautiful, that's probably why they picked him.

Nice one Lock - when's the do? Nice ideas there for wet walks!

Good to see another hound fan!

No specific dog lined up yet but will be a greyhound or a lurcher. I think it will take a while to find the right dog as we have an old cat. Dh wants to wait until after Christmas anyway because he will be less busy at work. Will certainly post pics when we have our new family member. I can't wait!

DP is now fully qualified to drive a gritter and has his first gritting run tonight! He's been out before but only as a mate so he's a bit nervous and excited. I honestly can't believe they'd let him loose with a £100k piece of equipment though!

magrat my sisters house is like that, on the ground floor is a garage, kitchen diner, little loo, a shoe cupboard and a conservatory, on the 1st floor is the living room, 2 bedrooms and a bathroom, and on the top floor are 2 more bedrooms and another bathroom. It's one of these new build teeny-looking-but-actually-ginormous townhouses.
Did the dogs get lots of cuddles when you got home? How is the situation with Jessie? Hope it's improving

Betsy I am in love with Pimms on the WK website, he's gorgeous! How's The Hon Billy doing? I bet the boys are happy to have him home

Nice one Lock! What did you have to do to win them? How's Sams shoulder now?

Welcome Platypus, pointy hound enthusiasts are always welcome on the cushion

Cunny, I won them on MN! I think (iirc) I had to fill in a survey and state why I like the HB's

Ah, Pimms and Colorado are long stayers. They are brothers and have to go together. His Lordship is fine and well thanks. We spent the day at a friend's house and he got lots and lots of fuss.

I guess not many people fancy taking on 2 new dogs at the same time
Glad Billy is fine now.

Lock well done, when do you go?

DP is still not home! He started the run at 6, and he rang me at just gone 8 saying he'd broken down (typical!), but he hadn't actually broken down the thingy that controls how much salt comes out had broken so he was spreading far too much salt but he was still able to drive and spread.

When do you start your course Betsey? I hope it goes well for you

You poor thing, Cunny. Saturday night alone is not great. The dogs did get cuddles when I got home (and my mum got a telling off and sulking from me, teenage style).

What course are you doing, Betsey? (sorry, unobservant)

Besom, you must be really excited!

I wish they'd hurry up and let us know officially! It was only last Monday - but if they don't get in touch by end of next week I'll e-mail. Do you think that's fair enough? From what the checker said on the day I'll be very surprised if we're not accepted but I just want to know for sure and I can start preparing!

He eventually rolled in at just gone 11 it took him over 3 hours to do a quarter of his route, and the whole route should only take 2.5 hours!
Tbh Magrat it was quite nice, I had the tv to myself and I ended up playing on The Sims 2 for 4 hours

Besom I'd ring or email. When we had our homecheck it wasn't really a pass or fail thing, it was just a friendly chat about what was involved and then at the end they said to mull things over and give them a call back when we were 100% decided on what to do.

I hate it when I'm waiting for someone to get home and they're late. I can't settle to anything until they get in. Hope all's OK with the gritter now!

I'm doing an MA (or an MSc, depending on which option modules I end up taking) in Special and Inclusive Education at the IoE. It's exciting, so much good stuff to choose from! Teaching starts on Tuesday and it's Tuesdays and Thursdays here on in. DH is doing Tuesday nights bbsitting and DM/DMiL are doing the Thursdays as he works Thurs-Sun/Mon nights most weekends. There's a research hustings next Monday so we can see who might be working on things we're interested in for dissertations or reports. With any luck it might put me in a better position to get a job in SN provision in the LA or schools. There's a whole module on Language Development and as my little DS2 has just been diagnosed with (the latest in his long list of disabilities) a severe language delay this will be good for all of us. Sorry, went on a bit there!

Besom I'd call and find out but I think if there were any large problems they'd have raised them there. Ours checked the garden and fences and asked where he'd have his bed/how we'd manage the DCs with him etc. Like Magrat, it was more of a chat. She said she 'knows' pretty much within minutes whether or not she'll OK a home for one of the dogs.

MissBetsey - good for you, that sounds really interesting and you're obviously passionate about it. I'm just starting a course as well actually, not on the same scale as you but something involved with training/education. Might open some doors.

I'm thinking about how to persuade DM to take Billy for a walk after she's stayed over to bbsit! September is always exciting imo.

That's really cool, Betsey (the course I mean).

Why thank you.

Just have the crap SENCO at school to deal with now. She does have rescue staffies though so I can't dislike her so much somehow. And she did make a big fuss of Billy when she met him outside the school.

Let us know what they say Besom - how exciting! Your dog is out there right now, just finishing their last race... !

We've got a rescue ex racing greyhound called Davey

I managed to look up his racing history with his tattoos and he was quite a winner in his day, bless him, he's a massive lazy fuss pot most of the time now

Took him to the big woods yesterday, he tried to catch some squirells and we had a bit of an 'incident' with him barking at some horses
but he is getting better with other dogs bit by bit

Been thinking about whether he needs a coat for winter? What do people think, is it the usual thing to do? We've only had him since March so not thought about it until now when it's getting a bit chlly

Arf @ 'lazy fusspot'!

And Y to the coat.

oooo good excuse to go doggie coat shopping, these look snuggly, think he'd need the biggest one but will have to measure him when I'm home

www.petsave.co.uk/product.aspx?productid=15047#Description

Our very own Scuttlebutter has all you need in the dapper dog department.

[[http://www.milgicoats.co.uk/ Coats!]

Link again.

here

Hello everyone - we are moving towards being sighthound owners, as we've got a home check tomorrow from GRWE. Much excitement in the household !

Squee! New homes for lovely dogs all around it seems! Yay!

Have you met a particular dog yet CMOT or is it a general one while you wait for them to come along?

GRWE are amazing. We didn't adopt through them but we read loads of their fact sheets. DH knows someone who works for them and she says they're a cracking organisation.

GRWE like to home check you first, and then match you, so we are doing that. As we have cats our options are more limited, so its finding a dog who will cope with us mostly !

Ooh Betsey that sounds very important! I hope it goes well for you

How exciting CMOT, everything that betsey said, particular hound in mind or just any that suit you? GRWE martingales are fab, Sprocket has 2 and they feel really comfy. If you get a greyhound I really recommend them.

Sooper yy to a coat! If you're unsure if your dog is cold, feel the inside of his ears, if they're cold then he's more than likely cold.

Sadly no meeting today Cunny. I could use a meeting with her seeing as she's not contacted us at all since last May and DS2 has been at school since September 5th! Dealing with the SENCO is just my general mission plan.

<twitches fingers over card, wondering about these martingales>

CMOT they will find you one, never fear! Let us know how it goes.

What actually is SENCO? I've seen it mentioned on MN loads before but I haven't a clue what it is

Special Educational Needs Co Ordinator. They organise the provision for children with disabilities and special educational needs in schools. We have a particularly crappy one! She should have met us by now to go through our DS's IEP (Individual Education Plan) and talk through his targets, or at least check in with his teacher to find out how things were going, but none of us have heard a thing. And because she's so spectacularly mean (except, it seems, when it comes to dogs) she's just awful to deal with.

At least Billy's straightforward!

I sympathise, Betsey. Ds2 doesn't have a senco, but is under a paediatrician, clinical pychcologist and dietician. Trying to organise any communication between them all (within the same children's hospital) is bad enough and trying to also get communication with the school is neigh on impossible (and that when our school is pretty good - well apart from their complaining hat ds2 doesn't write yet - he is 4 yo and started school only a month ago!!!!).

Currently watching the Paul O'Grady thing at Battersea BTW (on ITV +1).

I begged and begged for referral to the developmental paed's clinic and eventually they put us on her books - she's been great, trying to pull all the threads together because I just can't! He's under two audiology clinics, balance specialist, speech therapy and physiotherapy. Actually, I dropped the physio because it was so crap. Having Billy's been the best physio he could ever have because the dog gets him out of the house and moving twice a day at weekends and in the hols! Billy is DS2's dog therapist.

@ not writing. They'll be complaining he's not written his first novel by Xmas!

have passed home check, so will be on the waiting list now

Congrats!

Yay well done CMOT!

Magrat I always watch the Paul O'Grady thing, he looked gutted when Carmine got a home. I've heard that he does end up with a new dog, a chihuahua thingy. I was and at those poor puppies in that plastic tub poor things.

Ooh I forgot to say, I downloaded a firework show off itunes for Sprocket, I've been playing it fairly loudly and it doesn't seem to bother him so far so fingers crossed he'll be ok with the real thing! He did look at me a bit at first as if to say "That's not your normal music!"

Sweet looking 5 y/o whippet cross called Julie on here www.dorsetdogrescue.com/dogsneedinghomes.htm if anyone is looking for a rescue dog...

Morning all!

The Norty Minx has been booked in for her spay - it's next week. She's having a dental as well while she's under the GA so she'll maintain her Hollywood smile Can't believe she's been with us for three months now - she has settled so well and brings a smile to my face every time I see her. DH away at the moment so she snuggled up to me in bed last night and was still snuggled when I woke this morning - she decided to greet the dawn by having a nice roach and a tickle.

Although I'm pleased she's being spayed, I am dreading the post -op recuperation phase. It's going to be a real struggle persuading her to go easy, not run and jump and generally Norty-ness while she recovers, especially while the stitches are in.

So is Norty an adoptee or a fosteree now? It must feel as though she's been there forever...

We have passed too . I Spoke to a nice lady yesterday who will be finding us our dog.

Great news Besom

Yay!

<vicarious excitement emoticon>

We have a cat too CMOTDibbler - would be interested to know how you get on, assuming you get yours first. (We won't be until after Christmas at the earliest).

I'm glad I've got you lot to share my excitement with actually! I told someone yesterday and she pulled her face and said 'they're not cuddly dogs'. Most people get them completely wrong don't they? Makes me want one even more.

That's rubbish, you're right. DS1 is watching Jake and the Neverland Pirates with Billy's head and paws stretched over his lap. Billy is asleep and DS1 is pinned below him! They are soo cuddly. Sure their size makes it rather... hard for them curl up on your lap but they lean, they snuggle, they find a way. Billy took a bit of persuading to get onto the sofa - the DCs did NOT want to share when he first arrived and totally had it staked out. He was also worried about how squidgy it was but when DH and I started watching 'The Bridge' we realised we just couldn't without the hound on the sofa. He's never off now!

Yy Besom, ime they're very misunderstood dogs. I know plenty of people who think greyhounds need hours and hours of excercise and are ugly, skinny and weird looking whenever DP is at the pub you can usually find me and Sprocket in the position that Betsey describes
Well done on passing!

Scuttle she's been with you 3 months already? Hasn't time flown! It doesn't seem 5 minutes since you announced her arrival! What day is her spay and dental?

That's so sweet! I really want that for dd.

Cunny, yes that's the first thing just about everyone has said to me - about the amount of exercise. I've been putting everyone straight of course and then banging on about their general merits, until people get a glazed look in their eyes!

Regarding the looks, i don't understand that one at all - some of them are completely stunning.

Yup you do get some stunners! I mean, look at Sprocket

I tend to do that too, I could wax lyrical about greyhounds for hours and I'm a novice with them really

Aw, yes so many people do get them so wrong, and tbh until we got Davey Dog we didn't know much about the breed either but he's really snuggly, he comes and leans on you and plonks his head on your lap for a fuss all the time

We've found somewhere we can safety let him off for an occasional run now (only when nobody else is about) - and bloody hell can he shift, no wonder we was a winner back in his day, he runs round and round in a circle tho bless him, thinks he's still on the track!!

Ooh that's lucky Sooper! I wish I could find somewhere close (walking distance!) that I could take Sprocket. I walk him on a massive playing field in the morning with my friend, her 2 dogs run around and so does DD it would be mainly safe to let him off there if there weren't so many interesting smells all over it! He is very interested in wildlife, and not in the Bill Oddie way

Just popping in to say it's me Cunny, with last years halloween name

BILLY IS OFFICIALLY A BUGGER.

Sorry. I am VERY cross with him. He has consumed nearly 3 rolls of fruit polos and an entire pack of ice cream cornets, destined for DS1's rocket birthday cake. I am preparing for a vom fest now. and and

I left the bag nearly at the top of the stairs and rushed out to DS2's golden achievers assembly. Proves he can get up them when he fancies. Thank God it wasn't the chocolate.

I'm not going to walk him now as he's probably feeling quite... sick. I'm going to have to sharpen up my act a bit I can see with this dog getting more and more cheeky!

Grrrrrrr.

Ha ha. Our lurcher is a bugger for this. She once ate 3 kitkats and a packet of chocolate pancakes that had been left in the open breadbin.
My favourite time was when DH left his steak unattended on the kitchen table for about 20 secs. When he came back there was no sign of dog or steak!

Ooh Billy! They can't half be little shits when they want can't they? Am quite that he went upstairs for those though, Sprocket wouldn't even do it for livercake! Did he come back down too? At least he's feeling better anyway.

Five your DH is a silly man. You never leave steak unattended even with no dogs in the house

Oh Betsey, I'm so sorry, but I roared with laughter at reading that.

And yy to never leaving steak unattended - that is asking for trouble.

Norty Minx has been causing minor mayhem. Yesterday, as we were going out for our girls's walk, she decided to do a Harrier jump jet take off while I was bending down to put on her lead. Cue comedy cartoon stylee stars going round and me reeling round the hall clutching my head, swearing. I will probably be attending DFIL's 70th Birthday party tomorrow with a new dress and a black eye. Harumph.

I came back today from taking my aunty to a medical appt and was greeted by Mick prancing round joyously with a cushion, which he then proudly took out into the garden. Norty Minx decided to pick up a half eaten bowl of breakfast (minced tripe) in her mouth and trot into the living room with it. Not being a scientist, she'd forgotten about gravity, so left a delicious trail of raw dog food from kitchen, across hall and into living room. Sigh.

Oh, and last night she attempted to join in my sewing with disastrous consequences. Sewing machine is plugged into wall - NM decided to come and visit/supervise by going through the lead, getting hopelessly tangled and then trying to untangle herself by simply pulling harder and making a lot of noise. After she had unplugged the sewing machine, she retired, looking wounded, as if to say "I only wanted to help"...

Oh dear me, I hope he isn't too sick! We had a German Shepherd that ate a whole roast chicken once.

The stair thing could be a potential problem for us actually - dog would need to sleep upstairs as cat sleeps downstairs. Do they all hate stairs?

Oh Scuttle I love reading about Norty Minx's escapades as much as I love reading about D0oins adventures with her dogs

Besom it's not just that they hate them, it's more that they've never seen them before and have no idea on how to conquer them. And it's a bit awkward for them what with the long back, legs and chunky thighs. With the help of plenty of tasty treats (sausages, cheese, livercake etc), lots of encoragement and time, they get there eventually. Sprocket took a while to learn them but now he quite happily charges up and down, he can even go up backwards!! If it's possible it might be better to get the cat sleeping upstairs. Unless you have a way of seperating them overnight incase houndy doesn't 'get it' at first?

More Norty Minx adventures please. And I love the idea of Mick prancing about with a cushion! Hee hee.

Some dogs seem to just do the stairs. Billy's very cautious (took him about 10mo to pluck up the courage to get onto the sofa) but soon learnt that if he went on the stair up the bridge over the river he got to go to 'Squirrel Alley' as DH calls it. And Billy's happy to scale them if he's scared at night so he can get in bed with DS2 (but that's a whole nother story.)

We were also quite happy for him to be a downstairs dog because we have a lot of kids in and out of the house and a fair few of them are very wary of him; we wanted to have dog free zones iykwim.

He hasn't been sick and seems annoyingly chipper and unrepentant. I have to confess I did shout at him when I found the evidence - I have to brave Asda tomorrow morning now.

And then my friend came round to pick her DS up from our place after he'd had tea with a pocket full of ROAST CHICKEN. Why, in the name of Jeff would you do that? She said it was to tempt the boy home and to treat Billy with?!!!!

I sometimes wonder about my friends.

but soon learnt that if he went on the stair up the bridge over the river he got to go to 'Squirrel Alley' as DH calls it. eh?

He gets into bed with DS2? Where does poor DS2 sleep?

Your friend came round with a pocket full of chicken? To tempt her son home?? She sounds, erm, interesting

On another note Betsey, rocket birthday cake? Wowee! Is there any chance of a picture before Billy eats it? I love creative cakes

The bridge over the river has stairs up to it. On the other side is a wood with LOADS of squirrels that run through the branches over the path. Billy loves it of course!

It will probably end up looking like a huge blue cock and balls knowing my luck. With DS's name in huge letters up the side. Nice. I'll wang a photo up so you can all laugh at it.

(Actually, having seen Scuttle's baking prowess I think I might not!!!)

And DS2 just tries to push him out and shouts at him. Poor Billy! It's not great though, your 40 kilo hound trying to curl up next to your 15 kilo child and actually quite squashing him!

Ohhh I get what you mean now, the river on his walks I did wonder what you were talking about when you mentioned stairs on bridges over rivers to squirrel alley

Poor DS2 it is lovely that his dog likes to snuggle up with him, but a tad awkward when said dog is twice your size!

Cake sounds awesome quite fancy one for my birthday next year

I LOVE the idea of the giant blue cock - Norty Smurfs? Please bake this, I am desperate for pictures!!

Norty Smurfs

at the smurfs.

Well, we popped to a greyhound rescue centre today, and met a lovely boy, Jake who is 5, and raced till March having had a successful career. Took him for a walk, played in the paddock etc. Loved fusses and cuddles.
They have cat tested him and he passed, but we are taking him for a test drive on Saturday to see what our cats think

Oooh that's exciting CMOT! I think it's odd how he's raced for so long, and had a successful career but passed his cat test I hope it goes really well, and of course, we need pictures if he turns out to be 'the one'

We nearly brought another one home today we went up to the supermarket and LGT were there doing a meet and greet, and they had Adie with them. We gave him a fuss and started to walk into the shop, the lovely boy wouldn't leave is alone! Nearly dragged the poor woman holding him into the shop after us I think he liked us, even DP was smitten!

How exciting CMOT.

Spookhetti, Adie is beautiful! Just think, a gorgeous black hound and a blonde one - you'd never be dog hair free again, but they would look good.

Magat I know, he is gorgeous. But he needs experienced owners apparently. And we don't want another dog. He's been there since august last year

CMot budge up.

I saw Jake when I was looking at sites....

We spent the day driving down to Peterborough to go to the lurcher event at the showground... met some of the Lurcher Link people there and met a lovely lurcher that's looking for a home... We have our homecheck on Wednesday evening.

Also contacts out at anumber of other sites so that we get the right one for us - met a 5mo lucher pup on saturday but it clarified that DH and I would really like another bitch (not quite sure why, but its silly to fight it I think).

I know Spook - weird isn't it, but though he very obviously was from training kennels from other behaviours, he walked right by my side out walking, was most uninterested in the horses, and just wanted to cuddle.

MT ! Good to see you here v exciting on the lurcher front !

DS was lurchered (he asked for it and was quite happy about it)

The party passed off uneventfully with a notable absence of Smurf cock. I think; DH observed the creative process last night and he said it was more Octonaut than large erection. It looked... amateur... but tasted good and the kids liked it. I'll put up a pic when I get my act together.

OTOH, Billy was banned from the kitchen while the icing was happening as it was just too risky and took his revenge by pissing in the dishwasher while we were all in bed. It was clean, I'd left it open, he'd not had free access to the garden during the evening (which he usually does) and we came upon the scene of crime this morning at breakfast. WTF is has happened to my dog? I think the vet did a naughty transplant while he was in the hospital. He's in for his booster jabs tomo at the vet so I might ask them to do a little once over as this behaviour is so odd!

Ooh, CMOT and mistlethrush new pointies are in the air! I do hope the cats are amenable CMOT as he sounds a cracker. Spook he sounds as though he really took a shine to you all. He's such a handsome boy though, he's bound to find a home soon.

If you scroll down here, you'll see Jake.
We have 3 cats - one will be fine as he is totally unfazed by dogs and sits and looks calmly at them (which confuses dogs, so he actually has a dog friend who he plays with), one distains all and seems to just not bother dogs, and the third may be the issue as I've seen her spat with dogs.

On another note, our more local rescue have just posted on FB about their new puppys - greyhound x collie. Why would anyone do that ?

What a beautiful black dog he is; here's to hoping all goes to plan!

Oh dear, Betsey. I think we need to set up a delinquent wing for Billy and Norty Minx

I'm loving the way we are accumulating a fine collection of Pratchett characters here - it's great. CMOT and Mistlethrush, so pleased you are close to finding your forever pointies. Glad you could get to the Lurcher Link event - sounds brilliant with all the lure coursing. i'd love to try ours with that.

We missed the simulated coursing - it was quite a long drive down - but worth going. We didn't particularly want DS to see all the events otherwise we could see that we would be spending all weekends trogging around the country to other lurcher events so that DS could take newdog to take part!

We really went so that we met some of the LL people - and saw any dogs there that might be suitable - and we did meet one that might be appropriate.

CMOT Jake looks lovely, fingers crossed for the cat introduction.

I'm borrowing my friends whippet today to help my cat get prepared.

Mistle, the LL gang are lovely,very helpful. We were at Little Dumpledale with a bunch of them back in June.

Well, we've had a busy morning. Took Andy to the vet - it's likely he has arthritis in his left hip and he's going back in on Thursday morning for a GA to allow for some X rays. While he's having his GA, will be having a dental as well. So with Norty Minx being spayed on Wednesday we are going to be having a pretty busy week (and Weds. is DH's Birthday).

Aww our lurcher is from LL. Her mum was left tied up in a caravan park in Wales. She probably part saluki, and would love to try coursing!

Poor old Andy. How old is he now?

The coursing sounds amazing. Not much of that in East London but we should cast around out to Essex I think - may be some out there!

hi
my baby is 8 ish year old rescue since around age 2
lurcher with saluki we think
x

Evenin folks!

Welcome Smells, your lurcher sounds lovely, what colour is s/he?

Poor Andy, has he been hobbling around Scuttle? Sprocket says he would send him a manly punch on the shoulder but thinks it wouldn't be appropriate in this situation so just sends him some brotherly love and a gentle manly hug. Has Norty Minx been up to any mischief recently?

Betsey Norty Billy! What did the vet say about it? Hope DS1 enjoyed his party, the cake looked awesome

It's been a quiet day here at Butter Towers. Tomorrow is Norty Minx's big day - finally time for her spay. Although she needs it, I'm having butterflies for her.

Our wounded warrior (he's 8, Betsey) is still hobbling around. His big day is on Thursday when he has his GA for his X rays. He thanks his brother for his fraternal greetings. We are both so worried about him - he is not himself at the moment and doesn't have that naughty twinkle in his eye. We'll be feeling like we are running a MASH hospital for greyhounds I think by Friday!

And tomorrow is DH's birthday. Annoyingly, Amazon haven't been their usual speedy selves and the two things I ordered haven't yet arrived . And it won't be a very exciting evening since poor Minx will be all woozy from her GA. Still, it will be lovely to have him home for a change, and he's booked an evening in a restaurant the weekend after next which will be a sort of joint birthday/wedding anniversary celebration.

Can people keep an ear to the ground for me for possible lurcher rescue dogs - well actually just one bitch? Getting homechecked tomorrow night - but Lurcher Link might not have anything appropriate on their books (don't know that, but combination of 7yo plus wanting just one)...

Aww, good luck tomorrow and Thursday Scuttle. I'm sure they'll both be just fine. That meal out sounds exciting - always nice to spread the big day. Tomorrow is DS1's actual birthday too! We will be celebrating with a gigantic after school fry up - Billy will be pleased!

Spook the vet gave him the once over and says he's all OK. I'm wondering if, since I've started at university and he's had a bit of a change in routine it might be unsettling him a bit; my DM has been coming to look after the DSs and DH has been walking him a bit more so it could be that. We've also been quite strict about portion sizes for him over the last couple of months too as he'd definitely been getting a bit larger and, with his arthriticky hips that's a big no no.

Welcome smells. And mistlethrush the RGT branch we adopted Billy from occasionally has lurchers/salukis/Xs in from pounds, as do others in the area. -It's a good excuse for me to trawl rescue sites!

Oh poor Andy give him some love from me, bless him.
I hope it all goes well for Minx tomorrow, I'm sure she'll be fine and back to her usual norty tricks soon
Many happy returns for tomorrow to Mr Butter from us lot and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your parcels get delivered tomorrow!

Mistle have you looked at GRWE? It's Grund rescue west of england but they rehome all over the country and they don't just have grunds, I haven't looked recently but last time I did they actually had mainly lurchers and hardly any pure greyhounds! Worth a look? Linky here

I have an email out to GRWE, Evesham Greyhound rescue, and one down in Kent (there on hols next week). And of course Lurcher LInk

Needs to be a snuggly dog - but plenty of play - and we're expecting to do a decent amount of walking - 3 times a day with a longer one at lunchtime.

We don't have a cat (phew) but do have ds (7.5) who needs a lot of exercise too! Despite the activity levels, he is remarkably good with dogs (and very keen to get involved in helping with the new dog when we get her)

I've had dogs almost all of my life - and been involved with training two collie crosses, one of which had been significantly badly treated and took that with her for the rest of her life (but changed into a wonderful companion) - and our last dog had several hang-ups as she'd not been properly socialised when a puppy.

So - we've got some positives and some more problematical points.... Surely not too difficult though? [hopeful]

Scuttle, hope both the dogs are ok.

Betsey, I'm making a mental note about the dishwasher!! (Did make me laugh a bit though). Glad he's fine.

I went out yesterday and equipped myself with outdoor clothing for dog walking, including a furry hat. Dh went "where are you going - Greenland?" He can laugh all he wants.

Let him laugh Besom, he'll soon regret it when he does a dog walk in the freezing cold and he's not equipped properly
I don't know if you've thought of this but I carry a 'doggy bag', a ruck sack with the following contents-
Tonnes of poo bags
Anti bac hand wipes (for when you misjudge with the poo bag )
Squeaky toys
Collapsable bowl
Water
Spare slip lead (in case mine breaks or we come across a stray)
Tissues
Doggy first aid kit
Treats
Tbh a couple of those items probably may never be needed, I call those ones the sods law stuff because it's sods law if I need it I won't have it

Awww look what thread I just found! It's been a year tomorrow since I started it

And there began many a lost evening of Pointy Hounding. And washing up not getting done.

Ahh yes, <reminisces> much like now really tbh

That thread was even before you brought Billy home!

It was possible to lie on the sofa.
The cheese was safe.
Our dishwasher was just a dishwasher.

Hi all, I'm back again. Arrived how to find little bundle of black, whippetty wagginess at the front door waiting for me. There is not much which beats a whippet greeting when you get home - whether that's after a few hours or a few days.

Betsey

Magrat you had me a bit worried then, I went to my 'threads I'm on' page and the only bit of your post I saw was 'Hi all, I'm back again. Arrived how (home?) to find little bundle' I was thinking you were going to say a little bundle of puppies or something!
How was your trip?

Speaking of trips, my dad texted me today to ask me for my address so they could send a postcard, thought that was a bit weird, why send a postcard from the next town? Anyway, turns out they're on holiday in Cornwall! Nice of them to let me know!

Sorry, my spelling on my phone is not always so good (to say the least) - not helped by an inability to proof read.

Trip good - weather was great (20 oC). Landed and got off the plane to find it was raining. Typical.

Good tip about the doggy bag. There is some overlap there with dd equipment so I'll just add a barbie doll and a packet of mini cheddars to that list and we'll be away.

Norty Minx is recuperating very nicely. She has just eaten her first meal since her spay yesterday, though she's been nibbling pieces of chicken through the day.

Andy went to the vet today to look at his hip - the good news is that he doesn't have arthritis. Joint is showing normal wear for a dog of his age and racing history. Vet thinks it is muscular and recommends going to physiotherapy. He also had a dental so he and Sara have beautiful gleaming smiles.

Scuttle I'm so pleased Andy is ok, Sprocket says seeing as he's ok he will now send the manly punch on the shoulder
I'm very pleased Sara is recuperating too, hopefully it won't be too long before she regains her title of Norty Minx!

Do you all like my new halloween name?

Walked Sprocket past the grammar school at leaving time today, we walked past a couple of boys (yr8/9ish) and just after we'd passed them I heard one say to the other "Woah, that dog is epic! " I was very

Love the name

Cunny, I found your comment about the teenage boys so familiar. Our dogs always seem to get such a lot of attention from "tough" teenagers. I think the fact that they are fast is cool, the fact that they are not labs, spaniels or other cuddly, fluffy dogs is cool and the fact that they are not staffs, rotties etc means they are seemingly much more approachable than most in our area.

I'm looking forward to getting another - its so empty coming down to a hall with no somulant dog in it

Bit of advice please - we need to get a bit of fence improved before we get a new dog - its got a hedge growing up inside it, but the current chicken wire is not going to keep anything other than our old lady in the garden (not even DS!). Do we go the whole hog and get it done properly with deer netting, or do we pay half the amount and get sheep netting? I know we need 6'.

We saw the most lovely somewhat pointy at the weekend - he smiled and clearly noticed us looking and wanted attention - it turned out he was a wolfhound/English mastiff cross - he was pushing DS over quite easily just pushing up against him for attention! He was lovely, but I wouldn't want to had anything quite that big unless I lived in a castle! It would, however, get some serious respect from teenagers!

I have no idea on fencing. We have 6' wooden panels all around our garden. I have no idea what deer or sheep netting is.

Mistle, the wolfhound sounds gorgeous

Sheep netting wouldn't be high enough for a pointy or many dogs actually. I'd go for the deer netting. Can't imagine ours being able to scale that!

Norty Minx is very perky today. We took a gentle stroll out this morning which she loved - lots of sniffs. She's managing to get on the sofa and is currently upside down on it fast asleep, and last night she came upstairs.

She and Andy are grinning at each other to show off their lovely Hollywood smiles.

Well I have a whippy boy here at the moment - his mum has left him for a bit. He hasn't moved from the front door since she left! I have tried to tempt him to the sofa with cheese and peanut butter, but her loves her too much.

The good news is that my cat is completely unbothered and has gone back to sleep.

Whippy is now asleep on my lap. He is so gorgeous!

awwww. Sounds like a lovely boy.

Ds is beside himself with excitement about our test run tomorrow. As his Friday treat we went to the pet shop and he chose poo bags and a lead. Fingers crossed !

Yes fingers crossed for you and for Jake.

Good luck CMOT! How exciting!

Besom whippy sounds lovely, and it's good that your cat wasn't bothered at all!

Well, my friend must have the wimpiest greyhound ever in the history of wimpy grunds she started limping (the dog) and kept picking up her paw and looking up at us all miserable and pathetic, so my friend took a look, and it was a leaf. That's right, a wet leaf. Stuck to the bottom of her paw

Paws crossed here for the test drivers this weekend!

Cunny you can imagine them all sitting around and despairing at us. "She made me walk through mud. " and "She laughed because I had a leaf on my paw. It was WET TOO."

I think when I leave my laptop downstairs at night he goes online to his greyhound chat sites and bemoans my lack of understanding of his houndiness.

Cunny, this made me laugh so much I called in DH to come and read it too! And we were especially impressed by Betsey's point about a greyhound chat site. I imagine it is called "Fast Friends" and there is a lively AIBU section... Would love to read some of the posts.

I may be forced away from the PC because Mick has come in and is lying behind me looking v contented and letting out the most evil farts - I can hardly breathe. I think I may be forced to go and read in bed for a while, with DH and Norty Minx who appears to be well enough to have jumped up even though she is not meant to (I don't think she got the memo).

Hope the visits go well this weekend!

Well, the result is..... Jake is totally uninterested in the cats. Totally. So, instead of just a flying visit, he's having an overnight stay with us <squee>
DH took him for a walk while ds and I were at the stables, and he is also bored rigid by other dogs (even barking ones) and squirrels.
Right now, he's dozing in the sun by the patio doors.
Now we need to go and buy a huuuugggggeeee dog bed as we hadn't anticipated that they would offer the overnight visit !

Hello Pointy Hound people.

Could you answer a question for me please. Why do greyhounds (are they the big ones?) wear such wide collars? I often see some being walked from a local rescue and they all have a very specific design of wide collar.

Just wondering.

TIA

Hi, Exit. Greyhounds, whippets and lurchers have tiny heads proportionally and very long necks. "Normal" dog collars don't fit them very well as they can (with elegant ease) simply reverse out of them. In addition, greyhounds can go from practically comatose to 45 mph pretty much from a standing start- a narrow dog collar would place a huge amount of stress on a tiny part of the neck, and sadly has led to dogs losing their lives.

Similarly, sighthounds should NEVER be walked with those bastard extending leads - again, it's the principle of a fast, accelerating dog with pressure then on a tiny and thin lead - can lead to neck breaks or the lead snapping - neither is good.

So, you'll usually find that out on walks, sighthounds will either be wearing a traditional leather sighthound collar, or what is very popular these days, martingale collars. These are wider fabric ones, but are lined with soft satin, and have a sturdy inner core so are beautifully strong.

Around the house, many greys simply wear what is known as a tag collar (just to carry ID), and many have gorgeous tassels etc. See here for a typical taste of collars...

One of the main attractions of greyhound ownership is the collar porn.

Oooh CMOT it's going well then? I am pleased! I hope all goes well tonight, you never know, they might not bother to take him back from you

Pointy people would probably love these pups! www.dogwatchuk.com/the-p-puppies/

Squeeee!!! Gorgeous!