Update on Operation Hound

[emptyshell]

Went up to meet her at her trainers today - she's the dinkiest greyhound you'd ever meet (almost just large whippet size), going a bit grey round the muzzle, coat in a dreadful condition (as expected - she'll be stunning with a black shiny coat) but she's a real sweetie, total licker (apparently when they were testing her out with cats her response was to lick them) and the pair of 'em walked down the lane tails wagging in unison.

Just waiting for the rescue to pull her in and give her their quick once over before we can grab her now.

[DooinMeCleanin]

Yay! Lucky hound. Lucky Emptyshell. How happy

[RedwingWinter]

That's excellent!! congratulations :)

[emptyshell]

She is absolutely tiny though - she's only a smidge over collie-sized! Currently named Nancy which I have my doubts about - she doesn't look like one and I've got visions at the park (not that I'm risking offlead fun lol) of shouting "Nancy" and some big hard bloke with a staffy (or husky - the status dog choice of the discerning idiot round here) no doubt taking offence and thumping me one!

[RedwingWinter]

She sounds really sweet. I am sure you can change her name if you want to!

[GrimmaTheNome]

Oh, she sounds lovely.

[Scuttlebutter]

Well, remember Sid and Nancy - nobody thought she was sweet and girly? Most working greys, you can change their names anyway, as they won't have had much "name calling" if that makes sense.

BTW, she sounds adorable, and we WANT pictures. Very, very soon. Scuttle attempts to sound menacing... And we are still keeping everything crossed.

[MotherJack]

She sounds lovely but at the "staffitude".

[emptyshell]

Read it again - the idiots round here have long since graduated to huskies.

FFS do people have to jump on everything?

[GrimmaTheNome]

its the idiots who want 'status dogs' she was having a dig at, not the breed

[DooinMeCleanin]

People are a wee bit sensitive about the Staffy issue Empty, iirc MJ works in rescue and is probably confronted with half a billion unwanted staffys each month with only ten suitable people each month coming forward to adopt them, a situation which is not helped by their undeserved reputation, so it's understandable that she would pick up on it. Don't take it to heart. I know you didn't mean it, but newer posters could have been nodding along with the assumption that Stafford owners must be aggressive.

Your hound sounds lovely. at licking the cats. Mine is a licker too, although my cat will not allow her to lick him. She still gets quite annoyed when he jumps up out of her reach and barks at him. All she seems to want to do is follow him around sniffing his arse

I hope your lovely dog is home soon.

[MotherJack]

I don't need to read it again... you said "hard bloke with a staffy" and in saying in the same sentence that the idiots round her have moved on to huskies, it implies that only an idiot would own a Staffy previously. It perpetuates ignorance against the breed through stereotyping and they have a tough enough time as it is. Greyhounds being second to them as things stand at the moment, I believe.

I'm not jumping on it either. I just don't like assumptions about breeds (and their owners).

[MotherJack]

Exactly Dooin. Although I don't work in rescue as such, I fundraise, transport and do homechecks for various rescues.

Yes, don't take it to heart, ES... I realise it was a throwaway comment to you, but I will defend the Stafford to the end

[GrimmaTheNome]

Nah, you're using dodgy logic MJ. She didn't imply anything about staffy owners in general.

[emptyshell]

Oh sod it I'll just get the thread pulled keep every fucker's face straight.

You KNEW what I was getting at and just wanted to pick a fight.

[MotherJack]

Er, whatever, Emptyshell. I think most other people can see what I was getting at. And I think I explained it too

[DooinMeCleanin]

Nooo, don't do that. We all want to hear more about your yummy hound.

[ditavonteesed]

we do we do. so how long do you think?

[DragonAlley]

Good lord, I just took it to be a description of the kind of owner, not a character assasination of the dog. the OP didn't say "... with a viscous dog on a rope like a Staffy"

[DragonAlley]

And having recently seen how fast an accidentally-released cocker spaniel can run, no way would I let a greyhound off the lead! LOL.

[Quodlibet]

A lot of poor staffies are owned and bred by idiots initially, though, aren't they, which is why so many of them undeservedly end up in rescue. I read that as what ES was saying - not that only an idiot would own a staffy. I think we can all agree that staffies are much maligned and a wonderful choice of dog actually. I would have one in a heartbeat if I had a garden.

But more importantly, I WANT TO SEE A PICTURE OF THE HOUND!

[DooinMeCleanin]

You don't need a garden Quodlibet. I have three dogs and I only have a yard. They're happy with that. ADOPT A STAFFY!

And yes, the most important thing is photos.

[Quodlibet]

Sadly I don't even have a yard and we're still renting. My current landlord would probably let me have a dog here but I've got no idea how long we'll be here and it's incredibly difficult to find a rental that will let you have dogs in London. This is the bane of my life but got to think long-term I'm sure you'll agree. When we're somewhere more secure I'm going to be straight to Battersea.

[DooinMeCleanin]

Yes I agree. I found it hard finding rental properties with pets. When you are more secure you should adopt two, to make up for all the staffy-less time you have been forced to endure . Not at once though. Adopt and train one, then get a second and foster a third

[Quodlibet]

Tis a wise plan

[DooinMeCleanin]

Actually I have a better idea.Foster a Staffy. You'll need your LL's permission of course, but if he agrees you get a lovely, cuddly staffy and you get to help the breed and if you do find somewhere more permanant you can make your new cuddly friend permanant too. If you don't you can always tell the rescue you are no longer able to foster.