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Pointy hounds thread! For new, old and prospective owners!

975 replies

SpaghettiTwirlerAndProud · 24/11/2011 18:46

Share stories, advice and ask for help if you need it! There are a few resident hound experts (myself not included) in the doghouse, so, feel free to share! :)

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BehindLockNumberNine · 18/04/2012 07:43

Loving the fact we are now a cushion Smile

Ok, daft question alert - where would I get a lamb's heart? Is that something the butcher would have??? (we don't have a butcher so would need to find one first....)

SpaghettiTwirlerAndProud · 18/04/2012 08:09

Our tesco sell them. I would never buy them (I only just coped with getting liver!) I just stare at them in horrified facination "But it's a heart! It actually looks like a proper heart!"

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SpaghettiTwirlerAndProud · 18/04/2012 08:09

Our tesco sell them. I would never buy them (I only just coped with getting liver!) I just stare at them in horrified facination "But it's a heart! It actually looks like a proper heart!" Blush

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SpaghettiTwirlerAndProud · 18/04/2012 08:10

Oops

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LostInWales · 18/04/2012 08:25

I got my heart from Tesco (there's got to be a country and western song in that somewhere!). I kept it in the freezer so it lasted him a while and provided a little entertainment.

SpaghettiTwirlerAndProud · 18/04/2012 11:22

I don't what to do, if anything. A friend of mines mum got a greyhound same day I got Sprocket, they dropped this other one off after they'd brought Sprocket to us, they live just round the corner from us. I saw the mum a couple of weeks ago and I've been pondering ever since. We were chatting and she made the comment "Ooh I see you walkin that dog everywhere, I should really start walking mine better, they hardly get walked now as I can't take both together as the GSD pulls and DH is always working." I've been thinking of offering to walk the grund but it's not really fair to take one without the other. But I won't be able to manage 2-3 dogs (one of which pulls) and the buggy. I could probably manage 2 grunds but I happen to know the other grund is incredibly shy and timid and possibly would be terrified of the buggy.

Should I do something or just forget it? The mum has ME aswell so I know it's hard for her sometimes.

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Scuttlebutter · 18/04/2012 14:46

I think there are a number of options, Spag. If the lady has ME, ask her to contact Cinnamon Trust - they are happy to provide dog walking volunteers who will come and walk her dogs for her. If you think she can afford it, do you know of any local teenagers who are looking for some pocket money? You could then mention this in conversation, saying "Jenny is needing some extra cash, and I know you are pushed for time, shall I give you her phone number?" type thing.

Also, if you know the greyhound rescue she rehomed via, ask her to contact them. Most greyhound rescues would be only too happy to help someone - they would rather a dog stayed in a home if it was otherwise a good home, and could well have someone living in the area who'd be willing to help walk the grunds, even if it is only once or twice a week.

It would def be wonderful of you to offer to walk the grund, say once a week. Even that would be better than nothing and will help it to gradually build up confidence.

To be honest, if this all still doesn't resolve things, then maybe she should contact the rescue and think about rehoming dog - it is profoundly unfair on the dogs not to be exercised at all, and will do nothing for the grey's confidence issues.

SpaghettiTwirlerAndProud · 18/04/2012 15:04

Same place Sprocket came from, they've had 13 returned dogs so far this year (Sprocket being one of them) so I'd hate for that to happen.

I hadn't thought of the cinnamon trust tbh, good idea! And DP has DD on a sunday when I walk Sprocket so I wouldn't have the buggy then so I could possibly take all 3 out together.

I'll have to contact her and see what she thinks.

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MagratGarlik · 18/04/2012 17:46

It's really lovely of you to help out with the dogs, spagetti. There are not enough people around these days who offer help to others when they need it.

On another subject, lurcher girl went to the vet today. She has kennel cough and has given it to whippetty. Apparently she only finished her treatment for the last bout of it a week before she came home whereas she shouldn't have had contact with another dog for at least 3 weeks after her last treatment. So now we have a £75 vet bill for antibiotics for both, which insurance won't pay out as it counts as "pre-existing" and both dogs may need more than one treatment.

On the plus side, she has already gained 1.5 kg since moving in last week Blush Smile - she's not being fed more than she was in kennels, but I suspect what she is being fed tastes a good deal better, so she's eating more.

SpaghettiTwirlerAndProud · 18/04/2012 18:02

Wow Magrat, sounds like her coming to live with you was the best thing for her! How's she settling in? Bummer about the kennel cough though, hopefully it clears up soon!

Was it one or both of your DC that were ill? How are they now?

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MissBetsyTrotwood · 18/04/2012 20:11

Gosh, Magrat, they are such a lucky pair.

Spag it's so lovely of you to think like that. My worry is that if you offer, and the owner's problems are ongoing, you will end up making it a permanent, every day arrangement. Or perhaps you'll end up with two dogs!! Walking both of them once a week would be nice though, for you and for Sprocket to have a mate to play with (if he's that kinda dog. I'm not sure Billy is!) I'd get in touch with the Cinnamon Trust but I'd also suggest she contacts the kennel. I'm sure they'd have some suggestions.

MagratGarlik · 18/04/2012 22:28

Spagetti, thanks for asking. It was just ds2 who was ill. He's on the mend now, thank goodness - it makes life very hectic to settle in a new dog, clean up vomit from a poorly child and try to hold down some semblence of a job!

Lurcher girl was so sweet though just now. DP took the two for their last walk of the night in the rain and they were stood in the entrance way waiting to be dried and she turned around and started licking whippetty dry before starting on herself. It was so lovely to see her looking after him like that.

SpaghettiTwirlerAndProud · 19/04/2012 15:38

Aww that's lovely Magrat! Bless her :)

Am annoyed with Sprocket today Angry he stole a pretty large chunk of expensive smoked cheese this morning (my last bit!), I let him out for the toilet a bit later on and he decided his bit of garden wasn't right, so he bloody jumped over the fence we put up to give ourselves and DD a bit of nice dog free garden to enjoy and he went and sprayed poo all over the bark chips we have down as a play area for DD. Nowhere near pickupable. It was liquid with a load of lumps in. I rinsed it away as best I could with a watering can, the liquids gone but the lumps are still there. Oh, and this was after his hop and bad limp reappeared. So I wouldn't have thought he was up to jumping 2.5ft twice Hmm

Had a look at his paw and the sore/cut has gone but now theres a pink sore looking patch on one of his pads.

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LostInWales · 20/04/2012 08:12

Were the left over lumps undigested cheese [insult to injury emoticon]

Had a lovely walk last night with whippety, we walk on a tidal path and recently the tide has been out so he has had lots of estuary mud to jump about in (whoever told me whippets don't like to get muddy LIED), yesterday evening there was quite a high tide lapping at the path and it was apparently the most exciting thing ever. He ran and ran and jumped and ran and then mistook a bit of river for a bit of grass and jumped right in. This was brilliant fun apparently (very shallow bit, I'm not mean or dangerous), I can't wait to take him tonight Grin

Magrat how lovely, you have to stop putting things like that as I'm finding it hard enough waiting to get a friend for my puppy, he loves the company of other dogs so much. DH and I have agreed on a young rescue whippet/lurcher preferably black. In about 2 years

MissBetsyTrotwood · 20/04/2012 10:40

OMG. Just took the risk and let Billy off the lead on the Marshes (it's about 50 football pitches) as he's been so good in the enclosed dog areas. It was AMAZING. Gave him some cheese, muzzled him, let him go.

He did a couple of (large) laps and went very, very far away. About 4 football pitches away. I have to admit I was terrified by that point but figured screeching BILLY lots of times wasn't going to make him come back. It was odd, he sort of ran and ran and chased some crows and then suddenly stopped and looked for me. At which point I did call him and wave the rustly bag of cheese around like a mad thing. He came back very speedily.

I've probably almost definitely done it all wrong but it worked today. Lovely. Feel all buzzy. Smile

SpaghettiTwirlerAndProud · 20/04/2012 12:23

Oh it's lovely when they run isn't it Betsy? They just look so alive! So different from the same dog that sleeps all day. Was he really cheerful when he came back? I bet he's snoring like a good'un now! :o

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Scuttlebutter · 20/04/2012 13:55

Isn't it lovely when we all have nice things happening, like Billy hurtling round the Marshes and Lost having estuarine adventures? Smile

And I also think seeing a greyhound run is one of the most utterly, utterly joyful things I can think of - it's glorious. Smile

We saw some lovely ducklings on our walk today, all three came off for zoomies which was a nice treat and then we got hailed on!! Shock Not so good and the dogs practically towed us to the car and wouldn't even wait for the boot to fully open before jumping back in, bless them.

MissBetsyTrotwood · 20/04/2012 15:16

I knew I had to take the risk at some point but I was a bit scared tbh. I figure he's got a tag collar, he's chipped, he's muzzled when he runs. I've done recall in secure places so now if he does go... he goes and I've done as much as I can to make sure it doesn't happen! Seeing his pure joy at a really good run is worth the risk imo!

Lovely they all came off today Scuttle but a shame about the hail! They're not 'outdoorsy' types are they! I love the muddy whippet too Lost he sounds so playful. And you're right Spag we had about 7 mins of frantic run run run and then he was exhausted. Made for a short walk though! I was at home with a coffee by 10.30!

MagratGarlik · 20/04/2012 17:51

Really rather pleased with lurcher-girl today. Not only is she slowly getting the hang of a sit and stay, she eventually managed a down today (after a demo from whippetty and the promise of a sausage).

Hopefully we'll be walking somewhere tomorrow where whippetty can have a run off-lead, but I think it'll be sometime before lurcher-girl can come off. She's only just learning her name. She's going in the shower though this weekend, we can't stand the stink coming from her any longer...

SpaghettiTwirlerAndProud · 22/04/2012 09:07

This is a really lovely poem that is so true :)

I didn?t really want you,
I wasn?t really sure,
And I?ll admit I had my doubts,
When you 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 big chest,
To house their great big hearts.

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LostInWales · 22/04/2012 09:15

That's a lovely poem. It is truly vile weather here today so I have retired back to bed with a coffee and a whippet shaped hot water bottle, bliss Grin

Wash the stinky lurcher! I love it that my boy never smells doggy. He's moulting like mad at the moment though and does NOT like being brushed. My usual outfit of all black isn't working at all well at the moment.

MagratGarlik · 22/04/2012 11:18

Love the poem. It's so true. I wasn't really convinced by the idea of a whippet when he was first pointed out to us by the kennel staff at RSPCA - now we have two!

Lurcher girl smells much cleaner now Smile, but the idea of being dog hair free is a thing of the past, with a black whippet and a blonde brindled lurcher.

asmuchasapeasbrain · 22/04/2012 19:01

Just wanted to say that the poem was lovely. We have a rescue lurcher, she's not as big as a greyhound, but a lot bigger than the small/medium dog I was supposed to pick when I went to the RSPCA. But one look from her gorgeous big brown eyes and I was lost - my DP still thinks its hilarious that I came back with such a dog and refers to her as the biggest medium-sized dog in the world. When she first walked through the door it looked like I'd brought a small deer home.

MissBetsyTrotwood · 22/04/2012 19:09

That greyhounds need that great big chest,
To house their great big hearts.

Waaaahh! So right...

SpaghettiTwirlerAndProud · 22/04/2012 20:46

New thread I mean cushion obviously :o

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