Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Getting to know Monty - less than a day into our adventure as fosterers

106 replies

PacificDogwood · 20/02/2015 11:30

Monty arrived 5pm yesterday.
Lovely 2 yo greyhound - from what I read in his papers and due to the fact that I cannot find his tattoo online, I don't think he was ever a racer (he also does not like his muzzle and is v unhappy to go in the back of the car - again, I think that would suggest that he was not used to going to races).
Sounds like he had a neglectful rather than all out cruel owner - he was very skinny and gained 6kg in 6 weeks while in the care of the rescue and is still a slim GH!

So, good points:

  • Seems lovely natured, v placid, tolerates the kids with patience
  • No crying overnight (a couple of whimpers, but I don't count them)
  • Accepted his bed and ate and drank in our care
  • Easy to walk
  • Did a poo outside Smile[relief] at 5am, mind…
  • so far he does not seem particularly reactive to anything including people, other dogs, noises.
  • does not seem to be particularly food driving, patient when waiting for his food, takes treats even out of children's hands v nicely.

Challenges:

  • wees in the house - we've taken him out really frequently and he seems to wait until he is back in to relieve himself. DH not impressed darn, because I am so keeping Monty!
  • he wandered upstairs this morning and then could only manage the shorter flight of our stairs back down (old house, high ceilings, 6 steps to mid-landing, then 11 steps). He absolutely froze - treats did not convince him that this was a good idea. I had to lift him in the end - all 34kg of him
  • not at all happy to be in the back of the car. I lifted him in, he was the picture of misery in spite of having his blanket and treats. So I just took him back out again.

I know it's v early days, I am more than happy to be patient with him. He is currently asleep at my feet, snoring rather inelegantly Grin
I am going to use this thread as a bit of a diary - I have lurked rather a lot on previous 'pointy' threads and would of course value any hints and tips any of you might want to share.
Smile

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
HolgerDanske · 26/02/2015 07:50

This is so lovely. I've only read half the thread so far but found it so heartwarming I had to post Smile

There are foster greyhounds (and maybe one to keep) in my future, I know it. I've known it for a few years now, but have had to wait for the right time.

I am so happy that Monty is settling in well. What a clever boy.

Flowers for you

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 26/02/2015 20:08

Ah, Pacific you would've been warned about those room clearing greyhound farts on "PointyHounds" Wink

Original poster
PacificDogwood · 26/02/2015 21:35
Grin

I don't think that eye-watering bottom-burps are unique to greys…

If you want look up kayjaybones - one of Monty's mates has his own blog Grin (and he's in a photo with him)

More chewing today - he destroyed one of my brand-new books on dog behaviour HmmSadGrin

OP posts:
BoreOfWhabylon · 28/02/2015 13:39

Oh, this is so lovely to read!

(He is so going to stay with you foreverandever Grin )

Original poster
PacificDogwood · 28/02/2015 16:54

Yes, I know, Bore! Grin DH has hinted v heavily that he likes him

I would not have believed that a dog can change so much in 10 days - more confident every day (which translates in cheekiness of course, but hey ho), more playful, more interested in sniffing, better at communicating with us (as we are with him of course).

We went out today (in the car) and forgot his coat Blush - it's like learning to pack your changing bag properly when you have a new baby…. apart from giving me The Look when he had to leave the car in vile weather, he seems to have escaped his Day Out adventure unscathed. I must try harder

We stopped for coffee in a popular country pub/bar and it was just astonishing how many people with barely walking toddlers were actively encouraging their kids to pet the 'nice doggie' - he's the size of a house, they don't know him (I barely know him), he was clearly stressed in the busy environment in that he clung to DH's leg like his life depended on it and all these people kept crowding him. He behaved superbly well, but I kept thinking that even a headbutt from his bony head could really hurt a child who's shorter than him Shock.
Nobody, but nobody, spoke to us first to ask whether their child could approach him… was a big lesson for me: don't expect people to have any sense around him.

On the upside, he also socialised with some dogs who were off lead (he was on the lead and muzzled) and it was all v friendly and Very Exciting - he can leap in the air with all 4 legs at the same time like an antelope Grin

I am going to take him for a proper run off-lead in an enclosed dog area this week.

OP posts:
Swingball · 28/02/2015 17:40

How lovely, well done to you. He sounds as if he has his feet firmly under the table! I love my rescued sighthounds (one grey, one lurcher). You won't look back!

rembrandtsrockchick · 28/02/2015 20:13

What a stunningly handsome dog. The Cary Grant of the dog world.

Original poster
PacificDogwood · 01/03/2015 14:54

He may not stay with us Sad - he'll get cat-tested and if he passes, he's been promised to a family with a cat.
Even though I knew this is what I signed up for when I agreed to foster, I am gutted. I know that sadly there will always be another dog, but I luffs him.
Hope he fails. I know that's a bit mean of me, but I cannot help it.

And yy to the Cary Grant comparison - he'd suit a black bow tie and a smoking Grin

OP posts:
gailforce1 · 01/03/2015 16:21

Oh Pacific that is really hard. How do you DCs feel about him possibly leaving your family? And what about your DH?

SeaLavender · 01/03/2015 16:25

So how long have you got to give him a taste for cat? Sad

Swingball · 01/03/2015 16:48

Have you told the rescue you luffs him?

Georgethesecond · 01/03/2015 16:55

What fools. I taught my kids always always to ask before approaching a dog. If you are surrounded by idiots, I think you should teach the little ones for them - tell them always to ask.

CarbeDiem · 01/03/2015 19:49

Aww No! I've just noticed the thread and my heart just sank at your last update.

I really hope that you can keep him Pacific
don't like the cats Monty, don't hurt them but just don't like them buddy
Fingers crossed.

Yes to people being stupid allowing children to approach a dog without asking. I get this lots, my ddog is still a pup so she attracts kids but I don't trust her completely to not give them a nip out of excitement or even knock them over.

Original poster
PacificDogwood · 01/03/2015 22:17

Aw, thanks for the sympathies - I'd be gutted (as would everybody else, including DH) if Monty had to leave us but I know that is what I signed up for.

If he fails the cat test, he's ours.
DSs are all for brainwashing him with pictures of cats in the bottom of his food bowl Grin

I am really hoping that he will be horribly reactive to the cat but not kill it.
I know that's v selfish of me, the rescue has a waiting list for 'cat safe' greys as long as your arm, but, dammit, he is mine.

Sigh.

What's for you, won't go by you - or so I keep telling myself.

And yes, my kids ALL know to approach the owner before the dog - it's daft not to teach a child that IMO.

OP posts:
SinclairSpectrum · 02/03/2015 07:28

Whens the cat test??
We can all send anti-cat vibes at the appropriate time....

Swingball · 02/03/2015 08:00

Get him a cat shaped cuddly toy to 'play with'.

I hate to say this but from what you've said about him there's a fair chance he will be cat trainable so best to steel yourself for it. I've fostered and found it emotional enough even though I'd no intention of keeping. I really feel for you and will keep fingers crossed that he is a massive cat fail.

BoreOfWhabylon · 02/03/2015 09:54
Georgethesecond · 02/03/2015 19:55

Sorry - I assumed your kids would know. I meant teach the little approachers!

Original poster
PacificDogwood · 02/03/2015 20:03

Yes, in the snowy North Grin

He's just done a Ginormous Poo in the hall Shock - cow pat stylee ShockEnvy

OP posts:
Original poster
PacificDogwood · 02/03/2015 20:04

George, yes, I got that, no worries Smile

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 02/03/2015 20:23

What sort of food is he on atm?

Original poster
PacificDogwood · 02/03/2015 20:25

I'm changing over from some generic 'working dog' 19% protein one that he had in the kennels to Burns Alert Turkey and Rice. I don't know the name of the food he came with - I just got a plastic box of it. It is quite heavily oat based, I wonder whether he is missing that?
Like I said, he seems fine in himself.

OP posts:
gailforce1 · 02/03/2015 20:32

Perhaps his prospective family won't want him if he is such a chewer?
BTW I think your DSs are very inventive!!

CMOTDibbler · 02/03/2015 20:58

He could also be reacting to the turkey - I know a few pointies, including both of mine - who can't tolerate it. We use Burns pork and potato which keeps their poo in check and flatulence low

Original poster
PacificDogwood · 02/03/2015 21:05

Oh no, I've got 17kg of the stuff! Shock

I'll see what the night and tomorrow brings. Thank for the info though.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread