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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

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GoofyIsACow · 07/03/2015 16:52

Oh this thread is lovely!

Keep posting PD, hope your DH is ok. When is Monty going :(

gailforce1 · 07/03/2015 17:22

BlubellDogwood - has a certain ring to it don't you think?!Wink

CarbeDiem · 07/03/2015 17:28

Oh monty, you cat loving bugger lovely boy.
So sorry OP :(
I know this doesn't help but you just weren't meant to keep him. You were needed to show him that there are lovely caring humans in this world - your job is done Flowers

rembrandtsrockchick · 07/03/2015 17:43

Bluebell and Jack would be so good together.

Original poster
PacificDogwood · 07/03/2015 18:52

Monty's just peed in my kitchen - I think he's trying to make it easier on me Grin

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Original poster
PacificDogwood · 09/03/2015 22:22

Well, I've spoking to Monty's forever owner tonight and she sound v nice - she will visit sometime this week and hand-over will be next week with somebody from the rescue present (and all my boys safely away at school/nursery, so the wailing will be kept to a minimum just me crying).

I am eyeing up some nice dogs and am visiting a rescue on Friday Grin

Watch this space….

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Original poster
PacificDogwood · 09/03/2015 22:23

spoken

What on earth is 'spoking'? Something you do with spokes??

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BoreOfWhabylon · 09/03/2015 22:40
GoofyIsACow · 09/03/2015 23:04

Ooh also watching space!

Original poster
PacificDogwood · 12/03/2015 22:23

Ok.
I am going to meet with another rescue tomorrow - they have rather a lot of dogs and a very fierce owner/founder whose reputation precedes her Grin.

Monty remains fab, keeps getting more confident and therefore cheeky - actually walks less well on the lead now because he is always off exploring or sniffing something.
Great stealer of food or what he considers food - today he ate half a kitchen roll Hmm. I wonder whether his poo will now emerge ready-wrapped?!

His future adopters will come to visit tomorrow and take him for a walk.
In other news, his rescue's head honcho will want to be present at the adoption next week to ensure he is actually cat-safe with a moving cat…. the emotional roller coaster is getting a bit much now.

He did a big poo again in the hall (much appreciated as not carpeted btw) and also ate some more plant which he then sicked up in the living room overnight; we now have 2 yellow bile stains Hmm. Any idea what I could do to help him with 'the bile'? He's done it 3 times in 3 weeks - getting restless, pacing, then eating lots of grass/green stuff and chucking it up, totally undigested. And I understand that is A Thing, but is there anything I can do to prevent it?

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Chillycamper · 13/03/2015 00:47

Oh Pacific I have been following your story and was hoping your new message would be an announcement of your doggy future.

I did wonder about the cat test. My whippets LOVE cats. They look excited when on the lead and we walk past a stationary one. So we always keep them on the lead in town etc. Once as DD dropped her bag leaving the house, they spotted a cat outside our front door which darted off down the street followed by 2 whippets barking, through a flower bed before cat got over a gate. Cat got away. Phew. whippets looked very sad the next day with sore legs from the bushes.

Their tummies have been better since we swapped from a food with lots of cereals to Burgess Sensitive Salmon which was recommended to me here. It took a while to do a gradual changeover so you may want to wait. I also think the tummy thing improved with them being here longer and being more settled so less stressed.

Good luck with the rescue.

lookingforbaubles · 13/03/2015 08:50

im de lurking to say how wonderful yours and Montys story is - it would be lovely if it wasnt quite over Wink

one of my dogs use to do the bile surprise, but i found giving them a large tablespoon of probiotic yogurt once a day seem to stop it - they have it at 10am and dance by their bowls waiting for it!

maybe not related but they love it and it helped with firming up poo!

gailforce1 · 19/03/2015 18:15

Hi Pacific, been wondering how Monty is, is he still with you? Please come back and update!

Original poster
PacificDogwood · 19/03/2015 23:24

Aw, how nice of you to ask, CMOT Thanks

Well, this is our last night with Monty Sad.
I'm about to take him outside (although I walked him for 1 hour, yes one hour last night between half 10 and half 11 and he did not perform! - he weed in the hall instead Hmm) one last time.

He did bark at a cat up a tree earlier today though….

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Original poster
PacificDogwood · 19/03/2015 23:25

Oh rubbish, I posted from the wrong page - sorry, gailforce

I was happy to be remembered.
By tomorrow there will be an actual resolution, rather than this silly toing and froing Hmm

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gailforce1 · 20/03/2015 08:34

Will be thinking of you today Pacific, lots of Brew and Cake for you today!! Have you decided what you will do now adopt or foster again?

CarbeDiem · 20/03/2015 09:08

He did bark at a cat up a tree earlier today though :)
I know it's wrong but can I secretly be happy about that ? Maybe he doesn't like cats after all

Original poster
PacificDogwood · 20/03/2015 16:05

Well, he's gone Sad

He's 'cat workable' apparently Hmm
The adoption is not completed to see how they get on over the next few days.

We'll lick our (emotional) wounds, go on holiday at Easter and then a-bloody-dopt a forever dog.
I've cleaned all his stuff and put it in the garage meantime.

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gailforce1 · 20/03/2015 17:36

What a difficult day for you Pacific so lots of Wine for you tonight! Have a fab Easter holiday and then please have a thread on here so we can follow you choosing your forever dog and your adventures with him/her.

CarbeDiem · 20/03/2015 18:02

Aww big hugs to you Pacific
It must be difficult but do remember that you and your family helped Monty so much. You've shown him that humans do care and love him, that they are kind, patient and fun - for that he'll always love and remember you all.

BoreOfWhabylon · 20/03/2015 18:23

Aww Pacific Sad

But as Carbe says, you have helped Monty toward his Forever Home.

And he has helped you and your family toward your Forever Dog. Smile

Remember, we want to hear all your fostering/adopting tales, step by step Grin

pigsDOfly · 20/03/2015 19:07

I've been following your story Pacific so sorry to hear you didn't get to keep him.

You've done a good thing though and set him up for a happy life.

Enjoy your well earned Easter holiday.

Original poster
PacificDogwood · 20/03/2015 19:51

Aw shucks, thank you, everybody ThanksSmile

We are ok.
He has gone to a very loving home and I hope him and the resident cat will learn to tolerate each other just fine. Today, at introductions, the cat was much more vocal and forceful than Monty the big wuss Grin

Yes, our forever dog it out there and fostering Monty has done what I needed it to mainly do: make DH see the error of his way wrt dog ownership. So thank you, Monty, for having been the perfect dog well, except for the chewing. And the peeing. And the pooing

Easter holidays, here we come!

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Original poster
PacificDogwood · 20/03/2015 21:50

Monty and my human-puppy Grin

Just going through photos - he was not the most patient of models...

Getting to know Monty - less than a day into our adventure as fosterers
Getting to know Monty - less than a day into our adventure as fosterers
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BoreOfWhabylon · 20/03/2015 22:41

Both pups are luffly Smile