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

[PacificDogwood]

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 [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
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.

Lovely pups - both of them :)

Here's Pigi (don't laugh nor ask :) ) to cheer you up, she was a rescue - some cruel excuse for a human (I'm feeling polite today) dumped her litter in the forest at a few weeks old :(

1st pic she's about 10 weeks and 2nd is more recent. she's 7 months now.

There's a forever pup out there for you

Aw, she's lovely
At first reading I thought her name was 'Pig' which I rather like as well - I met a dog allied 'Spinach' recently

Monty missed me yesterday afternoon - I feel oddly pleased about that [pathetic]

Aww Monty! bless him. Of course he will miss you - you were his temporary mummy. It's not pathetic I'd be proud

The rescue lady gave the litter names all starting with P - there was quite a few funny ones (being foreign too but it doesn't mean the same here as in English)
We attempted to change it when we first got her - tried similar syllable and sounding ones - Pixi was one but nope! the pup wasn't having it - so Pigi stayed.
It suits her actually because A)she's a gannet and B) she snorts like one when excited :)

Oh and I forgot to add that it amuses me too - I often mimic the farmer in the Babe movie - I'll say to her ''Come pig!'' then childishly snigger at myself simple things etc... :)

Oh Carbe thank god I'm not the only person who makes silly jokes to her dog and then sniggers at her own 'wit'.

When I'm out with her I often find myself looking round in embarrassment after I've made a childish joke hoping no one has heard me making pun to my dog.

Still at least she doesn't laugh at my jokes, that would be really scary.

Anyway, Pigi is gorgeous.

You are certainly not alone Pigs :)
I also speak for her, in a kind of deep babies voice, when I'm translating to Dh what she wants/thinks/has done He's amazed sometimes by her thoughts and desires :) :) :)

I have a feeling that if they did understand - We'd be laughed AT rather than WITH