Or possibly two!
I posted 3/4 weeks ago about finding a breeder for a puppy, but then some very lovely ladies guided me in the direction of greyhounds and I fell in love.
But we have a cat, I think I have spoken to every place within a decent radius, some have been more helpful than others.
Yesterday I spoke to a lovely lady and we're going to view two on Friday. Chances are we will take one and I'm so excited I'm giving myself a headache 
.
So, what do I need? They're both female so neither will be massive. We're going to get a crate, do you think an XL will be the right size? She will come with muzzle, collar and lead so no need to buy them.
What about food bowls? Which are best? Beds? Which are the comfiest? Do I need a kong type toy? I'm not sure on her diet yet, but if it's kibble which is the best to go for? I'd prefer raw but I'll carry on with whatever she's on now and suits her.
Eek, one very excited household here 
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
We have a match!
GreenieGables · 25/10/2016 20:18
Thanks all.
We had our first proper dog/cat encounter this morning where the dog wasn't in the crate. Cat was sat by the front door and dog walked out the living (held by DH and muzzled). Can anyone guess who was more scared 
. Cat scarpered upstairs and dog was very alert and looking around but then ran back to the living room. Phew! Baby steps.
Today she's going for a social at my friends farm to meet her dogs. She'll stay muzzled and on the lead but I want her to be able to sniff around the other dogs without worrying about what the owners think. I know these dogs well and they won't actually be interested in her at all, but I want her to socialise properly and realise other dogs are ok!
It's definitely helping me too, Greenie, thank you! Sounds like it's all going well. Brilliant!
Thank you all again for your reassurance. This thread has definitely helped me through the last few days, and hopefully will help lamb out as well.
Cat is getting a bit braver and creeps down the stairs, then shoots back up again.
Loving the go go hamster carrying dog
We discovered today she doesn't like motorbikes or workman drills Lept in the air when a motorbike zoomed past and then kept very close to my side for the rest of the walk, she was pretty much leaning on me and walking at one point. I'm hoping that means she trusts me and knows me. She's really starting to respond now to her name and a few other commands. Loving her
Congratulations on your new hound, I'm one of the greyhound evangelists on here having been similarly persuaded last year
Your dog will have been cat tested by the RGT branch, this involves talking the dog (muzzled and on lead) into the presence of a cat and seeing their reaction. If they appear uninterested and can be easily led away then bingo! But remember, a lot of it will be how your cat reacts to the dog too.
My greyhound is a cat trainable and he has been fine with cats in the house, when I got him I had 2 cats who never came into contact with dogs and I think my now sadly departed older and fiercer cat scared the life out of him! Now I just have one very sweet little cat and they are not best buddies but are in the same room and on the same rug together all the time. I even get them standing next to each other in the kitchen with their pleading hungry faces at tea time
He still has a prey drive though, he will chase the cat if he sees her in the village and he's managed to catch a few rabbits out on country walks. He also used to chase the cat in the garden but is so used to her now he has stopped. It all just takes time.
Mine was also a very good walker straight off, led me to be confident I could walk him off lead which I do a lot now.
Vet went well, she was a star. She's in good health and no sign of fleas or any nasties. He said her thin coat is just from where she's been in kennels and the sore on her tail is also from where she's been rubbing it in kennels. The sore is fully healed it's just got no hair. He did say it was growing back though.
One thing he said was about the cat, and he was certain it wouldn't work out. He said don't even try and integrate them. So now I'm feeling a bit deflated about that. I know, and have seen it can work, but hearing it from a vet made me feel like I was doing the wrong thing and that I'm going against the professionals. He said his mother in laws greyhound killed the neighbours cat 
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I just took her for a walk and she stayed by my side the whole time, no pulling, no nothing. Just a nice walk where she listened when I told her to wait. So I think she has potential, it's just the cat 
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So pleased she is home with you.
The coat being poor , flea issue and minor cuts/grazes are all very common when they come out of kennels into their new home.
Sort yourself out with a vet appt to give her the once over and good diet plus grooming and sleeping on soft surfaces will soon have her looking like a different dog. You'll actually see a huge difference by Christmas.
YY - your large black dog wearing a muzzle will lead to mass panic out on walks but that should be no surprise as you only have to see the regular anti dog threads on AIBU to get a feel for many people's views on dogs. Just learn to find it quietly amusing.
Out on walks, just keep her walking - we follow the 30 second rule for sniffs - just enough time for a quick sniff if they are on that side and keep going. There will be plenty of time for socialising in the future - at this stage I'd concentrate on her learning to walk with you (and you with her) and keeping her focus on you.
She is finding her new routine/home tiring, she's learning the ropes but it sounds like she is doing very well.
And enjoy looking at collars!
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