Khan- the first 12 hours

Khan’s first hours of retirement in a house were pleasant.  He and his 7 companions arrived just after 5 p.m., after traveling for approximately 20 hours.  They were all happy to get out and stretch.  Fortunately, there were plenty of volunteers on hand to help get them off the hauler and attached to leash with a human at the other end.  All was well. 

After a couple hours of microchipping, bathing, pictures, romping in the yard, and food and water, 7 dogs and their responsible humans, departed to start their retirement life, leaving Khan with us. 

River of course was snarky.  Ace was tired cause he had been with Bill at Petco for 4 hours, leaving Macho to fend for himself with this dog, that is a skinny version of Macho.

Khan is not shy.  He is just not brave.  Any sudden movement, or unusual noise sends him 20 feet away from the fearful thing.  Tail tucked and a look of panic in his eyes.  A simple gentle touch and some kind words relax him and all is well. 

I fed him last night after the people left.  He ate 2 cups of food and drank a tablespoon of water.  Then he ate the rest of Aces food and then polished off Macho's.  He would take a break between eating.   He is eerily thin, so he can gain 20 pounds.  Soon he needed to go somewhere to poo. Ace came and yelled at me, so I figured Ace wanted to go out.  I got up and the 3 boys followed me:  only Macho and Khan went out.  Macho showed Khan all the good spots for a guy to pee, and then Macho showed Kahn, Macho's favorite place to Poo.  Since it was dark, Macho waited for Khan and they came running back.  Good Macho.

Bill carried Khan up the stairs so Khan could sleep with the pack.  Eventually, after River snarked and Macho growled, Khan laid down on the bed I had shown him after he got upstairs.  At 3 this morning, all  four dogs started moving around, which woke Bill up.  He got up, carried Khan down the stairs, waited for him to finish his dog business, and then, carried him back up the stairs. Once Khan got settled, they all slept till 730 this morning.  Yay!

Ace and River bounded down the stairs this morning.  Khan stood at the top of the stairs, so I decided to see if he could come down without waking the elevator.  Sure enough, Khan let me move each of his feet, down each stair, and together we made it to the main level, which allowed him to happily trot outside with the others.

No one wants to eat this morning.  Macho and River abandoned us and went back upstairs to sleep with Dad.  Ace claimed his downstairs bed and has not ventured off of it. Khan, well, he paced, he snacked, he drank 3 cups of water, he marked, he paced, he went out and in 20 or more times, drank some more water, and finally laid down next to me and appears to be nearly asleep.I think he is waiting for Macho to tell him what is happening but Macho is still sleeping!

Kahn will not leave my side. He will stay with Bill, but he knows who has the softest heart, and 

he can wrap me around his toe.  I can't get a good body shot cause he is with me when I am moving.For those that know Macho, this is NOT Macho.

Coming Soon!

Tomorrow afternoon, around 5 the new foster dogs arrive!

I am getting a black greyhound whose racing name is PG Khan.  He is roughly 3 years old.  I looked him up on some racing greyhound website and his racing weight was 71 pounds.  This tells me he is a big guy, just the way I like them.  I believe he may be between 27 and 30 inches tall at the shoulder.  We’ll see.

PG Khan

When he retired, nearly 2 years ago, he was what is defined as a Spook.  As near as I can tell a Spook is so afraid of everything he/she rarely seeks attention, and actually shuns it.  The kennel manager tells me they worked with him for a year and a half, and he is no longer a spook.  So, we’ll see.

Ace was defined as Shy when we got him.  We couldn't pet him, when he walked by I would touch him.  Eventually he would let me pet him.  A lot of patience and love along with Oliver and Mindy, brought him out of his shell.  I am hoping that a lot of patience and love and my three dogs allow Khan to become the confident dog that lives within all of the greyhounds.

I asked the kennel manager what they did to help him, assuming they had a dog psychologist or pet psychic work with him.  She tells me that lots of attention and treats brought him around.  No outside help.  She said just give him treats and talk to him, he should be fine. Well then, he is coming to the right place.  My dogs almost live on treats!  They prefer treats over dinner, but I make them eat most of their food before they get a treat. So, free-flowing treats it will be.   I asked the kennel manager what she thought the trip in the trailer would do to him.  She said he should be ok. 

We are looking forward to having another foster dog.  He may be more challenging than Fog was.  The next blogs will be about Khan.  Here is the picture they kennel sent me of Khan, the foster dog.

They're coming!

Blaze

Foster dogs are coming.  7 no, wait 8, foster dogs are coming to Erie Shore Greyhound Adoption of Ohio on October 26.  And yes, I volunteered to foster again.  Since River doesn't like girl dogs, we are gonna get another boy.  Probably a black greyhound. Ollie was my first official greyhound, and he was black.  Macho was one of my foster dogs, a black greyhound. I sorta have a soft spot for the black dogs.  Since adopting Macho, I've had 2 other black greyhounds, one for maybe a month and one for a week. And I believe the black greyhounds are more centered, and confident  and just want to make the humans happy.  Maybe it is just what I expect out of them. They are also very attentive and need human touch.  I like that in a dog.  The other greyhounds I've had in my life that weren't/aren't black don’t seem to have the passion that a black greyhound has.

Macho

My dogs adjusted pretty well to Fog.  But he worked real hard on River.  I am not sure she will feel the same about another foster dog.  Especially a black one, she really doesn't like Macho.  But time will tell.

So I am again going through the feelings of OMG what did I get myself into, and Oh boy another dog to love and find a good forever home for.   In my heart and head, I am hoping for a big boy.  I like the big ones; I treat them like spoiled dogs. The smaller greyhounds, I treat like baby dogs.  

Since I don’t know too much about the dog I may be getting, I have posted pictures of the black dogs that have been in my life.

Olliver (Ollie)

How I started Fostering

In 2004, the e-mail from Sally, the director of Lake Erie Greyhound Rescue read, something like:

“Winnie has been diagnosed with cancer. She has been undergoing chemotherapy for 6 weeks.  Her greyhounds, Twiggy (11) and Kacey (7) have been at the vet in the kennel for 6 weeks at a cost of $1500.  Winnie is getting ready for a second round of chemo.  The vet has said the dogs can stay there again, but Winnie is hoping they be fostered while she goes through this chemo.  She has had Twiggy for 7 years and she would like to occasionally be able to see both dogs, but specifically Twiggy. They live in North Olmsted.  If anyone can foster for her, please let me know.” With tears in my eyes I read this message to Bill.  I said, can we take them? He said yes.

Twiggy

I cannot imagine what those  dogs thought while they were at the vets office kennel.  Those cages are meant for short term stays.  So I called Sally. Told her we would foster.  She was silent, then she said, ‘thank you so much.  Winnie will be delighted.”  So after a few more calls, we went to get Twiggy and Kacey.  Twiggy I learned from Winnie, was a champion and retired at the age of 5, and she and her husband got Twig about a year before he unexpectedly died.  Kacey she got to keep Twiggy company about 3 years ago.  Twiggy was a tiny previously Champaign brindle, but at the age of 11 was now gray and black, brindle.  Spunky as could be but was on Rimadyl for pain as needed.  Kacey, was a stunning boy. He had the markings of a husky, but the body of a greyhound.  He was an incredible dog.

Kacey

We arranged to keep them for at least 6 weeks with weekend visits, when Winnie felt good enough.  I talked to Winnie every week.  The 6 weeks turned into three months, with a couple of visits.  I almost had to insist they go home, but they did.  She called one day, a few months later and said she was going on vacation and could the dogs stay with me.  Of course they can.  I went to get them and when I walked in, they were very glad to see me.  Winnie said they had not greeted anyone like that in many years.  They liked what I came to call their Country home…

About 6 months later, Winnie called, another cancer.  “Can you take them?”  Of course we can.  I really don’t remember too much about them, except Kacey was a very nice dog.   But when there was snow, he was a coward.  Ollie, Kacey and Ginger would look outside and see the snow and turn around.  Twiggy, the tiny old greyhound, would go out without a coat, and put her head down in the snow and just plow through it and return.  Then the others would go out.  She was the leader of the pack; although, she let Kacey think he was.  But when he failed to lead the way she wanted, she would yell at him.  And he would hang his head and tuck his tail and scamper away.  She was an amazing dog.

Winnie died while the dogs were here.  Twiggy knew when Winnie died.  At 1038 p.m. Twiggy stood up and just started howling.  I looked at the clock, and thought ‘that is weird, she’s never done that before’.  Then I thought, uh oh.  Winnie must have passed.  The next morning, Winnie’s son called and said she died last night.  I asked what time, and he said it was around 1035. 

In one of many conversations, Winnie had told me that if she died, her son was coming from Colorado to take the dogs to Colorado with him.  He arranged for me to keep them for a couple more months until he could come back and get them.  We kept in touch for awhile.  In 2009, twiggy died.  She was 16.  Twiggy was cremated and put with Winnie’s ashes. Kacey died shortly after, he was 9.  Although I don’t remember a lot of stories, they were my first foster dogs and they hold a special place in my heart.  I  cried when they died.

Fog's Down!

I always invite my former foster dogs to come and run in the yard and to get some greyhound guidance from my dogs.  All greyhounds and their owners are welcomed, but I especially enjoy seeing my former foster dogs.

Craig said Fog was getting grumpy, so I told him to bring him over and let him run in our yard, and so he can get some greyhound guidance from River and the boys.   Fog’s yard isn’t finished yet, so he has no room to run right now. Fog came to run in the yard Thursday evening. After a few minutes, he started running, with Macho hot on his trail.  YAY! Macho hardly ever runs.  Soon, River was out running with them, which means she quickly stopped them, but they got a couple laps in!   On my deck there are 7 dog beds.  So after the run, he trotted his happy self right up onto the deck and laid down on his favorite bed.  This is not running….

 I told Bill to go get the gator.  The gator is a John Deere yard truck. (Normally, when a football player gets seriously injured they haul him off on the extended gator), we have the compact version.   For some reason, the hounds love to run with the gator. I accidentally found this out many years ago. 

Gator outside of fence

So when I am too lazy to walk the dogs, I drive the gator outside the fence, calling the dogs.  I drive it around and around and back and forth and they run around and around and back and forth and wait for me to catch up with them.  It is great fun for the dogs, they are almost gleeful, that they can chase the gator.  So, Bill drove the gator for about 10 minutes, and Fog chased it.  Then Bill stopped, Fog got a drink and he looked at Bill like, “you’re not done are you?” so Bill let Craig drive the gator.  I should note that everyone loves to drive the gator, it brings out your inner child, and Craig was no different.  Fog had a great time.  Fog paced Craig for about 5 minutes, and Fog was slowing down, so Craig  stopped.  As Craig closed the gate, Fog was waiting for him.  Fog all of a sudden let out a yelp and laid down. (OMG did we kill him?)  Bill and I looked at each other like WTH? And Bill went heading to the fence to see WTH happened.  As he is walking across the yard I said to Bill, look at his tongue. (my cocker spaniel died from a heart attack, it was tragic.  The vet said when a dogs tongue turns from pink to Black, the dog’s heart is not working).  Bill and Craig are now on the ground one on either side of Fog.  Sandy and I are standing on the deck, secretly panicking.  I holler to Bill, how is his tongue.  Bill says, it is pink! (yay) Craig and Bill are touching fogs legs, feet, back trying to find any problem.  Nothing.  No yelping, not even raising his head.  He is breathing, his eyes are normal looking.  WTH is wrong?  I want take over, but he is not mine.  I tell Sandy to take this bowl of water out there and see if he will drink.  Bill takes the water and trickles it from his fingers into Fogs mouth.  No reaction.  Then, Oops, a little too much water, like a splash in the face and he pops his head up and then starts drinking!  Again I send Sandy out to the fence with a wet towel and tell her to rub him all over with it. 

Fog loves this attention, two men sitting with him, and the new lady rubbing him all over with a cool cloth, ah, this is the life.  I see him looking like he is enjoying the pampering, and by this time, my dogs are looking for their evening treat.  So the evil foster mom, gives a treat to each of my dogs and sends them onto the deck.  Fog knows the evening routine here, and sees they are eating something, and sits a little higher, almost getting up.  I say to myself, ok, he is fine.  So I give Sandy a treat and tell her to take it to Fog.  She does, he eats it and follows her up onto the deck so he can get another.    All is well. 

Saturday, Fog came to the meet and greet and had his new collar, happily coming for some loving from me, and hanging out with River and the boys.

Our dog's dog's dog

Ok, Fog seems to be living happily ever after, and this IS a good thing.  Secretly hoping his folks adopt another dog to keep him company, they will find 2 greyhounds are nearly easier than one.  But time will tell.

I thought I would share this story.  Many of my friends have heard this story, but it is the beginning of my greyhound experience.

We adopted Oliver.  He was two. Ollie looked a lot like Macho, Black with a white chest, but Ollie was taller than Macho.  The top of Ollie’s head came to my waist. Ollie didn't know how to be an only dog, and didn't like being in the house alone, and would have nothing to do with a crate.  He would skip over baby gates, so he had full run of the house.  Ollie quickly learned how to open the doors, we had flip handles at the time.  He would hit the handle with his nose and let himself out. Fortunately, our neighbor saw this and would keep an eye on him and let him back in.  We changed the flip handles to round handles and Ollie chewed on them so much they are no longer round.  I called the rescue group, “what do I do?”,they said get another greyhound.  Ginger had just been returned after being in a home for 4 years, I said, we’ll take her.  She came in, jumped on the couch, said, this is good.  And she taught Ollie how to be a house hound.  Ginger died 6 months later.  Realizing Ollie still needed a friend, I called the rescue group.  Mindy was available, Mindy was a brindle female.  Some time I will tell you about me and Mindy.  She was my best friend.  Anyway, Mindy was two, Ollie was 3.  So we got our dog a dog. They liked each other, except, Mindy loved to play.  Ollie didn't understand the concept of play.  So while he had company and that was good for him, Mindy needed a playmate.  Another call to the rescue group, get a dog she can play with.  Ok,  She understood I needed a dog that would play, and when she told the kennel manager we wanted a boy who would play with a girl, and white and brindle, the kennel manager immediately said, “take Ace”.  So we got our dog’s dog, a dog.

Ace-now

Ace was so shy, we couldn’t even pet him and hugs were out of the question. He’d walk by and we’d reach out and pet his back.  He would wait till we were at least 20 feet away to eat.  But Ollie liked to hang out with him, and taught him that human touch is good.  Mindy loved to play with him, and he loved playing with her.  They would spin inside or outside and gallop across the yard chasing each other every day no matter what the weather.  Ace would watch Ollie and Mindy getting cuddles and petting and eventually came to expect petting and hugging.  Ace loves going to meets and greets cause he gets petted by lots of people and hugged by small children.

Mindy died in 2010 on a Monday and Ollie died on Friday, the same week.  Both had cancer, Mindy’s was a fast growing cancer, and Ollie’s was a slow growing cancer.  The vet said Ollie had to have been in a lot of pain for many months, but loved us so much he didn’t want to go. Ollie would get a hug in the hallway every morning before breakfast.  After Ollie died, Ace started standing in the hall, in the same place Ollie did, and look at me with his most beautiful soulful eyes, wanting me to hug him like I did Ollie.    Ace is now 9, and every morning he gets his hug.  He is looking for a playmate.  River is too alpha, and Macho, like Ollie doesn't understand the concept.  Our dog’s dog’ dog, now needs his own dog, but four forever dogs are too much for me! So we foster...

Fog's got a boy!

Part of the adoption process with ESGAO is the foster family speaks with the adoptive family during the weeks following the adoption, to see if there are problems or questions that the foster family can help with.
It also gives the adoptive family someone to share their dog stories with, so their friends don't have to get sick of hearing the stories.
So I called Fogs' adoptive family and they relayed this story.  I may have some of the details wrong, but it is a cute story nonetheless...
Friday night, Sandy's 18 years old son came home from work and finally met Fog.  They enjoyed meeting each other, and life went on.  Later,  Fog went upstairs and found the son in his room, sitting on his bed.  Fog put his nose on the bed, thud, and looked at son. When greyhounds want attention and you are somewhere they can't get to you, they use their heads to bang to make where you are, move so you pay attention. Soon, Fog decided he needed more attention and looked at son, (no one said no), and ventured to put one paw on the bed, and paused.  No one said no, so the other front paw went onto the bed.  Pause, and then, the rest of the dog got onto the bed!  (He never ever even tried to get on the furniture here, and my dogs don't get on the furniture.)  By this time, Mom is seeing what the dog is doing, and Fog, goes and curls up right next to the son on his bed, puts his head on the sons leg and looks at mom.  Son knows Fog is not allowed on the furniture, but he gives mom the look, "can't he stay here???" Mom agrees to let Fog stay on the bed, but only the sons bed, no other furniture.
Everyone went to their designated sleeping spot until morning. In the morning, they took Fog outside and he had breakfast.  Then, he went upstairs and started scratching at the sons door.  The son was not up.  They let Fog into the sons room and Fog leaped onto the sons bed, and stood over the son, wagging like crazy and licking him.  Son is sleeping and stunned to find big dog standing on him, wagging his tail and kissing him on the face.  Mom said, well, you needed to get up, I guess we've found a new alarm!

I have no new pictures to share, but this is Fog sleeping after he got here.