It's funny, but it seems once people have greyhounds, they won't have another type of dog. (Of course there's always the problem of the one just not being enough).
There are also a lot of quiet greyhound evagelists around and in fact - as my husband has found - once you start talking about greyhounds, lots of people either own them, or have a yearning to.
We'll often stop and happily talk to complete strangers just because they have a hound or two in tow!
And the owners are a fount of knowledge - we'll have detailed chats about how far they like to walk, whether the dogs get on with cats, where they were rehomed from, and how they are just the right size and shape for a dog.
We've also become compulsive greyhound spotters... it's amazing how you usually see at least the one on every long ramble.
Showing posts with label cats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cats. Show all posts
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Monday, 5 January 2009
Happy New Year
Happy New Year all and I hope you had a restful festive season.
It's certainly been very festive here with hard frosts and even snow this morning. The ground has been frozen solid the last couple of times I've walked the dogs at the local retired greyhound kennels.
The frozen ground hasn't bothered most of the hounds, but Nicky's reaction has been a delight. Dance of the sugar plum fairy springs to mind. Unfortunately, less prima ballerina, more elephant in hob nail boots. He skitters across the ice as if it's going to bite him (I guess he could have sensitive paws!).
One question that has been answered is Nicky and his reaction to cats. Kamikaze cat is still doing the rounds and we saw her the other day. I have to report the sad news (for me) that Nicky did not pass his cat test, so he will not be coming home to meet my fluffas.
In fact my normally docile Nicky became very animated when he saw the cat, growling and straining at the lead... oh dear... not a good sign. And he's barely blinked when he's encountered squirrels (I think he may just not have seen them). He is absolutely brilliant with small dogs though.
It's certainly been very festive here with hard frosts and even snow this morning. The ground has been frozen solid the last couple of times I've walked the dogs at the local retired greyhound kennels.
The frozen ground hasn't bothered most of the hounds, but Nicky's reaction has been a delight. Dance of the sugar plum fairy springs to mind. Unfortunately, less prima ballerina, more elephant in hob nail boots. He skitters across the ice as if it's going to bite him (I guess he could have sensitive paws!).
One question that has been answered is Nicky and his reaction to cats. Kamikaze cat is still doing the rounds and we saw her the other day. I have to report the sad news (for me) that Nicky did not pass his cat test, so he will not be coming home to meet my fluffas.
In fact my normally docile Nicky became very animated when he saw the cat, growling and straining at the lead... oh dear... not a good sign. And he's barely blinked when he's encountered squirrels (I think he may just not have seen them). He is absolutely brilliant with small dogs though.
Monday, 15 December 2008
Cat testing... by mistake
There was a bit of cat testing by accident at the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels today.
I was out with the first dog of the day - a shy black boy called Joe, who I hadn't walked before - and lo and behold, sitting on a woodstack, in the middle of the small field was a tortoise-shell cat. Either a very foolish, or a kamikaze, tortoise-shell cat.
I approached the woodstack with Joe, fully expecting the cat to rush off. As Joe approached he stared, the cat looked haughty, then Joe jumped out of his skin... and... hid behind my legs.
The cat continued to look haughtily at us, and Joe shook as we walked past the woodstack. He had obviously decided that the cat was a completely terrifying creature.
The next dog I took out was Joe's girlfriend, Topsy. Amazingly the cat was still in the small field. Not for long though. Topsy took one look at the cat, and decided to chase. I luckily had her on a short lead, so the cat made her escape into the undergrowth.
The next two walks were feline-free - unfortunately so with Nicky, because I'd love to see how he reacts. (If he was well-behaved around the cat the husband may allow me to foster Nicky for a few days).
Last walk of the day was daft-old Shawn. I saw the cat darting along the path a few yards ahead of us, tail in the air. Not sure Shawn noticed though - as Mr Dopey-draws didn't react at all.
I was out with the first dog of the day - a shy black boy called Joe, who I hadn't walked before - and lo and behold, sitting on a woodstack, in the middle of the small field was a tortoise-shell cat. Either a very foolish, or a kamikaze, tortoise-shell cat.
I approached the woodstack with Joe, fully expecting the cat to rush off. As Joe approached he stared, the cat looked haughty, then Joe jumped out of his skin... and... hid behind my legs.
The cat continued to look haughtily at us, and Joe shook as we walked past the woodstack. He had obviously decided that the cat was a completely terrifying creature.
The next dog I took out was Joe's girlfriend, Topsy. Amazingly the cat was still in the small field. Not for long though. Topsy took one look at the cat, and decided to chase. I luckily had her on a short lead, so the cat made her escape into the undergrowth.
The next two walks were feline-free - unfortunately so with Nicky, because I'd love to see how he reacts. (If he was well-behaved around the cat the husband may allow me to foster Nicky for a few days).
Last walk of the day was daft-old Shawn. I saw the cat darting along the path a few yards ahead of us, tail in the air. Not sure Shawn noticed though - as Mr Dopey-draws didn't react at all.
Friday, 14 November 2008
Potential homes for tough-to-place dogs
Well it was all change when I went to the local retired greyhound kennels today - two of the tougher-to-rehome dogs have gone on home trials.
As I've said many times, most greyhounds docile, gentle and quite laid back. (Check out the about greyhounds section on the RGT website).
Most walk on the lead without pulling, and some can live with cats, small dogs, and other small pets. I've seen figures which suggest somewhere between 60-90% of hounds can be trained to live with smaller animals, depending on the rescue home you talk to.
On cats in particular - apparently 1 in 10 have no chase instinct whatsoever (ie they'll either be terrified of your cat, or take no notice), and the other 5-8 in 10 can be trained to live with a cat. Check out this link.
Anyhow that leaves some that cannot be trusted with cats or other small animals at all. Perhaps understandably, people are often reticent to take these dogs on, and they are left in the kennels for months and months.
I've already mentioned Sal who was rehomed last month. Now Jay and Mark - both with strong chase instincts - have gone on home trials.
Jay, a very friendly, brindle boy is apparently doing well in his new home with three other greyhounds. Mark a sweet - but nervous and growly around large dogs - white and brindle went to his new home sporting a natty new box muzzle today.
Good luck to you both boys. I really hope I don't see you again - unless it's at one of the kennel jollies and you're back to visit.
As I've said many times, most greyhounds docile, gentle and quite laid back. (Check out the about greyhounds section on the RGT website).
Most walk on the lead without pulling, and some can live with cats, small dogs, and other small pets. I've seen figures which suggest somewhere between 60-90% of hounds can be trained to live with smaller animals, depending on the rescue home you talk to.
On cats in particular - apparently 1 in 10 have no chase instinct whatsoever (ie they'll either be terrified of your cat, or take no notice), and the other 5-8 in 10 can be trained to live with a cat. Check out this link.
Anyhow that leaves some that cannot be trusted with cats or other small animals at all. Perhaps understandably, people are often reticent to take these dogs on, and they are left in the kennels for months and months.
I've already mentioned Sal who was rehomed last month. Now Jay and Mark - both with strong chase instincts - have gone on home trials.
Jay, a very friendly, brindle boy is apparently doing well in his new home with three other greyhounds. Mark a sweet - but nervous and growly around large dogs - white and brindle went to his new home sporting a natty new box muzzle today.
Good luck to you both boys. I really hope I don't see you again - unless it's at one of the kennel jollies and you're back to visit.
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