Wet, wet, wet

And now the hot weather is followed by torrential rainstorms and flood alerts. A typical British summer then.

The wet conditions cut short my walking duties yesterday, and I only managed to do three circuits with various dogs - so not much progress made on favourites again. A sweet black boy called Kevin is a strong contender, however he is already on the reserved list, so I suspect he won't be about next time I visit.

One dog that will probably not make it onto my favourites list is a tan bitch called Rosie. A better name for her would be Butch - she's big and strong and more tank than hound - and if she was human she'd either be a bouncer or a weight-lifter.

Rosie doesn't behave very well with other dogs, so she needs to be kept on a very tight lead whenever another greyhound comes into sight. (It's preferable if she doesn't see them at all).

She also has a pesky habit of jumping at least five foot into the air to try and shake the lead out of your hand - you really have to be on your guard around her.

Anyhow Rosie was my last walk of the day. I didn't expect her to be the last walk but the heavens opened about 2 minutes away from the kennels.

Now, we don't run with the greyhounds (can you accelerate from 0-40 mph in just a few steps?) but the rain was really torrential.

Should I run back? At this point dog-mountain Rosie was giving me disgusted looks and saying: "Can't you switch this weather off?"

"Run, I dare you," said Rosie. No way, thought I. Not sure it would be particularly cool to be dragged into the kennels by a charging Rosie, besides the scrages from the gravel would hurt.

I gave Rosie a hard stare and stepped up my pace - my trousers were soaked through at this point - and we got back to the kennels just before the thunder and lightning struck.

As there were other dogs in the yard Rosie had to be returned to her kennels immediately, but not before casting me a look which said: "Can't believe you didn't run, you are just such a chicken."

Nicky in love

As suspected Nicky's latest kennel mate was rehomed last week, leaving him on his own once again.

The dogs at the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels are generally kennelled in boy and girl pairs, so it wasn't too much of a surprise to find that Nicky had a new kennel mate when I visited last week - a lovely little black bitch, with a white tip to her tail, called Holly.

She had only come into the kennels the previous day, having just finished racing - she had been disqualified for distracting the other dogs while on the track. What a little tinker.

Now, the big surprise was how smitten Nicky was with her. Honestly he was acting like a teenager in love. I've never seen ANYTHING like it.

The normally quiet lad came bounding out of the kennels with a big grin on his face, and proceeded to SHOW OFF all the way round our walk - whether it was rolling on his back with all four paws in the air, crouching down in front of her and wagging his tail, or pressing his head against her head, it was clear he was besotted. (Perhaps she had the same effect on the other greyhounds while racing?)

Anyhow, I wondered whether she was coming into season. Apparently not. Must be puppy love?

Let's see whether they are still in the same kennels when I visit next week, too much attention can get a bit much for a girl, and we really don't want any more biting!

Duck!

I guess ducks look fairly strange if you've never seen one before. Frank, a handsome big black-and-white boy certainly thought so.

We'd just finished eyeballing the chickens - there's a chicken run down one side of the paddocks at the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels - which was great fun for all. Actually, the chickens were in a fairly feisty mood, so I'm not sure whether they, or Frank, won the staring competition. (Later on in the walk the chickens were standing, regimented, on a raised plank in their pen - looking for all the world as if they were guarding THEIR home from those pesky hounds).

Anyhow, turn the corner into the paddock (marsh is a better word for it at the moment) proper, and what should we see, but a pair of mallards - male and female - waddling back. Frank was mesmerised, what on earth was that with a strange gait and funny shape.

Waddle, waddle. The ducks came towards us. Frank jumped backwards, kindly landing on my toes, and then started to creep forwards. The ducks spotted him and took off quacking as they flew, which Frank found even MORE surprising.

He turned to me and looked quizzically. "Funny type of greyhound," he said, before continuing on his way.

Sweet William

I have a bit of a soft spot for William, one of the white and brindle boys who has been at the kennels for a number of months now.

I wasn't always so fond of him. The first couple of times I took him for a walk I was a complete nervous wreck. William can be a growler and a barker, and he'll growl and bark at some other male greyhounds. He's quite a big boy, so you have to make sure you hold on TIGHT.

After he's gone to the toilet he'll gouge the ground raking up piles of earth. You can tell when William's been out, because there are deep scratch marks all the way down the sprint and around the paddocks.

I think, however, that William is just a bit confused, and all he needs is someone with patience, love and understanding to bring him out of himself. (And I hope they walk through that kennel gate sometime soon).

I came to this conclusion when I noticed that William wags his tail madly at a dog while barking and growling. A mixed-up boy if I ever saw one.

I've also discovered that you can usually calm him down by stroking his head and speaking calmly to him.

If there's one thing William loves is love, cuddles and attention. So, if you can find a quiet place to wait-a-while and have some cuddles and tickles, you'll be rewarded by just about the most vigorous tail-wagging you've ever seen.

There's another thing that he loves as well, and that's treats. William likes to do something akin to kangaroo-jumping for treats - he bounces up and down on his back legs just begging for you to give him something.

How could you resist?

Shawn blots his copy book

It was another school half-term week and another case of doggy-mania at the kennels yesterday.

The yard was packed, the paddock - well the part of it that you could get to, most is still flooded - was packed, the lane was packed. You could barely move for greyhounds and walkers.

It was all a bit too much for Shawn. Since Kelly was rehomed he is sharing Missy, a cheeky - and very lively - white and brindle girl. The pair SEEM to get on very well, but I think this includes having a nice chat about how much fun being naughty is!

Recently Shawn has become a bit of a growly dog around some other males. He's actually generally pretty good, and will only growl if they try to sniff either him or his girlfriend, and I've found I can usually get him to stop if I firmly tell him NO!

Earlier on in fact he'd had a bit of a growl and I'd stopped him, told him NO and the rest of the walk had been uneventful. That was until we got back to the yard.

There was a crowd of people around the gate into the yard, and I heard some growling and barking. So, I decided to take Shawn and Missy on another loop.

BIG MISTAKE. On the way back, very close to the yard, we met Kenny. Kenny is the old man of the kennels, he takes no prisoners, and likes to have a good yell at everyone. I put both dogs on a very short lead, and walked them past Kenny. Kenny started growling and barking, Shawn reciprocated, and Missy - obviously thinking she was missing out - leapt towards Kenny. (At least I think that's what happened - it's all a bit of a blur).

"NO!!!! ENOUGH OF THAT" I yelled, dragging the dogs away. No harm done - apart from a bit of a shaken walker.

Shawn seemed to know that he'd overstepped the mark, because as soon as I sat down he buried his head into my side and demanded cuddles and tickles - he's not normally so demonstrative - and gave me a look as if to say: "But, butter wouldn't melt in my mouth." Hmm, I don't think so my boy!

Ava asks for a hug

I've walked Ava and Nobby every time I've visited the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels over the past couple of weeks, and I'm happy to report that they've really started to settle down.

Yes... they do come out of their kennel like a bullet out of a gun and ...yes... they are a bit of a handful to get out of the yard if there are a number of dogs around. But, they settle down quickly on the lead, are getting the idea of walking to heel (most of the time) and they LOVE their walks.

The longest walk I've taken them on is 40 minutes, and they showed no sign of flagging. So, I think these guys would love to go for a bit of a day out and a much longer walk... although I'm not sure that my husband would allow me to take both of them in the back of the car.

They are both becoming much bolder with me. Last week Ava decided that she wanted a hug half way round our walk. She looked at me shyly, and then, very meekly lifted her front paws, before putting them back down on the floor.

I tapped my shoulders and said: "Yes you can come up". She didn't need another invitation. My only problem was getting her back down again to carry on with the walk... she was quite happy where she was!

Meanwhile Nobby just prefers "sitting" on my lap when we are back in the yard, either by putting his front paws on my knees, or shuffling back so that his chest is resting on my thighs, and then relaxing. A perfect way to give an unsuspecting walker numb legs...

Smarter than the average hound?

I think my little Topsy might be smarter than the average hound. (Now I've posted this I'm sure she'll prove me wrong be doing something really daft - either the next time I walk her or with someone else at the kennels).

She seems really quick on the take-up. I've already written about how gentle she is when she jumps up - most of the other dogs put their full weight on you and can knock you for six when then put their paws on your chest - but she seems to know that it's best to put barely any weight on you and just lean very lightly.

This has served her well. Topsy's partner Joe is a bit of a pig when it comes to treats. He's working towards the labrador-greyhound look and will eat all his treats and anyone else's that he can get his chops on.

Topsy has learnt - within a couple of weeks - that an easy way to ensure she gets her fair share of treats is to lean gently on my left forearm while they are being handed out. This means she is high enough above Joey to be able to take the treat from me without him being able to snatch it.

Another thing she learnt very quickly was how to open the gate at the bottom of the sprint. It only requires a push, but every other dog waits for me to open it for them, which can sometimes mean a juggling of leads. Topsy doesn't even break step, and opens the gate with her nose, and strides straight through. Clever girl!

I think this means that it might be quite easy to train her... although I suspect, like other smart dogs, she might become naughty if she gets bored.

The other top dog spot is filled

I think my search for favourite dogs is complete - for the time being.

I've decided that I'm going to try and walk Joe and Topsy every time I go to the kennels. They are a lovely pair and really nice to walk together.

I've got a soft spot for Joe, because he's just such a scare-dy cat (or dog, if I was being totally accurate).

Topsy is full of life and really cheeky. However, the most endearing thing about her is the way she greets you.

Some of the dogs jump up and put their paws on your shoulders out of sheer exuberance when they first come out of their kennels. If you're not expecting it, it can knock you backwards. You quickly get to know the very exuberant dogs and you just learn to BRACE yourself.

Topsy is different. She comes out of her kennels quite quietly, fixes you with her gaze, and then, gently, hops up onto her back legs, and carefully places her front paws on you.

There she stays looking lovingly into your eyes until you remind her that a walk would be lovely and - nice as the cuddle is - we really are not going to get very far like this.

It's official: Dogs have feelings too

Scientists from Vienna have just published research, which confirms something that every dog owner already knows, that dogs have feelings too.

Apparently they are prone to all sorts of emotions including jealousy, envy and pride. Having walked dogs from the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels I'd add joy, love, laughter and mischief to that list too. (Probably all emotions at the same time in the one dog when it comes to Spark).

Fear, as well unfortunately, as we have lovely dogs like Larry who start their lives in the rehoming kennels terrified. However after months of love and kindness in kennels, a nervous dog will start to come out of himself or herself and slowly blossom.

I'm also sure that dogs can become depressed. Take Josh for instance, he's now the clown of the kennels, and a completely different character than the one that first came into the kennels.

One of the most prevailing emotions I get from the dogs at the kennels is love and affection though. There's nothing better than the first time a shy dog greets you - often by putting their front paws on your shoulders - or takes a treat from you after weeks of work trying to make them more secure. Then you really know you've made a difference, and that this hound is well on their way to a new home.

The strange case of the bites in the night time

Considering that there are 50-60 greyhounds in the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels at any one time, the dogs are generally incredibly good natured with one another.

There are some dogs like Mark, currently on home-trial, who will have a growl and bark at some other males. However, these dogs are well-known for their behaviour, and we make sure we don't bring them into the yard when there are male dogs about.

If I meet another dog while out on a walk with one of the growly dogs, I simply keep him on a short lead, make sure we pass walker to walker - so that the dogs are on the far side of one another - and speak gently to him as we pass. It usually works, but if the dog gets worked up, I just calmly walk on with him barking and growling. The other male is soon forgotten.

However, in the past week, there has been a strange spate of dogs biting their kennel-mates at night. Well, when I say a spate, there have been two incidents. It's remarkable, because it's unusual. Both pairs were long term partners, and in both the males were previously bitten by other partners.

One of the dogs involved is my favourite Nicky. He'd been bitten several times previously, but this time the worm turned and he bit his partner Becky.

Poor old Tim - a lovely bay boy - was also bitten by his long-term partner.

Two mysteries - why do these boys always seem to get bitten? One answer could be that the females are often more dominant and these guys are just a bit wimpy. Another answer that a kennel-hand gave, probably only partly tongue in cheek, is that the dogs are just really annoying.

The other mystery is why now, when the dogs have been happily kennelled together for several weeks? One theory is it could be those pesky fireworks, which are still going off around the kennels.

All the dogs have new kennel-mates so hopefully peace will once again reign.

Wonderful news: Sal gets a new home

Wonderful news! Sal, one of the long-term residents at the local retired greyhound kennels, has found a new home. She is a beautiful, friendly, blue girl, who loves tickles, cuddles and walks.

Sal, however, knows her own mind, she's very powerful, and has a very keen chase instinct.

Greyhounds are sighthounds and they have been trained to chase something that is small, furry and runs. However, different greyhounds show different levels of "interest" in small animals. Some have no interest at all, others, like Sal, will chase - and if allowed catch - anything and everything and will be very actively alert on their walks.

This meant Sal needed very experienced owners, who wouldn't mind keeping her muzzled and on the lead when she was out.

Happily, after nearly two years in kennels, Sal has just found some loving owners who will do her justice and give her a wonderful new home. Sal will be their third greyhound and, I think, more than just a little bit spoilt. Lovely girl.

Nicky goes to the park

Nicky is my current favourite. He's a darling little black boy and not much more than a puppy.

The local retired greyhound kennels have several paddock areas where dogs can spend some time outdoors when they are not being walked. One of the areas faces the tables the walkers sit at when they are waiting for their dogs.

The first time I saw Nicky he was wagging his tail so vigourously that he was shaking the mesh fence between us. I knew I would have to walk him on my next visit.

Two months later and Nicky is always the first dog I take out for a walk. He helps me unpack my rucksack when we get back and usefully points out the dog treats by sticking his nose inside. Obviously I would have forgotten all about them if he hadn't shown them to me.

However, we have just had the best treat ever. My husband had promised that we could take Nicky to the park. Not sure who was must excited - me or the dog - as this was the first time I had walked greyhounds away from the kennels.

The dog looked a little unsure when we asked him to get into the car, but soon got the idea and jumped in unaided. Nicky was so thrilled on the drive to the park, and stood with his head firmly stuck between the two front seats taking everything in. (Mental note: dog guard would be useful if we do this often).

Just a tiny hiccough when we got to the park - Nicky tried to follow me out of the front door. I rushed round to the back of the car, and he quickly realised it would be much easier to get out of the boot door.

Near the kennels Nicky sniffs for England, sometimes taking over thirty minutes to do what should be a fifteen minute walk, and I was rather worried that we wouldn't get very far with him at the park. Imagine all those wonderful new smells.

I was happily suprised. I've never seen Nicky so interested and alert. Absolutely everything was exciting. He drank in everything - obviously never imagining that such an interesting world existed outside the kennels.

He was so well behaved and happily trotted to heel - well apart from when something particularly interesting caught his attention. He skipped at squirrels, he gawped at the big lake, and he was just a little bit scared of the ducks and other dogs.

Our lovely boy didn't even complain when we got a bit lost and took him on a longer walk than we expected. Although about 10 minutes before the end of our nearly four-mile walk his head went down because he was "just sooooo tired". A quick cuddle and he assured me he'd march on. We were soon back at the car, and to show us that he now knew exactly what to do, he leapt into the back of the car, and lay down - happy and exhausted.