Rescued greyhounds and lurchers make lovely, gentle pets

20th August 2004
When we got Jack home last night we did his initial toileting tour, tour of the house and fed him, which he wolfed down in about three seconds. We then took him for a walk and when we got back we bathed him, after which, he looked much better. He was very excited in the house to begin with, wanting to look everywhere and wasn't interested in sitting down. We thought he was going to wear us out so we put him on the lead for an hour or so, which settled him on the kitchen floor next to Indi whilst we were preparing tea. He later settled in the living room on the rug and looked as if he'd been doing it for years. Stairs are no problem for him as he just took them in his stride but it took us a while to settle him in his bed. It was as if he was on elastic because as soon as he settled and we moved away he was up and following. He got the message in the end and slept soundly till 7am, which was a good start.
22nd August 2004
Went for a walk along Sandside Salt marshes this afternoon where there were a lot of sheep grazing. Jack walked on his lead nicely and showed no interest in them. We then went for something to eat in a pub where he was very interested in the arrival of our food but when told, he sat in the garden quietly by the side of our table whilst we ate.
24th August 2004
We've had Jack just 5 days and he's settled in beautifully. He's beginning to recognise his name. His coat is more shiny and he's 'filled out' because of the extra food we've been giving him. After one accident during the night, which is probably due to a change of diet he now appears to be house trained. He travels well in the car. Doesn't mind being handled. Seems very relaxed in the house, Been in the pub a couple of times where he enjoyed the attention but was a little reluctant to sit down with all the people around him and at times had a little whimper, which we think is insecurity and will hopefully disappear once he gets used to visiting different places. The first two evenings he needed showing to his bed each night but since then after he's been in the garden for the last time he just goes straight to his bed and settles for the night. He comes in to see us each morning with Indi and brings a lovely greeting. We haven't yet left him on his own with the other two dogs but when one of us leaves the house he give us a wonderful welcome on our return, which includes huge tail wags and grins - yes he's a 'smiler' which looks as if he's growling at you without any noise and its funny to see. Penny used to do it when she first arrived. He now sits and waits for his food with the other two and after eating his he no longer tries to get the other's (although I think he would if he thought we weren't watching him). His pace of eating has slowed down a bit (I have never seen a dog eat it's food like he did that first night) and will probably slow down further once he realises it's his and no one else will eat it. He walks well on a lead, has started to play, will wander freely round the garden, run in the field with the others, enjoys his daily walks and likewise his dried pigs ear he gets each afternoon, which again he chews a bit too fast - but then that's Jack's - at the moment!
28th August 2004
Jack is slowly adjusting to his new diet and last night actually woke us up asking to go out, which were were really pleased about. He really wants to please so if he's reprimanded for anything he looks very sorry for himself then comes back later for a cuddle. His reprimands, which are few, are usually food associated because if he sees anything edible lying around he seems to think he has to eat it. He doesn't try to get food off the table when you are dining but a piece of cheese lying on the bread board, an unattended piece of toast on a plate or an open bag of maltesers are just too tempting for him at the moment. Having said that, he probably lived previously by the rule of 'the quick and the hungry' and this will disappear in time.
We introduced him to a small dog and three cats this evening - at first he just wanted to play with the dog, then just sniffed him and all was okay. Jack stood within a couple of yards of a cat on the ground, which he looked at but never pulled on the lead. The cat jumped up onto a low wall and joined the other two making them all on eye level with him. Again, he just looked, never pulled on the lead and after a while just ignored them - a good sign!
29th August 2004
Jack loves meeting new people as he is a very friendly dog. He can be very energetic and boisterous at the beginning but once made a fuss of soon settles down. He also sometimes smiles, which can look frightening to someone who doesn't know him because he looks as if he's growling but with no noise. This is not an aggressive gesture but submissive, which is the opposite. He still whimpers a little if he's in an environment he's not sure of, which we feel is still insecurity and a phase that will pass. He's been playing with us today in the garden - running and jumping around with the others. He's also been playing with his knotted rope, which he runs for when we throw it and he brings it back to have a tug of war game with you. At first he used to grab the rope and we hoped our fingers would remain intact but I think he knows our hands are not for biting as I'm sure he re-adjusts his hold if our hands are near his teeth. He loves pulling the rope with you pulling the other end. As Jack is still learning his name and other commands along with settling into our routine we sometimes struggle to get him off the settee or out of his bed to go out last thing at night. When we shake the door keys the other two know its time to go out but Jack hasn't worked this one out yet so he just looks up at you but doesn't move. However, we've found that shaking his leather collar with its metal tags on brings him running (he wears a soft collar in the house) as he thinks its time for a walk, but when he sees the other two he just follows them into the garden and does what has to be done. We left him in the house on his own today with the others for a short while and got a lovely welcome upon our return.
30th August 2004
We all went to Keswick Show today and either walked around the show ground or stayed by the Dumfries Greyhound Rescue stall where people of all ages stroked and admired him. He wore his special 'I need a home' coat and two or three families were keen to have him but they either lived too far away or would need to have a 'home check' carried out first. He wasn't sure of his surroundings at first because each time the bell went for the next horse to enter
the ring he looked up startled - We think he may have thought he was at a race meeting and the bell for the horses could have been similar to those used at races. Anyway,