Our Greyhounds & Lurchers |
Penny * |
George * |
Our Present 'Foster' Dogs looking for a new home |
Our re-homed foster dogs (Includes pictures and information since they went to their new homes) |
7 Greyhounds homed in 2008 |
21 Greyhounds homed in 2007 |
18 Greyhounds homed in 2006 |
Paddy * |
17 Greyhounds homed in 2005 |
Tina * |
3 Greyhounds homed in 2004 |
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Schmeichel (Now called Remy) |
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Schmeichel (Remy's) Diary |
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| 30th March 2005 Schmeichel was rather nervous in the car on the way home this afternoon but then it was the first time he'd been away from his mother so it was understandable. He wouldn't jump in the car to come home and when here wouldn't jump out so we lifted him. He got on well with Bobby, Indi and Jill but was a little nervous of his new home so we all stayed in the living room for an hour or so to give him time to settle. The others crashed out on the settees and before long Schmeichel followed their example and began to relax. We soon found he was a couch potato and is on the settee at every opportunity. We had to encourage him to eat his tea this evening and he wouldn't eat it all then afterwards we took him for a walk with the others. As the evening progressed he settled on the settee and began to relax. 31st March 2005 We had a problem getting Schmeichel upstairs last night. He didn't want to stay down on his own and refused to follow the others up. Nothing would entice him so in the end we put pieces of ham on the steps - he ate the ham till he couldn't reach the rest without moving his back feet off the floor. The other three were at the top of the stairs with eyes popping at the ham sitting there. However, with Stuart behind him and giving a push and my encouragement we eventually got him upstairs. It took us a while to settle him, which we expected because it was the first night away from his mother. Once he did settle he stayed in his bed till morning and today he's been much more settled. We walked him up and down the stairs a couple of times this morning to get him used to them and after that he was off - now you'd think he'd been going up and down them all his life. We kept him on the lead in the garden at first but this afternoon we let him off to eat his pig's ear on the lawn with the others. He's never had a pig's ear before and to begin with not sure how to tackle it but once he got the taste it soon began to disappear. Whilst out he came face to face with a lamb in the field next to our garden and both he and the lamb were most curious of each other - it was almost like 'well what are you' then that was that, and off he wandered. He was fascinated with the fish in the pond and a couple of times we had to stop him trying to climb into it so he probably hasn't seen a pond before and if he's not careful will quickly learn it's a place you get wet. We had one accident in the conservatory at lunch time but that was probably because we haven't yet learn't his way of telling us he wanted out. We went shopping this afternoon and all the dogs came with us. Schmeichel jumped in and out of the car this time as the others did and was fine in the car, settling well whilst we were away in the shops. He still won't eat all his food yet and this evening he was a little unsettled in the pub for a while. We took him out part way through and after that he settled better. He's met the farm and pub dogs and showed no interest. He's a really lovely dog and this evening he's a lot more settled so hopefully we will have a little more sleep tonight. 1st April 2005 Schmeichel didn't want to sleep with the others last night and settled in the corner of our bedroom, where he stayed all night without a sound. This morning he showed us he wanted out by going to the back door and whining and this afternoon he came into the office and paced the floor whining so again we let him out. He's settling in now and not crying for his mother quite so much, which is a step in the right direction. He's really, really nice and has such a lovely temperament you fall in love with him the minute you see him. He's still not eating his food as the others do but he's getting better. He enjoys a run round the garden with the others and likes his daily walks along the road and through the woods. He's a monkey for jumping on our bed but is quickly learning its not the place to be. He loves being on the settee and will get on it at every opportunity and has started lying on the floor on his back using the settee as a prop. We caught him and Jill running round the house with their toys and playing as pups do with Indi not far behind - sadly we had to put a stop to it as they were getting too boisterous and we were worried about Jill's stitches. 2nd April 2005 This morning we took Schmeichel to his potential new home where there are two cats because we wanted to see how he got on with them. We introduced him to them one at a time and both times he backed away when they hissed at him. He was curious as to what they were because he hasn't seen a cat before but he was also very cautious when near them. We kept the quieter of the two cats in the room all the time we were there to allow them to get used to each other. Schmeichel, being curious kept going up to it but the cat must have been able to see there was no anger in him and before long they were within inches of each other. The cat sat on the back of the settee |
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| all the time he was in the room and near the end of our visit we were surprised to see him climb on the settee, have a close look at the cat, which was eye level with him then lay down under where the cat was sitting and went to sleep. We were very pleased with the outcome and all being well Schmeichel will be going to live there after he's been neutered. This afternoon we drove over to see my mother then went for a walk to the Janet Foss waterfall at Malham in Yorkshire because it was such a lovely day and Stuart wanted to take photos of it. He was good in the car and this type of outing was probably a new experience for him. He was good at Mum's house and during our walk he met a lot of new people and dogs. A number of children thought he was wonderful and he loved them stroking him - and eating ice cream! This evening all the dogs had a good run round the garden with Jill because her stitches came out this morning and its been the first chance she's been able to run in the past 10 days. They all loved it and when they came in we noticed Schmeichel had a bit of a limp, which could have been caused by anything as they were all going mad in the garden. They loved it but it wasn't so good for my lawn as in now looks even more like a mud patch. 4th April 2005 This morning we took Schmeichel to the vet to be neutered and given a routine examination. The vet gave us a worming tablet for him because although we wormed him the day he arrived we spotted a round worm in some stools on Friday evening when clearing it up at the top end of the garden. We wormed all the dogs the following morning and watched each one to determine who it was - it was Schmeichel, so we asked further advise from the vet this morning. When we called to collect him from the vet this afternoon he was really pleased to see us. The operation doesn't seem to have bothered him too much other than when he's getting off the settee, which he does by putting his front feet on the floor and sliding his back end off - then we get a little cry as he slides off. Stairs are no problem either because he 'bunny hops' up them and not once has he tried licking his stitches.. 7th April 2005 Schmeichel is getting on well after his operation and his limp has disappeared. He is settling down and his true character is coming out. He loves running around the house playing with Indi, which we have to monitor carefully because of his stitches. He's a one for going in the waste paper bins to see what's of interest and he loves taking slippers to his bed. He is quite happy sleeping with the others during the day but at night he still prefers to sleep on the floor in our bedroom. He loves looking out the bedroom and conservatory windows to see what's going on and if he sees a bird walking on the lawn he now growls and barks at it. He has a really deep growl and bark, which is strange for such a young dog and usually brings Indi and Bobby running to see what's going on. Sometimes, however, he growls and barks at 'shadows' because no matter how hard we try, we can't see what he is barking at. This evening during our walk he wandered up to a farm gate to have a sniff around the grass but a sheep was standing just the other side and regarded him as being too near so she stamped her foot at him. He was quite taken a back by this and came scuttling towards us and hid behind our legs - it was quite funny! He's a really nice dog and greatly admired by people in the local pub where he now lies quite happily on the floor with the others or wanders round saying hello to people as they come in. 9th April 2005 This morning Schmeichel went to live at his new home in the Kendal area where he will be living with his owner and her son and their two cats - we hope he has a long and happy life. 16th April 2005 We called in to see Schmeichel today because his owner kindly offered her cats for 'cat testing' new dogs and we wanted to see if Jill and Squire were cat friendly. Schmeichel looked well and gave us a lovely welcome. 23rd April 2005 We saw Schmeichel this afternoon (now renamed Remy because local children kept making fun of his name!) in Carlisle City Centre as there was a DGR gathering for Carlisle Awareness Day. We received a lovely greeting from him and he enjoyed hanging around us all for the occasion. I think he had a good day and the experience would have been good for him. 1st May 2005 We saw Remy this afternoon because he came to visit us at Highgate Vets Open Day in Kendal where DGR had a stall. He looked well and gave us a lovely welcome. |
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| 28th September 2005 Remy and his new owners came to our calendar press launch at Cartmel Racecourse today and Remy took part in the short fashion show with the models. When Remy arrived he looked very happy and enjoyed his day. 30th September 2005 Remy appeared on Border TV this evening as part of a four minute slot about the calendar. 28th November 2005 Received a call this evening saying Remy won his Kennel Club bronze 'Good Citizenship Award' tonight, which is all part of his training to become a PAT (Pets As Therapy) dog. 15th December 2005 Received a call saying Remy has been limping quite badly over the past couple of weeks so he's been to the vet for a check up and x-rays. These found calciferous bone growths forming around joints on both back legs. The leg he was limping on was worse than the other but that also had some because of the way he started walking to compensate. I visited his owner and sat with her a while. When I arrived I received a lovely greeting from Remy then sat with him on the settee as he draped across my lap. As you can imagine his owner was very upset as the vet she saw made everything seem doom and gloom. He's been put on Metacam, which is a painkiller and anti-inflamitory to ease the pain and encourage him to walk correctly thus helping both legs. By the end of the evening there was a more positive outlook on the horizon as we felt it might not affect his therapy training due to his nature, in fact it may well help because the children he will be involved with will have empathy with him as he has something wrong like they may have. His owner was going to book an appointment to see a more senior vet at the practice for more information and we are also going to look into his therapy training, diet and specialists. It's very upsetting because Remy was our youngest foster dog and he has such a lovely nature. He loves children and small babies crawl all over him without him bothering - he's such a little angel. 23rd December 2005 Received a call from Remy's owner saying she has been back to the vet during the week and had a long chat with them. It's not all the doom and gloom as was initially intimated, he can stay on the Metacam as long as is necessary and his dose is being monitored and adjusted to get the correct balance for him. He is also going on special supplements, which should help to slow the growths down and help him extend his leg properly so he can put his foot on the ground without pain, however, they have advised not to let him off the lead to run as Greyhounds do but they can let him 'trot' on a long lunge lead and 'power walk' him so as to help keep his muscle tone but give other things a chance to settle down. They talked of seeing a specialist and this is something they are considering for the future should the need arise and the vet is supporting her with his therapy training work as he doesn't feel his ailment will impede it. 15th January 2006 Called in to see Remy and his owner this afternoon so we could cat test Raven and Ellie. Remy looked well, gave us a lovely welcome and after we did the cat test he settled on the settee whilst we had a coffee. He is seeing the vet again this week to monitor his dose of Metacam and supplements and the vet wants to check how well he is extending his leg now he's been on the medication a couple of weeks or so. Lets hope all goes well because he's such a cutie. 25th January 2006 CONGRATULATIONS REMY ON BECOMING A PAT (Pets as Therapy) DOG Received a call this evening to say Remy had his PAT (Pets As Therapy) assessment this morning and he passed with flying colours and is now classed as an 'assistance dog'. His assessor said he was just perfect for therapy work and because he's been having training sessions with Kevin and Kath Wilson from Bay Dog Training on and off since he went to live with his owner he needs no further training before starting work. All Remy needs now is the paperwork completing and the arrival of his new therapy coat he will wear whilst working - Remy will be working with disadvantaged children so well done Remy. |
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| persuaded him to leave well alone and we all got on with the rest of the day in peace. By evening everyone was crashed out in the living room in their rightful places as if Remy had been here weeks! His foot has settled but we are being careful, and so is Remy that no one accidentally hurts it again. 11th August 2006 Yesterday afternoon and again today we let Remy off the lead whilst walking around the nature reserve, which he thoroughly enjoyed to the dismay of the two foster dogs who wanted to join him off the lead to explore as well. 12th August 2006 Remy's short visit with us came to an end this morning and we dropped him off at his home on our way through |
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| year on the PAT association stand. The news made us so proud of him so well done Remy and well done his owners. 28th April 2007 Today we all went to Barrow in Furness for our very first Greyhound Awareness Day in the town centre and were so pleased Remy and his owner was able to join us for an hour or so. Remy was looking much better after being ill and seemed to have gained a little more weight. He was wearing his 'Pets as Therapy' coat so was in 'work mode' when he came over to say hello us so didn't jump up and greet us as he normally does. A little girl who was very wary of dogs was introduced to him and within a few minutes she was enjoying giving him a cuddle and being very relaxed in his company - good for you Remy! 2nd June 2007 HAPPY BIRTHDAY REMY - 3 TODAY 15th August 2007 Today we heard that because Remy's corn had come back he went to the vet this morning to have it removed. It's not surprising really because the original one was so large, he'd had it a long time and it would have been very difficult for the vet to remove all the roots in order to eliminate it completely. 16th August 2007 Heard today that Remy has quite a large hole in his pad following yesterday's operation and he was a bit poorly with the anaesthetic but he's feeling much better today and more his normal self. However, his owner says that from now on she is going to soak his pad in Olive Oil and should the corn come back again she will rub it down regularly with an emery board to make it more comfortable for him and thus reduce the need for another operation. We've also heard of a new laser treatment for the removal of corns that destroys the roots but its a very new thing so something we are going to look into as it sounds as if its a more permanent solution. 28th September 2007 We heard today that Remy's foot became quite infected following his operation to remove the corn last month so was on a course of antibiotics for a week. He's now fine and is having his foot bathed in Olive Oil in an attempt to keep the pad supple and to reduce the corn coming back and causing him discomfort again. Remy's owner doesn't posess a car and likes cycling so she recently purchased a dog trailer that attaches to the back of her cycle. This means they can now take him with them when they go cycling and go walking in areas away from public transport routes they couldn't do before. Remy loves the trailer and whilst in his harness is able to sit up if he wants and pop his head out the top to see where they are going. 3rd February 2008 This morning Remy and his owners collected Jazz a little brindle Greyhound who is going to become a companion for Remy because he's been quite lonely since the family cat died. 5th February 2008 I called in this afternoon with a new collar and coat for Jazz who is now being called Faith and received a lovely welcome from both her and Remy. When I sat on the settee Remy jumped up beside me and lay with his face as close as he could to mine. His owner smiled and said the look on his face was almost saying 'look, this is my foster mum and I love her' - he never moved from my side the entire time I was there. As part of his training Remy is in the process of learning sign language so he can work with children who are unable to speak. He's got about forty seven different signs to learn and at the moment is fully confident with about seven, which is an excellent start and many still in the process of being learnt. 7th March 2008 This morning I called in to collect Faith because she is sadly coming back into Rescue. With Remy being a PAT (Pets as Therapy) dog who works with young children with behavioural problems, often in his own home, his owner found that having the two Greyhounds along with everything else was a bit more than she could handle at this time and rather than exclude Faith from Remy and the children when he was working she thought it was in Faith's best interest. Both dogs gave me a wonderful welcome when I arrived and whilst having a coffee and chat Remy lay on the settee most of the time cuddling up to me. Remy's owner didn't really want to return Faith so she phoned this evening to see how she was - Remy has been miserable all day and refused to eat his food tonight so he will be getting some extra tender loving care over the next few hours and days to help him adjust to Faith not being there, especially as they slept together each night. It was such a shame - perhaps the best answer is for his owner to get another cat as Remy's companion. |
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