6th November 2005
When we collected Tara she was somewhat bewildered with all the other dogs around her as we picked her up at the beginning of a dog handling training day with lots of people and greyhounds milling around. We introduced her to our dogs but she gave them all a low growl - no teeth showing just a warning not to overpower her because she possibly felt frightened and vulnerable. All she wanted to do was to walk away from the dogs. She walked nicely on the lead away from the others but if we wanted her to walk towards them her answer was to slide backwards on her haunches and sit down - refusing to budge an inch.
As she was so wary of what was happening around her we put her in our car when it was time to go inside the hall and she seemed quite happy there.
Part way through the afternoon we put Thunder in the car and brought Tara out so we could introduce her to Bobby and Indi before travelling home. When we entered the hall she was very wary and was overwhelmed with all the people and dogs milling around, however, she was much happier sitting down with her back to the curtains at the side of the hall watching the others. When it was time to leave we lifted her into the car as she wouldn't jump in then tried climbing into the front seat along with us. She travelled most of the way home with her head resting on my shoulder.
Once home we showed her round the garden. She only ate part of her dinner then settled in the living room for the rest of the evening. Although with the others she kept her distance and if one came too close she gave that low growl to warn them off, which they all seemed to ignore - especially Thunder! Most of the evening she lay behind the settee and when it was time for bed we had to carry her upstairs as she refused to go. Upstairs we then had to pick her up and lift her into her bed as she refused to move away from the top of the stairs. Once in her bed she settled well and never got out once.
7th November 2005
Tara slept well, never moved all night and this morning seems a much happier dog. She ate her breakfast well and the amount of grumbling to the other dogs has been reducing by the hour. Mid morning and she was running up and down the stairs with the others and happily running and playing with the others in the garden. During her walk she walked well on the lead and by the middle of the afternoon she had really settled down. Because Thunder chewed through our seat belts yesterday we had no car to take Tara to her prospective new home her potential new owner came here, bringing with her their three greyhounds and lurcher so we could see how they all got on with each other. They all met in the garden and Tara gave a few growls as she did with ours and there were a few growls from a couple of the other dogs, which made us a little wary of them all travelling home together in the car. As a result a friend came and took Tara home in his car to keep them separated during the journey home to the Ulverston area. In the evening we received a call saying that following a few initial grumbles all seem settled.
8th November 2005
Received a call saying Tara slept all night on the chaise lounge, was getting on well with both dogs but was keeping her distance from the two elderly greyhound bitches, which we expected and this should change as she gets to know them better and visa versa. Little Tara has gone from living in a small home to a large one with a large secure garden for her to run around in and we hope she has a wonderful life with her new friends.
10th November 2005
Received a call saying Tara is settling in well and gives his new owner a lovely welcome when he comes in from work. She's been playing with the two younger dogs but still a little wary of the two older bitches but no longer grumbles whey they come near her. She has been let off the lead in a small enclosed field so she can play with the others and came back when she was called.
7th December 2005
This evening we did Tara's follow-up visit and found a very happy and relaxed dog. To say we only had her a day it took her less than a minute to work out who we were and gave us a lengthy warm welcome before settling on the living room floor by our feet so she could be stroked whilst we had a cup of coffee and a chat. This was lovely because we thought she might not remember us. A few days ago she caught one of her ears on something whilst running round the edge of a field. This required a Sunday trip to the vet for stitching and these were removed yesterday. She still sleeps on the chais-lounge and has put weight on so she isn't quite as 'ribby'. She seemed very relaxed in the company of the other dogs and apparently loves playing and running with one in particular called Jake who gets quite 'miffed' because she is much faster than him so always beats him back to the car. She also likes playing with their lurcher dog but as he is much bigger than her she becomes a little wary if he comes towards her too fast. The two elderly greyhound bitches have accepted her and her new owners think she is a beautiful, obedient and affectionate dog.
November 2006
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TARA - 5 AROUND THIS TIME