RGT South Lakes, Cumbria Greyhound Rescue - Retired Greyhounds make great pets

GREYHOUND RESCUE
Fostering Greyhounds in the South Lake District, Cumbria

Solo

Solo arrived on Tuesday 19th January 2010
and was adopted by ourselves.

Solo's arrival and a brief history
Click images for a larger view

Solo is a handsome ex-coursing greyhound who was born in 2006, brindle in colour and weighing about 96 lbs. Solo is a big, loveable, gentle giant who is very friendly and laid back, okay with other dogs, walks beautifully on the lead and travels well in the car.
Solo is Lester and Laila's nephew and has the look of Lester, but is not nervous and loves meeting people. When walking on the lead he walks so close to your knee, stops when you stop and starts walking again when you do - you don't even know he's there apart from when he touches your knee or hand to let you know he's close by. He has a lovely character and 's a beautiful dog.

Solo's Diary

19th January 2010

25th January 2010
Solo has been showing Indi some affection the past few days by going up to her and touching her neck and giving her a little lick.
27th January 2010
I've been having an 'I'm really missing Bobby' couple of days this week and each time I've felt low it's been Solo whose been by my side coming to give comfort. Stuart has been away with work all this week so I sent him an email this afternoon saying that I know we've had a rule of two greyhounds of our own with two foster dogs at a time but I've been really missing Bobby, Solo is like him in many ways and I really don't think I can hand him over to anyone so can we break our rule and keep him. I was expecting an email back saying I know the rule and we have to stick to it, but no, he emailed back saying yes, he agreed so Solo is going no where, he is staying with us. I was estatic and felt like the 'cat that got the cream'.
Bobby's death left a huge hole in my heart that has been refusing to heal - I really miss seeinghim and Indi walking off the lead along the back road together, in the nature reserve and running on the beaches when we used to go to Ireland. I love Sandy, and with all the issues he came with, we have resolved 95% of them, but he still has an issue with dogs that suddenly appear off the lead when we are out walking, which means we can't relax and let him off the lead to wander with Indi as Bobby did in case a dog suddenly appears because he would be off after it. This reaction isn't a good example for new foster dogs especially if they are nervous because Sandy's tension could cross over to them. We seem to have 'plateaued' with Sandy's progress at the moment and we feel the only way we can move Sandy that final step is if Cesar Milan came and helped us, which is pie in the sky! Solo from what we see of him is 'rock solid', he doesn't get anxious over things, ignores other dogs, loves people and children and walks perfectly on the lead. He is the ideal one to become a resident in a home that fosters because nothing seems to phase him. Not only that, but the way he is around Indi, the way he shows her respect, gives her a little lick every now and again I really believe they will become friends and in time it would be lovely to see them cuddle up

Click images for a larger view

Solo in our garden
21st January 2010

Solo in our garden
4th March 2010

together the way she and Bobby did. The hole that Bobby left has been finally filled with Solo's presence.
31st January 2010

Last night we took Solo in the pub where he wanted to say hello to everyone! Everyone thought he was a stunner and commented on his size. He ignored the bolchy lab until it calmed down then he had a sniff, just turned his back on the wandering terrier and the little boy, who was only just taller than Solo thought he was 'cute' and cuddled him every opportunity he could. He did us proud, 2nd time in a pub, this time it was quite busy and he took it all in his stride.
5th February 2010
This evening we took Dakota, Indi, Sandy and Solo into the pub 'early doors' where they all lay on the floor in front of the fire and went to sleep.
18th March 2010
We took Solo to the vet this afternoon for a check-up and his booster inoculation. The vet found him fit and well and he weighed in at just over 90lbs (41K). Solo took the whole experience in his stride and was interested in everything that was going on, wanted to say hello to the other dogs in the waiting room but stood by my side when asked to wait. Everyone thought him stunning and one of the nurses came over to say hello to him, which he enjoyed.

30th March 2010
This evening we all went to the pub, early doors and it was the first time Solo stay laid on the floor while Stuart went to the bar without the need to follow him. He just picked his head up, heard Stuart say 'stay there' and saw Stuart off to the bar and he lay his head back down again and went back to sleep.
6th May 2010
Solo went to the vet this morning to be neutered. He weighed in at 40.9k and an examination found him fit and well. All went well with the operation and we brought him home again around 3.30 pm, still a little subdued from the anaesthetic he slept most of the evening on a dog bed in the kitchen where I could keep an eye on him. He became a little restless around 8.00 pm so we made his some scrambled egg with bread and milk and a little complete food to satisfy his hunger. After he'd eaten he settled again.
When it was time to go to bed and all the greyhounds had been let out to do their last toilet of the night Solo became very unsettled again and from the look in his eye he was telling us he was still hungry, so I made him some more food - a little more complete food and a small amount of meat. This he wolfed down, went out to do his toilet, which was a bit loose then came in and I put a muzzle on him to reduce the risk of him licking the stiches during the night. He hated the muzzle and tried his hardest to get it off, but off it wasn't going to be so he finally settled for the night after giving me such a disgusted look.
7th May 2010
Solo slept well last night but his stitches had been bleeding a little and where it was weeping yesterday when we picked him up from the vet it had dried hard. To reduce the risk of his need to lick this area we washed it with diluted Hibiscrub, which he allowed us to do and it will probably have made him feel a bit better. He had to have the muzzle on while I did the guest rooms this morning because I was unable to supervise him. This he hated, but I touched near his stitches and told him 'leave', which he took on board and this afternoon he's not needed his muzzle on at all.

More soon .....