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

GREYHOUND RESCUE
Fostering Greyhounds in the South Lake District, Cumbria

Kenny
(now called Benny)

Kenny arrived on Tuesday 4th October 2011
Went to his new home on Monday 14th November 2011

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

Kenny is a 10 year old blue ex-racing greyhound who has been in kennels all his life, so has come into a foster home to give him a better chance of finding his forever home. Kenny is currently being fostered with Peter, Anne, their greyhound, lurcher and collie X. He was born on the 8th August 2001, is inoculated and microchipped, walks nicely on the lead and travels well in the car.
Kenny when he arrived was in need of a dental, the nail on his front left toe was growing under and sticking into his pad and he has a toe missing from both his back feet. Having said all that he is a sweetheart, loves to be fussed and really deserves a nice forever home where he can relax and be loved.

Kenny's Diary

4th October 2011
This morning Stuart collected Kenny and brought him home ready for Peter and Anne to collect as they are going to foster him along with their greyhound, lurcher and collie X.
When Kenny arrived he met our greyhounds, had a walk on the lead around the garden to do his toilet, then came in the house where we gave him some food. This he ate well, but didn't eat it all, then went in the garden to do his toilet again.
Kenny has a thick kennel coat, which when he looses it should come a nice glossy shiny colour now he's on the greyhound food we use combined with a teaspoon of cod liver oil each morning.
When we examined him we noticed he has a toe missing from each of his back feet and it appears he is a nail and the end of a toe missing from his front left foot. His ears weren't too dirty, and they would be cleaned and his teeth, well his teeth don't look too good. It may well be they just need a good clean, but he may also need some out, which will need to be done fairly soon as he's struggling to eat dry or hard food and can't pick it up properly so is throwing it to the back of his mouth to swallow it.
We microchipped him then all sorted he went for a short walk with Peter before getting in the back of the car and going off to his new foster home, where he will stay until he finds his forever home.
5th October 2011
We received an email this evening from Peter and Anne who are fostering Kenny until he finds his forever home saying Kenny is settling well, but bless him, they discovered last night where it appears part of a toe and nail is missing on his front left foot. This isn't the case, and somehow it has turned underneath his paw The end of the nail was like a sharp needle sticking inwards, and when they went to clip the end off to make it more comfortable for him he was really good. They noticed it because he came back from his walk on 3 legs and they thought he must have a thorn or something in his pad. The redness is not blood, and looks like the colouring of the hair. They are now keeping his walking very limited and only on grass wherever possible until he goes to the vet on Monday. He was going in to be neutered, but he is having a denta and his foot sorted instead as these at the moment take priority over the neutering. His walks until then will be just enough to relieve himself and no more.
Kenny is eating and drinking well - no problems tonight when they fed all the dogs together for the first time He has no problem with Errie their collie X, but if the other two come near the crate (which he heads straight into after going outside) he has a grumble, which may be a warning to them that he is not feeling too well and he wants the security of the crate.
They heard nothing from Kenny last night who slept downstairs and he appears to be such a sweetheart who loves to be fussed As they write this email he is laying on his back with his legs in the air in his crate with the door open!
6th October 2011
Heard from Peter today that Kenny is getting on well with their dogs and managed the stairs this afternoon to sleep in their bedroom next to Prince. He managed going up the stairs fine on his own, but with his nail growing into his front pad they think they will probably have to help him down until his foot is sorted next week.
Last night he slept in the crate in the living room with the door open where many a new foster dog decides to sleep for a while. However, with him managing the stairs this afternonn they are hoping he will sleep in their bedroom with the others.
9th October 2011
Received an email from Peter and Anne letting us know that Kenny is just beginning to gain confidence and showing a cheeky side to his personality. He has discovered the comforts of the sofa and can't quite understand why the most comfy bed in the house is out of bounds. Anne was running round their bed today getting him off only for him to hobble round and jump up on the other side!! The cuddly toy that she got him is a monkey which she says is rather apt !!
10th October 2011
This morning Kenny went to the vet for a dental and to have his toe looked at. Because of the severity of the toe the vets thought it best for Kenny if it were removed. This they did and once all stitched a bandage was placed on it to keep it clean while healing. Kenny had already had 2 teeth removed in the past. This time them did a scale and polish and removed another 8, some of which were large ones that needed stitching. He came home from the vets with painkillers, anti-inflametories and antibiotics.
12th October 2011
We received a photograph of Kenny today showing how much better he is looking after his operation and he seems happier.
24th October 2011
We received an email from Peter and Anne today letting us know that since Kenny's stitches came out last Friday they have been trying to keep his paw dry as far as possible. Not easy since the plastic drip bags the vet provided won't stay on now that the bandage has been removed! However, they are certainly over the worst now and his paw has healed beautifully. It is, however, still very tender so they are gradually building the length of his walks; several short ones, rather than long ones at present. Doesn't stop him bounding up and down the stairs though. More like a two year old never mind 10+! He acts much younger than his years. He is a much happier dog all round and is really enjoying his food now that he is rid of all those rotten teeth. His character has really started to emerge now. He is quite playful and very artful! They say they will need to put some firmer boundaries in now that he is no longer an invalid!! Better walking on the lead is a must as he has a tendency to wander around, which they think is partly because he is just so inquisitive of the big outside world.
Kenny is getting to know his name now and has met many dogs of all breeds and sizes from puppies upwards. None have caused him any problems at all. He is also good with young children and just loves to be stroked by them. They have had no accidents in the house now for some time and they think the penny has now dropped as to where he needs to go! He is just a big softy who adores attention and now that his coat is sleek and glossy he is a good looking lad too! His only downside is his strong desire to shred any paper or cardboard that may be lying around! He does this so efficiently that I am sure he could be hired out to shred confidential documents! They are not sure if this is a little anxiety when he is left for short periods with the others, or whether his bedding in the kennels had been of paper as some are and he thinks it's his new bed arrived. They are now more vigilent and keep newspapers and magazines etc out of his reach!
25th October 2011
We received an email from Peter and Anne this evening letting us know that Kenny loves his bed After his last walk at
night he can't wait to run up the stairs at full pelt and into his bed in their room. He is always first there at night and always the last up in the morning.
2nd November 2011
We received an email from Peter and Anne this evening letting us know they will phone the vet and arrange an appointment for him to be neutered. They also mentioned his nails on his middle toes of his front paws are very long and nearly cross. He is not happy at all to let them touch them let alone clip them, so when they take him in for his neutering operation they will ask the vet if they can be trimmed whilst he is under anaesthetic.
9th November 2011
This morning Kenny went to the vet to be neutered and have a manicure.
13th November 2011
We received an email this evening from Peter and Anne letting us know that Kenny is totally back to normal after his operation and his wound is looking fine - he has barely taken any notice of it at all and his stitches are due out on the 19th November.
14th November 2011
This morning Kenny's new owner collected him from Peter and Anne's house and drove him to his new home where we hope

Click images for a larger view

Kenny in our garden
shortly after he arrived
4th October 2011

. . and again. . .

. . and again.

Kenny's left foot showing how
the nail is growing underneath
and digging into his pads
making it difficult for him to walk.
5th October 2011

10th October 2011
Kenny just home after having his
toe removed and his dental.

10th October 2011
Later that evening and
feeling a little better.

12th October 2011
.. and now feeling much better.

2nd November 2011
Kenny watching TV - It was
David Attenborough and
he was enthralled by it.

he will have a long and happy life.
15th November 2011
This afternoon Kenny, now re-named Benny and his new owner called in to complete all the adoption paperwork and purchase him a bright yellow hi-viz walking out coat now the dark winter nights are here. I'd not seen Benny since he went to Peter and Anne's, and what a change. He looked really well and will be feeling much happier now some of his medical issues have been resolved. His new owner is going to take him to see Ken Woodacre the next time he's in the area who will also check him over and then that is Benny fully sorted.

Out walking
15th November 2011

In the garden of his new home
27th November 2011