while he was in the garden with the others he decided he wanted the toy Jenny was playing with. He ran at her and she dropped it, then Storm their whippet wanted to play, but Louis was having none of it and grabbed him to stop him. No damage was done, but Louis, not being used to toys being around will need to learn the art of sharing!
Louis hasn't made any attempt to steal anything so far today and he doesn't appear to be as greedy, however, he gets quite excited when he sees the door to the dog food cupboard opening and insists on checking all the other dog bowls are empty of food before going into the garden to do his toilet. He's walking fine with the others and so far he seems fine whne he sees other breeds of dogs. When he sees a cat he looks at it, shows an interest, but doesn't pull or try to bolt for them.
Later we received another email letting us know that Louis pinched the chicken carcus tonight just as Pauline had finished stripping it. She had to chase him round the garden and throw water over him to make him drop it because she didn't want him to choke on it - she said he was like grease lightening!
10th June 2011
This afternoon Louis went to the vets where he was weighed, given a medical check-up and because he came with no paperwork he had his first inoculation. The vet said he needed a dental so a quotation was obtained and an appointment made to bring him in for that. The vet checked his heart, which he said was fine along with his general health. When mentioned that his stools had looked like custard since his arrival the vet said it was the change of food and richness of it, which his body couldn't handle because the balance of good and bad bacteria were no longer in the correct proportions. As a result, he was prscribed Promax to take for a few days, which will correct the balance of 'good bacteria' in his body and thus settle his stomach and bowels.
12th June 2011
We received an email from Pauline and Colin letting us know that Louis stools are now nearly the right consistency and not liquid as they were before he went to see the vet. Not quite as solid as they should be, he no longer yelps when he passes them. He also seems much more satisfied with the food he's being given because he doesn't sniff around for more when he's finished his, although he does eat at a rapid speed and sometimes brings small amounts of food back up which he eats again. They are getting there with him and now they are getting hardly any casting hair from him now when he's brushed and seems to enjoy his pampering while waiting in line with the others. He still shows an interest in the rubbish bin even though it's now on the top of the work surface! He loves playing with the ttoys in the garden and really seems to be enjoying the freedom.
14th June 2011
Received an email from Pauline and Colin today letting us know that while they were in the vets with Millie, their whippet cross they weighed Louis and found him to be 30k, so he's put a bit of weight on.
15th June 2011
We received an email this evening from Pauline and Colin letting us know they thought Louis was talking to the television when he whimpers, but they now realise he's watching the shadows on the ceiling. They realised this when he did it in the kitchen and the glass doors reflected on the rafters in the garage.
16th June 2011
We received an email from Pauline and Colin today letting us know that Louis had scrambled egg and mash with tomato sauce for tea and he cleaned the bowl.
17th June 2011
Received emails from Pauline and Colin today letting us know that Louis was a bit unsettled in the middle of the night following his dental so they gave him a little more food and he settled. This morning having had his antibiotic tablets and Metacam he had some soft cheese and soaked cornflakes for breakfast and later had more soft food that included pasta.
23rd June 2011
We received an email today from Pauline letting us know that Louis has turned a corner where food is concerned because he no longer tries to get into the other's bowls as they are being put down and he waits nicely till his name is called to get his own. He now seems satisfied with his portion and no accidents in the house for 5 days, which were not a lot anyway, just the odd one in the morning if he was up before them.
24th June 2011
We received an email today from Pauline letting us know they took the dogs to the stables today and let Louis and one of their other greyhounds called Jessie have a run together in one of the fields. Jessie was chosen because Louis often plays with her in the garden so get on well together. Both with muzzles on as they always do when more than one run together to avoid playful nips they had a good run. Pauline and Colin often run their dogs on the beach, but not Louis because they needed to see what his recall was like. He came back to them every time he was called, which is good, but it was only the first time of trying so he needs a few more tests in enclosed areas before he's ready for the beach.
26th June 2011
Louis attended a car boot sale today with Pauline, Colin and their other dogs. He met other breeds of dogs and one small one was running around him and he never bothered - just ignored it.
5th July 2011
Received an email from Pauline today letting us know that Louis was first in line to get the best seat in the van today for a trip to the beach where he ran free with the others and came back when called.
12th July 2011
We received an email this evening from Pauline and Colin letting us know that Louis is getting quite used to their car boot sale routine and happily sits with the other dogs while sales are taking place. He's not bothered about other breeds of dogs as they are wandering around and tonight a friend of theirs took Louis as she was nipping home to make up a flask so took him with her for a walk. The lady took him in her house muzzled and on the lead because she wasn't sure where her cat was. The cat was in the kitchen and as they walked in the cat came to greet them - Louis just looked. After the flask was filled they walked out the kitchen with the cat walking just behind Louis and he didnt seem bothered at all. This means he may be potentially cat friendly.
18th July 2011
Received an email this evening to say a terrier got into the garden and for no reason bit Louis on the side. Pauline has cleaned it and will see what it is like in the morning to see if it needs stitches or not.
19th July 2011
Received an email this morning letting us know that Louis wound has dried a lot and he slept in an Elizabethen collar last night. He seems happy enough so they will see how he goes today. Colin stayed up with him till the early hours then they shut him in Pauline's bedroom with her because the collar was causing havoc knocking the other dogs as they were sleeping.
25th August 2011
This afternoon the couple interested in Louis came here, completed the adoption paperwork and took Louis away with them. their mongrel was in the back half of the car and wasn't too happy about Louis jumping in with him, so Louis drove away laying on the back seat of their car. Louis and his new companion have walked with each other with no problems and we are sure this grumbling in the back of the car is just 'the pack' sorting out the order.
Louis new owners have a static caravan not far from here where they visit on a regular basis. With it being the Bank Holiday they were driving off to the caravan to spend the first few days with Louis before heading home. We wish Louis and his new family a long and happy life together.
28th January 2012
This morning we received a phone call from Louis new owners saying he was to be returned. It was difficult to make out why, but we believe it was through no fault of his own. His owners took him direct to Pauline and Colin who fostered him previously, and once the transfer paperwork was signed and his owners went to leave, Louis wanted to go with them, which was very sad to see.
7th February 2012
Pauline was a little worried about a sore spot on the inside of Louis leg, so this afternoon he saw the vet who didn't really know what it was and said to just bathe it and see if it goes away. Having phoned me we suggested she use Hibiscrub and Sudacrem.