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

GREYHOUND RESCUE
Fostering Greyhounds in the South Lake District, Cumbria

Stella

Stella arrived on Saturday 6th August 2011
Went to her new home on Friday 9th September 2011.

Stella's arrival and a brief history
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View Stella's pedigree

Stella is a small white and brindle greyhound who weighs just 20.8k. She was born on the 22nd June 2009 and is a very friendly loveable girl who enjoys playing, is house trained, travels well in the car, is fine with children and from what we know of her so far is okay with other breeds of dogs, but this we are still assessing. Stella lived in a house for eight months prior to coming here and had 9 pups on the 1st June 2011 so will be spayed during September once everything has settled down again.

Stella's Diary

6th August 2011
This afternoon Pauline collected Stella and took her back to her house where she was going to keep her overnight before bringing her to us.
7th August 2011
This afternoon Pauline and Colin brought Stella over to us so we could confirm her earmark and for us to foster until she finds her forever home.
9th September 2011
This afternoon Stella's new owner called and collected her, and after completing all the paperwork drove off with her in the back of their car to her new home where we hope she will have a long and happy life.
10th September 2011
An email arrived this evening from Stella's new owners letting us know she is a sweetheart. She has rapidly got the hang of her bed, having to be taken downstairs to her bed only once, and remained there, or waited at the bottom of the stairs overnight . They were a bit concerned that she hadn't had a wee, but when they got up at 4.40am they took her out, and she went straight away. She was hesitant to eat at first, but ate all, once she knew it was hers. She has hardly bothered about the stitches following being spayed, and the vet trip went without a problem.
Initially her breathing was rapid, which was nerves, but by mid evening she slept soundly while they sat reading. She has had the occasional whimper which they ignored.
They took her out for a walk, and were delighted with how well she responded to their "lead training". At first she seemed super sensitive to any noise or movement, again a new environment and nerves, but after 15 minutes she was very calm. A big dog galloped past and she wasn't too bothered. She has met their neighbourss Beagle happily. She coped well with the early morning and much lighter traffic in the area, but it will be a long while till they subject her to the busy times, which they tend to avoid themselves.
Stella has shown little inclination in the sofas, and remained in her bed when they ate, as she can see them easily in the kitchen.
She seems to like various bed postures for her photographs - mainly stretched out, but ocassional curled up!
19th September 2011
We heard today that Stella went to the vets to have the stiches out and she didn't bat an eyelid at either that or her second injection. She continues to be a treasure, admired by all the locals and visitors. They seem to stop and chat with lots of people since walking her! She loves saying hello to other dogs, handles the less friendly and disinterested ones calmly, and has been very patient with tiny puppies who scrabble up her legs in excitement. She has the occasional sniff at people and is willing to say a quick hello, but isn't as interested. The only thing she seems to show any dislike to are cats! She hasn't chased any, but her body posture is quite different when she sees one.
Her new owners now recognise lots of different behaviours both in her and other dogs, which is very helpful. She has coped well with a trip to the supermarket, being left for increasing minutes, up to ten. She has been a bit anxious after one owner spent a day at work (although she had the other for company), but the RGT leaflet we left was helpful, and she has been far better a day later when they were out a couple of hours.
Stella walks pretty well on the lead, considering, and if its a familiar route, she is so much more settled. Having said that, we have gradually increased her exposure to people and road traffic, even the train station, all of which she takes in her stride. They haven't done much training as yet, wanting everyone to get used to each other. She certainly understands wait and leave, now pauses to wait to be told to cross the road, will release chews, toy and food bowl readliy. They are teaching her come and she is willing to try to get it right, which is delightful.
Her owner has made her a dog sofa, which she loves!

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in our garden
17th August 2011

. . . and again.

Fast asleep in her new home
9th September 2011

and again.
9th September 2011