Tell us all about your dogs!

Dave · Enlightened One

Tell us all about your dogs!

glendy · Master

Hmmmm.....like many of Dave's versions of reality, this one needs tweaking!!

If they're YOUR gang, you can feed them!
Ruby is NOT the alpha lady in the pack, although she sometimes likes to think so.
WE didn't decide to keep George - YOU decided to keep George. That was after he'd barked at the top of his lungs through the entire event and did something unmentionable to a volunteer's arm in the van on the way there! He was mental then and he's mental now.
Wizard (also known as Big Dub) went to 3 or 4 new homes before we decided to keep him. His main failing is he wrecks the joint if he gets closed in anywhere (used to do that in our house too but not any more), he's blind, and he has a penchant for eating seatbelts at £300 a throw!
Ivor became permanent because, once we fostered him, we realised that his previous owners description had not been an exaggeration. This dog is in a permanent bad mood and if a dog could ever be described as spiteful, this is the one! Who else would be stupid enough to adopt him...?
I was frightened of Rebel when he first arrived and I wasn't helped by Denise's theory that he may have some Akita in him! He's mostly - but not all - talk. He is gradually learning some manners but mostly behaves like a bull in a china shop.
Suzy is great. She was described recently to me as Greta Garbo - 'I didn't say I want BE alone, I said I want to be LEFT alone. There's a world of difference' - Sums her up to a tee. And she has learned the aging dog trick of forgetting she's had dinner so might need fed again 3 times til she decides she's full. Still gives a pigs ear a good try.
Lucy was a lovely old lady and died with grace and dignity.
Maisie was my soul dog and I'll miss her forever. She's in heaven with the angels - giving them hell.
Gerry never gave anyone a minute's bother.
Old Brandy was a favourite of mine too. He was attacked by one of the others (who shall remain nameless) which probably brought his passing sooner than it was due. He remained full of attitude to the end.
Mark and Eddie were nice old men who could both pee for Scotland - on the floor, in their bed...
Wee Jacky I brought home from Bothwell so they didn't put her to sleep. She spent a few last happy months with us and loved the beach even though she was almost completely blind and deaf and covered in tumours. She'd have killed the cats if only she could have detected them quicker! She spent each and every night cuddled on my knee wrapped in a hand-knitted blanket given to me by one of GAL's ex volunteers. It was the only nice thing that volunteer ever did for me and Jacky loved it.

-- Edited by glendy at 15:55, 2004-12-17

Frieda · Rookie

This seems like a good day to tell you about our dogs since this is the day that we got our lovely Rueben. We already had Troi, one of the Startrekkie pups, 2 years old in September and a very lively model with a good voice on her. She really lets me know if she wants anything. We had a very old dog Poppy who died in October, aged 17. She and Troi did get on but they were not really company, the difference in their ages was too great. However, Troi is very keen on meeting other dogs so we decided she definitely needed company. We had a good look at the GAL website and somehow I felt attracted to Rueben, a crossbreed taken in by Denise and today he arrived!! He and Troi seemed to take to each other straight away and even the cats seem to have no problem with him. He is a bit sad as it is rather a big change in a dog's life but we have been for a walk together and he did his toilet and is now sitting looking out of the window. Strangely he seems to like the same place as Poppy used to sit, in the dining room and keeping an eye on the garden while I sit on the computer. He has had his tea and I even managed to give him his eyedrops. He has already figured out how to open most of the doors which is more that Troi ever managed despite being twice his size. He is absolutely adorable and I am looking forward to happy days ahead. Denise has done such a great job with him, I can't thank her enough. Rueben will look great on photographs so I will keep you all posted on his progress

ducklingpurple · Graduate

Hi all,

I have 2 beautiful boys, Buster, my 1st rescue dog. (not from GAL) He is the most gorgeous fawn and white whippet with black eyeliner. He is so delicate and bambi like. He was a wee timid mouse till we got our 2nd rescue dog, Wee Blue (from gal). Who is a greyhound, whippet X. As his name suggests he is blue and white. He has a very loving nature, but Buster has had to learn to fight for his rights!

The boys get on very well together, and love nothing more than a good run at Boden Boo, and cuddles and kisses, and petting, and toys to rip apart..........

scoobcleecook · Master

Hi all!

Thought I'd add my list to the others.....

Our current dogs are: Scooby (age 6, a GSD/lab cross, we got him from Argyll Animal Aid, our local rescue charity), Cleo (age 2, greyhound, she was one of Stars pups - Troi's her sister - and was our first GAL dog), and Cookie (aka "trumpet trousers" for reasons which are obvious, age 1, greyhound, also a GAL dog - the next time I say "Why don't we foster a dog" Gerry is going to divorce me!!! Cookie came, he stayed and he conquered!!). Dave and Glenda did a wonderful job of fostering both Cleo and Cookie before we got them - I don't think Cleo has ever forgiven us for taking her away from them!

We also have a cat (Jet, guess what colour she is?) and a goldfish ("the fish with no name", - I have a theory that every time we give our goldfish a name they pop their clogs, so this one doesn't get a name and so far has lived for a year and a half!).

And now the list of those who have gone before.... Tessie (a border collie who needed a home) was our first dog, and ruled us for 13 years), Cindy was picked up at the side of the road (she definitely had some "hound" somewhere in her background) and was 2nd in command to Tessie then rose in the ranks on her demise. We had her for 13 years. During this time we also had the lovely Connie, she never fell out with the others but quietly went about getting her own way! She was a rough collie whose people couldn't keep her so gave her to us along with a bowl, and a bag of dog food!!! She was only 9 when she died. We also have 2 late moggies (Max, 18 when he died, and Topsy, died in October this year age 18 1/2).

I think the main theme that runs through this is that we're a bunch of softies - there's obviously a sign in the village that reads "Homeless dogs this way!" Never mind, would we have it any other way????

We also have an 11 year old son - he fits in where he can!

Speak to you soon - I'll try to make the next one shorter!

Jean

greyflintstone · Master

Ok, so here are a few details about my two ....

Freddy came to us 2.5years ago. Chas said I wasn't having a dog, not a big one anyway! We had gone to Bothwell Bridge (I was very interested in a big black boy called Zyggy - if anyone out there has him, how is he doing?!). I talked to Hazel and told her how Chas wasn't very keen, and she cunningly asked him if he would hold the lead of one of the dogs whilst she had a toilet break. Five minutes later ......... CHAS was the one who said "can we have this one?"!!! His racing name was Baby Shane - don't ask me where Freddy came from, I just kind of liked the name and it stuck!!

So that was it - we had a dog, we weren't having anymore. Nope, definitely not. Well, it wouldn't hurt to look at the dogs on the site, then Glenda suggested we fill in an application form, just so that GAL had our details. Chas thought he would be awkward and said we could only have a dog that was fawn and white! Glenda came up trumps ...... just over a year ago she emailed me to say that a pure white bitch was on the scene, and that white dogs are very rare and would we be interested? We went along and met her ..... what a beauty! She jumped at Chas, left 2 muddy paw prints on his chest and he was hooked! Wilma's racing name was Border Princess and she had temporarily been given the name of Snowy. Not really liking the name, we hummed and haw-ed and eventually came up with Wilma! I think Chas feels quite conned ... there seems to be an awful lot of white dogs out there! But I wouldn't swap her for the world .... well, not every day anyway! Some days I would give her away, but what can you do?!

So that's us ... two kids, two dogs, a rabbit called Bunny, 2 fish (no names!) and a hamster called Snow White (we did have one called Twinkle, but er ... Freddy ate my hamster!). Never say never to another dog ... although we would need a bigger car (all donations gratefully accepted!).

Sharon

x

Jay · Old Hand

We met Lita in the bucketing rain at Bothwell AWC a couple of years back. She is a black 7y/o girl and was a foster dog of Dave and Glenda. As soon as we met her there was no doubt she was coming home with us! She is our alpha dog and is one of the most stubborn and strong willed greyhounds I've ever met. Gets on only with other submissive greyhounds, and really only boys! Trys to eat anything smaller then her and completly ignores anything bigger! She's fab!

Which is how we came to meet Boston, a 5 y/o big black boy. At the sponsored walk in Strathclyde Park some years ago, Boston was the only dog who Lita would tolerate. Infact it was more love at first sight! Denise being Denise, we went for a walk in the park and returned home with another member of the Lang clan! Wouldn't have had it any other way though, cos Boston is a true gentleman, a well mannored and cultured big chap and probably the only sane one in our house!

Which leads us on to Denver. He was a foster dog (then called Ben) who stayed. Denver is 3, black with white spots, (yes 3 black dogs!) still a puppy would eat anything that moves, or sits still long enough, in fact anything really, including other greyhounds! He ain't fussy!! He went to the behaviourist who, after several consultations, concluded that he is nuts. I could have told them that! That said he does have his endearing side, like the way he destroys the mail and intimidates the post man in his playful fashion, or the way he ripped the curtains yesterday as a small yorkie came past the window, or the way he shows his affection by leaving teeth marks all over the trim in the car or... Sorry, too negative! He does lie on his back and make a pleasent purring noise if you rub his belly. And he is a champion at sit and down, as he would sell his grannie for food. Shame he can't show it off as he would be to busy trying to ingest the other dogs as well...

Regards,

Jason.

-- Edited by Jay at 10:33, 2004-12-21

FAJ · Enlightened One

Well, I feel like a right wuss now - we've only got the one!

We met Pearly, our greyhound, up at GAL in Fife, where we used to walk the dogs at the weekend. She caught our eye as she was always friendly and responsive and keen to sniff our pockets for the treats that she knew were there! She was a bit bonkers up at the kennels, barking her head off and bouncing whenever she saw visitors. Which just made us love her all the more! We took her home in May 2005 and she just gets better and better. Though she's been in the wars recently, with a poorly tail that at one point was looking like it was going to be lopped off. (We're honestly taking good care of her, GAL, honest!).

Her most favourite things are comfy thick duvets, any sort of chewy treat, peanut butter, having her tummy tickled, sniffing in the long grass, squeaky toys, cooked chicken, sardines on her dinner, running round the garden like a loon and - what else, seeing as she's a greyhound? - having a darn fine snooze.

Her racing name was "Bunch of Pearls", with 12 recorded races - quite a few of which she won (we found out that she has a brother that is still racing down at Yarmouth). We don't know why she was retired but we're guessing that it has something to do with the lameness in her right front leg that she experiences after she's been running. The vet says it's early-stage arthritis, so we're keeping an eye on things. Not that it stops her at all!

And her claim to fame is that she won the "Prettiest sighthound Bitch" at the GALa 2004.

Fiona

bluesmumanddad · Master

Hi

We have one wonderful greyhoud called blue. He is a big softy and all the ladies love him (human or canine!).

We didn't get him from Gal but from the Edinburgh dog and cat home. He was the only dog not barking and scaring our 2 children. After meeting him it was love and we had to have him.

From day 1 he has been a treasure with the children. Very gentle and protective .

On his first walk we met another greyhound owner who told us all about the wondful work gal does. As soon as I got home I went onto the website and did a double take when I saw another greyhound called Blue that looked alot like ours!

The only problems that we have is that he was a stray and was quite adept at scavenging and it appears that old habits die hard - for example we came down one morning to find he'd snaffled an entire 1 KG bag of uncooked Basmati rice. He was like a machine gun that morning...

And he ate a tray full of mince pies just out of the oven, I didn't even have chance to get one. Very dangerous I can tell you.

Anyway, you should be able to see a picture of the handsome brute next to this post, lying on his back right in front of the picture window - you see so many people walking past in fits of laughter when he strikes this pose I can tell you.

Phil & Amanda

carolineasb · Old Hand

Hi All

Thought I would tell you abt my whole menagerie - dogs and cats

First home was Sophie, a little black moggie, who came from cat rescue in Glasgow. The lady who had her had abt 40 cats in her house & my little girl was hiding up on top of the kitchen units when I went to see her. She was 5 months old when I got her in January 1994 and the only "kitten" to be found in the area at the time. Unfortunately she had had Cat Flu twice when a younger kitten and was only ready to be rehomed when I took her. She has also had cat flu since then. Sadly the Flu has damaged her tear ducts and her eyes constantly run but it never seems to bother her & the vet says that any operation to try & fix them would be very painful & might not work.

Next was Finn (actually Ladydazy Huckleberry Finn) - my only non-rescue animal who came to live with us in July 1994 at abt 4 months old. He's a Silver & white Tabby Maine Coon Cat. Very Stubborn, Grumpy & Lazy - you can hear him stamping across my laminate floor when he walks. He growls if you try & tell him what to do or where to go!! & he's very vocal with "chirrip" sounds - which is a Maine Coon trait.

Then there was Sascha (formerly Lazy Road) - my Blue & White Greyhound - who came to live with us in April 2001 thru GAL but from a Trainer (she apparently wasn't doing well on the bends after an injury). She is just the typical Lazy Grey & obviously cat safe from the above. She doesn't even look at the cats altho is very inquisitive with squirrels outside. She is my baby & tries to act very posh at times. Her only vice is wimping - if her bed or water is not in the right place or if I talk too long to someone when we are out for a walk - oh I forgot the other vice is eating the cats' dinner!!

Then there's Alfie - my Black & white mad Lurcher (possibly Bearded Collie x Grey) - who came to live with us in August 2003 from Bothwell Bridge Cat & Dog Home. He was only supposed to be fostered ho ho ho & wasn't cat tested so I was really lucky that he learned quickly not to hurt the cats (with the aid of a water spray!). No doubt you've probably seen (or heard!!) Alfie at a GAL Event as he can be very vocal too!! We are very proud that he won a Silver Medal for the Dog that the Judge would most like to take home at the GALA in Summer 2004 & he was the Best Adult Lurcher (Gold Medal) at the Christmas Lurcher Show this year.

Caroline

greyluvver · GAL Membership Co-Ordinator

RE: Blue

Lorain · Graduate

RE: Tell us all about your dogs!

haz25a · Old Hand

I,ve just got the one greyhound, she's a gorgeous brindle female and it's her birthday today! She's six years old today and is as much of a puppy as when I got her 4 years ago from GAL. She is a typical greyhound, greedy and very, very lazy. She was sick all over her legs last night cos she couldn't be bothered to get up out of her bed. I must stress that she wasn't ill just ate her dinner too fast! She takes up all the space in the bed (along with my three cats!) They cost me a fortune (and I haven't got much money), there is hair all over the house and I'm constantly cleaning up muddy paw prints but I wouldn't be without any of them. Happy Birthday Kayri, here's to the next six years!

Hazel.xx

Steven · Rookie

We now have two hounds in the family

We adopted Rory in Feb' last year and he has now been joined by Bella who we brought home from the Christmas Fayre.

Rory is a big lazy lump and getting him to move from his comfy bed in front of the radiator is a major achievement especially when it's raining outside. He just gives you a look as if to say you must be mad, he's probably right

Bella is settling in well and is the exact opposite of Rory. She will practically knock you off your feet in her enthusiasm to get out to the garden even if the rain is bouncing off the ground and expects you to join in the fun....

She had great fun having a snowball fight on Christmas day and decided they were great for eating!

Nina · Old Hand

Hello everyone!!!

My husband and I got our very first greyhound nearly two months ago now!!!! Shera is a gorgous 3year old black girl!!!! She is settling in very well. We have just fallen in love with the breed!!! Shera is very cheeky, trying to steel any food while our back is turned!! She gets so excited when we are going out for walks and would eat the neighbours cat if given the chance!!! Tears her cuddly toys to shreds and just loves to sleep(anywhere)!!! She's just like a wee puppy and we can't imagine not having her cheeky face about the house!!!

Nina

Leolurcher · Master

Hello everyone,

Tom and I have two rescue lurchers Leo and Flash. Leo is something like a whippet or grey crossed with a ridgeback, boxer or bull terrier. Bit of a mystery Flash is almost certainly a first x grey/bedlington terrier ...very little doubt about him

Both are almost seven years old now. What can I say about them? Well getting on in years Tom and I thought that it was time to settle down with a nice "couch potato dog" and when we saw a skinny sad looking Leo at the GAL stall at the Bearsden and Milngavie Highland games in 2000 we thought he was the dog for us. Can't say that we weren't warned that he could be a ridgeback x and the rep from the dog's home who knew him said that he was a "special dog" Having had dogs for years I did think that "special dog" could be a nice way of saying " This dog is a bit too smart for his own good"

To cut a long story short within a few weeks Leo blossomed into a streamlined "tank" of a dog with unlimited stamina, quick to learn but not that quick to obey. First eight months with him were a bit of a challenge but we got there and a year later got Flash as a companion for him to race around with and to hopefully tire Leo out. First time we let Flash off lead he ran for about two seconds and fell down on his side gasping. Obviously he hadn't had a lot of exercise before we got him

We didn't get our couch potato dog after all..... but we have two lovely feisty lurcher boys that are great companions and have given us such a love for lurchers that we wouldn't want to be without one.

Anyone in the group that remembers old Rusty our papillion. Sadly Rusty was pts last month.He was 17yrs old and for his age very fit but he seemed to have slowly descended into senile dementia and laterly didn't seem to know where he was, nor recognise anybody.

Kind regards to all

Eleanor

Scotty · Graduate

Hi

We've now had Fergus, a fawn ex-racer, for a year now. He's 4 in June and has transformed into an amazing pet who just loves people and other dogs (except pitbulls). He enjoys a run in the park and weekend nightly walks where he sniffs out left over hamburgers and chinese meals, groase!

September last year we decided Fergus could do with dog company and went back to Gal where we met Trinity, now known as Trini. She is a black 16 month greyhound maniac dog!!, she's bonkers. Poor Ferg gets his head nipped to play with her when all he wants to do is sleep. She'll be lying on the floor, next minute you'd think she was at Shawfield doing a couple of laps of the living room.

It's been a good year and I'm glad we went for Greyhounds.

Cheers

bluesmumanddad · Master

Hi Scotty

Is that the same Fergus as pictured on bgrd web site?? If so the picture is wonderful that great big grin made me laugh he looks so happy!

Scotty · Graduate

He's on the greyhound-data website, real name is Kings Chance, he has a great smiley picture on there. Funny thing was when I took the picture he nearly knocked me over, my digital camera has a slight delay so I didn't realise he was that close ha ha!

http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=514223

Crazy Trini is also on that website.

http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=982285

Cheers

bluesmumanddad · Master

Yup thats the same one!

Trinni is a real cute thing as well. The both look so fit and healthy. I bet you never have a dull moment!

Scotty · Graduate

Yep, laugh a minute!

Where is Fergus on the bgrd website?

Cheers

bluesmumanddad · Master

Hi again Scotty

Go into search for greyhounds, then GAL, then go into the rehomed section he is on 9th page!

Amanda

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

Hi Scotty

Super pictures of Fergus and Trini! I think Fergus was aiming to knock you over - what a grin! And doesn't Trini look the picture of innocence? Crazy - who, me?

Christine

Scotty · Graduate

There's a thing about knocking me over ...

Does anyone experience this? Everytime I get up to go anywhere I've got 1 LARGE greyhound and one smaller(crazy) pup to dodge. Sometimes walking in our house is .. one step..shuffle.stop..shuffle...2 steps..shuffle to reach another room. Fergus has a big smile thinking he's off for another walk and Trini's doing star jumps at the side!

Now I know how Inspector Clueso must have felt with Kato jumping out from all angles.

Greyhounds ..couch potatoes ha!!

Cheers

Scotty