Hi

Well done on fostering Skipper.  He sounds a nice wee soul.  He must be feeling a tad more comfortable if he snatched your lonesome loaf.

Sorry to hear about his anxiousness around men and very much hope he will get over that hurdle. 

I can sympathise with Skipper as wee Coco does not really like men and especially drunk & friendly men, who wish to stroke her.  Fiddie was certainly apprehensive of people hanging around transit-type vans, but I think after 16 weeks he has got over this phase.

We all wish you Skipper and you and your family the very best.  We look forward to seeing you with Suzie, Sim and his half-brother, Skipper.

Christine - yes, I can bake bread, but I few years ago we got a bread maker and Jerry - who is a total bread fiend - discovered the double delight of a gadget which produced bread!  So he took over the bread production - we are now on our second bread maker, having worn out the first one - and I can no longer remember how it works!

Regarding anxiousness around men - it seems very common in greys.  Sim was also very nervous of men and still is a bit.  Iluska - we have also had the experience of friendly drunks who seem to be drawn to greyhounds.  There are some who hang around near my work and they call to me now when I take the dogs along that path at 4.30.  I always hope I can just slip past, but usually get a cheery wave or: "hello hen . . . . beu-iful dugs"!

A new loaf has just been produced and is cooling on the counter - at the back, with the bread maker in front of it as a guard.  I must say the smell of newly baked bread would tempt anyone, and at least Jerry had had his bacon butties from it before it got nicked (he didn't get to eat it, but it had to be binned).

Skipper is not a big eater - he has just left a third of his breakfast - so it seems odd that he would thieve things, but I guess they just smell more interesting.  Last night he also tried to get a bowl of left-over potato salad but I'm glad to say he didn't manage as I plan to have that for my tea tonight.

Last night we had a few squeaks around midnight, but nothing more than that.  This morning I had set my clock for 7.30, but we both fell asleep again and got up hastily at 8.15 - Skipper was bursting but had lasted all night!  A big WELL DONE to him, as that was a long wait for a boy who is not used to waiting!

Oh dear!  When am I going to get myself tuned in to the new boy?

When Sim arrived (1st Dec 04) - he was our first dog together, and I stringently monitored him and anything I had left out anywhere.  Somehow I am having trouble moving back into that level of care with Skipper - like I said before: lulled into a false sense of security by Sim and Suzie's good behaviour.

Today Skipper got half a walnut loaf (from a visiting French Market) which I had stupidly left near the edge of the counter after lunch, and then later - discovered in his 'cage' (indoor kennel) a large bag of twiglets also knicked from the counter where Jerry had put them ready to take back down south with his sandwiches.  Fortunately the (bacon) sandwiches were untouched.

A large bag of Twiglets was too much even for Skipper (and Sim who I am sure had helped him consume them) so it wasn't finished.  Strange thing for a dog to eat don't you think?  I'll bet he will be thirsty later!!!

Hi Lesley, Glad to hear you've taken Skipper on Board!!    I just love the name - did you give him that name yourself? 

He sounds like he won't miss any opportunity for food of any kind - Yes, think its time for extra pair of eyes, or remembering to put everything out of reach.  Must admit it can't be easy remembering when you're not used to it!

Pity you can't be at the Awareness Day next Saturday, but I take it Skipper will be there with Suzie & Sim (in the kennels). 

I will make sure my dog biccies are stored safely! 

Leslie,

I'll make sure that your two-plus-one are walked and get nice treats on Saturday.  Have fun at the wedding?

Andy

Hmmm - do you think that stealing my lunch means he feels at home?  Therefore I should be pleased?

Breaking this habit it going to be tough - even if there is nothing on the kitchen counters for him to steal - as soon as I go out of the room he is up there and when I come back the fresh ironing is all over the floor!

Not to worry - I guess he'll get bored with it if he continues to find nothing!  Must be careful!

Hi

I believe this week's episode of "It's Me or the Dog", C4 (Wed. 22 September) is about stopping the dog nicking food - see how it goes ...

Manda - Skipper nearly did a "Blue-with-the-frozen-trout" last night!!

I had put a M&S frozen risotto out to defrost at the back of the kitchen counter.  A bit later I discovered it - still frozen solid - in Skipper's bed! 

Fortunately his teeth had not punctured the packaging!

Hey,

Skipper needs to learn that it's better to wait till the food is cooked. No frozen mouth and toungue.

Mick will have a word and pass on a few tips - Two cooked roast beef joints so far!!!!!!   And a roast chicked  knocked on to the floor.

Charles

Congratulations Lesley!!!

Well done Skipper.................take a leaf out of Mac's book, and look after the wee tiny four legged ones...!!

Enjoy your forever home.

Dawn Mac Presley Denzel and the little one x