FAMILIES

Isla · Enlightened One

FAMILIES

Teresa · Enlightened One

Isla, how very unfair.

This family member sounds jealous/bitter/uneducated about greys - or all of the above.

I can fully understand how hurt you feel but rise above it - you know better than her

If these "family members" don't want to visit because of your greyhound - who is the loser? them NOT YOU !!! Greys are beautifully shaped with the most loving personality.

Laura · Master

I wouldnt worry too much about it. This sounds like a bit of jealousy and maybe just not understanding greyhounds. You could try explaing about greyhounds and they might just come round and see that dogs are dogs no matter what pedigree they have . What I cant understand is that there are so many homeless (cross breed)doggies in dog homes that surely give just as good a life as any other.

Surely you cant judge people by what parents they have, you take them for who they are, so why should it be different for dogs? Dogs should be kept as a companion and a friend, no matter what pedigree they came from.

-- Edited by Laura at 11:27, 2006-08-21

Gail · Big Cheese

I agree Isla, you know the truth and that's all that matters but i understand how hurt you must feel.

Before i adopted Neo, my father did everything in his power to change my mind. In his opinion Grey's are vicious dogs that can't be trusted with children. Luckily rather than taking his advice i set out to prove him wrong, i gave him loads of info about the breed, although i have to say i think most of it went in the bin rather than being read!!

Once i adopted Neo, he was straight down for a visit to ensure his "daughter and granchildren were safe" from this terrifying dog i had taken into the house.

He still comes down for plenty of visits but now it's "can i take the dog out for a wee walk" and he is Neo's biggest fan, in fact he raves to everyone about what fantastic, gentle dogs greyhounds are totally converted.

I'm glad i followed my heart rather than listen to the uneducated opinions of other people and i'm sure you are too!! Just tell yourself that you are the lucky one and they are just jealous of your gorgeous hound

Jennifer · Big Cheese

I wouldnt worry what anyone else thinks about your dogs

They are just L-O-S-E-R-S!!

I'd have a greyhound over some pedigree's anyday! Folk rant about how there dogs have a pedigree but i personally dont see what the fuss is about. A dogs a dog at the end of the day, and the dog certainly doesnt know or care if its a pedigree.

We all like different breeds, like i for one HATE westie's and cairn terriers but i wouldnt intentionally tell someone i didnt like their dog. The family member is obviously very inconsiderate of your feelings. Especially when they are like our babies

Isla · Enlightened One

Thanks guys, you've helped cheer me up! It's still hard when someone is saying unkind things about your doggies. I might add that this person was more than happy to have Wills as company while I was working (before I met and moved in with Graeme). She is still very fond of him even if he is a "heinz 57"!

I might add that she has a toy poodle and it's a horrible, snappy, bad tempered little brute! He's bitten both her and me in the past, to the extent that I had a visit to casualty! Even so, never in a million years would I tell her that I didn't like her little yapper!

Calatria · Master

I'm glad I'm not the only one who takes it personally when someone insults your dog. I could handle it better if they insulted my mother - cos she can stick up for herself!

WE know they're fabulous dogs. If others don't, it's their loss. It still amazes me how much ignorance there is about them, despite all the newpaper articles, news reports, celebrity greyhound fans. It's like it'll just never penetrate some peoples thick skulls that greyhounds are brilliant pets.

I'm sure a lot of people here have heard "Oooh, I couldn't have one of them, they need far too much exercise!".

-- Edited by Calatria at 22:15, 2006-08-20

Lorna · GAL Shop Co-Ordinator

Isla it is upsetting when people say things like that about your dog - think it's just ignorance to be honest.

Gail I know what you mean about dads - mine said to me "there will be no dogs in this house"

meaning I couldn't bring my new intended pet to visit the house. However now - four years later Harley is a very regular and welcome visitor who my dad takes out for walks and pats all the time!! He stays over with my parents when we are away too.

It wasn't an anti greyhound thing - he just had had bad experiences and been on the receiving end of a relatives badly behaved dog for several years but he is now definitely a greyhound lover

Anyanka · Master

Isla, sorry to hear that you have a family member who obviously sets out to alienate and upset - to me, that is the real problem here! Good people don't criticise friends or family in that way. She just sounds like someone to be avoided. Actually, she is probably a very unhappy person, and vents on others even though it won't make her feel any better.

Personally I would never ever get a dog from a breeder when there are so many unwanted pups out there - whether pedigree or mongrel - but I do not criticize friends who do.

Dave · Enlightened One

''what they are'' = loveable, elegant, loyal, lazy, playful, aloof, excitable, caring, mischevious, honourable and best friends....personally I think your friend has a screw loose!

Valerie · Guru

Isla - everyone has made such nice comments about your "Clan" photo, and anyone can see what beautiful, happy dogs they are - that's all that matters. If only people were more like dogs, and not judgemental, the world would be vastly different.

Isla · Enlightened One

Again, thanks guys!

I think you've hit the nail on the head Anyanka. I think she is very unhappy because she isn't terribly mobile and hasn't been keeping terribly well lately. I suppose that makes it sound bad that I've grouched about her but I just needed to vent my spleen!

I will continue to try and convert all I meet to the magic of greyhounds! I think my Mum is slowly coming round.

keira1 · GAL Secretary

Hi,

I know the feeling, despite loving & attemping to educate them with our grey & heinz 57, my partners brother & girlfriend still want a westie terrier thing. It drives me mad. I understand not everyone wants a grey or a certain type of dog, but people are missing the point. All these rescue dogs need a home & well it just annoys me. This is why I love this website it makes me feel so proud to have keira & Lachie.

I think we need a celebrity couple equivalent of angelina & brad pitt to make adopting a rescue/grey the responsible/ethical thing to do.

Can you imagine greyhounds gracing the front of hello & ok.

I say this in jest because it can't be a fashionable thing to do as a dog is for life & requires a lot of responsibilty & love from an individual.

emma · Guru

Isla,

Hmmmmmmm!

You could have tried my various approaches: -

1 That makes me feel very sad to hear you speak about my dogs like that. (Honesty is the best policy!)

2 Ouch (it makes them think about being more tactful in future and is quite innocent!)

3 I wonder what lies behind that comment? which usually gives the 'what do you mean' response to which you can then add 'It says more about you than it does my dogs! (Ok ,ok -More contoversal but also gives them the idea that they need to think more before opening their mouth and placing their foot in it!)

4 Opinions are like a*** holes everyone has one but that does not mean I want yours in my face!( Nasty I know but I hope it made you laugh!)

My parents say that most of what I give back to other people is bordering on controversial since I did my training.I was brought up to please others and be polite, which is good for those around you but not for your own self worth. I however know that I am a stronger person for it and have no fear of ever being left feeling upset by something that came out of someone elses mouth because it is their stuff not yours (so hand it back!)

I hope I made you laugh if nothing else but I hope I made you think too that you can tell someone if you don't like what they say to you!

Em xx

Isla · Enlightened One

Hi Emma

They did indeed make me laugh. Some of them are very worth trying - the first two with this particular family member as they, as you said, are quite diplomatic. The best one, in my opinion, is the one about the opinions being like a***holes - might use that one at work!

What's that tell you about where I work!

You're a star!

Amber · Master

Some people do still have funny ideas about greyhounds. I guess some see them as 'racing dogs' (I guess that's what she meant by 'what they are') and when I was first thinking of adopting a greyhound, a neighbour actually said Oh no, greyhounds are only for racing, not pets!

Sadly this is the image some have of them, but that usually changes pretty quickly once they meet one! But if this is a member of your family who has already met your dogs, then sounds like she is trying to wind you up for some reason