One of my greyhound friends from Cincinnati sent me a link to the video below. Besides having some wonderful greyhound photos - including rarely seen greyhound puppies, the song and lyrics are really touching. If this doesn't make you want to adopt one of these sweet dogs, I don't know what will.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The Recession's Effect on Dogs
I have been reading more and more articles about people giving up their dogs due to the recession. I realize I might be a bit wacky about my animals, but really? Would you dump your kid at a shelter when times got tough?
Most of the articles say that downsizing into a home or apartment that doesn't allow pets is the #1 reason. Consequently, shelters are overcrowded, recieving less donations and the sweet souls of dogs pay the price. Adopting a dog is a HUGE responsibility. Not one to take lightly, and certainly not one to not consider over the long haul. There will always be something in life that makes us "uncomfortable."
Instead of ditching the first thing we see, how about appreciating the comfort and joy a pet can bring. If you choose to adopt a dog (or any animal for that matter), really look into your heart. If you can't promise to love and cherish that pet forever, don't do it.
Most of the articles say that downsizing into a home or apartment that doesn't allow pets is the #1 reason. Consequently, shelters are overcrowded, recieving less donations and the sweet souls of dogs pay the price. Adopting a dog is a HUGE responsibility. Not one to take lightly, and certainly not one to not consider over the long haul. There will always be something in life that makes us "uncomfortable."
Instead of ditching the first thing we see, how about appreciating the comfort and joy a pet can bring. If you choose to adopt a dog (or any animal for that matter), really look into your heart. If you can't promise to love and cherish that pet forever, don't do it.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Attitude of Gratitude
I don't know why, but I typed into Google this morning "Can dogs feel gratitude?". I guess I posed the question because humans seem to be struggling with gratitude right now, but my dogs are definitely not!
I know it's hard to be grateful when at times it feels like we are sinking into a hole we may never get out of. But, if you are a dog owner, 5 minutes inside the front door of your house can take care of that. My dogs are grateful for the smallest things:
1. The tiny pile of snow outside of our back door that they can still bury their noses in.
2. My son's twin bed which they seem to find enough room for him and both of them to snooze.
3. The cat that puts up with them and occasionally even acts like he might like them.
4. A home that is warm and loving.
5. A lap that is always readily available for snuggling.
I am grateful that I have the furry souls in my life to continuously teach me about what is good. The greatest things are found in the simplest of life's pleasures.
I challenge all of us to look at the world through the eyes of our dogs today. I know for a fact that any rescued animal, especially greyhounds, have more gratitude than we could ever imagine.
I know it's hard to be grateful when at times it feels like we are sinking into a hole we may never get out of. But, if you are a dog owner, 5 minutes inside the front door of your house can take care of that. My dogs are grateful for the smallest things:
1. The tiny pile of snow outside of our back door that they can still bury their noses in.
2. My son's twin bed which they seem to find enough room for him and both of them to snooze.
3. The cat that puts up with them and occasionally even acts like he might like them.
4. A home that is warm and loving.
5. A lap that is always readily available for snuggling.
I am grateful that I have the furry souls in my life to continuously teach me about what is good. The greatest things are found in the simplest of life's pleasures.
I challenge all of us to look at the world through the eyes of our dogs today. I know for a fact that any rescued animal, especially greyhounds, have more gratitude than we could ever imagine.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
A few Greyhounds in my time
Hi,
I was just sitting here and remembering how I got interested in Greyhounds. I lived across the street from a family that had a Greyhound. It ran free in the neighborhood and was just the sweetest thing. At first the way he kinda swung around the hood made me uneasy, but when he came up to me he was just so sweet and gentle. I never really thought much about him because he was the neighborhood dog.
Several years later, I was at a parade in Mooresville, Indiana, and again ran into a BUNCH of Greyhounds. They were with Greyhound Companions of Indiana (now since shutdown). I saw a pretty girl there named Agatha and just fell in love with her. She was she softest dog and so sweet. Her coat was a dark brindle and she had a black face. She was just so sweet. I had been wanting a dog for years and filled out an application to adopt Agatha that day. A few weeks went by and I was able to adopt her. She was 8 at the time. I only had a couple of years with Agatha but she taught me to love the breed and become passionate about them. I eventually adopted Snowflake and we all went around to meet and greets telling everyone about the breed.
Agatha made it to 10 years old and in those two years enriched my life more than I could tell you. Snowy lived to be 12 and was my best friend. If you were ever wanting a true companion I would encourage you to look into adopting a Greyhound....you will NEVER regret it.
I was just sitting here and remembering how I got interested in Greyhounds. I lived across the street from a family that had a Greyhound. It ran free in the neighborhood and was just the sweetest thing. At first the way he kinda swung around the hood made me uneasy, but when he came up to me he was just so sweet and gentle. I never really thought much about him because he was the neighborhood dog.
Several years later, I was at a parade in Mooresville, Indiana, and again ran into a BUNCH of Greyhounds. They were with Greyhound Companions of Indiana (now since shutdown). I saw a pretty girl there named Agatha and just fell in love with her. She was she softest dog and so sweet. Her coat was a dark brindle and she had a black face. She was just so sweet. I had been wanting a dog for years and filled out an application to adopt Agatha that day. A few weeks went by and I was able to adopt her. She was 8 at the time. I only had a couple of years with Agatha but she taught me to love the breed and become passionate about them. I eventually adopted Snowflake and we all went around to meet and greets telling everyone about the breed.
Agatha made it to 10 years old and in those two years enriched my life more than I could tell you. Snowy lived to be 12 and was my best friend. If you were ever wanting a true companion I would encourage you to look into adopting a Greyhound....you will NEVER regret it.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Lean on Me
I remember when we first brought Nicki home. I wondered if she had something wrong with her as she would lean against me anytime that I was standing still. What I came to find out, was that leaning is like a full body hug for a greyhound. She would not only lean on people, but the couch and our bed; all things that she loved.
Greyhounds have some other funny habits which I thought I would share. If you are like me, you may adopt for love, and not be completely informed.
They like to lay on their backs with all 4 legs in the air. I've heard this called the "dead cockroach." If I was going to give it a name, I would call it BLISS!
Greyhounds also like to "smile." If you're not clear on this, you may think they are snarling at you. Fear not - it's a smile!
Nicki also liked to nibble on us. It never hurt, in fact, it tickled. She would lay on the couch next to me and nibble on my shirt or right on my arm. It was almost like a secret language that we shared.
Greyhounds are unique. Enjoy falling even more in love once you get to them completely.
Greyhounds have some other funny habits which I thought I would share. If you are like me, you may adopt for love, and not be completely informed.
They like to lay on their backs with all 4 legs in the air. I've heard this called the "dead cockroach." If I was going to give it a name, I would call it BLISS!
Greyhounds also like to "smile." If you're not clear on this, you may think they are snarling at you. Fear not - it's a smile!
Nicki also liked to nibble on us. It never hurt, in fact, it tickled. She would lay on the couch next to me and nibble on my shirt or right on my arm. It was almost like a secret language that we shared.
Greyhounds are unique. Enjoy falling even more in love once you get to them completely.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
St. Guinefort
Recently, someone gave me a book of photographs called, appropriately enough, Greyhounds by photographer Barbara Karant. It is absolutely gorgeous and the proceeds from the book benefit greyhound rescue. Anyway, I was skimming through some of the text and saw it mentioned that the only non-human saint is St. Guinefort - a greyhound! How cool is that???
I looked up the story of St. Guinefort and learned that, supposedly, he was a 13th century dog near Lyon in France who belonged to a knight. The knight went hunting and left his infant son in the care his faithful greyhound. When he returned home, there was blood all over and the baby's cradle was overturned. The dog lay on the floor next to the cradle with blood on his mouth. Thinking the dog had killed the baby, the knight then killed the dog. Then he heard the baby cry. The baby was safe and sound under the cradle, but next to him was a dead snake - killed by the dog to protect the baby. Realizing his mistake, the knight buried the dog in a nearby well and planted trees to honor him. Locals started bringing their babies to the shrine to beg for protection from St. Guinefort, who had now become known as a protector of infants.
Greyhounds are truly special dogs!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Skinny heads, but big hearts and smarts
This is an actual comment that people have made to me on more than one occasion ... I've heard greyhounds are pretty dumb since their brains have to be so small to fit in their small heads. I've managed to be polite enough not to comment on the size of the commenter's head. I'll be honest, I don't know much about brain size relative to intelligence in dogs, but I really don't think one has to do with the other. My girl Elly is incredibly bright and picks up on things pretty quickly. She was a star pupil in obedience training and she's picked up on other things very well.
My favorite thing I taught her? Well, she loves her "stuffies" - stuffed hedgehogs, stuffed snowman and a giant bear that Santa brought her for Christmas. It's so big she uses it as a pillow. Anyway, when she goes outside to relieve herself, she usually takes a stuffed toy out with her. I don't mind, but when I first got her, I quickly learned that most of her toys would end up getting left out in the yard unless I went out and brought them in for her. So the rule is, she can take a toy out but she has to bring it in with her. So if she comes back to the door to be let in and doesn't have her toy with her, I just say "Elly, go get your toy." Nine out of 10 times, before I'm even finished talking, she heads back out into the yard to look for it. Sometimes, I don't even have to say anything, just a look will do it. She's a pretty good girl!
Another thing I worked with her on was being a good walker. It took about a week but she picked up on the concept of heeling pretty quickly. She nearly always walks right next to me and rarely pulls on the lead. Even when I give her plenty of slack to go off an explore a bit, she still stays by my side. I found a post in the Never Say Never Greyhounds blog about teaching your dogs to heel and I thought it had some great techniques and some great videos. Interestingly, Jennifer, the blogger, has somehow managed to get her hounds to sit. Elly doesn't sit (she does a great "down") and the greyhounds I've met who do sit often don't for long and usually look pretty awkward doing it. Anyway, check out her blog.
My favorite thing I taught her? Well, she loves her "stuffies" - stuffed hedgehogs, stuffed snowman and a giant bear that Santa brought her for Christmas. It's so big she uses it as a pillow. Anyway, when she goes outside to relieve herself, she usually takes a stuffed toy out with her. I don't mind, but when I first got her, I quickly learned that most of her toys would end up getting left out in the yard unless I went out and brought them in for her. So the rule is, she can take a toy out but she has to bring it in with her. So if she comes back to the door to be let in and doesn't have her toy with her, I just say "Elly, go get your toy." Nine out of 10 times, before I'm even finished talking, she heads back out into the yard to look for it. Sometimes, I don't even have to say anything, just a look will do it. She's a pretty good girl!
Another thing I worked with her on was being a good walker. It took about a week but she picked up on the concept of heeling pretty quickly. She nearly always walks right next to me and rarely pulls on the lead. Even when I give her plenty of slack to go off an explore a bit, she still stays by my side. I found a post in the Never Say Never Greyhounds blog about teaching your dogs to heel and I thought it had some great techniques and some great videos. Interestingly, Jennifer, the blogger, has somehow managed to get her hounds to sit. Elly doesn't sit (she does a great "down") and the greyhounds I've met who do sit often don't for long and usually look pretty awkward doing it. Anyway, check out her blog.
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