There are whippet rescues, too. WRAP (whippet rescue and placement). I am not sure if they are all retired racers but all are rescues.

Salti, I've purchased two dogs from a breeder (Cardigan Welsh Corgis), and I signed a contract saying that if, for any reason, I could not keep my dog, I would contact the breeder for placement. Responsible breeders DO make a lifelong commitment to their dogs.

I wish folks would recognize failure to do so is a HUGE red flag. Has anyone ever seen a pet store with a pup return policy?

I hope you post pics right away when you find the right grey lady.

Excitement!!!!

We have first choice to adopt one of two Greyhounds this weekend! One is a male and the other female.

Each four years old. The male has 130 races under his belt!

Both are what I would call "red-brindle."

I was hoping for an older girl, but these two are just so sweet that we are going forward. (I'd love to have them both, but the policy at my group is that one can't get a second dog until living with one for at least six months.)

Will post photos.

Well, we had first pick on a male and a female Greyhound. Both four years old, each with just about 150 races under their belt down in Tampa, Florida.

Both VERY sweet dogs. Both had arrived here in MD two weeks ago and were living with different foster homes. Both neuter/spayed and current on shots and worming etc.

We chose the female - (renamed to) WILLOW will be coming home with us tomorrow afternoon.

I will post some pictures soon!

EDIT: Another couple visited the male dog's fosters yesterday after we had left... they adopted the male. I'm so pleased that sweet dog also went to a forever home!

This post was edited by saltidawg on Sun, Oct 26, 14 at 11:15

Picture

Here is a link that might be useful:

First day in WILLOW's Forever Home.

Here is a link that might be useful:

she is a beauty! Congrats on your new dog/family member.

I recently got a new to me dog also, local vet works with
animal shelter, shots, fixes animals, microchips them.

providing a forever home to an animal is IMO one
of the best moves ever. I can't imagine my life with
no dogs in it!

The excitement in your post is palpable! I love the pic with her new tennis ball, and also seeing her curled up in her crate. Her name is very apropos.

As mom to 4 Brittanys, three of them rescues, I adore all of them, but the rescues really seem to be so loving and appreciative of a loving home, good food and grateful. My 'kids' range from almost 15 (that's Sam, from a breeder), and the rescues are approx. 1.5, 5 and 12-ish. Sam doesn't sleep in bed with me any more, and enjoys the night on the living room sofa, but the 3 rescues all cuddle up next to me, and it's the most wonderful feeling!

Wishing you many happy years with your beautiful new girl. She looks at home already.

Terrific! We'd love to hear how she is settling in and what she likes to do. Do greyhounds like to retrieve? Does she go well on the leash? Congratulations, and enjoy your new family member.

Welcome home, Willow!

She's VERY laid back and sweet.

They come from the track house broken, crate trained, used to being handled, leash trained, and TOTALLY unfamiliar with things like, doors, windows, hardwood or tile floors, seemingly unaware of their name.

She cried/wimpered when we arrived home from her foster family, with which she had spent two weeks. That lasted maybe an hour and nothing since

When out of the crate, she follows me around the house and will not leave my side... she was being fed in her crate, and I've now moved her feeding to outside the crate.

She walks very well on lead, but I get the feeling that she is constantly scanning the surroundings looking for squirrels, rabbits, or whatever.

She is comfortable being "groped" - putting my hands in her mouth, lifting a leg to inspect her paws, etc.

She had developed a limp in a rear leg before I brought her home - pad looks a little red. I have a Vet exam tomorrow and we'll address that.

Lots of things to do - get her used to a Dremmel for nails, get a dog license, it goes on.

I could not be happier to have a dog again and she seems happy too!!!

This post was edited by saltidawg on Tue, Oct 28, 14 at 14:15

She's adorable!

So, we're out in the front yard (on lead, of course,) this evening and she spots a deer... I snap her lead and walk away... we get about 30 feet and she stumbles - she stepped on a big toad. lol

This post was edited by saltidawg on Tue, Oct 28, 14 at 22:00

Willow is a beauty!!! What a lucky dog she is to be in your care. Post more pics soon. :)

You've got a lot of wildlife there! Cute story. You are really enjoying this; lucky you, lucky her.

Wildlife here, 16 straight-line miles from the White House, in the MD Suburbs, includes Deer, Fox, Coyote, and the more common critters such as squirrels, skunks, etc.

My yard has a wooded section abutting a wooded park and I have a stream thru my yard also. Lots of snakes, fowl including the occasional Egret.

And one Greyhound

This post was edited by saltidawg on Wed, Oct 29, 14 at 20:11

This is WILLOW's fifth day in her forever home. As long as I am in the room with her, she is comfortable using her crate as a security spot.

Here is a link that might be useful:

I suspect that this is the first time she has ever "played." (I had to throw the toy away the next day - she was destroying it. Will get a more durable toy.)

Here is a link that might be useful: First Toy

This post was edited by saltidawg on Thu, Oct 30, 14 at 9:55

I love her pink collar!

I wonder if she would like her crate even more if it was covered, and more cave-like?

My last dog would have had that squeaker toy demolished in the time that Willow played with it. I found one squeaky toy that was durable enough to last him for years - I wish I'd bought 3 more of them, since I haven't found one like it since.

Thanks for sharing Willow with us!

I generally preferred Vari-kennels over wire crates for my Buldogs because of the more covered effect.

These track Greyhounds have lived their life in an open cage. If I see any problem develop, I'll follow your advice and throw a blanket over it. Also, this winter I may drape it anyway.

Thanks for the suggestion, annkh!

Thanks, I'm enjoying what you share.

PS You have a lovely home.

Part of the adoption process was a home inspection. A knowledgeable volunteer comes to the home with his or her Greyhound and inspect the home so as to make suggestions. i.e. move the prescription drugs on the credenza in the MBR Bathroom.

At my request, she came back yesterday to take a look again. She brought a toy that her big Grey and played with for years without damaging it.

WILLOW started to tear sewing stitches within a few minutes...

Back to the drawing boards.

This post was edited by saltidawg on Fri, Oct 31, 14 at 15:54

When WILLOW was trucked up from the track in Tampa, FL, three weeks ago she was accompanied by two other Greyhounds for delivery to my group here in MD. (There were a total of 32 dogs for drop off in NC, VA, MD, NJ, and possibly as far north as Boston.)

Well, one of the other two has been adopted and Vet Checked. Positive for Giardia and has loose stools.

We did not test for Giardia and WILLOW's stool is not firm and sometimes a little 'runny.'

Taking a stool sample to my Vet this morning.... 45 minute drive each way. !@#$%

This post was edited by saltidawg on Fri, Oct 31, 14 at 15:56

Yikes! My son had giardia - not fun.

Here's to hoping that Willow's tummy is still adjusting to her new food, new surroundings, new routine, and that she does not have giardia.

My young son had Giardia in 1967 - Charleston, SC, drinking water. :-(

The test in those days was a capsule with a string attached. He had to swallow it and they brought it back up.

Now it apparently is called a SNAP test??? Stool"Giardia/Ova Parasites Test. I'm in MD- my Vet sends the stool sample off "north."

Results in a couple of days.

WILLOW has been a civilian for a week in this photo.

(Her Giardia test results are still not back.)

Here is a link that might be useful:

It turns out that WILLOW can talk!

This morning my Florida raised Greyhound with very little body fat and I were out at 7:00AM in 33 degree weather.

She yelled, in a clear voice, "ANIMAL CRUELTY!"

(She did have a light coat on. lol)

Last night, I decided to introduce her toe nails to my Dremel Tool - a technique I have used on my Bulldogs for decades. I assumed it would take me a couple of days to get her used to it.

Took 15 seconds - she's totally cool with it!

This post was edited by saltidawg on Thu, Nov 13, 14 at 18:49

33!! Yikes....You better get this girl a down jacket! How nice that she didn't object to the pedicure.

annkh,

You were right when you said, "I wonder if she would like her crate even more if it was covered, and more cave-like?"

She has been whining/crying starting at 6:00AM each day while in her crate for the evening. I ignored it until 7:00AM which is the time I want us to get up.

I placed a spread over the top and ends of her crate last night... she slept in until 7:00AM.

It was 28 degrees this AM here in the MD suburbs of DC. She's wearing a coat when we go out and she sometimes has a light weight "belly-warmer" on inside.

We are joining the group from which we got her tomorrow at a local Pet Store for an Open House. This is the way we became aware of the retired track racing Greyhound and its plight. Payback is fun!

Oh, those three little words everyone loves to hear: "you were right"!

I'm glad Willow likes her cave. Last year our utility had an issue with a natural gas pipeline, and we were all asked to turn down our thermostats for a few days until they got it fixed. Our dog has a double coat (he's a Corgi), but still appreciated having his crate covered - it was noticeably warmer inside than out.

Willow is such a lucky girl! I'm so happy for both of you!

annkh,

These dogs have virtually no fat on them - what a change from my Bulldogs!

I have bought a custom Winter Coat, Pajamas, Fall/Spring Coat, and a Yellow Rain Slicker.

The Winter Coat cost me $92. I pointed out to my wife that I do not own a coat that cost that much! lol

I ended up changing kibble from my long-time quality kibble (Lamb Based, 4% Fiber) to another quality kibble. (Bison Based, 8% Fiber.) Her stool continued to be quite soft - formed, but soft. I'll see how this change goes.

I briefly tried adding All Bran, and then adding Pumpkin.

Most of them from the track go thru this, I'm told.

What brand kibble is that?

I'm sure I don't have a $92 coat either! It's worth it for Willow. And it's not like she'll need another one soon, or maybe ever.

Responded privately. Don't want to start a "Food Thread."

We almost adopted a greyhound from 1 of the DC greyhound rescues years ago (2005/06) but decided against it as we had 2 cats, 1 being a kitten at the time, and just could not risk it...maybe down the road we will adopt 1. Instead we adopted a DC street dog...and then when we were in Nicaragua, adopted a street dog from there. Glad its working out well.

Some of the Greyhounds are absolutely fine with cats.... some, not so much.

We viewed two Greyhounds in a foster setting when we chose WILLOW. The other dog was being fostered in a home with a cat. We walked that dog around the block and the cat came along with us... I've had cats before, but going around the block for a walk?

The Greyhounds and the cat got along just .

The foster family subsequently told me they got another dog to foster and had to keep it crated unless he was in their immediate supervision as he had gone after the cat.

I fully understand your concern!

My son and his family are going to visit over Christmas - they have a little white Havanese. We ar ealready planning the initial meeting - with muzzle for my WILLOW.

This post was edited by saltidawg on Wed, Nov 19, 14 at 9:51

Salti, why do you always capitalize your dog's name? Is it an acronym?

I capitalize all letters in any dog's name - been doing that for twenty years of dog forums.

Not an acronym.

Saltidawg, I think I know you! Was it you who had the collie who was a half brother to my last collie, Prince?

It's so nice to see you have adopted a greyhound, whether I know you or not! She looks beautiful. I hope that you get the giardia treated and she feels better. Usually 10 days or so of metronidazole or 3 consecutive days of panacur or a praziquantel wormer will work. I usually give a second treatment a couple weeks later.

After my last collie and sheltie passed on, I adopted an older little poodle/chihuahua cross who looks like a small spaniel mix, and bought a sheltie puppy who is now 3 yrs old. I felt the need to downsize but I do miss my collies. :-( At my age, these may well be my last dogs. I'll be 75 when the sheltie is 14.

My sheltie is NOT good with cats; she loves to chase them. I have to keep gates across so my old cat can traverse the house without being harassed, but I don't worry for her safety as I would with a sighthound. I imagine owning a greyhound is quite a challenge.

I've always loved greyhounds and whippets. Their lovely big eyes and delicate features remind me of a deer. Best of luck to you with Willow. Love the name BTW!

spedigrees,

I'm not the person that you think you recognize.

WILLOW tested negative for Giardia... with the change of protein and increased fiber in her new kibble, her stool is firming up.

You said, " I'll be 75 when the sheltie is 14."

I'll be 82 when WILLOW is 14.

I am modifying my Will to return WILLOW to the adoption group should both my wife and I pass first. I'll include a sizable stipend also.

Oh well, there were many similarities, including the area of the country you are from, and the combination of bulldogs and collies. Glad to hear that Willow is improving. Congrats again on your new family member!

I did have Tri-Color Collies as a teenager and for the first 8 years after graduating from Annapolis.

My current sheltie and 2 of my 4 collies were tri-colors. It's a striking color pattern, and they always draw/drew expressions of admiration from bystanders.

glad to see Willow is settling in so well.
years ago I had a whippet/collie mix dog,
smart wonderful girl...not that I'm biased.
of course I've yet to meet a dog I didn't like...

and salti...Willow hasn't found her way into
y'all's bed yet?

I"ve got a new to me dog these days. Kissy
(named by my SO who has never had a dog
to name...but has come to understand why
we are all such dog people) is a mix breed
that I "rescued" through a program called FUR.
she is small, & I've not had a small dog since
I was a kid. once I got over my worry that an
owl would fly off with her!

here is apic of her playing with the dog that
adopted me a few years ago Chow.

What great pictures from you both!

WILLOW has no issues with the crate - she just as soon would be in her crate as on her bed.

She does have an issue if I am not in the room with her during the day. She goes in her crate for the night at 10:30 PM after having a short walk.

At 6:00AM exactly, she starts whining in the crate. It does not cease until 7:00 AM when I come down to take her out. I wait 10-15 minutes after that to feed her - not wanting to reward the whining behavior.

This post was edited by saltidawg on Thu, Nov 20, 14 at 14:14

Well, WILLOW The Greyhound from the track in Tampa got to see and feel her first snow here in the DC suburbs.

Coat under rain slicker. (It was only sleeting at that time.)

She didn't need her $92 Winter coat... and I don't own a $92 coat for myself. lol

Here is a link that might be useful:

This post was edited by saltidawg on Wed, Nov 26, 14 at 20:14

OK, maybe today is a better "First Snow."

I did talk to her Track Owner and he indicated that WILLOW had spent the winter in a facility in Kansas in 2011-2012 and likely had seen a decent snow.

This post was edited by saltidawg on Wed, Jan 7, 15 at 13:43

My wife checked the forecast for the morning - temp going to the single digits.

We're breaking out the $92 Winter Coat - not going to use the $42 Booties.

!@#$% I don't own a coat for me worth $92.

This post was edited by saltidawg on Wed, Jan 7, 15 at 13:38

Saltidawg,

I think you should go get yourself a nice warm, light weight, high tech winter coat. (REI?) Afterall, you will need it to be out walking with Miss Willow. So it's really for her benefit. :)

Thanks, susanjn. I should do so. I'm a retired Navy Submariner and have numerous Navy "Foul Weather Jackets" of various weights.... been to the North Pole twice. (Many of those Navy jackets seemingly have shrunk while hanging in the closet.)

Will look into new jacket soon.

This post was edited by saltidawg on Wed, Jan 7, 15 at 13:59