Post by Mike & Laura on Oct 2, 2011 21:57:47 GMT
Hello
We are Mike & Laura and we rehomed ‘Pretty Josie’ - now just ‘Josie’ - on 23/9 from Pat at the Ockendon Kennels.
We’ve never had a dog before – just two kids (!) – but we thought that, after many months of agonising as to whether to take the plunge or not, that now the time was right. This despite Laura being somewhat dog-phobic (are we mad or what?)!
You might ask ‘Why a Greyhound?’ and we did think about a puppy, or rehoming another breed, but my eldest son once said that he wanted to leave home and live with a greyhound when he grew up – profound words for a 7 year old, except now he doesn’t want to leave home!!
We saw the Greyhoundhomer stand at the Havering show one BH weekend and spent some time stroking the lovely hounds and from then on the idea stuck, then recently, in the middle of the debate, we saw Pat, Mary and their lovely hounds outside Tesco Roneo Corner and the decision was made.
Summer holidays out the way and a clear run before the next one, we took Josie home just over a week ago and after a lot of sniffing around the place, she peed on the lounge carpet and declared that she was home! There then ensued a fraught weekend with us questioning ourselves – ‘What have we done’? ‘We’ll never be able to go out again’; ‘the dog will ruin the house’ etc. etc. These of course were questions we had talked over and over since we started the debate several months previously, so we had gone in ‘eyes wide open’. Laura was adamant that we couldn’t cope and she (Josie!) would have to go back, but the kids and myself had bonded with her quickly and although I sometimes still have my reservations we pushed on after the tears had been dried.
Josie now seems to have the hang of the toilet thing and we haven’t had any more accidents (so far). She sleeps through the night without so much as a bark or a whimper (and most of the day – lazy mut!) and now we have a proud Mum and Dad who love her to bits.
Now I wouldn’t say Laura was completely over her phobia – it will be a while before she enters the park with other muts - but she loves her baby to bits and wouldn’t let any harm come to her. Dad loves to walk her in the park and she loves the squirrels over there – watch out Cyril!
The only trouble we have is difficulty with our wood floor in the hall and the kitchen which, after she skidded across the other day, will not go near again (legs shaking) so I have to put a carpet runner down for her to walk on – OMG she already has her own red carpet!
Mealtimes can also be a challenge when we eat as a family at the table and she comes begging, but she is learning that she has to ‘lie down’ and wait her turn – it’s a slow process but we’ll get there.
I think this will be the start of a beautiful relationship not just with Josie but with Greys in general, they are such lovely creatures and Oh the social benefits – exercise, social interaction with other dog owners, lovely walks in the park first thing in the morning, and no snacking in front of the telly at night – I shall be a fitter more rounded person for it – we both will.
Can I just say a big thanks to Pat and Mary for all your advice and support so far – I’ll stop bothering you via email now and start harassing these lovely people for advice!
Best Wishes Mike (and Laura & Josie – and the kids)
We are Mike & Laura and we rehomed ‘Pretty Josie’ - now just ‘Josie’ - on 23/9 from Pat at the Ockendon Kennels.
We’ve never had a dog before – just two kids (!) – but we thought that, after many months of agonising as to whether to take the plunge or not, that now the time was right. This despite Laura being somewhat dog-phobic (are we mad or what?)!
You might ask ‘Why a Greyhound?’ and we did think about a puppy, or rehoming another breed, but my eldest son once said that he wanted to leave home and live with a greyhound when he grew up – profound words for a 7 year old, except now he doesn’t want to leave home!!
We saw the Greyhoundhomer stand at the Havering show one BH weekend and spent some time stroking the lovely hounds and from then on the idea stuck, then recently, in the middle of the debate, we saw Pat, Mary and their lovely hounds outside Tesco Roneo Corner and the decision was made.
Summer holidays out the way and a clear run before the next one, we took Josie home just over a week ago and after a lot of sniffing around the place, she peed on the lounge carpet and declared that she was home! There then ensued a fraught weekend with us questioning ourselves – ‘What have we done’? ‘We’ll never be able to go out again’; ‘the dog will ruin the house’ etc. etc. These of course were questions we had talked over and over since we started the debate several months previously, so we had gone in ‘eyes wide open’. Laura was adamant that we couldn’t cope and she (Josie!) would have to go back, but the kids and myself had bonded with her quickly and although I sometimes still have my reservations we pushed on after the tears had been dried.
Josie now seems to have the hang of the toilet thing and we haven’t had any more accidents (so far). She sleeps through the night without so much as a bark or a whimper (and most of the day – lazy mut!) and now we have a proud Mum and Dad who love her to bits.
Now I wouldn’t say Laura was completely over her phobia – it will be a while before she enters the park with other muts - but she loves her baby to bits and wouldn’t let any harm come to her. Dad loves to walk her in the park and she loves the squirrels over there – watch out Cyril!
The only trouble we have is difficulty with our wood floor in the hall and the kitchen which, after she skidded across the other day, will not go near again (legs shaking) so I have to put a carpet runner down for her to walk on – OMG she already has her own red carpet!
Mealtimes can also be a challenge when we eat as a family at the table and she comes begging, but she is learning that she has to ‘lie down’ and wait her turn – it’s a slow process but we’ll get there.
I think this will be the start of a beautiful relationship not just with Josie but with Greys in general, they are such lovely creatures and Oh the social benefits – exercise, social interaction with other dog owners, lovely walks in the park first thing in the morning, and no snacking in front of the telly at night – I shall be a fitter more rounded person for it – we both will.
Can I just say a big thanks to Pat and Mary for all your advice and support so far – I’ll stop bothering you via email now and start harassing these lovely people for advice!
Best Wishes Mike (and Laura & Josie – and the kids)
Attachments:
. We don't allow Betty near us when we are eating and she has learned that she can lay on her bed but not come to the table. We also make her 'wait' when she is given her food and she's learnt she can only have it if we say so. 
) and we wouldn't want to either!