Adopted greyhounds rule the day! Of course they do. Adopt a greyhound and you’ll understand exactly what I mean – they’re just the best kind of dogs to have. Quick to bond, generous spirit…yes, I’m moderately addicted and completely biased. Why do you ask?

Adopted greyhounds rue the day! This, hmm, not such a greyt fit. I mean really, what do adopted greyhounds have to regret? When they come off the track to loving homes it’s life in the slow lane for these fast friends.

But I really meant adopted greyhounds ROO the day! If you haven’t heard, greyhounds aren’t the barking sort. They do have vocal talents (our Brody can sing happy birthday) but they rarely use them. The first time my husband and I heard a greyhound bark was at a reunion when the dogs were cheering each other at a lure course.  That was the only place in the reunion where you heard barking, everywhere else, those greyhounds were as quiet as at their respective homes.

The first time I met a greyhound was in the kennel of a vet’s office. Nine of them were waiting or recovering from spaying or neutering and though they were surrounded by other animals making all kinds of noise, those nine were silent!

Greyhounds communicate most effectively with their wonderfully expressive eyes. They just aren’t into barking unless they really mean it! That’s when a greyhound will ROO! Roo-roo-roooooo! Those of us who’ve adopted greyhounds know the wonderful sound of ‘roo-ing’ means a happy dog in the yard.

Live the greyhound adventure!

Learn more about adopting greyhounds with the Adopt A Greyhound Guide!

Our oldest greyhound, Brody, likes to have his run in the mornings and sometimes he’ll go a little wild after dinner. Either way, he always comes inside and drains the water bowl. I think it’s age as much as experience that has him taking it easy in the extreme heat of midday. He’ll go out, relieve himself, and sunbathe for a bit (ten minutes usually) then wander back to the door.

Now, Boo, with her lovely black coat likes to sunbathe anytime, but I don’t let her go too long if the temperatures are high. Five to ten minutes is about the limit to avoid overheating or sunburn.

Sunburn on a dog?

Yup, it happens more than you’d think, especially in greyhounds. While no undercoat means less shedding, it also means they get warm fast and the sun can do serious damage. Plus, most greyhounds have minimal covering, or are completely bald on their thighs, and that skin can get sunburned just like the skin of the people who love greys.

So the dog days of summer means shorter walks, timely romps, and in the case of one particular puppy, it means more inside playtime.  (He is mellowing just a bit as he nears the two year mark…sometimes that ninety minute nap goes as long as two hours now).

Don’t forget, if your lucky enough to have a greyhound who likes water a kiddie pool, water hose, or sprinkler on these hot days can be a fun way to bond in a fresh, wet way!

So keep your cool as summer winds down and…

Live the greyhound adventure!

Find out how to find the greyhound for you with the Adopt A Greyhound Guide!

Saying goodbye to one of the family pack, from the adopted greyhound perspective:

Brody says, “Our oldest girl moved out of the house this week and we knew something was up with all the boxes and shuffling of stuff from her room to the dining room, then finally to the garage. We’re not stupid, in fact out people know we understand them pretty well. Still, we might’ve heard what was going on out there if the dumb pup hadn’t been vocalizing his worry. Some day he might learn, but I’m not holding my breath.”

Boo chimes in, “Worries ended when all of our people returned to have dinner. It was Arby’s. I love the smell of beef ‘n cheddar, even if I can’t have any. Between you and me, I think Brody conned momma into a curly fry, or even two. I was jealous, but then I remembered I get to lick the peanut butter more often than any of the boys.

“The next morning was a surprise because we’d all forgotten about the loading and stuff. I know I’d hoped it was just a matter of moving out things our girl didn’t need anymore. We were wrong.”

Bandit interrupts. “The boy! I got to spend all day with the boy! We had fun. He threw my bouncy fish down the hall for me and I brought it back for him. Then he threw my tennis ball. And then! I finally convinced him to throw my favorite yellow cowboy while I was outside. That’s when I missed Momma, because she throws the cowboy better than any of my other people.

“But Momma didn’t come back all night so I got to sleep on her pillow next to Daddy. I missed laying across her legs, but her pillow is really comfy.”

“Quiet, whippersnapper!” Brody snaps. “Momma came home, and even though I looked really hard, I didn’t see the girl anywhere behind her. And when Momma confirmed she was back at school, I was a little sad. When I look at momma just right, she hugs me and pets my ears and reminds me the girl will be home soon. She just never says how many meals are between now and ’soon’.”

Live the greyhound adventure!

Brody, Boo and Bandit too!

Learn more about greyhound adoption and finding your own fast, forever friend with the Adopt A Greyhound Guide!

Greyhounds done with the training and racing life are among the best choices for pets. And with more and more track closures, there are always greyhounds in need of good homes where they can spread their joy of contentment and spread out on your couch.

Sure I could mention greyhounds are the hypo-allergenic of dog breeds. I could tell you they don’t bark and love to go on long walks. I could even say, ‘Find out more with my Adopt A Greyhound Guide!’ But today’s post is really about the person to person intangibles.

When we first investigated adopting a greyhound, we met with a nice guy close to retirement who had two hobbies, flying and greyhound adoption. The greys were less expensive (and I think more addictive) so he was flying less often.  He was so knowledgeable and kind that twenty years and 30 hounds later, we look back fondly on our first contact with a greyhound rescuer.

After a cross country move our greyhound was a real ice breaker and we’ve met the nicest people from all ‘walks of life’ while out walking our hounds.  We got involved with the local greyhound rescue and our network’s expanded even more.

Through Meet and Greets, Pet Expos, and Reunions we get to visit with people who have greyhounds and those who want to learn more about greyhounds. Technologically, it’s not the fastest social network I belong too, but it’s one of my favorite offline options!

There are plenty of online options too. Even twitter and facebook have dedicated groups where people with greys can talk shop and exchange information and plan events. And there are so many good online greyhound forums too.

Greyhound adoption can open up a whole new world, though it might make your couch feel smaller, it’s a greyt trade off!

Live the greyhound adventure!

But any inkling of thunder – I’m talking a rumble so far away that human ears can’t hear it – and Boo runs for her storm shelter: the half-bath downstairs.

Like most half baths, this one is small and Boo, being slightly bigger than her delusions of chihauhua, takes up most of the floor space. If you happen by our place when the sky is growling, you’ll likely have an easier time using the necessary facilities upstairs. A fact which causes much grumbling among the children of the house when they forget.

It’s my current opinion, in light of summer storms, flash floods and such, that Boo actually exemplifies storm safety. I grew up in Tornado Alley and I was trained to go to an interior room with no windows on the lowest floor when weather is wicked. No one trained Boo, she just does it all on her own.

See what smart dogs greyhounds are?

Learn more about adopting greyhounds with the Adopt A Greyhound Guide and help your local greyhound adoption and rescue group at the same time!

Live the greyhound adventure!

Typically when Bandit goes out into the yard, he does his thing, pokes around a bit, then comes back to the door and yips for someone to come out and play with him. That someone is typically me, the alpha female of his pack (besides I’m the one who works at home)

In earlier posts I’ve told you Bandit quickly learned I couldn’t play tug when I got injured, but he refuses to let me feel too useless. On most days I can still go out and toss one of the backyard toys for him.

His favorite is the floppy yellow cowboy our foster greyhound Hank carried out one morning. (our general rule is if a toy goes outside, it stays outside, so Bandit thanks Hank for this).

Smart pup that he is, Bandit doesn’t ask me to bend over and pick up the cowboy. He simply brings it to me (for which I’m glad he’s so tall) I throw it and he brings it back. It’s fun, even when the occasional throw is rather lame, Bandit is the forgiving sort and does his best to affirm my place as alpha female of his heart.

You can read more about Bandit’s arrival and what makes greyhounds such greyt pets in the Adopt A Greyhound Guide.  (50% of proceeds go to help greyhound adoption and rescue groups).

Live the greyhound adventure!

Of course there’s the rule’s exception with Bandit. Still a puppy he needs more playtime, but as he nears his second birthday, the quiet spells of precisely 90 minutes are stretching to two hours.  Shhh, don’t laugh too loud or I won’t get through this post without throwing the squeaky ball.

But it’s the napping that is especially conducive to creating contentment. Watching an adopted greyhound ‘roach’ (tummy up, all four legs akimbo) or snooze curled up in the corner of the couch, you can’t help but smile. A smile helps you relax. Relaxing eases stress. Less stress equals more contentment.

It’s a wonderful cycle I hope more and more people will seek for themselves. Greyhound adoption is a positive solution for all parties – human and canine. You give a smart, hard-working racing greyhound a delightful, joy-filled retirement when you adopt greyhound(s).  (Adding the plural because greyhounds can be rather addictive).

It sure works for me. Whenever circumstances intervene, spending time snuggling with my greys is a balm to soothe the issue. Nothing seems all that horrible when a greyhound smiles, or stretches under your touch, or races happily around the yard.

When you’re ready to learn more about greyhound adoption, check with the greyhound rescue groups in your area and learn all you can about what life is like with these amazing dogs. The Adopt A Greyhound Guide is a good place to start, there’s even a free e-course.

Live the greyhound adventure!

If you’re following the tale of the finch tail: The birds are one hundred percent twins again and no further feline mischief has been accomplished.   At least not as it relates to the spice finches.

It’s always fun to see how our different greyhounds adapt to the arrival of guests. When Brody was the youngest, he was always first to the door, now that he’s the oldest, he’s more content to let Boo and Bandit lead the welcome wagon.

When you adopt greyhounds you open yourself up to a lifetime of discovery and joy since they live such wonderfully long and active lives.

Bandit loves to be the first, and as the biggest and goofiest, you’d think he’d jump all over people. Well, fine, I admit this was one greyhound foster who needed an anti-bounce button. But like most greyhounds he’s smart and eager to please.

So now he doesn’t jump, but he inspired Boo to revisit the behavior from her younger days. She’s much smaller, so you’d think it’d be less trouble, but somehow she makes up the height difference with the outstanding vertical leap.

When we have overnight guests, all of our adopted greyhounds try their best to be first on the guest bed, which makes for an interesting game of musical greyhounds. This is why I always have a baby gate nearby – it fits in the doorway and the greys can see me, and feel like they’re helping, but they can’t rush in and steal the pillows.

Once a guest is in the house, our adopted greyhounds make a game of who can get in closer for the best access to extra lovies guests provide. Grandmas are the best, in case you’re wondering.

Don’t worry, if greyhounds aren’t your thing (gasp) we’ve got a couple cats who will be happy to snuggle just as soon as the greys go to their respective dog beds. Not an animal lover? We can respect that – but beware – our adopted greyhounds are likely to change your mind.

Find out more about the wonder and fun of adopting greyhounds at AdoptAGreyhoundGuide.

Live the greyhound adventure!

Or jelly. For years we’ve used peanut butter as a training tool with greyhound fosters and our adopted greyhounds. Peanut butter is a safe people food (in moderation) for positive reinforcement with the greyhounds.

Bandit the puppy is very strong willed and it took time, patience, ice and peanut butter to train him to come in the house when we called rather than when he was in the mood.

Peanut butter is the best flavor for medicine!

Whoever is in charge of flavoring vet meds missed the mark – at least according to the taste buds of our adopted greyhounds. Cheese might be less messy to wrap around heartworm and flea prevention, but our greys eat the cheese and give back the pills. Annoying, just a bit.

But smear a pill with peanut butter and everyone’s happy. The vital meds get inside and it’s a delightful flavor for the dogs.

Peanut butter is soothing!

What do they say about people and pets and resemblance? It turns out peanut butter is comfort food for greyhounds too. When there’s a bad storm, Boo gets a measure of peace when she has a smidge of the good creamy stuff. And Brody, hater of celebrations involving fireworks, can be happily distracted by a bit of peanut butter on the roof of his mouth.

And whenever we empty a jar of peanut butter (which happens with great frequency) it’s time to share a special moment letting one of the dogs lick the jar.

Live the greyhound adventure!

Learn all you can about adopting your own greyhound and support the terrific work of greyhound adoption and rescue groups at the same time. Visit AdoptAGreyhoundGuide.com for details.

Bandit the puppy, taught Boo how to enjoy an ice cube and she has returned the favor…teaching Bandit the joys of peanut butter.

Peanut butter has always been Boo’s favorite treat. She perks up when the pantry door opens and I swear she’s learned the sound of the jar sliding off the shelf. She may be a sighthound, but her nose is in perfect working order. You can’t open a jar of peanut butter in our house without Boo joining you within seconds.

Brody likes peanut butter well enough, but he’s not as ‘interested’ unless he knows there will be some coming his way. Boo, however, is in the mix ASAP and Bandit follows right behind. I believe they dream of the day we forget to put the lid back on the jar.

Live the greyhound adventure!

Learn more about life with greyhounds with the Adopt A Greyhound Guide! See videos, FAQs and more.