She came to me

There are certain things that Rene does where I know she knows I am her person. She does fine with our ritual of her going into the bedroom when I go to work; but when I just leave her in the condo when I have to take out the trash or go the parking garage for something I hear her whine for me. When we meet people on the street and she isn't sure about them she walks very close to me. Even though she has growled when I may have startled her, she now lays on the couch next to me with her face in my lap and her arms splayed about me.

Today, my ultimate fear came true, and now I know Rene knows I am her person.

My ultimate fear is that Rene will get off her leash and be so freaked out she will just run away. She is skittish around fast movement, loud noises, and panicked feelings that she loses all sense of safety and goes into flight mode. Well, my ultimate fear came true and in the parking lot of the vet's office today Rene's leash unclipped from her harness and she was a free agent. She could have done a number of things with this but she decided to come to me. Only because I decided I needed to be calm, cool and collected.

She has not been digesting her food well since I adopted her and we needed our first trip to the vet anyway so today was the day. At her appointment I was reassured that her weight is fine (not as skinny as my neighbor thinks she is), that what I am doing at home is all right, that she really does like people (kissing the vet as she sat on the floor with her) and results from her stool sample on Monday or Tuesday would let me know if she had any parasites or bacteria. I felt relieved all was looking as good as to be expected with an adopted Grey and we got into the parking lot. The office is on a busy corner-Colorado Blvd and Louisiana-and I was opening the door to get her ready to get into the car and her leash snapped off her harness.

She sensed her new found freedom. She heard the leash fall to the ground and no longer felt the pull that attached me to her. My voice raised and got rapid, "Rene, come here" and she started to back away. She started to make her way beyond the parking lot and I asserted, "Rene, Come." She stopped, looked at me, and I said it again. She started to come towards me, with a little trepidation, and I kept saying "Rene, Come." She did, I grabbed her harness, and we just stood there. My heart was beating so fast and she knew she was gotten but hopefully there was a sense of security in that. I put her into the car, sat in the front seat, and felt what almost having a heart attack feels like.

But she came to me. She is now home with me, curled up on the couch with a blanket over her, snoozing. She came to me, and now I have to add a second leash to her harness to make sure she never gets away again.

Now I am beginning to understand better the parents who put the locks on their teenaged kids' doors so they can't sneak out into the abyss of night. Or, better understand the parents who don't put those locks on the doors because they know their kids know where home is and who home is.

Rene knows who home is. Me.

Queen of Sheba

According to an article in the magazine "A Sheltered Life" (dedicated to information about dog rescues) the Greyhound can be traced back over 8,000 years to early cave drawings and other artifacts. The Egyptians worshipped Greyhounds as a god and frequently showed them on murals in the tombs of kings.

I think a certain someone is tapping into this lineage, as it is apparent she is being pampered and adored by her new mama!

Adoption Day!

Yesterday was Rene's official adoption day! Mom (Grandma) came with us to the Petco in Littleton, where there as a Friends of Retired Greyhounds meet and greet, as well as the place to finalize adoption. When we got to Petco, Rene was hesitant to go in because it was so busy with cars and automatic doors opening and closing. One of the FORG founders was there and came out and helped us get Rene inside. We found a large pen with about 6 or 7 Greyhounds inside and Rene was able to join them. She was pretty much the smallest of the Hounds and looked like everyone's little sister. And, a little special as the only one wearing her harness. She let people pet her, including children, and she seemed to enjoy herself.

Another Greyhound mama was adopting, so we sat down and went through all the information with the FORG founder. I have Rene's racing certificate, vaccine information, microchip data, information special to Greyhounds, etc. It took about an hour to go through it all and have the chance to ask questions. After the signing, we got to take our picture.

We came home and I went off to Mom and Dad's later for Robert's birthday celebration. Then I came home, and Rene and I sat on the couch together and watched a movie. She is now fine with sharing the couch, especially because I feed her treats and pet her ears.

Welcome home, Rene! We are a match made in heaven.

A quick study

Rene was on the couch this morning and I sat next to her, reached out to pet her and she growled at me.

I didn't like that one bit.

All sorts of crazy thinking started happening in my head…I adopted Cujo! Is she really "a sweet girl?" What is behind this growling business?

I emailed my Greyhound mentor who said, "You need to nip her growling in the bud. She is trying to assert dominance, and you are the dominant one. Next time tell her no and to get down off the couch."

I got home tonight, made myself some dinner and kicked her off the couch so I could eat and watch TV. She complied with no aggressive tendencies. I then invited her up, she joined me on the couch, snuggled her little face under my arms, and I pet her back, ears, feet and head with no growling or nipping. Just one sweet girl, getting affection she probably never had seen before.

She is a quick study. And so am I.

Sweet Girl

Tomorrow is a special day for Rene and me. She will have been with me for almost two weeks, so tomorrow I can officially adopt her! She and I, along with Mom, are going to the Petco in Littleton where there is a Greyhound meet 'n' greet and there I can finalize her adoption. Honestly, I don't think I ever seriously considered not adopting her as it appeared to be love at first sight almost two weeks ago. In such a short time, I can't imagine life without her!

Take for example the fact that Greyhounds get cold easily, and in this weather we have been having I get to put her into a coat. Yesterday, it was a rain/snow mix, so I headed to Petsmart and got her a yellow rain jacket. Here she is, getting used to it!

Rene has been sleeping in my room on a dog bed, but we tried our hand at sharing my queen bed the other night. She happily plopped herself in the middle, and when I attempted to move her over she unhappily growled at me for manhandling her…subsequently, I think we both decided she likes her space and I like mine when it comes to our sleep. Last night, however, she happily found a new space to sleep. I found her up on the couch, all curled up, before getting ready for bed. We have been sleeping in the bedroom with the doors closed, but last night I decided to leave the doors open and let her sleep on the couch. Indeed, she did…all night…until this morning at 6:30! 

Rene has been described by her new condo friends as a "Sweet Girl." And she is. I have a neighbor who is fascinated by her-Amber has an energetic Lab named Duncan, so he is always tearing about in the shared courtyard; Rene is sweet and demure, and Amber has been able to pet her and talk softly to her about how pretty she is. Rene has met a number of condo dog friends…Duncan, Yogi and Boomer are the friends she sees the most. At the park there is Oliver who is often off leash. She and I will brave an off leash dog park one day…maybe early one morning where I can test her out with only a few others around. I think, though, that structured play may be best for her for now, and Petsmart has Pets Hotel where she can go for a few hours and play, inside and monitored instead of outside and free. It may be where we need to start, but I know she loves other dogs and is just itching to play.

Rene is such a ham in the mornings! She gets these little spurts of energy and starts tossing around a stuffed animal, a blanket, this morning my slipper. She isn't destructive, she gets this desire to throw and chase something. She rubs her head against the bed and hides under the sheet. She has a personality for sure, and it is starting to show itself! Indeed it is a personality of a "Sweet Girl"!

Greyt Love

The one thing you will notice about Greyhound owners is we begin spelling "great" as "Greyt"…like "Greytfully Yours" and "Rene is doing Greyt!"

On Wednesday I left Meg a gushing message about how in love with Rene I am. Not just because she is a doll and very sweet. Not just because she is my new companion who I now spend my waking hours doting on her. I am in love with her because she has stolen my heart. It has been a long time since I have been in love with someone new. Of course, I am in love with my friends, family, and miss Greytly being in love with Mike, Ches and Stan. The newness of loving Rene has hit me like a ton of bricks. One reason why is that I am so proud of her. I had an interesting conversation yesterday with a co-worker about the feelings of being proud of someone…how that seems to take love to the next level.

To Rene, everything is new. Everything! Cars on the street, dogs walking on leashes, trucks making the "psssst" sound, doors opening, stairs, things falling on the floor, humans coming toward her, squirrels, birds and rabbits, a car ride, elevators…you  name it, it is new to her. And she is conquering these things one by one, facing her fears head on and going out into this new, scary world to see what happens next. And she does it with me, by her side, with the expectation that I will protect her from bad things happening so that she can gain confidence and try new things again and over and over.

On Wednesday morning, we didn't have a Greyt start to the day. We had a walk that didn't go well, she was very anxious, and I thought to myself…"Can I really do this?" But I called the adoption coordinator, she suggested a harness and to expose Rene to everything, not baby her, and so I did. I bought a harness that holds her in, and we took an amazing walk that afternoon. She heeled, she waited, she came when called. She stood while I talked to a neighbor I just met instead of balking and pulling away. And I felt so proud of her. Yesterday, she took the elevator to the parking garage, took a car ride, walked in a new place with new sights, sounds and smells, and did so well. I was, again, so proud of her. She sleeps through the night, she handles being at home in my bedroom when I am at work, she watches TV with me in the living room, she eats her food and drinks her water. I am so, very, proud of her.

So, yes…I can do this! My confidence and providing structure/routine and exposure is vital to her success. Not only do I hold her accountable, I hold myself even moreso. I have committed to trying something new every day. Today, Grandma and Grandpa are visiting; tomorrow, a trip to Petsmart. Sunday, dealing with the vacuum cleaner. And with my confidence, and her bravery, we will build a Greyt little life together that we both can enjoy.

My Girl

Welcome home, my beautiful Rene!

Jax Running Rene came to me by way of my impatience, which can sometimes be a flaw, but can also bring me good things. I had been approved by one Greyhound adoption group but they had a wait list. I got one call, about a 19 month old puppy who wasn't potty trained, which wasn't quite what I was looking for. I decided to see what other groups are out there, and came across Friends of Retired Greyhounds. I made a call, spoke to the adoption coordinator right away, and she told me about my beautiful, sweet, and very insecure Rene.

Rene was described as "sweet, lovable…but shy and wants things on her terms." An introvert, once Rene gets comfy in her surroundings she is a true gem. Rene ran the Sioux City race track until January, retired from her profession and was brought with FORG to the Cell Dog Training Program at Crowley County Correctional Facility outside of Pueblo. All adoptable Greyhounds go there for 3 weeks of training and then they can meet potential adopters. Rene, well, was the last of her group. She was visited by about 7 or so potential adopters, and no one connected with her. She is jumpy upon approach by strangers; she despises loud noises; and it takes some time to warm up.

I drove out the facility-about 2 1/2 hours or so from Denver-and a guard brought her into the front yard. She backed away from me, scared, but I took her leash and walked her around. We didn't "bond" necessarily, but I looked at this girl and said to myself, "If I don't adopt her, she will become the Crowley County Correctional Facilities mascot." And while I am sure she would have been fine with that, as it was all she knew beyond the race track, I had other hopes for her future.

She wouldn't come in the car, and we were approached by various men in uniform trying to help, but only freaked her out more. I finally got assertive, picked her up and put her in…away we went. She stood for part of the drive, and then settled in and laid on the back seat. We got home, and she sniffed the condo. We went out and did a short walk around the building-she a nervous wreck, me a nervous wreck trying to keep it together. I have to be the confident one…after all…

I had numerous calls, texts and emails with the adoption coordinator that first day. They want me to crate train her, but she is no way interested in her crate. I put a bed in my bedroom and she settled in. I did some online reading…that new Greys need to find their safe space upon entering a home, and so I let that be hers. The adoption coordinator warned be against putting her in my room with the door closed when I would leave, but I did it anyway and she appeared to do fine when I ran a quick errand. She slept mostly through the first night with one bathroom call, which she promptly let me know about with a quiet whine.

Yesterday we took a few short walks, and she hung out in the bedroom a lot. But, she finally came out and laid down in the living room, which was a good sign. She was able to be in the bedroom while I went to work for 4 hours with no casualties. She loves a peanut butter filled kong, and we are trying out different treats and other chews.

This morning, she was such a character! We went out to the bathroom around 4am and then back in to go back to sleep. She rubbed her face against the bed, and let me pet her. We had an amazing walk this morning…she did so good and listened to her commands. One step forward, though, and a few steps back…we went out again to go to the bathroom and she saw a person coming towards us and freaked out. She also got her head caught in the curtain on the patio door and pulled it down. Poor thing! But, I don't treat her like "poor thing" because that enables her to be so timid.

I just got off the phone with the adoption coordinator, and we are going to use a harness on Rene and I am going to start acclimating her to people and new places. Exposure, exposure, exposure she says. I know this in my heart, and I just need the confidence to execute.

 My attempt at crate training didn't work…here she is outside her crate

Getting used to her spot in the bedroom

New bed, new collar…red heads can wear pink!

Getting her groove around the house

Everyone's favorite…a PB filled Kong!

New

I am always in search of something new to capture my attention, my time, my creative abilities, and to enhance my life in some way. I have discovered a few new things to add some extra enjoyment to my life…

• Disc Golf-My brother and I discovered this sport while in Scottsdale. It is like golf, only with frisbees. There are a bunch of courses around Denver and one only about 10 mins from me. It is free to play, and a great sport by myself or with someone else!
• Mystery Shopping-I was introduced to this from a friend who recently completed a mystery shopping evaluation at The Broadmoor Hotel. I applied, got accepted as an evaluator, and my assignment will be to visit a local restaurant in the next month. Shhh…I can't tell you which one! But I think it will be a fun way to make extra money and have some new experiences.
• Playing with I-Photo-I haven't toyed too much with my photo program on my computer. Here are a few I took in Albuquerque that I enhanced just a bit!