Post by paulv on Aug 29, 2007 12:04:33 GMT -5
Wade’s story
About eighteen months ago we adopted our first greyhound Alfie followed in short order by a companion Shula. After living in a flat for many years we had finally got a house and garden and could have somewhere for the children (and dogs) to play. Things have been great with the dogs and life would be unimaginable without them now – the friendly face when you come in the door after a horrible day, the cuddles and snuggles on the sofa whilst chilling out, the cold nose gently reminding you that its time for a walk despite the fact that its minus 3 outside. I love my dogs and they love me but there has been of late a nagging feeling that maybe a new addition to the pack might be a good idea and perhaps we could do a little more to help the countless number of rescued and retired dogs out there. Maybe there was a little soul who needed us. I had considered fostering but, although the boys are 6 ½ and 8 and very dog savvy, there was always the chance of upsetting the balance of our pack. Also, although we live in a three bedroom semi its not the biggest house in the world so perhaps a smaller dog would suit. As a child we had been bought up with Jack Russell terriers but after having greyhounds other breeds didn’t really appeal. So a small greyhound perhaps…? Or maybe…a whippet? Previously I had homed my dogs through the RGT but had always kept abreast of things with other organisations like GAP. And one day there he was – Wade. We discussed the possibility as a family and after much rolling of eyes by my partner Caroline and much excited questioning by the boys I decided to approach Lisa…
Not much more than three weeks later Wade has landed on our sofa. He has a history – rehomed and handed back on two or three occasions on the last of which he was facing, to put it bluntly, the big needle. GAP had stepped in and Nicky had been fostering him. After some phone conversations, a home check/visit, a reference from the RGT and all was in place. Simple really. Obviously we are in a period of adjustment at the moment (both us and Wade) and there are some issues to work through. For example Wade does have some separation anxiety but fortunately due to the nature of my job have some time to work on that. Also Shula, who I don’t think was ever socialised properly before we had her, can be a little feisty. But these are small prices to pay for the joy of having Wade in our family. We have been gradually leaving Wade for small amounts of time and already he is completely happy to be left downstairs all night with the other two. Shula is coming round and is actually surprisingly tolerant of the little one (it helps that, despite his size, he is quite willing to stand up for himself). Obviously its still early days but on this evidence I think it safe to say that Wade, at the age of four, has found his forever home…
Auditioning for the part of Dobbie the house-elf (Harry Potter)
100 uses for a delated bouncy castle: Numbers 1-99 A dog bed
The pace is hectic:
About eighteen months ago we adopted our first greyhound Alfie followed in short order by a companion Shula. After living in a flat for many years we had finally got a house and garden and could have somewhere for the children (and dogs) to play. Things have been great with the dogs and life would be unimaginable without them now – the friendly face when you come in the door after a horrible day, the cuddles and snuggles on the sofa whilst chilling out, the cold nose gently reminding you that its time for a walk despite the fact that its minus 3 outside. I love my dogs and they love me but there has been of late a nagging feeling that maybe a new addition to the pack might be a good idea and perhaps we could do a little more to help the countless number of rescued and retired dogs out there. Maybe there was a little soul who needed us. I had considered fostering but, although the boys are 6 ½ and 8 and very dog savvy, there was always the chance of upsetting the balance of our pack. Also, although we live in a three bedroom semi its not the biggest house in the world so perhaps a smaller dog would suit. As a child we had been bought up with Jack Russell terriers but after having greyhounds other breeds didn’t really appeal. So a small greyhound perhaps…? Or maybe…a whippet? Previously I had homed my dogs through the RGT but had always kept abreast of things with other organisations like GAP. And one day there he was – Wade. We discussed the possibility as a family and after much rolling of eyes by my partner Caroline and much excited questioning by the boys I decided to approach Lisa…
Not much more than three weeks later Wade has landed on our sofa. He has a history – rehomed and handed back on two or three occasions on the last of which he was facing, to put it bluntly, the big needle. GAP had stepped in and Nicky had been fostering him. After some phone conversations, a home check/visit, a reference from the RGT and all was in place. Simple really. Obviously we are in a period of adjustment at the moment (both us and Wade) and there are some issues to work through. For example Wade does have some separation anxiety but fortunately due to the nature of my job have some time to work on that. Also Shula, who I don’t think was ever socialised properly before we had her, can be a little feisty. But these are small prices to pay for the joy of having Wade in our family. We have been gradually leaving Wade for small amounts of time and already he is completely happy to be left downstairs all night with the other two. Shula is coming round and is actually surprisingly tolerant of the little one (it helps that, despite his size, he is quite willing to stand up for himself). Obviously its still early days but on this evidence I think it safe to say that Wade, at the age of four, has found his forever home…
Auditioning for the part of Dobbie the house-elf (Harry Potter)
100 uses for a delated bouncy castle: Numbers 1-99 A dog bed
The pace is hectic:
he is such a lovely little whippety boy, congratulation to all of you. 
