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Post by glennis on Aug 1, 2013 3:07:09 GMT -5
Loving reading about Layla...It seems like you two were meant to be
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Post by RulusMum on Aug 1, 2013 3:55:12 GMT -5
Love reading your updates Kevin, how wonderful Layla is already doing zoombies bet you had a huge grin! You're both doing really well hope the nerves soon disappear and Layla copes well with being left.
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Post by lurcherlovealot on Aug 1, 2013 5:01:02 GMT -5
Hi Kevin, after meeting you both on Saturday I think you two are going to make a really good team. Layla seems a chilled out lass and I,m sure she will teach you all there is to know about loving a greyhound... We are both in the settling in period and I think both our hounds are doing pretty well, don't you ? We have decided to keep his name as Lewis we think it seems to suit him. Hope all went well when you left her on her own. I think it's much harder for us ..... watching the minutes tick by on your watch, peeping in the window. Yesterday I left Lewis and went outside and cleaned the inside of the car for 45 mins. Came back in and he was fast asleep! So much for me fretting ... he didn't seem too bothered! Layla is a beauty... Our last greyhound was black and she reminds me of her. I hope you are enjoying getting to know Layla as much as I am getting to know Lewis. I too enjoy your updates keep them coming
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ReggieK
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Post by ReggieK on Aug 1, 2013 7:22:21 GMT -5
Thanks for your kind words Alison (it is Alison, isn't it?) Lewis looks really comfortable in your pics, settled better than my Layla by looks of things. I think you can only be that relaxed when you know you are loved Glad to hear you are already over the separation issues, always a big worry. Still not tried it much with Layla yet. Was planning to do it today, well now actually during my lunch hour, but we've had a bit of excitement here this morning so I have postponed it. I came down earlier, about 1130, as I heard a noise, to find her playing with one of my DVD's, still in it's case, so safe enough. Anyway, I obviously don't want her doing that, so I tried to transfer her play to one of the toys I bought her. Well, let's say I was a bit too successful and she got quite excited, so excited that she went to run the toy into the garden. Whilst the patio door was shut! Oh my, oh my. The yelping, the howling and the whining that ensued. You'd think the world was coming to an end. And I can tell you, as funny as it seems now, at the time my heart was in my mouth. I thought she had broken something for sure. But she is fine, just scared herself silly. Strange thing is that she knows all about the patio doors, it was the first thing I introduced her to. She's been in an out all week OK, even when they have been closed she runs at them and stops OK. I can only assume the excitement got the better of her. Anyway, she seems to be OK, sleeping again. Weather is due to be hot, hot, hot so another new issue to contend with no doubt. Don't know how you have found it with Lewis where you live Alison, but we must have had every weather type except for snow this week so far. Thunder, lightning, torrential rain, hailstones, showers and now some high temperatures. If she survives this week, she'll survive anything!
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Post by Lisa on Aug 1, 2013 9:29:58 GMT -5
Kevin we have had dogs sadly die as a result of running into patio doors they have broken their necks. I would get some window decals to put on there for a while till she gets more use to it and maybe even a net curtain you can pull across for a little while. Keep a close eye on her and any signs of stiffness or discomfort get her checked out incase there is a hairline fracture xxxx Fingers crossed she will be fine and will have learnt a valuable lesson
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ReggieK
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Post by ReggieK on Aug 1, 2013 10:13:20 GMT -5
Yes, I had read that, which is why I introduced her to them ASAP. But I will look into decals as well. Good point though, so will keep an eye on her but she seems fine so far. It was her leg she was initially being tender with and she has subsequently been zooming up and down the garden without any signs of stress, stiffness or slowness. If it is even possible to keep a closer eye on her than I do already I will do so. I registered her with a vet on Monday along with taking out insurance with Pet Plan so whatever happens she will want for nothing. I think she is having more trouble with the heat than anything right now. Thinking of digging out the fan for her. I'll report back tomorrow on the little minx.
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ReggieK
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Post by ReggieK on Aug 2, 2013 2:58:13 GMT -5
Nothing new to report except that she seems well. No stiffness, soreness or other discomfort to report. So yesterday's trip into the patio door seems to have had no ill affects. Which I am eternally thankful for.
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Post by RulusMum on Aug 2, 2013 3:26:42 GMT -5
Relieved to hear Layla is okay Kevin, greyhounds can be quite silly when excited and I guess most of us have experianced those heart stopping moments and worried ourselves to death. Fan is a good idea I have them on in every room for our 8 as they can't cope with this heat.
You sound like you have everything in hand and sorted so try to relax and enjoy you are both doing brilliantly. First greyhounds are always a steep learning curve as we can all testify too LOL. We actually bought a book called greyhounds for dummies that's how green we were after walking Dill with his first walk, it was barely a warm up for our little dog but he had been in kennels and not had much excerise and a 20 minute walk left him gasping and left us terrified we'd damaged him!
It gets easier xxxxxx
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Post by Milothemonster on Aug 2, 2013 4:04:41 GMT -5
Loving your updates Kevin!! I think many of us can all see ourselves in your posts. It has certainly brought back some earlier emotions for me and made me remembered some of the drama's we went through in the settling in period and believe me there were LOTS! But I think you are doing brilliantly with her and you will both made a greyt team! Keep the news comming!
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Post by lurcherlovealot on Aug 2, 2013 9:26:32 GMT -5
Hi Kevin, yes it is Alison. Glad Layla didn't do herself too much damage. I echo the others in saying every day is a learning curve until you understand every possible scenario that may occur...even then they will always find something new to throw into the mix. I know its more difficult right now but once you can start to predict her behavior you can head it off with safe alternatives. Lewis too gets very excited from time to time but I have started to take his toys out into the garden when he does and we have playtime out there. He runs round and round throwing his toys for about 10 mins then lays down and has a rest.I don't know if it will work but I am hoping to get him to recognize outside for play inside for rest and calm.Well in theory it should work at least while the weather is fine and dry.
Lewis has coped really well with the heat. He has found the coolest spots in the garden. He even has a favorite place right under a tree like a den that's very cool and he will go and stretch out there in the middle of the afternoon. This is not something my other hounds ever did in all the time we had them, they would lay in the full sun panting furiously and I would have to bring them in .The picture I posted of Lewis on a chair looking out of the window is in the coolest room in the house and Lewis has taken himself off there a few times for a nap!
The more you learn about Layla the easier it will get.I am trying to get Lewis to sleep a few hours more at night. He is up at 5 am rearing to play. I don't mind getting up early but another hour would be great I am having an hours snooze in the afternoon when he does so that I don't get too tired..... quite nice actually I could get used to this.
Tonight I am going to try adding a little pasta to his evening meal and feed him a bit later as advised by Lisa,hope it works. Give Layla a cuddle from us. Hope you have had a less eventful day today!
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ReggieK
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Post by ReggieK on Aug 2, 2013 9:38:33 GMT -5
Thanks for kind words, but I must admit, most of the nerves and emotions are probably more down to me being a first time dog owner than anything else. I've been scared silly not knowing if I am doing the right thing and the right time etc, but she has been as good as gold. As the line goes "Houston we have achieved separation" I managed to put in some proper separation time today. I have taken Lisa's advice and am not giving Pigs Ear treats normally during day anymore. I gave her one and went out and hid around the corner for 30 minutes with ears on amber alert. (Surprised neighbours never called the cops with all the lurking going on ) Didn't hear a peep out of her. Came back and looked through window and could see her curled up and asleep. Came in, no damage anywhere. Bless her. She is soooooo sweet. Loving her more and more every day.
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ReggieK
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Post by ReggieK on Aug 2, 2013 9:45:56 GMT -5
Lol Alison. It took me so long to compose above message, you got your reply in before I saw it I must admit I am very lucky with Layla in as much as she will sleep until at least 630-700am. Then if I let her out to go toilet, she'll come back in and happily sleep for another hour or two. Your Lewis does sound more typical in that he lays in garden or on chairs etc, Layla doesn't do furniture or garden (other than for zoomies), she only lays on floor at foot of stairs or in front of fireplace in lounge. I have tried doing that too, toys out into garden. As you say easy to do when weather is good, coping during bad weather will be interesting! Off to give Layla a cuddle from you. Say Hi to Lewis
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Post by kamkay on Aug 2, 2013 10:31:24 GMT -5
[quote Layla doesn't do furniture)[/quote] ....... yet-give her time
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Post by RulusMum on Aug 2, 2013 13:10:38 GMT -5
Thanks for kind words, but I must admit, most of the nerves and emotions are probably more down to me being a first time dog owner than anything else. I've been scared silly not knowing if I am doing the right thing and the right time etc, but she has been as good as gold. As the line goes "Houston we have achieved separation" I managed to put in some proper separation time today. I have taken Lisa's advice and am not giving Pigs Ear treats normally during day anymore. I gave her one and went out and hid around the corner for 30 minutes with ears on amber alert. (Surprised neighbours never called the cops with all the lurking going on ) Didn't hear a peep out of her. Came back and looked through window and could see her curled up and asleep. Came in, no damage anywhere. Bless her. She is soooooo sweet. Loving her more and more every day. Kevin you make me laugh and your updates bring back so many memories, in a way I think it's rather lovely that you are so nervous because you want to get it right for your beautiful Layla. Would love to have seen video of your lurking LOL.
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ReggieK
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Post by ReggieK on Aug 2, 2013 15:28:51 GMT -5
I believe the video has been submitted to the police Oh well, it couldn't last I guess. Perhaps my fault for getting carried away but I went for a second period of separation tonight as I went to the indian for couple of pints and takeaway. My earlier success had clearly made me over-confident and an hour and 20 mins was too much. I came home, looked through the window, couldn't see her so assumed she was lying by the door. Oh no. Madam had made it upstairs (which would have been cause for celebration had she done it whilst I was there!), and you guessed it, could not get back down! Bless her. Had to laugh. She was getting in a right panting panic. Tried to encourage her to come down on her own but she was having none of it. So had to carry her down. Then she drank half a barrel of water and collapsed panting for 20 mins. She seems fine now, but got to love her I think baby steps are in order
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