Tarty's gone again...

This time with a family that has another older grey. Also, four people live at home so there will usually be someone to keep her company. She seemed to get along well with all of them. I had just taught her to give me her paw, so she kept giving it to each family member. Too cute!

I'll miss that spotted dog again! Too quiet here, though I'm glad the fur output will be down a third for a little while...

Another stoic grey...

Dreaming of chasing bunnies...

Tarty got her nails clipped yesterday and didn't flinch. I don't think she had any idea that I was doing anything unusual. This is great, because greyhound nails can grow very long and some greys HATE having their nails clipped. I had a male grey like this, and I had to take him to the vet every time for a clipping. Tarty also is fine with getting her teeth brushed. They're in pretty good shape--also good since many greys have horrible plaque and breath.

Tartan

Relaxing by the fire after a long walk in the snow! Tartan is really chill. She's very easygoing and I think it's going to take a few more weeks for her personality to fully come through. She plays a little with the toys, but once we try to get involved, she drops them and goes back to her bed. However, today, she played tug of war with me, so that was great!

All about Tartan

Even though she's 5.5 y/o, Tartan has only been off the track a few months. Every day we learn more about her. For instance,

Tartan's Likes

• Being petted, snuggled with or hugged, or touched anywhere
• Scanning the horizon for cats
• Pulling out every last squeak toy in the basket
• Rooing with other greys, whether real or online

Tartan's Dislikes

• Being forced to walk for exercise without stopping to smell the p-mail
• Being locked in the spare bedroom while she ate so the other dogs don't steal it. It was the one and only time she peed inside...

If you like cuddly, affectionate dogs, this is the one for you!

Need a sleeping buddy?!

Tartan is warmer than a pillow or blanket and just loves to cuddle.

Guess who's back. Back again. Tartan's back. Tell a friend...

Tartan is back in foster care and available for adoption again. She's as sweet as ever!

So when I last mentioned cats, I said I wasn't sure. By now, I have a pretty good feeling that she would not do well in a home with cats. When she saw the neighbor's cat, she had her front legs on the fence and the entire fence vibrated with her excitement! Now every time we walk, she looks in everyone's yards for potential cats. I think it's something that will lessen in time, just like my 12 y/o grey. But I don't think a home with cats would be a great idea.

She loves going on long walks with our mixed breed dog and tried to keep up or pass her. But Freyja is pretty fast so Tartan just keeps trying...which is nice for us to get some exercise on the walk!

More to come...

Tarty Farty (respectfully now named GiGi) is with her new family

Our sweet little foster Tartan / Tarty Farty / Don't Be Tarty for the Party (you have to watch Real Housewives of Atlanta to get that last one) left tonight with her new daddy.

We'll miss her! How can it feel so quiet suddenly with still 2 dogs around??

Adoption pending

Tartan is going to a forever home next week.  She'll be with a nice couple who has a sweet little boy to give her lots of attention!

Day 9

Tartan has earned her right to sleep outside the crate. We left her out one night last week and she's been perfect ever since. We have also been leaving her out while we go out, and she's been fine. No accidents, no chewing or other destruction. She really knows how to just relax and sleep!

This weekend, we ran into more kids and dogs, and she was fine with all of it. Her strong curiousity about other dogs is wearing out and she just casually sniffs them and moves on. We have her on some Rimadyl for a left front leg limp; we're not sure exactly what happened but we've been trying to be careful. However, she is a strong walker. She will slow down if you pull back and she is good at following. She kept a nice pace with Chris and Freyja in the lead on our last walk.

Otherwise, everything is going well!

Day 6

Tartan is really making herself at home. She's starting to resist going into the crate now since the world in the living room is so much more fun. She loves pulling every toy and bone out of the basket and littering them around her bed. She still follows us everywhere and loves attention, as you can see in the photo. Chris was trying to work and she kept inserting herself between him and the computer.

Last night, I lied down next to her on her bed. She doesn't seem to mind having my arm and leg draped over her and does not seem to have any sleep or space aggression. When we say her name or walk toward her while she's lying down, she lifts her back leg. Very funny! She also fully cockroached for the first time today.

She is walking well on the leash, though still needs some guidance to stay to one side. She loves to smell everything and wants to explore everywhere. We met a small dog on the walk tonight, and Tartan was really interested in her. I was a little worried, but Tartan mainly just wanted to shove her nose up the dog's butt!

Day 4

Tartan is doing great! Her personality is emerging more and more each day.

She loves playing with stuffies and will chase after a tennis ball. Yesterday, we played an online video of greys rooing and after turning her head left and right, she felt encouraged to join in. Tonight, we got a full roo serenade. She even followed Chris' lead and it sounded like she matched him note for note!

She still has not had an accident and goes into her crate no problem. However, she would love nothing more than to be up on the couch with us. She tries over and over and seems to think we'll re-think our policy of not letting her up. She is also stealing my 12 y/o greyhound's bed again and again. I keep chasing her off, but she keeps trying me. I do think she is very smart and will listen, but just really wants a bed to call her own.

Tartan is a total love and very easygoing.

Tartan likes da sweet home life so far!

Tartan is settling into home life. She acts as if she's been in a home before: she does stairs no problem, is housebroken so far, and knows where the soft places are for relaxing! We are not letting her up onto the furniture, however, in case her new owner will also not want to. We're also teaching her that humans and dogs do not eat out of the same bowl!

She's starting to let loose and play. She found this bone in the toy chest and played with it as if it were prey. Which, by the way, she does apparently have some prey drive as she became very excited at seeing a squirrel today. Still not sure about cat safety.

But in general, she's a big love. I'll hug her from the front, and she'll rest her head on my shoulder, leaning her full weight into me.

She has thankfully gone into her crate each time with no complaint. In fact, she's resting there voluntarily as I write. And the first night...not a sound.

Welcome Tartan!

Tartan is a 5.5 year old female and is white with brindle patches. She was a momma at the race track. I thought she deserved a soft place to lie down until a real home could be found. She is a real sweetheart and absolutely loves people. So far, she's my velcro dog!

Tartan gets along great with kids and is very gentle and affectionate. She's got all of her shots up to date, has been spayed and has had her teeth cleaned recently.

Tartan rides well in the car. She pulls a little on the lease, but is responsive to a light yet firm tug to get her walking next to me. She seems to get along with other dogs--we have another greyhound and a mixed breed. She was very excited at seeing a Jack Russell earlier, but hopefully she saw him as a friend and not lunch. Not sure about cats yet...

The only slight negative is that she jumps up on people and therefore has a very easy time jumping up to the counter (with her front paws, that is). We're trying to break her of that habit.

If you are interested in Tartan, email me at daniellering@yahoo.com. You may also learn about greyhounds and complete an application for adoption at http://www.greyrescue.com.

More to come as we get to know her!