Taylor's Last Day in Foster Care

Well folks, it's my last full day here and I'm so glad Foster Mom didn't dress me up or do

 anything weird for Christmas. I've seen too many hounds dressed in deer antlers or Santa hats.

Uhhhhh.....I spoke too soon. Mom thought it would be funny to wrap this radish-like toy

around my neck, like a scarf or something. Sighhhhh.

Better you than me, buddy. Consider yourself lucky--

She made her last greyhounds wear wigs and hats so she could take a funny picture.

Well, I guess you're right. It could be alot worse.

I'm hungry again. No, maybe I'm tired. Or am I bored? Oh well. Let's nap on it.

I've Timed it Perfectly

Well, it happened... I met this nice lady and guy, and they promised that my new home will be filled with couches AND soft dog beds. They went to somewhere called Aspen, which sounds lovely to me. It sounds like there's alot to pee on out there. But unfortunately, I'm stuck here until they get back after my birthday. Well, I guess it could be worse. Foster Mom let me sleep in bed with her and Gracie last night, and we went on a car ride to the park where Dad ran with me down the bike trail. Whew! It was good to get those wheels rollin' again!

So anyway, it's good timing because Santa will visit me at the foster home AND I'll get something special for my birthday. And THEN, I heard Santa will leave something under the tree in my new home...AND it's my birthday so in all I will get QUADRUPLE the amount of presents that Gracie gets. Life is good.

Otherwise this week, I copped to being able to do the stairs. I slept through a pedicure, and I'm still working on contolling my urges around squirrels.

So Fans, stay tuned if you want to hear a little more about my last week. I'm not sure if my new family has the internet or not, but I'll be sure to leave a parting post. Til then, happy cockroaching!

Taylor Failed His Cat Test

 

Hey Fans,

Well Foster Mom tried to give me away today, but I made sure it didn't happen. I am pretty comfy here...I mean, I can hold down the guestroom bed all by myself. I get Frosty Paws, walks, and massages. Who knows what is beyond this place?! So's me and mom went to this lady's house (guess she was pretty nice), but that cat of hers just kept taunting me and calling me a stinky knucklehead dog. So I tried and tried to catch her and teach her a lesson, but mom wouldn't let me. So we came back home, I got a Frosty Paw, and now I'm holding down a plush fleece bed. I didn't see any beds or Frosty Paws there, so I know I made the right decision.

Mom says I can only stay here for a little while though, and that I need to be more charming with the next peeps who come and see me. Mayyybbbeeee if they have better dog beds I'd consider it.

Otherwise, I hate the rain. And I still hate the stairs, so I stay downstairs while they sleep. I'm kinda a one-level living guy. A rambler-style house would be great! Of course, I can do stairs (mom made me go up and down the stairs by the park like 100 times), but I enjoy getting my way; it's one of the only times!

Gotta sign out for now. Nap #59 is coming on.

I'm Special, So Special

Hey y'all,

I'm starting to get the hang of things around here. I'm trying to be more patient when mom is fixing my food.  I'm also mostly walking next to her, but I do still really like to pee on things outside and can't pass up an opportunity when it presents itself. It just makes my heart feel warm! And this Florida guy needs all the warmth he can get in this place!

OMG, I love meeting new people and new dogs. No wonder the other hounds at the kennel kept talking about retirement. It really is great! Foster Mom and Dad can't stop petting me and hugging me. I think it's because I'm such a soft guy, and because I just stand there and rest my head on their shoulders. They seem to like that!

I've got a secret though--I know how to do stairs, but I'm not telling them yet. I like when they stay downstairs with me. One time, Foster Mom made me go up one step at a time. I was still a little weirded out by the whole living in a house thing, so I put up a little fight. And guess what?! I made her carry me back down. A guy could get used to that. But I think there's more stair training today, so I guess I'd better decide when I'm going to tell her I can do them so's we can move on to something more fun!

Otherwise, no more rumblings in my tummy, so I'm getting great sleep! Foster Mom had to wake me up this morning. I was trying to play Possum, but my tail gave me away!

Last, I bet you didn't know, but I am a private investigator. There are several other greyhounds in this house, and I'm determined to find them! Watch....

Mr. Big Shot is here!

Welcome to Taylor, who was apparently a big shot (or at least a well-loved boy) at the kennel. Denise noticed little drawings of hearts on his plastic muzzle, along with the names Taylor and Tay-Tay. She's never seen this before, and thinks it must mean that there is something really special about him!

From Taylor:

Hey y'all, of course I'm special! I'm one of the most specially-colored dogs ever! I'm so soft and handsome, I can't stop looking at myself in the mirror. Wish that lady would clean my noseprints off so I could see myself better.

Wow, lots of riding recently, but hopefully I can chill here for a little while and learn the ropes from Gracie! That lady Foster Mom can be very nice, but boy can she be stern too. I was so excited when I got here. I mean, I just wanted to smell everything! Mom said I have ants in my pants--whatever that means since I don't wear pants. I also thought I was being polite by getting my own food off the counter so Foster Mom could relax. But I got yelled at, though I do have to say she thanked me for listening to her right away. I also couldn't wait to go out, drag her down the street, and pee on as many things as possible. But she's a strong one, and made me walk next to her. Hmmpphh, alot of rules to learn here. But at least I know not to lift my leg inside. AND I know that bedtime is quiet time. I'm no dummy!

Enjoyed a good couple of laps in the yard today and looking forward to dragging mom I mean walking calmly next to mom on our next outing. Oh yeah, squirrels remind me of bunnies, and that's another thing mom is trying to get me to stop whooping it up about. I also met 2 cats, but don't see anything special about them.

Last, I'm shy to admit, but I'm a big snuggler. I love to be pet and loved, and I wish Mom would invite me on the couch with her and Gracie so we could all snuggle. Or, snuggling on my bed is just fine too. My space is yours!

Over and out! The mirror is calling me to check my fur!

Finn found his forever home at the picnic...

We're very sad to see Finn go (well, maybe not Gracie--she likes having me to herself). But he was here just over a month and has turned into a wonderful greyhound and companion. He was ready to find someone else that needs him and that can love him for all of his days.

I'll miss my buddy Finn taking up whole the kitchen floor while I'm cooking, barging into the bathroom and trying to sit on my lap or get in the tub with me, mouthing my hands and legs while I'm petting him, grumbling at Gracie when she steals his bed, locking himself in the bathroom, getting on the treadmill, and so much more!

His new family is a sweet couple with one cat. They are very understanding people who can be patient and give him the time and space he needs to relax and fit right in.

Happy Trails Finn! We hope to see you again soon.
Big XO from Foster Mom, Foster Dad, Gracie and Freyja

Begging for treats

Finn is doing great! We took him to the dog park the other day. He was totally fine with the dogs, and a little gentleman and let everyone pet him. He got a little cut on his toe and laid down at one point. I was really nervous about how he would react to the other dogs coming over to sniff him, but Finn just acted like it was

no big deal. Yay! He's just being a total love bug right now.

Finn Will Be at the Picnic

Unless he gets a home before that, of course. But we will be there a little later, like 2ish, since I have to work that day.

It's been 2.5 weeks and he's doing great. He tries to get on my lap while I'm on the couch. We haven't been allowing him up there, but it's pretty funny to see him try! He's a 74 pound lap dog...

He's now also playing with stuffies in the back yard. He runs, shakes them, throws them in the air. He'll eat anything, including vegetables and fruit. When he wants something that I'm eating, he'll sit on his hind quarters and wave his front paw at me. Very cute! Too cute to resist. We'll show you at the picnic!

Finn's Idea of the Perfect First Week in a Home

Gracie tells Finn to put a lid on it.

We've had some fits and starts with potential adopters, and I wanted to write out how the ideal scenario would look in the first week should you want to adopt Finn. He's a tough nut in the beginning, but as soon as you're "In With Finn", you're in forever. Here goes...

Finn's new owners are understanding and patient people who have experience with dogs. They have grown children, if any, and ideally have another greyhound or calm dog. (Please note: single owners also just fine).
When Finn's owners come to the foster home to meet him for the first time, they understand that he is confused, anxious and scared as to why people have come to the house and are focusing on him. He knows something's up. But the new owners understand that he is a sensitive yet intelligent dog that just needs some time to process things and feel secure. They pet him when he comes to them and give him treats, but they don't invade his space, especially while he's lying down.

Using a very positive reward system (again, treats), the new owners get Finn to their car. When they get him home, they allow him to check out his new surroundings and meet any other family members or pets. They give Finn a bed or specific area where he can lie down and relax if he wants. Again, they know he is stressed, so they don't try to coax him or shower him with affection. They basically ignore him and let him come to them.

All caretakers take turns walking Finn and feeding him. All will have agreed on training for Finn--making him wait before he goes out the door, keeping him beside them on a walk, sitting, coming when called, and not letting him push other dogs out of the way. They all give brief affection to him when he approaches, but still not while he's lying down. If for some reason he growls, they will not punish him, but try to learn what is making him uncomfortable and remove the trigger if possible. If not, they they must work on desensitizing him, again, using a positive environment and rewards system.

Over the course of the week, the owners will notice that Finn is following them everywhere. He is alot more affectionate, and even funny. The owners are, however, still not rushing Finn. They know (from the foster mom) that as soon as Finn decides he loves them, he will be the sweetest, most affectionate dog.

ARE YOU WORTHY OF BEING "IN WITH FINN" FOREVER??

Someone better adopt him soon...

because we REALLY like Finn! But we can't keep him--we have 2 dogs, one of whom has renal failure, and it's just too much. Besides, we want to keep fostering as we can.

I say this a bit tongue in cheek only to show:
A. How much we like Finn because he's such a good, fun, goofy, sweet, affectionate dog
B. How sorry we'll be to see him go. It's only been a week-and-a-half, and he's really adjusting well.

As I've said before, I want to make sure he goes to the right family. He is a big, goofy puppy, basically, but does need to know who's boss so that he keeps his manners in check. He does bark on occasion (mostly when we're gone--but I believe no serious problems with separation anxiety). He LOVES attention and follows me everywhere. He is also getting along wonderfully with my husband--no growls for 6 days. Chris has been working with him, and it appears to be the key.

Here's 2 goofy Finn things I'll share:
1. We went to Gettysburg for the day and took the dogs. On the way home, he kept making these funny faces and positions:

2. We were working out in the basement, and closed the dogs out. He started barking to be let in. We ignored him, so he disappeared for a while. Then we heard barking from a distance. I went to investigate and realized he was upstairs. I couldn't imagine why he wouldn't just come down. So I went up, and he had managed to trap himself in our tiny bathroom. The door was partially open, but he couldn't figure out how to use his nose to free himself. So he just barked until someone came to get him. Funny puppy.

A couple of photos of Finn

Look at that face! He's a very handsome guy. And there's a deep, soulful intelligence behind those light-colored eyes.

Finn and Gracie are like two peas in a pod!

Chris continues to work with Finn to desensitize him to the one trigger that makes Finn become nervous and growl--petting him while he's lying down (it's not an issue for me). Chris has been using treats (Finn is very food-driven) to train him. So far, 3 days have gone by without a growl. I just think it takes time for Finn to adapt to his new surroundings, and some training and patience. He's an extremely smart dog who can read us like a book. He also is very focused and would make a great dog for any kind of job/activity, like agility.

P.S. Finn got on the treadmill today! Cesar Millan recommends it if you can't always walk them. I walk them hard 3x day, but it does wear on me eventually. So I was curious...and he got on!

Progress: so far, so good!

Okay, so here's the deal as I see it so far...

Finn is a wonderful, sweet, affectionate dog. He's a little leery of secondary caretakers. He has growled in his previous home due to food issues, and in foster care, he growled 3x at my husband when he approached him to pet while he was lying down on his bed or floor.

I'm not worried about dominance with other dogs--he does great with his housemates. He'd also rather avoid a confrontation than provoke one. He's doing so much better in regards to waiting before going out the door and pushing the other dogs out of the way when I'm giving attention.

So then, the biggest issue to work on is the growling, which is more fear-based than aggression-based. We decided to eliminate the first trigger, which is food--namely bones. I don't give my dogs bones anyway (Gracie has kidney disease so it's a bad idea, and there tends to be tension anyway between her and her housemate). So that has been taken out of the equation, and I have had no issues with food.

Onto the second thing--growling at Chris.

We were right to have Chris help take care of Finn from the beginning. After consulting with other greyhound owners, I decided to also have Chris work with Finn on obedience training and on desensitizing him to his touch. Oddly, Finn had no problems with Chris giving him attention while he was standing. It's only been while Finn was lying down. So our decision was to have Chris pet Finn while I pet him as he lies down (he has never ever growled at me). So far so good. Next was to pet him himself while giving Finn treats. Last, Chris started obedience training tonight and we were delighted to find out that Finn knows both how to Sit and Lie Down!

In my opinion, Finn would do best with someone who has grown children if any, and who is willing to work  on possible growling issues. Note that a single owner would probably not have any problems since he just loves his main caretaker. If you're a couple, then both people need to be agreeable to work together. He's a 2 y/o boy who is testing his limits, which is why I say he needs a strong leader/s to keep him on track.

I would be happy to help anyone who is interested in adopting him. I can show our training methods and give explicit information on how to handle things. With all that said, I think he will make a wonderful dog with some work!

We Are So Proud of Finn!

We had a great weekend with Finn! We are getting to know him alot better and learning some of his funny quirks. He's really a great dog that will make a wonderful pet.

On Saturday, we took the 3 dogs to Grandma and Grandpa's house in Bethesda. We did a walk, during which Finn showed his talent for drinking water right from the squirt bottle (the other dogs couldn't figure it out). He also enjoyed a shower from the hose. I mean, he really enjoyed it. He just happily stood there while I completely soaked him from head to foot.

He greeted the 3 and 7-year-old nephews with a tail wag, and they just loved him. Grandma also loved him, and he readily leaned into her to be petted. He also cockroached right on the deck! Finn is an extremely affectionate guy that seeks out attention. No instances of growling whatsoever that day (or Sunday). I think he just needs to relax, know who is in charge, and he's a really cool dog.

The dogs had to stay on the deck while we ate dinner inside, and Finn did bark a little. But he calmed down after a minute or two. Like most greys, he wanted to be inside with the people. He also showed some interest in chasing the tennis ball and tries to investigate the stuffies, but Gracie always has to beat him to it.


I forgot to mention that Finn likes to be touched so much, either scratching or rubbing, that he will do one of 2 things:
1. slowly start melting down toward the floor, like when a grey gets a warm bath
2. very gently mouth the hand that's rubbing him

Sunday, we had a nice, relaxing day. Finn is our velcro dog and just loves both foster mom and dad. As I mentioned, he's a big leaner and is constantly coming to us for affection. At this point, I think he would do fine anywhere. Obviously, if you have really young kids, they need to respect his space, but in general, kids should be taught to be gentle with any new dog.

Finn like-uh da magic fingers...

I started massaging his muscles, and he loved it. He stretches out his arm and leg to really let me get in there. At one point I got interrupted, but he followed me around until I sat down with him again and continued massaging.

He also loves my homemade frosty paws (see pic). It's frozen real yogurt, honey and banana. He was so excited he didn't know what to do. Finally, he figured out what my Gracie has already learned: hook your teeth on the edge while your tongue just licks over and over and over until it's gone.

Otherwise, he's doing very well. We had one more instance of him growling at Chris. But I determined that Finn is more of a "I'll come get affection from you when I'm ready" kind of guy, at least in a new situation. It doesn't take long--he was my shadow by the next morning. But Chris, as his secondary caretaker, had not yet fed or walked him. Chris tried to lay down right next to him, which is how Finn growled both times. So if there is a second caretaker in the family, make sure you both take turns early on. And then let him seek you out for affection. I promise, it doesn't take long and he LOVES affection.

Did I mention that he is a really cool color? It's hard to see in the pictures I have right now. But he's dark brindle with this really deep caramel color. People on the street just love him!

Welcome Finn!

Finn is a big, beautiful brindle boy who was returned after a few months. He is totally housebroken, walks well, doesn't destroy anything, and gets along with other dogs. Basically, he is a great dog, but needs a strong pack leader/s to help him understand his place. As soon as that relationship is established, he is a calm, easygoing dog that is very affectionate.

For example, I noticed he would dart out the door and push the other dogs out of the way. With a few simple training techniques that I applied the first day, he now calmly waits to go out only after I have already stepped out. I walk him on a short leash side by side with my other grey, Gracie, and they do great. If one steps away to sniff, within seconds they're both back in line.

If I'm giving Gracie attention, he'll come and push her out of the way. I just push him back, and call him over only when I'm ready. He's already learning not to push her.

Also, he growled when my husband got close to him on his bed. Chris didn't back down and stood over him, staring at him. Finn slowly got up and slinked away, and we haven't had any more issues since then.

I've tested him for several other possible issues, but he has done very well. I am currently feeding him alone and holding the bowl. I put my hands in there and touch the food, pet his muzzle, take the bowl away and give it back, but so far no issues there. I'll keep trying with different items. Last, he seemed a little wary of kids initially and put the brakes on during the walk when we saw some down the street, but I didn't let him change our direction. We walked straight past them, and the next day he walked up to some neighborhood kids while wagging his tail.

So all in all, he's a good dog. I learned alot about the training techniques from reading Cesar Millan's two books--Cesar's Way and Be the Pack Leader, which I recommend for every dog owner regardless of whether you've owned many dogs or not. I did the same things with Gracie, and she is a very well-behaved dog, despite being a bit of a princess!

Rocket Gone!

Just like my name implies, I'm a fast-moving target! On one couch today, and a different one tomorrow. But I'm hoping to settle in for a while. The rest of my life, that is.

Well my day started out with a big surprise! Foster dad took me and Freyja (and left Gracie home with mom) to see foster grandma and grandpa. I got to meet some kids, including 3-year-old Dylan, who told me that I was his favorite dog in the world. Wow!

Then I came home and was enjoying a scratch on the neck by mom in front on my favorite AC vent. Gracie wanted to get in on the action, but I really didn't want to move. So she decided to lay down right on top of me. Golly! I yelled at her, but had to give up my spot since she's the resident hound, and a pushy girl. Anyhew, after a lovely dinner and some relaxation time, I was escorted outside to meet a family with 2 other greyhounds! It was a party with 5 dogs in the back yard for sure.  But the people and their little girl were so nice that I decided to give the guy a big hug, which is the way I sealed the deal. And just like that, I became a member of their family! Whoo-hoo!

Let's hope I can cool my jets here for a long time!

Rocket

Rocket Here!

Finally taking a break from all of my travels to write...I went from West Virginia to Alexandria to Arlington all in one day, and this 9 year-old guy is ready to take it easy. But don't get me wrong--as soon as I figured out where to drop my suitcase for a while, I was ready for the next adventure.

(Is it hot in here, or is it just me?  Pant, pant, pant)

Anyway, I was real excited to meet my foster mom and dad, and my foster sisters. Especially Gracie, the other greyhound. But Gracie seems to only like momma, so I figured I'd keep my distance and let the girls have their way. Isn't it easier that way?


(Pant, pant, pant)

We went for a few walks already. I was so excited to cover alot of ground and I kept trying to make them go faster! But foster momma is telling me to chill and not pull; she kept mentioning some Cesar. Anyway, I got to pee on all kinds of cool things, including Gracie (HA!). It wasn't my fault her head was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Now I'm lying in front of the AC vent, and boy does it feel good. Mom even put a comforter here--she's a classy lady! And did I mention how much I love a little roast beef with my pills? Mom says my eyes might fall out of my head, they get so wide. One last thing for now--I chatter my teeth when someone is scratching my neck. They all laugh, but I just can't help myself.

Later!

Bella has found a home

Bella found a couple who are ready to take care of her and love her. Here's one last fun video I took...she's taking a very noisy nap!

Bella's coming out!

Ms. Bella is starting to exhibit some greyhound qualities...

• countersurfing
• shunning the once acceptable carpet for a huge, donut-shaped dog bed
• getting that sighthound "look" -- pointed ears, body rigid and 1 leg bent -- when spotting a squirrel on the walk
• coming to me for big, long bearhugs and leaning into me
• cuddling on the couch, lying in the crook of my arm while we watch tv

She's also understanding that when foster mom is messing around in the kitchen, it usually means something good is going to happen! So now I have a buddy to keep me company while cooking.

Bella is still exhibiting some shyness, but coming to us on her own more than running away. And she's got that typical female behavior--she knows how to do something, but only if/when she wants to. For example, she can easily go up and down stairs. It's just a matter of getting her to do it when you want her to. Leftover bites of steak and liver treats help!

Otherwise, we're still working on getting her to go potty on the leash. We have a big, fenced-in yard and she just hates having to go when we're looking at her. However, on yesterday's walk, she sniffed the ground in several places and finally decided it was time to poo on leash! Yay!

Bella's 4th day

Bella is definitely coming out of her shell more. We went on an hour-long walk yesterday with her housemate, Freyja. It seemed to be a great confidence-builder for her. She was very good on the leash and stayed pretty calm as other people and dogs came and went. Bella is more comfortable with new dogs than she is with new people, but as she continues to have good experiences with people, she should be fine.

She slept with us in our bedroom last night and didn't make a sound. Lovely! She is also apparently crazy about coffee. Very curious yesterday morning, and then this morning, lapped up the 1/4 inch left while I wasn't looking. Of course, coffee is bad for dogs, but she seems to be fine.

Oh, and I had her on the couch. I know her forever family might not want her on the couch, but I had to! I wanted to see if she would relax with me, and sure enough, she dozed right off in my arms! So nice to hold a greyhound again like that after Whisper passed.

Anyway, we've still got some training to do, so I will continue to work with her so that she can easily coast into her forever home! Bella will be a great dog if you have the patience to let her integrate at the rate she needs to.

Welcome Bella!

Bella is a sweet, petite brindle girl who is only 2 years old, and right off the track. She is also on the shy side. However, she has made several improvements over the past few days, so I think she will be able to adapt with a little extra attention.

At first, she didn't want to be near us or look at us. But after 2 days, she is looking right at us, sleeping in the living room, and learning to come when called.

So far, we have had no problems with housetraining. The car ride went fine and she got along well with our mixed breed dog. She didn't pay any attention to the neighbor's cat outside, though it was her first day and she may have been overwhelmed. So I don't know for sure about cats yet.

We are also trying to get Bella comfortable with walks. She's fine as long as the other dog is there, but would need some patience and understanding if she went into a home where she is the only dog. I am also not going to say for sure yet that she should be with another dog, but it would certainly speed up her adaptation.

Stay tuned to see how Ms. Bella progresses! If you're interested in seeing her, please contact Denise first at (304) 229-4944