Summer, what summer?

Are you sure I need this. It's the end of May

Walking Monkey in the wind is like taking an octopus out on a leash while it is having electroconvulsive therapy. Star jumps every two steps as the wind gusts, fences creak and bits of vegetation come hurtling past. Four attempts to toilet thwarted by a sudden blast of cold air.
Today we also had to don our winter coats and I think Monkey was a little bemused by this.
Been a while since the last post I know - but the good news is that the bathroom has now been decorated.
Life has carried on much as before with Monkey slowly getting to grips with domestic life. Bedtimes are a breeze (perhaps the wrong word to use today) with Monkey coming into the kitchen when called. I still give him the chicken treat. I know, but hey, it makes me feel better about putting him away for the night.
Feeding has now moved totally into the kitchen as well, with Monkey coming when called. I still step out of the room and shut the door but he has allowed me to stay while he ate. Mind you I had to stare out of the window as he stopped when he caught me sneaking a peek.
Early mornings are now totally under control as I let Monkey out straight away and he trots off to do his business. We went through a spell of him pretending to go when I took him in the garden on the leash. He would stretch out as though he was going and look at me to see if I had fallen for it. Now though he's out the door, brisk walk, wee and back for grooming in no time.
He is also coming into the hall when he hears me pulling on a jumper ready for a walk - although it makes me sad when he comes out and it's just me going out. Having said that when he hears me putting my cycling gear on he doesn't move from his day bed.

 

We have added tents to the list of 'things that Monkey has to avoid', last weekend while on a walk at a nearby lake some fishermen were camping and there was a row of tents. The first one was a step to the side to get around but by the third he was digging his paws in and practically had to be carried past.
I think that secretly pleased the LOTH as she now has yet another excuse for never going camping.
It makes me wonder where all these fears have come from. Some I can understand such as the transit vans and hi-vis coats from his greyhound racing days but tents?

Keeping it in the family

It's the Lady Of The House here, making a brief return to blogging because Bill - who I think has been doing a fabulous job of getting to grips with it all - says I can share some exciting news with you.

First of all, Monkey's doing well and gaining confidence every day. He's also happily heading to his bed at night time thanks to the chicken treat bribery many of you suggested.

Yesterday his paperwork came to us from the Retired Greyhound Trust where we learned that his racing name was Autumn Fusion. John and Judith at Crossing Cottage had already told us he had run 129 races in his career, but now we were able to look him up on greyhound-data where we found out a bit more about his races and his family tree.

Given the way he chose us SO clearly on that visit to Crossing Cottage at the start of this month, perhaps we shouldn't have been surprised to see that he was related to our Winnie on both his mum's side AND his dad's side. Yes, we have another Honcho Hound in the house. See this Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/110335212384824 - for owners of dogs descended from Head Honcho.

What was a surprise was to find that he was ALSO the grandson of the superstar Australian greyhound Brett Lee - who I wrote about on our Lost and Fond website.

Here's Monkey's potted family tree

Of course, we realise that greyhounds at stud have LOTS of puppies so lots and lots of dogs share common ancestry with Brett Lee and Head Honcho - but maybe now that we know there is DOUBLE greyhound Royality in his family tree it explains why he still likes to have his dinner brought to him in the living room.

Perhaps that confused look in his eyes in recent weeks was actually him saying: "Don't you know who I am?"

Today we took Monkey out in the car for the first time since we brought him home. We didn't want to give him too many new experiences all at once. We just took a short drive to a local park that's near a busy road (another test for Monkey). It was also his first time without his muzzle and he had a WONDERFUL time.

The sights and smells made him skip with joy and he didn't seem to mind the traffic noise at all. We also ventured on to the canal towpath to test his reaction to ducks. Not bothered at all. So more car journeys and muzzle-free walks loom large in Monkey's future.

Now on to the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop!

Seems a long time (because it is) since I did one of these so bear with me if I get anything wrong. If you just want to use the links below to find new blogs to read and follow - that's fine.

If you want to join in and add YOUR pet-related blog, you should use the Linky tool provided to sign up. 

Please also follow your three host of this blog hop - Life With Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume. who are in positions number 3. 4. and 5. on the listings below.

Working a treat

As I said before we have decided to go down the treat route for Monkey the Greyhound when it comes to bedtime - and it does seem to be working - if you'll pardon the pun - a treat.

Previously it involved the pair of us v Monkey, one at each end to get him to leave one bed for another at night. Now, with a little bit of chicken to tempt him it's much easier and last night we managed it without the leash.

They're getting there

Given that everything else is done on the leash - except for when he gets up in the morning. Then it's just time to lie down in the front room and away he goes.

We are delighted with this seeming breakthrough and are hopeful of a repeat tonight.

The routine is now working great and Monkey is eating and drinking from his bowls, which have been moved into the doorway, so we are on the way to the kitchen with food as well.

He doesn't seem to want to eat if you are watching and if disturbed he will go and sit down and we need to get the cheese to tempt him back.


A bone . . . for me

A bone has been introduced but doesn't seem to hold much allure for Monkey - it's rawhide free and good for him - but I don't think we'll bother with another, there's hardly a scratch on it.



. . . you shouldn't have

People can be strange. Walking on the old Clay Pits nearby can be fraught as many owners let their dogs off to exercise on their own while they have a natter and are seemingly oblivious to what's around them - including of course when their dogs toilet.

Anyway there was a woman walking her toddler through the area the other day while three random dogs were dashing about hither and thither without leads. Monkey - walking very calmly on the leash - was then pointed out to the toddler as a dog she shouldn't try to stroke as he was 'dangerous' - all down to the perception of the muzzle he was wearing.

Hopefully this will be resolved at the weekend as there is a park a short drive from us where we can leave Monkey's muzzle off as there will be no little surprises running out of alleyways as there is on our daily walks. He'll be able to see the rabbits as well.

Can't wait to show off my smile

This should enable us to see if he really needs it or it can be consigned to the bin it will also show us whether he can be tempted into the car or will need lifting in as he did when we picked him up from Crossing Cottage.

Although he pricks his ears up and pays attention we come across cats and other dogs most of the time that's all there is to it. He rarely pulls, contenting himself with twisting and turning to keep the animals in sight.

Again though, down to a person's lack of awareness we can be caught out.

There is a woman who has a poodle - one of the smaller ones - and she seems to be terrified that other dogs are going to go for hers. She may well have good reason for this assumption as something may have happened in the past. I don't know.

However, whilst we always cross the road when we meet, for which she is grateful, there are times when you wonder what is going on.

Today, seeing that Monkey was toiletting, she decided that the best thing was to run past on the other side of the road. This got the poodle excited and so it started yapping and panting which in turn attracted Monkey's attention and he obviously thought it was a game so he decided he needed to go after it.

Luckily Monkey is not a puller as Winnie was and so he is very easy to calm down by shortening the leash and holding it close to his head. Even so, when you are bending over to pick things up it can still take you by surprise - suffice to say a strong cup of tea was called for when we got in.

bedtime question

When we put Monkey away in the kitchen at night he is very reluctant to go and digs his paws in and we have to push and pull him to achieve it. When he gets through the door he goes and lies straight down on his bed and doesn't make a sound all night. Which would be the best for him - to continue to force him to go in the kitchen where we eventually want him to sleep at night or to leave him in the front room at night until he feels more confident?

Scary monsters

What we have learned today.

Monkey has added a couple of things to his ‘I’m scared of this as well' list.

On today’s walk he reinforced his dislike of transit vans and added a bus shelter – just the one so far – and wheelie bins.

He also decided that the swooshing sound a car tyre makes when it goes over a wet patch on the road – not a puddle – just a wet patch, is enough to make him jump forward.

He also discovered last night that he would like to be Scooby-Doo. Walking on the green in the twilight he moved away from me by a lead’s length – about six feet (two metres) while he was ahead of me I stepped on a twig. You could almost hear the yikes as he jumped up in the air. Luckily he didn’t try to jump into my arms!

Anyway back to today’s additions to the list. The bus shelter we pass most days is open fronted

Today’s evil bus shelter is one we have passed on the opposite side of the road several times without any fuss. However, walking on that side of the road necessitated a run round behind me as we approached it

Go figure.

Wheelie bin day leads to all sorts of shenanigans as some bins are on drives to our left – others are on the edge of the pavement to our right.

 If I could get Monkey on skis I swear he could win Gold in the downhill slalom at the Winter Olympics.

Taking the rough with the smooth

Before today's blog Monkey and I would like to send our love to all our friends in America after the monstrous outrage at the Boston marathon. Stay safe.

It was inevitable that we would have setbacks along the way to integrating new boy Monkey into our household and it would be remiss of me to paint a false picture of adopting a greyhound to those who may come across this blog and think that a grey could be their forever friend.
I must stress that it was only a minor matter and it was in no way Monkey's fault. I hold myself fully to blame.
As you will have read on previous posts Monkey was being trained to fit into our existing routine around getting the workers and pupil out the door. Sadly yesterday, I was tardy in getting Monkey into the garden first thing and he couldn't hold his wee any longer. I had the backdoor open but had left his leash in the wrong place so I couldn't lead him out and he relieved himself in the hall.
Nobody was more upset than he was. The look on his face said it all.
I got him into the garden on the lead but when I let him off he just ran back in the house and practically covered his face with his paws. Poor lad.
The incident seemed to upset him for the rest of the day. On the morning walk he was very skittish with the passing children and anyone in a hi-vis jacket was well and truly avoided - to the extent of stepping off the pavement to go by them. Breakfast was a no-go also - as I thought it might be - which was a pity as we needed to get some Drontal tablets into him. I'd even grilled a sausage to put the tablets in to disguise them.
Monkey had calmed down by dinner time but he was still needing the leash to get him in the garden and running straight back in as soon as he was let off it.
After some thought we have tweaked the routine in the morning to allow me to get Monkey into the garden more quickly and I have decided that for now we will keep him on the leash until he has had a wee and only then go back in.
The smooth news today is that it worked a treat. Monkey stayed on the leash until he'd weed. He had his breakfast a little later and ate the lot - including the Drontal stuffed sausage. I delayed his walk until the children were at school and that too went fine. Hopefully we are back on track and Monkey will continue to settle in.

Week One

Well that's the first week over with. Overall a solid start I think.
Monkey is much calmer than he was and more responsive. He is beginning to notice certain things such as the rattle of his muzzle when it is time for a walk.
I shall have to come up with something else to do in a couple of weeks - when we have tested his responses to other animals and children and decide if he will be going out without a muzzle. It doesn't seem to bother him too much - but he does keep wacking in against my leg to remind me it's still there.
Anyway at the moment when he hears me rattle his muzzle he gets up and comes to the front room door. I do have to be quick as if I leave it too long he goes and sits down again.
He will now wait when we get in from a walk so I can take off the muzzle and lead before he goes back to the front room.
He is using the new feeder we bought. It is still having to be presented to him at meal times but today he got up and had a drink from it. We also had teeth cleaning today and he didn't seem to object too much to that.
All in all a good end to the week and a good start to life with Monkey the Greyhound.

Mellow Monkey

Quiet day today with the Lady Of The House (LOTH) and the Girl Of The House (GOTH) out. One with boyfriend, one on business in Penzance. Of course it is the LOTH away on business.
Monkey and me and Boy Of The House Tom have spent a day chillin'. Tom with friends and some new games on his X-Box, Monkey - sleeping mostly - and a couple of calm walks.
Me, Soccer AM then following the footy on Sky.
Got myself a new copy of Greyhounds for Dummies - just to refresh my memory - and find myself torn between advice in the book and what has worked for us before. Will try some of the book's recommendations but mainly will go on gut instincts and what the LOTH feels to be right for us.
Sadly the netbook I usually post on is away with the LOTH so I'm having to use the main computer in what serves as an office upstairs. At least this machine doesn't freeze up every few minutes and I feel more in control of the post.
Hoping for another quiet day tomorrow with more chillin' with my boys and some good food and the Chelsea FA Cup semi-final - must keep calm for Monkey. Had a lovely text from a friend asking when they could come over and meet Monkey which I'm sure will make for an interesting day soon.

Big thank you

As Monkey the greyhound finds his paws in his new world I too am finding my feet in the blogosphere. I hope you will forgive me for not posting individual replies to all of you who have welcomed Monkey and myself into your lives. I am very conscious of having to tread carefully in this new world and would rather not leave a proverbial mess on someone's blog carpet.
Monkey and I are finding our way together in this new adventure and I hope you will bear with us as we come to know each other and yourselves.
I think Monkey will probably understand his world quicker than I will. I am after all an older dog than him and you know what they say about new tricks.

Monkey day 4

What an exciting walk we had this morning. So much to see and hear.

Not only was it bin day - but the Boy Of The House (BOTH) and the Girl Of The House (GOTH) were back at school after the Easter holiday break. I know - a bit mean having to go back in the middle of the week – the BOTH as pupil and the GOTH in her role as a teaching assistant.

The structure of the days so far has been preparing for this - with get-ups, toilet, walks and breakfast being arranged to fit around the rest of the Pritchard pack. What can I say, it worked perfectly. Monkey slotted in without a murmur.

The main concern was how the walk would go as we were timing it so there would be a lot of the BOTH’s schoolmates coming and going as the term started and we could see how the activity affected Monkey.

He was very alert with a spring in his step as he took in all the people bustling about. The traffic also seems to engage him as his head is all over the place looking and listening. He is a little anxious with the cars but not in a way that puts him off his stride and I’m sure with a few more walks Monkey will soon relegate the traffic noise to the background as we all have learned to do. He also got to meet Winnie’s old friend the crossing patrol lady.

Back home the cheese was used to encourage breakfast and also to help as we try to move his bowl out of the front room towards, and finally, into the kitchen.

Quieter afternoon walk. Passed a Labrador without too much fuss. It feels as though Monkey wants to make friends rather than cause trouble but with the muzzle on other owners, quite rightly, hold their dogs back or even cross the road.

Monkey decided to have his dinner closer to him. My fault. I'd put dinner by the door as I did this morning but came back to the room to try to get a picture so Monkey thought he'd sit back down on his bed.