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.
14 comments:
Baby steps:) My new girl Polly has had two wees indoors in the seven months I've had her. Both were down to me saying in a minute.
Think people who have pets (or children:)) have to expect the odd accident to clear up and as with human babies more in the early days.
Glad Monkey ate his breakfast and the tablet.
We are the same if we have accidents. We feel ashamed. With both of us ill at the moment we have quite a few. Sigh! Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
You are among kindred spirits. Accidents happen. I know what you mean though, you don't want to make the picture seem too idyllic. I always tell people that if you have a pet, you're going to have to deal with accidents and naughtiness at times, but no different then having a kiddo...and the pluses and much more than the minuses.
These things happen, even to a dog who's been living in a house for a long time. Illness, things that cause anxiety and unavoidable changes in the human routine can all factor in. It isn't anybody's fault, it just is!
It is a learning and adjustment time fur EVERYONE. We are Sure it will all be well worth it in the end.
Poor Monkey. He was ashamed! Tell him it's not his fault, and we know he's a very Good Dog. It's just an adjustment period.
Well, Monkey just needs some more time, as do so many of us. Yesterday was so sad. I hope today is better somehow...not sure how yet.
Well now Monkey, don't worry, stuff like that happens. You keep working on the peeps to get it right, all will be OK buddy!
The Mad Scots
Pees: we are seven and five and sometimes we still have accidents!
Poor boy. We're glad he was much better in the morning. We always have go for walks after the kids go to school.
XXXOOODaisy, Bella & Roxy
Any older dog joining a new household is bound to have a few teething problems.
Poor sweet guy. It sounds like he is trying hard and really wants to do the right things. I'm glad he did better today.
Don't fret Monkey. When you gotta go, you gotta go! Hang in there, your people are trying their best, trust them. Retirement is a wonderful thing! -- Tennessee Winnie :-)
Sorry for the mess-up with my post. I'm just learning to comment on blogs. I wanted to add my picture. I'll work on it.
Congratulations on the arrival of Monkey:) I've just had a catchup. We started fostering for the first time about 3 weeks ago and it's quite different to owning your own Greyhound! If Monkey is anything like Riley in a couple more weeks he will be much more settled and getting into all sorts of mischief:) Monkey is in the best possible home, would you like another Greyhound to keep him company? It's so much fun watching them come out of their shell.
You're blogging really well, only thing is not enough photos of Monkey:)
I think on the whole he is doing remarkably well as you are. Accidents and mischeif happen. He'll get there in the end, bless him.
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