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.

Winnebago checking in

So, what's been happening?

Well, thanks to Sarge's Nickname game I am Winnebago for the next week.

Secondly, the Lady Of The House has a truly STINKING cold and is coughing and sneezing EVERYWHERE! YUCK!

But she still took me to the greyhound walk that was organised by Perry Barr Retired Greyhound Trust in Burton-on-Trent yesterday.

I got to wear the Winnie the Pooh bandana she bought me at Crufts.

Now maybe it was that, or maybe it was the steroids I've been on since last autumn, but I got very feisty with the dogs gathered outside the library in town and barked at ANY hound that looked at me.

The LOTH was bundled up in a big grey waterproof and her pink scarf and got to talk croak to her friend Jane (in the green coat) who came along with her two greyhounds Jack and Sophie.

I got a bit friendlier when we started walking. The Man Of The House walked with me and the LOTH took charge of Jack. But a few of the hounds weren't too keen when the walk included a few steps.

Jack and one other greyhound had to be carried up. But I was fine.

We also met up with Rolo Hound - who the LOTH has tweeted with but never met before.

Rolo's dad and my MOTH were showing off their matching backpacks from Pedigree - part of the Play Again campaign for JointCare+

Rather than make this post too long I'll share my other news about the lovely Ann from Zoolatry and how she has helped us another day.

Love and licks, Winnebago

Oh! The inhumanity!!

Yesterday was a pleasantly warm Friday - and the Lady Of The House was still at Crufts - and so when the Man Of The House suggested some time out in the garden I was thrilled.

Little did I know he had an early spring bath in mind for me.

Please note (on the picture above) the high tech, green showering device that is apparently deemed suitable for a dog of my standing.

You will also note that I am STANDING by the bins. Nice.

However, despite my long face (longer than usual maybe) I didn't really mind and my new pink dog shampoo did make me smell beautiful and made my fur super-soft.

When I was dried the MOTH also let me put on my new Union flag collar - in honour of Olympics year - which the LOTH bought me back from Day 1 of Crufts. It came from the lovely folks at Perry Barr Retired Greyhound Trust so I am glad the money went to their funds.

The LOTH is at Crufts all weekend, but it's only about 45 minutes drive from where we live so she comes home every night and I watch the coverage with her that the MOTH records between 6.30pm and 9pm.

If you want to read the stories she is covering (frankly, I wouldn't bother because I don't get a mention) you can go to the news and features section of her Lost and Fond website.

I am joining the Saturday Pet Blog Hop today which has a snazzy new badge to show how it connects pet bloggers all around the world.


This blog hop is kindly hosted by Life With Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume.

If you'd like to join in and make new pet blogger friends, please follow your three hosts, add your blog to the Linky and copy and paste this week's new Linky code into the html editor of your own blog. The list will automatically update on everyone's blogs as new sites add themselves over this weekend and we can all hop from blog to blog and find out everybody's news.

Thanks again to our three hosts for putting on the hop!

If you follow a new blog after finding them in the blog hop - please let them know that you found them on the Saturday Pet Blog Hop.

Also, I'm afraid there are a couple of rules to make it fair for everyone: If your blog is not pet-related your link will be removed and links promoting giveaways that are unrelated to the pet blogger hop will be removed. This is a way of making friends and building our blogging community.

Sunday strolling

I was very excited this morning when everyone started getting ready to go out. I knew it would be something good. Then the Boy Of The House said I could wear his bandana and we jumped into the car.

After a short drive we arrived at Barton Marina at Barton Under Needwood where there were lots of greyhounds and their families gathering in the car park.

I felt very cool in my bandana.

I barked at this girl (who was wearing my coat)- well it's a bit embarrassing when you go somewhere new and someone's wearing the same thing. AND she was a lot younger than me.

By the time this picture was taken - we weren't speaking at all, as you can see. She was also showing off how well she can sit. Huh!

But I soon forgot about that as we all lined up for a picture before we started the walk.

It was a bit chaotic at first.

But then we managed to get ourselves organised. We all said "RABBITS!" as the photo was taken.

The walk had been organised by some of our friends from the RGT Midlands and we had a great time walking round the lakes. Here's some more pictures of our walk which were all taken by the BOTH.

Here's another dog wearing a bandana. But it was a different colour from mine so I didn't bark this time.

A couple of greyhounds were wearing these harnesses. The Lady Of The House says we might get one for me. Anyone else got one? She's worried about me hurting my neck when I see a cat on our walks and I get over excited and pirouette about, and thinks this might be safer and more comfortable for me.

Are you a greyhound? Never mind. You are still welcome.

The final stretch

It was a lovely walk and I was very tired when we got home.

Hope you had a great weekend too. 

Pink to make the boys wink

Today we went to Ashbourne Show.

This is a great agricultural show in Derbyshire about 40 minutes drive from our house organised every year by the Ashbourne Shire Horse Society. And when I say every year I mean the first one was held in 1881. Last year it was one of the first outings I went on with my family.

There are lots of horse competitions - and some people qualify for Horse Of The Year Show.

There are cows.

And sheep. These sheep were having a little chat with their neighbours.

There's lots of trade stands, and nice food, and I liked being with the family having a good look at everything and everyone.

Then it got REALLY exciting because we found the Retired Greyhound Trust stand run by Judith and John from Crossing Cottage Greyhound Rescue who looked after me until I found my forever and ever family. I LOVE them so much and it was so nice to see them, and they were pleased to see me too.

Then the Man Of The House said he thought the combination of my pretty pink grab collar and my blue collar and lead were confusing people who came to pet me about whether I was a boy or girl. So they bought me a NEW PINK collar and lead from the Crossing Cottage stand. (I bet Bunny will be really jealous!!!)

I also met some new nice friends who support the Retired Greyhound Trust and they are organising a greyhound walk around Barton Marina, also near to us, so we are going to go to that.

So, here's a chance for you to make some new friends too, on the Saturday Pet Blog Hop.

The Saturday Pet Blog Hop is hosted by Life With Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume.

If you'd like to join in and make new pet blogger friends, please follow your three hosts, add your blog to the Linky and copy and paste this week's new Linky code into the html editor of your own blog. The list will automatically update on everyone's blogs as new sites add themselves over this weekend and we can all hop from blog to blog and find out everybody's news.

Thanks again to our three hosts for putting on the hop!

If you follow a new blog after finding them in the blog hop - please let them know that you found them on the Saturday Pet Blog Hop.

My year in pictures

Hard to believe - but August 1 is my first anniversary.

A year ago today I was led out of my kennel at Crossing Cottage Greyhound Sanctuary in Lincolnshire and over to a blue car. I jumped in the boot and after a drive of about an hour I walked into this house - and lay straight down in the living room with a contented sigh.

I knew that after a long time, I was finally home.

So I thought I'd do a little review of the last 12 months in pictures. Those of you have been with me from the early days of my blog will recognise some of these pictures below. Forgive me for re-running my favourites. 

I'd also like to thank everyone who has read my ramblings and looked at my pictures here and on Facebook over the last year.I never thought anyone would (unless I forced them)

I had no idea I would make SO MANY good friends through blogging - and that I would meet the nicest dogs and people (yes...and CATS) in the world.

I love it when we make each other laugh and when we can raise awareness of the great work of charities and rescues across the globe. Thanks for all the help and advice and here's to the next 12 months of my happy-ever-after.

This is the picture that my new-family-to-be first saw on the Crossing Cottage, Retired Greyhound Trust website - and they say they fell a little bit in love with me on the spot. 

In July 2010, the family drove out to meet me and take me for a little walk. I was very sad in the kennels and John and Judith said I would really like to go to a home with no other dogs (and definitely no cats, I'm afraid). My family needed to make sure the Boy Of The House was OK with me as he's very nervous of dogs. Luckily we all hit it off from the start.

When they went away I was a bit sad again - but they were soon back to collect me and bring me home - where I was soon perfecting the art of relaxation.

But I do love my walks and we've been out in all weathers as the year has gone by.

I have added my own personal touch to the back garden and shown them how I used to run during my racing career.



Christmas was fun and I loved my presents

I improved my social skills at the Spring Fair that the LOTH organised in aid of the Retired Greyhound Trust where I met some more greyhounds and we showed people what great pets we make.

In May it was my 9th birthday and I got a special cake made from beef. A Beef-day Cake!

I have really enjoyed going to the parties that my new friends in Blogville organised

And now it is summer again - and the sun has been shining for my anniversary.

Thank you again for your friendship.

Love and licks, Winnie