It's WINNIE - not Whinnie, thank you very much.

I've been having a few 'health challenges' - but as you can see, I now have my paws crossed that I'm out of the woods and doing OK again.

It started when the Lady Of The House noticed a tiny hard bump on my head. We trotted off to the vet and they gave me some antibiotics at first, but they didn't help and the little hard lump got bigger.

Then the eye that I've had that other problem with before began to itch and I was rubbing it a lot with my paw and winking so we went back again. They gave me some new drops and also stuck a needle in my little head bump (TWICE!!!) to get some cell samples to test.

While we were waiting for the results my other eye started itching and I was now spending a lot of time with both eyes squeezed shut, a semi-permanent frown, and doing a lot of eye rubbing.

We went back straight away and got some different drops to try.

The good news is the test results show the lump is either a cyst or a non-malignant tumour - and my eyes have now stopped itching.

For now we're seeing if the lump gets bigger or changes before we make a decision about removing it. The LOTH isn't keen for me to have a general anaesthetic unless it's really necessary.

Anyway. I think I was JOLLY BRAVE through all these vets trips (although I have now got a new technique of digging my claws in to the vet's door mat to try and stop them getting me into the consulting room).

So you can IMAGINE how unimpressed I was when I saw (even through my itchy eyes) that the vet had given me a new name on one of my medications.

WHINNIE PRITCHARD!

How VERY dare she!!

On the PLUS side I was very excited and honoured today to be featured as the first home working greyhound on a great blog the LOTH found recently called How To Work From Home.

Feel free to pop over to How To Work From Home and leave a comment on my interview so that UK home workers find out how many great pet bloggers there are besides me!

Belated award thanks and an update

A BIG belated thanks to Sue and Song at Graceful Greyhounds for sharing with us this Pawsome Award that they received.

We are very pleased and proud. Thank you so much.

I would like to pass it on to one blog that I found today written by the RSPCA in Manchester and Salford.

I was really impressed by the long but thoughtful and information-packed post the author has written about 'bull breeds' and the failings of the UK's current Breed Specific Legislation.

The RSPCA and other rescue kennels in the UK have lots of lovely dogs waiting in vain for a forever home because they are seen as 'dangerous' bull breeds. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, for instance, is one of the loveliest breeds with a fearsome reputation it just doesn't deserve.

The Lady Of The House had a good cry last week when she watched a documentary on the BBC called Death Row Dogs which showed a lovely dog called Tyson being put to sleep because he was classed as a "Pit Bull Type" and although everyone agreed he was a lovely dog and had never shown aggression, because he was a banned type he could not even be offered for re-homing.

We hope the Dangerous Dogs Act in the UK is soon replaced with more fair legislation that penalises the deed not the breed and places the emphasis on making irresponsible owners face the consequences of their actions. In the hands of the wrong owner any dog can be a loaded gun waiting to go off.

I also know that Manchester and Salford RSPCA has been helping look after more than 100 animals rescued from a fire at a garden centre in Oldham last week. So a big PAWS UP to them.

Anyway, more about me!

My second lot of blood tests came back fine, but after a chat with the eye specialist the Lady Of The House has now decided not to go ahead with surgery for the time being. My eye seems slightly better again and it's not causing me pain or discomfort and the eye doctor is SURE it's "nothing sinister" so we're carrying on with the steroid drops and cream and we'll review it again in about five weeks.

Phew!

Thanks for all your good wishes.

Anyone know a dog with this eye condition?

There's been V.E.T visiting since I blogged last.

I've managed to put a few quick updates on my Facebook page - but for blog followers, the story so far goes like this.....

The Lady Of The House rang the vets on Thursday because she and the MOTH thought the eye thingy (which I've had since September) looked a bit bigger again. They thought the 'eye vet' would just say to do a few more drops again (because she'd told us to cut down at Christmas when it had got smaller). But she said she wanted to see me and  I should go straight over.

The 'eye vet' had a good look and said she thought the time had come to 'surgically decluster' it because it wasn't really responding to the steroid drops and cream. So she did some blood tests to check my health ahead of a possible general anaesthetic.

Then she rang back Saturday night to say some of the test results looked a bit odd and she wanted them re-done. When I mentioned this on Facebook one of my 'likers' sent me a link to this really helpful info about what greyhound blood tests are sometimes not like other dogs. (I always KNEW we were special).

So tonight we went to the vets in Stapenhill (nearer where we live) to re-do some blood tests - but THIS time they said I couldn't have anything to eat after breakfast!!! How awful!!! The LOTH made my breakfast an hour later than usual but it didn't help much.

I was very confused this afternoon when it got to dinner time and there was no dinner. I roo-ed a bit (quite a lot if I'm honest) and the LOTH said she thought it was the longest afternoon EVER (and so did I!!).

Anyway, we wait now for the re-done test results to see if they think they should go ahead with the op....but the LOTH is feeling a bit confused about whether we should have it or not and probably needs another long talk to the 'eye vet'. She did talk to them about the article on greyhound blood tests so she is very pleased we had that information thanks to Denise.

This condition (which the 'eye vet' is virtually sure I've got) is called Nodular Granulomatous Episcleritis. It looks like this on me:

It doesn't hurt or affect my vision.

You were all very helpful  and supportive when I blogged about it back in October, but if anyone who's started following me since then has any experience of this NGE eye condition - we'd love to hear from you.

On the PLUS side I got to try 'Sea Jerky' for the first time tonight, They bought some at the vets so I could have a treat as soon as I got out. It's crunchy pieces of dried fish skin and it's GORGEOUS!!

An eye update - and the 'joys' of ageing

Thank you to everyone who's been wishing me well with my current eye problems.

I was back at the Pride Veterinary Centre on Friday where my eye specialist was very pleased with how my eye was improving - slowly - but I have to keep on with the eye drops and ointment for another three weeks and then go back and see her again.

What I have got - deep breath - is called Nodular Granulomatous Episcleritis. According to what I've read on the Internet, Cocker Spaniels and Collies get it a lot. And me, apparently.

It's in my left eye - which by coincidence the Man Of The House took this charming picture of before the trouble started.

It can be a long term condition and my eye doctor says no-one really knows what causes it - although UV rays are one possible factor.

Anyway, on this visit to the Pride Centre I met a really nice Yorkshire Terrier called Lizzie in the waiting area. She was 14 and with her folks who told the LOTH that she had quite a lot of heart problems and other issues. She was really nice and we got on well and sitting with her helped to calm me down and stop me shaking so much. I hope she was OK.

It got me thinking about getting older, and that made me think about this book - Living With An Older Dog - that was published recently by Hubble & Hattie.

You may recognise the name of the publishers as they are the same people who have published our friend Peggy Frezon's great book - Dieting With My Dog - recently.

I would urge you to check out Hubble & Hattie's website as they only publish animal books and you will find some GREAT books there.

Anyway, Living With An Older Dog is a really useful book, and me and the LOTH are really pleased that Hubble & Hattie sent us a copy to review recently.

It's packed full of useful facts about the changes that dogs go through - mentally and physically - as they get older. It's really not a depressing read because there are lots and lots of positive things about getting older (whether you are a dog OR a person!) and we should never forget that.

I love living in retirement with my family as I have my own space where I can go when I want to be alone and sleep and I can be with the family when I want some company and hugs and fuss. I still really enjoy a game in the garden - and I LOVE my walks and trips in the car - but I also like having peace and quiet.

The LOTH says we'll be keeping this book close to hand as it has lots of useful information and it's very reassuring. It's written by David Alderton - a trained vet - and Derek Hall - an experienced pet writer who has owned and trained lots of dogs himself. They know their stuff. There's lots of practical advice about travelling and holidaying with older dogs and diet and special care that might be needed.

I know we all rely on our vets for lots of advice and support, but me and the LOTH think this book is a nice addition to have at home as well.

I have got a little bit fed up of the eye drops - but for now I am down to just four eye drops a day (from six) and two lots of ointment and I am getting little bits of cheese as a treat for being a good girl about it all.

If any of my blogging friends out there have any experience of this NGE eye problem I'd love to hear from you to compare notes!

Tasty Tuesday - Treats that cheer

Do any of you have owners who give you a little treat when they've had to do something to you like put in eye drops or something not too nice? I think it's a guilt thing - but guilt is good in my books if it gets me something tasty.

At the moment I've got a problem with my left eye. It started to get a bit red and then a lump came up and three trips to the vets in the village, and two lots of eye drops and a set of tablets haven't helped (in fact although the swelling went down the red lumpy bit on the white of my eye seemed bigger). So this week I've had to go to a big new state-of-the-art dog hospital in Derby. 

The Lady Of The House thought that because it was a big and light and airy building that looked more like a big shopping place than a vets I wouldn't know where I was. Huh!!! I'm not THAT daft.

There was a happy little Shih Tzu dog bouncing about in the waiting area. His folks told the LOTH that he hadn't realised it was a vets or he'd have been shaking like I was. I think he got the message as before I got called in to see the special eye doctor he was lying very quietly and glumly under his chair.

The eye doctor was very nice and did lots and lots of tests and she thinks I've got an eye disease that she says is quite common in sighthounds and it should respond to steroids.

Anyway (finally) we get on to the Tasty Tuesday bit.

The Man Of The House decided to reward me for being SO good about having my eye drops in when I was on three a day. Since my trip to the hospital I am now on six lots of eye drops a day PLUS two applications of ointment. The LOTH thinks that as a result my treats have to be rationalised. She says eight treats a day is a bit too much.

But I am STILL being good abut my eye drops. The LOTH has a list to remind her when to do them throughout the day. And I only have very small healthy treats of just a little bit of chicken or cheese - so don't worry Kol and Kelly, and Sugar. I'm still eating my two balanced meals a day (even though my nose is a bit long for my bowl sometimes in my eagerness to eat) lots of good walks and garden playtime and just small snacks....some of the time.

A grand day out

The Lady Of The House and the Girl Of The House seem to have had a great day out at Crufts.

They told me all about it when they got home and this afternoon we've watched the highlights they recorded on TV last night.

Tonight is the BIG night when Crufts ends with the choosing of the Best In Show. The LOTH tells me she's rooting for a Flat-coated Retriever called Jet who won the Gundog class on Thursday. He's nine-and-a-half years old (striking a blow for we more mature canines) and his family had brought him all the way from his home in Edinburgh to compete. Today they've got to bring him ALL the way back again. Hope he's not too tired.

The LOTH's friend Mandy was in the Discover Dogs section of Crufts with her four Flat-Coats, Scout, Jenson, Liffey and Forrest. Mandy's going back to Crufts tonight to support Jet and his family. The LOTH can't make it sadly, but she'll be catching up on the results when she gets in later tonight.

I don't mind my lack of show awards - especially now because the GOTH kindly brought me back my own little rosette. She said I was the best dog in our house not at Crufts. That's good enough for me. As you can see I took the honour in my usual laid-back way.

The LOTH made a point of saying hello to some lovely examples of many of the breeds of dogs who follow this blog - including GSDs, Scotties, French Bulldogs, Airedales and of course Greyhounds to name but a few.

The nice things about Crufts though is that it's not really all about the breeds. You get to meet lots of cross-breeds too who compete in agility, obedience, Flyball, heelwork to music and freestyle in the arena. Then there are the medical assistance dogs and Pets as Therapy dogs who also show what they can do in the ring and meet show-goers on some of the charity stands.

There are also lots of dogs there who take part in The Kennel Club's Good Citizen Dog Scheme. The LOTH says she might enroll me for that. I think I'm pretty good already but I wouldn't mind winning a certificate with Gromit on it. I love Wallace and Gromit.

It was a LOT of walking, the LOTH said. Crufts covers about 25 acres indoors. That's big. The LOTH says she might go for two days next year as there's just too much to see in one day.

She met some lovely people including Ivor from the Retired Greyhound Trust, Debbie Connolly, an animal behaviourist and TV vet Marc Abraham. He signed a copy of his book to the LOTH AND me. I was very pleased about that.

The LOTH has started reading the book already and says it's really interesting, and funny and informative - a bit like Marc the vet himself.

I also got brought back some presents specially for me, but I'll tell you about them another time.

Woof Factor 2011

All this month there's a competition being run by a charity called The Oldies Club which - as its name suggests - works hard to find forever homes for older dogs who sometimes get overlooked at rescue shelters.

The Oldies Club is running Woof Factor 2011 throughout March 2011. It's a great idea for a fund-raising photo competition for dogs aged seven and older. You pay £2 to The Oldies Club for each photo you enter - and you can enter as many times as you like.

Judging is by a panel of celebrities including TV vet and Oldies Club patron Marc Abraham; Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan; "Doggerel" author Angela Patmore (she sounds nice with a surname like that!) and dog trainer Karen Wild.

The Lady Of The House just couldn't decide which photos of me to enter, but in the end we narrowed it down to just these four.

At the end of the day it's all about raising money for The Oldies Club - so do consider entering your dog (as many times as you want) to help other older dogs find their forever homes.

Saturday Blog Hop and an unscheduled vet visit

We are Saturday pet blog hopping again today, but first let me tell you about yesterday.

So, we're having a really nice walk and we've been across the nature reserve and down to the canal and then suddenly a chillingly-familiar door looms ahead....and the LADY OF THE HOUSE IS WALKING ME INTO THE VILLAGE VETS!!!

Last time I was there in September they clipped off a damaged dew claw and I didn't enjoy it. So I start shaking and my tail disappears right under my tummy.

"Don't worry, Win," says the LOTH. "Nobody's going to do anything to you. I just want to ask them a question."

This does not help me.

In fact, I am so caught up with my fears that when a lady walk out of the consulting room a few feet away from me carrying a cat in her arms (not even in a cat carrier) I don't react at all. THE LOTH jumped up to stand between me and the kitty but I just looked at her and said: "You really think I'm going to worry about cats NOW?"

Anyway, the lady vet is really lovely and she loves greyhound particularly. But then after the LOTH has asked her question, I hear the vet say...."Pop through and I'll give Winnie a free check-up."

Very nice I'm sure - if you are the LOTH. Not if you are Winnie.

She weighed me (I'm still slim and gorgeous, since you ask) and listened to my heart and a few things, then she told the LOTH that my scent glands, you know, (round the back) were full and needed 'expressing'. This is why I've been suddenly jumping up, twisting round and looking as if I was trying to chew my tail.

You will be glad to hear that I was very brave and let the vet do what she had to do and now things are a lot less itchy. I couldn't WAIT to get out of there though.

As we walked home the LOTH explained that she hadn't lied to me....she just didn't know we were going to get offered the free check-up.

Anyway, when I got home I got lots of pampering and cuddles and I arranged my day bed in the living room to fashion myself a little pillow as you can see above.

Hope you join in the great Saturday Blog Hop co-hosted by Two Little Cavaliers, Life with Dogs and Confessions of the Plume.

To take part:

Link up your blog name and URL using the Linky Tool below. You only need to add you link once to be seen on all the Pet Blogger Blog Hop Linky Tools for that week.

Grab the Pet Bloggers Blog Hop button that our friends over on Life with Dogs Made for us and include it in your blog post so that your readers will know what is going on.

Follow your co-hosts listed in the first 3 slots of the Linky Tool.

Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you’d like.

Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you’re from the Blog Hop. 

Follow back when you get a new follower through the Saturday Pet Bloggers Blog Hop!

It makes it really easy to find new blogs to follow and for blogs to find you. Links can be added all day Saturday and Sunday but the list closes on Monday.

If you are like us it then takes us ALL week to visit new blogs!

Have fun

Get well soon, girls

Today's posting is about wishing two lovely greyhounds lots of 'get well soon' wishes, sniffs and licks - one in the UK and one in the US.

The first greyhound in my thoughts is Misty, who was walking on a lead with her owner in Oxfordshire when two Staffordshire Bull terriers attacked. After a night at the vets she seems to be on the mend but she's clearly very shaken and traumatised by the experience which also involved her owner getting bitten as he tried to protect her.

Staffies are lovely dogs when they are properly trained and looked after by responsible loving owners - and I am sad about the bad press they get - but when they are left to roam free and owned by people who encourage their aggression it's asking for trouble.

Lots of love to Blueberry

The other greyhound in my thoughts is the lovely Blueberry - one of the dogs whose daily adventures in America are chronicled in a wonderful blog called Tales and Tails.

Blueberry's family found a suspicious lump on her head which was removed by the vet yesterday and sent off for investigation. Everyone in the dog blog community is ending best wishes to Blueberry - and if you wanted to pop over to the blog and add your good wishes I'm sure she'd appreciate it.

"Quite brave - for a greyhound"

Is this what they call "damning with faint praise"?

I had to go to the vets yesterday to get the troublesome dew claw removed, and she said I was "Quite brave for a greyhound"

Where the claw isn't - my dew claw after the clipping

The nice vet lady spoke kindly to me and then suddenly bent down clipped my claw off!! I yelped once very loudly, but it was over very quick and the Lady Of The House says it will all be for the best as I'll not catch it on everything and keep hurting myself. I was a bit shakey but I got lots of cuddles and strokes and I was soon as right as rain again.

This morning the L O T H came back from a quick shop in town with a little pink cuddly squeaky pig dog toy. It's about the same size as the little teddy that no-one won for me on the tombola! I've been having a good play with that and love carrying it round the house.

A quiet weekend

While everyone was out at the Little Theatre Company Playathon yesterday I had a fairly quiet day on my bed.

The Man and the Lady Of The House popped home at lunchtime to feed and walk me and unfortunately I caught that dew claw again - the one I hurt on the Corkscrew Hazel in the garden last week. I yelped a lot and although it doesn't stop me walking it looks like a trip to the vets is going to be needed to sort it out.

The Man and the Boy Of The House came home early at teatime after the B O T H hurt his knee banging it on a metal railing. So there were two of us feeling a bit sorry for ourselves last evening.

I'll take it steady today I think.

Open wide for the chicken-flavoured toothpaste

Looking after your dog's teeth as best you can is really important.

There are some nice chews you can buy to help keep teeth in good nick....but as with humans there is no substitute for getting the old toothpaste and brush on them regularly to remove any plaque and make doggy breath as sweet-smelling as possible.

"Open wide!" - "I am doing!"

I have some chicken-flavoured toothpaste which is rather nice and I am happy to let the Man Of The House give my teeth a regular brushing.

Meanwhile the Lady Of The House has finally chosen a dog insurance policy and she has one that does cover me for any dental work I might need as I get older providing I have a dental exam at the vet's once a year.

Is pet insurance for life....not just for 12 months?

This morning's walk with the Lady Of The House took a bit longer than the usual 20 minutes or so because she took me off to a nature conservation area near our house which was full of the most delicious smells.....rabbit, cat, fox....

It was a heavenly blend of aromas which had to be savoured. Met some nice dogs and owners as well. Dog walking is great for making new friends. Instant camaraderie.

Back home I flopped in the hall, as per usual, and the L O T H hit the computer upstairs to start wading through the minefield that is dog insurance.

When she was a girl, she tells me, it was unheard of to insure your pets. You just took your chance when they needed treatment at the vets.

These days with vets offering lots of clever treatments and operations that keep pets in good health for many years it makes more sense to insure yourself against these costs.

L O T H has never taken out pet insurance before and there's a lot to get your head round (or so I can hear as she talks to various companies upstairs).

Some policies sound good, and offer incentives like double reward points on your shopping, then you look in the smaller print and find out that as your pet gets older it's going to cost you more. They also charge a higher excess for selected breeds, which includes greyhounds.

Some policies don't cover dental work - which is an issue lots of dogs have as they age.

Others have a cut-off point when a dog reaches a certain age - and what are you supposed to do then, may I ask? It's obvious that as we age there's more chance of things going wrong with us.

Lifecover sounds like a good option if you can find the right policy with the right level of cover.

Some policies charge an excess that is a percentage of the treatment costs - which can be expensive. I'm glad I've not got to sort it out.

I'm sure she'll find a policy that suits us all...hopefully before it's time for my afternoon walk.

See you soon.

This is me 'dog tired' after my walk