It's all about THEM

A sad updated

2010-07-31T22:59:00.003-05:00

A never before posted photo. But there is a reason.
The photo posted above is a photo taken not by me but by Kevin. See I was out of town when this photo was taken. It was the day that Augie passed and I was driving home from a Christmas visit with family in CT.

So why would I post this photo now? The reason is that the 2 dogs in the photo are together again. On July 21st Brookie joined the "Old Guard" the Old Guard being Cassie, Weenie and my good ole boy Augie.

There is quite the story behind how Brookie came into my life so please just entertain me here.

Brookie was a hound that was racing in a kennel I worked for at Plainfield. She tended to be a more shy sort of hound. One that if you really didn't pay a lot of attention, you wouldn't even notice her.

Well one day Brookie came into season and there was a male in the next turn out pen over that took interest. Not only did he take interest but he forced his way into the girls pen and had his way with Brookie. 63 days later Brookie was whelping pups in my home.

I honestly did not plan on keeping Brookie. I committed to the fact that I would pet out her pups and her. But when it came time to do that we just couldn't part with Brookie. It was that day, she became My Girl, my Brooka Wooka Woo girl.

It has been 11 years and 7 months that I was blessed to share with this girl before she had to make her journey without me. That does not factor in the amount of time I shared with her in kennel life. Yes, that's a lot of time to share with a dog.

Brookie had outlived every animal I had ever owned on my own. She has seen so many dogs come and go into my home, that I honestly believe she couldn't bring herself to give me that same heartache she saw me go threw so many times before.

My old gal was so strong, so willing to please. I saw so much of myself in Brookie and I think that makes it so much harder.
GOD SPEED Brookie. The Old Guard is gone from my life, but there is no way they are ever out of my heart or gone from my thoughts.

Hug those hounds people, enjoy each and every thing. No matter if it's that trash can raid or the pee on the floor. The waking you up in the middle of the night to go out or the early morning wake up call to be fed. They are only here for a short time. Live, Laugh and Love like there is no tomorrow, because some day there will come the day that there is no tomorrow.

It's a good day

2010-07-10T22:49:00.004-05:00

Yes, once again I'm writing about my old gal Brookie and the ageing process.

At 13 1/2 I'm blessed for each and every day with this special old gal.

While we have good days and not so good days I have yet to feel as if we have had a bad day.

Today was a very good day. It didn't start out great as we had a pretty nasty thunderstorm roll through and Brookie is not a fan of storms. She will normally hide out in one of the bathrooms and normally in a closet that I have set up for her during storms. The floor is lined with dog beds so she has a comfy place to rest while the storms roll through.

As Brookie has aged she has gotten pickier on what she wants to eat. I basically have 2 shelves in our fridge set aside for Brookie's food. The list is quite expansive and consisting of, but not limited to, steaks, pork, ham, bacon, liver of several varieties, hamburger, cooked and raw, eggs,chicken, turkey and several brands and flavors of canned dog food. Outside of the fridge is 4 different kinds of dry.

Food is normally delivered to Brookie and offered up. It's always a guessing game of what Brookie wants for lunch and dinner.

Tonight was very different though. She marched herself right into the kitchen, like old times, and demanded to be fed.

Tonight it was roast chicken. I pulled apart about 3/4 of the chicken and Brookie ate like a champ.

After she finished up her food and went out to do her biz it was "rub a rub a time"

What this is, is sort of catlike. Where Brookie rubs back and forth on the couch.

Yes, I had tears in my eyes. It's the small things that as they age they don't tend to do as often that can move you to tears.

As of right now, the old lady is resting on a dog bed chowing down on her favorite treat. Pigs ears.

Indeed a very good day!

Pigs ears anyone??

2010-06-15T23:05:00.005-05:00

There is no question, Brookie LOVES pigs ears. It's the one thing that no matter what I know she will eat.

So I figured I would post a photo essay of Brookie and her pigs ears.

First photo was the mention of the word. Yes, Brookie and everyone else understand the words Pigs Ears. Second Photo is me opening the bag, which at this point Brookie is starting to get very excited.

Third photos is Brookie giving Dave the stink eye as he thinks he's going to get the first ear. Not a chance, Brookie always gets the first treat, pigs ear, bone whatever.

And last photo is Brookie chowing down.

As I have said in a past blog post, the hounds know that Brookie is the Princess in the house. So while they may think about pestering each other for the pigs ears, Brookie they give her a wide berth as she doesn't think twice about letting them know to leave her alone.

While Brookie continues to age and there are days that her age really shows. With a bit of a limp when she first gets up, or sleeping so soundly, the rush to the back door as she just can't "hold" it as long and the urge to go just seems to hit her. When it comes to the pigs ears you would think she was a 2 yr old pup. She knows the sound of the bag and I swear that she has some sort of physic powers knowing I'm headed out to the garage to get her one.

Each and every day I get to share with this old gal is a Blessing for sure.

She's the oldest hound I have ever had and she has shared the most amount of years with me then any other hound.

Brookie for sure is a very special girl.

Score one for Brookie

2010-05-25T22:35:00.003-05:00

Sometimes us humans just think we are so smart. I'm always grounded by my hounds. I really thought I had "pulled a fast one" with Brookie the other day. Silly human that I am.

So while I grilled some hamburgers for Brookie and had her eat a bit later then normal thinking my chances to be able to sleep threw the whole night were an amazing plan. You guessed it. Brookie had other plans.

Once again at 1:30am and again at around 3:30am my old gal wants "something" Sometimes it could just be a cookie or piece of beef jerky, sometimes it could be a whole meal for her and then sometimes she just wants me up while she goes out to do her business. I am always shocked that I actually wake up.

Me, a person who was able to sleep as Hurricane Katrina was slamming our coast was able to sleep during that storm is awoke by a old dog standing by her bedside and panting. Really??

Something else I find amazing is that my other hounds do not seem to see Brookie as the old gal. They respect her as they always have even though it's quite obvious that she is weaker in her old age. They know that when it's hang out on the front porch time that Brookie always gets to go out that door first. It's just amazing to me that while I hear so many talk about the shifting roles in their homes as hounds get older and yet in my crew the lines are set and continue on that way until a hound passes.

And for a funny just to show that while Brookie may be getting up there in age, this old gals still has it.

We were all sitting on the front porch this evening while I cooked up Brookies dinner., Kevin came home.

All the hounds will rush the gate to get a peek then rush into the house to greet Kevin at the garage door. Brookie being a bit slower in her older years takes a bit more time to get from the porch to the door. In the time of her making her way from one place to the other, the rest of the crew was charging back out to the porch to see what was taking Kevin so long.

Someone must have bumped Brookie and let me tell you. That old gal laid into them like no ones business :D Young dogs scattered with their tails tucked to come sulk by my side. While there stood Brookie. Proud as ever to keep those young whipper snappers in line.

Ya my old gal Brookie, she still has it :D

My old lady, Brookie

2010-05-23T22:02:00.002-05:00

When you see the title of "It's all about them" it really is not joke.
For those of you who have had older hounds you will easily be able to relate. For those of you who don't have older hounds yet, well just wait ;-)

Brookie is my oldest gal and she knows how to work her momma. At 13 1/2 basically whatever Brookie wants, when ever Brookie wants is how things go around this home.

Last night for example. Normal feeding time for the hounds is around 4pm or so. Very rarely will Brookie join the crew at feeding time. She has set her own schedule that the humans just have to deal with. So at around Midnight Brookie wanted something. Yes, something what that may be well the humans better figure it out. Again at around 1:00am she pesters Kevin for something. Then again at around 3:30am she stands by my bed and just pants. I'm far from a light sleeper but I guess just like a mom with young children you learn to wake up to certain sounds. For me it's Brookie panting while standing next to my bed. Then it's not a matter of just grabbing some dry food and slapping it down. Oh no way that would be much to easy. It's the guessing game, the rotate of the foods to find out exactly what one Brookie wants to eat. We actually have a shelf and a half just for Brookie's food in our fridge.

I always try to "fix" this problem by making up special meals in hopes that I can get Brookie to eat at more normal times. Tonight I managed to pull this trick off. Lets see if we all sleep threw the night.

I grilled up steaks and made up a special grilled Hamburger specially for Brookie, now lovingly known as "The Princess" I had already offered up Brookie some chicken liver, beef liver, raw hamburger, 3 kinds of canned food, 2 kinds of dry. It was a last ditch effort. Score one for the human. She ate with gusto. WOOOOOT

Lets see if I get the 3am wake up call. But if old gal wakes me up at 3am no way I'm going out to grill her up a burger ;-)

Honestly I wouldn't change a thing. I have been blessed to have Brookie with me as long as I have (11 years). If I found I needed to feed her lobster and steaks for the rest of her days I would gladly do so.

In memory of a special friends hound

2010-05-20T11:41:00.003-05:00

While Quilty is not one of my own hounds she stole the hearts of many and I feel it's only right to remember her as if she was one of my own.

Quilty is a hound who was found wandering and was taken in by the adoption center at B'ham. Quilty as you can see was no spring chicken but GOOD GAWD no one had better ever have told her that because she had a spirit like no other hound.

A good friend of mine was visiting the B'ham adoption kennel where Queen Quilty was staying and as things would turn out, this old gal would soon join the amazing family of Heather and Ken and their pack of hounds.

When Quilty joined their family she was extremely under weight and as I said, old, 13 I believe. After a vet visit it was found that Quilty was diabetic and was placed on insulin shots 2x a day.

Quilty shared in Heather and Ken's life for just about a year and when I tell you this old gal had demands it's no joke. I still laugh about the days chatting with Heather and hearing this old raspy bark in the background. Learning that was Quilty and she was demanding something that only she knew and Heather and Ken had to figure out.

Quilty was a tenacious girl no question and for that reason I remember her with many smiles on my face. Everyone says that this dog or that dog was a once in a lifetime hound. And yes, each and everyone is. But Quilty reached far beyond her family. While she lived with Heather and Ken she was "owned" by many.
So farewell Queen Quilty. You touched so many hearts and placed many smiles on my face.

Busy weekend with a super outcome

2010-05-16T11:52:00.004-05:00

First off, NO, I did not add a new hound to my pack :)

Above is a few photos I took last night of our house guest. She's leaving out today but let me tell you, this girl is so sweet and well behaved and oh yeah, she grins and smiles and chatters too (swoon)

So who is this mystery gal? Well her name is Grace and she was a run away. She escaped from her owner on Tue and was just found Sat. So she had been on the run for 4 days!!

I'm surprised and amazed at how good of shape she is in. A few grease marks and a little cut on the side of one pad but other then that she's in good shape.

The owner of Grace and another hound was in the process of returning these girls. He was taking them to the vet to get check ups before turning them over and Grace bolted from him walking into the vets office and on the run she went.

GPA-LA/MS just found out about this on Friday night and the troops were rallied yesterday. Flyers handed out and friends talking to friends. And this is how Grace ended up being found.

A HUGE thanks to Kay for chatting with her friends about a loose hound. A friend of a friend found Grace in their back yard. Wet, cold, shivering and scared of course. (We have been having pretty nasty weather and my heart was breaking for this poor girl out in this weather.)

A call was placed to Kay and well here we are with a hound safe and sound.

I picked up Grace last night and carried her home until Judy could come today to pick her up. Grace I think is just happy to be warm, dry, full belly and a comfy place to rest her head.

I do have to say, I love my crew of hounds. After about 5 minutes of a new hound in the house they couldn't care less. Everyone just jives.

No muzzles, no crates, nope none of that here. Just a total understanding that each and every hound that steps into this home needs to get along with everyone else. Seems to work.

All of this could have ended very very badly for Grace. But due to the Grace of God. She is safe.

Don't ya just love happy endings?

More on Dave

2010-05-14T11:20:00.002-05:00

Above is a photo of Dave while I was out front grilling. He's such an amazing boy and so well behaved. He just plopped his self down on a dog bed and enjoyed the waifing aromas coming off the grill. Mind you the rest of me crew did the same. I'm blessed to have such amazing hounds. But then again they are greyhounds ;-)

The video is a cute little clip I got of Dave hunting for the perfect rawhide. He's so intent on finding just the perfect one.

Dave has been a dream, super easy transition for him into home life. We attend M&G's one Sat a month and just in true Dave the Dog style he takes everything in stride.

So if you ever have a chance to adopt a stud dog, JUMP at that chance!

Duck & Dave M&G

2010-02-16T16:48:00.008-06:00

I never really question the names of my dogs. We almost always just keep their race names and to me it's just normal. That is until we do a M&G and I see the looks on people's faces as I answer their question as to "what are their names"

Duck and Dave

You see the confusion in these peoples faces. So you have one dog named after an animal and another after a human LOL ya I guess so.

But no matter my boys are both Champion M&G doggies.

Ducker dog, oh GOOD LORD that dog thinks the world revolves around him, that each and every human who walks threw the door should come and visit him.

Ducker is an AMAZING M&G hound. He loves the attention, his tail never stops wagging and he just always has the most happiest face on.

I almost feel selfish for having this boy and only doing one M&G a month. If I could rent him out to other groups for M&G I surely would :D

Ducker is just a ham and he loves, loves, LOVES all the attention.

Dave, is also a super M&G hound but on a different level. Dave is very laid back, calm and just waits for someone to come to him. Once he has the human suckered in, then he does that greyhound lean, looks into the humans eyes and their a goner.

Two very different dogs that I feel are important to have at M&G. Not everyone wants that wild child, always in your face hound and yet not everyone wants that laid back boy.

So my two are excellent to have at M&G to show the wide range of personalities of hounds.

Last month I took Pooh and Duck and well Pooh really didn't enjoy them much. While Pooh is a very outgoing girl at home, when she gets out in public where there is a lot of activity she tends to draw back a bit.

Brookie, well she's just too old for M&G. At the ripe old age of 13, Brookie has put in her time as a M&G hound and enjoys sleeping the days away at home while the young whipper snappers go out and work the crowds.

Maybe next month I will take Brookie for just a quick visit because she is such a social girl and does love outings. She just gets to tired for them now.

I'll have to think on that a bit.

Please Welcome

2010-02-11T20:57:00.006-06:00

Dave the Dog

It's been a long time coming and I'm excited to finally be able to spill the beans.

While Dave is not fully retired from his duties he is at least now living in our home and learning all about retired life.

Dave has been a dream and it has been such an easy transition for him. I don't know if it's because he has already known us from the kennel and farm life or if it's just the way this boy is. But Dave has mixed in with our crew seamlessly.

Most know the story of Dave but for those of you that don't here is the shorten version. Dave was named after a very special boy who also shared our home. Dave S Sport.

Dave the Dog was a super star racer for us at Southland, earning the Title of Dog of the Year at Southland in 2005. After a long racer career he moved on to stud duties.

Where he went on to father several very special pups. Just to name a few, Flupascrackerbox aka Cracker, Pat the Hammer, Crazy Katiebug, Do Bee, TS Butchie and there are more I just don't want to bore you :P

I have found that Dave is just good at everything he does. It's funny because just the other day, Kevin said, "Dave was born to be a pet" that was so far from the truth and I actually laughed at Kevin for that comment. Dave just excels at all he does. He just puts his whole body and sole into what he chooses to do. Whether that be a racer, a stud or a pet. He commits with every ounce of his being.

To say I'm thrilled to have Dave finally home with us would be an understatement. He's a joy!

Augie Dogie, aka my Big Bubba boy is gone

2010-01-03T09:42:00.002-06:00

It is with great sadness that I had to say goodbye to one of the most amazing hounds I have ever been blessed to share in their life.
On Dec 29th at around 10:45 Augie Dogie was helped to the Rainbow Bridge.

It's strange how time passes by and often forget that your hounds are getting up in age. This is what happened to me.
Never in a million years would I think I would be loosing my big lug-a-duga boy. Yes, now that I think about it he was getting up in age but to me he was still so young.

The story of how Augie came into my life is a true love story. A story of a hound knowing what he wanted and forcing the human to follow along the path that was set forth for them.
Augie came into my life as a racer in the kennel I was training for. Of course you care about each and every hound but for some reason this new dog in was special, as I would learn over the years I was able to share with him.
Augie was not suppose to become my pet, or so I thought.
I won't bore you with the long drawn out story of how Augie came into my life but I will say this. Augie taught me a very valuable lesson. A lesson of if you listen to the dogs, and I mean really listen. They will talk to you.

Augie taught me this gift and it's one I will never forget. There is no question that Augie was an angel placed upon this earth to teach me many things. His job I guess was done and he was called home.
Doesn't make my heart break any less.

The graceful greyhounds & sometimes not so

2009-12-11T19:03:00.005-06:00

I love taking my camera out into the back yard to see what crazy funny photos I will get of my crew.
Sometimes I load them up and take a look at things, eh not that great and just delete them. Others I love the silliness I see. But no matter what I love there is always a side of my hounds that make me laugh.
Like that last photo that shows Duck just being silly. He looks like his hind end will just flip over his front.
Then there are the ones that make my heart go "awe" Like the one of Pooh and Augie.

I'm blessed to have such a wonderful crew of hounds. Everyone gets along and even when someone chews up the book I'm reading, or raids the paper trash can, at the end of the day, I'm lucky to have them.

They keep me sane

2009-11-22T22:11:00.004-06:00

Before I start my chatter the above photos is of some of my bridge angels.
Weenie on the bed and Pup on the doggy beds.

I honestly believe that my hounds keep me sane, they keep me grounded and help me continue on my days.
No matter what they are always there with their wagging tails, their silly grins, just the pure joy that their human is home and at their beckon call.

Lately stresses have invaded my life and the one place I know I can find comfort and calmness is in the company of my hounds.
Even going out side and picking up their poop is calming to me.
I can feel the stress building in me and all I have to do is take a look at a hound roaching or sleeping close by me and the stress seems to just fade away.

They snuggle with me and honestly don't ask much of me. Food, love, a soft place to lay their bodies and attention.

I never once question why I have these hounds in my life. Each and every day is a gift to share in their lives. They make me a better person, they show me what it's all about.
So my suggestion to anyone who reads this blog.
Just keep it simple. Eat, sleep and demand the love that you so deserve. Anything above and beyond that is just a bonus.

What a wonderful pack

2009-07-29T23:20:00.005-05:00

I have to say I am truly BLESSED to have such a wonderful pack of hounds.

On Thursday we had company. Beth and her girl Isis stopped on by on their way to Jacksonville to pick up a new hound. My crew never skipped a beat. Beth and Isis walked in and it was as if they had both been here all along. Well except for Duck thinking Beth was his new bestest friend in the whole wide world. Ya Ducker is just a lover boy and thinks that every human who walks in this house is solely for Ducker loving.

Poor Isis wanted Ducker man to be her new bestest friend and poor Ducker just didn't understand Isis's advancement LOL

Then on Sat, Beth came back through town with Isis and her new boy Steak. I have to say that Steak has been the most well adjusted boy I have ever seen. Now keep in mind that this was Steaks first time in a home and you would have never known he hadn't been in a home all his life.

Steak was a joy to have in our home. He was very well behaved with all our hound, figured out our doggie door, found a bed and just rested. No whining, no pacing or panting. He was just a gem.

Again with a new hound in the house, my crew just went with the flow.

I often wonder, is it the humans that are stressing these hounds out when they are new into the home. I have to believe that is a big part of it.

Both Beth and myself just went along as if nothing was odd or different and it seemed as if our hounds just jived with our feelings.

No stress, no freaking out, everything was chill and that is exactly how the hounds responded. Relaxed.

So a bit of food for thought. Adding a new hound? Relax! don't stress and more then likely your hounds won't either.

How did I become dog obsessed?

2009-06-20T10:26:00.007-05:00

Some may wonder, how does one become dog obsessed?
For me I was "bred" into it =) The photo above is not of my dogs but of my very own Mothers. Yes, she actually has more dogs then I do.
The line up is, far left is a Foster Hingham, 2nd from left Lacey, center Dulcie, 2nd from Right a foster, Far right Kasper.
In the back, the black is Logan and very far back is Patchie.
Mom, forgive me if I spelled any of their names wrong.

All but 2, Lacey and Logan, are French Bulldogs. Logan and Lacey are actually Boston/Pug crosses.
The fosters are through French Bulldog Rescue Network.
So basically I was helpless. It wasn't a matter of IF I would become dog obsessed when out on my own, but WHEN =)

I have to say I'm thrilled to have grown up in such a diverse animal setting. Horses and dogs, cats and goats, chickens and rabbits, you name it more then likely it had shared our home. Yes, yes even a skunk, Thumper. I told you, I wasn't kidding, if it was an animal then more then likely it at one time entered into our home life.
I honestly feel blessed to have learned so much about so many different animals as a child, it set me on a wonderful path of understand and being able to deal with just about any creature. A bond with animals that very seldom can be taught but is developed at a young age. I was granted this as a child and I wouldn't want it any other way. THANKS MOM!!

While of course I question my Mom, why in the world she is involved with Frenchies ;-) but to each their own, doesn't mean I will stop trying to turn her over to the "other" side of the dog world, My world, GREYHOUNDS!!

And why am I here???

2009-06-18T10:10:00.002-05:00

Sometime last week I was asked by Kevin if I wanted to help out on a big catering gig they had going on.
Do I want to??? Well, not really, but if I'm needed then sure I would go help out.
So last night I ventured out into the working world with people instead of dogs. Now I'm not an antisocial person but I have long ago learned that I much rather work with the dogs then humans. It's OK, I understand this and I actually embrace it.
Yes, I can work with humans and even do well at it for short periods of time but it's just not my cup of kibble if you know what I mean.

So off I go to "play" bartender for the night for 500 guest at the Biloxi town green. Nothing too hard, beer, wine, soda or water. Pretty simple.
Through the night I find myself wonder Why the heck I agreed to do this and why in the world am I not home lounging with the hounds.
It was a pretty long night, starting at 6 with setting up the stations, filling coolers with ice, wine, sodas and waters. Filling up the trash cans with ice that hold the beer, setting up the food and snacks at the food tables. Ending around 11:30 with the break down of the whole event.
As I looked around as a Newbie to this job I found that every one's work ethic is not the same as mine. Working with the dogs for so many years, well you basically work, you work until the whole job is done.
50lbs of dog food is slung over your shoulders, you find you can in fact carry several pans of dog food at one time, to lessen the amount of trips you have to make.
So to carry one stack of cups to a station, just to have make this trip 10 more times, instead of carrying 3 stacks at a time to only have to make 4 trips, well I just don't get it.
Oh well, we all work differently. But through the night I continued to say to myself "yuppers this is why I don't work with humans"

Give me my hounds, the dogs, the things that I know and feel most comfortable with. I would rather work a back breaking 20 hrs a day with the dogs then 4 hrs "easy" work out in the public.
It's just different strokes for different folks, or as they say in the horse racing world, different courses for different horses.

At the end of the night, everything that was set up had to be broken down and carried to the trailers. Sure everyone was tired by this point and most were happy just to sit around and have a few beers themselves, but, umm, Hello??? the job is not done. The longer we sit around the later we will get out of this place.
Again I go back to the dogs, you know what, if you're tired it really doesn't matter, dogs still need to be cared for. You get off your butt and get your job done.

And as to why the photo of Pooh above, well this is the photo that sorta signified how I felt. Just the question of "ummm why?"
I must say, walking in the door to my home and to be greeted by my crazy pack of hounds, well let me put it pretty simple, IT WAS HEAVEN!
So to sum it all up SEND ME TO THE DOGS PLEASE

As they age

2009-05-28T08:34:00.002-05:00

Brookie my beautiful senior girl. I have to say as Brookie moves up in age I find myself being more and more anal about things with her. Brookie is 12 1/2 and the oldest grey I have owned to date.
When Brookie's 12th Birthday was getting close I found myself watching and looking for any sort of problem/limp/slowing down in eating/odd breathing/lumps or bumps, basically anything. I think I was driving the poor old gal crazy and I know Kevin was ready to come out of his skin with all my worrying going on.

So yesterday I was hanging out in the yard with the crew and here comes Brookie around the corner limping. I immediately hit FREAK MODE! OMG what did she do. She was just a moment ago running, did she hurt herself, could it be Osteo, what??
After I take 2 seconds to calm myself and my mind then I starts thinking rationally. First pick up the paw and check to see if anything is there.
Of course, sure enough there is a little thorn/sticker type thing, ever so small attached to one of her pads.
Removed that and off Brookie went, no limp =)

I know Brookie is getting up there in age and of course I always worry but then again when I look at all the things Brookie does do I can let my mind rest a bit.
She continues her Poop and runs, she still walks everyday with us and she's out front with Poo while the boys lag back. She easily jumps on and off the couch and well for a 12 1/2 yr old gal I think she's doing just fine.
Sure she has some old age issues. If she stands for too long her hind legs will get a bit shaky and sometimes I hear an odd cough.
Everyday with my hounds is a gift, I know this and Brookie has shared
10 1/2 of her 12 1/2 years in my home.

The men of the house

2009-05-25T12:29:00.003-05:00

I have to say I couldn't ask for a better well adjusted pack. Our crew all get along wonderfully. No space issues, no aggression, nothing. It's just a calm (for the most part) and happy life with the hounds.

Augie is just a bomb proof guy. Nothing upsets him and Ducker dog, he's most likely one of the happiest boys I have ever met.

Just wanted to share with everyone how comfy and kicked back it is to live in this home with 4 hounds.

Ducker, back in action

2009-05-15T00:03:00.004-05:00

Well my Ducker boy is no worse the wear from his little adventures with ingesting everything and anything =)

I gotta say he has slowed down a bit on putting things in his mouth and eating them so that is a good thing. $1200 worth, NO but heck it's only money right??

I gotta say the Ducker boy is quite a unique boy. He LOVES anyone and everyone. While out on walks he has his tail wagging non stop when he sees a human. You would think this dog knew the whole world and it was like he was seeing his long lost loves. He is just the most happiest boy I have ever encountered.

A bit of a funny. Behind our home is a church and on Wed nights the kids play kick ball right close to our fence. I think this just might be the highlight of the week for Ducker. He runs out to the back part of the yard and hugs the fence line and just wags and Roos to the kids on the other side of the fence. If for some reason they don't pay attention to him he will just lay in the grass and watch what is going on.

While I do love what a sweetheart Ducker is, he also has his moments.

Poor Kevin had just come home from work and was hoping to catch a quick nap. So I took Duck and Pooh out for a walk. After their walk it was Brookie and Augie's turn.

Well I guess Duck was a little upset to be left behind and he cried and rooed the whole time I was gone.

The Ducker man is a true lover =)

The Duck should stick to chicken

2009-05-01T15:38:00.004-05:00

What a nerve wracking week! I went away to GIG on Friday morning but Thursday night me and Kevin went out for a wine tasting. While we were away Duck felt the need to ransack the house. A dog bed was torn up, a drawer to one of the computer desk was removed and contents were all over the floor.

Duck was acting fine so I didn't worry to much, just chewed up things. Or so I thought :(

Late Monday night the Ducker man started throwing up some "stuff" I wasn't too worried until Tue Morning when he all of his breakfast came back up in about 1/2hr and then nothing would stay down. Not even water.

On Wed Morning I carried Duck to the vet just knowing he must have had a blockage somewhere =( Duck spent All Wed at the vet and Wed night with the ER vet. Thur morning I then carried him back to the regular vet and was able to pick him up Thur night.

Basically Duck will be glowing in the dark for a while =) He had more x-rays than I could ever imagine could be done in a short amount of time. He also had a Barrium (sp) done and that was the main reason for so many x-rays.

What Duck had was some Polyfill from a dog bed still hanging out in his stomach. The Barrium was hanging around in that area a bit to long and it was not sure if surgery was going to be needed or not. The Barrium was flowing through all areas fine and did make it down to the colon but still there were signs it was hanging in the lower stomach.

When Duck came home Thru night he was placed on Flagyl and Sucralfate along with some W/D canned food. To try and just use some solid food hoping it would help push the polyfill out in a BM. He also had his IV port kept in just in case.

Friday morning was when we would really find out what is going on. If surgery was needed or not. Luckily it was not.

He ate fine had a few BM's which one included some Polyfill and he's keeping water and food down just fine.

My gosh what a roller coaster ride and I have a feeling this has just created a monster in me. I feel a touch of OCD coming on. I'm walking around the house and yard making sure there is nothing the Ducker man can get into that will cause a problem. Throwing away toys that have a small tear and chucking the dog bed that Duck managed to get the Polyfill from.

I forget that Duck is so new home and that I need to take extra precautions. He's more like a 6 month old pup then a 4 yr old. Everything is so new for him and so interesting it just needs to go in his mouth.

What a scare but the Ducker man is doing just fine and back to his normal self, minus the chewing/eating things ;-)

Me well other than the OCD thing going on I guess I'm no worse the wear LOL, dang dogs always keep you on your toes

Dreams of days gone by and the circle continues

2009-04-17T09:42:00.007-05:00

I'm sure I'm not the only one who often find myself thinking of my past hounds. How much I miss them and how much joy they have brought to my life. The things they taught me. Such as Cassie and Willow and how one dog can teach another dog things that humans never could.

Willow taught Cassie the joys of living in the country, not to go far from Mom's side. To embrace each day as it could be your last. To love with all your heart and never think twice about doing so.

With Weenie, it was never think one dog is going to be like the next. That just cause your sister, Cassie is basically an angel that doesn't mean it runs in the family. When you can seize and opportunity DO SO. Run hard and fast as if you don't hear someone screaming your name like a dang fool =)

For Dave it was your lost love is never far away. Don't give up hope on finding that lost love. They are never far away and they will find their way back to you.

For Pup it was life can be so simple. Enjoy the gifts you are given. And keep your toys close and in order.

For Momma dog it was no matter how hard life has been on you there is always love to make it better.

And for Willow, my first dog all on my own. It was never let anything get you down. Life is not fair, it will throw so much "stuff" at you that you're not sure you can make it another day, but you can! There is more to be done and if you give up, you have lost.

I reflect on my past dogs often. Each and everyone has taught me a lesson if not several.

The circle continues and new lessons are learn. I look at the crew of hounds we have now and while I see glimpses of past hounds in each of them, I also see a new and vibrant life that is so different from those of my past. New lessons to be learned from each.

With the newest addition of Duck, aka Ducker Dog, aka Ducker doodle doo, I have to laugh. For Duck each day is started with a wonderful Roooo. It's a brand new day and dang it, lets enjoy.

"The heart that truly loves never forgets"

I shouldn't have complained

2009-04-02T15:36:00.002-05:00

I should have known better then to complain about the rain....
Sure enough more showers today and heavier then normal. I guess if I want to burn off some of the hounds energy I need to take them swimming :(

UGH! Rain again

2009-04-02T11:50:00.004-05:00

As the above photos show we have had a TON of rain here in MS over the last week. Me and the hounds are about over the rain. Is it too much to ask for just 2 days of sunshine to dry up this sloppy,wet, puddle ridden back yard of ours? It seems to be
Not only is it impossible to get out there and mow but the hounds don't enjoy playing in this slop and who can blame them. We won't even talk about the joys of trying to do Pooper Scooper duty, yuck.
The hounds are going bonkers and so am I. Augie and Brookie don't like the storms so they tend to spend the days hid out in the bathrooms or in a tight corner of the bedroom. Only to peak out for breakfast and dinner.
Going for walks hasn't been much of an option as well since it seems each time we get on out there the skies let loose and we are caught in a down pour.
My thoughts are, for the Spring months, that someone needs to open an inside play area for all the dogs going bonkers like my crew.
Here's to hoping that the skies stay clear for the rest of the week and we can get out there and burn off some pent up energy along with getting this grass finally cut!

Rin Tin Pooh

2009-03-31T20:51:00.005-05:00

You know, sometimes I wonder why I don't have "normal" dogs. It just takes me a moment to figure it all out. I don't want "normal" dogs. I enjoy those crazy quirky hounds. You know the ones that if a first time adopter ever took that dog home it would be returned in about 3.2 sec flat.
Maybe I'm just odd but I find humor in the crazy things they do. Maybe I've learned that life is just to short to worry about the simple things that others might see as issues.
My hounds basically know one command down pat and that would be Cookies. Yup they have never forgotten that one. And while they do know others, such as wait and lay down and quiet, it seems like they are always selective on when they actually chose to listen to those or not. But to me it's ok.
I often wonder how many normal people could handle being woken up by one crazy hound kissing your face and poking you in the eye all the while doing a happy dance on each and every part of your body. Not to be out done we have another who will sing you a lovely toon of some sort of combo between a Roo and bark. While yet another feels that you just might not get the point of what is trying to be expressed to you and he will join in with a nice deep bark of his own. My older gal Brookie has slowed down a bit but when it comes to feeding time you would think she was a 6 month old pup. She joins in by grabbing the most noisest toy in the house and has a grand ole time.
Sure sometimes I would love to sleep in past 8 AM but it's not possible in this house with these hounds and you know what, that's ok.
I have found that each hound has come to my home because of the crazy quirks they have. That is what attracted me to them in the first place.
So while this type of hound is not for everyone they are for me. Maybe it's because I'm sorta quirky in my own way, who knows.

2009-03-29T08:24:00.000-05:00

OH the joys of a new greyhound in the home. It seems we often forget what it's like when you haven't adopted a new hound in many years.
In just the last 5 months we have added 2 hounds to our pack. Pooh back in Oct and recently Duck. Pooh had just started to calm down and adjust to home life. I was able to sleep past 6am. Seems 6AM is when Pooh felt it was time to be fed. This expressed by Pooh by barking and dancing on my head, barking and poking me in the eye with her nose, wet kisses on my face and well just no way to ignore that.
But as I said, Pooh had calmed down and was learning to sleep in until at least 7AM.
Then in comes Duck and the fun begins all over again. But unlike Pooh, Duck for some reason enjoyed a late night/early morning "play time" For whatever reason Duck really felt that 3AM is a good time to wake me up to play.
He's finally getting over that but he still has some learning to do about home life.
Just last week he managed to steal my dinner off the counter as I talked on the phone. Who knew greyhounds enjoyed Taco Salad so much LOL.
And just this morning I was awoke to someone (read here Duck) chewing on something. After the sleep cleared from my eyes I was able to figure out exactly what was making that noise. Hmmm Duck chewing on a soda can!!
The things these new hounds home will find to play with. I guess the 10,000 stuffies strewn though out the house was not good enough for the Duck man.

Oh the joys of a new hound home ;-) But I love him and so glad I'm able to share his life. Never a dull moment

2009-03-21T10:04:00.000-05:00

Sooooo we have added to our pack.
I have been waiting for this boy for quite a long time and he finally retired and was ready to come on home.
I would like to introduce Duck, racing name Blue Duck. Don't ask me how he got that name as he is not blue but umm, it's still a really cute name.
Duck was an auction purchase back in Fall of 06. I honestly fell in love with Duck way back then. He just has an air about him and he is the happiest hound you will ever meet. To the point that part of his tail is missing cause it never stops wagging. From sun up to sun down it's in constant action.

Duck is getting along well with all our hounds. While Pooh's nose is a bit bent out of shape as she was the new baby in the house but I think in time Pooh will find herself a very fun playmate with the Duck dog.

Going away without your hounds

2009-03-14T09:32:00.000-05:00

While I love to travel and see new places, catch up with friends and family there is always a flip side to that. I have to leave my hounds behind :(
It's something I always hate doing. I have a super doggie sitter and I know that once I'm out the door the crew just layings around being lazy but I still miss them.

I've often thought about purchasing some sort of RV so I could travel with my crew. This is something at some point I know I will do.

Do don't feel alone if your one of those dog owners that start to worry about it weeks in advance. You start shopping for "special" treats before you head out of town, you are making up special dinners so when your away they are still feeling a bit of "you" while you are gone.

The Angels

2009-03-05T09:35:00.000-06:00

Sadly our dogs do not live forever. Also no matter how much time we are given with any dogs it never seems enough.
The reason for me writing about this today is a good friend of mine is faced with saying goodbye to one of her hounds. Each and every time I hear of a hound passing it always brings me back to those days when I have had to say good bye to my own dogs.
What I have found is that it never gets easier. The choices are always hard on your heart but these are the choices we have to make in order to share our lives with these amazing animals. I will always put my dogs first before I will ever worry about my sadness at saying good bye to them. This is my last job I have to do for them, my last gift to release them from pain, or old age, or whatever it is they may be suffering from.
These dogs, while they may leave the earth we live on are never far away. They live on in our hearts, in our memories, there is always a part of them that never leaves. I find a slight comfort in knowing that.
So what I would like to share with everyone. Love your dogs as if there is no tomorrow. Don't sweat the small stuff, laugh it off because some day you will be wanting to hunt around for that pair of glasses they stole and chewed up. You will be wanting to clean up that barf on your carpet cause they went outside and ate a bunch of grass. These small things that may aggravate you now will be the major things you are searching for when they are gone.
To my Angels at the bridge, Rudy, Willow, Momma dog, Cassie, Weenie, Dave, and Pup. What I wouldn't give for just one more day with you all. Your body is not here for me to pet and love on but your memories live on forever in my heart. I love you!!

Hounds moving to homes, good day

2009-02-16T08:43:00.000-06:00

Sunday was a GREAT day. We had a little girl injured at our Southland kennel but she already had someone waiting on her to retire. That is always and awesome thing.
So on Sunday my good friends Mike and Judy picked up Raisen Helen and KB's Chug a Lug and transported them to B'ham. Where Becky and Joanne from Greyhound Crossroads picked them up to carry them on back to South Carolina.
In the process Becky and Joanne visited with another good friend of mine Alan Olsen, who owns Southern New England Kennel at B'ham. They took a little boy from him as well. So 3 hounds found their way to an adoption group on Sunday.
GOOD STUFF!!!
I'm a strong believer that if we all work together for the common good of getting all hounds in homes it can be done. May take some work, may take some time but YES it can be done.
MUCHO thanks to all who helped out yesterday moving these hounds one step closer to their forever homes.

How/why I'm involved with greyhounds

2009-02-11T11:01:00.000-06:00

I often have people ask me, "how did you get involved with greyhounds" Well, as I posted the other day, I first started working with the greyhounds as a lead out at Plainfield Greyhound Park. Needed a night time job and loved working with dogs.
I also have people wonder how I can work in the racing world of greyhounds. To me it's a pretty easy answer. I love this breed and I know as long as I'm involved in the racing side, the dogs that are under my care are well cared for and will find a home after their racing days.
I've always said that if I feel it ever comes to a point where a healthy dogs has to be PTS that is under my care then I will walk away from this whole greyhound world. It's against my beliefs.
I feel that as long as I'm around I can change others minds. That just because a dog breaks a leg it doesn't mean a death sentence. Because a dog is spooky or shy doesn't mean it will not adjust to home life.
There is a home out there for every hound, it's up to the humans to find that home or group. Sure it may take time but it can be done.

I've also found that if you work WITH the adoption groups and not have them work FOR you. Without the adoption groups out there I couldn't do what I enjoy doing and that is working with these wonderful hounds.
Where am I going with all of this? Basically help out those adoption groups you work with. Help with donating items, send cash donations when you can, help raise funds so they can continue doing what they do and it's a SUPER IMPORTANT job that they do. These people are not paid to do what they are doing. They do it for the love of this breed.
So to each and every adoption group I have or do work with, a great big THANK YOU!!!
On a side note, I know there are people against racing and anything and everything that has to do with greyhound racing. To me that's OK cause we are all entitled to our opinions. I won't tell you that you are wrong for your thoughts and ideas on the whole thing, so thank you kindly for not telling me I'm wrong, bad, evil or whatever for doing what I do :)

Brookie my sweetie

2009-02-08T10:11:00.001-06:00

I promised to share about my older gal Brookie so todays post will be focused soley on Brookie.
First a bit about how Brook came into my life. I firmly believe that each dog comes to us for reason.
I started my life with greyhounds around 1993. I was going to school to become a dog groomer and needed to find a night time job. Living in CT and the Plainfield Greyhound track was not far from where I lived. I figured, OK, I love dogs and I can get a night time job working with dogs by being a lead out at this track.
Of course I heard all of the horror stories that are out there of how poorly these dogs are treated, how they are not loved and just live in crates and only come out to run and of course many more stories. But I'm one to find out for myself. Just jump right in and really see what it's all about. So I did just that.
I soon moved from being a lead out to working in the kennels and Brookie was a racing hound in that kennel.
Long story short, there was an accidental breeding and Brookie was going to be a Momma. Her owner was contacted and he didn't want her back, so we carried her home to become a momma girl in the comforts of a home.
Brookie was a wonderful momma and birthed 7 beautiful and healthy babies. With me by her side through the whole thing. Brookie's life had been totally turned upside down. She knew nothing of home life, she knew nothing of having babies but Brookie never let anything faze her.
As we weenied the pups from Brookie we planned on find them homes with adoption groups along with Brookie. When the time came to place Brookie I just couldn't do it. During the time in my home she became MY dog and who am I to say no to Brookie.
Years have gone by and Brookie has moved along with me. From CT to AL, then from AL on down to MS.
Brookie came into my life around the young age of 2 1/2. A beautiful rich red brindle girl, around the age of 7 or so she found her love for toys, what a glory filled day that was, and as she moves into her senior years it's hard to explain to her that she's getting older. I don't want to admit that and she sure doesn't think she is. Her face has gone mostly white and she sleeps a bit more than normal, she gets tired quicker on her walks now but her love for life is always front and center
I have been blessed to share so much time with Brookie. As she aged from just a young unsure pup of 2, to a fun and crazy girl at around 6 and now to a slowing down senior girl of 12. I hope to have many more years with Brookie, but if it's not to be I'm blessed to have shared so much of Brookie's life.

It's Coffee time

2009-02-07T09:10:00.000-06:00

You now have read how my morning starts. Sometime in between making the hounds chow and cleaning up their bowls I manage to work in making my morning pot of coffee.
Again remember I'm a Yankee down here in the South. Mississippi to be exact and for some strange reason Mississippi doesn't believe in Dunkin Donuts. Go figure. Anyway in order to have my DD coffee fix that I have become acustom to I have to order my DD Coffee on line.
Are you wondering how this plays into the whole greyhound thing? It does trust me here. Now let me state up front that COFFEE IS BAD FOR DOGS!!! now that we have cleared that up.
After the crew is done eating I'm allowed some "me" time. To sit down and enjoy my morning cup of java. But that is short lived.
At some point my big red goober of a boy, Augie, found a love for coffee. Is there nothing sacred for me? Guess not.
No cup of coffee is safe in my home. At around 10 am is when the begging, drooling, barking, crazy greyhound dancing begins. Now as if it wasn't bad enough that I had one crazy hound but when Pooh came into our life (just 4 months ago) somehow she learned a love of coffee from Augie. Wonderful!
So I share with you the sure bliss of a greyhound and THEIR coffee

Again PLEASE don't freak out. In those coffee cups is like a total of 2 teaspoons of coffee.
Honestly I really do own 3 greyhounds. So far you have just heard about 2, Augie and Pooh. Tomorrow I promise to write about Brookie. My wonderful, sweet, do no wrong, senior gal

How does your morning start?

2009-02-06T10:27:00.001-06:00

I'm sure everyone's mornings starts out in their own special way. So a bit about how I'm awoke to start my day.
Now as you can tell I'm owned by greyhounds. Yes, you read that correctly. I don't OWN greyhounds, these buggers OWN me. Sad as that may sound and some totally don't agree with it, well it's my life and I wouldn't have it any other way.
So there I lay, sleeping away, head on my pillow all snug and sound in my bed. 7:15 am or there about rolls around and it's Greyhound alarm clock time. Maybe this is the cure for all who hit that snooze button?
90 pounds of Augie Doggie barking in my face, not close to my face, not standing a bit off but RIGHT in my face. I feel the breeze of his breath upon my face. Add in a bit of spice from little Pooh aka Stinker Pooh. Yes, Pooh can not be content with just the barking of the big Augie man. She has to add in her spice to life.
Jump on the bed, be sure to land square on the Momma person. Then get up in her face and poke at her eyes with you needle nose.
Yes, that is my morning alarm clock. No snooze to hit, no 5 more moments, it's get your butt out of the bed right now and feed the hounds!

I've some how managed to drag my lazy butt out of bed. But the fun does not end there. Ohhhh noooo. You gotta understand these hounds are starving. So I stumble down the hall in my half away/half asleep going on auto pilot mode. Only to have this little peanut of a greyhound, (read here Stinker Pooh) bouncing and dancing, twirling and spinning, all the while bitting away at my hand.
I often wonder in my days before greyhounds how I ever managed to get out of bed.

First entry

2009-02-05T17:20:00.000-06:00

Hi and welcome to my blog. As this is my first entry I'll just keep it pretty simple and introduce myself and the others I share my life with.

I'm Heather and I share my home with Kevin my SO and 3 Greyhounds. Brookie 12 yrs old, Augie 9 yrs old, and Pooh aka Stinker Pooh, the crazy hound of the bunch at a very young 4 yrs old.
I'm a transplant Yankee down here in the South so I'm sure as this blog moves along you will often find me complaining about how some Northern items I can't find down here in the South.
But I have the warm weather and the love of my greyhounds, what more can one ask for?
So I'll close for now and start off tomorrow with a bit of fun. Maybe you can get a feel for what it's like to be a Greyhound Servant,