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~ Gilmour's Story ~ I am a three-year old ex-racing greyhound and have lived in a new home with humans and another dog for two weeks now. I really like it there, and my humans seem pleased with me as they keep telling other people that I have settled in really well, and that I get along nicely with Jodie, the other dog – my pack-mate! Jodie is 10 and has lived with the humans for seven years. Before that, she lived in kennels too, so we’ve got something in common. Because she is older than me, I respect her and watch and copy the things that she does. This seems to please the humans, plus I can learn a few sneaky things too, like which rubbish bins contain yummy things and how to bury toys! I first met Jodie and the humans at the RATS dog show when I was shown for ‘rehoming’. The humans seemed to like me and kept cuddling me and saying things like: “I wish we could take him home now”. But I was taken back to the Hound Hotel after the show. A few days later, Jodie and the humans came to visit me and we all went for a walk together. It was nice and the humans liked the fact that Jodie & I didn’t argue about anything. Then a week later, they came back again for another walk. This time the humans signed some papers, put a new lead on me and let me get into their car. Jodie was confused, but we didn’t argue. The next thing I knew, I was in something they called a ‘house’ and they told me it was going to be my new home.
Jodie & Me (Gilmour) out for a walk I was very excited because the ‘house’ was big and strange and there was loads to explore. I paced around for ages sticking my nose in everywhere to explore. There was a basket full of toys so I got them all out. Jodie said she didn’t mind me sharing them with her. Although it was nice, everywhere smelled of Jodie which didn’t seem fair, so I tried to even things up a bit by doing a wee in the place the humans called ‘the hall’. They didn’t like that and told me off and took me out into the ‘garden’. I was still busting to go though, so I did another wee. I was a bit worried but instead of telling me off, the humans kept saying “Good boy, Gilmour” and gave me lots of cuddles and tickles. I think this means that it’s OK to wee in the garden, but not the house. I usually remember, but a couple of times I forgot when things were a bit different or exciting. Anyway, after I’d explored and had some dinner, I was very tired and wanted to sleep. There was a blanket on one of the sofas but I didn’t realise that was for me at the time, so I squeezed myself into Jodie’s little basket and she settled down on the sofa with the humans. Later on, the three of them went up ‘stairs’. They tried to get me to go with them, but I didn’t know how to, so I went back to Jodie’s little basket. But in the middle of the night I woke up and was confused because I forgot where I was. It was dark and quiet and I was all alone, so I howled for my pack. Soon they came to find me and I felt better. Jodie went back up the stair things but I couldn’t. Eventually the humans helped me up by moving my paws up each step. It was a bit scary but once I got up there I found a comfy cushion to snuggle down on and soon everyone was asleep and snoring, so I slept too. In the morning I was too scared to get back down the stairs – as I moved my front legs down and stretched my body, my back legs were so far behind that it felt as if I was going to tumble down headfirst. The humans had to help me down and it took ages! Then they took me straight in the garden and made a big fuss of me when I did a wee. |
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. . . . . Dogs: Pauline: . . . . . 01462 834458 |
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. . . Cats & Kittens: Liz: . . . 01767 681157 |
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. . Small Mammals: Hazel: . . 01234 357788 |
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. . Lost & Found: Linda: . . 01234 822877 |
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In our baskets
One of the humans disappeared for a while and came back with a big dog basket which they said was my bed. They also gave me a toy of my own – a fluffy duck that I like to take to bed with me whenever I feel sleepy. The humans say I look like a big baby when I carry it around the house!
I have a great place to go walkies every day. The humans call it Sandy Heath, and I’ve met lots of new friends there. I’ve played chase with lots of other dogs because I’m very sociable and like to play. Many of the humans say I’m very handsome and the humans that I live with seem very proud. If there’s no one else around, I like to trot along with Jodie sniffing all the things that she sniffs. She’s also taught me where the rabbits and squirrels live although I can’t really be bothered to chase them.
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Out for a walk!
Back at the house is a big picture-machine that also makes noises. One night it barked so I put my nose on it and barked back. The humans laughed and told me not to worry. They called it ‘television’ and told me that the barking was something called a ‘BBC Ident’, which is something between ‘programmes’. I’m getting used to it, but sometimes it makes other animal noises and I’m finding it hard to understand that the sights and sounds coming from the television are not real.
The second night at home, I heard the humans talking about “separation training”, and later they both disappeared. I was a bit puzzled but Jodie told me not to worry, and then … she taught me how to go up and down the stairs on my own. Even better … when we were up the stairs, she showed me how to get on the human’s bed. It’s great, and if I stretch out, I nearly fill it up! Then we heard the humans come home but we weren’t fast enough – we were still at the top of the stairs when they came in looking for us. But it was OK, they just laughed and now I get up on their bed every night!
Jodie & I are special dogs because we are allowed to go to ‘work’ with one of the humans. It’s a bit of a drag because we have to get up early for our walk, but at least we can sleep all day once we’re there. We get a little walk at lunchtime and then a proper walk at Sandy Heath later after we’ve collected the other human from the ‘station’.
After a week, the humans took me to the vet. They were very pleased that the vet said good things about me – I’m fit and healthy with no racing injuries and my teeth are in remarkably good condition – the best she’s ever seen on an ex-racer like me. The vet gave us some special food for me because I’ve had an upset tummy all week. They also gave me ‘worm tablets’ that the humans sneaked into my dinner that night! But worst of all, they kept saying ‘microchip’, and the next thing I knew, the vet had put a really big needle in my neck which hurt and made me yelp, but it was soon over and they told me it meant that any vet or policeman would be able to take me back home if I ever get lost, so I think that’s a good thing because I like my new home.
That day was also exciting because one of the humans had his little humans staying in the house, so we all went to the heath after the microchip and played ball. We were all very happy and it was just like a real family.
Back home, I sometimes see a strange dog in the garden through the patio doors. He looks like me except that his markings are opposite to mine. I don’t like the way he looks into the house so I bark him. The humans keep telling me not to bark because it’s not a dog, it’s my ‘reflection’, but I don’t really understand what ‘reflection’ is, so I’ll carry on barking at him until I’m not so unsure.
At home - relaxing!
It’s been quite a tiring fortnight because there’s been so much to learn but I’m really happy because I’ve got so many friends, I’m allowed to play and I’m allowed to lie down on any sofa or bed I like. The humans like it when I nuzzle up to them too and give me lots of strokes and tickles. I’m really glad I live with Jodie and her humans and I don’t ever want to go back to kennels again.
The humans say I’m a very good dog, I’m good for Jodie, and they love me very much.
Jackie Staines & Robin Hine
The Re-homing Animal Telephone Service is registered under The Charities Act 1960 No 803364