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Post by lmsweb on Jan 14, 2007 16:16:16 GMT -5
Hi everyone!
My 6 year old daughter and I live in London, Ontario. We recently moved from a house into an apartment (long story, sad breakup with her step-Dad, but moving onwards and upwards!)
At any rate, I have been promising her for some time that we would get a dog. We have both always loved Golden Retreivers but I am realistic enough to realize that they do NOT make a great apartment dog. I don't like "little" dogs (I have been owned by a black Lab and a Malamute who was 155 lbs) and have always loved the sleek, elegant look of a greyhound.
I have talked to my daughter about getting a dog, and we are planning it for a few months from now. I do have some questions/concerns regarding adopting greyhounds though.
1. We have a cat - are greys good with cats? Or does it really depend on the individual dog? 2. My daughter knows about how to approach a dog, and to always ask before petting a strange dog. Are greys generally good with children? (we have already talked about the policy of not pulling on them, jumping on them, or SURPRISING them). 3. Would a grey be happy in an apartment? I've been told that as long as they get out for a few small walks each day and 1-2 "runs" during the week that they are content to sleep most of the time. I work 25 hours a week outside the home, the rest of the time I will be here. 4. Are there any specific health concerns I should have about adopting a grey? 5. What are the fees involved with adopting? Is there only the one agency here in SW Ontario? (I'm thinking I read somewhere there is one in Toronto?)
We live about a 2 minute drive (if that) from the dog park on Adelaide St so getting out for a run a few times a week wouldn't be a problem.
Thanks so much in advance! I am really excited about adding a dog back into our family (finally, after not having one for almost 5 years) but I want to be sure I am making the right decision.
Thanks! Lisa
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Post by John Vickers on Jan 14, 2007 16:59:21 GMT -5
Hi Lisa and Welcome to the Forums
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Post by P&G_mom&dad on Jan 14, 2007 19:24:57 GMT -5
Lisa,
Just "go for it".
Our grey Pasha is the best dog we've ever had. She has adjusted quickly to our busy family life in an apartment in midtown Toronto.
Even though I know we have been lucky with no or minimal adjustment issues, I would highly recommend this breed to anyone who loves dogs.
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Post by dad2paisley on Jan 14, 2007 19:32:44 GMT -5
Hi and welcome aboard.
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Post by lmsweb on Jan 14, 2007 20:41:55 GMT -5
Thank you all so much for the warm welcome! My daughter has been reading on here with me today and is pushing to get her dog "like right NOW!" LOL I told her we need to get settled in our new home first and make sure Tobey (our cat) is also settled. I figure it will also be easier to do the initial stages of housebreaking once the weather is a bit better.
I do have another question - how well do greys travel in cars? I have a 4 door Sunfire, but with Megan's car seat in the back that takes up 1/2 the back seat (although she is old enough I can put her in the smaller booster seat when the dog is in the car with us). What do most of you do? Let the dog ride loose, put them in a restraint? By sheer luck the vet clinic is literally outside my door (about a 200ft walk) so car rides wouldn't be very frequent.
We looked at some of the photos of the available greys on the website (I'm assuming that's Bill that runs the site, yes?) and she already picked out 6 of them.
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Post by sdsandiford on Jan 14, 2007 21:45:52 GMT -5
Hi There!
Although two (out of three) of our greys are NOT cat safe, there are many grey/cat owners who will tell you it simply depends on the dog.
We don't have any children yet, but our boys are very good around the kids they meet and those who come to visit. It sounds like your little girl already knows that greys can have spacial issues around their bedding. We have slowly worked ours up to being able to be handled while on their beds (although we never disturb them while asleep).
Also, we have been in a house for over a year now, but had our first grey, Jack, in an apartment. Greys are pretty good apartment dogs! Jack (our laziest boy) literally sleeps 18-20 hours a day. Although the other two are more active whilst awake, they are content to sleep just as long.
Just a quick note. The pics on the site have not been updated for a while, so most of the dogs on there are no longer available for adoption. However, fear not! There are many, many boys and girls still at the kennel (including a fairly recent bunch that just arrived). Have a chat with Bill. He'll point you in the right direction! Good luck in your decision.
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Post by P&G_mom&dad on Jan 14, 2007 21:47:48 GMT -5
Lisa,
Pasha hasn't been too happy in the car. But after 4 months she is getting used to it. We have a small SUV and she is lose in the back. We had to use a water spray a couple of times to stop her from constant whining. She is OK now. I wouldn't let your new dog ride close to your daughter in the car until you truly know the dog and are sure she is OK in the car.
The website doesn't get updated a lot. Some of the available dogs might have been adopted already. Since Bill brings in new dogs all the time your best bet is to go for a visit.
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ceedee
Junior Grey Lover
Posts: 187
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Post by ceedee on Jan 14, 2007 22:21:23 GMT -5
We adopted Dash in October (Craigie Dasher - still on website) and he has been perfect for our family. He is still quite timid, but has definitely made great strides since we got him. He is very clean in the house - completely housebroken - and is absolutely safe around cats.(I did muzzle him initially just to make sure.) I foster cats for Animal Aid of Burlington so I always have several cats running around the house. The other day he got swatted in the snout by a cat and he reacted by running into his crate with his tail between his legs! So many people on this forum have adopted beautiful, loveable greys and are very happy with them, as we are. Sometimes, however, things unfortunately do not work out for them for one reason or another and the dogs have to be returned. This is certainly a case of mismatch and not necessarily a fault of the dog or the owner. I am sure your perfect dog is waiting for you! p.s. Dash is loose either in the back of the station wagon or in the back seat. Just sleeps during car rides.
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Post by tara on Jan 15, 2007 8:27:45 GMT -5
Hi Lisa, Jump in both feet and you will be amazed by the love you get in return. We adopted Tyson in Sept. of 2006 as a companion for our Lab. He is terrific and fit in perfectly. Our kids love him and we have family and friends who have little kids (under 5) He is amazing with them like a babysitter. adopt, adopt, adopt. Bill at GRA will pick the perfect dog for you/your daughter, your cat and your living arrangement. He has this amazing ability to read them and you to find the right fit. We have a Taurus and can fit both our Grey and our 90 lb lab in it and they behave very well. We put Ty's muzzle on him the first time as a precaution when we put them together in the car but haven't had to since. BTW the people on here know what they are talking about and have really great advice and are always willing to answer any questions you may have.
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Post by rocco's parents on Jan 15, 2007 9:05:24 GMT -5
Hello and welcome, two words GET ONE!!!!! You won't be disapointed. We do not have any cats, but some greyhounds just should not be placed with cats, becasue of their high prey drive. Sounds like your daughter knows how to behave around dogs so I don't think that should be a problem for you.
As far as health concerns go, there are some, bloat, anaesthetics, the type of flea collar/treatment. As far as travel, greyhounds do well travelling after all they are usually moved from track to track, we have a van and Rocco loves standing and looking outside, Meme on the other hand just lies down the whole ride. Anyways good luck, take a trip out to see Bill he will help you alot, keep us posted on what you decided.
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meganm
Junior Grey Lover
Puppy Love
Posts: 292
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Post by meganm on Jan 15, 2007 9:34:12 GMT -5
Hiya Lisa and welcome! I am an apartment dwelling London Ontarian as well I would suggest reading the greyhound books recommended on the GRA site, one of the best is "adopting the racing greyhound" by cynthia branigan (ps I have a copy if you would like to borrow it they also have a copy of the older version at the library. there is also another one by her called Living with a Greyhound that i haven't read but is sounds like it may have some answers for you. sounds like you are asking all the right questions and I really hope you make the decision to get a greyhound! Welcome!!!!!
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Post by lmsweb on Jan 17, 2007 6:56:18 GMT -5
Thank you all so much for the welcome! meganm, I am not sure if the Megan is your name or your greys, but it's also my daughters name. She noticed "her" name on this page right away..LOL As soon as I finish getting unpacked and settled I am going to get those books you suggested. Right now I'm afraid they will get lost in the mountain of boxes that reside where my kitchen table should be...LOL Can anyone give me a rough idea of how far Bill's is from London? And what time the turnouts are at? I may take Megan up there the end of the month for a meet and greet (we won't be adopting just yet...I need to keep repeating that to myself...)
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meganm
Junior Grey Lover
Puppy Love
Posts: 292
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Post by meganm on Jan 17, 2007 8:40:47 GMT -5
Megan is my name and I did the same "noticing" when I saw her name too Bill's is about 30-40 minutes from London and Jiffer can tell you what time turnouts are at. You can also go and help with the turnouts and the feeding as a way to get to knowsome of the dogs. I told myself the same "not yet" mantra and ended up coming home with my dog the first time I went up.... so good luck!!! LOL
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Post by jiffer on Jan 17, 2007 13:11:22 GMT -5
Thank you all so much for the welcome! meganm, I am not sure if the Megan is your name or your greys, but it's also my daughters name. She noticed "her" name on this page right away..LOL As soon as I finish getting unpacked and settled I am going to get those books you suggested. Right now I'm afraid they will get lost in the mountain of boxes that reside where my kitchen table should be...LOL Can anyone give me a rough idea of how far Bill's is from London? And what time the turnouts are at? I may take Megan up there the end of the month for a meet and greet (we won't be adopting just yet...I need to keep repeating that to myself...) Bill has three turnouts a day (9, 4 and 9), but if you are serious about adopting, give him a call and make an appointment to visit him and the dogs. He's very good with the dogs and can set you up with a few possibilities. The turnouts are more to get the dogs out and tidied and less about showing them off
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Post by lmsweb on Jan 17, 2007 18:43:14 GMT -5
I'm sorry - I didn't mean to give the impression that I was going to expect to be shown around or anything. I just want Megan to see them up close so she knows just how big they are. I definitely wasn't expecting to be entertained or anything (well, other than by the dogs...LOL)
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