Hanna

Husband has been going to greytalk.com and one interesting topic that they discussed was, "10 things they didn't tell you when adopting a greyhound". It is a pretty good forum for greyhound owners where you learn from others' experiences (and those not typically mentioned in the Greyhound care manuals). Anyway, one of the things mentioned in that 10 things list was: they always give you the good greyhound first.

Very true indeed, at least in our case. Hanna is our first dog as adults. Husband & I are still learning the ropes (until now) but Hanna is a very easy and a very typical greyhound (45 mph couch potato).

When we first got her some five and a half months ago, she was very unsure of herself, very shy, easily spooked, jumpy at times and quite clingy. Well, of course, they all go through the attachment to their person/mommy/daddy unit phase and the accompanying separation anxiety when that unit is not visible. I even had to shower with her inside the bathroom (not in the shower cubicle) so she wouldn't whine the whole time I am showering. The slightest noise from my baking pans would make her jump, the buses, the kids' playing in the baseball field, and most especially, the lawn mowers. But that was months ago and suddenly, she isn't that clingy anymore. She has achieved the object permanence. And that was such a relief for me...my shadow has learned to relax.

She gradually settled in--we took her to trips and she was just so good in the car. One word of caution though, don't feed your greys with french fries! Husband & I got some fries during one trip and gave her 1 or 2 and a good 15 minutes later, there was a really offensive, car-clearing smell that emanated from the passenger seat and there's only one culprit. It was winter but we had to open all car windows just to clear the air. No more fries for Hanna since then.

When we got Louie a good 5 months later, Hanna helped in Louie's transition from the
kennel life to pet life. Greys are known for not knowing how to climb stairs (they don't have any in kennels) but Louie (whom we got straight from the kennels (we fostered him first)) mastered the formidable stairs on his 3rd day with us. I laid down treats on each step, moved one paw after the other and gave him a gentle lift/push-it also helped that Hanna was hovering around (to show him the ropes or steal the treats)...she showed him their beds/ toys and special place (crate)...I think she also showed him that cats are family members, NOT toys. She welcomed him and they were instant friends from thereon, but she's still the top dog.