Losing my lovely girl and adopting my big, gentle black greyhound
It’s the hardest part for any dog parent — and one we dread and can cry when we think back to — losing our beloved best friends that have lived through everything with us. My girl Spice had bone cancer and died end of last year. Devastating. I learnt so much from her. Embrace what you can do — not what you can’t (“I can go in the car yey!” Not, “I can’t walk much”). Live in the now, not what you dread coming. Find joy in small things. Trust your gut.
And I always knew I would adopt again — with so many waiting for homes. So I had the privilege of welcoming my gentle giant black boy into my home. No idea why black boys — and big ones at that — can take longer to re-home. Everyone comments on how stunning he is. He has a presence.
For anyone concerned about rehoming after having lost one, it took a few months for me to really closely bond and am sure the other way too. But it came. Two separate paths like train tracks — grieving one and loving another. And I love him to bits now. He’s a joy.
I thought I’d share a few things I learned/tips in the last 6 months, in case any are of help to new or relatively new people adopting a greyhound or homing one after having had one that was settled in the home — since they all have different things we need to help them through. But to start with, remember this. My boy is 5 and has lived all his life in kennels (as have most). You imagine if you lived all your life locked up, had a regular routine, spent most time enclosed in 4 walls or whatever the kennel was. Everything, absolutely everything outside must be terrifying! Washing machines, mobile phones, cars, hoovers. So getting used to that deserves respect. And our patience. That is our privilege. Remember that you know this world that they are new to. You may be a new dog owner. But hold on tight (but not tense) and be the confident, calm, emptathetic leader. They pick up on your energy. So if you are nervous, they will be more so. This is a long list, but may help with different things:
- Bolting: Number one thing I think people aren’t aware of is the bolting tendency of greyhounds, but also other breeds new in a home. They just want to get out of the door. Be absolutely obsessive about not opening the door when your greyhound is there. Close another door, keep them safe. The first few months are the times most likely to have injuries and to lose your dog. So be super vigilant. I’m really cautious about who can I leave my boy with, as I need them to be careful about this bolting. Also watch out for fences and cats the other side, so watch them in the garden at all times.
- Settling in: When you bring your greyhound home, just remember how everything is new for them. Sounds, smells, sights. I now delay putting too much noise on the first day. I put my phone on silent, don’t put the TV or radio on. I just keep the home as calm as possible while they adjust to new surroundings. Once the TV came on I did have the inevitable looking behind it…I think the first day, sitting down and not getting up lots is good and calming. There may be a lot of panting as it’s stressful
- Being followed around: This can last a while! But I think for them, they are not sure of what is going to happen. How would they? So just be patient, I was told to ignore them when they follow you/ don’t make a big deal of it. And eventually they get used to knowing when to bother (eg if you may have treats being opened…then it’s worth it!). It probably took a few months with J and some — of all breeds will always do it.
- New scary sounds and things: It will be different for all and some you can’t change. The hoover was scary for both of mine. So I threw cheese to him when I got the hoover out. I then switched it on and threw cheese and gradually got the cheese closer to the hoover so he could see it wasn’t going to hurt him and for him to approach in his own time. Doesn’t love it super close but he’s good now. Use the same concept with anything similar. Turn something bad into something positive. He jumped up and ran to the front and back windows a lot for months at every sound. Even moving my leg on the sofa. I just had to carry on and be patient and give him time. It must feel like being in a goldfish bowl compared to where he was.
- Being left alone: Some greyhounds — like Spice are absolutely fine being left alone. But J was worried after a couple of minutes. So I used my webcam to watch him when I went out, to gauge how he was. To begin with, he paced and ran lots. So I didn’t push it. I read to come back when they aren’t panicking, but that was hard as he was stressed to begin with. And to ignore them when you come in — just make it a normal thing. I come and go, no big deal. I got up to 20 minutes and then had to start again at one point. I gradually built it up to 30 minutes, but he was still panting and so for 3 months, I just didn’t push it and did short 30 or 40 minute trips out. I work for myself and could. I knew when he was stressed if he was panting, so my gut thought that once he was more settled in the house (eg not jumping at sounds), he’d be happier being left alone. The last month or so (so after having him 4 or 5 months), he can now be left 3.5 hours, but I built up to that. And didn’t push it or push him into anxiety.
- Coming with you: I have a pub mat! Very important. And Janti does fit happily in the right spot in a pub. Not only are mats comfy, but they learn, that when the mat goes down, you are staying a while. I waited a month or so before taking him, as he needed to feel comfortable with me first, but took him briefly initially to a quiet pub and sat in the corner with him. He is happy now for 3 or more hours in a pub — so hence why it didn’t matter not leaving him at home. He just came too. How nice to have a being that just wants to be with you all the time! Never tires of you! How many people are like that with you?!
- Reactive hounds: J didn’t react to other dogs, but I have a friend whose boy was. Not agressive, just not used to other breeds and so a bit unpredictable around them. He’s on the left in the top picture. I asked what they did and his mum said he wore a muzzle as a precaution for a long time and a harness for control. He was walked under close control, on lead, alongside other well-behaved non greyhounds — not face to face confrontations. If dogs came running towards him, the owners were advised to put their dog on the lead. It was a matter of time, she says and he was with well-socialised dogs and his body language observed. Any signs of unease were acted on and he was calmly led away. Positive introductions were rewarded with praise, a stroke or you could give food if that is what they like. And now, a year on, he is fine with other breeds!
- Nervousness: Most will have something that scares them. With dogs that are scared of people and situations, I had a foster who was like that and had her for 3 months. I read to remove the stressful situation, for example letting her stand at a distance from people, rather than letting them come and pet her. And for her to choose to come close if and when she wanted. Spice was scared of footballs and children on scooters. So I carried on walking past them, not forcing it and not close and over time she learned that they were not a threat. The big thing here is you need your body language and behaviour to show confidence and that they can trust you. Be the calm, assertive leader.
- On lead or off lead on walks: I think this is a tricky one for new owners of greyhounds, as one might expect all dogs to be able to wonder around off the lead and merrily trot back towards you. Most greyhounds owners I know, including me, are incredibly cautious about letting them off. It’s everyone’s decision, but I personally only do it in safe enclosed areas, once I have done recall in the garden for a few months. Now after 6 months I am doing it a bit, but my preference is for his safety than to do it and I lose him. The reason being, they have their instinct, but ON TOP of that, they have been trained/forced/actively encouraged to chase — not to do recall. With Spice I did it too soon and almost lost her a couple of times. Not worth the risk so I left it a year. They say it takes 6 months for them to bond with you, so why would they come back to you if they don’t know you? When first in a home, they are confused and still finding their paws for a good 6 months too.
I think that’s probably enough. I hope it helped, whether you have lost your loved one, are considering a new one or a first time owner. Good luck. Greyhounds are the most beautiful, graceful, gentle creatures. And everyone I know who has one feels the same. Majesty in their resilience and ability to adapt to be loving, contented pets. They are not with us long, so enjoy every moment in the present. As will they, as you can see!
