Ben’s Outdoor experience 07/05/12.
We arrived at Greyhound Lifeline to take a dog out for the day. It was suggested that Ben would be a good choice as he had been at the Kennels for some time and information about him away from the Kennel environment would be very useful. So Ben it was then and we were armed with the reliable and trustworthy Dodger to help show Ben the way. It wasn’t long before we encountered the first hurdle though and we hadn’t left the car park yet! Ben refused to jump into the back of the car, despite lots of encouragement, so he was lifted in. Dodger then jumped in after him and they both settled down ready for the trip to Farnborough Town Centre.
Ben traveled very well with no sign of distress and preferred to lie down for most of the journey whereas Dodger preferred to stand.
Once at Farnborough, safely parked up, both dogs got out of the car in a controlled fashion. Ben stood and looked around the car park, his ears pricked up, taking in all the activity going on around him. He was very excitable at first pulling quite strongly on the lead and remained very watchful of all the hustle and bustle going on. As time passed by he realised that there was nothing worthy of his excitable behavior and he settled down and became a pleasure to walk on a normal Greyhound collar and lead.
As we waited outside an entrance to Princes Mead people approached and asked about Ben and Dodger. We explained that they were both retired racing Greyhounds and that Dodger was our dog, whilst Ben was enjoying a day out from the Kennels but was looking for a forever home for himself. Ben clearly liked all the fuss and attention but was a little exuberant, especially towards young children, therefore some firm but fair handling was required. However it was not difficult to guide him into the correct responses to the attention he was afforded.
We moved on through the Town to give Ben the chance to see more of the big wide world away from the kennel life that he is so used to and to soak up even more attention that came his way. The more attention he got the more he seemed to like it and with Dodger continuially showing that a calm composure is the best policy alongside Ben his confidence grew noticably.
After an hour in various places in the Town we moved on to, what one might call “the doggie sweet shop and house of fun,” Pets at Home. Lots of interesting/nice smells, doggie treats, dogs being groomed, small fluffies and fish. Ben behaved impeccably and so too did Dodger. Ben did notice a small dog being groomed and gave out an excitable yelp and a whimper but a quick correction was enough to gain the correct response so we forgave him for that minor transgression. Ben and Dodger also met a Veterinary Nurse and the receptionist for the in store Vet who stroked them and commented on how wonderfully placid and strikingly elegant Greyhounds are. Dodger aptly demonstrated how lazy they are as well by crashing out on the floor by the waiting area seats.
Further around the store we went and came across some large marine fish in a tank at Ben’s eye level. Ben became mesmerized by the fish swimming passed his eyes then seemingly disappearing out of sight only to reappear again at the opposite end of the tank.
His face was a picture, (sorry no photo), the look of bewilderment made us laugh. I don’t think he realised that they had gone behind the rocks and plants and swam down to the other end of the tank. Moving further on through the store Ben and Dodger found some dogs to greet giving us further opportunities to introduce them calmly, especially Ben, who as a kennel dog, does not have the number of opportunities to greet different dogs as Dodger has on a day to day basis. Ben showed the potential to be calm provided he was shown the correct behavior and reminded of it from time to time. People were also stopping to admire and fuss over Ben and Dodger and some commented and were sympathetic on Ben’s need for a home of his own, wishing him the best of luck in finding that elusive home. We waited outside the store for a while to give passer’s by more opportunity to see the dogs and Ben’s coat saying “I need a home”.
Back to the car to go home for lunch which meant walking along the pavement beside a busy road and crossing the road. Ben showed no fear of passing traffic and crossed the road calmly. Ben also surprised us by actually jumping into the back of the car and was showing that he was far more settled and enjoying his outing.
On arrival at home both dogs were taken straight into the garden to avoid any potential conflict between the two on Dodger’s territory. Need not of worried though both dogs were happy with each others company, in fact Dodger was ready to play and started urging Ben to chase him. Ben responded but it didn’t last for long, both were tired from all the walking around and they relieved themselves and went indoors for a rest. Dodger went directly to and claimed his bed, remembering that each time Zulu came round he claimed Dodger’s bed. Ben however was content to lie down on the Vinyl floor in the kitchen and watch our lunch being prepared.
Whilst at home our youngest daughter Sarah came in and Ben took an immediate shine to her changing instantly from a chilled out boy into a bouncy playful chap that Sarah clearly liked. She is a big fan of lively playful dogs and it seemed as though Ben could sense that and so produced the required response. They played for a while and Sarah made a big fuss of Ben commenting on what a lovely boy he was. He certainly can be a very playful chap when in the right frame of mind.
With lunch over and all tidied away it’s off out again to a dog friendly pub in Church Crookham for a drink. It seemed that Ben must have had a word in Dodger’s ear as neither Ben or Dodger jumped into the back off the car. That’s not like him! So that’s two dogs to lift into the car then!
The pub was quite busy, lot’s of people and dogs to see. Ben became quite excitable when he came face to face with a young Border Collie who apparently didn’t like dogs wearing coats. Ben also spotted a Spaniel under a chair by the next table to where the Border Collie was and the two of them were enough to start Ben barking and whining. Ben was corrected for this inappropriate behavior and taken to an empty table away from the two dogs. However Ben registered where they were in relation to us and kept a watch in brief on them whilst we had our drinks, occasionally whining and barking to which a firm “No” was enough to correct. Dodger, on the other hand was crashed out on the floor asleep a typical Greyhound indeed.
By the time we left the pub Ben was much more settled than when we arrived and even jumped into the car to go, thankfully so too did Dodger.
A 20 minute stop at Morrison’s in Southwood for people to meet Ben and Dodger and spread the word that Greyhounds make wonderful pets, then back home for a rest and to experience home comforts and treats for being very good boys.
Eventually it was time to go back to the kennels, gosh where did that time go? Ben applied all his charm and gave a look that seemed to say “I would like to stay here please,” but sadly for Ben it was back to the kennels again. I have to say though he did tug at our heartstrings a bit he is a very nice dog underneath that which he currently chooses to show you initially. He will make someone a wonderful pet if he uses those same charms and behaviors on anyone who visits him at the kennels. Go on Ben sell yourself, you can you know, you tried it on us you lovely boy.
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