Jo's Greyhound Blog - Fur and Away

 In 1979, a band called Secret Affair had a song entitled “Time for Action” and this sums up perfectly what I felt last weekend!  Last weekend, an already worsening situation came to a head when my husband found a white dog hair on the cooker hob!  Shame crept over me that I would soon be nominated for “How Clean is your House?” and be found wanting!   I’m talking about ‘Fur Wars’ or ‘Battle of the Shedding!’  The solution was to bring out some heavy ammunition to assist my poor vacuum, which despite being a sturdy item, with impressive brand name credentials, was hopelessly flagging. 

Tracy has such a thick undercoat … honestly it’s like she’s kitted out for the ski slopes!  My big surge, therefore, was to buy a celebrated and expensive dog grooming comb and press it into service straight away.  Tracy did her usual shake yesterday and … hardly any hair flew off.  Just in the nick of time, my reputation with family and friends has been salvaged.  Thank goodness my other hound, Paddy does not have the same problem.  No, Paddy has problems in other ways.

Paddy, apart from being black and largely bald on the rear, has a tendency to lunge at small furry animals, cats squirrels, hedgehogs (spiky as opposed to furry) and I’m afraid,  .. Pugs!  Let me stress that he is always muzzled when out, so the risk to the little furry friends is small and treats are always offered to re-direct him.  He gets so very excited and the only effective thing I’ve found to break his stare is to turn his whole body away and interest him in a small piece of sausage! The funny thing is that not all small dogs attract his interest.  A sweet little West Highland Terrier called Molly, hardly even gets an ear flick from Paddy.  Then again, she is a cool customer and she tends to keep her head low and give him plenty of space.

So I suppose it’s all down to the temperament of the dog and the Pugs he has met have come right up to him or walked between his legs.  Paddy lunged at a Pug last summer and got his ear bitten in return, which brings me back to “Time for Action.”  When feisty Pugs or other bold dogs look like they are going to walk up to his face, we find it easier to walk the other way!

One thought on “Jo’s Greyhound Blog – Fur and Away

  1. Hello Lifeline, It’s high time Parker updated his Mates! Well you might have guessed that the Naughty Terrier didn’t exactly improve his social skills ! But,he more than makes up for it at Home…And don’t you know your dogs up there ! He has measured up to his original write up in all ways,and with care he will accept the occasional Visitor,but insists n lying with his back to them whilst trying to catch my eye. Let it be said that he attracts quite a few compliments,and it is just as well that my friends do not know just how pleased he is when they leave. This is demonstrated by his insistance on walking them to the door,having completely ignored their arrival.And just to prove a point,he goes through the ritual of rubbing his chin over any seat that they may have occupied. After which he prances about wearing the Greyhound grin.I do believe that Parker has adopted me,but I do wish he would sometimes let me watch a late movie!. If I settle down to Telly after his bed time then I prepae for his repeated re entry whereupon he circles my chair before leaving the room,and stopping in the Hallway to glare back..Believe me it needs to be a special film to survive the interuptions….But I wouldn’t have him any other way! He does his best to please. me. [.no indoor barking ] ,and when off lead [somewhere safe like Farley Mount] he has stayed close by.It is good to see him trottng confidently along,[muzzled until he is more trusting of other breeds.]
    I’m no Geeg,but I will attempt a few Photos viar the E-Mail at some time,
    Meanwhile, good work at Lifeline. Parker sends his love to everyone,and his special Mate Carol….P.S. did I mention that the boy did good in Oxford Stadium……..
    Rosemary.

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