Paul's Greyhound Blog - A Greyhound's Eye View

Ben goes out and about……. A dog’s eye account of the day.

Woke up as usual at the kennels and was let out for my food and comfort break. Then back inside again, whilst the other dogs had their turn, while I waited patiently for my morning walk. Then before I knew it I was prepared to go for a walk, or at least I thought so and was led out of the kennel.

Strange I thought, there’s only one dog out in the yard waiting, is that Dodger?  Yes it was and his family who take me out for walks regularly. I’m led out of the kennels down the lane to relieve myself then back up the lane again and ushered into the car. Yippee another day out, I like these days out, I wonder where we will go today?

Off we went and the first stop was Farnborough town centre, I know this place we’ve been here before. I walked confidently through the town and waited in various places whilst some shopping was done. The town was busy and I had a coat on that said “Please Adopt Me ask the human for details”. Lots of people came up talked to the humans and made a fuss of Dodger and I. Questions were asked about us and Greyhounds in general and information was given out to those who were interested.

Some asked whether we were ex racers and commented on how wonderful it was that organisations such as Greyhound Lifeline and the volunteers that staff it exist to helps us find homes when we are retired from racing. Some asked about me and my search for a forever home, who knows maybe I’ll be lucky this time.

After some time in the town we walked over to Pets at Home, I’ve been there before too, there’s always lots to see in there. I bet this is a test of my behavior around other animals and as it happened I ignored the rabbits and other small fluffies in their glass sided pens walking calmly by! Dodger was just ahead of me and he too ignored the small fluffies, he did however cock his leg against a pile of sacks! Not sure what was in them, naughty Dodger I thought. No one noticed but we found a member of staff who kindly cleaned it up for us and the humans apologised for Dodger’s error.

At the back of the store was the Veterinary Centre and we tried the scales. Dodger weighed 32kg and when I eventually decided to get onto the scales I weighed in at 34.3kg.

I sniffed out all the treats, but couldn’t decide what I wanted, the truth is I wanted them all greedy me! We met more people and dogs of all sizes and again discussions ensued about us with me standing there as handsome as ever!

Surely it can’t be too hard to persuade someone to want to home me, I am gorgeous aren’t I? More information was handed out to interested people before leaving the store to go home for lunch and a rest.

After lunch we went out again, in the car this time. We arrived at Frimley Lodge Park. I have not been here before. The park was very busy there were lots of cars, people, bicycles and dogs. Right then I thought, let’s get to it I want to explore.

We walked around the park, it was a very large park, the humans talked to adults and their children and we received lots more attention from everyone we met. I piled on the charm trying to persuade someone to offer me a home of course. We even stood and watched a cricket match for a while, I don’t know what that is but that’s what they told me it was anyway. We walked along the canal towpath for a bit and met some more smaller dogs to which we were shown how to be calm when introduced, calm is best you see. Yes it is possible to show me how to be calm I am a quick learner you know, I am just a little excitable at times, but I’m starting to get the hang of this calm thing.

We stopped for refreshments and I got some tidbits, Dodger wasn’t interested in tidbits he just crashed out on the grass in the shade of the picnic table. I stood there watching people passing by and succeeded in generating yet more interest in us Greyhounds and our needs, with even more information given out about Greyhounds and Greyhound Lifeline before it’s back to the car to go home.

Some more time spent at Dodger’s forever home where I explored the garden and chased up and down the lawn as if I was still on a racetrack, I love to run you know. Dodger chose not to join me, obviously he knew that I would’ve shown him who is the fastest dog! I also spotted that rose bush that I cut my ear on last time I was here. I’ll keep away from that one then, once bitten twice shy you know.

Then all too soon it was time to get ready to return to the kennels so one last look around the garden and I turned and tried that look that says “please don’t take me back let me stay I’m a very good boy”.

Into the car I went and off back to the kennels for my evening feed and bed. I would just like to say thank you to my human friends for taking me on another great day out and let’s do it again soon, unless I’m lucky enough to be homed as a result of these outings I’ve been taken on.

Love Ben  XXX

If you want to find out more about Ben, please visit his homing page at http://www.greyhoundlifeline.co.uk/adopt/greyhounds-needing-homes/ben/

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