Greyhound Fostering 101

Pixabay.com

                                                                   
                                                            A warm and cheerful home,
                                                            though temporary it be.
                                                            How could I have ever known,
                                                            it was chosen just for me.
                                                           

Christmas is coming, and all our thoughts go to the hustle and bustle of the season.  Greyhounds have no understanding of the festivities especially the dogs that are still waiting to be adopted.  One of the best gifts a retired racer can receive is a forever home, but the next best thing is being taken into a home as a foster dog. 

Images.google.com

Fostering a greyhound until a permanent home is found is a great gift to give to a newly retired racer any time of year.  Many rescues do not have kennels to house their newly acquired dogs, and the foster programs are their backbone.  When my family decided to foster, we already had two greyhounds.  Knowing what to expect from a dog right off the track can advance its education, but even without this knowledge it is possible to share your home.

Pixabay.com

By taking in a foster, you are helping the dog transition from the track to home life.  Since dogs coming from the track have a very regimented life, living in a home becomes confusing for them.  It is best to try to keep some regimentation in their lives.  Feeding at approximately the same times each day and taking them out for potty at similar times supports this. (This will help with housebreaking also.)  Although greyhounds on the track live a different way,  they are eager to learn and pick up new skills quickly.

Images.google.com

The first time you bring your new foster home, it is important to introduce him or her to your present dog.  This should be done in neutral territory outside where your animal does not feel threatened.  Here, they can meet on equal terms and can sniff to their hearts content.  After the meeting is over, both dogs can be brought into the house.  It’s a good idea to let your foster wear his muzzle for the first couple of days while he is getting use to things.  If you have cats, make sure that the rescue has given you a cat-tolerant dog, and ask their advice on how to introduce them.  Keep small animals and birds caged. 

Images.google.com

Your job is a very important one.  Your foster is depending on you to teach him critical lessons for an easy passage to his forever home.  Since he has been kept in a kennel during his racing life, being in a home may be overwhelming to him at first.  Teaching him about stairs, slippery floor surfaces, windows and sliding glass doors, unusual noises, riding in a car, and children will make his move into an adoptive home easier.  

Having your foster learn to go outside when he has to go to the bathroom is one of the more important lessons you will teach.  In my experience, greyhounds want to please and since most are older, they learn quickly.  Taking your charge out often, giving a potty command and praise will encourage him.  Watching him closely when loose inside the house or crating him when you can’t watch him or you go out would assist him in learning what’s expected.  

Images.google.com

You will be essential in assessing the personality and behavior of your foster.  Your dog will face many new experiences, and how he reacts to these are key to helping your rescue place him in the right home.  If he is timid, introduce him slowly to new experiences so he can easily assimilate them.  Taking part in your rescue’s meet and greets will socialize him through meeting unfamiliar adults and children.  

Images.google.com

Having a soft bed in the corner of the room and teaching your charge to sleep in it instead of on your couch strengthens how he sees his new world.  You may want your dog to feel comfortable, but having his own space will work just as well.  The family that adopts your dog may not want him on the furniture.  Learning good house manners will make him more adoptable and help him to meld into his new family.   

With all these new lessons, your foster will be well on his way to his forever home.  The toughest lesson will be yours to learn.  Letting your foster go is difficult, but knowing he is going to his new home makes it all worth it.  There may be a time that you flunk “Fostering 101”.  Understand that it may happen, and if it does, tell the rescue as soon as you can that this dog is special to you.  All the love and care given to your fosters will speak volumes to their new pet parents.  

Pixabay.com

Remember to wait until after the holidays have passed to consider adopting any pet.  Emotionally driven adoptions result in returns which no one wants, so carefully reflect on your reasons for adoption.

Images.google.com

Resources and Further Information:

“GFNJ Foster Guidelines”, greyhoundfriendsnj.org

“Fostering”, greyhoundlifesavers.org

Why Do We Love?

Love reinventing lives

dog and human alike,

Connections made

exquisite and pure,

Never to be broken

even with death.

Just as we develop relationships with people, we also develop relationships with our animals.  The connection with people can unfold emotionally and intellectually.  Sometimes, what begins as a professional association will blossom into a more personal relationship due to like interests or values.  Our relationships with our pets can also begin slowly, but as an animal’s personality emerges, our love may vary in its intensity.

The love I feel for my pets is non-transferable.  I believe each of my pets has brought something special into the relationship, whether it be following me around the house constantly, singing to their dad, rolling upside down into their cockroach position, or being afraid of their own shadow.  Each difference shapes the way I view them.  The dog who shivers physically when faced with an unfamiliar event will provoke a sympathetic love while the one that is pushy and knows his abilities generates an emotion that mirrors that strength.  

Think about the animals you have loved.  Was your love the same for each one?  The animals that are with me at any given time are always my favorites.  But realistically, the love felt varies because each comes with a unique personality affecting the way I view them.  

Kiowa and Emma exhibit their uniqueness through facial expressions and body language.  Whether they are chasing me around the house after I put my sneakers on (Walk Time!) or harassing the one in the desired bed by hovering and staring (they do have 5 beds), they express their desires very clearly and humorously.  Several of our dogs have revealed their propensity for the “cockroach” position (lying upside down with four legs sprawled in the air when sleeping).  When Emma does it, she shapes her body into a semi-circle (‘how’ is the question).  Looks uncomfortable to me.  Another endearing quality is the way these two play with toys.  The other day, I saw Ki with his head in the toy basket rooting for something.  He was very intense.  Emma, on the other hand, will pretty much play with any toy, but it MUST be brought into the sunroom where mounds of her toys end up.  You get the picture.  These two are always up to something, and I feel that they are the dogs of my heart, my forever dogs.  They love me ardently and display that by constantly putting their heads on my lap wanting to be cuddled and caressed.  Do I just feel the reciprocation of that love or do I love their spirits?  Probably both is the answer.

Each dog loved my family in its own rare way.  Our last two dogs, Rusty and Kazi, were affectionate with us, however, most of their love was directed toward each other.  When in the backyard, Rusty would stand over a reposing Kazi as if in protection.  When Kazi got loose, and we finally got her back after 24 hours, she looked at us like she didn’t know who we were but wagged her tail happily when she saw her Rusty.  Another one of our pets, Yankee, began life with us as a foster.  He feared the world when confronted with anything unknown to him, and shook uncontrollably.  When taking him places in the car, I had to climb into the back of the van to urge him out.  He loved us as his protectors, and our love made him feel safe.   We cherished each of our dogs, but their individuality determined our love’s intensity .

What makes your present dogs special?  What special charms did your past dogs possess?  Has personality impressed a slight variation in your love for each dog?  In truth, we really don’t need to know why we love our dogs, just that we love them with all our hearts.

My Conehead

                           The grey through which I see

                      stops my fun,

                      It hampers me

                      from running and playing and

                      being who I want to be.

                      The doctor was kind,

                      He made me better,

                      the problem was only

                      the cone on my head…errr..

                      It’s finally off!

                      And I can SEE!

                      No longer does poor vision

                      hinder me.

                      I run and play cone free.                                 

One morning as I looked into the sweet face of my little black greyhound, Emma, a ray of sunshine reflected off something in her eye.  I looked closer and saw a gray haze that seemed to cover her pupil.  I realized that it looked like a cataract.  I called my husband over so that he could inspect it.  He agreed with my diagnosis.  How could it be a cataract?  She was only three years old, and this happened only to older animals…or so I thought. 

The Conehead

We took her to our vet who suggested having her seen by a veterinary ophthalmologist just to see what he might recommend.  As time passed, the gray area in her eye seemed to worsen so we made the appointment. 

It took us almost two hours to get to the specialist’s office.  He explained that the cataract was preventing almost 70% of light from getting to her retina so vision was very limited in her right eye.  We decided to have the cataract removed when we could do the frequent traveling to the doctor’s office that would be required.  In September, it was removed, and by that time, 90% of her vision had become impaired. 

Emma and her ducky friend

Cataract surgery is usually very successful, and so it was for Emma.  She can see very well and is healing nicely.  The only strange thing is that the iris in her right eye, the one operated on, is darker than in the left eye.  The doctor informed us that sometimes a cataract can cause that change.

Emma’s cataract is known as a juvenile cataract.  This type can happen to dogs up to 4 years of age.  Sometimes puppies are born with cataracts or can get them before they reach 8 months old.  These are called congenital cataracts.  Finally, the ones that occur to mature dogs are called late onset or adult cataracts.  Most are hereditary.  However, sometimes they can appear due to trauma to the eye, other eye diseases, or diseases such as diabetes. 

Looking cute

According to Dr. Karen Becker of healthypets.mercola.com, a cataract is a clouding of the eye. “The lens is inside a clear capsule, and the cataract clouds up the inside of the capsule.”  It is not a film over the eye.  All cataracts do not cause blindness.  Sometimes the fogging of the cataract is so minor that it does not hamper vision at all.  That wasn’t the case for Emma.  It was on the mature side and grew quickly from May, when I first observed it, until September when she had her surgery.  

Miserable

Sometimes, cataracts will develop over a number of years, and the dog will be able to see until it clouds the entire lens.  Cataracts are more common in pure bred dogs, and some breeds are more susceptible than others.  If your ophthalmic veterinarian suggests surgery, it is better to do the surgery when the cataract is still small.  

After the procedure, Emma was fitted with the cone of shame.  Yep, that’s what they call it.  Because greyhounds have such thin necks, her cone did not fit properly, and we had to attach it to her tag color.  It looked very uncomfortable, and Emma seconded that impression by whimpering throughout the first night.  After that, she got used to it, but still wasn’t a happy camper.

At first, she sullenly plodded around the house making sure everyone knew how miserable she felt.  She was not allowed to run in the backyard so I had to walk her whenever she went out.  She didn’t like that either.  However, she was a champ at taking her eye drops and, on the whole, was a very good patient.  

Waiting to see the doctor

After getting used to her cone, she became more animated and started running around the house.  Unfortunately, she bumped into almost everything with her cone.  She couldn’t seem to negotiate spaces very well.  She bumped into Kiowa a lot (maybe she planned it that way) and the furniture.  She also bumped into any humans in her way, but soon she began to awaken from her funk.  She seemed happy again.  

The doctor examines Emma

She had her cone on for almost 3 weeks.  We also took 3 check-up trips to the doctor, and she has one more in a month.  Her cone is finally off, and everything looks great in her eye.  The doctor said that her vision seems clear again.  I can tell by how alert she is when we are walking.  When she had her cataract, I could see a change in her behavior in that she was tenuous around objects in the backyard.  Now, she seems to be taking in everything and is back to her spunky self. 

I am so glad that we decided on the surgery especially due to her youth.  It was expensive, but her quality of life is improved and back to where it should be.  However, she will always remain my conehead.

Resources:

Healthy Pets with Dr. Karen Becker, “Cataracts: 75% of Dogs Develop Blindness within 1 Year of This Diagnosis”, January 10, 2012, healthypets.mercola.com

DogHeirs Team, “Cataracts”, April 15, 2010, dogheirs.com

The Daily Vet,  “Juvenile Cataracts”  by Dr Lisa Radosta, August 29, 2012, petmd.com

Vital Force

As we come up the driveway, we tred lightly.  Creatures of different temperaments are known to inhabit our home, and we are bound and determined to unearth their secrets.  We hear the galloping of many feet as we enter.  Without warning and coming right at us at full speed are 

                                                                               two, yes two -------- excited greyhounds.   

With their keen hearing and eyesight, they spotted us as we turned into our driveway.  There is no way we could sneak into the house without these two knowing it.  They are our welcoming committee.  The latest two members of our family are like our past greys in that they love our return from anywhere, but that’s where the similarity ends, making me consider each of our hounds and their differing personalities.

What determines a personality whether it be human or canine?  The personality is what makes each one of us an individual - so, too, our dogs.  We have all read in books and on the internet the many attributes that make our dogs stand apart from other breeds, but even in this there are so many differences of temperament  and disposition that make up their nature.  

Most exhibit the general persona of quiet, aristocratic, and well-mannered animals.  Being a cat-lover as well as a greyhound-lover, I often likened them to the independent, sometimes aloof and mysterious cat that will rub against your leg when he wants some attention.  Greyhounds are all of the above, but much more and do display variety.  Each sensitive soul has been blessed with its own specialness.

When we first embraced the idea of adoption, I knew that I wanted a calm dog.  In fact that quality is what first drew me to the breed.  I enjoyed the quiet elegance of my cats.  So as we picked our first dog, that characteristic was top on my list.  On meeting Cayman, our first grey, she exuded calmness.  “This is good”, I thought.  Little did I know that the poor dog was probably in shock when we got her.  It took her a long time to slowly blossom, and that was what I felt she did.  Like the unhurried blooming of a rosebud, she finally opened.  

At first, she had NO personality.  Like an automaton, she stepped through each day.  She ate, slept, walked, went outside in the yard, but with no sign of any distinctive characteristics.  I started to think, be careful what you wish for.  She wasn’t much fun, and she didn’t look like she was having much fun.  But in time, she began to change.  It was similar to watching an infant do new things.  Every day, she would exhibit a new trait.  I think she came into my life to teach me patience.  She never became an overly exuberant dog, but that was who she was, and we loved her.  She taught my husband and I so many good greyhound lessons, and I felt blessed that she was our first dog. 

Our second grey, Woody, was our singer.  My husband would start making song noises, and Woody would join right in.  He especially liked Jingle Bells, and it seemed he really knew the tune.  It could have been my imagination, though.  He was more outgoing than Cayman, but still very lay back, pretty large and a moosh.  I do not think I ever saw either of them pick up a toy.

During that time, we were fostering dogs for GFNJ.  One day, I was asked to foster a dog that was having some problems.  His name was Yankee.  He had run away twice from his previous home.  When he walked into my house, he resembled a deer in the headlights.  Talk about a distressed animal, but he quickly attached himself to our dogs and happily settled into life with us.  He was doing so well that moving him would have only acerbated his problems.  So this is when we flunked fostering.  We adopted him, and all of his issues. 

Yankee was afraid of everything.  By bringing him to Meet & Greets, I thought that I could acclimate him socially.  He accepted going, but getting him out of the van was always an adventure.  Then he usually just curled up under the table.  It was not something he loved like our other guys.  He relaxed as time went on.  Then, after being with us for several years and improving, he reverted back to some old behaviors like refusing to walk on a leash.  He would resemble the likeness of a stone greyhound statue.  After trying different approaches, I had to think out of the box.  So we went to an animal communicator.  

Don’t reject this out of hand.  It was a fascinating experience.  She had an interesting conversation (in thought) with Yankee and explained to him about our concerns.  I asked her to ask him if he had been abused in any way on the track.  He replied no, and that he had “always been this way”.  She made some suggestions to us, and he soon started to walk on the leash again.  Her acumen with animals certainly helped our boy.   

Our next dog, Hanna, was a beautiful white and red brindle spotted girl.  Two of her toys were both extremely large, a yellow duck with a big butt and an enormous white bunny.  She loved these two stuffed animals and would routinely drag them from the sunroom into our living room.  No matter how many times I returned them to the sunroom, they seemed to always land back where I did not want them.  She was funny and made us laugh often.  

Rusty was the next to join our brood.  He was the largest and longest of all our greyhounds, had a beautiful red brindle coat, and was quite the pushy boy.  He was exceedingly friendly and had to be noticed at all costs, and since he was large would routinely knock into you.  He was like the child that has to be first in line. 

After Hanna passed away, we chose a petite red girl named Kazi.  She was nervous about a lot of things but worshipped Rusty, and he, needing the adoration, sucked it up.  Kazi would lay in the backyard, and Rusty would stand over her as if in protection.  Once when finding Kazi after she had been lost for 25 hours (a horrible experience), she exhibited no delight at seeing us, but the minute she saw him, the happy tail started.  We often thought that although they liked us well enough, they really loved each other more.  After Rusty passed, Kazi, after only three months, developed an aggressive cancer and died soon after.  It was torturous for us, but we were comforted in feeling that Kazi needed to be with Rusty.  It could be explained in no other way.

Now to our present “children”.  Kiowa is a happy, lay back boy.  He thinks we’re  truly special and loves us unconditionally.  He is quite the momma’s boy, cries when he doesn’t like something or sees a dog or a human out the window or has his leash wrapped loosely around one of his paws.  If he barks, I look around to see if there’s another dog in the house.  He plays with toys occasionally, but doesn’t make a habit of it.  After a year of solo flying with us, we decided it was time to adopt again.  

When Emma came along, we were unsure if she might be an alien in a greyhound body.   She did not display traits we were used to in our greys.  She was young, just turned 2.  She had and still has oodles of puppy in her and plays nonstop.  She loves every toy and thus has interested Kiowa in them.  She chases balls (unheard of for any of our other dogs) and is just an exuberant girl.  She likes to talk and enjoys being talked to.  She constantly follows me.  Sometimes I will stop walking unexpectedly, and she will bump right into me.  Having these two is like enjoying a comedy routine daily.

Each of our dogs had and has their own special soul, their own vital force.  We have been privileged to be gifted with such extraordinary pets.  Each of you could write your own story about your dogs’ personalities.  Although greyhounds are quiet in their demeanor, it does not mean that they are short in personality.  Let me know how your dog reveals his soul to you.      

Behind Bars

bayareagreyhounds.org

                                                                  

                                                                                           Helping each other

                                                                                           behind bars,

                                                                                           Making new lives

                                                                                           together.

greyhoundfriendsnj.org

The greyhounds’ calm nature and impressive demeanor, in addition to their easy lovability, make them an asset in countless ways.  As adopters, we know how much they contribute to our lives.  But some greyhounds take a side trip before they even get to us.  This little spin gives them a step up and also helps someone to learn a life lesson.  That side trip is a stint in prison. 

Numerous greyhound rescues partner with their state’s Department of Corrections to set up mutually beneficial programs in correction facilities.  This joint association not only encourages the adoptability of greyhounds but also supports and promotes the rehabilitation of inmates.  Greyhound Friends of NJ has been involved in this type of program since 2002.  Kiowa, my present male grey, had come from such a prison program when we adopted him.  We like to say that we “sprung him”, but actually he was cared for and loved there.

Augusto F. Menezes/Staff Photographer

Many of these programs have developed across the country.   Greyhound Friends of New Jersey works with Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility in Annandale, New Jersey which houses young male offenders aged 18 to 26.  Other rescues are affiliated with programs that work with incarcerated adult men or women.  Most programs have a limit as to how many dogs they can accommodate. 

The prison programs choose inmates that are specially selected and have a desire to work with animals.  These inmates know that to remain in the program depends on their continuing efforts toward positive outcomes for themselves and their dogs.  Two handlers are assigned to each greyhound, a primary handler and a back up handler plus several trainees.  Most programs run for 6 to 8 weeks, and during that time, the greyhounds sleep with the inmates and learn their basic commands such as heel, sit, lie down, stay, come on recall, etc.  The inmates are also responsible for grooming, clipping nails, brushing teeth, cleaning ears and administering medications.

prisongreyhounds.org

The Bay Area Greyhound Adoptions group out of the Tampa Bay/Ft Myers/Naples areas in Florida is in partnership with the Greyhound Advancement Center and another rescue, Gold Coast Greyhound Adoptions.  Together they sponsor a program in which trained inmates at Hardee Correctional institution Work Camp (HCI) work with the greyhounds.  These inmates receive extensive information on care and training and have even named their program, “Hardee Hero Hounds”.  

Augusto F. Menezes/Staff Photographer

Many of the greyhounds who have graduated from these 8 week programs will be able to meet the requirements of Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification.  Some of these dogs will also have learned the skills necessary to become a Certified Therapy Dog.  So if you feel that therapy is something that you would like to do with your grey, asking if the rescue is involved with a prison program may be advantageous.

Prison programs not only permit track greyhounds a soft landing between what they knew and what their new life will be, but gives them confidence to face the next step on their journeys, their forever homes.  These programs help the greyhound learn new skills in a loving albeit temporary setting that will ease them into their permanent home.  

greyhoundfriendsnj.org

In addition to all the positives of servicing our greyhounds, other beneficial results come out of these programs.  The tranquil manner of the greyhound brings with it a calming effect to the prison.  Both inmates that work with the greys as well as those who do not, feel this calm.  It even extends to the staff.  The inmates who handle and love the greyhounds become remade.  These programs teach responsibility for another creature and the joy found in accomplishing a goal well done.  A close bond is formed in the short time that the handlers work with their greyhounds.  When the dog graduates from the program, it is a graduation also for them.  It is difficult when their dog must leave, but a new dog arrives, and they begin the cycle again.  

prisongreyhounds.org

In some cases, the men and women find that working with animals is what they want to do after their incarceration.  Some prisons train their inmates so well, they can be certified as dog trainers upon leaving, building confidence, becoming self-sustaining and giving back to society.  What a wonderful outcome for both greyhound and inmate! 

It is unusual in life to find such a win-win situation for both the greyhound, unsure and afraid, and an inmate, possibly facing his own insecurities.  This program builds up both greyhound and human with confidence learned, love given and received, and hope restored for a new life.

The resources below are but a few of the rescues that participate in some type of prison program.  

Resources:

Greyhound Friends of NJ;  greyhoundfriendsnj.org; Prison Program

Bay Area Greyhound Adoptions;  bayareagreyhounds.org; Prison Trained Greyhounds

American Greyhound; americangreyhound.org;  TGIE Prison Greyhound Rescue Program

What's in a Name?

Cayman

                                                                                            A name soon reflects

                                                                                               the soul within

                                                                                                  and then detects

                                                                                                     gifts beneath the skin.

Cheyenne Wink (Cayman), Boardwalk (Woody), Yankee Win (Yankee), Longlegged Hanna (Hanna), Ought To Be Rich (Rusty), Bold Kamikaze (Kazi), Kiowa Stop Matt (Kiowa), Fuzzys Bad Betty (Emma).  

Woody

These are the track names of all of my dogs.  Some silly, some simple, some thought provoking, so I began to contemplate the methods that breeders employ to name greyhound puppies.  I searched the internet but had a difficult time unearthing an answer to my inquiry.  Finally, though, I stumbled upon an explanation.  Yah!

When I think of the many greyhound puppies that are born each year, I have a hard time imagining how owners can come up with so many varied names.  Since most of the names seemed odd to me, I thought the breeders must sit behind the dog kennels drinking (alcohol) while they made up the names (and maybe drinking is still part of the process). However, there is a method to their madness.

Yankee

According to Bob Putnam in an article written in 2003 and published in the St. Petersburg Times, naming greyhounds can be a complicated business.  First of all, all racing greyhounds must be registered with the National Greyhound Association.  There are 27,000 names presented to the association every year.  Owners must submit a name plus two alternatives for each dog, and rules must be followed:

1. Names must be limited to 16 characters
2. The words The, Junior, or Senior are not allowed in the name
3. No roman numerals
4. No more than three initials
5. Once a name is registered, it is not allowed to be used again for a decade after the dog’s death and longer if a male dog’s semen has been frozen.

Can you imagine all the names that must be generated for just one litter of dogs?

Hanna Banana

Paul Caple of Capabal Kennels in St. Petersburg explains that most kennel owners use themes when naming their dogs.  Kennel owners employ these to aid them in creating names more easily and to assist in determining the litter the dog came from.  Ideas for naming dogs can come from anything - songs, beer, celebrities, comic books, sports, etc.  For example, one of my dogs was named Yankee Win.  I guess his owner was a big Yankee fan.  Another was named Boardwalk.  At the time, I thought the name odd, but after looking at his lineage, his mother was Passgoandcollect and his grandfather was Hondo Monopoly, the Monopoly gameboard being the inspiration.  

Rusty

For an annual fee of $10, an owner can acquire sole rights to a prefix for his dogs’ names.  For example, Greymeadow Kennel uses the prefix, Greys, in front of all the dogs’ names for its kennel.  My dogs, Cheyenne Wink, Kiowa Stop Matt, and Fuzzys Bad Betty fall into this category.  The prefixes Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Fuzzys have been used with other dogs so I am assuming (you know what that does) that these dogs came from particular kennels.

Kazi

The article, footnoted on the bottom of this post, sheds light onto the methods used in naming racing greyhounds, and it all makes much more sense to me now.  I hope it does to you also.  Still, when I adopt a new dog, the naming process seems daunting.  Luckily, my husband is good at selecting names.  I do try to keep part of their racing name though if I can, but sometimes circumstances dictate the outcome.  To illustrate, when we adopted Cheyenne Wink (1991), she came to us only with her kennel name of Lady.  If I had known then her track name, I would have certainly kept part of it.  And then, we adopted some dogs with names that were tough like Ought To Be Rich and Fuzzys Bad Betty.  Not much I could do there, so we thought of alternatives (Rusty and Emma).

Kiowa

If you have the same difficulty as I have and need some help in creating your dog’s name, there are tips out there to help you.  Pick a name that your dog can easily recognize and is one or two syllables.  Names should be easy to call out and should not be tongue twisters .  Avoid rhyming names with commands. If you decide on a longer name, what will its shortened version be?  Also, there are many sites on the internet with suggestions for dogs’ names.  If all else fails, you can use them for catalyst.

Emma

People use all kinds of inspiration to name their pets, from popular names to Zodiac signs, from thinking of a name prior to adopting the pet to waiting to experience what the animal is like.  Sometimes a name may just come to you like it was meant for your dog.  Whatever your method, your pet’s name becomes part of its persona and spirit.  Naming your dog a name that resonates with you and your greyhound will lead you both to feeling balanced and alive.  Happy Naming!

RESOURCES:

sptimes.com, St. Petersburg Times, June 25, 2003, Greyhound Name Game Challenges Creativity by Bob Putnam

greytarticles.wordpress.com, Greyhound Articles Online, Naming Your Greyhound by Lori Amato