when one is gone... (no - no one crossed over the rainbow bridge)

[radfringe]

we are fostering a greyhound, and have 3 dogs of our own (1 airedale, 2 greyhounds) plus 4 cats... so our house is pretty full

the rescue org for greyhounds offer short term "greyhound sitting" for foster families going on vacation. they don't want foster families to have to pick up the expense of boarding a foster dog.

so last night we brought Abeline to her "vacation home". We'll be picking her up next week (Tuesday).

WHAT A DIFFERENCE in the house this morning with only 3 dogs and 4 cats to deal with....

when I was growing up and one of us kids (including myself there are 3 siblings) would go overnight camp or elsewhere for a few days my mother would remark "what a difference when one is gone...." now I know what she means....

[driver8]

1. That is funny!! Our family just lost our dog and are thinking of

adopting a greyhound. The ones I have seen have been pretty gentle dogs...we are wondering how they are around small children as we have two munchkins.

You should be in our house when our kids stay at Grandma's house...I never knew a house could be so quiet!!

[radfringe]

3. like all dogs

some dogs are good with munchkins, some are not. in general, Greyhounds are real gentle couch potatoes -- they are not "high rev".

we don't have any munchkins, but from what I've observed, if a greyhound is feeling "annoyed" by someone (adult or kid) they just get up and walk away.

a good greyhound rescue organization will try to match up a family with a greyhound based on the family's life style and situation. They will ask if you have kids (how old they are) and other animals in the house etc. They are interested in finding FOREVER homes for the greyhounds and will make an effort to make the best match possible.

The greyhound org I work with - the majority of "new" dogs coming in are placed with foster families for a time. This gives the dog time to adjust/learn what it is like to be in a home, learn things like how to walk up/down stairs, what sliding glass doors are about and gives time to evaluate the personality of the dog (likes/dislikes, do they interact well with kids/other critters etc.) On average a dog is usually in a foster home 4-8 weeks before actually being adopted.

link to Rainbow's End Greyhound Rescue. Sweet Valley, PA (near Wilkes-Barre ---> http://reghr0.tripod.com/

[superconnected]

2. ah he was lucky to be in your foster care

you noticed his presence and his in-presence.

[radfringe]

4. tonight we bring home the foster dog

we cut our vacation short by one day and came home on Sunday. Yesterday we picked up our dogs from the kennel - and boy were they glad to be home...

the greyhound org. arranges for 'vacation' home for anyone fostering greyhounds - so our foster - "Abeline" has been on a vacation of her own since last Thursday. We made arrangement with her "vacation" home to pick her up tonight...

the house will be full again...