1000 sighthounds 2014 blog

So it's the second time I've made the hoomans take a holiday in Devon so I can go to 1000 sighthounds charity day out. This year is the third time it's been organised by the greyhound sanctuary.

Lots of nice people in high vis jackets told Hoodad where to park. The registration tent was as soon as you came in £3 per dog to go on the walk. We were there at 10.30 so I scoped out some of the other breeds there.

I also spotted lots of whippets, Saluki's, Deerhounds and lurchers. The walk started at 11 so Star and I got ourselves to the starting tape.

The walk was down the field up a concrete path through the woods and then back down the fields about 45 minutes. It was quite a fast pace so I didn't get to sniff many hound bottoms.

On returning from the walk I saw a stand from a nice lady from Bristol university doing research into dog dental hygiene.

Hoomom had to answer a 4 page questionnaire that asked questions such as

Name, age, racing name, food I'm fed, how often I eat bones or dental chews, have my teeth brushed, medical history and lots more. In the meantime I was being fed smackos whilst the lady looked at my teeth, took photos of them and took a swab from inside my mouth.

Lastly my height was measured. I enjoyed taking part in the research I wonder if they will need me again.

The rest of the day was a fun dog show, dogs trust giving free microchipping and other doggie stands. Hoomans decided it was too hot to stick around so we left all the other doggies to it and went off to see Exmouth.

Saturday trip out blog

Saturday 7th December 2013 seemed like a normal day to me. I got up, had a walk round the block and then breakfast kibble. We even got in the car and went to dog training. As we got a new woofbed during the week we tried them out between exercises.

Training finished and we got into the car thinking we were going home.

But no Hoodad got his talking box out with a women with an Australian accent. I think he calls it the sat Nav to direct him places as Hoomom is not the best map reader. Destination set was 17 miles away. It turns out we arrived at ...

The Kenilworth branch was where I moved to after 18 months in Barley's kennels. I did get worried when I saw this sign.

I thought flip I've already done 1.5 hours worth. Fortunately it was to visit the Christmas fund raising fair (also on Sunday 8th December 2013) They have book on sale, refreshments, doggie and hooman nik naks. Hoomans got two packs of doggie bags (nice & strong ones) £2 pound on the doggie tombola sadly no winners then off to see Santa Paws.

The grotto was decorated with pictures, presents and a poster with a greyhound on it.

In true grotto style there was Santa's little helper or in this case a not so small helper. Hoomans and I recognised him from last year and we had a chat with him. I gave him a Business card so he can follow my blog.

We then went in to see Santapaws but first a couple of photos.

Star and I told Santa that we have been good all year and what we wanted for Christmas. He then gave us both a present.

We both thought that was the end of our adventures but hoomans had some shopping to do in Waitrose and then Sainsburys. I was very good when they went into Sainsburys as they left a bag of shopping on the back seat with me I have now found out there was a whole chicken in it. Doh slipped up there ! Hoodad then asked the Aussie women where the nearest park was and drove us there.

Victoria park in Leamington Spa has paths, 4 bowling pitches and a tennis club with 10 courts. Hoodad watched the tennis for a while as he hasn't played for 2 years. Then it was back into the car for our trip home. As you can image after all this excitement guess what a greyhound wants to do now !

Perry Barr RGT show blog

As you all know I like a good dog show. Sunday 13th October 2013 was the Perry Barr RGT annual show at the Solihull Riding School.

Fortunately it's all indoors because it was raining loads outside 💦💦. There were lots of trade stands selling various things things. I know the riding school well because it's where we go free running but there was no running today.

But we went to our friends stand first. Hound designs dog collars !

The three collars are what hoomans got for us. Mine is the one top right.
As you can see from the first photo there was lots of classes across 4 rings. Ring 1 pedigree ring, Ring 2 greyhounds, Ring 3 Novelty - not greyhounds, Ring 4 greyhound Novelty Ring.

Hoodad got the treat bag out and became super popular!

I saw some of my friends including my old kennel girlfriend Holly.

Holly lives with Harry who entered the most appealing eyes competition and got 3rd place.

I got entered into the 8-9 year old dogs.

Yep I got a rossette! Better than my last dog show outing at the 1000 sighthounds show (no rosette).
Holly decided it was time to go home but our hoomans decided to enter Star and I into 1 more class - best rehomed dog or bitch not from Perry Barr RGT.

Yes my clever sister got first place. Wore her out though ha ha ! For about 5 minutes she always has ants in her pants. Hopefully I will see more of you at next years show. We both enjoyed ourselves.

Pets at Home meet and greet blog

I just realised I talked about today's meet and greet in Sutton but I haven't told you about about another event I did.

We were outside Pets in home in Perry Barr. The new Marks & Spencer's outlet opened 3 days earlier so we were collecting money also.

We had key rings, badges and goody bags. I donated two tickets in the raffle to Crufts that the kennel club had sent me.

The area was all covered up but Simon one of the organisers had his car close by and some dogs liked the boot.

But when the treats came out it was a different matter!

We had fun and raised £190 for Perry Barr RGT

Sutton Coldfield Meet and Greet Blog

It's Easter Saturday and hoomans got us up early for one of my favourite things a meet and greet. But it's so cold but at least most of the snow has gone now.

Today's greet was in Sutton Coldfield for Perry Barr Retired Greyhound Trust. Hoodad went to college in Sutton so he likes going back. We parked up at the car park and then went in a metal box (lift) to see Sam and Simon who were running the event.

Lots of people were kindly giving us money for our tins. We saw lots of other grey owners and 5 or 6 people who were really keen to adopt a greyhound.

For the kids Simon was busy running a pick an egg competition. This proved really popular and all the prizes went so he brought out his back up game roll 4 dice and the higher the score the better the prize.

Star wanted a go but I distracted her by saying look at Buddy wrapped up with his mini hooman in a blanket.

It was Buddy's first time out in an event he only found his forever home 4 weeks ago. He did really well getting cuddles from everyone. Buddy was just one of the hounds getting cuddles along with Star, Zac, Gladys, Neve, Harrison, Woody, Blue, Dingo, Toby and Jo and we raised £753.77. Fantastic!

Santapaws visit blog

Had a busy day today. 1 hour doggie training then into the car to go and visit Dogs Trust Honiley (Kenilworth).

For those of you who don't know when I couldn't find a forever home in Barleys kennels I got moved to Dogs Trust.

Lucky for me I only spent 1 month there before my hoomans picked me up. I always nag my hoomans to support any events they do.

I showed Star where some of the kennels are where less fortunate dogs are. We both wore our #houndsoftwitter bandana's. It was their virgin wear in public.

The Christmas fair was great Dogs Trust merchandise (got 200 poo bags) are hoomans trying to say I poo a lot! They were selling books, bric-a-brac, tombola, but more importantly Santapaws visited.

This is where I first met my hoomans. Soon walked past this and into the log cabin to see Santapaws.

We both got presents from Santa mine is long and thin it may squeek but Mom wouldn't let me bite it. Only 24 days to go before I find out. I think Star got a bowl.

I hope they raised lots of money. I enjoyed my trip back but I prefer my forever home.

Pedigree Play again event 10th June Blog

Sunday 10th June I went to Pype Hayes Park for the Pedigree Play Again.

The park is about a mile away from where we live but my hoomans used to live about 500 yards away.

It was basically a chance for us hounds to meet the lovely people from pedigree who are involved with the joint care+ trial. As well as the chance for us hounds to tell our stories how the joint care+ has helped. Watch the video below advertising the play again events. If you look carefully you can see Star on it in the Birmingham event.

I was on the trial for 6 weeks taking 1 tasty chew a day. The science bit is they are only 67 calories for a large dog but 3 times more glucosamine then the next best selling joint chew. As well as glucosamine it also has omega 3 (stuff from fish oils, for flexibility)green lipped mussel powder (important for healthy joints) and methionine (helps with joint stiffness). As you can see below I enjoyed the taste of them.

At the park was a massive sofa, a ball launcher (for those that love chase and fetch - I prefer just chase and run) and a fence to jump over with motion sensor to catch the moment for the pedigree Facebook page.

But I mentioned large sofa and as you know Star and I love lounging on a sofa. So we did!

Whilst chillin on the sofa Mom got interviewed about how I improved with taking my daily joint care+ chew.

Then to top it all about 2 weeks after going to the event the lovely people at Pedigree sent Star and I photos taken at the event. They are now proudly on display on the fire place.
To end on a high the trial has started again and I'm following new dogs doing well on twitter @wearefordogs #playagain or the pedigree Facebook page.

So if you are in the Manchester area the play again event that got cancelled is now on 19th August. I'm sure you will have as much fun on the day as I did.

National microchipping month blog

Hopefully by now you have seen information in the press and radio that June is National microchipping month. I just wanted to say how important it is to have your pet microchipped. Watch this great video telling you about the process of microchipping.

As a greyhound from a retired Greyhound trust I'm chipped. I was registered in Ireland so I also have I.D. tattoos in both ears and Star being british is only tattooed in 1 ear. Once a dog is chipped it is the reponsibilty of the owner to keep all you address and owner details up to date. Unlike a collar a microchip can't be removed.

That's where the My Dog App is really useful it has a my pet dog lost alert feature. If your dog has premium Petlogmembership you can alert authorised agents within a 30 mile radius from 1 click on your smartphone. Even better news during the national microchipping month you can upgrade to premium Petlog online for £7.50 instead of the normal £15. My Kent Grandad just got a new yorkie and I upgraded little Betty's pet log details. After the upgrade you have unlimited lifetime change of address details and you can add holiday and family addresses.

The chip is the size of a grain of rice and is fitted in minutes and lasts a lifetime but please remember to keep your details up to date and it's the owners responsibility.

Microchipping has been in the press recently with pressure to make all dogs young and old have a compulsory microchip. Please take a couple minutes to do the survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Petlogmicrochipping

If your beloved pet isn't chipped I hope this blog has encouraged you to get one very soon.