Just Ask Pasha • Can I let my greyhound off leash

My friend had a greyhound that he let off leash. Can I train my greyhound to be off leash?

No. No. NO. Once again, when you sign your adoption contract, you will agree to always keep your greyhound on a leash or in a securely fenced area. This is purely for the safety of your greyhound.

Your greyhound is a sighthound, he can see a mosquito on a leaf a half mile away. OK, that is a bit of exaggeration. He does, however have a very keen distance vision, genetically he has been wired to detect motion. He can see something in the distance and begin running at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour and be gone before you even realize he saw something. 

As he is running towards his prey, he has absolutely no idea where he is going, where he has been or what dangers surround him. He isn't aware of the cars on the road that he is dashing across, and he is no match for a vehicle.

He may not even see something, but is spooked by an unfamiliar sound or even another human and start running.

There are a few different stories about "Trust, the Deadly Disease." Neither story ends with a happy ending.

"...He spies the neighbor dog across the street, and suddenly forgets everything he ever knew about not slipping outdoors, jumping out windows or coming when called due to traffic. Perhaps it was only a paper fluttering in the breeze, or even just the sheer joy of running--Stopped in an instant. Stilled forever. Every morning my dog Shah, bounced around off lead exploring. Every morning for seven years he came back when he was called. He was perfectly obedient, perfectly trustworthy. He died fourteen hours after being hit by a car."

"...We got to the campground near dark. We were way off any busy roads so right before we turned in I let the dogs loose to sniff around. It never occurred to me that they would wander off. Shelly was 13 and beautiful and I doubt I will ever see her again just because I was so complacent and not thinking. Every minute I'm wondering if she is suffering, already dead, or picked up by somebody."

And so I ask you, "Why would you risk losing your best friend when you simply could keep him on a leash or in a securely fenced area?"

Leona is modeling a "greyhound safe" martingale collar.

Just Ask Pasha • Argh, my dog is eating poo

Why does my greyhound eat poop? It's disgusting!

Just remember, one man's trash is another dog's delicacy. Not all dogs find it so succulent. Personally, I won't touch the stuff. Ick!

This is not completely unusual, it has a name: coprophagia.

Your dog may be eating it because he is hungry, bored, genetically wired to do so, his food could be lacking necessary nutrients or he may have parasites that are leaving him hungry enough that he needs the extra nutrition.

There are many old wives tales suggesting that you add pumpkin, spinach, or pineapple to their food. I've also heard green beans or a meat tenderizer, are great deterrents to keep your pet off of the backyard snack. Veterinarians sell a supplement that you can add to the food. If your pup wears a muzzle outside, you can purchase a stool cup that fits either on the outside or the inside of the muzzle.

Make sure your dog is getting a balanced diet. If he seems hungry, feed him a little more. Take him to the vet and check for parasites.

But seriously, the best defense against backyard snackers is a good offense.

Pick it up as soon as it hits the ground.

This is Minnie modeling a stool cup on her muzzle.

Don't forget to visit us tomorrow!

Don't forget to come visit us at our first event of 2009! We will have some great dogs looking for their forever homes and hope to see you there.

Where: Healthy Pets Northwest
Address: 7642 SW Capitol Highway, Portland
When: January 24th
Time: 11am - 2pm

Just Ask Pasha • If you can't keep your greyhound

Our life has changed, and we can no longer keep our greyhound. Is it OK to list him in an ad in the paper?

When we adopt a greyhound, we sincerely hope that this will be the greyhounds forever home. We also understand that life changes, and the greyhound may not be able to stay in your home.

Please return your greyhound to the adoption group. If you no longer live in the same town or your group doesn't exist, contact another local greyhound adoption group. When you signed your adoption contract, regardless of which group you adopted from, there was a clause that said you agree'd to return your greyhound to the group if you couldn't keep him.

Returning greyhounds to an adoption group is important for a couple of reasons:

1. They will make sure that the new home understands greyhounds
2. If the new family needs help or support, they have an adoption group to fall back on
3. We will make sure that the new family knows about leashes, fences and living indoors

Returning a greyhound to their original group is good for you and it is the best for the greyhound.

Artie is ready for your couch!

Please welcome Artie into the adoption program. He's at that perfect age to bring a grey home, still young enough to be goofy and entertaining but not so young as to drive you crazy!

Name: Artie
Racing name: LPH Jazzephizzle
Color: Black
Weight: 79 pounds
Born: December 29, 2004

Just Ask Pasha • Senior greyhounds

I get a lot of questions about adopting a greyhound. My hope, as a guest rover reporter while our editor is on vacation, is to answer some of those questions for you. These are my own thoughts, but they do apply to most greyhound adoptions.

Do you have any younger dogs? I'm afraid an older dog won't be around for very long and my heart will get broken.

The youngest greyhounds are usually around 18-24 months old when they become available for adoption.Typically a greyhound will live to between 12 and 14 years old, which is great for a large dog. Unfortunately, as with any breed, there are no life expectancy guarantees.

Seniors still have all of the great characteristics of a greyhound with a few benefits. Sue Burkard probably explains it the best.

"Senior greyhounds don’t always give us more. You take the chance of having a couple months, if your lucky, a couple years. However when you adopt a senior greyhound something changes inside your brain. A switch is turned on and suddenly you notice all those things you take for granted in a young dog. You appreciate them more. Those moments of intense play strike a chord deep inside your soul. It’s as if a powerful joy hormone is released throughout your whole body. When they run, the real beauty shines through every time. You see every sprint, every jog, every wobble, and every stumble; and yes, you hold your breath the whole time, and when they are done, you sigh a happy sigh."

"They teach us exactly how precious life is every day."

Roxy-12 in Sept. 2008, Buddy-11 in Nov. 2008, Pasha-12 in April 2008,
Murphy-10 in June 2008, Maddie-13 in Jan. 2009

I am a proud card-carrying member of the Double Digit gang.

My dog has no nose!

You know that old joke...

My dog has no nose...
How does he smell?
Awful!

Well, Stinky doesn't smell awful and he's a total love so don't let the name discourage you, we can tell he's gonna be a great pet!

Name: Stinky
Racing name: LPH Sky Allegro
Color: Brindle
Weight: 73 pounds
Born: May 20th, 2006

Happy Honey went home

Honey went home yesterday and we already have a picture of her with her new mom! She is such a sweet little girl and while we're happy for her we'll miss her dearly...

Possibly sporadic posts

As the primary contributor to this blog I just wanted to let everyone know that I am going to have only sporadic internet access for the next few weeks. I will endeavor to keep the posts as regular as possible but I hope that you'll bear with me.

On the positive side, there is a roving reporter who will be making contributions for the first time!

B-I-N-G-O

Bingo just came into the adoption program. He's a sweetheart of a boy who loves everyone he meets!

Name: Bingo
Racing name: LPH Baileys Boy
Color: Red
Weight: 73 pounds
Born: April 26th, 2006