Yeti

The weather was kind to us yesterday - apart from a bit of light drizzle first thing it was fine in Northampton. My thanks to Lisa (who pet sits for us) and Ann and Curly for coming down for a couple of hours first thing. And most of all to The Beasts 'coz it was them that everyone wanted to see. Troy, Mack and Rosie were on their feet from 10 'til 5:30 - mind you, they did rather enjoy all the attention. Once again the people of Northampton were really generous and dontated £552.87. The Beastly Beasts will add to that to round it up to £600

After my visit to Claire's on Friday the rest of the day was spent sorting out for the Meet and Greet yesterday and yesterday was (of course) the Meet and Greet. However, just to say that Guinness certainly appeared to be Guinness when I went to Claire's on Friday morining. I was greeted by a black ball of fur hurling itself at the door on ringing the door bell, which then proceeded to accost me as I entered. After she got bored with me, baiting Skye was the next game. Definitely an eeemposta.

She is one amazing and very special lady. (So's her mum)

Will do

Of course I am (I lie so easily ) Henceforth you will be known as SneakySquirrel at BeastBarracks It's just amazing how a happy set of coincidences all came together.

4 years ago today we got a visit from Lynne, who had been sent by Claire, to home-check us. In tow - literally - was Monty; he was so scared he didn't even want to come in the front door. We passed the home-check and Monty stayed with us. It was our first in-sight into the world of rescue greyhounds and what goes on. The rest is history; if it wasn't for Monty the other WL hounds (Jack, Troy, Lucy and Mack) wouldn't be here and neither would Rosie, and we wouldn't have met so many brilliant people. Funny how one hound can change things. Here's a couple of pics that show how far Monty has come: This was taken just after he was rescued in Ireland - unsure and obviously very nervous You can read the e-mail we got from Jackie in Ireland about Monty's rescue here. By contrast - this year on holiday at Dumpledale So happy Home Coming Day Monty - and many, many more to come.

Not been able to do forums much of late - then when I do I find this thread. Hope Guinness is on the mend. I'll check her out tomorrow morning - could always bring Troy for a healing lean.

The Beastly Beasts link is http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/beastlybeasts Our referral link http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/referral/7424

Might have to change dog food. WTG Burgess.

I'm sure like everyone else "she'll be right mate", but in the mean time thoughts and leans from our lot.

Yes, the big white Beast is 9 today and it's just over three years (last week) since he joined The Beastly Beasts. Troy's first day at home Many of you know Troy and if you have met him in the flesh you have of course been leant on by him; that much has not changed in 3 years. Neither has his favourite place; on my lap But lots has changed in three years and most of it over the last six months or so. Troy now: pushes doors that are ajar to go through them - until very recently they were extremely scary things gives the occasional kiss plays with me in the garden These things you'd take for granted with most dogs, but Troy isn't most dogs and it has taken virtually all this time for him to do them; that he now truly interacts when playing (this is only in the last couple of months) is really special. Returning from a mission The one thing I always love about Troy is the joy on his face when he is out. From what I can gather he had a bit of a rough time then seemed to spend a long time in kennels, and it's as though every time we are out it's special to him - never more so than when he's on the beach. On the beach Happy 9th birthday Troy, and many more to come.

Hi Laura, Thanks for the collars and leads - The Beastly Beasts will look the biz in their finery. Here's a few quick pics Kai Monty Jack Troy (looking very serious about something) Lucy Mack Rosie

I remember reading her diary - what an emotional roller coaster that was. It's brilliant that she's come so far. Happy Homecoming to a very special lady.

I have often wondered about this. It's not the greyhounds that are different I would guess, but perhaps the rescue system and/or peoples expectations. My belief is that most dogs can be taught what is not to be chased/eaten. I don't have cats, chickens are the closest; despite Monty and Mack being extremely keen when they first arrived they do not even give them a look now. Do the US rescue centres (or should that be centers as they are US ) have a more formalised system of assessment that allows them to make the decision? Or do they just lie in order to get the dogs into homes and hope? Is that the majority of prospective owners here expect the dog to come gift wrapped and ready to slot into their lives, rather than accepting that there will be a learning curve for all concerned, which perhaps in the US they do? Do US rescue centres have the resources to provide more hands-on back-up than in the UK? Lots of questions which I can't answer, but perhaps if someone has contacts into the US via friends or a forum it might be worth finding out what is going on. If more dogs in the UK could have the "Cat Safe" sticker it might help them find homes quicker.

Don't know that it ever goes away - it does change though. I still miss all of the hounds I've known that have gone to the bridge and sometimes the eyes leak a bit, but the memories do change to the good times.

He made a liar out of me this evening by having an anniversary lie down on the walk

Your flabbers will gahsted and you will no doubt be prone to collapsing prostrate on the floor if a feather is so much as waved in your direction, but we've failed again. It was a year today - near enough to the minute as I write this - that I was over at Salcey Forest with The Beastly Beasts and our latest foster - Mack. He had been staying at Grandma Squiggs having been delivered a few weeks earlier as a bag of bones. Nursed back to full strength he'd tried taking Grandma Squiggs and Gracie (her own grey) for a walk through a hedge to get at one of the local feline population; I was called because Grandma Squiggs while not stirred was definitely shaken and she didn't want him to go back into kennels. (You can click here to read Troy's post about it). Mack having a lie down on his first walk with The Beastly Beasts (he doesn't lie down on walks any more ) In August a young lady came to see Mack. Unfortunately it wasn't to be. Fortunately he got to go to Swallows Dance a few weeks later - so it wasn't all bad. As the months went by with no further interest in a lad that I think is stunningly handsome, lovable and very affectionate, we came to an arrangement - Mack could only stay with us as a foster for 12 months. 12 months was up yesterday, and - yes - it's what you all knew anyway: Mack is now a permanent member of The Beastly Beasts No longer a foster, but family; not so much found his own sofa - more doesn't have to look for another one. He is a brilliant lad and fits in so well with the others. There is not a mean bone in his body and from a year ago has calmed down a lot - though he still has his "mads" when out - usually with Rosie.

Whoever said dogs don't like hugs has not met Troy - who also happens to always be first into the loo as well, closely followed by Monty, Mack and Rosie. All my lot like hugs and come and get them; we have big group hugs sometimes when everyone has a squeeze.

I'm pretty proud of The Beastly Beasts, but every now and then they do something that makes me really proud of them and Thursday evening was one of those times We'd been thinking of applying to join Pets As Therapy for a while and finally got round to doing it recently. And on Thursday evening five of The Beasts went for their assessments (with a lady called Pat ). Troy's done a post on BeastBlog about it. I don't want to steal Troy's thunder, but they all passed the tests with flying colours and Pat reckoned that Troy was a natural PAT dog - in her words "just what we are looking for". And Rosie, slightly to my surprise, was absolutely brilliant in a really busy environment - we were in the foyer of a village hall being used for dog classes and there were dogs constantly going backwards and forwards and she behaved perfectly. So we need to get the final approvals and stuff, but hopefully The Beastly Beasts will be joining the world of PAT dogs in a few weeks time.

What I can say is it that my lot did not react when a dog persistently tried to get in amongst them until it's owner came to get it - which was not in control? In my opinion the one; the seven where. I believe that people should be allowed to walk the number they are comfortable with and not have a proscribed number imposed by government - local or national. n fact I don't think government should legislate in any aspect of how people live their lives if it does not affect others. If what I do (and I am not talking specifically about dogs here - though that is included) does impinge upon other people then I should punished, fined what ever. But I think the "deed not breed" principle should apply to humans too.

Not sure what you mean by unexpected. What I can say - because it's happened - it that my lot did not react when a dog persistently tried to get in amongst them. What I am not saying is that everyone should walk six or seven dogs, but what I am saying is that people should be allowed to walk the number they are comfortable with and not have a proscribed number imposed by government - local or national. n fact I don't think government should legislate in any aspect of how people live their lives if it does not affect others. If what I do (and I am not talking specifically about dogs here - though that is included) does impinge upon other people then I should punished, fined what ever. But I think the "deed not breed" principle should apply to humans too.

The proposal is that a person should not be handling more than six dogs. So two of you, or three of you - any number of people - with up to six dogs each is, as I read it, is legal within the terms of the order as proposed. Still campaigning and hoping it will not be implemented, and have a local councillor on my side.

Happy Birthday Archie from all The Beastly Beasts

The way I read it is that if the number of dogs is no more than 6 * humans it's OK.

Once again it shows that the only thing that matters is money. Hopefully another nail in the coffin of the racing industry as more people become aware of what goes on.