Looking Back on 2016

As we are getting ready to say goodbye to 2016, I thought I would give an update on the hounds here at Lazy Days Greys.

Sadie, my sweet, sweet Sadie.  Last month we celebrated Sadie's 13th birthday.  To say this was a milestone would definitely be an understatement.  When we adopted Sadie, she had been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and mild mitral valve disease.  She was taking prescriptions that cost about $100 and month and was quickly renamed "million dollar baby".  She had various health issues (mostly the damn toes) and seemed to have some rotten luck.  After testing a couple of years ago, it was found that she had a birth defect and not all the other problems with her heart.  She came off all the medicine.  She is a happy girl these days.  A little thinner and a little slower, but we are so thankful that she's still around.  

Bowser, my goof ball.  Bowser is just as goofy as every.  We like to say "not the brightest crayon in the box", but we love him.  Always within my eyesight and way too attached to his momma, he's my boy.  Other than horrible teeth, my Bow-wow is doing just greyt.

Clareese, my baby girl.  Clareese is a little more quirky than her brother, Bowser.  She is learning to like men more and more.  Still has the baldest butt and never misses a meal.  My little chunky girl.  Her teeth are not as bad as her brother's, but still not the greatest.

Vic, silly and crazy is the resident comedian.  This cold snap has turned this boy into a riot.  He loves nothing more than to run out the door and go to his favorite hole and dig away.  With his goofy gait (after effects of the seizures) and sheer joy on his face, he loves to run the yard.  So far we have only had one incident of seizure activity, but thankfully, he came out of it.

So there it is in a nutshell.  We are so very thankful for a good year with the dogs.  All the pups are healthy and happy.  (Now if I jinxed it, I'm going to kick myself!)

Weruva Pumpkin Patch Up!

For our October review from chewy.com, we chose Weruva Pumpkin Patch Up! Dog & Cat Food Supplement pouches from chewy.com.  These pouches countain pumpkin and water for processing.  That's it!  This past month it seems the hounds have been passing some type of intestinal bug around.  Normally we use canned pumpkin, but these Weruva pouches are a single serving.  One pouch per bowl and no leftovers in the fridge.

Here's a little info from chewy.com:  Known as The Happy Belly Maker, Weruva Pumpkin Patch Up! is a food supplement for dogs and cats to support digestion. It's already known that pumpkins have many great health benefits - now it's time to share those benefits with our beloved furry companions! Available in single-serve pouches, Pumpkin Patch Up! is meant to be fed in conjunction with a complete and balanced meal.

Key Benefits

• Supports stool quality and healthy gut motility
• Soluble and insoluble fibers
• Supports digestive health
• Pureed for easy mixing
• BPA and gluten-free

Vic Ferrari

Welcome Vic!  Vic Ferrari joined us as foster #32.  Vic had stayed with us once before when his previous foster mom went on a trip.  When the opportunity came up for him to come back here as a permanent foster, we couldn't resist.

Vic has a bit of a sad story.  His original mom, Sara, passed away in November 2014.  Vic is also a seizure dog and his mom sought him out as she was a sucker for the special needs pups.  His seizures are under control with his meds, but it will take the right person to want to adopt him.  So until then, he will be a permanent foster of our group.

Vic has fit in seamlessly around here.  Good with the cat and absolutely adores my grandson.  He's a big old goofy boy weighing in at 85 pounds.  He has a few corns and has a funny little run, but he's a joy to have around.

Wellness Complete Health Poultry Lovers Canned Dog Food

It's been a while since I have done a review for Chewy.  When I was contacted with the September choices, I couldn't refuse!

Wellness Complete Health Poultry Lovers is what I chose for sampling.  All I can say is the hounds love it!  Sadie was cleaning her bowl as well as everyone else's.  My old girl is getting so picky these days and at almost 13, I can't afford for her to lose any weight.

My Sadie girl all snuggled up with a full belly.

Wellness Turkey and Sweet Potato Formula Canned Dog Food and your best buddy is sure to love life. It's designed for optimum health and growth, and contains all of the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants needed to stay playful and active. Added carrageenan protects your buddy from catching a cold, and vitamins A and E are great for his eyes.

Key Benefits

• Hormone free
• B12 vitamin supports gastrointestinal function
• Uses Canola oil for a quality monounsaturated fat
• Steroid free
• Can be served on its own or as a dry food topper

Wellness Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Canned Dog Food is an easily-digested formula that can be used as a stand alone everyday diet or as a tasty dry food topper for an extra-special treat. Wellness Super5Mix includes biotin to enhance the coat and keep the skin clear and clean, and is full of immunity-boosting antioxidants.

Key Benefits

• Made with hormone-free chicken
• Contains easily-digested proteins
• B12 supplement assists gastrointestinal function
• Made is the USA
• High in antioxidants

Duck and Sweet Potato Formula Canned Dog Food from Wellness.  Duck with sweet potatoes provides an excellent source of beta-carotene, vitamins, and other essential nutrients, and ground flaxseed gives a big boost to the immune system.

 Key Benefits  

• Vitamin B12 supplement boosts gastrointestinal function
• Biotin nourishes the coat and skin
• Uses Canola Oil for quality monounsaturated fat
• Made in the USA
• Duck is the first ingredient

For some strange reason, all the hounds in the house have gotten bored with their kibble.  Even Clareese, who will eat anything.  I started researching different brands of kibble and really couldn't come up with one that was 1.) readily available and 2.) affordable.  Currently we feed Sportmix Wholesomes.  I like it because it is manufactured in Evansville, Indiana and I can get it a the Pet Food Center just across the street from where I work.  The summer here has been brutal, so I think they were being picky due to heat.  This Wellness canned food is great and they love it!

P Kay Dot

P Kay Dot came up on the haul with Eileen in January.  She was the only dog kenneled at her first foster home and she kept escaping.  I was asked to bring her here since Sadie is kenneled too and see if we could get her to like her kennel again.  So on February 18, 2016 we welcomed foster #31.

 

Dot, Dot-Dot, Dottie and Dot's McStuffin were just a few of her names.  I don't know about you, but dogs here always seem to get a few nick names.  When fostering, we aren't supposed to change their name.  Sometimes their names just kind of morph into other things, while not straying far from their real name.

 Dot was a tiny little thing.  She loves people and would just come stand in your lap for attention.  Gorgeous dark brindle girl with a black face, she will turn 3 in June.

We were heading to Florida the first part of April.  On April 2nd Dot went to Starfire's (former foster) house for a sleepover.  Well...turns out that Miss Dot worked her magic and they couldn't resist and they adopted her.  Starfire is already doing obedience class in hopes of becoming a therapy dog, so Miss Dot will joint him in class.  Super happy for Miss Dot, couldn't ask for a better home!

CRT Eileen

Meet Eileen, racing name CRT Eileen.  Arriving this past Saturday January 16th after her whirlwind five state tour, she is now getting acclimated to the frozen tundra that is Indiana.  

 Eileen is a tiny little peanut of a girl and surprisingly weighs about 58 pounds.  This girl is super sweet (arent' they all) and has a curly tail, which I have not been able to catch on camera.

Eileen is settling in well and enjoying retirement.  She's a good eater, doing a great job on the stairs and learning to live with the resident cat.  Welcome foster number 30!

***Edited to add the Miss Eileen went to a potential home on February 11, 2016.  They fell for this sweet girl and her adoption was finalized.

Remembering Friends

While preparing for my foster who is scheduled to arrive this weekend, I was reviewing the names in my notebook.  In 2015 three of my former fosters passed away.  If they are with me 12 days or 12 months, they still take a piece of my heart when they pass.

Wacky Patti, my sweet shy foster girl.  She passed away in July 2015.  She moved about an hour away, but I always got to see her at our Greyt Fest and Christmas parties.  In April her family was going on vacationm so the person who was caring for her was going to meet here to pick her up.  I am so glad that I got to see her again before she passed.  She had a wonky ear and that bunny-soft fur.  Patti made it to the age of 13.

Ulrick.  I always referred to him as the Eeyore of greyhounds.  He was the sweetest boy, but always had kind of a forlorn look on his face.  In the fall of 2014 he suffered some type of neurologic event that left him unable to walk for several weeks.  It took a while, but he was able to walk again and recovered well.  A little remnant of his episode was the cutest little gimp and slight head tilt that made him even more adorable.  The vets weren't sure what took Ulrick from us, but at 9 years of age, he was way too young.

Peyton, formerly known as Beagle Buddy.  This one folks ripped my heart in two.  Buddy, who will always be my Buddy Boy, was here for almost a year as a foster.  Even though he moved a couple of hours away, I was lucky enough to get to see him several times a year.  I never had to speak a word to him, he always knew I was there.  Now don't get me wrong, he adored his momma, but he and I had a special bond.  He would come to me and then look to his mom like he was asking for her approval to come see me.  Making his passing even harder was the fact that his mom passed away a few months before his diagnosis of osteo.  I will never forget the message I received on July 3rd telling me he had bone cancer.  I broke down and sobbed.  So unfair.  His dad chose to keep him comfortable and when he could no longer do that, he set him free.  He passed away on August 31, 2015 at the age of 9.

Fly free my sweet angels until we meet again.

Wordless Wednesday

Fly Rajiv Maragh

It was September 11, 2015 and the night before our annual Greyt Fest that foster Raj arrived.  The gals from GPA Emerald Coast were vending at our event, so Raj hitched a ride with them.  Note to self:  Don't agree to get a new foster the night before a big event that you are working.

Raj has been a total joy.  As with our previous foster Starfire, Raj had a decent racing career and was 4 1/2 when he ran his last race in May.  Something I noticed with these last two boys, they have been two of the easiest fosters I've ever had!

Raj posing for the camera shortly after he arrived in Indiana. 

Some of Raj's endearing traits, he loves to try to climb in your lap!  This is great, except those darn elbows of his are killer!  He climbs up and lays his head on your shoulder.  He's also got those eyes that just melt you.  He also was a lead roo-er.  I've never had a greyhound that loved to roo.  He had everyone hear going.  Well except Sadie, only dogs roo and she certainly isn't a dog.  It was getting harder and harder to think of him leaving again.

Back in October, Raj went to a home as a foster with intent to adopt.  It didn't quite work out, so he came back here.  Shortly before Christmas I heard that Raj had someone that was interested in him.  I was super excited as his birthday was December 29th.  Could I do it again?  Get my foster adopted for his birthday?  Well, Raj went to Louisville on the 27th and I just found out that she is keeping him!  This will be his perfect home.

I don't know if it's my age or what, but these past two fosters have been killer to let go.  I was actually starting to try to figure out how we could have four dogs permanently.