The Beastly Beasts

Monty at the Vet

posted by Chris at 13:41

Monty's just got back from the vets. While we were away he did have a bit of the runs, so although it was probably just the recent changes in his life that caused it, we wanted to get him checked out.

Good news is that the vet agrees it is just the upheaval, and reckoned he was otherwise a healthy hound. He's got some special food for the next few days, so hopefully that will clear things up.

And he worked his charm again. The receptionists and the vet all cooed at him, saying he was so beautiful. Kai's the same; women seem to go gooey when he looks at them with his "sad eyes". It makes me sick; if only I had that effect on women.

This morning, before the vet, we caught a glimpse of the mad dog that Monty will no doubt become. He found a pair of trousers I use for DIY, and was gooing loopy with them. Then he saw me and stopped, which was a shame. Still, once he knows what he can play with (the toys he got for Christmas) and knows he won't get told off when he does it, I think he will go for it big time. Of course up to now he's not had the chance to be a puppy, which means we'll get an 18 month old puppy once he gets his confidence.

Christmas Holidays in Devon

posted by Chris at 13:16

We've just got back from Devon where we spent a couple of days at my mate Andy's house. Kai just treats it as home from home. The fire was lit, and he just crashed in front of it straight away.

The kids (Jonathan, Oliver and Emma) fell in love with Monty. He seems to have that effect on people. And he latched on to Oli straight away.

The journey down was a bit traumatic; Monty just couldn't hold it in, and we had a boot full of greyhound poo on the M42. Not pleasant. A pit stop at Hopwood services to clean dogs and car (Gill used Chanel No. 5 to make the car smell a bit better!!), and we were on the way again, with no further accidents.

Like Kai, Monty soon discovered that in front of the fire was a great place to be, and soon chilled out, having of course explored the whole house.

Justin (Peggy's mate) turned up with Tess, a collie/cocker spaniel cross. She fancied Kai big time, but he played hard to get. Considering the three dogs had never met before, it was amazing how well they got on.

One of the great things about Andy's place is that Thurlstone beach is just down the road. Kai loves it there; charging up and down it like a mad thing, and going rock hopping with the boys. On the first visit Monty wasn't too sure about the sand, and the sea was a definite no no. But by the second day we were ready to go for it, and he tried a bit of rock pooling too.

A minimum of four walks a day, plenty of love and food, and an open fire ensured that all the dogs were totally knackered. So despite the long journey and different surroundings, Monty decided that this was an OK place to be, and started to come out of his shell and went to anyone that called him. It amazes me that dogs that have obviously been badly treated are still prepared to trust humans.

The journey back was totally uneventful, except that Arsenal scored at Newcastle just before half time, much to Gill's pleasure (she's a Gunner).

Monty's First Christmas

posted by Chris at 13:09

Monty's first Christmas was spent at Gill's house; it's in better shape than mine!

Kai and Monty in their Christmas Bow Ties

More new people in the shape of Caroline (Gill's sister), Sarah (niece), and Liam (Nephew). Caroline reckoned Monty was "f******g massive". She also reckoned it was a shame he'd been neutered as we couldn't breed from him. I don't think she quite got the grasp of the need of rescue dogs.

Of course, everyone loved him, so he was subjected to plenty of cuddles and strokes. He coped though.

Do they get on?

posted by Chris at 10:05

One of the perennial questions when a new beast arrives in a home with a beast in residence is "How do they get on?". In the case of Kai and Monty I think the pic below says it all.

Monty's Story

posted by Chris at 16:20

Took the boys out for a long walk today over at Salcey Forest. We were out for a good two hours, and had everything from sunshine to downpours. It's great for dogs over at Salcey as there are so many smells, and places they can go to have a good rootle round. And it's so large that even two hours walking doesn't do it all.

Kai of course was off all over the place, and you could tell that Monty was itching to go off with him. But I'm still not sure if he would come back, so he spent the walk on the lead; albeit a long one so he could wander off a bit.

We met Mick and Julie out horse riding. Felt like the game keeper talking to the squire what with them on horse back and me with the two hounds in the woods

From information we got today I think this is probably the longest walk Monty has ever been on (he went straight to sleep when we got back!!), though it won't be the last like it.

Here's what we found out today from the Lorraine at Wexford Pet Helpers in Ireland that first rescued Monty. It took Gill nearly half an hour to stop crying when she read it. I won't say what I think should happen the people that she rescued Monty from and others like them as it would probably constitute incitement to violence. Anyway, here's the email we got:

One day I got a phone call from my uncle to say that he knows a breeder who has 3 greyhounds that will be destroyed if I don't take them.

I only had 24 hours to say yes or no. I was sick to the stomach; it was very tough knowing they could die if a place wasn't found for them. So I rang Mary in Waterford she does a lot of greyhound rescue and she put the post up on dog pages UK and after a short time Whiteloge offered of take him. So the greys had to go into kennels for 2 week before they could travel.

Jackie and I when to collect the 3 greyhounds from the greyhound breeder in Kildare. When we arrived the breeder only brought out one dog, he had a large fight wound on his neck and had a every dull smelly coat. The breeder said he sold the 2 female greys for breeding (poor doggies) and this dog was left. I asked the breeder what was the dog's name and told me he had no name, just dog.

The breeder told me the dog was to slow and wasn't interested in running after the hare. He said the dog was only 16 months old. When we tried to get Monty into the car he ran back to the gates where his dark shed was. This was all he knew and was afraid to leave. When we got him in the car we had to bring him to kennels, he stayed there for one night. Because he was so frightened I myself decided to foster him and let him know what family life was like.

At first he growled at my 4 dogs and 1 foster dog but soon realized that they weren't going to hurt him. So Monty made new friends. For 1 week I couldn't get Monty to move out of his bed he just lay there, I though he was depressed but Mary from Waterford told me that this was normal for a greyhound coming from a racing life, they are just like robots, they don't know what love it. How very, very sad.

So I gave Monty lots and lots of hugs and kisses to help him come around. After a week he started to wag his tail at me and gave me a little kiss. He knew I wasn't going to hurt him. When I would leave a room he would cry, when I returned he would have my clothes in his bed, anything I touched he had it in beds bed. I loved having Monty and he was so, so sweet. He really touched my heart and I'll never forget that beautiful face.

Monty found the bed!!

posted by Chris at 07:59

This morning we were greeted by a greyhound on the bed!! Actually, he's still there.
The boy has decided that this is much more comfortable than his quilt, so looks like Gill and I will have even less room now.
Does anyone else find dogs a great contraceptive?

Checked Out

posted by Chris at 11:29

Monty's been to the vets today for his second set of jabs, chipping, stitches out, and a quick check up.

And he's fine, so hopefully doesn't need to go to the vets again until this time next year. He weighs in at 35 kilos (that's 77lbs, or 5 and a half stone to those of us that think in old units).

Sarah (vet) asked how Vincent was (she treated him when he ripped his side open). So had to explain what had happened.

Popped in to see Dave and Jill and their labs, Barney and Blue. Jill even got a wag.

I think Monty is starting to realise that everyone new he meets is going to make a fuss of him.

BeastPics

posted by Chris at 18:45

In response to requests from people on the dogpages forums, I have taken some pics of Kai and Monty today. As the weather was OK I managed to get some done in the garden.