5-year-old foster, Lucky
I take the responsibility of fostering greyhounds very seriously. I want them to be the best they can be so that when they find their forever homes there is no chance of them ever having to be uprooted again. I want them to have good leash manners; I want them to never counter surf; I want no unwarranted barking (squirrel sentinel notwithstanding); I want no ripping the squeaky heart out of toys (dream on); and I want no furniture lounging. The last rule is just in case their new owners actually don’t allow dogs on the furniture. Really? Can you imagine?
I have been diligent and good; really good at enforcing these basic manners. So much so that I have become quite enamored of my own expertise. Hence, time for my comeuppance, as only a greyhound can do.
5-year-old Lucky was received at Greyhound Friends for Life in July of 2011, then came to us from their Auburn facility in November. As far as I know, he had never been in a house, nor had he been exposed to the glories of soft furniture. The day we brought him home, I put a bed down for him at the foot of the couch in the den so he could relax with us. He stayed on it for thirty minutes or so, then got up, stretched, and cautiously put one front foot, then the other front foot on the couch, all the while gazing into my eyes and looking pathetic; so pathetic. I held firm and said, down, which he did. At the end of the evening, we moved his bed into our bedroom so he could be close to us, since he was so new. I also wanted to be sure I knew if he needed to go out during the night. (Not that my hardwood floors haven’t been used and abused already.) Again, he laid down, then got up, stretched as only a greyhound can do, and put one front foot, then the other front foot on the bed, all the while gazing into my eyes and looking pathetic; so pathetic. Again I held firm and said, down, which he did. This continued for two weeks.
I have now changed my tactics. When I write the description of Lucky that goes along with his picture for GFFL’s website, it will say Beautiful, sweet 5-year-old male with no food or sleep aggression. This dog just wants to be loved and have lots of tummy rubs. He also would appreciate your best sofa and your softest bed.
