Full of personality

So my foster Mom thinks I should let my true personality shine...I think a video is worth a thousand words, so here are a couple that show my personality!  The first one is me giving my foster brother kisses.  The second is me playing (three weeks post toe amputation)!

I'm Back!!!!

Stitches out, bandages off, mostly unmuzzled (I'm still not supposed to lick my toe), and I am back in business.  First line of business after my bandages came off?  Start jumping back on the couch.  Second, make a giant mess with stuffies because I want a nice long walk and a run but they still won't give it to me.  I figure at some point they will figure out it takes more time to clean up all the toys from the stuffy basket than it does to take me for a good long walk!   Don't worry, when my little foster brother wakes up, he will throw me some stuffies...We like to play fetch and tug of war.  I usually win!!  So, does anyone know whether I am supposed to have three toes on each foot or four??  I can't really tell, but I think I may have lost one under the bandages they had on me!  Oh well, I am back to my old self, so who cares how many toes are on each foot, right?

Jackie the misunderstood!

To anyone who has followed the saga of Jackie, they may be shocked at this post.  I have to make a confession- I completely misjudged Jackie at first!  Jackie is an amazingly resilient and adaptable dog.  Initially, I thought that Jackie should be an only dog and kept away from younger kids.  I still think babies would make her nervous, but I think in time she would adjust.  I have watched her go from a snappy dog to one that calmly waits to see what is going to happen.  I have watched her go from being in other dogs' faces to learning some manners and eliminating the tenseness that comes from an ill-mannered dog.  I have watched her go from being very nervous around her human five year old foster brother to being comfortable enough to let him get on the bed with her and pet her- She even respects him enough that when he tells her to go lay down on her bed, she gets up and walks over and lays down (his own grey does not listen to him that well!!).  I would not hesitate to house her with another grey and I would not hesitate to house her with a young kid (who is willing to follow some basic rules that all dog owners should follow like "let sleeping dogs lie.").  The only thing she still needs to work on is her interaction with other breeds of dogs.  And, quite honestly, given her ability to learn and desire to be with others, I firmly believe she would be fine if someone is willing to work with her.  What I have learned about Jackie is that her post racing career homes have been with adults and older children only.  After spending time in a foster home with another grey and a young kid she has settled down.  When she spends time with anything and learns what the traits are, she settles down and adapts- She just needs time and patience!

So, lets talk the lighter side of Jackie.  Jackie is surprisingly energetic and resilient.  Her toe was removed two weeks ago and she acts like nothing happened.  Today we get the stitches removed and she can move on...Of course, she really hasn't stopped moving!  She is so resilient that she can't wait to go to the vet's office.  We walk in and she gets greeted by all the friends she made while she was there and gets to explore other breeds.  I have never seen a dog that has been through all that she has, actually want to go to the vet's office!  As proof that she is doing just fine, watch the video and you can see how she has become a dog that will be the life of the home and will be a welcome addition to almost any family!

Here we go again...So I went back to the vet to get my toe checked and this time, they looked at it and said there was no way it was going to heal correctly so on Thursday they will be amputating my right outside toe.  So, once this heals, I am thinking about playing some poker with my three toes to try to make some money to pay for all of this.  I'm not usually one given to begging, but this is going to be pricey! And, while Greyhound Rescue, Inc. is going to make sure I can be happy and healthy again, any help you can give them would be wonderful.  Also, a big thank you to Town and Country Animal Hospital in Fairfax, VA and Dr. Davis Hall for giving me a break on the bill (and taking the break off my toe- just a little humor there)!  If you ever need a vet, go visit him and tell him Jackie with an eye from Greyhound Rescue, Inc. sent you!

All I want to do is catch a few rays!

All I want to do is go out and sunbathe.  Why doesn't anyone understand me?  I ask my foster mom to take me out and she walks me around a bit.  When I find the perfect sunny spot, I lay down.  Doesn't matter whose yard it is, it just has to have some sun rays!  Unfortunately, there is nowhere here where I can hang out in the rays without the risk of running around, so I can only do this on walks and for some reason no one wants to stand by while I catch some rays!  My foster mom says I will get a weird tan with the cast...Ummm, does she understand I am a black dog and you won't see it anyway??  DUH!!!!  Don't worry, I mess with her, though.  When she says come on, I fall over like I can't get up...My poor leg.  However, when I know Ginger has food left in her bowl and I have finished mine, I am the fastest tripod around!  By the way, The muzzle is just on me so I don't lick my cast.  I am not vicious!!

Jackie catches a break

Nope, Jackie didn't catch the kind of break that gets her a forever home.  Jackie got another kind of break...A broken toe!  Of course, with a broken front toe, Jackie had a hard time typing, so I will type for her.  How does a broken toe happen, you ask?  Well, we are not sure of anything more than Jackie was chasing a tennis ball and started yelping and after a visit to the vet's office we found a broken and dislocated toe.  Jackie, in her usual manner, has found some bright sides.  First, all the neighbors stop and ask what happened and give her extra attention because they feel bad for her.  Second, when she gets tired on a walk and lays down to soak up some rays in someones yard, I pick up all 80 lbs of her and carry her back home (Good thing I was a Marine!).  Third, everyone is extra careful around her so there is no bumping into her or annoying her with the crazy tricks that people used to play on the one-eyed dog.  And last but not least, she feels she looks really good in purple!  Jackie is seeing this as a little bit of an inconvenience, but is tolerating the treatment and enjoying the attention.  She did ask that I let you all know that her treatment is expensive even with the awesome discount (and care) at Town and Country Animal Hospital  in Fairfax, VA and Columbia Pike Animal Hospital in Annandale, VA, but if you would like to help Greyhound Rescue, Inc. cover her bill, she would be glad to be called a tax deduction.  You can donate here via PayPal or other means.  If you aren't able to give, if nothing else, when you shop at Amazon, register Greyhound Rescue, Inc. at http://smile.amazon.com/ and you can then feel good as you shop because 0.5% of your purchase price will go to Greyhound Rescue...Jackie loves a good excuse for shopping, especially if it involves dog treats!!   We'll post the good news when Jackie is back to having all four legs operational again!

Rain, Rain Go Away. Little Jackie wants to Play!

Yes, Jackie does want to play!  Jackie is full of so much energy, you tend to forget about her "disabilities."  That being said, you can play some pretty cruel jokes on a dog missing an eye!  Call her name then stand on the side with the missing eye when she runs into the room.  She will completely miss you if you don't move!  Or, throw a toy on the side with the bad eye and she will not know you threw it!   Okay, so maybe a little mean, but Jackie is so good-natured she takes it in stride and if she could laugh, would probably tell the jokes on herself!  Jackie went to obedience school with her previous owner and is very well behaved now.  If she forgets and starts jumping when you come in the door, a simple hand in the air and "down" will cause Jackie to sit and wait for your attention.  Jackie is one of those rare greyhounds that would love to chase a ball around...In fact, yesterday she managed to deflate a small soccer ball that was left out where it shouldn't have been (as you can see in the video)!   If you are looking for a sweet girl that may have a hard time finding a home, but has lots of energy and love to give, Jackie is your girl!!