The Great Tit babies in the nest box are growing rapidly and a couple are regularly stretching their wings. I don't think it will be long before the first couple fledge. The live video which runs for most of our daylight hours can be seen by clicking HERE.
Penny is slowly settling down and soon took possession of the dog bed. As with the nature of Greyhounds she is always on the lookout for food so there have had to be some re-arrangements made in the kitchen! After a couple of whoopsies in the first few hours she now seems to be clean about the house. That was one thing I was concerned about as she has only known kennel life up to now. She is very loyal, around the property anyway, and seems to be attached to me with an invisible length of elastic. Out and about it could be very different as her chasing instinct would kick in and I was warned they were very poor on recall. As Penny has only mixed with greyhounds it will take some time for her to recognise other dogs as dogs and to be trained to ignore cats, squirrels and such like. To that end she is never off her lead when out and wears a muzzle.
Once we return we have a game of ball in the back garden which gives her the bursts of exercise she needs.
Hi John, I had wondered about the house training after presumably having no experience of living in a home. It sounds like she is a quick learner though and I'm sure she will eventually be a very loving and loyal companion. I do find it so sad that such lovely creatures are seen as no more than money earners. I followed your link to the sanctuary, they certainly do some wonderful work there with help of course from kind hearted folk like yourself. I was absolutely appalled to see the Irish are considering exporting them to China of all places!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots of the Coal Tit, not any easy bird to photograph, they move so quickly.
Fortunately, Jan, most greyhounds are clean by nature and rarely foul their own kennel space. Also fortunately Penny is more than happy to use the garden, something Bobby would very rarely do so we always had to go out whatever the weather. Taking on a rescue dog is no longer a cheap option where one could make a small donation. Round here 90 to 100 pounds donation seems the average request. It is much needed funds and also curtails those who take on a dog 'on the cheap' on a short lived whim of wanting a pet.
DeleteRunning a rescue / sanctuary takes a very special kind of person. It is a full time occupation every day of the year, not just looking after the animals but raising the funds needed to house, feed and tend to their medical needs.
Penny will settle down with you in no time. There will be a few 'whoopsies' as she is unfamiliar with domestic life. She has lovely eyes in that photo, very kind.
ReplyDeleteShe has a very affectionate nature Matron - with humans anyway. With other dogs will take a while as she only recognises greyhounds. She is learning fast and seems very contented with life.
DeleteI was wondering, I know nothing about the grey hound breed, do retired racing grey hounds like human tummy rubs and human forehead kisses when they come to you from being adopted? or are those affections a learned/earned trust that still needs to come with time (as any creature would ?).
ReplyDeleteMe in Minnesota
On the whole they love tummy rubs, hugs and tickles. They are very affectionate creatures and would lick anybody to death.
DeleteHi John, we're delighted to read your latest update on Penny. We especially liked the one "... seems to be attached to me with an invisible length of elastic." That is really sweet. We hope everything continues OK and that she'll find so much food inside the house that she will ignore all birds at the bistro outside. Also loved the little fragment from your Great Tit box from today. It is so wonderful to watch - and you are so lucky to have them. In our garden, early yesterday and again early this morning, one of the neighbours' cats put paid to two of our visitors - a young starling yesterday and a large wood pigeon today :(
ReplyDeleteOn the whole Penny is settling in well and the elastic is getting longer as she gains confidence.
DeleteOne baby GT has flown and others seem to be nearly ready. Cats are a bally nuisance but Penny is earning her keep in that respect. I had a badly mauled Wood Pigeon a while back and thought it may have been caught by a cat.