Happy Homings

If you wish to contribute to the website and bring us up to date with how your new greyhound or lurcher has settled into your home, please either email Fiona on fiona.hughes@btinternet.com or write to her at The Larches, Pontfadog, Llangollen, LL20 7AG with a picture if possible and we will do our best to include your story on this website.

Alternatively you can upload images or video footage directly to our Rogues Gallery or Greyhound Videos page via the Upload a Photo or Share a Video page, together with a brief summary about the photo.

Maggie

Izzy

 

Dear Sue and team,

Just to say thank you for our beautiful girl Izzy! She has settled in really well, loves her bed (and has taken a shine to one particular chair which she has now claimed as her own!), loves her toys, walking and playing. She is such a character, quite mischevious and a bit of an opportunist (typical lurcher....). She is so fantastic with other dogs and has made loads of friends on our walks. She is off the lead on walks along the canal and her recall is getting better everyday - though sometimes she comes back when she is ready, and not a moment before! She also loves the water, jumping in the canal and river when the moment takes her, we can't wait to take her to the beach!

Thank you for taking her on and letting her become one of our family, we are totally in love with her!

Keep up the good work.

Fern, Ryan & Izzy xx

Louis

Louie has settled in really well and is adored by everyone. After a difficult couple of weeks where he adjusted to our new house he is now perfectly clean and quiet in the night. He is not the pea brain we thought as he has managed to climb up onto our terrace garden through a small gap in the hedge and promptly went to fetch our foster boy Storm to show him what he had discovered! He can also use his 'tapir' stlye nose to open doors and latches.
He is much more confident and sure of himself than he was when we fostered him previously. He loves his toys and is always up to mischief, loves his walks and spends most of his time upside down perfecting his roaching. We are so blessed to have him and are looking forward to many happy years together.
Beth Richardson
  Louis looking very content.

Colin

Colin has settled in very well. I consider myself very lucky to have got him and he is such a laid back boy now after only a short time with us.He was out on the fields this morning having a whale of a time with some of the other young dogs and is now prostrate on my bed watching me type this. He is a really lovable boy.
Joe Finneran

Oliver

Here's Oliver with Lola. Since he discovered the toy box he hasn't stopped taking toys from it and covering the floor with them! He is such a good boy at night, not a peep from him. He really has settled in well and the others have taken to him as if he's always been here. And he's loving that I raw feed! He's not too bad with the cats. He will walk past them with his ears pricked but only lunges for them if they are close to him!
Catherine Morton

Keeley

Anita and Lee Handley have sent a beautiful photo of Keeley who has gone to live with Billywhizz - Anita thinks they are in love!  How wonderful!.

Mizzie aka Ash

Mizzie has gone to live with Elizabeth in Norfolk and appears to have settled in very well indeed.  It was lovely to meet Elizabeth at the kennels just before Christmas and we are all so grateful that she was willing to make the long journey over here in order to take Mizzie to her new home.  We look forward to hearing of her progress.

December 31st - Elizabeth has just given us a quick update on Mizzie.  Apparently she has really found her feet now and is up to all kinds of mischief including shredding calendars, pinching the peanuts and denuding, beheading and generally decimating the all singing dancing Santa!  I think Elizabeth has got her work cut out although she says she finds it hard not to laugh when Mizzie puts on her innocent look - her droopy lip giving the effect of a naughty child pouting!  However, hopefully Mizzie will soon settle and learn a few manners as it sounds as if she is there for the long haul.

Kim

   This is a beautiful picture of Kim taken by Philip Thornton-Evison whilst at Onslow Park.

Moogie 

This looks like one happy dog - Moogie (aka Alice) has gone to live with Jan and Richard in the Ceiriog Valley and has settled in brilliantly.

Moogie has chosen to ignore the "dog room", preferring to arrange her bedding in the lounge so as not to miss out on what is going on!

Nancy

Nat and Rich have sent us a photo of Nancy whippet having fun with her new friend, Gypsy.

 

Shay (previously Becky)

Carina and Carl have written about and sent a photo of Becky who they homed a few weeks ago.

"I just wanted to drop you a quick e-mail to let you know how Shay is doing.
 
When we picked up Shay - previously Becky, about a month ago, she was very timid, hated walking, hated her lead, wasn't so keen on water - in fact would avoid any form of puddle, and looked as if butter wouldn't melt!
 
She now goes for 3 walks a day, at least one is over 2 hours, and we have still not managed to tire her out, she loves water - the muddier the better, she pulls rank on two family dogs - both bigger and older than her, and any idea of household rules we may have had, like not letting her on the sofa, or in the living room while we eat, are completely forgotton!
 
But she is amazing, she's so excitable, loves to play and cuddle, has been fantastic to train - we have had very few accidents, she is very well behaved off the lead, loves to play ball, and if your really lucky, she brings it back!
 
She has settled in as part of the family more than I could ever have imagined.  We have taken her to the beach, camping, and more recently, we took her to a Game and Country Fair, where we entered her in "chase the bunny".  For a dog that barely leaves my side when off the lead, I thought we would be laughed out of the arena, but she won two races to get into the final!
 
I just wanted to say thank you so very much for helping us get such a perfect addition to the family, and as soon as we able to get another dog, I can think of no where else I would want to go.  It may be a 5 hour round trip, but it was worth every inch to have Shay.

Lizzie aka Hattie

Lizzie has taken up residence with Vicki and her partner:

"Hattie' (now Lizzie) has settle in well and is just a complete star. She is perfectly behaved (if a little cheeky!) in the house and off the lead, absolutely LOVES her walks, and playing racing games round the park with me, but also loves getting home to her duvets and cuddles.

She collects a cushion from the sofa and retires to bed and won't even move when the cats run past!

We are slowly getting them all to each other, she really isn't the problem - it's the pair of cats who are behaving like spoiled children - you wouldn't believe the language they come out with!

Anyway, I'm following the advice given on the Retired Greyhound Trust website about introducing cats, and they all now have dinner together and I'm sure they will be fine."

 

Pixie

Belinda has written to Sue and sent us a picture of Miss Badger, now Pixie, to let us know how she is getting along. 

"Firstly we changed her name, after much discussion, to Pixie, which we think suits her looks and temperament.  The children (aged 11, 15 and 19) all adore her and she was exactly the sort of dog they needed - we have lost 2 dogs in 9 months to lymphoma and to have a young energetic bouncy dog was just right for them.  Daisy and Lily both like picking her up and cuddling her, Pixie relishes all the fuss.

Sydney, was, however, majorly sulky at having his peaceful life disrupted, and although I don't think they're going to be best friends they are certainly getting along fine now and walk nicely together."

Archie

Some more stunning photos from Dom Breeze of Archie! - wonderful!

Daisy

I first met Daisy on 14th August 2007.  She trembled as far from me as it was possible to get.  She was obviously very frightened and whilst she was not my first or even second choice, I could not forget her.  I wanted a dog that woud make me take exercise, keep me company and share my home.  Daisy's needs were documented on the website in two telling sentences along with this haunting photograph:

"She is a very pretty greyhound but is quite shy and timid at the moment.  She needs a quiet home with someone who has the patience to work with her".

After a number of visits to walk her I took her home on 10th September to foster her for a month.  I very quickly realised that she was good for me and that she wanted to stay.  We adopted each other on 1st October and she set about teaching me as I trained her.

Since then she has come out of her shell, become more confident and a regular fixtgure at many Shropshire & Borders events.  Everyone tells her what a beautiful girl she is and the men are particularly upset that she is still frightened of them.  It appears that I have learned how to pander to her every need but am still pack leader (well just about). 

Her progress is good and her achievements for 2008 were the Santa Run on 7th December (see below) and the Kennel Club Good Citizen Bronze Certificate!  For me her best achievement is as my personal trainer/therapist making me take regular breaks from work, keeping my spirits up and the guaranteed laughter we share every day.

 

The joy she has brought me could be yours - just go to Moorlands and meet a new friend.

Give a greyhound a happy home in 2009 - they deserve it!

Margaret Lokier

Tia

This story was sent in by Mick and Eileen Webster who are hopelessly in love with their new girl, Tia.

"Well, Tia has arrived at our house and boy, don't we know it.   What used to be our sofa is now Tia's.  She has completely stolen our hearts.  She still doesn't like to be away from us, spending most of her time hugging the sofa. 

She was whining at nights so we put a camp bed at the bottom of our bed - but Tia had other ideas and I ended up on the camp bed and Tia on the bed with Eileen - talk about a dog's life!!  

Thank you to Sue at Moorlands for our beautiful young lady."

Billy Whiz

Anita and Lee Handley have written to let us know how Billy has settled in with them and their other dog, Molly.

"He is a smashing little dog! He loves playing and going for walks but he also loves sleeping too!   He is also very nosey and loves looking out of our front room window.

 He gets on really well with our other dog Molly, he is a great dog and we wouldn't be without him, we love him to bits."

    

Charlie and Purdie

John and Janine have written to let us know how Charlie, aka Cole, and Purdie are settling in the Ceiriog Valley. 

Charlie was very nervous at first but having Purdie around seemed to help. 

 After a few initial problems they settled down well and apart from the occasional cushion being tossed around they are as good as gold. 

They go for walks with a neighbour and she takes Charlie so he learns that he can trust other people.  The way to Charlie's heart is through his stomach!  He gets a treat when he has been big and brave. 

 Another neighbour always has a gravy bone with him and Charlie now goes up to him wagging his tail and licking him!   He has been introduced to many new experiences with John and Janine - pushchairs, children, joggers, pub lunches and in June he will be going camping!

Purdie is fine although a bit of a Jekell and Hyde.  One minute she is the lurcher watching everything that moves and the next she puts on her soft face and just wants to sleep and not be disturbed.  She loves everyone and all the dogs around!

The photo above just shows how content they both are and that they are definitely the best of friends!

Dora

                  

Above:  Dora now in her new home                                         Above:  Dora upon arrival

Dora went to live with Lynda and Consuelo about four weeks ago.  They say she has settled in well and loves to run about the farm and is great company for Meg, the lurcher, who became very depressed since losing her friend Penny a couple of months ago.  

 Look at her now - what a happy ending!  Good luck Dora.

Sally

Sally was rehomed in April this year with Kath and Dave Lankshear and Big Jim.  Bright and bouncy little Sally, almost 5 years old, settled in immediately.  She and (Gentle) Jim were at ease with one another straight away and are forever swapping baskets. 

She found all the most comfortable spots within the first 24 hours and Kath and Dave were astounded to see her stretched out on her back on a basket on day two.  Unfortunately she moved before new batteries could be found for the camera, but the picture below was taken a couple of days later. 

She is a very loving dog and waits for someone to get up each morning with her chin on the bottom step of the stairs.  She has adapted to household routines and although she was somewhat bewildered when presented with a piggies ear for "dessert", she soon worked it out and now awaits its post-dinner delivery with as much enthusiasm as Jim!

Chad

Chad has gone to live with Jacqui and Arthur and their two cats, Woofy and Flecky, who have been part of the family for 17 years!  Chad has settled in very well with them and loves to have his face washed by the cats.  He has taken over the sofa (yes!), has his own bed in Jacqui and Arthur's bedroom and loves to travel in the car.  Do you think you might be staying Chad?

               

Above:  Chad dossin' with and without cat

Chad's Ode:

There was I, all on my own,
Cold and tired, no place called home.
Scared was I and hungry too,
I'd wandered far, and no one knew
The horrors seen and smelt and tasted.
I really thought that I was hated.

"They" found me then.
"They" gave me hugs.
Lots of food and lots of love
"They" took me in and built me up
And then they found I was a pup!

"They" really took good care of me,
'till I was ready for the world to see.

Then on the internet went I,
and soon was picked,
I'd caught an eye!
A place to see
Somewhere special,
And just for me!!

Someone came and picked me up,
I was afraid ... Oh, silly pup!
It didn't take me long to find
This was a home and it's ALL MINE!!
I love my people
And they love ME.
I'm happy now, I'm not alone.
I'm safe and sound.
I've found MY HOME!

Jacqui Chater
 

Sasha

Sasha was rehomed by Lee and Natalie in September 2007 and has just enjoyed her first Christmas and birthday.  She loves nothing more than curling up on the sofa watching tv, especially her favourite programme, Dog Borstal!  She enjoys long walks in the Shropshire countryside equally as much as long snoozes on any comfortable surface!