Running free in Edinburgh

Another night, another Scottish city. But this morning I got to run around in a very large field in Edinburgh. It was very cold, though!

Christmas presents

I enjoyed Christmas Day: a lovely turkey dinner, a doggie Christmas pudding, a new house collar, a travel drinking bowl, and a squeaky toy. Best of all - lots of TLC from people and we met other greyhounds on a walk.

I see the sea!

My people took me to the beach today. It was stony and the water looked very cold. However, there were lots of interesting smells.

Happy Christmas

Scotland forever!

Today I travelled up to Scotland with my people to spend Christmas here. It was a long journey but it isn't as cold as I was told it might be. I like my guest bed!

Canine Campus podcasts

Someone asked if I listen to Podcasts on my DogPod. I usually listen to ClassicFM but I could ask my people to download podcasts from the Canine Campus or the WagPodcast.

Winter housecoat

When we went to the Great Greyhound Gathering my people ordered me a housecoat.They thought the red colour would suit me best and you can see me modelling it in various poses. It is nice and soft and I like to use it as a pillow when I'm not wearing it. It came from Forest Fleece, which is run by a very nice lady who loves greyhounds and lurchers and she donates 10% of all sales to Southern Lurcher Rescue. If you haven't chosen a Christmas present for your dog yet, maybe you should contact her.

My DogPod

When my people leave me on my own they switch on my DogPod - this is a digital radio that also plays from an iPod. There used to be a crackly radio in my bedroom but Paul said I needed a better one, so he bought me the DogPod. I usually listen to ClassicFM - there is research to prove that dogs prefer classical music.

Being abandoned and meeting Bando

My people abandoned me for the weekend to go to a wedding. But at least they abandoned me with the kind people at Crossing Cottage Greyhound Sanctuary.

I shared a kennel with Bando, who is going to live with his new family soon. His future owner kindly took me for a walk and then set off to London to attend the same wedding as my people. Isn't that amazing? It meant that they were able to talk about greyhounds all day!

Safety on Bonfire Night

Today is Bonfire Night. Defra have published a leaflet containing advice on how to protect animals during the fireworks season.

Looking after your dog

The Environment Secretary has launched a consultation on the code of practice for the welfare of dogs. The purpose is to agree the content of the code which would provide practical guidance to owners and keepers of dogs on caring for their animals. You can read more about this here:

• Pet owners reined in by conduct code
• Owners told to 'entertain' their pet under government advice‏

Well-vetted gifts

Well-vetted gifts (from the PDSA) are ‘virtual gifts’ that can be bought for friends and family, they are ideal for all Christmas presents. Best of all they help PDSA to provide vital veterinary services to animals whose owners often have nowhere else to turn for help.

Smile for the camera

Owning a dog

If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life - Roger Caras

[From The Beastly Beasts blog]

Chihuahua is box office top dog

A new film with a (cartoon) canine star Beverly Hills Chihuahua is proving to be a box office draw in North America. It features a pampered pooch who gets lost in Mexico.

New Dogbook

Check out new Dogbook: 974,626 dogs are waiting for you to be friends with them!

• Search for name, breed, gender and proximity.
• Dogbook is now available in multiple languages!
• Congregate in parks and groups.

Greyhound puppies

You don't often see greyhound puppies as pets so it was lovely to see these two at the Great Greyhound Gathering.

Reunion

We met up with my former kennel-mate, Flash; he is very happy with his new people. I also got to see my friend Judith again.

No prizes for Blondie

Unfortunately I did not win any prizes at the Great Greyhound Gathering, although Paul thinks the judge had faulty vision as he says I was definitely the prettiest dog there. The organisers said every dog that entered would get a rosette but they forgot to give me one when we checked in and when we asked later in the day they had run out.

My people took a picnic for themselves, but only offered me a Bonio and water. Other people looked after their greyhounds better - some kind people gave me watered-down milk to drink and someone else sneaked me a chip when Paul wasn't looking.

Bathtime on the move

This is a mobile bath-mobile that was at the Great Greyhound Gathering. Fortunately, my people didn't think I needed another bath.

A spot of pampering

First stop at the Great Greyhound Gathering was the
Pamper Pooch Corner, where my nails were clipped.

Great Greyhound Gathering 2008

Big day tomorrow

I am looking forward to going to the Great Greyhound Gathering tomorrow - they are expecting around 500 ex-racers to visit.

I hope to get a new rain jacket and maybe visit the Pamper Pooch Corner. I am entered in two classes and Paul is sure I will win prettiest dog.

My new day bed (I wish!)

Transport

I would prefer a bit more comfort when I am transported to doggy daycare

Wildlife

It's important for my people to take me out for lots of walks as we never know what we'll see. This baby hedgehog was in our garden last week and tonight we saw a fox!

Take your Dog to Work Day

Today is Take your Dog to Work Day but my people were both travelling so unfortunately couldn't take me with them. But you can listen to the petcast for 2008 and read up on The Blue Cross petiquette – simple steps to ensure good behaviour from your dog.

Ferretbook

Paul is disgusted to discover that Facebook now offers Ferretbook! He suggests that you visit Dogbook instead.

My cousin Millie

This is my cousin Millie; we met up for a walk today

Photos and videos

I am told that some people check my blog because they like to look at pictures or videos of me. I have added new links on the right hand side of the blog - if you click on these links they will take you to blog entries that only contain these.

Greyhound blogs

I have discovered some other greyhound blogs:

• The Beastly Beasts: seven rescue sighthounds with an extensive website and a newsletter
• Hound Life: the chronicles of Harvey & Jackson... a couple of retired racing greyhounds in the US

Rain, rain, go away

I like sunny days in my back garden when I can sunbathe or run about. I really don't like getting wet - either in the bath or on a walk with my people.

New bowl

Thank you, Jacky, for my new bowl. Water tastes much better outside!

RGT on YouTube

My friend John, from the Midlands RGT, has made a YouTube video encouraging people to consider adopting a retired greyhound.

Overheard in Tesco...

P: We need to buy more Bisto for Blondie - she thinks it makes her boring dog food more interesting
A: We've got Bisto Best Onion Gravy at home
P: But she likes the chicken flavour - and I read somewhere that onions aren't good for greyhounds
A: And you think the additives in Chicken Bisto are..?

I'm a greyhound in a bath... Get me out of here!

Great Greyhound Gathering 2008

My people are going to take me to the Great Greyhound Gathering 2008. Will I see you there?

New toy

An injury

I tried to jump on a wall today to chase a cat (my people thought I was just going to look over the wall, but I was inspired by the Olympics to try and hurdle it). I scraped my thigh and my tummy and they are quite sore.... I won't try that again!

Greyhhounds on Wikipedia

Surfing the Internet, I've just found the Wikipedia entry on Greyhounds.

Scrambled eggs

I do enjoy scrambled eggs though my people only cook them for me once a week.

Recycle a pet

If you don't want to adopt a retired greyhound (especially Dixie), then maybe you would like to consider adopting an unwanted chicken? The lifespan of an egg-laying battery chicken is 72 weeks, but a rescued 'ex-bat' can live for up to 10 years.

National Dog Adoption Month

The month of August is the UK's first National Dog Adoption Month. There is lots of information and advice here on adopting a dog. My people say that greyhounds are best. Please consider giving a my sister Dixie a home.

Blonde dog on the move

Six months anniversary

It is six months since I moved to my new home. I am slowly training my people. I do enjoy going for walks, playing with toys, being brushed, soaking up the sun, going on trips, and sleeping. However I don't enjoy having a bath or having my teeth cleaned and the complete dog food diet is a bit monotonous......

Don't yawn - you'll set me off!

Humans may not be the only ones to find yawning contagious. Recent research by psychologists has found that dogs were far more likely to break into a yawn if they witnessed humans simulating the action. The research team recruited 29 pet owners and their dogs - labradors, border collies, yorkshire terriers, and dobermans. They found that when the experimenters mimicked yawning, 21 out of 29 dogs showed contagious yawning.

Dixie needs a home

My sister Dixie is looking for a new home - can you help?

Blogging again

I haven't blogged for a while, so here's some photos of me at rest and play.

Test Your Pet

The Test Your Pet website allows you to uncover your pet's abilities and find out how your pet compares to the rest of the nation by putting it to the test.

You can also see the results of the biggest ever survey of the UK's pets and discover which pet was the cleverest, how much people spend on their animals, and how pets responded to Pet TV.

Pipsqueak

My friends John and Judith are helping a baby greyhound with a broken leg. You can read about Pipsqueak here.

Smiling dog

Tickle my tummy, please

Temptation

You would think that, if people cook this in my bedroom (which they call a kitchen), I would be given some of it to eat...... But you would be wrong!

A dog's life for priest with pup

Studies show that keeping a dog as a pet reduces stress and makes people feel good about themselves - unless you're a Roman Catholic priest, apparently. Last year, research from the University of Wales, Bangor, and Ulster University has revealed that dogs and dog collars are not a happy combination. In fact, academics have found that a pooch in the presbytery can increase the likelihood of professional burnout in the priesthood as the strains of walking, feeding and caring for a dog could prove the final straw for many priests. More research is planned on the clergy in other denominations, with male and female Anglican priests being surveyed.

Visit to Crossing Cottage

Paul and I went back to Crossing Cottage Greyhound Sanctuary today. I was a bit worried that he didn't want me any more and was taking me back! But we just visited to get more food for me.

It was lovely to see John and Judith again - particularly when they said that I should be given bigger dinners!

Canine translation programme

Do you struggle to know what your dog is saying to you? While I am always pleased if my communication is interpreted as a desire for food, it might be useful if humans could understand the canine language a bit better. So I'm pleased to find that Hungarian scientists have developed a computer programme that can discern the nuances of a dog's barks, howls, yaps and growls - see the article Yap-lication unlocks canine moods. The software analyses 6,000 barks and aims to determine when these mean that a dog wants a walk, has seen a ball, or it is fighting, playing, or meeting a stranger. You can also check out this audio clip BBC tests 'translator'.

Wag Podcast

I recently asked is a canine podcast called a barkcast or a woofcast? I've now discovered a weekly programme featuring stories from the world of dogs and cats: the Wag Podcast. You can tune in every week to hear the latest tips and trends affecting your canine and feline companions.

DoggySnaps

I have just discovered DoggySnaps, from the Dog's Trust. You can post pictures of your favourite dog on the site and chat with other dogs and their people.

The luxury of living a dog's life

The BBC website says that nowadays people spend more on pampering their pets than on themselves. Apparently spending on pets ranked 49th in the weekly expenditure list by UK households in 1957 whereas, fifty years later, it has risen to 37th, ahead of cosmetics, cakes and holidays in the UK.

Bathtime for Blondie

Sat-nav dog collar

In addition to enjoying hotel facilities, dogs attending Crufts have been able to preview a high-tech dog collar. This means that if dogs go missing, their people will be able to deploy sat-nav technology to track their dog down. The collar will be on sale from July and is made of anticut material to deter thieves. It will send a text to the owner’s mobile phone if the dog goes outside preset boundary limits. Using the sat-nav technology of the collar, the owner can then log on to a website to pinpoint the dog's location.

Sunbathing

Crufts dogs get hotel treatment

Crufts 2008 opens tomorrow. The hotel chain Travelodge has said it will make its own range of "pooch beds" available for dogs travelling with their owners to Crufts 2008. Travelodge says it expects more than 300 dogs to stay at its hotels during Crufts, especially around Birmingham where the competition is held. Apparently it will provide king-size beds complete with mattress, pillow and duvet. I must say that I approve!

New poll: dog toys

I'm running a new poll, to ask how many toys you have. By "you" I mean the dogs (and their people) who read this blog. I assume that you all have at least two toys.....

Toys

I have two toys: my friend Denis (whom I love to cuddle up with) and the Kong (which is a bit of a waste of space). However, there is room in my basket for more, but my people don't seem to realise this. So far I have retrieved and hidden in my basket: a doorstop shaped like my favourite snack, cheese); a pen; and some yellow rubber gloves (a bit soapy). But my people keep taking them away....

101 Dalmations

This is the first of my promised blogs on films featuring dogs: 101 Dalmations. The film is shortly to be released in a new edition.

Here's a summary: Full of boundless adventure and boisterous fun, Disney's 17th animated masterpiece is the original film classic starring 101 of the world's most lovable, huggable Dalmatians and their hilariously evil captor, Cruella De Vil! A charming London neighbourhood is home to Roger and Anita, whose beloved Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita, have become the proud parents of 15 puppies. But when Cruella and her bumbling henchmen, Horace and Jasper, unexpectedly appear, the pups soon disappear along with every other Dalmatian puppy in town! Now Pongo and Perdita must rally their animal friends and use the power of the "Twilight Bark" to find Cruella's secret hideaway and free the puppies. 101 Dalmatians is one of the most cherished and sought-after Disney classics of all time and among the last films to bear the personal touch of Walt Disney.