In June 2001, I bought Dinah (T1266) from NCDL (now The Dogs Trust) at Kenilworth. She was a black and white retired racing greyhound, approximately three and a half years old. Apparently, she had been at the home for a little while because she always stayed at the back of her kennel.
Dinah was very wary of me when I first met her but walked round the compound with me and allowed me to stroke her. She gave the impression of having lost interest in everything. She existed; she walked where she was lead; she accepted attention and watched life pass her by.
After I had been to a short talk, given by the NCDL, warning new owners about possible problems and our garden was checked for security, I went to collect Dinah. She climbed into the back of my small car and we started off home. She eventually realised she was more comfortable and safe if she lay down on the back seat. All the way home I kept talking to her, but she showed no interest – a bit like talking to your boss at work really.
Back home I lead her into the house to where I had put a large soft basket. She curled up in it and just watched what was happening. Mother and I decided it was best not to make too much fuss because everything would be so strange for her. She was used to life in a kennel not a home. After a while, I thought it wise to take her into the garden, but I had to put a lead on her to get her to follow me. In the garden she showed more interest, so I unclipped the lead and she wandered around, but I had to attach the lead again to bring her into the house.
We went on like this for about a week. She was no trouble but I had to put her on a lead to take her into the garden; take her to her food and water; take her to her basket. When we went out for a walk she would walk to the limit of the extending lead never really pulling. If we met another dog, she was fine, but other people, particularly men, she would come close to me, curving her body around my legs. Dinah seemed to have
Dinah was very wary of me when I first met her but walked round the compound with me and allowed me to stroke her. She gave the impression of having lost interest in everything. She existed; she walked where she was lead; she accepted attention and watched life pass her by.
After I had been to a short talk, given by the NCDL, warning new owners about possible problems and our garden was checked for security, I went to collect Dinah. She climbed into the back of my small car and we started off home. She eventually realised she was more comfortable and safe if she lay down on the back seat. All the way home I kept talking to her, but she showed no interest – a bit like talking to your boss at work really.
Back home I lead her into the house to where I had put a large soft basket. She curled up in it and just watched what was happening. Mother and I decided it was best not to make too much fuss because everything would be so strange for her. She was used to life in a kennel not a home. After a while, I thought it wise to take her into the garden, but I had to put a lead on her to get her to follow me. In the garden she showed more interest, so I unclipped the lead and she wandered around, but I had to attach the lead again to bring her into the house.
We went on like this for about a week. She was no trouble but I had to put her on a lead to take her into the garden; take her to her food and water; take her to her basket. When we went out for a walk she would walk to the limit of the extending lead never really pulling. If we met another dog, she was fine, but other people, particularly men, she would come close to me, curving her body around my legs. Dinah seemed to have
accepted me but needed a lot of affection before she would relax with other people.
Then, one day, she came out to the kitchen without being lead and stood by the back door whining. I let her out so she could do the necessary and for the first time her tail was not tucked between her legs. It took many months for her to realise the extent of her freedom and the love we had for her. I remember the first time her tail lifted to its wonderful half circle curve; the first time she did a “whirling Dervish” on the back lawn; the first time she wagged her tail; the first time she nagged me because I was late taking her for her walk. So she destroyed our lawn; who cares. It was wonderful to see her relax and develop, but progress was very slow.
Dinah enjoyed her walks and eventually, became more trusting of people we met. However, she would get fed up if I spent too long talking and would start to gnaw through her lead. Three times I found myself holding a dog-less lead and see Dinah racing away. Fortunately, she would race around and then back to the house, but it was always a nerve-wracking experience, as she had to go along a short stretch of pavement by a busy road. It was a shame that I never felt I had enough control of Dinah to let her off the lead.
Dinah was a bit fussy eating but, with advice from the Vet, I found a dry food that suited her. It was always more acceptable if it had bits of what we were eating or proper gravy. She was never a greedy eater and would miss a couple of meals during most weeks. Over the months, Dinah became less gaunt and nervous. The first year I happened to pick up a fly swat and she cowered away from me. The one thing she was always frightened of was the sound of a football being kicked or bounced. I dread to think what had caused those fears. Dinah was no trouble being left for a few hours and life for us was good.
Then, towards the end of November 2003 Dinah was in the garden when I heard her yelp. When I got to the back door she was limping towards me. I checked her paw and leg but could see nothing and thought that she
Then, one day, she came out to the kitchen without being lead and stood by the back door whining. I let her out so she could do the necessary and for the first time her tail was not tucked between her legs. It took many months for her to realise the extent of her freedom and the love we had for her. I remember the first time her tail lifted to its wonderful half circle curve; the first time she did a “whirling Dervish” on the back lawn; the first time she wagged her tail; the first time she nagged me because I was late taking her for her walk. So she destroyed our lawn; who cares. It was wonderful to see her relax and develop, but progress was very slow.
Dinah enjoyed her walks and eventually, became more trusting of people we met. However, she would get fed up if I spent too long talking and would start to gnaw through her lead. Three times I found myself holding a dog-
Dinah was a bit fussy eating but, with advice from the Vet, I found a dry food that suited her. It was always more acceptable if it had bits of what we were eating or proper gravy. She was never a greedy eater and would miss a couple of meals during most weeks. Over the months, Dinah became less gaunt and nervous. The first year I happened to pick up a fly swat and she cowered away from me. The one thing she was always frightened of was the sound of a football being kicked or bounced. I dread to think what had caused those fears. Dinah was no trouble being left for a few hours and life for us was good.
Then, towards the end of November 2003 Dinah was in the garden when I heard her yelp. When I got to the back door she was limping towards me. I checked her paw and leg but could see nothing and thought that she
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Dinah