Lazy days for Daizy

It has been an absolute delight getting to know our new family member Daizy (aka Bob's Dora) over the past couple of weeks. It is like she has been with us forever! Her little...no make that BIG personality is emerging and we think she is really loving her new routine. She talks to us all the time with this adorable little bark/yodeling she does each morning when she wakes up. My husband is usually the one to let her out of her crate in the morning and she immediately runs up the stairs to wake me with a big kiss! She loves to be hugged and wags her tail and smiles when she meets new people or is just content. Daizy and our other hound mix, Cinnamon, are two peas in a pod and enjoy one anothers company tremendously. It is funny to watch them together as they are almost stuck at the hip. But as all hounds are known for, their favorite activity - or lack there of - is napping under a tree or on the cool hardwoods. Our walks together have been great as Daizy tends to stay by our side, walking proud and enjoying the scenery. Guess that comes from her days being shown at the track. We are just head over heels in love!

A New Home!

We feel so fortunate that we are now the proud owners of beautiful Bob's Dora who we are now calling Daizy. Daizy is settling in nicely to the Vandiver clan and has made instant friends with our dog Cinnamon - a hound mix. The first couple of nights have been without a whimper and Daizy seems to like her new digs well! We have discovered she is a hoarder of stuffed dog toys. Absolutely precious, but we've had to limit her to just a few for now until Cinnamon and her learn to share. Cinnamon gets the concept well, but Miss Daizy is still learning. She seems to love hanging out in our backyard and laying in the shade. She also has become quite vocal and loves to join in on conversations. It is absolutely adorable. We went on our first walk today in the early morning before the heat set in and she was a dream to walk with. Our other hound could use a few pointers from her! More to come as we continue to settle in...

DeeDee Gets Her Wish - Adopted!

DeeDee now called Daizy (formerly Dora) went to live with her new family today. She met her new dog sister, Cinnamon. They had a good time running around her new back yard getting to know each other. We went into the house and DeeDee managed to find the dog toy baskets. She enjoyed walking around sniffing and taking in her new surroundings.

DeeDee took to her new mom and dad right away. I guess she knew she was home. I could not be happier. She's a sweet, loving dog. I am so thrilled that she now has her own forever family. She deserves one. I know they will love and cherish her. What more could a foster mom ask for?

I took my camera with full intention of taking a family photo. But, I got caught up in the moment and forget to get one. That seems to keep happening to me.

I only fostered DeeDee a short time, but just as with my other fosters, she left her tattoo on my heart. Doesn't seem to matter how long I have a foster. I seem to love them all just the same.

I will miss this little sunshine girl. Always a ray of sunshine. Always happy.

I look forward to seeing her again with her new family. I hope they'll bring her to some Meet & Greets after she settles into her new life. I think she'd be a wonderful Greyhound Ambassador.

Best of luck and happy dreams little DeeDee!

Petsmart Greeter

DeeDee (Dora) really seems to LOVE people. She's been really affectionate for only having been in her foster home for a few days. She has already started giving me kisses. Yesterday, I laid on the floor a couple of feet from her. She actually moved over to lay right next to me. That's a first with a new foster.

DeeDee went with me earlier this week to pick up dog food from our local seed & feed store, TC Country. She jumps in and out of my truck like a champ, and has every time except that first time when I brought her home from the kennel. Now mind you, my truck is a full size with big tires so it's pretty good jump up for a dog. While at TC Country, she visited with (i.e. watched intently) some of the little chicks on sale there at the store. DeeDee also managed to captivate one of the store owners with her sweet friendly ways. She has the art of meeting & greeting down pretty darn well.

Last evening, I ended taking her to Petsmart to pick up a few things, and get her out and about some more. We got to Petsmart and she wasn't too thrilled with the slick floors. I stopped and we just took our time. Of course, she drew a small crowd standing there on the little carpet just inside Petsmart. People came over to pet her, which she just loved. She even pulled me a few steps over so she could greet 2 little girls. I wish I had gotten a picture. It was very sweet.

DeeDee never ceases to amaze me. She keeps on trucking. After greeting everyone, we walked slowly around the store. I didn't want her to worry about sliding on the floor so we just took our time. We met up with a Petsmart associate who was very taken with DeeDee. She (the associate) stood there talk to me about Greyhounds and petting DeeDee. Then she (the associate) leaned over DeeDee and DeeDee kissed the lady. This little girl is a lovebug! She could apply for and become a Petsmart greeter if there was such a thing!










She had been picking up and playing some with toys.


She cracks me up with her antics. I swear can almost hear her talk.

And when she sleeps, she sure looks like a little angel. This little girl is a keeper for some lucky family!

Dora Undercover

Dora--or DeeDee as I've been calling her because it's easier to say than Dora, joined my household this evening as a foster.

I have determined that she must really be an undercover Greyhound pet posing as a former race dog fresh off the track. I swear on our way out the door of the kennel today she was thanking me for busting her out. In her kennel, she was all shy, sweet and demure. The second we got outside she was bouncy, happy and smiling.

I did have to give her a little boost into my truck to come home, but once in the truck, she played immediately with a dog toy she found in the back seat.

She spontaneously sat several times and kept asking me where we were going.

When we arrived home, she jumped out of my truck like a pro. I put muzzles on everyone for the big household meeting and took everyone out to the backyard. There are 5 wooden deck steps to reach the fenced in backyard. She walked down those steps like she had done steps all her life. I was prepared to help her but she certainly didn't need it. I thought for sure she need help going up the steps--nope--wrong. Easy as pie.

Once inside, she was very curious running around sniffing and seeing everything there is to see in my house (in the areas she currently has access to), but no more so than any other dog coming into a strange house.

She's not been shy about anything.  In fact she confidently walked around my backyard (on lead) and met all my dogs with a definite air of poise and confidence. I've been using a firm "no" quite a bit this evening trying to help her understand the households rules.This smart little cookie has a lot going on in her petite little body.

Now, she's not fond of hardwood floors. I have lots of throw rugs down, but  there are places where there are no rugs and she does get nervous and hesitant with her footing on the hardwoods.

She's been a little more curious about my cat than I prefer, but I think she will be just fine with some time. She hasn't given me any real concerns--she's just very interested. I will definitely be keeping her away from my parrot. Something tells me she is likely not parrot tolerant.

She's sticking to me like glue at the moment. I guess she figures I call all the shots so she's not about to let me get too far out of eyesight at the moment.

I have all my counter surfing preventatives out. She's very curious so I think they will come in handy.

This little girl is almost "wash & wear." She should be a pretty easy fit into a new forever home.

Dora is a quick leaner

I had the privilege of giving Dora girl her first obedience lesson on Sunday. As always she was ready for some love and ear scratches. But when it was time to get down to business she was ready. She was attentive, in the moment and very good at learning heal, stay and good leash manners. She learned quickly and loved to hear that she was a good girl. She really is a sweet girl. Very calm yet playful. I could tell she loved getting all the attention but as soon as we were done I heard no complaints about settling down and taking a nap in her run.

I will be sad to see her go but I know that she will give her forever home all the love they could ever ask for.

President of Dora's fan club,

Amanda

Bob's Dora is a love bug

Every time I go to the kennel to walk the new adoptables I can't wait to see my two favorite girls, Dora and Celine. Dora is always ready to greet me and give me kisses. For a pup just off the track she surprises me with her good manners and her easy way on a leash. She is a confident girl with trusting and soulful eyes. She would be a greyt addition to any home. If I wasn't at maximum capacity I would have adopted this beautiful girl already.

-Amanda