Tuesday, August 18, 2009

RELEASE THE HOUNDS!!!



I'm back, recovered from my bout of yuckiness - just the predictable onslaught of ragweed season, gets me every time before I pull out my allergy meds - and have finally succeeded in wrestling the keyboard away from Brutus.  He got a kick out of doing yesterday's post in first person, and apparently you all liked it too!  I'll make sure I give him the occasional opportunity to take over (he's good at that sort of thing, just ask my husband....)

There were so many cool things at the dog fair, we couldn't fit it all into one post.  Brutus did not mention yesterday that the fair was put on by Greyhound Adoption of Ohio (GAO), so there were a proportionately large number of greyhounds and greyhound activities there.  All three greyhounds in my extended pack were adopted though this organization, who is one of the biggest of it's kind in our area.  So today's post is in honor of the hounds, those I know well as well as those who just started following our blog!!

So let me take this opportunity to introduce you to some of these lovely creatures, and tell a little of each of their stories. 


MAGGIE

Adopted by my step-mom Barb 4 years ago, Maggie is the oldest of the three hounds at 7 years.  She is the most gentle, quiet girl, who loves to lounge in her bed most of the time.  She loves leisurely walks, her toys, and treats - her favorite is yoghurt!!  She gladly hosts my Duncan as a houseguest, and will do her best to tolerate Brutus (who is fabulous at "pushing her buttons" and getting her all riled up!)
Don't let that mild-mannered description fool you, though - get her in an open field, and this ol' girl can absolutely FLY!!!  Maggie was the only one of the three hounds to lure-course this weekend, and you could tell how much she loved it!!  The minute she noticed what was going on, Maggie was the picture of focus. You can see more action shots of her luring coursing in yesterday's post.  Oh, and the muzzle is only to keep her from tearing up the lure if she catches it - Maggie wouldn't hurt a fly otherwise!


  Maggie chilling on her bed, cool as a cucumber!

But get her out in an open field, and an alter-ego emerges!!


Look at her go!  The epitome of grace and speed!


Back to her mild-mannered self - hanging with the Brute





GRACIE

Adopted over 3 years ago by my now step-sister Aimee, Gracie is the diva of the pack.  A little more aloof than the other hounds, she is always watching and waiting for her chance (she has been known to remove the lid of a Grey Poupon mustard jar when no one was looking).  Her prey-drive (desire to chase little furry things) is the strongest of our hounds, but you'd never know it, as she is as gentle as can be with Aimee's daughter Mayna!  If we go for a pack walk, Gracie completely ignores Brutus, which is probably the best-case scenario for both of their sakes!!

Hugs & kisses from Mayna!


Just watching the world go by....


... but ready to step up and protect the pack if a strange dog comes by!


"My god, Brutus - if I don't acknowledge you, will you just go away???"


MONTY

Last, but certainly not least is the Mont-Man.  The most recent addition to the pack, he was rescued for the first time 3 years ago by Aimee & her husband Andy. Since then they've had to rescue him a few more times - first from a horrible pit bull attack (while on a walk Christmas day - yikes), and then from a nasty bout of pancreatitis/colitis earlier this year.  It looked bleak both times, but with lots of love, time (and unfortunately, money) Monty is his still going strong.  He has permanently retired from running (even lure-coursing) due to injury, but when given the chance to run, Monty effortlessly eats up huge amounts of ground with each stride.   Otherwise, he is content to lounge about, or "sharking" (as Mayna says- referring to his great talent as a land shark) for food.


Monty and Gracie are just two peas in a pod!


Professional couch potato, and proud of it!!  Love ya' big guy!!


We'l leave you today with the a photo of one of the hounds best sides -  no butts about it!!

24 comments:

Two French Bulldogs said...

Hi Brutus
We like your pictures. We have cousins in NJ that are greyhounds. Glad mom and dad had fun yesterday.
Benny & Lily

Arena Mom said...

Haha! This made me laugh! Too cute! Thanks for the greyhound love. You are so right about Gracie. I ordered her a new collar off of etsy that says "Princess". She is the only one in our family deserving of the title! She is so tolerant of Mayna. Monty, on the other hand, is forever growling at her. It so doesn't phase Mayna. Andy caught her barking right back today!

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

I'm glad woo are feeling better!

Our blog furiend Sophie Brador got a new brofur...and he's a greyhound!

Tank woo fur sharing the khool pikhs and tales!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

ScrapsofMe said...

Whoa! Brutus! Hanging with some mega chicks! Nothing like a long legged lady by your side to make heads turn.

Bonnie - the short legged lady...chunky love!

Lorenza said...

Hi, Brutus!
Glad your mom is feeling better!
I can see you were too friendly with that doggie! Haaa!
Thanks for sharing all the pictures!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Lucy-Fur, as typed by Dr. Liz said...

GREAT pictures!!! What handsome, speedy hounds!

*kissey face*
-Fiona

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

What beautiful greyhounds!!!

Smileys!
Dory

Scooter said...

Brutus,
Those are some Beautiful dogs that you hang with. My mom said she knows of a family that adopted 3 at once and they were the best dogs. They hardly ever barked and were so good that the family just LOVED the 3 dogs.
Glad that yor mom is feeling better.

Tail wags
Jazzi

Greyt Blog said...

Loved all the piccys :D

They are very pretty hounds, love the photo of their hound bums haha!

Molly the Airedale said...

We gorgeous doggies and we LOVE the hiney shot!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

genji said...

My first foray into a Frenchie blog, and I run across greyhounds. How fitting. At least Brutus was in a couple of pics. He seems like a real ladies man.

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

What lovely pictures of lovely dogs. Our Mom always thought she would like to rescue a Greyhound and after reading this, she might check into it.

XOXO
Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Java

pam said...

Big bottoms - they gottems.. My sister Meja is of the generous bottom too!

Bobo

Achieve1dream said...

Great post. Those are three beautiful dog!

Woodrow, Luna, MJ Campanella said...

wow - brute what a cool extended family you hve - they are all so handosme/beautiful - we love watching them run they are gorgeous - we have some freinds that are greyhounds and we try really hard to keep up with them - but eventually sweetie headbutts them and they fall down

Woodrow - Sweetie - MJ

Stacy Walker said...

Love the pics of the hounds. Mom loves greyhounds. We just found your blog. Great name dude!

Brutus and Stacy

Mia said...

Great pics. I love the greayhounds, but they don't much love me. The momma says its because I'm too eager adn I scare them. When we see the resuces at PetSmart and Pet Supplies Plus, I always try to say hi, but they don't usually want to play. They pretty though!!

Lilo

Martha said...

Just loving the pictures of those three beautiful greyhounds. They are such noble dogs we think.
love
Martha & Bailey xxx

Oskar said...

Very nice dogs. My mom wishes she had a bigger yard so she could adopt greyhounds, too!

Brutus, Ellie, Pippa and Otto said...

Love the pics. Greyhounds are such beautiful dogs.

Sam said...

Aw I just love greyhounds! The butts picture is priceless.

Is it just me, or do greyhounds pant with the widest open mouths ever? I keep noticing it again and again and again when I see sighthounds! Maybe I'm just crazy..

Don't feel bad, BTW - Marge has blog-napped me a couple of times too.

SEDONA said...

Gorgeous pics of your hound cousins, Brutus! Nice to meet them, too!
Your pal,
Sedona

Oakley and Swisher said...

You have a pretty cool pack brutus!

Lots of Licks--

Oak and Swish

ocmist said...

LOOK AT THOSE GLUTS! You can see the power in that last shot! Mom loves greyhounds. She used to look through the fence at her Tia Rosie's to see a bunch of them on the other side when she was little. She also loves anything that has muscles, as she draws animals. Thanks for the intros all around!