BILLY - LOVES EVERYONE. REHOMED..

[Mimsmum]

Billy was straying in Essex. The kennels have described him as a total poppet who could even be cat trained. He is duck and chicken friendly, or at least not interested in them. Billy is not thin, in fact he is a good 27 kilos and a good 26" at the shoulder.
Approximately 2 years old, he had a vet check on the way home today and will be going in for neutering next Wednesday.
Billy is being fostered in Hertfordshire, where he has his own private 2 acre garden and lake to play in with the foster's own doglet Lurchers.

As I type he is running around the garden, eyes bulging with disbelief that he has so much freedom. ;D

I am sure that his foster mum will update us all shortly.

The only photo I have at this time is his kennel one. It doesn't do him justice.

[Wipuki]

ooh, oooh, ooooooh another collie cross ;D I'm looking forward to seeing better photos of him

[missysmum]

Lovely chap, looks a bitlike Margey's Captain Kirk xx

[gilly73]

The collie x lurchers make fantastic, intelligent pets Can not wait to see his story and character develop

[Karla]

He only looks tiny in that picture can't believe he's such a big chap.... looking forward to hearing more about him and how he settles in his foster home

[Rough coat]

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I was so anxious about fostering a boy (always having girls before) it took its toll and I fell asleep really early, probably with relief.

Anyway I collected Billy from the kennels with Jenny yesterday. He jumped straight into the back of my car and was as good as gold on the journey home.

As we were early for a check up at the vets we stopped and walked round the park. He was keen on the lead (only to be expected after being cooped up in a kennel) but not strong. We walked past and said hello to about 50+ ducks and swans and didn't bat an eyelid. We saw a couple of other dogs, all on the lead, and he was interested but in a pleasant way. Then we came across the squirrels. Hmm - usual lurcher reaction here but again not over the top and it was easy to get his attention back on enjoying the walk.

At the vets he was a very good boy and let me weigh him on the scales - 26 - 27kg. Quite surprising as I would not have thought he was that heavy. He gave a waggy tail to the receptionist and anyone else who said hello to him.

I started to relax and started to believe I had a really nice doggy here.

Into the vet for examination. He loved the vet and didn't stop wagging his tail once. The vet thought he was a really lovely dog, about 2-3 years, in good condition apart from his coat which was very dull and flakey. Nothing a good groom won't sort out.

Off home to meet the gang. I introduced him first to the three girls. Well he said hello and so did they. All very nice and civilised. Pinky was trying to get him to play but all he could think about was doing as many wee's as possible and sniffing at every part of the garden.

Then the bit I was dreading - meeting Alfie our 27" big boy who has been known to take offence at dominant males.

Alfie came out and they both had a little sniff. Then Billy just carried on sniffing and weeing round the garden with Alfie close behind. After a few minutes of this they both squared up to one and other, and waited for the other to make a move. After a couple of minutes of this Billy walked slowly away and carried on exploring. Alfie decided he had 'won' the stare out and went and laid down in the sunshine. Phew - all seems ok.

It was all good from then on, he tried to do a couple wees in the kitchen but I told him 'no' and he stopped.

My daughter and Kate arrived and he was all wagging tail and love.

I fed him separately from the others so I cannot say whether he is food aggesive at the moment. There is certainly nothing wrong with his appetite, he finished before Alfie, which has never been done before by any other dog.

He slept downstairs with the others and we didn't hear a squeak. This morning when all the others joined in the bedroom for a cuddle and a biscuit Billy couldn't negotiate the stairs, so we left him down stairs. After about 5 minutes Bruce went to see how he was. He was stuck half way up the stairs, not knowing how to go back and too scared to go up. Bruce encouraged him and he came bounding up the rest of the stairs and into the bedroom. He was so happy and very well behaved.

Well I know it is very early days but wow what a wonderful dog we seem to have here.

Must go now as they are all waiting for breakfast. I will post some photos as soon as I have sorted everything else out.

[Mimsmum]

Thanks for a great update Elaine. The kennel staff all thought he was a wonderful dog. I think he is still a youngster, no more than 2. He just seems to want to fit in. And it must be absolute heaven at your place.

[Rough coat]

All is still going well here.

After breakfast which Billy consumed as if he had never eaten before, Bruce took Billy and Pinky out for a lead walk while I took the other 3 round the fields. Billy was very wlling on the lead but definately not strong. They saw a few squirrels and again he was interested but not bothered and just carried on and enjoyed the walk.

When they returned I introduced him to Ed the donkey and Foxy our 32 year young pony. No problem there at all, no barking just friendly nose rubbing and interest.

Everything was going well so I thought I would introduce him to the cats is my cattery. We wondered up and down and he was a little interested but no barking or agression at all. I know this does not mean he is totally cat friendly but it is a very good pointer. I will try again over the next few days with a cat I know is friendly towards dog and let them have a little nose to nose.

His next big test was leaving him with the others while we were out for 1.5 hours. I would not normally do this so soon after a foster arrives, but we had arranged to take Kate out before I knew I was going to have Billy here and as he had been so settled we decided to go ahead.

No apparent problems when we arrived back but lots of wagging tails. What a super dog Billy is. He is so loving and friendly to everyone he meets.

I am going to try to post some photos now. I have already tried once but I lost everything, so please bear with me it may take a little time.

[Rough coat]

Here are the photos.<a href="http://s919.photobucket.com/albums/ad38/eandb/?action=view¤t=IMG_1598.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad38/eandb/IMG_1598.jpg" border="0" alt="Exploring the garden"></a>[/img]

[vickiemily]

great update Elaine sounds like Billy is certainly settling really well with you and is a very laid back , happy chappie

[Mimsmum]

Pour the wine, I am on my way over. We need to Cat Test young ripley again. xx

[Rough coat]

OK I will try again.

[indysmum]

My kind of dog - veryyyyyyy handsome

[salukigoddess]

His face could melt a million hearts

What a happy smiley boy ;D ;D

Sept 12, 2010 16:59:35 GMT Rough coat said:

[Mimsmum]

Wine was lovely. Went down really well with the cheese and walnut licquore ;D

Getting back to Billy. This dog has absolutely no baggage.
He is a steady, lovable and loyal boy who has just slotted in at Elaine and Bruce's. It was as if he had been there all his life Uneblievable recall to his name Thre is no BULL in this dog, just all Collie X Greyhound. And his has a lovely nature. Whoever gets Billy to join their home will be lucky indeed.

We took Ripley into the Cattery and he is still cat friendly, but one of the cats scared him, so very cat aware as well. Sorry Rippers.

[vickiemily]

lovely pictures of Billy, he looks so happy and like he is always smiling! what a cheerful young boy

[Mimsmum]

Please excuse all my spelling mistakes. It was the liqueur

[vickiemily]

with my typing, people probably think i have been on the liquor all the time! i haven't of course lol in fact i am teetotal, just can't type!

[Karla]

Billy is a beautiful looking boy

[Romi]

What a lovely happy smiley dog. ;D
He looks smart too, in a clever way, not just well dressed. Bet he doesn't hang around long.