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Post by Jeanette on Feb 1, 2010 19:03:07 GMT
Awww I think Slim is sooo gorgeous xx
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Post by aijee on Feb 1, 2010 20:13:32 GMT
So pleased to hear that Slim is continuing to progress well Being with Chloe and Tia has been a blessing for him I think. A bit of female role-modelling will have helped him develop some good lurcher manners! Really glad to hear that Chloe has found a new lease of life with the youngsters around. You and Bill must have been on an eye-rolling adaptation over the past few weeks - however your photos suggest that seems to be panning out pretty well! Tuna and Parmesan cookies and glasses of wine approriately handed out all round methinks!
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Post by whywalkalone on Feb 2, 2010 21:40:19 GMT
Here's the pack in their bedroom. Slim sometimes chooses to share with Tia and she's very generous with her affection and the toys in the toy basket: Another good day for Slim with plenty of exercise, discipline and affection. He's not a difficult case to manage, and Bill and I don't think we can take all the credit. Someone cared for him when he was a puppy. Are you the person who'll care for him for the rest of his life?
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Post by sallybeth on Feb 3, 2010 21:12:50 GMT
Lovely pics !!! Slim is doing so well. !!!
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Post by whywalkalone on Feb 5, 2010 18:32:01 GMT
Here's a summary update to tell you of Slim's current status. He'll be neutered next Tuesday 9 February: - Housetrained
- Good recall in enclosed areas, poorer recall if distracted
- Will sit, lie down, comes to name; understands, "no", "wait" and is polite
- No separation anxiety - can be left up to 3 hours easily with no damage/distress and does not need to be crated at any time
- Has been treated for worms, fleas, nails trimmed
- Easy to groom and friendly to handle/wipe feet/etc
- Does mouth inappropriately at times in play but with absolutely no malice or bad humour
- No food aggression; eats happily in company with other dogs
- Extremely advanced social skills with all kinds of other dogs, large and small; does not respond aggressively even if provoked by strange dogs barking and lunging at him
- Walks calmly and politely on lead with a gentle leader; can become excited and want to play with loose dogs which run up to him
- Extremely affectionate, gives fab lurcher leans and hugs on demand/request
- Does not bark much but will croon with excitement while waiting to be fed
- Completely used to raw food diet and digests all food very well with no stomach or digestive issues whatsoever
- Very responsive to training with food rewards; loves people and other dogs
- Better as part of a pack rather than kept as the only dog in the house
- Has the softest most beautiful coat of the finest quality; hardly any shedding experienced
So hey, what's not to love? Slim has more of a Greyhound brain than a Saluki brain but he is smaller than the average Greyhound and has Saluki feet and a Saluki gait when he walks. He weighs about 24 kgs and stands about 26" at the shoulder. He wears a 26" coat and standard Greyhound-sized muzzle if he's running free. He plays full on lurcher-style hardball when he runs free, so at present he is not suitable for being run in an open space where he may meet other breeds of dogs which are unaccustomed to lurcher roughhouse play. He is very good with small dogs and likes all of them but he may play too rough with them if unmuzzled and unsupervised. He is quiet and calm in the house and has a rather charming penchant for hanging out in the kitchen while you cook. He knows he can't share every morsel, but sometimes he just enjoys a deep lurcher sniff. And Tia and Chloe love him. I know this because they are both willing to sleep with him. Shocking, truly shocking. Perhaps they'll lose interest in him when he starts boasting about his operation.
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gilly73
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Post by gilly73 on Feb 5, 2010 18:54:32 GMT
Now that is what I call a fantastic update and summary on the fantastic Mr. Slim. You have done a wonderful job Val and you need to pat yourselves on the back for that. He is so settled and happy around your pack and whoever is lucky enough to get this boy is going to be very lucky indeed. I know for a fact that me and Jim are really looking forward to seeing you all again on Sunday's walk, and if Slim likes it rough then I have just the hound for him to play with..... The one and only Mr. Bodhi ha ha ha ha x x
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Post by Karla on Feb 5, 2010 19:32:37 GMT
What a fabulous update on the gorgeous Mr Slim I think I'll throw a Dylan into the mix for some rough & tumble lurcher play on Sunday
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Post by aijee on Feb 5, 2010 21:49:37 GMT
Great update and summary of progress Val! I do hope that you, Bill, Chloe and Tia are very proud of yourselves for helping young Slimbo Jimbo to settle in with you and have time to show everyone just what he can do Trust you will all have a brilliant time on the walk at the weekend + that everything goes well with Slim's op on Tuesday. Ear ruffles please to all those hounds
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Post by Absolutely Barking on Feb 6, 2010 7:55:02 GMT
Fantastic update! Well done . Anyone taking on the lovely Slim will know exactly what they're getting now . I'm struggling to resist him!
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Post by little Sal on Feb 6, 2010 13:26:39 GMT
Val, what superb detailed updates on stunning Slim ;D. Every possible aspect has been covered thoroughly. So come on everyone...where's that orderly queue of forever home's being offered?! Looking foward to seeing you tomorrow . p.s. I like their raised beds Val. Where did you get them from?
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indysmum
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Post by indysmum on Feb 6, 2010 14:56:16 GMT
I like the beds too - my two would love them .... let us know where you get them
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Post by Jeanette on Feb 6, 2010 15:24:08 GMT
I wonder if they do smaller versions for beddie/whippets ? I know someone who would love one as well !!
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Post by whywalkalone on Feb 6, 2010 19:56:33 GMT
Hi Slim fans
Well. The raised beds. Yes. I have disappointing news for you all. I bought them from America about 1998 by searching for "raised dog beds" on Google.
I found this delightful American company which manufactured them and sold them for the then unbelievable price of about $30 each. My eyes nearly popped out on beanstalks.
I emailed the website and asked if they'd ever exported to the UK as I'd never found such good quality, robust beds in the UK for greyhounds anywhere, and certainly not for less than £100 each. They emailed back to say they'd never been asked to ship to UK before but would see what they could find out. Within 24 hours they emailed again to say air freight was ridiculously expensive but they could ship by sea for about another $30 each bed. Was I interested?
I asked them if a duck could swim. They said "huh?" So I just said yes. About 12 weeks later the beds were flatpacked delivered to my door. They are fab. They're so strong, Bill and I can stand on them and the plastic webbing base does not split. I've had them all this time, and my two beloved greyhounds Ben and Saffie slept on them all their lives.
They're vital to me because we have underfloor central heating at our bungalow which means the floors can be too warm to be comfortable for the dogs at times.
I'll do a bit of research to see if I can find the company in the USA again and let you all know what I find out.
All the best
Val.
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Post by whywalkalone on Feb 6, 2010 20:19:43 GMT
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indysmum
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Post by indysmum on Feb 6, 2010 21:54:42 GMT
thanks Val - will have a nosey
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Post by Jeanette on Feb 7, 2010 8:52:39 GMT
Thanks Val. That make your site looks very tempting ! I wonder .....
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Post by whywalkalone on Feb 9, 2010 19:08:11 GMT
Slim's back home from the vet today, having had his 'boys' op. All is well, but he's feeling tired and a little confused. Hasn't spoiled his appetite though. Give him a light supper, said Louisa the vet.Slim had other ideas and wouldn't rest until he'd had something a little more solid inside so the minced chicken carcass & pheasant gave way to a juicy piece of rabbit too! Here he is: He did wimp occasionally, which prompted his young girlfriend, Tia, to bring him her favourite squeaky hamburger: Tia has settled in marvellously well to our newly-formed pack and she loves Slim and Chloe very much. She often sleeps with Chloe, leaving Slim the other big raised bed all to himself. All three of them had a marvellous time on Sunday at Manor Farm Country Park with many of their SLR lurcher friends. Slim will be having short on-lead walks for the next week until he is fully healed. His behaviour continues to improve and lately we've noted a decrease in the amount of mouthing he does when he's feeling excited or playful. His recall is quite good now in the enclosed field where we allow him off lead. He really is the most friendly chap to people and other dogs. We still walk him in a gentle leader because he can become very excited when loose dogs run up to him and invite him to play! He doesn't want to turn anyone down.
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Post by sallybeth on Feb 9, 2010 19:25:14 GMT
He's looking a bit droopy, bless him ! No doubt he'll be back to his normal self in the morning!
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indysmum
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Post by indysmum on Feb 9, 2010 19:32:45 GMT
Slim was brilliant on the walk on Sunday - such a good boy .... and handsome to go with it He will make someone a lovely pet...... cant believe he hasnt been snapped up yet And Val, i brought Tia's Vets Forms with me on sunday and then forgot to give them to you Are you going on the 'GIN' walk - if so i will come too and bring them then .... Big kisses and cuddles to you all xxxx
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Post by sallyrolf on Feb 9, 2010 20:10:57 GMT
Dear Slim,
Know how you feel mate, having just had 'the op' myself recently. I am fine now and it was only the first night I felt a bit odd. I haven't noticed it has made any difference to being able to run and play, but I did not like having to be on the lead while Rosie taunted me, running around.
Mum tried us on a new diet today after speaking with your mum on Sunday. She gave us some raw chicken wings, which we were not too sure about. I took mine outside and buried it until I work out what to do with it. Rosie ate hers and wanted a second one, which I thought was a bit dodgy. Sure enough, five minutes later she had puked the whole lot up on the carpet. Not sure mum fed it to us right.
Anyway, nice to have met you on Sunday. I might be going off to a new family soon and I hope you get yours soon (however, I wouldn't mind being in your gaff - two lovely girls to keep you company - can't be bad!)
Keep your pecker up mate....!
Oscar
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