friends of the hound is a greyhound adoption group committed to the rehabilitation& rescue of Greyhounds in NSW

ROSIE'S STORY

*** Rosie has now crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Rest in Peace, Rosie***

Old dogs and new tricks!

Rosie agreed to join our family about four months ago at the ripe old age of 12 - which is ancient for a greyhound, and a miracle for a dog that has obviously had such a hard life.

When she came, she couldn't walk well at all from arthritis in her hips and feet and from being confined in a cage for too long. She had to have all but 6 teeth removed. She had evidence of old injuries - an inch long cut in her tongue, a hole in her lip and a broken tail that had not been fixed properly. She had also been left in the bush in the middle of winter - she was found sheltering in a shed by a very kind family.

Well.what a difference four months can make!

Now, she digs in the sandpit, takes herself for a run (albeit a short one) everyday, and plays with the other dogs (a Greyhound, a Mastiff x and Cattle x - each 5 years old). She walks well and loves getting her feet massaged and her teeth cleaned.

She smiles a lot - which looks a bit funny with no teeth at the front of her mouth. She loves her food - she can eat everything the younger dogs eat, but has it grated rather than whole - chicken meat, raw vegetables, rice, pasta, oats etc. Table surfing WAS a favourite hobby but she now understands that she has to wait to get her treats - a small bit of sausage is a big favourite.

She fitted right into the routine from day one and we've had no toilet-related accidents or hassles with food. She learned not to sit on the lounge or chairs quite quickly (only told her once), but loves to sleep on her nice warm, comfy bed, or lie on the woolen carpets that dot the house and yard.mostly for her benefit! She enjoys her weekly shower, sun baking, lying in the sandpit under the shade sail (put up for her), smelling the flowers, fossicking for bugs in the garden - everything a dog loves to do.

They say all greyhounds have a 'second puppyhood' when they get adopted, and that's certainly true of Rosie. I don't know how long she'll be with us, but I know she's having a very happy retirement.

A senior hound may not be for everyone, but if people are thinking about a adopting a senior hound (over 5 I think qualifies as "senior") and are worried that they may not fit in or be able to learn new routines etc at that age - don't worry. A little patience may be needed at times, but before you know it, you'll feel like they've been with you their whole lives.