Update from Sparkie (Octane Spark)

By Fatima |

Friday, February 17, 2012

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Just in from Falyn and Peter:

After adopting Sam (Thrilling Mix) in May 2011, we decided that some company for him would be in order. Not in a position to permanently adopt a second dog, we gave foster caring a go. After one foster hound Lucky, along came Sparkie (Octane Spark) and we just knew he wouldn't be leaving anytime soon! Yes, we are another casualty of the GAP foster scheme – I think they saw me coming a mile away! Sparkie arrived just before Christmas, and became a permanent member of the family in mid January.

Sparkie has settled in very quickly, and seemed completely comfortable with his change in surrounds after just one day. Getting his diet sorted has meant a bit of trial and error as he doesn't seem to tolerate Nutrience kibble, but we are slowly working on it and he has started to gain a bit of much needed weight.

He had a fairly successful racing career, much better than Sam, yet he is a much calmer dog and really does love to be horizontal for most of the day. Maybe he feels he has really earned his retirement and is going to do his level best to enjoy it! His most endearing habit is his love of cockroaching, although what makes it so cute is the loud grunts that accompany it as he gets himself into just. the. right. position. Ahhhh… there it is!

Sparkie and Sam get on really well and often snuggle up together in the back of the car (although truth be told, this is probably just Sam’s way of taking up the maximum amount of space possible). We are constantly asked if they are brothers because of their similar markings, but I must admit it’s quite nice to have a matching pair! Initially it was quite confusing telling the two apart when they were on their own – it was much easier when they’re together – but we’ve (mostly) got the hang of it now.

He loves to meet other dogs, and we took him to a GAP event in Waikanae recently where he made friends with Billy (Dynamic Keroma) – they decided to have a little lie down together.

We also discovered that, despite the one year age difference, Sam and Sparkie's birthdays are only two days apart – similar colours, similar birthdays – we couldn’t have asked for a better match! Thanks again GAP!

Update from Sam (Thrilling Mix)

By Fatima |

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

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Day 1: Sam found his bed!

We just got an update from Falyn and Pete, who adopted Sam (Thrilling Mix) a few weeks ago. They wrote:

We initially approached GAP thinking it would be good if we were matched with a smallish female (preferably blue) greyhound. Instead we got Sam, a large brindle male and we couldn't be happier! From the time we first met him he's always been smiling, wagging his tail (often with painful consequences for those standing nearby), keen to grab cuddles, and constantly trying to find a way to get into our car, or any car apparently...
When we first arrived home he trotted around the garden, had a quick sniff, then went straight into the lounge where spied his bed and lay down, no sniffing or exploring the rest of the house, just 'that looks comfy, I'll take it' and made himself at home. His first week or so was a learning process for all of us but his training has been a breeze so far; he has learnt to jump into the car on his own, go to his bed, stay, wait for his food, and heel (except when furry distractions in the form of the neighbourhood cats are present), all within the first three days.
We have taken him for a run at Robyn’s paddocks in Otaki where he had a great time with Maxi the Taxi and co, and we got to see him speed about for the first time. He’s a very confident boy and loves meeting other dogs and people, and is really good with the children he has met so far too.
We have just had a big weekend that he seemed to enjoy, during which he ate his first chicken frame, devoured a pigs ear in record breaking time, was out walking for three hours, watched a netball game, met an Alaskan Malamute, started eating a canon bone so large he couldn’t lift it and had to drag it to his favourite spot on the lawn, and walked head first into a lamp post while staring intently at a cat... we've also discovered he loves banana's, or at least the peels. He'll go to great lengths to hunt out a banana peel it seems!

His new favourite pasttime

Eating his first chicken frame :)

Our family and friends are still surprised at how laid back and downright lazy he can be – often he prefers to stay lazing about on his bed than greet anyone who comes by. It’s a good thing we weren’t after a guard dog cause I think he’d happily go with anyone, providing they were offering cuddles and a ride in their car! People are often surprised to hear that he doesn’t need hours upon hours of exercise each day, I think they’re amazed something that can run so fast can love to sleep so much!

Overall Sam is a great addition to our lives and I think the only minor concern we have so far, is that the breakfast time alarm clock in his head (and the associated cold nose snuffling in your face routine) doesn't cater for weekend sleep-ins… :)

Enjoying the sun (and hampering our attempts to make the bed!)