Picture of the day: Louie and the new beanbag!

By Fatima |

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

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My gorgeous Louie has claimed the new beanbag (with a very nice vintage patchwork cover!) although it is way too small for him :)
He has good taste and a penchant for vintage :)

I don't care how small it is, i am going to fit into it!
Even if my bum hangs out :)

Gorgeous Crank (Awesome Voyage)

By Fatima |

Monday, February 14, 2011

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Crank (or Kenzo -which is his pet name) is one of those dogs that just melts your heart. I have a soft spot for him as he so reminds me of my Louie :)
He is a handsome , quiet, deep doggie, who did great in his racing career, and now is looking for a quiet home.  He is very intelligent and emotional - he is one of those dogs who will need a bit of time, peace and quiet in order to settle in and gain confidence. Once he does -he will bond incredibly to his new owner.
He is too handsome for words too, with the most amazing eyes.

We took him to CGC (Canine Good Citizens ) class tonight - he was one of the most handsome dogs there, he is wonderful on the lead and is great with all other dogs. Cats are no issue for him  - yesterday we took a video of Crank with his new friends Bailey and Rove (GAP resident cats :) -see it below (and do make sure you have the volume up :)):





Louie, Crank (middle) and Lucy

Crank has been fostered by lovely Arie and family from Wellington: he was sharing with another greyhound, two cats and a few teenagers. He did great there , and loved it! His foster Mum Arie says he is a darling dog, clever and gentle, and very playful once he relaxes :)  He is back in the kennels now -waiting for that perfect home.

Cooling off at the GAP kennels :)

Pictures of the day: Jet (Brilliant Hand) and his poodle brother Freddy :)

By Fatima | 0 comments

Best mates :)

Jet (Brilliant Hand) lives with Kim and his brother Freddy, a cutest white toy poodle. I met them recently -and they make a stunning  pair! Their Mum sent me these  pictures of her handsome boys (thanks a million Kim!)
Btw -Jet is not just any greyhound : he was a top racer, winning over $70,000 in stakes, in 92 starts! I just love seeing such doggies having  a well-deserved retirement. Jet is now 9 years old -doesn't he look great? :)

Update from Alfie (Alfa Dancer)

By Fatima |

Sunday, February 13, 2011

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Alfie and his human exploring :)

This is an update on a very special doggie: Alfa Dancer - Alfie :)
I met him at the GAP kennels last year and took him for a couple of CGC (Canine Good Citizen ) classes in our club. He is just a gorgeous, clever, cutest, waggy dog :)
Alfie also had an impressive racing career, which was cut short by a minor injury. This amazing greyhound (trained by Manawatu trainer Brendan Cole) had 35 starts, out of which 13 were wins, and another 9 placings.
And now, he is enjoying his well-deserved retirement in Napier, with his new Mum Linda.
Linda just sent us this update on her handsome boy:

GAP kennel managers Irene and Sonja matched me with Alfie in December of last year after GAP volunteer Bobi had interviewed me and gathered information about my lifestyle. As I have come to learn about the breed they are extremely gentle, social animals. I have slowly introduced Alfie to the outside world, he loves our visits to the beach and now isn't nervous of the sound of the waves. He has had a swim in one of our local rivers on a particularly hot day which really cooled him down. He loves meeting other dogs on our walks and I have taken him to meet another GAP dog just recently - picture below is of Alfie and lovely Emma (Bonnie Creek):

Alfie and Emma :)

He is extremely well mannered (although yesterday he did pinch a roll from my bench!) and when I am visiting friends they always make a point of telling me to "bring Alfie too." He has won a few hearts and changed a few people's views on greyhounds (only because like myself, they had never known a greyhound before.)

Alfie helping with kite flying :)

Alfie is my constant companion and it's hard to imagine him not being in my life. Thanks so much to the owners/trainers of Alfie for putting him into the GAP programme and to Irene and Sonja for giving me the perfect dog. All the people at GAP do a marvelous job matching up dogs to their adoptive homes. Keep up the good work!

Handsome boy

What happens to a cardboard box when 5 greyhound puppies get it?

By Fatima | 0 comments

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I just got these pictures from Ashley Bradshaw, who owns 5 greyhound puppies. They are still too young to race or train for it, so in the meantime they seem to be having fun with whatever they can get their paws on! :)
(Btw Ashley - the pups look GREAT!!! Can't wait to see tthem racing -we are all going to keep our fingers crossed)

A big box -300 liters chest freezer LOL

All together now!

The remains!

Amber

Sophie

Ranger

Update from Milo :)

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In my post yeasterday I wrote about Khan, one of Lloyd Gill's dogs - and today's post is about Khan's brother Milo :)
Milo now lives in Carterton, with his new mate Taz The Corgi Cross and  a few cats. He just sent us this update:

 I have been living with my new family for just over a month now. I am getting used to being a couch potato, in fact the couch is one of my favourite places to spend my day. I am very good at holding it to the floor to stop it flying around the room (a dog's gotta do what a dog's gotta do). I am pretty much still a big puppy, I tend to get a bit over excited especially when any of my family comes home even if they have only been gone 5minutes. I keep them entertained with my silly antics too. Well maybe not the time I fell in the pool - I can't swim it seems!!!

A BONE !!!

I have two kids to play with and they think I am the most perfect greyhound ever!! Who am I to disagree? I am learning lots of new things and know to go on my bed when there is food around, I am starting to learn I am not allowed to jump at the gate when people come in. I love going for long walks, I wasn't keen on chasing a fake bunny but boy do I wanna go chase the real ones, Mum thinks it is not a good idea to chase bunnies down someone's driveway at 6.30 in the morning - silly Mum!

These children love me :)

I have made friends with Aunty Mim's greyhounds, Katie (Image of Ishbell) and my half brother Billy (Billy Thunder). I like going to visit and have a run about the yard with them. Look at the picture of all of us:

Playing with Billy and Katie (that is me in the middle :)
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All three of us with Auntie Mim

Did I mention I was very handsome?

My new brother Taz (The Corgi cross) gets cross with me when I get overexcited when we play, he is only little but he is 9 and I forget he is old. I am a bit scared of the cats that live here but they mostly stay away which I prefer. I really like living the life of a couch potato and I love my family and they love me to bits, even when I surf the bench and drink out of the toilet LOL. I think I will be very happy here, I even get to go to school and get lots of pats from all the kids. Life is good :)

Update from Khan - the 31kg Siamese cat!

By Fatima |

Saturday, February 12, 2011

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Biscuit time!

I have written about the sudden passing of Lloyd Gill, greyhound trainer and a big supporter of GAP before. His lovely Mum Jean brought all his racing greyhounds and also his pet greyhounds to GAP. All of them have found loving forever homes :). Beautiful Khan is one of them :)
He was adopted by Susan from Tararua, who owned another one of Lloyd's retired racers, Sam (Fortold).
A few months ago, Sam crossed the rainbow bridge at the age of 12 (due to cancer). It was sad news for all GAP community - Sam was a gorgeous, special doggie.
We were all so thrilled when Susan later adopted Khan, another one of Lloyd's greyhoumds :) Khan now loves with Susan and Cari, 11 year old Kelpie.

Grandkids are in bed and Mum is on the computer - what's a guy to do?

Susan wrote:
Khan's personality is shining through and he can be a real imp when the mood takes him.
We have this game where I stamp my feet and he drops down on his front legs and then "dances". There's no other word for it, he dances.We also have a figure of 8 race track round the garden!!!!!

I also introduce him as my 31kg Siamese - due to his colouring!!!!


Smiling! :)

Happiness is.................. a shady spot in the garden and a PIGS EAR

Bedtime ...



Update from Bull :)

By Fatima |

Friday, February 11, 2011

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Bull now lives on Waikato farm, which he shares with many other animals :)

His Mum Catherine just sent us this update and cutest photos (thanks a million Catherine!):
I have attached some photos of Bull hanging out on the farm and at home. Bull is doing really well on the farm. He loves running round the paddocks and along the races. I throw his ball for him every morning in the paddock next to the house and take him for a walk on the farm most evenings. He gets along well with the other 4 dogs on the farm- 2 pets and 2 working dogs- but he likes to chase the calves, so he’s not allowed near them anymore. :)
He’s a complete cuddle-monster- I don’t think I’ve ever met such an affectionate dog. We really love having him and he has fitted into our family very well.

Update from Jasper (Witch Jasper)

By Fatima |

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

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Handsome Jasper (Witch Jasper) is a very successful retired racer who was adopted by Carolyn and her family just before Christmas.He now lives in Wairarapa, and shares his new  home with a family cat and a pet rabbit :)
His new Mum Carolyn just sent us this update and some gorgeous pictures:
 Jasper is a handsome boy whom we have all totally fallen for. He is quick to learn and willing to please. He loves sprinting round the house once then straight back to bed! He is not quite sure how to play but we are encouraging him with a fluffy teddy which the kids throw around for him.

We adopted Jasper just before Christmas, and he fitted in with our holiday plans very easily. He has settled in well and is a complete gentleman around our cat. He wasn't quite so good with our pet rabbit though :). A strict "No!" every time he rushed to the cage and in just a few days he was ignoring the rabbit (mostly).

Cute Jasper :)

We have enrolled Jasper in obedience classes which has helped us (humans!) with "Heel" and "Wait" and "Come". The last command seems to on his terms though, so we definitely need more work on this! Jasper is best in class for walking on the lead :-)