I've been asked how Polar is doing. What can I say! He's now taller than Bracken, he's extremely naughty - there isn't a day goes by when he doesn't get into mischief. He has his own recycling policy - all plastic bottles should be recycled, even full ones. (Jane of Pepis tells me that's because he had empty plastic bottles to play with at the refuge). If he can get to the cardboard recycling bag, then the contents get distributed around the courtyard. Next come the shoes - he's already got several pairs of his own but naturally he wants the ones which we still prefer to wear! Then come the socks! He was given a bag full of socks with holes in - but no, he has to delve in my walking boot bag and pinch my socks out of that!
He's coming on slowly at Dog Club, probably because I don't do much training with him during the week - a bit difficult with 4 other dogs around. He's also not learnt the words 'concentrate on me'! He knows when Sunday arrives, probably because I'm up earlier than usual! So the leaping around and excitements starts. 'Not much time to eat breakfast...gotta make sure Mom doesn't forget to take me!'
He sings in the car as I drive the 12km to the training ground, alongside a small private dressage and trotting course. Leaping around on the end of the lead - another one repaired after he chewed it at the kennels - he's on the lookout for Florence. He adores Florence and won't settle until he's had a big cuddle and fuss from her.
I've found the only thing he takes notice of at training is small pieces of frankfurter sausages. As he eventually settles to the session, and with sausage in front of his nose, he will walk at heel on a loose lead with sit and down alongside the markers of the small course. He won't sit and stay when it comes to recall...the instructor has to keep hold of him as I walk a few metres away. Oh, it's panic, 'Mom's leaving me'! So I'm really pleased that in the whole of the huge equestrian ground, Polar off leash heads straight for me and sausages!
He's quiet on the way home and, once in the house, it's a collapse on the bed or cushion outside - peace for a couple of hours!
I was hoping to get a friend to take a video, but my tablet battery has died so until I can get a new one - not easy when it's a UK tablet and I live in France - you'll have to wait a little longer for that.
And I've started a Reiki for Dogs course, thinking of it as something else natural to help his damaged patella.
Never a dull moment with a Polar pup in the house!
that's galgos for you beryl they get into all sorts when rey plays up they all look at him as if to say what do you think you are doing tess my oldest greyhound chases him out the room when she had enough but then he dodges her runs back in the room and takes her space where ever she was when she chased him I just say you fell for it again tess glad polar is full of life shows how happy he is bless
Posted by: jenny | 31 August 2014 at 12:33 PM
What a little devil! Hopefully, he'll settle down a bit as he grows older. He's lucky to have you Beryl.
Posted by: Danielle Hart | 31 August 2014 at 03:15 PM
Don't you have lure coursing your way Beryl? It would be a great way for Polar to use some energy, unless the running would be bad for his leg??? There's a group here in Quebec that I know of, named Tally Ho, who meets regularly to let the dogs loose to chase a lure and they also have agility meets. They use fields, golf courses, etc. I've seen pics and videos of it and it looks like a lot of fun. They welcome any breed of dogs. There must be something similar in France. If not, it might be an interesting thing to start!
Posted by: Danielle Hart | 01 September 2014 at 05:34 PM
Yes, they have organised lure coursing in France - using a plastic lure. Unfortunately the areas where it is organised are too spread out and far away for us. You need permission to hold an event...I tried to have one at one of my Fun Dog Shows but the society organiser/secretary didn't even have the courtesy to respond to my enquiries! And in our area it's very much a closed shop - showing shows or agility.
Posted by: Beryl | 02 September 2014 at 01:27 PM
Ah he's a lovely boy and yes he is very lucky. He sounds like a real character with his socks and bottles. I have a soft spot for white galgos - he's beautiful!
Posted by: Kathryn | 08 September 2014 at 04:44 PM