Auld Lang Syne

Stay Warm, Friends, Stay Warm

Hello NLGA Dog Blog Readers,

We would type more but it is just down right chilly!  Brain freeze, maybe?!  Instead, enjoy a few pictures of how to stay warm from yesterday.

Kappa staying warm by sleeping in the warm sun shine

Leg Protector Pattern

Hello NLGA Dog Blog Readers!

Well, it looks like the cold weather is upon us.  So much for the nice 'spring' thaw we had yesterday ... back to winter we go!

After a thaw and a quick plunge back into frigid weather, what do we get?  That's right.  A hard layer of crust on top of the snow.  A sharp layer of crust.  One that may likely scratch up sensitive greyhound skin when their legs break through that layer finding that perfect spot.  Which will then bring mysterious drops of blood to the inside of your house.

Get Your Walk On

Hello NLGA Dog Blog Readers!

We have a suggestion.  A recommendation.  An idea you should give some serious consideration.  Ready for this ...

Meet Liberty

Meet one of NLGA's newest greyhounds looking for a forever home ... meet Liberty!

Happy Boxing Day

To all of our Canadian friends (and everyone who celebrates) ... Happy Boxing Day!

Merry Christmas

From the NLGA Dog Blog to YOU!   

Wishing you, your friends, and your families a very Merry Christmas! 

'Twas the Night

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse greyhound on the couch!

Busy Time of Year

It's a busy time of year!

We hope everyone is taking a little break now and then to enjoy it too!

Holiday Baking

Only a few days left...

Do you have all of your holiday baking done?

Yum!  Be sure to share with family and friends!

Homes for the Holidays

Hello NLGA Dog Blog Readers!

Not sure if you have noticed, but we have gotten in several new greyhounds in the past few weeks.  All of these wonderful retired racers are looking for their very own homes for the holiday!

Magic the Reindeer

He's Here

Hello NLGA Dog Blog Readers!

Do you remember back, WAY back, to early January when we kick off 'Follow a Hound to Retirement' with six racing greyhounds?  That's right, it's been almost a year!  Crazy.

Lookin' Comfy

We got a new email in the dog blog inbox!

"Copy says she loves her new bed and she might even let her brother use it once in awhile. What a great memory foam bed! Thank you for the greyt raffle prize basket."

Copy's Mom was one of the two luck winners of the NLGA Holiday Boutique Raffles!  Congrats to both winners!  We hope your hounds enjoy the super comfy beds and you enjoy the other basket goodies!  And a greyt big thank you to everyone who bought raffle tickets too!

A Free Ride

Look closely below ... can you spot the "hund"?

Santa's Saturdays in Review

Santa's elves have finished working their magic ... take a look!

This digital slideshow generated with Smilebox

It's A Wrap

A big thank you to everyone who braved the cold weather over the past two Saturdays to come to the Holiday Boutique!  Hopefully you found greyt things for your greyhounds and for yourself.  It was nice to see everyone too!

Czech Dogs

Czech Republic's best loved member of society is the dog.  Dogs are welcome in pubs, restaurants, smaller shops, movie theaters, on public transportation, and in some work places.

And when it comes to their business...

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Stop by to see Santa today and get some greyt pictures of your own!

Last Chance! Get Your Greyhound Gear!

Tomorrow is the last day for the 2013 NLGA Holiday Boutique!

Greyhound Siblings - Kiki and Kappa

Today is the third story of 'Sister Tails' with another pair of littermates, Kiki and Kappa!

Greyhound Siblings - Annie and Bay

Today our trilogy of 'Sister Tails' brings us to litter mates Annie and Bay!

Black Beauties -- Kiki and Annie

Kiki and Annie are foster sisters and black beauty soul sista's.

Santa Is Coming to Town!

You better not bark,

You better not bite,

Cause he knows if you have

Been naughty or nice!

Foster Boy Cash

Coyote Cash is a compact 68 pound beautiful red boy. 

Get Your Greyhound Gear

Tomorrow is the day to get your greyhound gear!  It's the NLGA Holiday Boutique!

Come to the little house across the street from Foley Boulevard Animal Hospital from 10am to 3pm!

Winter Jackets

Tis the season for bundling up the hounds.

Just like we appreciate wearing an extra layer, or two, so will your hounds appreciate an added layer. This is about the time of the year to start putting a layer of polar fleece on your hounds inside the house, and to start wearing jackets outside.

If your hound needs a jacket or boots or some other item to stay warm. . . . . .Your hound is so in luck! The boutique is this Saturday, and next Saturday, that is the 7^th and 14^th from 10:00AM til 3:00PM .  If you are unable to attend, you can order these items from the online store.

Conner is modeling an outside winter coat--in the comfort of his nice warm house.

Appreciating Boots

Winter boots

 

There are several good reasons to put foot protection on your hounds in cold weather, among them are cold temperatures, snow in its many forms, and road chemicals.  Any or all of the above can cause pain and discomfort to your hound.  So getting your hound to wear boots is not an option if you live in Minnesota. 

 

Most of the sources I have read suggested teaching your hound to tolerate wearing socks around the house.  That just did not make sense to me, and who thinks of starting to do that until the weather gets cold – like now. 

 

So now that it is too late to teach your dog to tolerate wearing socks in the house, how do you teach your hounds that boots are a good thing?  There might be other ways, but here is what has worked for me: 

 

I carry a boot or four in my pocket.  When my hound begins hopping on three feet, I put a boot on the foot that is being held up, and we walk on.  The foot with the boot should immediately be warmer, and stepping on that foot no longer painful.  I continue walking in the same direction a short distance until the hound is walking normally again.  Then you can put one or more boots on the dog and continue walking. 

 

There are two reasons I continue walking in the same direction:  First, so that the dog does not learn that hopping on three feet will make you terminate the walk, and secondly, the dog learns that the previously cold foot, is now warmer and the only change was adding a boot.  By walking a bit farther you have the opportunity to put all four boots on your hound and more time for your hound to recognize that boots are a good thing. 

 

It may take several walks and waiting until the hopping happens before your hound remembers that boots are a good thing, but by the end of the winter you will be able to put boots on your hound in the comfort of your house.  You will probably have to repeat this every year when the temps drop, or the road chemicals are applied, but preventing sore chapped feet in the winter is worth the effort. 

 

I have tried several brands of boots on my hounds, the ones my hounds prefer are the boots made by Voyager.  They are long enough that the boot, which looks like a sock, covers a good portion of their leg and keeps snow out of the boot, the velcro straps are positioned so that the boot stays on without binding or cutting sensitive skin, and they are machine washable. 

 

NLGA will have boots at the Boutique on December 7^th, and 14^th from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM.  We will also have other winter wear necessities, coats, hats, snoods, and jammies.  Shop early and get your hound set up for cold weather.  Your hound will thank you by continuing to enjoy winter walks.  Hope to see you and your hounds at the boutique. 

 

Don’t forget Santa will be there too, maybe your hound has other items on their wish list – like a new brother or sister. . . . . .

Santa is Coming to Town

You better not bark,

Cyber Monday

It's cyber Monday...

Happy 1st Gotcha Day Euro!

Euro had his very first gotcha-day a couple of days ago.  Since Euro's foster feature and forever home announcement were two of the very first Dog Blog posts, it only seems appropriate to have another post for his first gotcha-day!

Euro and Goblin recently