Debbie

Debbie has been adopted!

2010-04-29T15:50:00.002-05:00

Sweet Debbie went to her new home this past weekend. She has a red greyhound brother to play with. Good luck sweetie pie!

Debbie is Available for Adoption

2010-03-24T12:06:00.003-05:00

Debbie is back with NLGA and looking for a forever loving home. She is a huge sweetheart and needs a home where she is not alone too much. I would foster her again, but I have Wizard now.

Good luck cutie pie! *fingers and paws crossed*

Happy Gotcha Day!

2010-02-18T20:43:00.004-06:00

Yay!!! Debbie went to her forever home tonight! I already miss her a ton. Her new Mommy is wonderful and I know Debbie will make her very happy. It took a long time, but She finally got her couch. Congrats sweet Debbie, you'll always be in my heart. <3

V-Day Stuffie

2010-02-15T16:58:00.005-06:00

Hello Fanz,
Debbie here to show you pics of my V-Day stuffie.
I loves it!

Taking a short break, see how my stuffie still looks the same after 10 mins of play?

Lucy's stuffie after just 3 mins

This is why you don't give a weim a stuffie (actual time of destruction was 7 mins), oh the horror!

I hope you all had a good V-Day. Just a heads up: there will be a big announcement later this week, otay, Bha-bye!

5 Months

2010-02-07T10:42:00.010-06:00

Sweet Debbie has been with us for over 5 months. She is such an amazing greyhound; as I'm typing she is next to me, rolling into me, roaching and looking up for some lovin'. She is happy and spoiled here so until she finds her perfect forever home, we're delighted to foster her. Just today Debbie did something for the very first time. I was coming back in from poop duty and Debbie was waiting for me. I greeted her in my high sweet voice and she SMILED twice! I think she loves me :)

Things have gotten busy around here that is the reason for the lack of posts. We are watching our 5 year old niece, Hailee, three days a week. Debbie is so happy to have another pair of hands to pet and love on her. Hailee is amazing with dogs and is so gentle with Debbie. She tells me Debbie's her favorite (sorry weims). Hailee is a budding chef/baker and loves to make dog treats with me. We recently made Cheesy Blossoms (they remind me of peanut blossoms so I renamed them). They were a huge hit with the cheese fiend.

Debbie recently got a small boo-boo when her leg slipped off the front stoop coming inside. After a few days she still wouldn't leave it alone and instead of making her wear the hoomuliation pants again, I decided to try some liquid bandage and it seems to deter her from licking to allow it to heal.

Debbie swaddled in green blankets:

Greyhound Safety

2010-01-26T12:28:00.008-06:00

Before I started fostering with NLGA, the idea of a loose/lost pet was never on my mind because both my weimaraners are trained to stay near or have good recall. But greyhounds are never to be trusted off leash. So with the addition of a greyhound foster, I have stepped up security.

I've always made sure the gate is closed. The type we have can only be opened from the inside. This has made me feel safe since most people are not tall enough or can't figure out how to open it. A few weeks ago a city worker came by to install a new water meter without any prior notice. I had let the dogs out from the basement and then heard the doorbell ring. At the same time, Debbie ran around the house to the front door(part of her zooming routine). I totally freaked out and raced to the top worried that the gate was left open by the city worker. Thankfully he had latched the gate closed, but this gave me a wake up call. I have now put in not one, but two carabiners into the gate latch to keep it closed for good:

With all the foster greyhounds I use an additional attachment connected to the collar and leash just in case the snap ever fails on a walk:
I also make it a habit to check that the martingale collars are on tight enough and have no tears.

A greyhound should have ID on at all times in case they ever get loose. I've ordered a collar ID for the fosters through Dave Engraves because I don't like jingling tags, and martingales are only used for walks due to the risk of choking. I've put NLGA's number and my cell on there. I also ordered the same ones for the weims.

I hope this reminds you to check and double check everything because it only takes one mistake and your beloved pet or foster is lost, hurt or worse.

Potty Dance

2010-01-19T18:06:00.006-06:00

One of the best qualities of adopting an adult greyhound: greyt potty habits. All of my past fosters have been very easy. Debbie is no exception. She goes out every 4-6 hours during the day and holds it for 9 hours overnight. We usually exit out the walkout basement doors and Debbie always does a little potty dance where she'll head straight for the door then turn around and walk towards me, then back to the door again. Sometimes she'll disappear downstairs and when I go looking for her, she'll be waiting by the door asking to be let out. Debbie is one smart cookie! <3

18 Weeks

2010-01-12T12:06:00.010-06:00

Hello Fanz, Debbie back again. Foster mommy wanted me to tell you sorry for no posts lately. I'ves been in foster home for 18 weeks and a few days. Mom tells me time flies having me in da house because I yam so much fun.

I'm happy it is warming up again so we can go on our 30 min walks on the trails in the neighborhood. Foster mom is a baby and won't go if it is under 15 degrees. But I run hot and walking in the cold doesn't bother me.This is prolly because I raced in Rhode Island for many years instead of the warm south. In fact, mom stop making me use the annoying snood because I was getting too warm with it on. I love reading pee mail and leaving lots of them too. I only walk with Lucy because foster mom can't handle three big dogs( the weims like to pull her, not me I yam perfect). After we girlz are done she walks Leroy alone and I don't like that so I whine a bit and yam happy when they get back.

I loves to sunbathe. When the sun hit the couch and walls I stand by it and wonder how to get it on me. Foster mom laughs at me when I do this because I have not figured out how to climb up on the couch like the weims (and she doesn't show me hows because NLGA want hounds to stay off furniture). So I lay on the dog bed and wait for it to hit the floor. Then I get first dibs where I want to lay because I yam da queen.

Well I yam off for a fun walk, so bha-bye.

Foster mom: How can that be comfortable?
Me: Eye use toy as a nice pillow, see I'm smart.
Mom: Uh, you're gonna get a kink in that beautiful neck.
Me: I am part giraffe so no worries.

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T11:44:00.014-06:00

Wordless Wednesday: Snowy Backyard

2009-12-30T09:25:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T13:08:00.008-06:00

Hello Fanz,
Debbie here to wish yew all a Merry Christmas!
I've been a berry good girl and Santa Paws come while eye was sleeping and left a prezzie for me. I love it, thank you Santa Paws!

At first I didn't know the prezzie was for me cuz i don't know how to read the sticker

Foster Mom helped me open it

Yay! A squeaky for me!

I loves it <3

Debbie Loves Lucy

2009-12-22T15:56:00.006-06:00

Debbie adores Lucy, she is always showering her with bitey affection. Here she is nitting in the beginning and then getting crazy:

More Debbie silliness trying to get Lucy to play:

Wordless Wednesday: Scarfs, Antlers and Socks

2009-12-16T10:28:00.008-06:00

Chattering

2009-12-14T11:22:00.005-06:00

Debbie's teeth chatters when she gets excited for walks, getting up first thing in the morning and especially when I have yummy treats. We were doing a Christmas photo shoot (I'll share the pics on Wednesday) and here is a vid of her chattering for a peanut butter treat. She's such a cutie pie <3 Turn up the volume :)

Holiday Boutique

2009-12-12T15:45:00.011-06:00

Hello fanz, Debbie here again to tell you about the Northern Lights Greyhound Holiday Boutique I went to today. There were so many hounds and humans and so much stuff! There waz tons of collars, winter gear, toys, hats, treats, calendars, books, cards and so much more for you to come and buy for your hounds and loved ones.
If you were not cool enuf to attend the first day, no fear, they have another one on Dec. 19th, so bring your hounds and shop! They even have hot cider and cookies to snack on.
Everybodyz there was swooning over me because I am so pretty in my purple "adopt me" vest. I showed off my sit and down skillz for some fanz and tried to steal some screaming monkeys. It was hard work so I am going to take a siesta. Hope you enjoy all the pics my foster mom took! Bha-bye!

Wordless Wednesday: Brrrrrrrr!

2009-12-09T15:17:00.002-06:00

Pillows

2009-12-08T16:48:00.007-06:00

Not to mention any names(cough-Lucy,cough-Leroy), but with aggressive chewers in the house, most toys are destroyed within a few mins. We don't have baskets and baskets of toys but we do have a selection of tennis balls, racket balls, kongs, ropes, cuz, and a few tattered stuffies.
Which toy does Debbie go nuts over?
Pillows.
Not just any, there are two specific ones that she claimed for herself. There is a small square memory foam, and a neck memory foam. She especially loves grabbing one(or both) right when we wake up. Debbie is very polite and always waits until we get out of bed before starting her crazy play session. <3

FYI, Debbie is really good at sleeping through the whole night without a peep until we wake up at 7:30. I like her to be comfortable and stretch out so she is not crated, unless I leave during the day.

Chewy Peanut Butter Pumpkin Squares

2009-12-05T15:58:00.007-06:00

Debbie is doing greyt. We still go on a short daily walk even in the crazy cold. She takes it all in stride and seems to stay warm and toasty in her coat and snood. Her leg owie has healed. She was forced to wear the terrible pants for only 2 1/2 days.

I'm starting to bake dog treats again (must be the cold holiday season). Today I made chewy peanut butter pumpkin squares.
Ingredients:
1 egg
1/2 cup of peanut butter
1/2 cup of canned plain pumpkin
1 cup whole wheat flour
dash of cinnamon

Mix everything together and bake at 350 for 20-30 mins depending on pan. If you want to make it crispier double the flour and bake 5-10 mins longer. Keep them refrigerated since there's no preservatives.

All the dogs enjoyed them, here is Debbie sitting pretty for more:

Hoomuliation Pants

2009-12-01T10:54:00.006-06:00

Hello adoring fans, Debbie here again to tell you about some abuse at the hands of my Foster Mom.

I got an owie from scraping the inside of my leg on a ramp. I've haz it for a week now and it is a small owie, but I like to lick it all the time so it won't heal. Foster Mom tell me to stop but I don't listen so She forced me to wear hoomuliation pants! I yam supposed to wear them all da time except for potty breaks or on walkies, hmmmmmph.

I yam very unhappy. This is knot how a queen is supposed to dress. The good thing is when we go to sleep at night I roll around and can get free of them, ha! I am pleading with all my fans to please stop this horrible abuse!

Here is da evidence:

Green Homemade Toys

2009-11-28T16:13:00.006-06:00

I made the dogs homemade toys today. This is a good way to reuse plastic water bottles. You could by a "Bottle Buddy": But they usually sell for around $7. Once they're done you could insert another bottle, or recycle it.

Materials: Leftover fleece and water bottles:

Sew a sleeve and insert bottle:

Tie off the ends and you've got a greyt toy:

Debbie gave it 4 paws up!

She loved the crinkly sound it makes

These are best for light to medium chewers, and for less than 25 cents per toy, you won't feel bad if they "kill" it...Lucy obliterated 2 within a few mins...crazy weim.

Gobble Gobble!

2009-11-26T10:36:00.002-06:00

Sweet & Mischievous

2009-11-18T19:57:00.005-06:00

I just had my 3rd daily spoon/cuddle session with Debbie. I know I sound like a broken record, but Debbie is soooo sweet. I love cuddling with her. She'll come up and plop down right on my lap, or if I'm laying down, right next to me. I'll rub her all over and if I stop she'll gently paw for more...*swoon* She's so tolerant of my affections, she'll even let me blow raspberries on her bare tummy!

FYI, Debbie LOVES cheese. I was reheating some leftover spaghetti pomodoro and left a block of parmesan cheese as far back as possible on the counter because Lucy's a surfer. I leave the kitchen for 1 minute and came back to Debbie chowing down on the cheese as fast as possible on the dog bed in the living room. I race over and pick up the large chunks falling out of her mouth, pry her jaws open and took out the huge block. Luckily, she got very little. No fresh grated parm for me tonight. Silly girl, all I could do was laugh and kiss her adorable face. I can't resist her beauty and charm, could you?

Sunbathing

2009-11-17T11:53:00.007-06:00

Debbie is doing greyt. She recently had her thyroid checked because she has dark skin pigment and is losing some thigh fur. Both results came back normal, so I guess she just likes to be a tan baldie.
She's grown very fond of Lucy (it seems like all the fosters know who the cool kid is...lol, sorry Leroy). She constantly likes to start play fights with her and I've caught her nitting Lucy.
Debbie has been enjoying the nice weather and of course being served nose and paw.

If you have not been to the Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption page lately, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the many beautiful greyhounds available. Check them out and bring home an amazing 45 MPH couch potato... Debbie tells me she is the best one ;)

Sunbathing pics from today:

Wordless Wednesday: Nose

2009-11-11T10:46:00.003-06:00

Foster Bro's B-day

2009-11-07T11:21:00.005-06:00

Hello everybody, Debbie here to tell you about my Saturday.
It is my foster bro, Leroy's B-day. He is an old fart and turned 8. We didn't care for the party hats and just wanted the cake. Foster mom kept on using the flashy box when all three of us were telling her to get to the yummy stuff! I'm sure he got prezzies, i don't care what they are, i'll probably steal 'em later since i am da queen around here...
We all finally did get some yummy cake...*drools* I go see if there is any more left over, bha-bye!

Here is da birthday boy

I'm not interested, give me cake!

Da "goose"

Yummers!

Wordless Wednesday: PB Jar

2009-11-04T15:06:00.003-06:00

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T11:26:00.000-05:00

Hello adoring fanz, Debbie here again to wish you Happy Halloween! Foster Mum thought it would be cute for me dress up as a Hula Hound. Don't I look smashing?!? Me wonderz if i get candy tonite......

Girl & Frog

2009-10-27T21:26:00.000-05:00

Debbie enjoying her birthday frog:

Showing off her catching skillz:

Happy Birthday Debbie <3

2009-10-24T11:57:00.000-05:00

Debbie turns 6 today!!! To prepare for the celebration Debbie got dolled up with some pearls:

I made her a delicious turkey cake with cottage cheese/baby food icing:

Queen Debbie digging into her yummy cake:

Prezzies! She got some Aunt Jeni's Homemade Chicken Feet, Himalayan Dog Chews, Kong Squeaker Tennis Balls, and Kong Frog. Debbie checking out the loot:

She approves of the toys:

Nomm Nomming on chicken feet:

After all the excitement and a full tummy, bring on the birthday roach:

Crowd Pleaser

2009-10-19T17:58:00.000-05:00

I took the dogs out for our daily romp at the school field at 1 p.m. today. I accidentally lost the car/house keys. *Doh* We looked around a little, but had to leave and I figured we'll come back later to look. We came back at 4:30 p.m. to find the girl's middle school soccer game in progress. We walked around the field area and asked some of the girls on the sideline if they saw any keys. No keys were found, but they did ohhh and ahhh over Debbie. She is a wonderful ambassador for greyhounds; working the crowd, letting them pet her for over 20 mins, taking cell phone pics, and leaned on one girl the whole time while I answered their many questions.
Debbie is such a super star!

Sit and Down

2009-10-17T18:27:00.000-05:00

Things are the same in Debbie Land. She still rules the house with an iron paw and insists we love/kiss/snuggle together and dispense delectable treats/chews throughout the day.
Debbie is a very smart girl. She's food motivated and understood sit and down in a matter of minutes. She asked me to shoot a video for you all to see. Enjoy!

Eek!

2009-10-10T17:02:00.000-05:00

It's October 10th and there's snow? Are you serious!?! This past summer has been unseasonably cool, and now we're getting the earliest snow fall in recorded history.
Poor Debbie, she didn't know what happened...We go out for first turn out and there is half an inch of snow.
She was wearing her sweatshirt and Leroy (my Weim) decided he had to mark on her right as she was peeing/marking; and she ended up getting sprayed on her shirt and right thigh.
She wanted back in.
Debbie: come on mom, lets go in, my toes are chilly!

After a washcloth bath, clean jammies and breakfast, we went back out and by then the snow lost its novelty so she was willing to walk around and take her time...nothing really fazes Debbie.

Wordless Wednesday: Debbie's First Frozen Kong

2009-10-07T20:27:00.000-05:00

Rain

2009-10-06T16:48:00.000-05:00

It has been raining almost everyday for the past week. *sigh* For those of you familiar with the greyhound breed, you know that many of them loathe rain. Luckily, Debbie never thinks she will melt in the rain and continues to go potty and even does some zooms. What an easy going gal.
I still take the dogs for a walk if it is drizzling, but it has been mostly pouring, so we've been stuck inside.
Debbie: hey lady, lets do somethang...how about you feed me?
Me: You just had dinner and many treats today.
Debbie: Wat about a walkie?
Me: It's raining and yucky.
Debbie: wimp.
Me: How about I give you a tummy rub?
Debbie: sounds greyt, get to it mom!

A few minutes later roaching and ZZZZZZZZZ...

Fall

2009-10-01T15:43:00.000-05:00

Fall brings beautiful color, honey crisp apples, rain, and of course cooler temperatures. With the chill I knew the fosters are going to need a coat for our daily walks. I'm a complete novice at sewing, so I searched far and wide for a pattern online; but couldn't find one for a greyhound's body and ended up attempting to do everything on my own. The coat is double layered heavy sweatshirt fleece with a snood; and the best part is that all the supplies only came to $10! Debbie was a great sport as my model and I think she approves.

I ordered a pajama from Skinny Dogs

She preferred to use it as a chew toy instead

3 Weeks

2009-09-24T16:10:00.000-05:00

Hello All,
Debbie here, Foster mom asked me to do another blog post because everybody loves my last one ~~geez, i gotta do everything around here~~.

I've been a berry good girl. I choose which dog bed to sleep in, sometimes I tell my foster bro and sis to back off, cuz it is MY space. Foster Mom thinks she is in control, but I noes I'm the boss here. I've got her wrapped around my little paws. Like if i want a treat I come up to mom with my "pretty please" eyes and snuggle into her and SIT; she immediately goes to the pantry and gives me a crunchy snack(peanut butter kookie or duck breast please). I also tell her to walk me at the school field every night because the grass is nice and soft on my paws. I get all the good chews and toys here. Mom laughs every time I do zoomies around the back yard; so i always show off my skillz daily to hear her chuckle. She sometimes goes away for a few hours and I stay in the kennel patiently waiting until she comes home to ~~serve~~ love me again.

I've got greyt potty habits, I hold it all night long no problem. I rarely ever bark, only to tell the weims to do something. These Weims are such ~~pushovers~~ good listeners, whatever I tell them to do, they do! *laughs maniacally*
Those stairs are super easy and I goes up and down all the time by myself; but I dunno why there are no more treats on the stairs???

So if you want a ~~bossy~~, super sweet, smart, confident, beautiful,and happy Diva; then come get me! Meanwhile I'll be enjoying my ~~reign~~ time over here.

p.s. mom wanted me to tell you all that I would be good as a single greyhound or a chipped greyhound household.

p.p.s. i loves cheese!!!

Nitting my little blue bear

Enjoying a yummy cow trachea

Please stop that flashy thing so i can enjoy my cow trachea in peace

Lots of blankies/pillows on closet floor--makes a greyt kennel!

2 Weeks

2009-09-17T11:34:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it has been 2 weeks since we've had Debbie in the house. Time really flies with this sweet girl. She's figured everything out, even the dreaded stairs. She goes up without hesitation; going down still requires treat bribing and patience before she goes.

Debbie does well on lead, the only issue are her corns, which makes it uncomfortable for her to walk on hard surfaces like cement or roads. She shows no sign of discomfort when walking on carpet or grass. Learn more about corns here.

She is the biggest cuddle bug! Throughout the day she approaches me and likes to plop her head in my lap for pets or to cuddle/spoon <3 I tell my DH all the time that whoever adopts her will be so lucky! We're thankful and blessed to be fostering Debbie.

Who can resist this adorable face?

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-16T16:42:00.000-05:00

NLGA Picnic

2009-09-12T19:37:00.000-05:00

Hello All,
Debbie here to tell you about my fun filled day! Foster Mom and I went to the NLGA Picnic. It was packed with greyhounds of all sizes and colors; I was the bestest looking hound there :) Enjoy my pics!

There was lots of shopping to do

I was loved on by so many people! Here is a little 3 year old hugging me.

It was a hot day so I cooled off in the pool

Gilley Girls performed for us!

Foster mom bought me a Frosty Paws, yummy!

This is pretty Zinnia, she's available for adoption.

This is handsome Half-Time, he's up for adoption too.

It was a hot and fun afternoon...Me back a home...zzzzzz

Love Bug

2009-09-11T09:36:00.000-05:00

Debbie is the biggest lover! She loves to be near you, getting pets/rubs, and will come running when you call her name. Yesterday I was laying on the ground (I hang out on the floor w/ the fosters often since NLGA ask that we keep fosters off of the couch/bed in case their future family wants it that way) and she comes over, lays down next to me, puts her head on my shoulder, and I wrap my arms around her...she stayed as long as I wanted to spoon with her. *swoon* She'll also look at you with her soulful eyes and give her paw if you stop petting her.

Debbie is a very intelligent girl. It took her only a few short minutes to understand "sit" and "down" with a treat lure! Sometimes when I'm training Debbie her teeth chatters for the treat, it is so cute and funny! On the other hand, she still refuses to practice the stairs. I don't like to push her, so we'll make daily attempts but go at her pace.

Some pics from the past few days:

Resting after playing w/ her ball

I kiss you!

Debbie: what u want mom?
Me: Uh, those are MY new sweatpants. You've been caught red handed!
Debbie: I thought you got 'em as a prezzie for me, nomm nomm nooomm...
Me: It's a good thing you're so cute, otherwise I'd press charges.

What she does best

Roacher

2009-09-07T20:53:00.000-05:00

Debbie is settling in nicely. This girl is a huge love bug; she loves attention/pets from DH and I. She likes to keep an eye on me and follows me around the house (just in case I wanna love on her or hand out a cookie). She's a confident girl and doesn't get startled by vacuums, loud noises, or the baby gates falling(in fact, she usually is the one pushing them over, lol!). I'm having a difficult time teaching her to use the stairs, she just shuts down when we get to the steps, be it going up or down. We live in a one level house with stairs to a walk-out basement, so there is no NEED to use them, but it is important she learns for her future home. Hopefully she'll take to them soon.
She is no longer obsessed with her reflection in the mirror but still tries to look behind the TV to see where the sounds/reflection is coming from. She is still adjusting to my Weims; she sometimes likes to control them, but is quickly learning to live with her foster siblings.

So far Debbie is good with: teeth brushing, sharing her personal space with me, sleeping through the whole night in her kennel without a peep, playing with toys, stealing/hoarding pillows and blankets, zooming around the yard, eating, responding to her name, and best of all, roaching!

Cute roach pics:

Greyt Informative Videos

2009-09-05T17:49:00.000-05:00

Here is a wonderful collection of videos from PalmBeachPost.com about greyhounds and the adoption process. Greyhounds are sweet, sensitive, easy going dogs that quickly adapt to home life. If you would like to open your heart and home to Debbie or another greyhound in the Twin Cities area; contact NLGA for more information or to view their adoptable pets.

Welcome Debbie!!

2009-09-03T20:13:00.000-05:00

Our newest foster is Debbie. Her racing name was ICU Lil Debbie. Not too much to report yet since it is the first day, but she is definitely a huge lover and even started playing with toys right away! She's obsessed with her reflection in the mirror (how vain) and is having a hard time with the stairs, but we'll work on that. We're glad you're here sweet Debbie!