Xamine, Poppy and Static

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

The girls and I went back to the greyhound rescue place today.

While Maddie folded dog laundry and scrubbed up poo and pee (she's doing community service for high school) Emma and I got to spend three hours with Xamine, Poppy and Static in the cuddle room.

Because some greyhounds don't know how to climb the stairs, they built a room in the facility that is up a small flight of stairs. The dogs have had to learn to go up the stairs to get into the cuddle room. Inside the small room is a bunch of pet beds and cushions. The dogs know that if they are let go in this room, they get to stretch out and be loved by volunteers.

The volunteer coordinator let out some of the dogs, but they were overly excited about Emma's presence and they had to be put back into their kennels. (Emma's presence at the facility is helping to determine which dogs are good matches for families with children.)

Eventually four dogs, Xamine, Poppy, Static and Petros were deemed calm enough to play with us, but Petros couldn't be coaxed up the stairs, so he was put back into his kennel as well.

Xamine was like a giant cat. He sniffed me a little bit then stretched out next to me for petting. Poppy fell in love with Emma and cuddled up next to her. Static kept moving between us for hugs, but every time a door or gage opened, he had get up and what was going on.

When the animals were taken to the potty, we got to hang out with Bid, Whoopsie and another dog, Adorable, who was getting ready to go to her forever home. Maddie was in the next holding area with Bay and Rosie, who has long soft fur.

When it was time to see Xamine, Poppy and Static again, we were greeted with licks and cuddles and they almost immediately stretched out for cuddling.

It's obvious to me that the people that work at the facility love the dogs. They are happy when the dogs go to forever homes, but have mixed-emotions when their favorites are adopted, because they become very attached. When I asked about the dogs that we were with, they knew their histories and quirks.

From what I understand, the dogs are usually at the facility for about two years. For part of the time they are blood donors, but the staff takes a lot of time getting them ready to live in homes. They potty-train the dogs and teach them how to walk on a leash and climb stairs. They also learn about their personality and temperment, so they can make the best possible match for their forever homes.

Emma and I got to see (but not play with) eight dogs who had just been brought in from Oklahoma. They were definitely louder and wilder than the dogs we had been playing with. We remembered two of the dogs' names, Barbaro, who was named after the horse and Sirius. Maddie also met Frappacino, who apparently is very, very hyper.

When it was time to go home, Static and Poppy were very good dogs and went back into their cages. On the other hand, Xamine wanted to stay with me and refused to go back into his cage. He had the biggest velvety brown eyes and the softest fur. When I looked at his big eyes, I didn't want to leave him, but I had to. I ended up having to go behind him and push him into his cage. I was told that that's the way he is, he's the sweetest dog, but he wants to hang out with the humans and be cuddled and he can be stubborn about returning ot his cage.

They kept telling me that Xamine was both cat and rabbit safe, but we aren't ready to adopt a dog.

Anyway, they asked us if we wanted to join the Spoilers Club. The Club is for people who commit to coming twice a week and they get to play with the same dog all month, then they get a new dog the next month. I wanted to do it, but Emma is afraid that she will get too attached if she sees the same dog every time. So when we show up, we are just going to cuddle with whatever dogs need it.

[Ritterskoop]

Anyway, they asked us if we wanted to join the Spoilers Club. The Club is for people who commit to coming twice a week and they get to play with the same dog all month, then they get a new dog the next month. I wanted to do it, but Emma is afraid that she will get too attached if she sees the same dog every time. So when we show up, we are just going to cuddle with whatever dogs need it.

Smart. Lots of the staff and volunteers I met at the Humane Society all end up being foster parents for kittens or sick animals. One day Emma may be ready but it takes some paradigm-shifting, and shouldn't be forced.

[AnnieCamaro]

This post almost made me sniffle. Some of those Oklahoma dogs might be my cousins or nieces and nephews. I'm so glad that you give all the dogs snuggles. Greyhounds need a lot of snuggles!

Some day, I hope you will be ready to take one of them home. Greyhounds need....snuggles at night, too.

What greyhounds have is lots of love, and we share.

/:P\

[Evil Squirrel]

What greyhounds have is lots of love, and we share.

/:P\

What evil squirrels have is a lot of acorns and pine cones. And we're always willing to share too....

[AnnieCamaro]

What evil squirrels have is a lot of acorns and pine cones. And we're always willing to share too....

Yes, I know.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

To be honest, I am concerned about FooFoo. It would break Emma's heart if an "accident" happened because a dog and I am not willing to take that risk.

Emma has wanted a greyhound for quite a while. She's never had a dog and she is slowly realizing that there is a lot more involved in sharing a house with a dog, than a cat or rabbit. I like that she is able to "help" many dogs while she is learning about the breed.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

This post almost made me sniffle. Some of those Oklahoma dogs might be my cousins or nieces and nephews. I'm so glad that you give all the dogs snuggles. Greyhounds need a lot of snuggles!

Some day, I hope you will be ready to take one of them home. Greyhounds need....snuggles at night, too.

/:P\

One of the reasons why we volunteer during the week is because many more people volunteer on the weekend. The dogs end up getting to snuggle with a lot of people on the weekend, but very few people come in during the week because they have to work.

[ulysses5019]

What greyhounds have is lots of love, and we share.

/:P\

What evil squirrels have is a lot of acorns and pine cones. And we're always willing to share too....

Do you have any numbnuts?

[kayrharris]

What greyhounds have is lots of love, and we share.

/:P\

What evil squirrels have is a lot of acorns and pine cones. And we're always willing to share too....

Do you have any numbnuts?

You are such a trouble maker!

[SportsFan68]

. . .
Anyway, they asked us if we wanted to join the Spoilers Club. The Club is for people who commit to coming twice a week and they get to play with the same dog all month, then they get a new dog the next month. I wanted to do it, but Emma is afraid that she will get too attached if she sees the same dog every time
. . .

That would happen to me.

[ne1410s]

This is so sweet. Bless you for doing this.