Sure is quiet out there

I've been remiss in my duties where this blog is concerned. Really, not a lot has been going on. We're just hanging out, waiting on Binder's forever family to show up.

We went to the SEGC Luau on Saturday and had a good time. Binder was a sweetheart and a mooch with everyone and every dog he met. We'd been to Taste of Douglasville earlier, so I had almost no appetite for the Hawaiian-style meal that was served. I got a little salad, and a chicken breast. The salad was great. But I got the chicken as a treat for the dogs and they loved every bit of it.

When it comes to traveling we are ill-equipped for two dogs and here we were taking three. We just didn't want anyone to miss out. Brian took Grayson in his car, and I took the two Brindles in mine. Binder is such a great car rider, despite the fact that he had to put up with Sara in the hatchback of my Integra, anxiously standing the entire way down and back, stepping on Binder here and there throughout the ride. Binder just hopped in, laid down and chilled out. Now that's my kind of dog.

What's Wrong with This Picture?

Not a darn thing!

Yes, folks, believe it or not this is our favorite chow-loving Greyhound, Binder, waiting ever-so-patiently to be called for dinner. He's got the drill down now: lay down outside the kitchen and stay while I prepare everyone's food. Stay, even if I put it on the floor so close you can smell it and you are soooooo hungry. Don't move until I say "Good stay. Okay!" And then go to your dish, not anyone else's.

What a good boy.

I began insisting on this routine at feeding times because a certain sassy Greyhound repeatedly made a pest of herself while I was trying to get her food. Seems like a lot of my rules start that way. But Binder loves food so much he'd be just like Sara was if I let him. Maybe it's a brindle thing.

Crazy Rabbit

I'd just motioned for the hounds to walk out onto the deck this morning when we all spotted Mr. Rabbit, his cottony little behind scampering around the far corner of the yard. On the sudden appearance of three Greyhounds, he panicked and began zig zagging to and fro across the yard in a desperate attempt to find his way out. Oh, no! Anyone who's watched Greyhounds at a lure coursing event knows how they react to anything zipping across a field - even plastic bags. I tried not to panic myself while I wondered how I was going to restrain some 200 lbs. of dogs from careening down the deck stairs in hot pursuit.

When I turn the dogs out, I always position myself in front them and walk down the steps first because of situations just like this. Twice before I started doing this a certain little brindle girl (who fancies herself a huntress) only bothered with the first couple of steps before taking flight toward the ground and the object of her obsession. In addition, the steps are steep and I don't want anyone crashing down them - better to hit me first. I may change my mind about that, however, if an 80-lb. male misses a step and plows into me. But I digress...

Binder, Grayson and Sara were on high alert, and during the couple of minutes it took Mr. Rabbit to find an escape route I grew increasingly doubtful of his chances. He was really testing the dogs' patience. Their ears were standing straight up and they panted as they watched him zip to and fro, here and there. I kept telling them, "No, we are not chasing bunnies today. No, sorry, uh-uh. No bunny for you three. Mr. Rabbit definitely does not want to play with you guys." Although Sara wasn't listening quite as well as Binder and Grayson (she tried to dodge around me), I was amazed that I did not have to physically restrain them. Good dogs.

Since this morning Binder keeps checking the windows that overlook the back yard, just in case Mr. Rabbit didn't learn his lesson the first time. Buddy, I don't think he's gonna come scampering into this yard again any time soon.

Binder's Kind of Visitor

Boyfriend Brian brought 12-year-old Brandon for a visit today. Binder's tail was doing the helicopter when he saw Brandon get out of the car.

Binder Boy Wants to Play

It's been a little crazy around here. Sara got hurt on Sunday (she'll be fine) but it's kind of thrown everything off. We're back to regular walks, at least with Binder and Grayson. But for a few days there no one was having any fun.

Went out to Petsmart for supplies on Tuesday and took Binder with me so he could at least have a little bit of an outing. He was such a charmer that he received one biscuit after another as we were waiting in the checkout line.

Too Good to Be True?

Binder's a good-looking dog and a very smart boy. He's playful, but not too rowdy. Affectionate, but not needy. He gets along great with every dog he's met, and is friendly and outgoing with humans, too. He walks well on a leash, hasn't had a single accident in the house and has never tried to get on the furniture.

If you've read all of the posts here to date you might get the impression Binder's a little too perfect, that maybe he's lacking in the idiosyncrasies that provide personality. Welllllllllll...almost.

For Binder, life is all about food. Where he might find it, when he might get it, why he didn't get more. He inhales his food in less than 30 seconds, then looks up at me with big, pleading brown eyes like surely I shorted him. He's learned not to go near the other dog's dishes while they're eating, but can't help looking longingly in their direction while they finish their kibble at a more reasonable pace. Even though I never leave food out on the counter I have evidence he's checked - just in case - on more than one occasion. When I'm loading dirty dishes into the dishwasher he sneaks into the kitchen if I have my back turned and slurps up whatever is clinging to the various utensils in the silverware basket (today it was the remnants of yogurt treats - yum!) until I shoo him away. When I open the pantry door he appears out of nowhere. When we walk through the garage he sniffs the spare bag of dog food longingly through the packaging. I could easily picture him as the "I Has a Sweet Potato" dog.

So no, Binder's not perfect, but he is a great dog and a very lovable boy, and I am really enjoying his company. Anyway, his obsession with food has a definite upside - it makes teaching him new things a breeze because so far there's nothing he won't try if a treat's involved.

Binder Learns Words

Have I mentioned how smart this boy is? He picked up "sit" and "down" within just a few days. He didn't seem to know what I was talking about initially, but he watched Sara and Grayson and he is really food motivated so, armed with a fistful of treats, it didn't take long.

We are still working on "stay" and Binder is getting better every day. He has a natural exuberance and wants to check everything out now - not later, that's boring! But he responds very well when I tell him "back" and make him wait. He just wants to see what's through that door or gate, or race to his food dish and chow down.

His excitement is contagious : )

He's Good with Kids, Too

I exchanged e-mails with one of Binder's former owners, who confirmed that he is kid-tested and pretty darn tolerant.

It's just me and the dogs most of the time, and I suspect they'd all like a little more excitement than I can provide, not to mention the constant attention kids tend to lavish on them.

Yesterday evening we went for a walk and stopped twice to chat with people in the neighborhood. All commented on how good looking, well behaved and friendly Binder was. Unfortunately, none are prospective adopters, but the dogs really enjoyed the extra attention.

Conquering the Dreaded Deck Stairs

I've got the worst, steepest set of stairs on my deck. It is on the list of things that need to be redone around here, but it's a big-ticket thing so it has to wait. I don't even like walking down them, but for a Greyhound they are a real challenge.

I was happy Binder picked up the inside and front porch steps so quickly and figured maybe next week we'd work on the deck stairs. Yesterday, however, he beat me to it. He followed Grayson, Sara and I outside and gingerly started down the stairs. After a couple of steps he reconsidered, went back up, then tried it again and paused. I walked up, slipped my hand under his collar and held it loosely, and he walked down behind me like a pro. I guess he didn't like having to be walked out and around the house, then being the last dog into the yard. 

Crates Are Okay

Since Wednesday, Binder has been crated during the day while I am away at work and has not had any trouble or complaints about it.

Whenever I crate and/or leave, everyone gets a treat - usually something that will keep them busy for a while - so crating and being left behind aren't negative experiences. Also, even though there are physical barriers between the dogs (they're in a relatively small space and we want to be safe while they're unsupervised), they are all together so no one is lonely.

As far as I know, Binder was an only dog during the year he spent with another family. I have not heard of any issues or anxiety related to his being an "only." But I think being able to take cues from another Greyhound makes any adjustment easier if there is the potential for trouble.

To be sure, Binder is glad to see me when I arrive home and is ready to get out of the crate. But it's good to know that he is comfortable in a crate - that way he'll be safe and sound in the event that his future adopter is in the all-too-common predicament of having to leave the house to earn a paycheck!

Thunderstorm Fundershmorm!

Well, Binder Boy isn't the least bit thunderphobic. Discovered this last night when I arrived home in the middle of a storm. Despite Sara's carrying on (until I could get her "Make-It-All-Better Shirt" on, anyway), Binder was not rattled.

Binder arrived at the kennel with a few toys, which he didn't touch for the first couple of days he was here. Some dogs just aren't big on toys. But Thursday night I heard all this crazy thumping in the living room and walked in to find Binder throwing a toy up in the air, pouncing on it and prancing around like a big goofy boy. It's great to see him get comfortable so quickly - yet another sign that he's a pretty easygoing guy.

While it is raining out this afternoon, there's no thunder in the area, so we took a neighborhood walk. Binder loves being outside and, as I mentioned in a previous post, walks very well on leash. None of the dogs minded the rain - they were just excited about their walk.

Binder LOVES Yogurt Treats

I learned from Patti P. that Greyhounds love plain yogurt. Weird, I thought, but it's good for them. Keeps potential gas problems at bay, too!

For this treat, I started with a recipe from our Greyhound Chatter newsletter but had to modify it after the banana in it caused Grayson...um...shall we say...problems.

Frozen Yogurt Treats
Have ready 10 4-oz containers.

Mix in a blender on low speed until combined:
1 quart plain nonfat yogurt
1/2 cup natural, no sugar added peanut butter

Divide mixture evenly among containers and freeze until solid.

All I have to do is ask if anyone wants yogurt treats and the dogs go nuts. It's a special treat they only get when I leave for the day. They are so busy licking away that they don't even care I'm leaving. I bet Binder would really like his adoptive family to have this recipe.

Quick Study

Good Gosh this boy picks up fast. Tonight he bounded up the stairs, and went down them nearly as well.

Binder doesn't seem at all skittish. Cautious about new things, yes, but so far he does not seem the least bit fearful.

When he arrived here two days ago he avoided the hard floors. Yesterday he was gingerly walking across them to get to something he wanted. Today I had to shoo him out of the master bathroom, where the floors are super-slippery ceramic tile.

We are working on waiting patiently for an "OK" before going through gates and doorways, and also before coming in the kitchen to eat. We are doing very well with the first two ; )

Rough Day, Handled with Courage

Ginny and I loaded Binder in the back of my Integra yesterday evening. Not exactly riding in comfort, but he handled it pretty well. He's had a lot of changes over the last few days, and had to have been wondering what this one was all about. Every once in a while he'd whine a little, then lay down quietly. It's a long ride from Acworth to Douglasville.

When we arrived home I muzzled Binder and turned him out in the back yard before going inside to get Sara and Grayson. During the few minutes it took me to do this, Binder began whimpering outside, and Sara and Grayson's ears perked up at the sound. They were so excited when they saw it was another Greyhound, and followed me down the steps of the deck as fast as I'd allow.

They greeted one another with all the appropriate sniffing, and everyone was polite and not pushy. We spent about 30 minutes in the yard getting to know one another before heading inside to feed Sara and Grayson (Binder had eaten at the kennel). I didn't want to have Binder try climbing the deck steps - he'd had enough new experiences for the day.

I didn't even think that Binder might not know what inside, carpeted stairs were all about. He struggled a little bit going up, so I called Grayson down and told him to show Binder how to go upstairs. Remarkably, it worked. Later, going down proved a little trickier.

After feeding Sara and Grayson I leashed all three dogs for a walk. Binder initially froze at the top of the stairs, then began to come down. He was a little shaky and a few steps down decided it would be best to go back up and start over. Unfortunately, he wound up with the leash wrapped around one leg and started to panic. Sara ran back up the stairs and stood next to Binder, the lengths of their bodies touching, and he immediately stopped yelping so I could disentangle him. I was amazed first because she can be such an unsociable grouch when it comes to new dogs, and second because Binder instantly calmed.

He was obviously excited about going for a walk, and though he was pretty shaky going down the stairs, he negotiated them fairly quickly and we were outside. Yeah! He is such a polite dog, walking well, not pulling or trying to get out front. For a while, he and Grayson walked side by side, the lengths of their bodies touching. It's great that, with Binder, it's very little additional work to walk three dogs, because it's good for all of us.

What's In a Name?

Some of the names given to Greyhounds by their former owners can be pretty crazy. Still, I wondered who would name a dog after a thing that holds together a stack of papers?!?

When Bill, SEGA's Foster Chair, called me about Binder I learned that his name was actually pronounced "bender," as in a wild drinking spree or the robot from Futurama. I still didn't get it.

Looking up Binder on Greyhound Data (the link is in the right column here) I saw that all his littermates were named after trucks. There's Freightliner, Ken Worth, Peter Built and more. Okay...

Grayson and Sara know change is in the air. They'll find out tonight why things have been shuffled around a bit when I arrive home with Binder. I'm excited, but I'll play it cool ; )