Graham’s Journey: Finding New Friends and Fresh Adventures

Hi friends, it’s been a few weeks since I updated you on my adventures. I have a few pupdates for you. Turns out I am staying here - it’s called a ‘Homing Kennel’ where we wait to be chosen by things called hoomans to live in their house. Linda Biscuits has been telling me I am ‘retired’ and I can rest my paws now. The servants here are called volunteers and there are a few of them but I like Linda Biscuits and Luke Sky-Barker the best. We go on daily walks and enjoy meeting new people out and about. Luke Sky-Barker always makes sure my night light is on and I have Ted to snuggle up with.  

I do enjoy going out in the paddocks and seeing the other greyhounds here that are also looking for homes. Some are paired up with friends and some live on their own, like me. There are around 10 of us here in total but Larry, one of the long stayers, says he’s seen 16 here before! I’m still adjusting to the new routine; it’s a bit more relaxed than at Ruth’s. Linda Biscuits said she’s called Ruth and let her know I am doing alright. I am glad she knows I am okay.             

The other day Luke Sky-Barker took me out on a walk and I got to meet this small long-haired fluffy thing. At first I thought it was a rabbit, but it barked at me. Weird. I sniffed him and it turns out there are other Me's out there, but in all shapes and sizes. I introduced myself and he said his name was Rolo the Pekingese. He asked me where I got my haircut as he could do with a similar buzz cut himself. I laughed so hard; what a fool, my fur is naturally short haired and shiny. I guess we both have a lot of learning to do! 

I have also had a bath and groom at the onsite doggy spa. I enjoyed having a bubble bath but I ended up smelling like cherries. I wish they did a custard cream shampoo though. My nails were trimmed and my teeth brushed. All prepping for a photoshoot. Luke Sky-Barker said I need to look my best for the website where people can choose me for adoption. I must say, do I really have a bad side? I posed and snacked on biscuits until Luke Sky-Barker was happy with the pictures he got of me. 

Two weeks have passed and I’m back with more to update you on. I went on a ‘Meet and Greet’ with Larry in the town centre, both of us wearing a little jacket that said ‘Retired Greyhounds Make Greyt Pets’ and did my bit for us greyhounds looking for homes. We got lots of cuddles from strangers on the street and I even got a sausage roll from an old man who said he used to have other me’s growing up with his father. I must admit I was a bit of a light weight; I sat down on one of the dog beds for a second to rest my eyes and turns out I took a small nap. Larry said I was sleeping on the job, but I am sure I saw him snoozing towards the end too.               

Once I got back from the meet and greet, I was full of treats and wanted to snooze in my bed. It turns out I’ve got a kennel mate now. I met Grace for the first time in the paddock; she seems really nice and friendly. Grace is a lovely blue girl with sweet socks. We played with the balls in the paddock and got to know one another. Grace has been returned to the homing kennels, but it wasn’t her fault. She wasn’t quite sure why she was back here, but did say something along the lines of her Mum and Dad arguing a lot. I didn’t want to ask too many questions as she seems sad about it. I offered to let her cuddle Ted for the night, but she has her own cuddly called Squishy. I was also glad that night she wasn’t bothered that I slept with the nightlight on.

Another week has passed and now we’re nearly up to date. Grace and I have been getting on really well and she’s been talking to me about what to expect when I go into a home. Apparently, they have this telly box thing that shows talking pictures - that seems super cool and I can’t wait to know more about that. 

Today we went to the home room and got to meet a ‘friend’. Linda Biscuits said to me beforehand that I needed to be nice and polite. I went into the room and saw lots of big plushy chairs. Seems they’re called sofas. Luke Sky-Barker invited me up on the sofa and boy was it soft and cosy. It beats a dog bed any day. I hope my new home has a sofa. I was getting ready to snooze when Linda Biscuits brought in a plastic box that she opened and a small furry thing with a tail came out. I did think it was another small dog I hadn’t seen before, but it meowed. I had never heard that noise before. I immediately lunged towards it to investigate. Luke Sky-Barker held my lead so I wouldn’t go too close to it and made sure my muzzle was on right. He said it was a ‘cat’ and that’s not something I am sure on. The cat kept giving me the side eye with attitude and he even had the cheek to hiss at me. Not on my turf! I tried to lunge at him again to see what he wanted, but Luke Sky-Barker pulled me away and after a few attempts they said I was too ‘keen’... yeah, keen to see what his attitude problem was. They took me back to my kennel and Grace came back soon after to say the cat was super friendly and they ended up laying with one another. Turns out I failed the cat test and Grace passed!

I am learning so many new things at the homing kennels and I’m glad I have a new friend to keep me company. I have a feeling Grace and I are going to enjoy kennel life together. I must dash as I am getting an early night because a family are coming tomorrow to view me. They might adopt me. I am excited to meet them and can’t wait to tell you what they’re like. Love and licks, Graham.