Our 5 year old grey Silver is grieving the loss of his friend Lucky as much (if not more) as we are. She has been gone a week now. I was really worried about him earlier in the week because he wasn't eating much and was very lethargic, not wanting to go on walks or anything. I've noticed in the last day or so that he is getting a little "perkier" but he still doesn't eat like he normally does (it wouldn't hurt for him to lose a few pounds so I'm not worried about him withering away or anything ). Last night after I put him to bed he howled a very low pathetic howl for a short time - I felt so sad for him. We are giving him extra attention and spoiling him some. Anyway, we are debating whether we should adopt another dog right away. Under normal circumstances we would have gone to the kennel this weekend to adopt. The problem is this - my hubby has been transferred and we will be moving in 2 weeks. We are building a home in our new location and it won't be ready until July so we will be living in a small townhome for 4 months. I've got many questions: 1) I worry about Silver being lonely without another dog and then having to move into a new place. These are big changes in a short time. Would he adjust better with another dog around? 2) Is it fair to adopt another greyhound at this time when we have so much going on. That dog would go to our temporary place and then 4 months later go to another place. Is that too much to ask of a new dog or would it be okay to get a new dog once we get settled into our temporary place? 3) I've heard greyhounds do okay with apartment living. We will have some nice walking trails nearby. I'm worried about the occassional rooing and barking he will do when we aren't home. Any apartment living advice would help as well.

I'd appreciate your input!

Thanks, Kim and Silver (missing Lucky)

Hi Kim, I am so sorry about your Lucky...
My dog wouldn't eat for over a week when she lost her best buddy.
Many people live in town homes or apartments with more than one greyhound, that shouldn't be a problem if your landlord allows them.
I didn't have a problem with my dogs when I moved, they were happy wherever I was. But it depends on the dog, some may be more sensitive to changes. I travel a lot with my dogs and they are used to going places, although they are always happy to be back home!
Sometimes we have to move foster dogs from one foster home to another without problems. Most greyhounds adapt very quickly!

Kim, again I'm so very sorry for you and for Silver. Everyone's situation and dogs are a little different, of course, but when my first greyhound died in '99, my weimaraner, Hannah, took it really hard. She was lethargic and refused to eat. Fortunately,I had the opportunity to dog sit for a friend a few days about a week later. Hannah knew this dog and liked him (she liked everybody actually), so I thought this might help her mood. She was absolutely thrilled to see him and became animated and playful right away and ate well the 3 days he was with us. I had my Hannah back!

I was concerned that she would be depressed when her friend had to go home, but as luck would have it, I got a call from the local satellite coordinator about a stray that had been picked up in Gaston County on the very day I was due to take my friend's dog back to him. On the drive to her house my plan was to foster him, but I ended up adopting him on the spot. This was my beloved Keno. She and Keno hit it off right away and she accepted him as her new companion.

I know lots of people who live in apartments/townhouses with more than one greyhound and they seem to do very well. Unless Silver is a particularly nervous dog who doesn't adapt well to change, I would think he would be fine with being wherever his family is and would probably welcome another canine family member as well. Let Silver help pick the new hound, of course, and since you've got a lot going on right now, you might want to consider one of the dogs that's already been in a home and got along well with another dog. Wayne, Randy, or Blanche should be able to help you with that since they have the backgrounds on the dogs that have been returned and/or fostered. Also, you might want to check with Debbie Rater about fosters we may have here in the area.

Good luck, Kim, and do keep us posted. I've found there's nothing that helps heal a broken heart (human or canine) like adopting again.

Kim:
Silver is grieving, just like you. He misses his companion. It will probably take a little while for him to adjust.

I know when my Ellie passed, Racer was just a mess - he looked for her everywhere - I'd have him out on walks and he'd look behind bushes and stuff - searching for Ellie. It just took time. After several months, we adopted Galloway - Racer and Gally have been best of friends. My two silly boys.

If you feel you are ready to adopt, take Silver with you - he'll find a friend

You said that you are moving? Where?

Ahhhhh Lancaster, Pa.----- Amish country. They have great food, the weather is colder in winter than Fort Mill but it's a nice area, and did I mention the great food !!!

Gary

Unfortunately, the Lancaster PA area also has some of the most horrible puppy mills.. Watch out and report any neglect!

When are you moving? You can come to our Greyhounds in Gettysburg event!

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I've heard about the puppy mills :(.

We are moving next week. I have registered for the Gettysburg event. We are very excited about it! This move to PA is very difficult for us (South Carolina is our home and we are very sad to be leaving) so we are trying to find fun things to do in Pennsylvania. GIG sounds like a lot of fun!

Kim and Silver (missing Lucky)

If You do the hounds at the beach thing at Dewey beach DE. You're a lot closer to it in Lancaster than You are in SC. I hear it's a lot of fun.

Gary

Looking forward to seeing you in Gettysburg!!

Plus you have a greyhound event right in Lancaster:
Greyhound Summer Festival - Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Aug 18 - 20, 2006

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