It's Leap Day!

I'm not really sure what Leap Day is, but I'm not going to worry about it.  I have sunshine on my shoulder and life is good.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Is Very Content

Ourdoor Toys?

Yesterday, I decided to take my large hedgehog outside for some sun.  As I was laying there, I thought that it would be fun to toss him around in the yard.  Mama told me that I was getting him all dirty.  She asked if I wanted my outdoor toys.  I didn't know I had outdoor toys.   I was only here a week before I was put on restrictions, so I don't think I ever had a chance to play with them. Mama brought out the toys.  One ball has a rope attached to it.  She thought I would like it best, but I'm not really sure what to do with it.  She put the rope in my mouth and I just dropped it.  Scout came out to investigate and she put the rope in Scout's mouth and she dropped it.  Mama laughed at us.  I like the blue ball better.  I'm still trying to figure out how to play with it, but I like it.

The green fence you see in the picture is just the fence that keeps me out of the main yard.  It's not the fence that is holding me in the yard.   It will probably come down or be expanded after my surgery. 

Our weather is supposed to be good all week, so I plan on spending as much time as possible outside.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Has Outdoor Toys

Tired Today

Thank you to everyone for your words of support about my upcoming surgery.  Mama was upset over it Saturday night.  She feels really sad that I am going to have another surgery and she hates putting me through it.  However, she thinks it is necessary for me to have a normal life.   I hurt my foot two weeks ago and it is just getting back to normal.  That's what happens.  I bang my foot or whatever I do and it takes 2-3 weeks for it to get better again.  The vet agreed with Mama that the plate and screws could be bothering me.  The x-rays didn't show any problems, so it's not like a screw has backed out.  I just don't have much "padding" between the plate and my skin.  If taking the plate out doesn't help, I will just have to take pain medication.  We are very hopeful that it will help. Plus, it's not good for the bone to grow over the plate which is already happening.  Mama just wants it to be over with and hopes that I'm not in pain for very long after the surgery.  If the staples come out in 10-14 days, don't you think I will be feeling okay by then?   I think I will just be really bruised for a few days.  Why are they using staples instead of stitches that dissolve?  I told you Mama asks lots of questions, but she didn't think of that one until we got home.  We wish my surgery could be sooner, but my vet has conferences to attend next week and he was booked up this week.

Yesterday, I was tired from my vet visit.  They took an x-ray and then they took blood and did an EKG to make sure I was ready for surgery.  I didn't realize how tiring it was until the next day.  However, when Daddy asked if we wanted to go to the park, I was ready.  He said I could jump in the Jeep myself, so that was cool.  We went to the state park near our house.  We walked in the woods which is my favorite thing to do.  We didn't walk as far as we had on Monday, but it was enough.  My vet was impressed that I walked a mile on Monday and it didn't bother me.  After our walk, we drove through the park and looked for other dogs and deer.  We only saw one dog.  Mama kept telling me what a good boy I was in the Jeep.  I didn't whine like I normally do.  After we got home, everyone but Mama took naps.  At dinner time, Mama said she had a coupon for a free pizza and asked if we wanted to go with her to get it.  OH BOY!  TWO RIDES IN ONE DAY!  I was a good boy again and didn't whine.  Mama commented that I seemed to have changed in the last week.  I've become more loving, a little calmer and I was riding better in the Jeep.  Am I growing up?  Maybe, maybe not.  LOL  Mama said she hopes I continue being this good.  I'm not saying what is going on because I have to keep her guessing. 

This morning, I am still tired, but that's normal for a Monday.  I look for rabbits whenever I go outside.  How do you like my stand?  Mama liked that my tail was up somewhat like a Pointer. I had been sitting in the yard, but stood up when Mama pointed the camera at me.  Those darn bunnies drive me crazy!  

Wow, this was a long post.  I need to get in a nap before I move to the deck for another nap.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Is Going To Teach Those Bunnies A Lesson Soon

The Plate Is Coming Out

I'm back from my doctor's visit.  He took an x-ray of my leg/foot and everything looks good.  All the screws are still in place.  There is a extremely small gap between the top of the plate and my leg.  The bone is starting to grow over the plate in one place.  He said that wouldn't be a problem though during surgery.  He agreed with Mama that the plate and the screws could be bothering me since there isn't much there between them and my skin.  Mama is big on asking questions and finally she asked the one that made up her mind.  She asked him what he would do if it was his dog.  He said he would take the plate out.  She was pretty sure before that answer, but if he would have said he wouldn't do it, she would have had to really think hard about it.  She doesn't want me to have surgery, but she also wants to give me the best chance of living a pain-free life.  She and the vet are also concerned about the bone growing over the plate.

There is a concern that she never thought about and that is that there could be an infection living under the plate and when the plate is removed, it could run wild.  The vet will send off a bacterial culture right away and hopefully it comes back okay.  Yep, something else for Mama to worry about.

The surgery is set for March 13th.  I will spend one night in the hospital.  I will come home with staples and they will come out in 10-14 days.  Oh, I will also be shaved in several places again.  They are going to give me an epidural so a spot on my back with be shaved this time.  I'm going to look like a patchwork quilt again.

I am no longer on any restrictions!  However, that ends on March 13th when I get to start all over again.  It won't be as bad as last time though.   I don't think I'm going to do any real running until I'm all healed.  My leg hurts when I have taken off in the house and it's just not worth it.  I am able to get in and out of the Jeep on my own now, so that's really cool.  That, of course, will end when I have my surgery.

Remember how I looked when I came home from the hospital in September.  I looked pretty sad back then.  This surgery will not be as bad, but I'm still going to be shaved again.  Yikes!

In about a month, this should all be over with and I will be able to run and place like a regular greyhound.  Roo Roo!  

Joey
The Greyhound Who Is Going To Be Plateless Soon

Today Is My Check-Up

I forgot to tell everyone yesterday that Mama said thank you for all the birthday wishes.  She spent the day working on a sewing project.  She wasn't feeling quite right, so she didn't have pizza.  She seems to be better today.

We showed Daddy our rooing video.  He thought it was cute until we starting rooing live.  He turned off our video and told us to be quiet.  I told you he was the fun police.  We are still happy that he is home though.

Today is my check up with the vet.  I am ready to go now, but my appointment is not until this afternoon.  I think we should go to the park, but Mama said it is too windy and cold today.  It's going to be 45 later today, but tomorrow it will be 60.  In a normal winter, we would be excited about 45 degrees, but we are spoiled this year.  Our daffodils have already bloomed.

I guess that is about it for day.  I'm just counting the minutes until I get to see my friends at the doctor's office.

Joey,

The Greyhound Who Is Whining Because He Wants To Go To The Doctor Now

Want To Hear Us Roo?

Can you believe that yesterday it was 69 degrees and sunny here and today it's very, very windy and there are snowflakes in the air?  It's true.  There will be no laying out on the deck today.

Mama recorded us rooing.  Scout really barks more than roos.  Mama said my rooing skills have improved.  We first rooed to a YouTube video and then we rooed to our own video.

Rooing to our own video. 

We normally get more wound up than this.  I normally get off my bed and dance around, but I was tired.  Hope your greyhounds are rooing along with us.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Likes To Roo, But It Is Very Tiring

It's Almost The Weekend!

Mama says it has been a boring week, but I have to disagree.  I am enjoying spending my days on the deck.  We have had great weather this week. Daddy is out of town though, so that's a bummer.  Today is Mama's birthday, so I think she is a little sad that Daddy is not home, but she still has us.  Scout and I plan to have a "Roo Fest" later.  We will sing to her.  We can only do that when Daddy is out of town since he is the fun police.

Since we really don't have much to report to you today, we thought we would show you our St. Pat's Day collars.  I didn't feel like sitting up for the photos, so Scout is our main model today.

The material has shamrocks over a rainbow with sparkles.  Mama fell in love with the material, but then didn't know if it was manly enough for me.  She decided I could pull it off.  She put a liner on the underside of the collar because the material is a little rough. 

Joey,

The Greyhound Who Is Ready For St. Pat's Day

Back To Boring

We had such a fun weekend and now it's back to boring. We were surprised when Daddy said he was off yesterday for President's Day.   He asked if we wanted to go to the park and, of course, we said yes.  We jumped in the car and off we went.  We went to a different state park than our normal one.  We have been there before, but we went on an honest to goodness trail in the woods.  It was really the first time I had been on a trail like that.  We went up and down hills.  We crossed over rocks, trees, mud and lots of leaves.  It was awesome!  Mama thought the walk might be too much for me, but I was the only one who was not huffing and puffing.  Scout was really dragging.  The walk was only a little over a mile but the rest of the family acted like it was 10 miles.  They are out of shape.  I could have gone again.

I relaxed after we got home, but I refuse to sleep in the car.  I might miss something.  Heck, as we were leaving the park, two deer ran across the road and I would have missed them if I had been sleeping.  You just never know.

Today, I am hanging out on the deck.  It's pretty windy.  The temperature is about 50 and the sun is popping in and out.  I wish the wind would calm down.

Joey
The Greyhound Who Wishes It Was The Weekend

We Survived Our Company!

We had a busy weekend.  Saturday, we went to the park.  We walked around the campground which is getting kind of boring.  However, Daddy took us through the woods. There really wasn't a path and we just walked in the leaves.  It was fun!  After our walk, we drove through the park to look for dogs and deer.  We saw one deer, but no dogs.  Normally we see a few dogs.  There is a Jack Russell that walks there and he just walks circles around his Mama.  She always looks a little irritated.  I think her hands must get tired because she keeps having to move the leash from hand to hand so that he doesn't get tangled up.

Yesterday, the Grandparents came over.  Mama and Daddy made us nervous with all the cleaning.  They even washed one of our beds.  We were were told to be on our best behavior, but what is that?  Mama said no jumping, no kissing and no pestering.  What fun is that?   So, they finally arrived and we went outside to greet them.  It was hard not to give them a big kiss.  That is what we do when our other Grandparents come over.  They came in the house and the Grandmother sat in Scout's spot on the couch.  Scout just stared at her, but it didn't make her move.  Scout then went up to her and tried to give her a kiss in the face, but she was told by Daddy to get back.  We sniffed them a lot and tried to make friends with them, but they were not impressed.  Finally, I just shook my whole body and my hair went all over.   The Grandmother said that I need to be vacuumed. We watched a few of my races, but they were not impressed.  I swear, these people just can't be won over.  Later in the day, all the humans left to go out to eat.  When they came back, we were excited again.  The Grandparents didn't understand why we were excited since they had only been gone a few hours.  The Grandmother sat in Scout's spot again and this time Scout and I both stared her down.  Mama said it looked like we were ready to pounce.  I think that did it because they got up and left.  LOL   Mama's right.  We will never win them over. Some people just don't realize how wonderful it is to share their live with pets.  Mama says it would be so lonely coming home to an empty house.  She loves seeing our heads in the window when she pulls in the driveway.  We make her smile!

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Enjoyed Having Company Even If  They Didn't Like Him

The Sun Is Out

The sun is out and it's nice!

I even brought my hedgehog out to get some sun. 

Mama is still unemployed.  That's not a big surprise.  It's only been a week.  Mama received an email from the company today saying that the system would be open on Monday for anyone who wants to work.  Mama emailed them and told them that she was told that everyone was let go.  Apparently, there are still people working.  Mama said she should have accidentally sent an email to the entire company to let all the others that still have a job know that their jobs would be ending soon, but she didn't.  She did email the person who sent it and that person said she would take her off the email list.  Mama wanted to say something rude, but she just let it go.  Mama received another email saying that first email was recalled. I'm not sure what good recalling an email does.  The damage has already been done.  I guess other people who were let go were not happy to know that other people are still working either.  

Mama made us two new collars yesterday.  I have a pirate collar and Scout has a purple collar. Today, she cleaned up the junk room and found the collars that she lost.  She has looked for those collars for months. She also found a missing glove.  It was a very productive day.  LOL

We are having company on Sunday.  It's the Grandparents who think we should live outside. That's all I will say about that today.  Our other Grandparents are headed to Florida tomorrow.

Joey
The Greyhound Who Is Happy To See The Sun Again

Wouldn't you think I would have a lot to write about with Mama being unemployed?   I thought we would be going to the park every day and just having a lot of fun, but we are not.  The main reason we are not going places is that I am not allowed to get in and out of the Jeep on my own.  The folks are scared I will hurt my foot by jumping in and out, so Daddy always lifts me.  Mama can do it in an emergency, but not on a regular basis.  So, we are just staying home.  The past three days have been spent looking for a job, cleaning the house and a little bit of exercising.  Mama made us collars for St. Pat's Day that are pretty cool looking. I think she plans on making a few more collars this week to give herself a break from job hunting. 

I have an appointment to see the vet on the 25th.  He is going to check out my foot and determine if the plate is ready to come out.  Mama warned me that I may need to keep it in longer.  I'm excited about seeing all my friends at the vet's office.

The snow is all gone and now we have mud.  I think the weather will be nice enough to go to the park this weekend.  We haven't been to the park for two weeks and I really need to get out and see some new scenery!

Joey
The Greyhound Who Is Getting Cabin Fever

It's My 1st Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!   I'm not sure what is in store for me today, but I bet my first Valentine's Day will be fun!

I don't think I like Mama being unemployed.  I think we worked harder than on a work day.  First, we had to look for and apply for jobs.  Boring!   Then, we started cleaning. We organized the linen closet.  Then we washed all the kitchen cabinets and mopped the kitchen floor.  We did some laundry and straightened up the house.  Mama says that if she is not working, we at least need to have a clean house.  It was a long day!

It snowed yesterday.  I enjoyed being in it.

The snow will be gone quickly.  It's going to be 40 today and 50 tomorrow.  The schools here are closed, but the road in front of our house looks to be in good condition.  Mama said she might venture out later.  It will be nice to have a break from cleaning for me.  LOL

Joey
The Greyhound Who Wishes Everyone A Happy Valentine's Day

I Did It Again!

I tore off another tag.  LOL   I'm know longer scared of the tag police.  First, they have to find me.  Then, they have to catch me.  That's not going to happen!    Tags beware, I'm going to get all of you! 

Mama and Daddy are doing much better.  We all actually slept through the entire night last night.  We haven't done that in over a week.  Daddy was still not feeling normal yesterday, but sleeping through the night is a good sign.

Well, folks, my Mama is now unemployed.  Yep, the company called her at 3 p.m. Friday to tell her that they were no longer using contractors effective immediately.  She knew it was coming because it was hard to get work this past week, but she really thought they would string her along for a few more weeks. She was shocked that they actually called her. She expected to just get an email from them.  She is sad. She has not been completely unemployed since she was a teenager. Mama said we will need to cut back a little, but we will be fine.  Her job really didn't pay much.  We got a bully stick order yesterday and I think that is it until Mama finds a new job. 

We are not going to to the park today.  It's pretty cold here for one thing and the folks still need to take it easy, plus I hurt my foot yesterday.  I'm not telling anyone what I did, but I hurt it.  Mama keeps asking me what I did and I'm not telling.  I'm doing better than yesterday, but I'm still limping. 

Joey
The Greyhound Who Is Getting Good At Removing Tags

Jail? Me? I Didn't Know!

Last night, we were so excited when Daddy walked in the door.  He had been gone for six full hours.  We missed him so much.  He had kind of become a permanent fixture in his recliner this week.  We greeted him like he had been gone for six months instead of six hours.  Unfortunately, I got a little too excited and now I could be going to jail!  Daddy, said so!  What did I do?   I did this!

I was so excited that I tore off the this tag from my bed.   Daddy said it is against the law to remove tags from beds.  I didn't know!   I'm just a greyhound from the farm.  We didn't have beds with tags on them. :::sigh:::

Joey
The Greyhound Who Might Be Trading His Spots For Stripes - Yikes!

Returning To Semi-Normal

It has been a strange week here.  Mama is finally feeling better.  She still is not showering at the normal time, but at least she is showering.  Daddy is still not feeling well, but we think he is going to work later today.  He is dressed, but he taking his time about leaving.  Scout said that Daddy rarely misses work and two and half days in a row has never happened before.

Last night, I finally had the living room to myself.  It's been a slumber party all week long and the first two nights, I just left and went to the office.  Who can sleep with the humans making all sorts of noises? 

Mama said she is going to disinfect the house today.  I'm not sure if it does any good since they have both been sick, but it makes her feel better. 

We hope we have some more interesting posts in the near future.  Mama said giving details about this week would just be giving out way too much information and might turn off a number of our readers.  LOL

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Is Happy That His Mama Is Off The Couch

The Folks Are Sick

Mama and Daddy both have the stomach flu.  Mama got sick Sunday at 3 a.m.   I got really scared with her throwing up.  She said not to go into detail, but she was sick like that for 15 hours. I wouldn't go near her.  Daddy took care of us and her. He then came home sick yesterday afternoon.  Luckily, she is well enough to feed us and let us outside. She showered this morning, so she smells better and I'm not so scared of her now.  Daddy seems to not have it as bad as Mama, so that's good.  Mama is really tired today.  She said she will probably be better tomorrow. We hope so.  It's not fun living in a sick house.

We wanted to have a fun time watching the Super Bowl, but it just didn't happen this year.  We are going to try and catch up on our blog reading later today.

Joey
The Greyhound Who Wouldn't Get Near Mama For Two Days

Rainy Day

It's a rainy day here.  We had a wonderful week of weather.  It was sunny and warm.  I made good use of the deck. 

On the last day of January, I had an encounter with a bee.  Can you believe that?  I'm scared of bees when I'm outside, but he followed me inside the house.  Well, he was in my territory so the battle was on.  Mama heard me dancing around in the kitchen and she saw me chasing a bee.  She said "No, Joey!" and that's when I snapped at the bee and into my mouth he went.  I then spit him out and Mama stepped on him.  No more bee.  Mama was concerned that I was stung.  She checked the bee and the stinger was still on it..  She checked my mouth and all was fine. Thank goodness I was not stung.

Well, the next day, another bee chased me.  I ran into the house and hid.  I stayed in for a while after that.  I can't believe bees are already out.  Mama said if bees are out, snakes could be out.  Yikes!

Mama found out some surprising news yesterday.  As you may know, Mama works from home. She has worked from home for 16 years.  The first ten years she had a great paying job and she even had her own business for 14 years.  The past six years have been tough. The great paying job went away and the economy caused her business to close.  Six years ago she started working for company "A".  She worked for them for a little over a year and they sent the job to India.  She immediately started working for company "B".  It's the exact same job except the pay is not good.  Mama loves the work though and the hours are very flexible. Well, she found out yesterday that company "A" has purchased company "B".  ::::sigh:::  That can't be good.  She figures it's just a matter of time before her job ends.  Remember back in November, she had three jobs.  Well, one job ended and they are still processing her paperwork on the other one.  Maybe the other one will start when her current one ends?  Mama says life is full of changes and we just need to go with it.  At least she will be not loosing a big salary this time. 

Mama was happy to hear that other people have seen the type of collar that she made Scout.  She made me one and Daddy said it definitely pulls tighter on me when I pull.  He said that's a good thing.  I'm not so sure about that.  She purchased more hardware, so it looks like more collars are headed our way.

Joey
The Greyhound Who Won The Battle With A Bee

My February Collar

Mama likes to make us collars for the holidays.  Last night, she made me my February collar. I look nervous, don't I?

If you notice, this collar is made differently than my other collars.  Mama ordered hardware for our collars last week and discovered this new piece that is being used on martingale collars.  She was excited to try it, but also nervous.  She showed it to Daddy to see if he thought it would be safe and he said he thinks it's safer than the old style. We are still being very cautious as we test it out.

The chain takes the place of the material that is normally used that draws together to keep us from backing out of our collars. All the metal that you see comes welded together.  Mama and Daddy both think the chain pulls tighter and quicker than the material does.  Mama's biggest concern was that the chain might break, but Daddy says it won't.  Joey is a puller and some of his collars have been replaced because he wears through the material.  This may be a good option for him.   It took Mama a while to figure out how to make the collar, but once she did, she said it's so much easier than the old style. 

(Yes, I do have a leash on.  It's just not showing up in these photos.)  

If you are interested in making your own collars, here is the place that Mama orders her hardware from. Martingale Collars  You can order a kit to get you started.  That's what Mama did.  Mama doesn't get a commission or anything if you order.  She just thought some of you would be interested in making your own collars. 

Scout
The Greyhound Who Is Ready For February