It's Me.....Joey!

Hi Everyone,

It's me, Joey, writing my first blog. The lady here who I am supposed to call Mom or Mama said I should introduce myself. I am a retired athlete. I raced 47 times and won 9 times which includes winning a stakes. I raced at Southland which is near Memphis. I also raced at Mardi Gras which is in Florida a few times. Everyone seems to be excited that I won a stakes, but it was just another race to me. My career ended on 08/06/2010 when I got hurt in a race. Last week, we all gathered around the computer and we watched my races. It was fun hearing the announcer call my name which used to be UCME Bubbasparks. He would say "I See You Bubbasparks!" and "Sparks are flying off of Bubba".

After I got hurt, I lived on a farm until about the end of June, I think. I then moved to a kennel for a few weeks and then I took a long road trip from Tulsa to St. Louis and I ended up living here.

Living in a house is a lot different from a kennel. There is so much room. I love exploring all the rooms. The carpet feels so good on my feet. There is so much to see and do. You should see all the toys that they have here. I like to move them from my room to the living room. I cry when I squeak them because I get so excited. I love laying on the couch. It is so comfy. There is a big window in the living room and I have a great view of the squirrels. They drive me crazy!

The people here seem to like seeing the doctor. Last Saturday, Scout and I went to the vet for check-ups. Monday, I had to see another vet because of my foot. Tuesday, the lady went to the doctor for a check-up. Wednesday, I had to go back to the vet for more tests. Today, the man aka Daddy went to the doctor for a check-up. These people are nuts with seeing the doctor.

Scout, my new sister, is okay. She wants to play, but I can't because of my foot. I have to be on a leash when I'm outside, so that's a real bummer. We did chase a bunny together before I was put on the leash restriction. That was fun. There are bunnies and squirrels all over here. There are also horseflies and I don't like them.

I really like living here and the lady said that once my foot is fixed that I will feel a lot better. She said we will be able to take long walks. I will be able to run and play with Scout. I think Scout will like me better then.

I still have to sleep in my crate at night and when the lady leaves the house. She said I have to prove I can handle being free while she is gone. The first time she left me out, I messed up. I found a cloth Walmart bag and I chewed a hole in it. I then had an "accident" in the kitchen. She said it's probably best that I stay in my crate until my foot gets better anyway. I don't mind the crate, but being free is definitely going to be more fun.

Joey
The Greyhound Who Likes Living In A House

Joey is home again!

Yesterday was a very long day for us. Joey didn't get home until 6:30 p.m. I was so nervous with him being put under. In a nutshell, he has an infection that needs to be cleared up. He also has very bad arthritis due to his injury. The vet still needs to consult with a specialist, but he thinks surgery will be necessary. He said a plate will be put in Joey's foot and the bone will be fused. He said that would get rid of the pain and he will be able to run and play like a normal dog. We just have to wait and see what the specialist says before we proceed.

He is now on three medications and still needs the ice packs several times a day. I'm glad that I work from home because it makes caring for him so much easier.

Our greyhound group, Greyhound Companions of Missouri, is making sure that Joey gets the best possible care. We are extremely thankful for their help and their support. This would be a so much harder without them.

Patty
Mom to Scout and Joey (The Little Man)

More Tests Today For Joey

Mama took Joey to the vet this morning for more tests. They left the house at 6 a.m. and he won't be home until dinner time. He's having more x-rays, blood tests and I think Mama said a test to determine if he has an infection. He has to be put under for that test and that's why he has to stay the entire day. Mama is worried about putting him under, but it has to be done. We couldn't eat last night after 6 p.m., so that was hard for me.

Mama said she cried when she left him, but he didn't even look back. He was busy flirting with the receptionist.

The house seems really quiet without the "little man" as Mama calls him.

Scout
The Greyhound Who Hopes Joey Is Doing Okay At The Vet

Getting Back At Mama!

You know what you can do to get back at your folks for being mean to you, like taking you to the vet? Here's what I did this morning. I had gas, so I laid in front of the fan and just let it go. Mama said "OH, SCOUT!" I just laid there like I didn't know what had happened. LOL

Scout
The Greyhound Who Can Be Sly At Times

It's Not Cancer!

Joey does not have cancer. He does have a chronic injury though. He has to have ice packs three times a day, walking for potty only, two medications and he needs to stay quiet. The last one is going to be the hardest for him. He may have to go undergo more tests and other treatments. We are not sure just yet. We are just happy it's not cancer.

He is resting with an ice pack now.

Patty
Mom To Scout and Joey

It's Daddy's Birthday

Today is Daddy's birthday. We gave him this card this morning.

It's a Hallmark card that Walmart had. Mama said she doesn't see greyhound cards very often, so she grabbed it for us.

We are not really sure what we are going to do tonight to celebrate. It probably depends on what time Mama and Joey get back from the vet and whether or not they have good news.

Scout and Joey
The Greyhounds Who Are Celebrating Daddy's Birthday

Back From The Vet

Joey and I went to the vet yesterday. My weight was basically the same. Mama almost took my photo on the scale! I reminded her that she goes to the doctor on Tuesday and she will also be on the scale. That got her to put the camera away.

Here we are waiting for the vet. Why do they make patients wait so long?





I cried when the vet gave me my shots. I've never done that before. It hurt!

Mama had the vet look at Joey's foot because she noticed that he favors one of them. He also ran in the yard this morning and only ran on three legs. It's the first time we have really seen him run and it was just for a few seconds. He runs really good on three legs, so he must be experienced with it. The vet doesn't know for sure what the problem is. It could be an old injury that didn't heal correctly or wasn't set correctly or it could be something worse.

See the red bump in the photo, that is the area that appears to be the problem. It has a knot there and the vet said he could be bone swelling. The foot just looks funny and Mama and Daddy both think it's an old injury. The vet was leaning towards that too.

Mama contacted our adoption group as soon as we got home and Joey has another appointment with their vet on Monday. They will probably take x-rays. Mama is worried, but she is 80% sure it is an old injury, but it's the other 20% that has her worried. Please keep your paws crossed that he is okay. I'm starting to like him a little, but Mama is already attached to the little guy.

UPDATE: Mama was told that Joey was injured in his last race and that ended his career. She checked out his last race online and could see where he was injured. He was able to continue the race, but it does look like his foot was injured. We are really hoping that is all that is wrong with him.

Scout
The Greyhound Who Has Her Paws Crossed For Joey