Cleo Update

Good morning and Happy Tuesday!

Kevin and I took the long drive (only 5 miles but felt like longer) over to Cleo's foster home on Sunday. We were welcomed into the home by the family's other 2 dogs, with Cleo carefully standing by. When we talked to the foster family, we were warned that she was very skittish. Kevin and I knew that she would be afraid of us, but didn't really know what that meant. We went into the home, sat down, and tried to get Cleo to come and say "hi". It took about 30 minutes for her to come close to us, and when she did, she'd give a quick lick and run the other way. Her foster family told us that she was afraid of new electronics, new people, strange noises, and even a switch on a lamp. They told us she never really sits down; she paces back and forth throughout the house, never sitting down and relaxing. This was by far the most skittish dog we've ever met. We stayed at the house about 3 hours getting to know her. After our walk, she came around a little bit, but really didn't open up and fully trust us. She was so sweet and well-behaved! She walked wonderfully on the leash, but once it was off, she became scared again.

I, of course, fell in love with the dog! I really wanted her to be in our family that day! Kevin liked the dog too, but being "The Dog Whisperer" he is, had a really good point. He wondered if the dog would be happy with us. We would love to start camping again, taking the dog with us on hikes with our friends (and our friend's dogs). Would Cleo be happy in a new environment and with new people (besides us)? We also have a pool table and enjoy having people over to play. Would Cleo mind the noises of the pool table? We would also like to take our dog almost everywhere with us. I'm not sure how she would feel going to Petsmart, over to our parent's house, or out to the dog park for some socializing. The foster family said she would be fine going to new places, but she would just hide in the corner by herself. We're not sure if her hiding in the corner all the time is fair to her. After lots of thinking (and crying...I'm such a baby!), Kevin and I decided Cleo would probably not be happy in our home. Cleo will be staying with her foster family until the perfect owners come around. The foster family loves Cleo, and said if she wasn't adopted they would keep her. Kevin and I think she would be happier in her foster home!

Although we were really sad Cleo didn't work out, we're not giving up on the Greyhound breed. While getting to know Cleo, we learned that we really like the breed! They really don't shed (all that much)! And, while we were there, Kevin didn't have one allergy attack! The breed doesn't have the dander that most dogs have!! The foster family has another Greyhound (Grace) who we loved!! She was very social, sweet and well-behaved. She was exactly like the Greyhounds we saw at the "Meet and Greet".

We decided to fill out an application form for a Retired Racing Greyhound. There are actually 2 groups in the Dallas area, and we've contacted both of them. Both groups have contacted us, and we're waiting to be interviewed!! Crazy, huh? We're both 100% sure we want to adopt a Greyhound. We're looking at a female, retired racer, who's less than 5 years old. They have a few dogs that fit what we want, so hopefully we'll be able to make one part of our family!!

Here is the website for one of the rescue groups, GALT. If you click on available athletes, most of the dogs up for adoption are there.

http://www.greyhoundadoptiontx.org/