It's Borzoi week at the Sighthound Underground! Have you met Flower? Were you wowed by Marcus? Well, guess what? Two more young Borzoi boys have landed at SHUG HQ. Two big beautiful red boys we’re calling Red and
The new Borzoi boys. That's Copilot on the right. Or is that Red?
Copilot.
They’re all gorgeous and quickly learning the ropes of being indoor pets in their foster homes. But do you know much about Borzoi? Here’s the scoop:
Borzoi are also known as Russian Wolfhounds and that's where the breed originated. They were used by the Russian nobility as hunters and -- like the Greyhounds in Europe who were owned only by nobles-- they could only be owned by the Tsar and those he chose.
Borzoi are quiet dogs and like their other Sighthound brethren, they’re happiest lounging on the couch or a large, soft bed. They are usually well mannered and rarely aggressive. Unlike greyhounds, though, they are built for cold weather and have the beautiful coat to prove it.
Borzoi are gentle, but most are big dogs. Males can easily top 100 pounds. So they can knock down – albeit accidentally – little humans. They also seem to share a common misconception that they are 10lb lap dogs, which is a sweet and charming trait . . . until your legs go numb.
Some of you may remember Pilar, the beautiful white fuzzy Galgo who was thrown down a well in her native Spain. Once Pilar was rescued from the well, she went to Galgos del Sol in Murcia, one of the shelters SHUG works with. Pilar had apparently landed on another dog tossed in the well first, and didn’t have any physical injuries. (The other Galgo needed surgery for internal injuries. While recovering, she disappeared from the GdS enclosure and was never found.)
Pilar's story went viral on Facebook, where Sherry VanDyke, of Vancouver, Wash., read about her.
“The day I saw that first photo changed everything,” Sherry told us. “It changed my whole life.”
Within months, Pilar was flown to the U.S. by SHUG, where she easily enchanted everyone she met. SHUG fostered her for a few weeks to get adjusted to life in the U.S. and then – not without tears – she was put on a plane bound for Seattle.
From the very first day, Sherry said Pilar easily accepted her new home and new pack.
So, inquiring minds want to know: How is Pilar? From Sherry:
What words can I use!? Pilar is funny, loving, elegant, smart and a survivor! I love her dearly. She is a blessing to me and is my constant shadow. After only a few days, it was as though Pilar had always been here.
She has formed an individual relationship with the whole pack, and while she does play with my Greyhound, Faith, and male Whippet, Austin, she is devoted to my female Whippet, Amira. These two little white girls wander the yard, bouncing and playing together. She loves my Jack Russell, Riley, and they play a chase game every morning, with Pilar often taking little Riley's whole head in her mouth, always gently, though!
Pilar's fear of men has not gone away and it is heartbreaking to see her afraid, but it has lessened with my sons and we continue to work in on letting her know she will never be hurt again. She is getting more comfortable being out and about in the neighborhood and is a pleasure to walk with -- until she spies a squirrel or bird!
We couldn't resist adding just one more photo.
She is generally a well-mannered girl. She does, however, love to dig and bark, and she loves teaching those activities to the rest of the pack! She almost always comes when she is called and is very obedient. And smart? This girl is incredibly smart!
Not a day goes by that I am not thankful Pilar has entered my life. She has the most soulful, amber colored eyes that I never get tired of looking into. They hold so much that we will never know. I truly hope to have many more Galgos in my life, but Pilar is one special girl.
Postscript from Sherry:
Our little Sophie, who is now with the Angels, had a budding relationship with Pilar. Sophie was so tiny, that when Pilar would gallop, and yes she runs like a rocking horse, towards her in play, Sophie would understandably shrink a bit. This was slowly changing as Sophie recognized that Pilar surely meant no harm. They, too, were beginning to love playing ball together, when Sophie was suddenly called to the Bridge.
That's Marcus, a beautiful five or six-year-old borzoi, greeting his adoring fans. He's got to be one of the sweetest, calmest rock stars you'll ever meet. He's new to SHUG and available for adoption! Autographs are included.
Like many rescue groups, SHUG relies heavily on foster homes to complete its mission. The more foster homes we have, the more dogs we can help. In the past, the few Galgo groups in the U.S. only brought over dogs after an adopter had been approved--and footed the bill. One of SHUG's initial goals was to offer a different model and bring the benefits of foster care to Galgo rescue.
Calista is a good example of a foster fail. Really, who wouldn't have failed?
But this approach does have a downside – the bottleneck in our process is our number of foster homes. A lack of foster homes means we may have to say no when a transport could bring us deserving dogs. And we pretty much never say no! And we certainly don't want to learn how --so we need more foster homes! If you can open your home – temporarily – to one of our dogs, we can say yes when we get that call from Spain or Qatar or Maryland or Georgia.
What does being a foster entail?
While most of our foster homes are currently in the mid Atlantic area, we're open to foster homes throughout North America. You just need a soft bed and a kind environment. Some dogs come pretty much perfect, but many may need remedial lessons like basic doggie manners, stairs, leash work, and how not to walk into sliding glass doors. It’s best if you have an existing dog, but not absolutely necessary. It is useful if you’ve had experience with Sighthounds, but, again, not absolutely necessary. You can have kids, cats and a lack of a yard – we’ll match you with a foster that can work with that scenario. If you have a breed, gender or size preference – we can work with that, too!
You can foster a particular dog for a few days, a few weeks or maybe a few months – it’s up to you. We can move a foster whenever you ask.
And if you provide the love and attention, we'll foot the bills! SHUG pays all veterinary bills for our fosters directly to the vet at the time of service. No paperwork to fill out or checks to wait for. Just have the receptionist give us a call when you're checking out and we'll pay the bill right then over the phone. We try to make it as easy as possible on you!
We don’t need to tell you how rewarding it is. You can watch a dog blossom and grow confident in your home. You get sweet kisses, a temporary pal for your existing dogs, and a reason to exercise.
So what's the downside?
Well, you may fall in love. We know that doesn't sound like such a bad thing--and we don't really think it is--but we know sometimes it hurts to watch a foster amble off into the sunset with their forever family.
And sometimes . . . just sometimes . . . it hurts too much. Sometimes our fosters "fail" and they just can't let their foster move on. We promise not to pick on you, because here's a little secret . . . we've all failed, too. Some of us more than once! Being a failed foster is probably the only time in anyone’s life where failing is a good thing. We can also protect you from failing by sending you a dog that doesn't fit your ideal. Addicted to fawn dogs? Only brindles for you!
Please consider joining SHUG as a foster. If you currently foster for another group, we can work around their schedule. If you live outside the Washington D.C. area, you can still help us. We’re looking for fosters in a variety of areas.
If a bunch of geese is a gaggle, what is a bunch of sighthounds? A snaggle? No matter how you put it, this collection of galgos, greyhounds, borzoi and an iggy mix (sadly, just gone to the bridge) is enough to make anyone's day!
It’s been a tough few weeks for some of the volunteers and supporters of SHUG. An unusually large number of dogs (big and small) have been helped to the Rainbow Bridge. Even for those experienced with the process, it is a shattering, heart-breaking time.
I am a SHUG volunteer and I had an experience some 10 years ago “at the bridge” that brought me comfort then, and still does today. And I share it in hopes it may bring comfort to others.
I had brought my young, black shar pei, to the vet. She was in kidney failure and it was time. I sat on the floor of the vet’s office with Phoebe in my lap. I had recently learned how to do Reiki (a type of hands-on healing). So I closed my eyes and put my hands on her with the healing energy flowing. The vet made her preparations.
Suddenly, I had a vision. Think of it as a dream, but you’re awake. This is what I saw:
My shar pei, Hanna, who had died the year before, was wagging her tail with everything she had. Next to her was another shar pei I’d known, who had recently died. Both were in an area of light. In front of them was an area of dark. There was a line between the two areas and it was obvious that Hanna would not – or could not -- cross that line. It seemed she was waiting to greet someone. Her tail kept wagging vigorously.
I didn’t understand what I was seeing.
Then I saw movement in the darkness. Suddenly, I saw Phoebe moving in the dark area and as she moved across the line, her sickly body immediately filled out and she arrived in the light fully healthy and joyfully greeted the two dogs waiting for her.
I still didn’t entirely understand what I was seeing.
Then the vet said Phoebe was gone.
Then I knew that I’d had the privilege of seeing what really happens when one of our beloved pets goes to the Bridge.
So, yes, at least as far as I’m concerned, our pets are greeted at the bridge by those who went before. They are happy. They are loved. And they are waiting for us. And maybe that helps make a difficult time just a bit easier to bear.
We'd love to hear your Bridge stories. Please post a comment to this post.
Every six weeks or so, Wynn, a retired racing greyhound, eagerly waits for his turn to be lifted on a portable table, cradled by a large (very gentle) vet tech and hand fed pieces of kibble dipped in peanut butter.
Joining him at the private home in Northern Virginia, most times, are galgos, borzois and other greyhounds. It’s a bit of doggie party! But with a serious purpose. These are all volunteer canine blood donors for the Blue Ridge Veterinary Blood Bank.
Sighthounds generally make great doggie donors. Almost three-quarters of greyhounds have a universal blood type that can be transfused into any dog. Their blood also has a higher red blood cell count than other breeds. Many retired racers are also pretty blasé about needles, and they have good-sized neck veins for drawing blood.
It all adds up to a regular gathering where dogs are more than happy to spend about 10 minutes or less donating. The procedure causes them no discomfort. The needle goes into a vein in the neck and gravity drains about a pint into a bag below the table. Any dog that frets about the procedure gets a pass – either one-time or permanently.
Each pint can make a live-saving difference to as many as four separate dogs.
The Blue Ridge Veterinary Blood Bank goes to sites in D.C., Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia. Dogs can also come into their location to donate. Importantly, all the bank’s donors are much-loved family pets, not dogs kept only for donations.
Generally speaking, donor dogs need to:
• Weigh at least 35 pounds
• Be aged 9 months to 7 years old to start. (Dogs that are previous donors may remain in the program a year or two longer, but that’s decided case by case.)
• Have no history of serious diseases.
• Commit to donate at least five times over the course of one year.
• Be on heartworm preventive and current with their vaccinations.
Before their first donation, the dogs will be tested free of charge for some blood-borne diseases.
The Sighthound Underground supports volunteer blood donations. Get more information about Blue Ridge, and learn more about blood donation options around the country at:
Note: This is an especially urgent time for blood donors, according to the BRVBB. Blood is in such short supply that vets are having to prioritize recipients.
Little Tazi is one of the Saluki girls from Qatar still waiting to find her forever home. This little girl says: Look deeply into my eyes. You are in love with me. You want to take me home. More information on this little hypnotist is here:http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/26481239 .
You might have seen the videos on our Facebook page – cute dogs in bright yellow flotation vests paddling around an indoor pool while being cheered on by their foster parents.
Zaina is not sure about the water, but gets the hang of it in later sessions.
Has SHUG lost its collective mind?
Well, maybe, but not in regards to swim therapy! Swim or Hydro Therapy is a great option for many dogs, especially those with muscle atrophy due to injury. Zaina had an old break that had recently been surgically repaired and Caramel was recovering from a fractured pelvis after being hit by a car in her native Qatar. While both Saluki girls had undergone surgery and had their breaks repaired they'd lost muscle and weren't able to get around very well.
Enter the "zero impact" swimming exercises.
Caramel had no problem with the life jackets (one around the body and one around the chin) and would walk down the ramp to the pool without any resistance. And she’d swim just fine, according to her foster mom Kristie. Even though Caramel only had a few sessions before going to her adoptive home, there was early improvement in her muscle tone.
Zaina had a bit more of a learning curve. In her first time at the pool, she acted like she’d not seen water before in her life – never mind get in it! But she got the hang of it on her second session and began swimming on her own, although her legs were a bit “not in sync.”
Time in the water varies. Most dogs have to work up to a final goal of 20 minutes of free swimming. They start out with single laps with breaks in between. Swim therapy benefits dogs who need to rebuild muscle, who need to stay conditioned, who may be recovering from surgery or are older and need a ‘low impact” exercise. The Salukis went two or three times a week.
After the swim, the dogs get rinsed and dried. A staff member was always present to work with the foster mom, so Kristie got to directly participate in the girls’ rehab.
We’re pleased we were able to help Zaina and Caramel recover more fully from their injuries. We’d like to give a shout out to the great team at Interstate Canine Swim Center in Maryland who sponsored Zaina and Caramel's therapy. You can learn more about swim therapy on their web site.
You may remember Mariposa AKA the cutest fawn puppy ever and one of the very first SHUGer Babies! She was adopted by Rachel Guthrie and Kyle Kuba of Rochester, N.Y.
Mariposa -- All grown up!
Mariposa was born in Spain and surrendered to a shelter by a hunter, along with her sister and their parents. In March Rachel drove to Virginia with her father to pick up her squirming, teething, energetic, playful puppy. If she had some trepidation, well no one would have blamed her.
Mariposa fit in immediately, brought smiles to the faces of everyone she met, and even traveled to Greyhounds in Gettysburg in the spring to help spread the word about Galgo rescue and have a happy reunion with her sister and foster mom.
So what is she like now? Inquiring minds want to know . . . Here’s an update from Rachel:
Mariposa is our little social butterfly. She loves to go out for walks and meet other dogs and people. Her long, crazy wiggling tail shows how much she loves the attention she attracts.
While she has almost doubled in size, she is still a playful puppy. She loves to chew on our other dogs, steal our sneakers, run around the house chasing tennis balls, toss around her many stuffed toys, and chase Frisbees (she’s getting close to catching them!). She is currently enrolled in obedience training; however, she is definitely not a star pupil as she is more interested in playing with the other dogs and flirting with a younger German Shepherd puppy.
While she may never win an obedience trial title, she has won our hearts (and the heart of everyone who meets her)! If you’re in the upstate NY area and would like to meet Mari, we’ll be at the Grapehounds Wine Tour at the end of July.
Note: You can also see some of Mariposa’s “press” here.
Well, you may fall in love. We know that doesn't sound like such a bad thing--and we don't really think it is--but we know sometimes it hurts to watch a foster amble off into the sunset with their forever family.
It’s been a tough few weeks for some of the volunteers and supporters of SHUG. An unusually large number of dogs (big and small) have been helped to the Rainbow Bridge. Even for those experienced with the process, it is a shattering, heart-breaking time.
