It's in Dad's genes, he's doomed!

The photo above is of Dad's paternal grandfather William Gallagher circa 1930 with his greyhounds. His bitch Nelly is on the left and his dog Taffeta (aka Mick) is on the right. Taffeta was a grand champion in the NSW southern highlands.

The photo on the left is Dad's father John Gallagher whose job was to care for the greyhound pups when his Dad was working at the farm. Looks like he would have been busy with those little bundles on the loose!

Its lucky for the fosters and I that Dad has greyhounds in his genes! Its no wonder he is a sucker for our big sad eyes that tell tales of woe (and the need for more snacks of course).

Christmas morning at the House of Hound

We have always suspected that big Oscar would be the sort of guy who would be happier playing with the wrapping rather than the present and here is the proof. The other greys have no time for such nonsense after their Christmas breakfast and were having their post breakfast snooze before starting on their pre-midday snooze.

Oscar is spending Christmas with us due to the foster parent shortage getting worse at holiday time. He took no time in reclaiming his spot on the couch. We hope our other friends are having just as good a time today as Oscar and we are.

An Alternate Universe??

Being a Grey with an impeccable 0 wins from 0 starts record, I often get stopped in the street by dodgy looking blokes in pork pie hats looking for a tip (as well as the usual chicky babes that want to pat me). I can't tell them much due to the Greyhound code of honour, but I did find this video that explains how greyhound racing works in some parts of the world that have a bunny surplus. Well, anyway I thought it was funny and I'll keep my tips to myself thanks very much! All you chicky babes are still welcome to come and see me for some greyhound lovin'.

Have a greyt Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the house of hound

The other Greys and I would like to wish everybody a very merry Christmas and a safe holiday break. I hope you find lots of snacks under your tree and family to share them with.

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Hi readers, Murphy here. I wanted to let everybody know what I do for GAP at the expense of my own dignity. This pic was taken at the last promo we went to and I did it just to further the greyhound adoption cause. Jaydee wasn't too thrilled either but she knows how important our work is.

Anyway, here we are with a large stuffed toy called Santa. Its lucky this pic was taken when it was because I love chewing stuffed toys and pulling the stuffing out while trying to find the squeaker. I've never seen a stuffed toy move as fast as this one did when I started to destuff him. I'll get him yet! Dad says he is often seen around December 25 so I'll be waiting for him.

Welcome Homer

Today was swap your foster grey day! Our big boofy Oscar has gone to his new foster home and the very handsome Homer has arrived at Burpengary's house of hound. Homer is a special needs boy, he has been a blood donor and we don't know much about his history. He is very timid and trembling at the moment but I did see him giving Dad a cuddle when he thought I wasn't watching. I'm sure once he gets settled and gets heaps of TLC he will make a great companion for somebody (even if he did pinch my favorite bed last night - the things we do!)

GAP Christmas Party

Last Sunday was the annual Greyhound Adoption Program Christmas party and it was held at the Capalaba greyhound track. It was a great day and a chance for all the people who attended to forget about the horrible storms that had caused so many problems in the week before the party.

All the dogs looked great and we got a change to catch up with some of our old foster hounds and find out how they were going. Jake has settled into his new family and loves his forever Mum, Dad and little woofy sister Milly.

Anyway, here is a link to the well dressed greyhounds on You Tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj481ScPlys

It was also the day of our last Dog's breakfast for the year and a good time was had by all at Newfarm park. Once again, the storm had taken its toll and flooded Steve and Suzanne's lovely house and filled their pool with mud, knocked down their fences and their fruit trees. At least they got out along with all their animals. Here are some pictures of the breakfast (Caution - may contain pictures of non greyhound canines).

Greytwalks at Nudgee Beach

As well as being Mum's birthday, Sunday was also the day our hound club Greytwalks went to Nudgee Beach. T'was a dark and stormy afternoon as we made our way out into the warm water. A good time was had by all but we had to break up early as the sky turned dark and Brisbane was hit with its worse storm in 25 years. Our house had no power for 24 hours and heaps of buildings lost their roofs or were destroyed. We were lucky at our place as only a few trees blew over. Mum & Dad also rescued a border collie called Frisbee on the way home - another stray. The nice man at the council found his owners so I don't have to share my home with another dog!

Anyway, here is a short movie of the walk. Pay no attention to Charlie who tried to upstage everybody with his spins.

Mum's Birthday

It is Mum's birthday today. She won't tell me how old she is and neither will Dad, all he will say is that it is over 100 years old in dog years. Wow, it's no wonder I can outrun the old girl.

This is my "brother" Rocky. Rocky was born here when Mum & Dad cared for a couple of goats that were the subject of an RSPCA cruelty case. The RSPCA promised that these goats would only be here for a night. Well, that was two years ago and they are still in my backyard. At least they help Dad mow the grass! I guess they are staying now, more strays to take attention away from myself. Anyway HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!

Hi everyone, I have been logging on at Dad's work lately so I thought I would update you on the latest news. I'm almost over my tonsillitis which meant I had to have my yearly injections (not happy Jan).

Dr Mark thought he could bribe me by offering me liver treats, well let me tell you I didn't fall for that. I gave him my best grey snob and that showed him.

Unfortunately I still got my injections and my temp taken but I never caved in and took a treat ever.

On the other hand Oscar my foster brother fell hook , line & sinker and was given handfuls of treats and pats. Poor Oscar, he had no idea what he was in for and I waited and waited and still no injections. WELL let me tell you I was not happy apparently he didn't have to have any. I refused to talk to anyone after that little episode he got all the treat and pats and I didn't. Soooo unfair. My Mum and Dad thought it was really funny so I gave them the LOOK which made them laugh more.

My friend Rocket cared, he knows what it's like and felt sorry for me. Rocket and his Mum and Dad live up the road ,we get to catch up when I'm out walking my Dad. Sometimes he has a little run hmmm well he calls it a run and I love him to much to tell him that he's running is just a leisurely strut for me not a run so I just strut alongside him just happy to be with him.

Anyway Rocket is my very good friend he moved in early in the year after his Dad and Mum had got to know me and had a chat with my dad. Rocket said it was the best day of his life when Kirsty told him she had found his forever home. Rocket just loves his mum and dad so much.

I have attached a little slide show of my friend Rocket so you can all see how nice he is and how much his mum & Dad love him.

I had better sign off now I need a sleep we are going to greyt walks tomorrow.,, I love greyt walks I get to see Auntie Margaret and her kids Blaze & Amie I love Auntie Margaret. Hopefully we'll see Leanne and Jaydee as well and lots of other greys we are all hoping to see Jake and Sal again.

Hi, I've been diagnosed with tonsillitis so I'm on antibiotics and bed rest mind you apart from the antibiotics that's pretty much how I spend my day. Mum & Dad thought the scarf & beanie would help but personally I'd be happy with the just the ice cream.

When I was at the vets today two different border collies came in with tick paralysis, Mum & Dad have since found one each on Honey & Oscar so please check your beloved animals daily for these horrible parasites.

Mum and Dad were so worried about the ticks on my sister Honey mum gave her a home haircut. I thought I looked silly in my beanie but have a look at her!

Whats a greyhound to do?

I live with many different kinds of fur kids, we do not discriminate. However it is very hard and oh so tempting not to chase the feathered kids. The blue one is my favourite because when Mum & Dad aren't watching and I'm having a zoomie he runs and honks and that is just too tempting. Have you ever seen furless ones trying to catch a greyhound? It's hilarious so Mum & Dad won't let me out when he's around, they say he's not a toy. I'm not totaly convinced of that after all he does honk.

Schadenfreude

Hi readers, its Murphy here. I have snuck into the spare bedroom and borrowed Dad's PC to post this while everybody else is tied up with the new foster. I wanted the world to know that my sister Honey has been behaving dreadfully. The rest of my family is missing Sally badly and wondering how she is going with her new foster carers. Not Honey though, she is strutting around the place now that Sally is gone and her position of Queen Bitch is restored and unchallenged.

Don't let this cutesy photo I found of her fool you, she can be a nasty bit of work when Mum & Dad aren't around.

Better go, I hear the furless ones approaching with my breakfast.

Today our new foster boy Oscar arrived (eventually). He is roughly the size of a small pony but is very friendly and is getting on well with the herd so far.

So far today he has had a few car trips, met his new foster family, had a bath and had a run around his new yard. I think that after a good nights sleep he will have settled in really well.

He has seen the strange metallic things that run along the train lines near his home and took those in his stride. A storm is brewing outside so I can see how he handles mother nature's mood. He has also told me that the big blue peacock in the backyard warrants further investigation. Welcome Oscar!!!

Well it's that time again. Time to say goodbye to our lovely foster girl Sally, Sally moves onto to another foster mum & dad tomorrow for the next step in finding her forever home.

We will all miss her terribly. Greys don't just take a piece of your heart they reach right into your soul and never let go.

It's always heart wrenching to say good bye and only eased by the arrival of a new grey which is slightly nerve racking until everyone has met and accepted the new foster.

Our foster Sally says good morning

This is Sally, our most recent GAP foster. She is a lovely girl who gets on well with all of us and who has made heaps of progress since she has been with us.