Tag Archives: Greyhound

Izzy’s cabin fever

Posted on January 28, 2016 | Leave a comment

For the last few days it has been raining when we normally go out for morning walks. And Izzy doesn’t like walking when it is really raining. She prefers to do her business and head for home.

But those shorter walks (thankfully, the afternoon walks haven’t been affected by rain) have meant that she has excess energy. This energy burst forth this afternoon when she had to play with a range of toys before she settled for dinner and a rest. This went on for over 30 minutes – most unusual for my sedate greyhound.

Here she is, in all her glory, playing with her basketball:

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in Dogs, Uncategorized

Tagged basketball, Greyhound, Izzy, rain

Christmas house guest

Posted on December 25, 2015 | Leave a comment

It’s been a busy week and so the blog has been quieter than normal. Then yesterday, on Christmas Eve, I got a text from another greyhound owner. His kennel plans had fallen through and he wondered if I could take his dog, Sala, for a couple of days.

No worries!

To make a house guest feel welcome, you let them sleep in your bed. You sleep in theirs.

Izzy has enjoyed having a playmate today (Christmas Day). We went for an off-leash run at the Groynes dog park.

And after a breakfast, it was time for a big rest.

Izzy never goes on the sofa (she prefers the queen-sized bed). Sala found it quite comfortable, however.

Then it was time to tuck into the pigs ears that Sala’s Dad brought:

Followed later by an afternoon walk, and some cooked liver over dog food. We are once again settling in for the night and more play time tomorrow.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in dog breeds, Dogs

Tagged bed hopping, Greyhound, Groynes dog park

Mr Quiggly outruns the greyhounds

Posted on December 21, 2015 | 1 comment

This video is a few years old – but worth resurrecting. Great advertising!

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in Dogs, dogs in advertising

Tagged French Bulldog, Greyhound, running shoes, Skechers

Keeping a greyhound cool

Posted on December 10, 2015 | Leave a comment

It’s been a hot day. Izzy and I are both feeling the heat.

I’ve kept the shades drawn today to help keep out the strong sunshine and Izzy is enjoying her fan.

Izzy does her best to chill out in front of the fan

A bit later I will probably turn on the air conditioning to cool the house down for sleeping…and we’ll go for a short walk after the sun sets.

The lawn was mowed yesterday and so Izzy’s paddling pool isn’t filled right now – but luckily the forecast is for the weather to be cooler and more comfortable tomorrow.

We are both looking forward to that.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in dog care, Dogs

Tagged air conditioning, fan, Greyhound, heat, Izzy, paddling pool

Izzy’s visit with Santa

Posted on December 7, 2015 | Leave a comment

I have made it a tradition that all my dogs get one official Christmas photograph. Last year, Izzy had only been with me for about 6 weeks and was still adjusting to life as a pet. I decided it was too soon for a visit with Santa.

This year is another story and so on Saturday, I took Izzy to a local ‘big retail’ pet store for a Santa photo. I am glad we got there early and were first in line because the store was very cramped and with people rapidly lining up for photos, there was little room to move in the aisles.

Snarls and growls down the line were heard (often).

I think it is great that the store offered pet photos, but I think they could do more to welcome visitors by temporarily moving displays. But, alas, let’s face it – Christmas is shopping season and no retailer will do this.

Izzy patiently waited her turn watching the photographer and his assistant, who were running late, set up. And then she saw the cage of pet rats…she was very interested.

This is the unofficial photograph; we are expecting the official print portrait in a couple of days. I’m looking forward to adding it to the family album.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in dog breeds, Dogs

Tagged Christmas photos, Greyhound, Izzy, photo with Santa

Izzy’s eggplant

Posted on October 7, 2015 | Leave a comment

I’ve had to leave Izzy for a few weeks; we’re back together now. I always like to buy her new things when I travel and her squeaky eggplant, a $5 bargain from Petco, has proven to be a good choice.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in Dogs

Tagged eggplant, Greyhound, Izzy, Petco, toy

Proud Mum

Posted on August 26, 2015 | Leave a comment

It has been a great week for Izzy (and it’s only Wednesday!).

Over the weekend, she was my ‘demo dog’ at workshops to teach owners how to give their own dogs a relaxation massage. Izzy is very comfortable on my massage table and chose to remain there during the last half of the workshop rather than getting down on the floor…

Izzy relaxes on my massage table during my “Learn Dog Massage” workshop

And then on Monday night, she visited a local scout group so our local coordinator for Greyhounds as Pets could talk about the re-homing of retired greyhounds. Izzy loves children, and soaked up all their love and affection.

I’m so proud!

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in Dogs

Tagged canine massage, Dog, dog massage, Greyhound, greyhounds as pets, Izzy, massage table, relaxation massage, Scouts, workshops

Best dogs for apartment living

Posted on August 21, 2015 | Leave a comment

Did you know that the American Kennel Club has published a list of the best dogs for apartment living?

With cities growing and land prices escalating, most metropolitan areas around the globe are looking to establish neighborhoods characterized by apartments rather than single-family homes. This move can create challenges for people wanting to ensure that dogs remain part of their lives.

Years ago for example, in New Zealand, the main telecommunications company here used a Jack Russell Terrier named Spot in its commercials. The breeding and demand for these dogs soared. People thought that the dog, being small, would be good for the suburbs (let alone, apartments). But terriers need wide-open spaces and are bred for hunting down prey like rabbits and ferrets. The result: lots of ill-behaved dogs and owners who were out of their depth.

I would say that this list is a starting point, many mixed-breed dogs can acclimate to apartment living with the right routine and devotion. And small dog breeds need to be managed carefully around stairs – because a lifetime of walking up and down stairs puts a lot of strain on the back and shoulders….

The best dog breeds for apartment living are:

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Pug

The Shih Tzu

The Bulldog

The Bichon Frise

The French Bulldog

The Greyhound

The Chinese Crested

The Havanese

The Maltese

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in dog breeds, Dogs

Tagged AKC, American Kennel Club, apartment, apartment living, apartments, Bichon Frise, bulldog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chinese Crested, dogs, French Bulldog, Greyhound, havanese, Jack Russell Terrier, Maltese, pug, Shih Tzu

A frosty morning at the dog park

Posted on August 8, 2015 | 2 comments

Izzy and I make a regular weekly date to go to the dog park on Sunday morning. For most of the year, especially in winter, we have the dog park to ourselves.

This morning was frosty and cold but with lots of birdsong.

Here she is, chasing down a tennis ball and coming back to me:

Because Izzy has lost some teeth, her tongue usually hangs out of the side of her mouth

Throw another one, Mum!

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in Dogs

Tagged dog park, Greyhound, Izzy, tennis balls

Society Hound Barbie

Posted on June 11, 2015 | Leave a comment

Since I am now the proud Doggy Mom of Izzy the Greyhound, I’m naturally drawn to items with a greyhound theme.

So wow – I was blown away when I saw you can buy a Barbie® doll walking her greyhound.

It’s part of Barbie® – the Society Hound Collection:

Barbie® doll and her sleek greyhound step out into the cool day draped in their luxurious matching ensembles
Barbie® wears a charming 1920s-inspired blue grey faux fur trimmed dress with matching lined cape
Doll stand included
For the adult collector, age 14 and over

I’m not going to buy this doll, as I have other priorities in my life right now. But I’m impressed.