Maryland--Days Three and Four

Yesterday was exciting.  We went for a long leash walk in the neighbourhood.  Cities are loud!  I heard cars and people yelling and motorcycles, and a mean little dog barked at me from behind a fence.  But some people stopped us and asked all about Greyhounds and the other dog wagged and the people pet her.  I hid behind my nice lady, but they still called me handsome.  I wasn't even embarrassed when the lady told them I had never raced.

I walked on my leash so well--I didn't pull or try to dart or anything, though i did lean and made sure to stay between the lady and the other dog.  I wasn't so interested in pottying on the leash while everyone was watching, so I waited until we got back to the house and the safe, private yard for that.  I am proud of the fact that I have never once had an accident in the house.

We got home and I got a special treat of canned pumpkin and I curled into my kennel with the door open while the lady and man watched some things on that strange screen (Shhhh...I put nose prints on it earlier).

After we all went to bed, I didn't even need to ask to go out in the middle of the night, but the other dog did, so we all had a trip outside at 3am, which was good, because I did need to go.

This morning, we ran around in the yard for a bit and then...the nice lady folded my kennel up!  She made me a huge soft bed in the corner by the heating vent where my kennel was and told me that I should practice being out in the open a bit for the day.  This confused me a little, but after wandering around a bit, I settled right in.  I'm having fun hiding my face under the curtain on the window.

Oooh!  New bed.

You can't see me under the curtain, right?

I am told that in a bit, the lady's sister is going to come visit, so I will have someone new to fuss over me!

Things are all still new, but I'm loving that everything here is so very soft and comfortable.

Until tomorrow,

--Rocky
As translated and transcribed by gabriel

Maryland--Day Two

Oh did I have to go out this morning, but I wouldn't come out of my kennel for the nice man.  It's all still a little scary.  When the nice lady got up and brought the other hound with her, I came out and was sooo pleased.  I even ran around the yard a bit.

But one of those small furry things (the man and the lady call them "kitties") whacked me good on the nose when I tried to sniff it.  Luckily, I had my cage muzzle on, so it only hit the plastic, but boy was I scared!  I made a dart back into my safe kennel.  Then there was more food, which was good.

There are lots of loud noises in the city--I'm not sure what to make of them.  I came out a few times, mostly to tell everyone I needed to use the yard, but also to explore a little.  The nice lady comes and sits by the door of my kennel and pets me, which I like.  Sometimes the other dog comes with her and she pets us both.

Tonight, I went outside in the yard with the lady and a neighbour stopped to ask if I was a Greyhound!  I was so proud that I was the first one he'd ever seen in person.  He told me I was handsome and he was very excited to meet me.

There was lots of petting, but I wouldn't let the lady get a decent picture of me out of my kennel.

Tomorrow, we're going to go on a nice leash walk around the neighbourhood.

This is me, looking shy:

--Rocky
Translated and transcribed by gabriel

Maryland--Day One

My buddies and I travelled for a long way and a huge pile of humans were there to help us unload on a rainy day in Lusby, Maryland.  We didn't know what to think, but it was good to get out and stretch and sniff our new surroundings.  I was given soft bedding in a comfortable kennel and some food and told I was a good boy.  I settled in and quietly and waited for my turn.

In not too long, some people coaxed me out and popped me right into a bath tub!  Oh no!  I wasn't so keen on being high up in the air and wet, but the nice people gave me a good gentle massage and then dried me off and scritched my ears.  A nice lady put on my new teal martingale and my jingly tag collar and told me we'd be done soon.

After I was all checked out and got my special microchip, I slept for awhile in my warm kennel, listening to the people scurry about and watching the other dogs.

The nice lady from before woke me up and we went back out for a quick walk.  Though the bath was no fun, I knew I was looking handsome and loaded like a perfect gentleman into her car.  I was a little nervous at first, but so tired, so I laid down and before I knew it, we were parked in a big city!  There were buildings everywhere and so much car noise and everything smelled really weird.

We went inside and I sniffed everything.  There's another dog here like me, but she doesn't smell like the track dogs.  There are also four little fuzzy things that tend to want to meow and hiss at me--I'm not sure what to make of them just yet.

The nice lady set up my kennel with more soft things and food and water and I ate and had a much needed nap.  The nice man who lives here came home too.  They both told me I was a very good boy.  I was a bit too scared to explore more, but I did go outside with the other dog several times.  She doesn't seem to care for me much, but I like to follow her, because I know I'm safe if she's there.  I've figured out where the yard is, and if I go to the door, they will let me out.  It's fun smelling all the things outside.

The nice lady and man stayed up with me for a long time, petting and talking to me.  When they eventually, went to bed, I curled up in my kennel safe and sound and listened to the classical music station the lady had left on for me on the radio.

I don't know what to think about this house yet, but I am warm and safe and comfortable and I know I am a very good boy.

--Rocky
as translated and transcribed by gabriel ;)

Hi! I'm Rocky!