Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

My family wants to wish everyone a happy holiday and so we made this silly and fun Christmas video (I get to do lots of singing and dancing!). Just click on the link below and it’ll play for you!

http://www.jibjab.com/view/JaSzeljBGMJtfrwlRowx

Mannheim Steamroller

Friday, Mom and Dad went to see the Mannheim Steamrollers in Cleveland. They said it was snowy and they had a good time. I wanted to go too, but Dad checked it out and greyhounds are not allowed to go. Not even well-behaved greyhounds like me! The Manheim Steamrollers said that I might get too excited and start singing my roos and ruin their songs that people paid to hear. They don’t have no singers, it’s just music. I guess they don’t want no singers.

Dad played me some of their songs, I like them very much. I dance to some of them, but mostly I tap my paw to the music. It makes it feel like the holidays when you hear their songs. Even if they don’t let me come to their show, I still like them. I give them 3.5 roos.

Am I a cheetah?

When I first moved into my new neighborhood, Dad took me for walk and this boy stopped what he was doing to come see me. I don’t think the boy ever saw a brindle greyhound before because he asked my Dad if I was a cheetah! I could not believe my ears. I am not a cheetah, I am a greyhound!

Cheetahs are very fast too. I never raced a cheetah, but the Google says they are faster than greyhounds. The Google says cheetahs are the fastest animal. Cheetahs look like a big cat. We have some things in common so we can run fast, like a big heart, but they can’t roo like me.

Dad said, “No, this is Sky, and he is a Greyhound.” Dad told the boy he could pet me, and he did for a minute or two and then the boy went back to what he was doing. Dad thought the boy was a nice boy—but laughed because he was silly to think that he was walking a cheetah around the neighborhood. Cheetahs are very dangerous and should not be kept as pets. Dad likes to tell that story to people. I give it 3 roos.

12 Days of Fun

Me and Dad are excited because he don’t have to go to work for the next 12 days. He’s allowed to stay home and he won’t get yelled at. It’s his vacation and then it’s the holiday. I am excited because that means I’ll get to play with Dad and be silly. Dad said we’ll go for lots of walks and play fetch as much as I want. Mom gets to be home some days too, but not all 12 days.

And then I get to spend my first Christmas with my new family. Dad said Mom bought me a present and I get to open it on December 25. What do you think my present is? I think it is a new toy or a big treat or maybe if I was a real good boy, a SUV! I can’t wait.

I wonder what Petey will get? Mom and Dad said he’s been a nice boy letting me move in to his home. I hope he gets a good present. I think he wants a pet rabbit.

I hope everybody has fun the next 12 days and a nice holiday too. 4 roos.

A Christmas Village: Part 2.

There I am doing my thing, meeting folks. I had fun on Friday talking to lots of people. A few folks donated to my vest. Joining me “on stage” was Alexis, who Mr. Jim brought. Alexis is smart and nice and knows her name. She needs a forever home. Ms. Michelle used to take good care of me and brought Macho. Macho is a big boy. I was happy to see both of them. Later I saw Sammy and Jedi. Jedi is little and super cute and she needs a home too. Isn’t Jedi a cool name?

People at the Midway Mall liked me and asked me where I came from. They were surprised that I came all the way from Alabama. Not many people brought me treats, even though I asked for them, but folks were kind anyways. There were lots of Erie Shores greyhounds all weekend. I only was there for two hours on Friday because my mom and dad had to work and do stuff all weekend. Dad was a little sad on Friday, but I am not allowed to tell people why. Maybe next time I’ll be there more. It was still fun and I give it 3 roos.

A Christmas Village

On Friday, I get to go to the Midway Mall with my Mom and my Dad to meet people for the Christmas Village. People can come see me if they want. I am a little shy in public; I try to be on my best behavior. Dad says I have a split personality because at home I am silly and in public I am not. At home I jump around like a baby horse and roo and talk about all kinds of things. I ask for treats and walks—and bark at squirrels. In public, I just stand there, or sometimes I lie down. I don’t say anything. I am just nice to people and hope they will adopt a greyhound. So mark your calendar, Friday, December 7 from 4-6 pm at the Midway Mall in Elyria. Come see me if you want to. Bring treats. It'll be a hoot, 4 roos.

O-H-I-O

Me and Dad were celebrating on Saturday cause the Ohio State football team won their game over those folks from up north. They finished their season undefeated. They have to quit playing now this year because they were bad boys a couple of years ago. They got yelled at by the NCAA, and so even though they have a good team, they don’t get to try to be number one--and they don’t get no treats.

I was first an Alabama fan, because that’s where I am from. I came from Mobile, Alabama and we used to get together down there to watch the Crimson Tide play. When they did good, we said “Roo Tide,” real loud. I bet my old friends said “Roo Tide” a lot last year because they were number one last year. Now I live in Ohio so I root for my home team.

Greyt year Buckeyes, I give you 4 roos.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

I especially want to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to my extended greyhound family. The folks at ESGAO treated me real nice in finding me a new home. They care about me and they want to see me happy and healthy. I am so thankful for all of them. They work real hard taking care of us greyhounds and finding us homes and get no pay. They do it because they have love in their hearts for lonely animals.

I am also thankful that Petey let me be his friend and let me in his home. I share my toys with Petey and he does with me too. That’s what Thanksgiving is about, sharing things with people. I hope later Mom and Dad share their Thanksgiving food with me too—even if it is Tofurky!

I like food and being nice and that makes Thanksgiving one of my favorite holidays. I give it 4.5 roos.

Christmas Connection

Last Friday, Mom J. came over to take care of Petey and I got to go to Cleveland to talk to people about what good dogs us Greyhounds really are. They’re called “meet and greets,” and we let people know that we’re nice dogs and we should be adopted as new family members. I just say “hi” to folks, and if I like them I lean on them. They like that too—most people like dogs. Sometimes I wear a donation vest, and people can donate to the greyhound organization so they have money to feed new rescues and take them to the vet. When I lean on people, I think they feel compelled to donate, but they don’t have to.

After a while I got tired and decided to take a rest. I lied there right in the middle of the aisle. People would stop to look and some people asked if I was dead. I wasn’t dead, I was just resting. Some people even got on the floor to pet me—that’s how much they like dogs. They didn’t care that I was in the way.

Some nice people bought dog treats and they would give me some. I got a lot of treats and left the event quite full. One pleasant lady liked me so much she asked if we could take a picture together—I said, “sure, be glad to.” Dad said that was nice of me and gave me a couple of scratches behind the ears.

I saw some friends there too. I saw Zip, he’s a nice boy and a new rescue. I hope he gets a new home soon. I also saw Cappy and then Pearl. On the way out, I saw Tessa. She’s cute and was wearing a nice blanket. I like Tessa. It was a fun day, I give it 4 roos, but I was happy to be home.

Getaway Kitty

Man, was that close. The other day Petey was outside and I was standing on the deck just doing nothing really. All of the sudden, Petey started running around very fast and then jumping on the tree like he was trying to climb it. I thought “Greyt Scott,” because right then I knew something was going down and I ran out to see. Dad heard the commotion and came runnin’ too. Dad saw what happen. Petey chased a black kitty right up the tree. I still didn’t see it, but Dad was telling Petey to go in the house. Petey did not listen; he just kept jumping up and down, trying to climb the tree.

Finally Dad got Petey away from the tree—probably about 50 feet. I still didn’t see the kitty, but I could tell Dad wasn’t happy with Petey. It looked like things were calming down and Petey was going to listen and then “boom,” the kitty jumps out of the tree—20 feet or so. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Well now Petey’s running really fast toward the kitty because he’s on the ground; me too, cause now I see what’s going on.

That kitty was scared, but he timed it just right. As soon a Petey got there, and me too, the kitty slipped through the bars of the fence and ran away as fast as he could. Not a second to waste. Dad was so relieved; I could hear him sigh. Petey wanted that kitty and kept sniffing around the tree and fence, but that kitty was long gone.

After that we went in house and we both got a treat. I don’t know why we got a treat, I think Dad was just happy the kitty didn’t get hurt. That was exciting, I give it 4.5 roos.

Nine Things About My New Home

My new family is fun. Mom takes good care of me and thinks of everything; Dad is silly and we run around all the time. I have a nice size yard and play fetch. I jump off the deck and chase squirrels. I can run fast, really fast. Petey is slow but runs as fast as he can. (I give them 4 roos)

Going for rides is very fun, but I don’t fit so well in the car and I like to stand up on rides. I am hinting at a SUV—but my family is environmentalists. I don’t know what that is, but I think it means I’m stuck with the hybrid. (3.5 roos)

I like my new friend Petey; he was so nice and welcomed me into his home. I am big with funny ears; he is small and strong and has a funny smile. He can fit underneath me and has to dodge my long tail. Poor guy. He wants to lie next to me sometimes, but I need my space—and I’d rather cuddle with Mom or Dad. (4 roos)

I like to run around the living room playing with my rope. I throw it and chase it, and then Dad throws it, and I chase it. I have to be careful though, I am a big dog and the living room is small. When I give the rope a good toss, Mom and Dad have to duck for cover. (3.5 roos)

I love food. I love almost all foods. I love dog treats and leftovers. I have been known to give Dad the “shakedown” when I catch him in the kitchen. My family likes to eat too, only problem is that they are vegetarians—so no leftover chicken or beef or squirrel. (3.5 roos)

I like walks; they are my favorite thing to do. Just the sight of my leash sends me into a frolicking frenzy. Watch out little Petey, I can’t control my enthusiasm. (5 roos)

In my new home, I get to do whatever I want. I get up on the furniture and the bed. At first I wasn’t sure if I was allowed and I was on my best behavior, but now it’s all good. They say it’s okay. (4 roos)

I am a vocal greyhound and I have things to say. I also like to sing and dance. Dad dances and we do a Conga line when Mom is not home. First is Dad, then me, then Petey. I am a good dancer, Petey and Dad are not. Can I get a “roo-roo”? (4.5 roos)

I learned how to read and write, how many greyhounds can do that? Dad wrote a story about me and it was in the paper; my picture was in the paper too. I wanted to read it and see what he said about me, so Dad taught me how to read and write. I wrote this whole thing all by myself; honest I did. (3.5 roos)