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GEORGIE
Three weeks ago today Georgie came into our lives on a full-time basis and promptly parked herself on our bed.  Of course we just as promptly pushed her off and said NO in a very commanding sort of voice to which your average dog would pay attention.  Three weeks on we have discovered that greyhounds are not your average dog.  

Our Georgie girl (apologies to the Seekers) understands perfectly she is not allowed on our bed and when we are home, doesn't even glance sideways at it.  When we are out however, it has an irresistible pull.  We presume that behind those beguiling eyes she is working on figuring out how to plump the pillows back up as she jumps off it as we arrive home.  

She is a quiet little thing and we were quite certain we had broken her heart in two by adopting her.  For the first few days she lay in bed and nothing we could say, no amount of petting, no walks and no nice food would entice her to look as though she might like to live with us.  Fortunately the wonderful Fran and  reassured us all this was completely normal and that she would settle in time.  

Indeed she has.  Now she smiles when we finally get her out of bed (not like regular dogs, going for walkies first thing in the morning results in a distinct snuffle of protest since it involves getting up!).  She has inveigled her way into the hearts of all the humans at the off-leash area and is showing those regular dogs just what a mover she really is.  She has figured out what playing means and happily participates in our rough-housing, so long she can remain on her bed.  She loves getting and giving sloppy kisses though "Come here Georgie" is still studiously ignored (probably because it involves getting off her bed!).  The few times we have taken her to the beach she has impersonated a baby gazelle bouncing up and down with joy.  

It only took her a couple of days to get me into a completely servile role offering titbits she might fancy.  Well, I admit I almost enjoy offering something that she won't touch (which she enjoyed thoroughly just yesterday) so I can watch the sign language with the nose saying "Get it away from me".  Although she is still scared of our cats, she has definitely adopted their approach to having humans as staff and obviously hasn't bothered with those books on doggie behaviour.  

She still spends most of her days on her bed (you probably picked this up already) but never complains about the outings we take her on - she is an accomplished sleeper on any floor surface provided.  She especially loves people who have a nice lawn and wiggles about like a demented, well, greyhound when she gets to it.  She has taken life in the inner city in her graceful stride, meets and greets all the passers by on the footpaths and behaves herself beautifully at the café.  

Our only complaint is that she is a most untidy eater!!  Being given a treat means slobbering over a square metre and distributing crumbs gleefully.  Chicken carcasses and brisket bones are the only thing that warrant getting off her bed and get a little dance of "Well now I think I might eat you after I chuck you across the deck a couple of times".  

I hope she has figured out that we are her people (OK - staff) and that she is safe and will be provided for.  At least I think that is what that huge nudge with the muzzled but smiley face means when we are out walking - then again it could just be a Georgie girl question "Am I having a chicken carcass today then?"

Cheryl Rivers.

Thank You Cheryl for yet another wonderful greyhound adoption story.  People will figure out one day, that we all can't be wrong.