So very sorry your boy has left you. It's just so heartbreaking.I'm sure you and your family have lots of happy memories of him so hold onto these and he'll always be in your hearts xx

Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Xx

So sorry for your loss. It's heartbreaking. x

So very sorry for your loss, run fast and free beautiful angel. Xx

So sorry to hear... he was such a lovely boy x

I am so sorry that your gorgeous boy has left for the bridge, I know only too well how devesting that is, your boy will always be watching over you rembering all the good times that you shared, take care xxxxx

So sad, Harley was a super lad and I know his family adored him. God Bless Harley. Thinking of you all and sending lots of love Kate Xxx

Three years ago Harley (crofty) joined our family. On Friday he passed over the rainbow bridge after a short illness. He is already massively missed by all of the family. Goodbye gentle giant. Run free RIP Craig Sally Lana and Livi xx

Great to see the green sign Crofty! xx

Fell for Crofty when he was in his foster home. He is great with our daughters who love him loads already. He is a complete gentle giant full of life and we promise he loves his hugs and kisses

Brilliant to see Crofty has found himself a lovely new home and the failed foster parents club claims another member! Xxx

Fabulous, well done Crofty :-))xx

Aw so lovely to see Crofty is rehomed, how wonderful. Wishing him lots of happiness in his new home. Xxxxxx

Sending my cuddle to Crofty tonight...wishing him well in his foster home. Xxx

Don't worry Spanner - Crofty is off to a foster home on Friday morning! He was so good at the vets today for his booster - such a lovely boy x

So sorry to see Crofty back. I do not like the picture behind bars though. Paws crossed. Axx

my cuddle goes to Crofty, hope you fine your forever home very soon xxx

We checked Crofty with the cats and he is quite excited by them!

Sending Crofty my cuddle tonight...he is such a lovely lad. Xxx

Hi Lewisfuggie, crofty spent the day in the kitchen with Sara's two and was perfect! X

Is Crofty other breed friendly ? xx

Oh no, not Crofty!! I hope he soon finds a new loving home xxx

Hello Crofty - you look very handsome. Hope you settle in ok and hopefully a new sofa will soon be yours! xx

is the boy cat friendly and does he go off lead.

Aw bless him, he looks such a sweetie. Hope he finds a new forever home soon xxx

So sorry to hear the lovely Crofty has been returned...but i am sure he will find a home soon. Sending my cuddle of the day to Crofty...Happy Easter Mr C! Xxx

Sadly Crofty has been returned today due to personal circumstances and the family are very upset about having to do this but feel it is best for Crofty. He is a beautiful gentle boy and we hope he finds a home very soon.

We had a lovely weekend in Yorkshire and Crofty travelled so well. He insisted we stand at a gate to a field to stare at the sheep with fluffy white coats and black faces for a good 10 minutes in the rain. He slept downstairs in his second home he has never been before with no problems. He enjoyed a bone from the local butchers. When we returned home I tried to get him to lie down on his new off the floor
bed. Although only suspended by approx 8" off the floor I was beginning to think we were going to have a repeat of the truck scenario. As soon as I gave up and walked away as I turned around he was up and lay down.

It was lovely to see Crofty at the kennels today and witness his complete refusal to jump into the truck! So funny to see the look on his face...he really is too posh to jump! Xxx

Is dingo like our tinker just waits to be picked up they have us were they won't us you can get a ramp to help them to get in the car xx

You can get a ramp for your dogs to walk up it would make life a bit better for you

Makes me laugh when I read dingo has to be lifted into your pick up !! Bertie has always made out he cannot jump so used to be lifted into the car, which was a complete pain as he is too heavy for me to lift, then I took him to the kennels one day and put him a run whilst I did something, he jumped so high I could not believe it was him !! Then when we had blade , blade jumped into the back of my 4x4 until he saw Bertie being lifted in , then blade also refused to jump in and. My poor husband had to lift them both in and out, in the end it became too much so one of us had to sell our cars...... Roy lost and now has sold his beloved car to get a vehicle that our dogs approve of that they could almost step into !!!!! Yes they have us wrapped around their fingers ...... Little darlings x

Hi Cloud,
We have to lift our dog Dingo into our pick-up truck too. Luke, our foster boy, used to jump in until the once we picked him up and no he refuses too. Xx

Hi I plan on popping in tomorrow with Crofty. We need another bag of Burns food and I just want his weight checked if that's possible? I'm giving him the recommended portions but just want to be sure it's ok with the amount of exercise he is getting. My mom ( of all people) lol thinks he is too thin and I should feed him more. I think he looks fine but need an expert opinion. My friend has started to call him 'prince' because he flatly refuses to part-take or assist in any way to get into the truck. She says he is too posh to jump.

Hi Cloud, we have a new supply of fleeces on order for the kennels. Will let you know when the arrive. Xxx

Hi Cloud.... Yes we have Burns at the kennels :-)

I'm coming to the end of our Burns food. I haven't managed to find a local supply and I wondered if I could pop in this week and buy some from the centre? I also need a fleece for Crofty to wear in the house because although my husband doesn't know (as he works away during the week) I've been leaving the heating on at night for him shhhhhhh! He does so love the radiator it would be like denying him food.

Hi Cloud, our Tom used to bark and bark like crazy at the mother-in-law, but hay-ho he grew out of it (can I say shame? no no no!!) or maybe I could take him to training? no no no!!

Hi everyone! It's been a while since our last update hope everyone is doing well. Gosh I think there may well have been a sale? Hardly any doggies in the window I recognise. That is fantastic news. If I had a pound for every wet and muddy paw I've wiped over the last few weeks I'd be a rich woman. Crofty thinks that the radiator is God. I've started walking with an old school friend and her aged dog. They are a very good match Crofty is lazy, large and skinny and the other one old,small and fat, quite a comical combination and that's just the Dogs. No improvement on Crofty making any effort to get into the truck under his own steam. It's a spectacle I think my neighbours particularly enjoy. Crofty doesn't like my mother. She walks in all nervous and scared and he growls and walks backwards. Of all the strange people who file in and out of our house he doesn't bat an eyelid. I think he thinks "I don't know who you are, but you obviously have issues and are probably thinking of laying them all at my door". I told her to ignore him and act normal. She tries, but he still knows. He went to get up and walk over to me but but took the long way around so as to avoid walking passed my mother. She was really offended. She said, " Oh he really doesn't like me does he? Look at that, he walked all the way around to save coming by me". What could I say?

Hi cloud, is everything still going well with Crofty? We have been on a roller coaster since adopting cooper, around the same time you adopted Crofty ..... But all the teething problems are disappearing by the day..... Our lovely gentle boy has stolen our hearts. I hope Crofty is settling in well :)

Hi Cloud and Crofty! We've sat and read your posts and laughed til we cried! What a hoot or should I say woof....we're first time greyhound (Blitz) parents having a labrador already. Blitz and Matt our Labrador are like an old married couple we've all agreed that we wish we'd done it sooner.....good luck with Crofty he sounds just brilliant xxxxxxxxx

We addopted cooper a few weeks ago..... Are having the same fun re remotes etc......sky remote well mangled..... But still working! We had trouble with 'marking' around house...... But thankfully it has settled down...... However, out of the blue yesterday, yellow splashes up clean laundry on clothes horse!!! Xxxxx like you and Crofty though, we love our boy to bits:)

Crofty is so chilaxed and doing so well. He is starting to loose his kennel coat and he's got a lovely sheen to his coat. He loves to conserve energy and only moves if it's worth his while. I walk and sit around the house fully tooled up with mobile phone & tv controls tucked down my bra just in case I forget for a second and he chews them again.

Hi Cloud, we sell Dura Chews by Nylabone at the kennels; they are bone shaped and come in different flavours. They help discourage destructive chewing. Might be worth trying on your lovely Crofty. Xxx

Hello Cloud

Sounds like Crofty is a bit like our Tom who still likes to hide things in his bed after adopting him over three years ago but we don't mind as he just rests them in his bed. He especially likes shoes or anything fluffy.

I know what you mean as well how other people can look at you when walking our greyhounds, we find that other people with their dogs running around off the lead startle our doggies who are fine unless other dogs come at them and run around them.

I really wish that everyone keeps there dogs on a lead especially on parks and when crossing the road.!

Best wishes to you and Crofty.

Hurray my new mobile phone arrived today. My parents changed to Virgin so replacement sky remote control sorted. Saw him looking guilty this morning so I checked his bed and he had pinched the merecat toy again from the toy box. This is not a. co-incidence he really looks like he is loving it and it's the only one he steals regularly. I'm going to have to get him one of his own. Saw a lady on our walk this morning, she gave us a filthy look. I can only assume it was because Crofty was wearing a muzzle. There is an awful lot of ignorance and assumptions made by people. I think she thought he must be a vicious dog who can't be trusted out in public with other dogs, children etc. I felt like saying something but decided to rise above it smug in the knowledge that her dog should have been on a lead. The only things at risk from Crofty is anything you hate to have to live without phones, controls etc.

Arghhh. Items to date gone the way of the mobile phone 1 x hairbrush and sky remote control. Items saved to date in the nick of time 1 x carex soap (chewed but not punctured). Just turned my back for a second. He has bones and toys etc. he definitely does not bite off more than he can chew. Does anyone have any tips or advice on how to discourage chewing? His favourite items seem to be electrical / electronic gadgets. I just turned my back for a couple of minutes

You are honoured - I have never heard Jay growl at anyone except Amber,it took two years for him to bark and in four years he has only barked about half a dozen times.....
If someone broke in Jay would look and turn over with a grunt but Amber would go mental!

Golly, I feel so important and highly honoured now. Feeling a lot less ordinary. Really rubbish night on TV, so watching Doc Martin repeats. A patient walks into the surgery with a guide dog who growls. All of a sudden Crofty is up on his feet and barks so sharply with such ferocity and intent I almost jumped out of my skin. The tea I was relaxing with was propelled high into the air making a rather spectacular golden display. Bless him x

I feel honoured to pick up after my hounds. Not that long ago ordinary people were not allowed to own a greyhound you had to be Royalty or a lord or lady. XXXXXX Love to Crofty and dad XXX

Fatharry so funny:) my 26 year old son is so taken with my dog I have had two visits in two consecutive days and he is coming back tomorrow afternoon to walk him. Just when I thought I would be discovered half eaten by cats and Alsatians having had 3 sons and no daughters can't seem to get rid of him. Mental note always ensure I've a Greyhound as an insurance policy.

Don't, worry about being seen with your 'handbag' carry it as a badge of honour as it shows you can be bothered to clean up after your dog.
P.S . after time you become immune ,you have to .

Hi Cloud,its good to read your comments about crofty and how he is getting on,it reminds you of how a greyhound can seem to alter your life especially to start with.It will get easier,as he gets to learn the boundaries that you set him.It sounds like you are on the right track with the 3am alarm clock,by not responding to him straight away,its funny our blue will sometimes bark,and if maria gets up to her she will try the next night too! But if I get up, she gets told to shut up and she gets back into her bed and the sequence is broken,or it just might be the sight of me in my underpants is enough to send anyone scurrying back to bed to hide!They are very crafty and you have to outthink them if you can! Poos I agree are not the more glamourous side of greyhound owning but when we switched to burns they became smaller and firmer and easy to pick up,which means Mand you can have a smaller alternative 'handbag' not that I could possibly admit to having one of those,so you are on your own with that one! Mand have you seen Paul's piece of equipment!......its like an insulated drinks container with a zip,that clips on his belt,and is a very handy poo smuggler I was well impressed!

My new mobile phone is Coming on Tuesday so perhaps I should wear this one around my neck. Last night surpassed all my expectations. Crofty spent all night downstairs on his bed and I didn't hear any whining or barking. Still 100% house clean. He gave me the most enthusiastic welcome this morning. He doesn't follow me now every time I go upstairs. I feel like we have been together for ages and not just a couple of days. He couldn't be any better behaved or less trouble if he was stuffed. He even doubles up as a draft excluder. His bed is close to the radiator and I think it is too warm with his kennel coat so sometimes he lies by the door connecting the kitchen to the living room. This also curbs my visits to the kitchen (and calorie intake) as I don't like to keep disturbing him. Perhaps I will soon start to look like my skinny dog?

Yep, that's something else we find too ....no-one comes to visit 'us' anymore, its Emily and Gent they want to see. As for the poo, you'll get used to it. I've turned into Gillian McKeith when collecting and don't really notice my alternative 'handbag' as I stroll along ....please tell me I'm not alone!!!! Mand x

I'm so amazed at how well trained Crofty is. My most hated job is picking up poo. On our walk circuit there are two blue bins and within just a couple of days he is pooing within just a few feet of these bins. Result!!! If there is anything worse than picking it up, it's got to be walking for long distances whilst holding it in a plastic bag. Not only house trained but considerate too. My two grown up boys are visiting me more often if only to see my dog who obviously has street cred in their eyes. He has his own groupies all ready. He never misses anything, I only have to scratch my nose and he gives me the giraffe neck and looks at me askance if it is time for a walk. He took a stuffed mere cat hostage (not one of his) from the sofa and when I put in back into the toy box and pulled down the catch on the lid he was pawing at it trying to get in. If only I could get him to settle down at night without crying and barking at 3am. Only heard him bark three times but it's loud and it gets attention. Tomorrow I'm going to start leaving him for a few minutes at a time to see how he reacts.

Hi Michelle. Hope everything is ok. Do u have my number still incase u need me it's 07904756345. Try and give me a call over the nex few days and let me know how it's going xx

Hi Cloud. It can sometimes take them quite a while to get the hang of jumping into the back of a car. I'm sure a previous post mentioned a truck, so it's possible also that it's higher than a normal car as well. Most but not all of the greys take a while to get their confidence established once they go into a home, and even though he might seem OK, what you have now is far from the finished article. If you are using treats to lure him into the truck, make sure it's something soft and high value like cheese, sausage, cooked liver, chicken etc so it's worth him making the effort to follow it into the truck.
We have horses too so am glad Crofty wasn't phased by yours. One of our horses wasn't that keen on dogs, but our girls are so quiet around her, that she's quite happy to lean over her stable door and give them a sniff. Our 2 girls also like to sample horse fed so we have to be vigilant when they are left to wander round the barn as they are not averse to helping themselves, but that's maybe not so bad as their other love, which is munching the stuff which comes out the other end! If we ever leave them in a stable (unoccupied by horse of course!) they are a very good measure of how well it's been mucked out!
All the very best with your gorgeous boy, and remember theres always loads of us following their progress and willing to offer opinions and advice on how we tackled any similar settling-in situations. xx

Hi Cloud. Your post made me laugh. In the first few days of us having our first boy, Gent, we thought we would only get to eat if we went out. We went to the fridge, Gent came too, we sat down at the dinner table, Gent stood there with his teeth rattling and eating off our laps was a definite no, no! I was going to lose pounds and pounds, but it doesn't take long for them to learn the ropes. These days he rattles from his bed, knowing that he'll get a treat when we're done (although we still have a bodyguard when going to the fridge!). We also used to have issues with Gent and the car, but I think it was more to do with apprehension about where he was being taken. These days he bounces in like Tigger, so I'm sure Crofty will get there too when he realises he's going to have fun when he gets out the car. Mand x

Still no accidents to report. Could someone tell Fiona who did my home check that although I got her text message asking how it's going because Crofty has chewed my phone I can't text or dial or view any contacts in my phone. I would hate her to think I'm just ignoring her or just being plain rude! Went to the yard today, did chuck a doggie treat on the back seat but amazingly still no co-operation with getting him in. His harness helps me to hoist him in. He is a pleasure to walk, walks as slow or as quick as you want. He is so well behaved I sometimes forget he is actually there! So laid back and takes everything in his stride didn't even do a double take at seeing the horses. They weren't so keen, mind and moved away from the fence. Tried filling his face with horse feed but had muzzle on so soon stopped that. Then we had a drive to farm shop for more horse hard feed. He was a bIt wimpy when I went in to order supplies. Back home now and he is asleep. For one and half days in I'm so pleased with how he is settling in. Still our house is now what can be described as minimalist and I have to take the iPad and TV controls everywhere with me even when I make a brew.

Sounds all good he will soon get use to jumping in the truck good boy Crofty xxx

So far so good. All clean in the house, no accidents that I'm aware of. Although he does wee a lot. He wouldn't stay by himself last night. He cried a bit so he lay beside my bed. Don't know why he can't get into the truck because jumping on my bed is no problem at all. He barked once about 3.30 this morning so I got up and took him into the garden for another wee, just in case he was trying to tell me something. He loves his squeaky duck. He is a pest with food and drinks jumping up, so water spray has had to be used as it is preferable to being scolded with hot drinks. I hate doing it though, his little face. Voice commands alone we're not enough initally but using less and less now he knows what he can and can't do. Taking him to the yard today.

So pleased Crofty has found himself such a lovely home with you...was worried you might change your mind today when he started to eat the tea bags in the office!!! :))

Have a happy life Crofty a lovely boy i will miss you and your jumping for your dinner ha ha xxx

Arrived home safe & sound. It was a bit of a struggle getting him in and on to the back seat of the truck. Once strapped in he soon lay down. Showed him around the house on a lead and took him into the garden on the lead and straight away weed up a tree (the dog, not me). He has explored upstairs and all of the bedrooms on his own initiative. He has had a walk and was not strong and didn't pull even when meeting a small dog unleashed. I received a compliment from a man on my lovely dog first time out and he asked me if it was an ex racer and said that it was lovely to see them. Loving basking in his reflective glory. Just in case you are like me and thinking this is all text book stuff and surely too good to be true, he did search in my handbag and chew my mobile phone which now doesn't work. Hay ho, was due to renew in a week or so anyway. Love the bones of him xxx

Fingers crossed for you tonight-hope all goes well!!

Oh sounds like Crofty is going to have a lovely home. I too have horses and gave had hounds (hopefully to have another soon) - - and yes a grey will chase almost anything - even a horse so do be careful!! Sounds like he should't be too fazed by gee gees and will have a happy retirement. Good luck. xx

Oh Bless him x home check this evening. Can't wait to buy k9 things, bits & bobs.

Hi Cloud...saw Crofty when Ruth collected him from the vets this afternoon. He had a nice bowl of food and then we left him snuggled up in a blanket in his kennel. Hope all went well with the home check and you will soon be taking him home. Xxx

Sent an extra big cuddle for you Crofty today. Big day for you at the Vets hope everything goes ok. Xxx

Thank you Sally, for the feedback. It's so nice to know a little of his experiences to date. Counting the sleeps down. Home check on Tuesday. If all goes Ok, I'm coming to get you Crofty xxx

Crofty is quite used to horses as his racing kennel was also part of a livery/stable yard. The gallops he practiced on also had horses in the next field who often come right up to the fence. I'm so glad he has a lovely home. The trainer said what a good boy he'd always been. 'A loyal servant who always tried his very best' I haven't checked his racing history but I believe he won a handicap race only a couple of weeks before retiring. He is so handsome too! Hope you have loads of fun together.xx

Crofty is almost big enough for a saddle :). Will finish the introduction process before it's time for iron shoes to enter into the scenario. I will put him into the adjoining stable for a few minutes to start with and let both species observe via the social panel so they can have sight, sound and smell from the security of the partition. No sudden or nasty surprises. I don't anticipate too many problems from the equine prospective as they are used to hounds. Softly, softly ... & fingers crossed.

Hi Cloudy's mum :) Mine were very interested in sniffing this weird creature (all on lead and very carefully) but when my horse trotted off my grey was sure she'd just found the world's biggest rabbit (he was brown so you could understand the confusion ... NOT ...LOL) Typically my grey Tigger had been quite well behaved until this so was off lead (and her recall was ok and getting better and better but ..) so she shot after the horse and we ended up at the vet after he very politely kicked her in the head :( If he hadn't been so polite she wouldn't have had a head :( Definitely keep up with the insurance if only for the cuts and nicks in the delicate greyhound skin :) Welcome to greyhounds :) Julie

Hi will be updating our progress and keeping in touch. I will probably have a few questions etc. if anyone has any patterns for outfits please let me know. After reading the quarterly Newsletter I will be keeping up the insurance just for piece of mind with him being around the horses. They are generally Ok with other people's dogs so gradual introductions strictly on the lead planned. Wonder if he has even seen a horse before? I'm glad that Things are working out with Cooper and all the other adoptee's they are all unique and special. I will be subscribing to the Newsletter because now I need even the slightest excuse to show him off.

since we adopted cooper on sunday, (who we are now totally in love with) we have spent a ridiculous amount of time picturing croftys face. Fantastic to hear he has a home. Can't wait to hear how he gets on!!! x x x well done you handsome gentleman x x

Thanks Deb. I thought it would be a difficult decision, but in the end he spoke to me and that was that! As a first time Greyhound owner (nearly) I'm nervously excited. He is so magnificent. I am so lucky.

"Cloud" I walked your new boy this morning you have chosen well.He is such a happy, friendly, cheeky chappy and has a beautiful face and coat.He walks lovely on the lead and was a little perplexed at the sight of a man on a bicycle riding towards us.I think you will have a great time with this boy.

Well done handsome. X

So pleased for lovely Crofty! Xxx

Good luck on Monday Crofty will be thinking of you, be very brave. Most people don't like Mondays but you have more reason than most not to look forward to it. Still, it's all good after that. So excited. Checking out new outfits already! Can't wait to show you off.

superb news you r a super lad well done x

Oh Crofty this is great news, well done my lovely big boy! xx

So happy for you Crofty xxx

Congratulations. Probably you caged in picture helped.

Oh Crofty your time has arrived and a new sofa. When we meet you, you are so lovely, love to your new family. The New Icemaid Clan xxx

So cute he looks like a bear

Hi looking forward to meeting you tomorrow Crofty. Please pick me :)

trying to choose between crofty and zak on sunday reduced me to tears.. . . what can i say about crofty? like zak, perfect gentleman, handsome znd funny. Cooper stole our hearts. So sorry big boy. Love and hugs x x x x

What a stunning boy you are Crofty & full of beans with that waggy tail x x

Absolutely love Crofty. Took him and Michael to Elmdon Park this morning. He is a really strong boy which worried me to start with but I shouldn't have worried as he was really good on the lead and didn't pull at all. We saw lots of ducks and geese and unlike my grey, he didn''t bat an eyelid and completely ignored them - even stood in front of them for a photo. On the way back to the car a number of small dogs of varying breeds, all off the lead, approached him. Again, he didn't bat an eyelid and was happily sniffing nose to nose with a "rabbit-sized" dog.

Crofty seen more little dogs today and was fine with them x

Crofty is so handsome and his tail never stops wagging! Xxx

Crofty you get my cuddle today. Cooper is off to a home, now its your turn. You are a lovely boy.
Sylv and The New Icemaid Clan xxx

Crofty has had a morning out in Brueton Park (together with Ellie). He travelled perfectly in the car and was very relaxed on the lead.
He met lots of small dogs and despite his 150 plus races spent chasing small fluffy objects his behaviour towards them caused no problems whatsoever. One small dog off the lead who was being rather a persistant pain was given a warning nod but every other dog he met caused him no problem whatsoever.
This lad is one very loving and well behaved boy who deserves to find his forever home as soon as possible.

OMG! what a handsome lad!!!! We are definitely coming in to give you a cuddle Crofty! xxx

I mean NOSY sorry crofty you are not noise xxx

Crofty is always happy to see you and yes Angie so noise lol xxx

what a fab dog and so friendly, especially likes to nibble on your hands in a friendly way. xxx

Ooo this boy is absolutely gorgeous! He has such a waggy tail and loves to see what's going on around him.xx

After over 150 races, Crofty is more than ready for a sofa to call his own! Xxx

Just look at that face xxx

Such a beautiful boy. Xxx

Just love his expression, cannot wait to meet him tomorrow xx

Crofty is a quite, laid back boy. He loves lots of fuss. Some lucky person is going to get a lovely grey.

One word stunning x