Welcome to Daybreaks Talk
Welcome to the Comments Page! Here, you’ll find a chronological collection of all the comments shared by our community about the greyhounds looking for their forever homes, our events, and other updates. It’s a wonderful space to see what others are saying, share your thoughts, and be part of the conversation as we work together to find loving families for these amazing dogs.
This page also highlights the incredible efforts of our dedicated volunteers, whose love and commitment make everything we do possible. From caring for the dogs to organizing events and fostering a supportive community, our volunteers are at the heart of Daybreaks. Their passion and hard work ensure that every greyhound receives the attention, care, and second chance they deserve.
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Luke
Over the Rainbow Bridge
What a lovely face he has. xx
Posted by LadyVictoria on May 6, 2011, 2:53 pm | 👍 0 Likes
Flash
I’m Homed
She looks beautiful! xx
Posted by LadyVictoria on May 6, 2011, 1:32 pm | 👍 0 Likes
Arty
I’m Homed
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Arty! Have a lovely day. xx
Posted by LadyVictoria on May 6, 2011, 1:14 pm | 👍 0 Likes
Mia (Splash)
Over the Rainbow Bridge
Hi Beryl Where do you get the Chondroitin/Glucosamine/MSM powder from? I find the tablets (which are easier to get hold of) are too big for 2 of mine :0( Em x
Posted by Emma on May 6, 2011, 12:59 pm | 👍 0 Likes
Mia (Splash)
Over the Rainbow Bridge
Julie recommended the Neem capsules 4 my cracker who's nearly 14( not a grey) bcus he has arthritis n a heart mumor n was bein very restless n panting all myt. since he began takin one a day the change is amazing, I didn't believe it wud work but it has been a miracle n he is now so much more settled at nyt n not panting much at all even with the weather we've had. giv it a try n thanx Julie the results r amazing. x
Posted by crackercharlieX on May 6, 2011, 12:29 pm | 👍 0 Likes
Arty
I’m Homed
happy birthday arty. hope your enjoying your retirement and your special day. xxxxx
Posted by lichfield_sam on May 6, 2011, 11:18 am | 👍 0 Likes
Mia (Splash)
Over the Rainbow Bridge
Hi CIndy As well as the Chondroitin/Glucosamine/MSM products which can really help I've used a product called Inflammex made by Equine America which is herbal - Yucca and Devils Claw and very reasonable at about £15 a bottle and it lasts for ages. There are a lot of anti-inflammatory help before you have to resort to Metacam or Rymadyl (they are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories NSAID) and like you said can have serious side effects so better to use other things before you have to use them. The vet Richard Allport has a arthritis remedy which is supposed to be as good as the NSAID, I was going to take my dog to him so he could prescribe it and I could reclaim it on the insurance but eventually didn't need to (Google his name for info). I give Neem/Tumeric capsules too which Ruth sells at the kennels .. and I take them too 🙂 I take mine to a McTimoney chiropractor (Wendy Lymer) to keep any tweaks sorted and that can help if they have a few sore places .. Wendy 's going to do a fund raising Talk for us to explain how she can help greys so watch out for it 🙂 Welcome to greyhounds 🙂 Julie
Posted by tiggersslave on May 6, 2011, 9:17 am | 👍 0 Likes
Wizard
I’m Homed
I agree that there are always two sides to any story but anyone who has researched the breed would know that they are very different to other dogs so why consult other non-greyhound owners for advice? We at Perry Barr are always available to help new owners with any questions about their greys, the home checkers, Ruth's and my numbers are all on the forms that are given out with the dogs so it is simple to ask for advice and help. That's also why new owners are given free training sessions so that we can explain how to train pet greyhounds and avoid any problem behaviours that may arise. There is absolutely no excuse for anyone to have a dog that loses weight to that extent and they don't check it with the kennels and/or vet - the dog food sack has the recommended feed amounts on the back, again not rocket science and yes they can lose weight due to stress but you simply increase the food... you do not ignore the problem. As Emma said the RSPCA stresses that all animals should have the five freedoms - the first of which is freedom from hunger and thirst ..when Wizard's owners are feeling hard done by and upset I'd suggest that they think how Wizard felt as his weight fell by a quarter of his body weight due to lack of food. Julie
Posted by tiggersslave on May 6, 2011, 8:01 am | 👍 0 Likes
Wizard
I’m Homed
I can't comment on the weight loss, but we had a very similar incident with the face biting 11 months into having Riley from Daybreaks. He'd always been a very calm and collected dog, but always got overexcited when my partner came home from work and he'd play with him. In Dec last year, a friend came over, he greeted Riley as usual, and was bending over to fuss Rileys head. Riley jumped up and had an open mouth (this wasn't a bite, it's important to emphasise that) - sadly this caught our friends eye and he had a serious eye injury for 6 weeks, had to stop working- it was an awful and worrying time. I can understand why this owner lost confidence, I still haven't quite got over this incident myself, although we consulted a specialist greyhound behaviourist who confirmed what we had believed -it wasn't an act of aggression at all, but boisterous play gone bad. Anyway, you can read a case study here: https://greyhounds4me.co.uk/11.html It sounds as though Wizard's actions have been misunderstood by his former owners, but I can sympathise having been in the same situation. Something the behaviourist said really helped me accept that this wasnt as big as deal as it felt, and that was to point out at had the same thing happened with a smaller dog, their mouth wouldnt have reached our friends face and the injury would never have occurred. So his size was his biggest downfall, poor boy just didnt know his own size and strength.I agree with a post further down that says getting advice from non-greyhound owners can sometimes even be misleading - as us greyhound owners know, they are totally unique. What applies to most other dog breeds quite often does not apply to our retired lovelies. I agree it's important to seek specialist advice, unfortunately this didn't seem to be taken on board in this case but as previously stated, I can sympathise 100% with the former owners. Best of luck with getting Wizard back to his happy and healthy self and I'm confident his forever home is just around the corner xx
Posted by Vikic on May 5, 2011, 10:30 pm | 👍 0 Likes
Mia (Splash)
Over the Rainbow Bridge
Thank you Beryl, that is very helpful. Mia was put on Metacam and when I looked it up I started worrying about the side effects so in fact we're just starting to try the glucosomine as advised by you and Ruth. Thank you very much - it's so helpful to have this website to ask advice from all of you who have experience as Mia is our first dog and we're anxious to do everything right if we can! xx
Posted by cinders on May 5, 2011, 10:28 pm | 👍 0 Likes
Wizard
I’m Homed
Emma - that was a heartfelt post and I agree with everything u sed and Ruth's post earlier was spot on ! ! And then some ! x x x But 4 Wiz a new home is beckoning with a family who will love u as much as we love Toby and Jo !! Oh and one that may actually feed u !!
Posted by sarah on May 5, 2011, 10:03 pm | 👍 0 Likes
Sam
I’m Homed
Spoke to Sams new family today and he is doing very well and settling in.
Posted by skinnyme on May 5, 2011, 9:30 pm | 👍 0 Likes
Smiler
I’m Homed
What a beautiful greyhound 🙂
Posted by Doghouse.jane on May 5, 2011, 8:19 pm | 👍 0 Likes
Wizard
I’m Homed
How sad for Wizzard. It's not hard to see the profile of a greyhound changing. Mine changed during a 2 week kennel stay and she dropped weight. I jumped straight on it and had her looking fine again soon afterwards. I pointed it out to the kennels and they weighed her when she went in and then when she went out to make sure she was getting enough food. Sorry but there is quite simply no excuse to a dog dropping that much and not even addressing it. Wizard would have been feeling terribly hungry - we all get narky when we are hungry so there is a good excuse for snapping. Daybreak kennels are wonderful and have the dogs Interests first and foremost. At least he's getting the right care until his new future comes along. I wish I could have him but sadly I have another male. For all greyhound lovers ..... Heres a recipe I got from USA some years ago, dogs go mad,mad,mad for them!!!! Good for poor appetites. 1 lb blended liver 1 cup flour 1 tbs garlic 1/2 cup bran 1 cup cornmeal. Mix together, make into balls, squash with bottom of glass dipped in cornmeal. Bake at 350 deg for 10 mins. Cut with scissors if needed and freeze if required. Makes them drool!!
Posted by Doghouse.jane on May 5, 2011, 7:28 pm | 👍 0 Likes
Wizard
I’m Homed
just to add to the comments below, - i have owned dogs all my life from the age of about 9 years old, i adopted our first greyhound Rossi nearly 3 years ago. despite the fact that i still had a non grey hound and have owned different breeds and cross breeds for almost 35 years i was frequently on the phone to Ruth at the kennels and to my home checker Bob, a greyhound does have different needs to other dogs and that needs to be learned and can only be learnt from people who are dealing with this specific breed. when Rossi first arrived he lost a little weight due to being a little unsure in his new surroundings and i immediately contacted the kennels to find out what to do about it. by the time he went for a visit to the kennels 4 weeks later he was at his optimum weight and has been ever since. i now do home checks myself and i can't stress enough to the new prospective owners that i am but a phonecall away if there is anything at all that they are unsure about. no question is ever a stupid question because if you do not know the answer then you need to find out to make sure that you give your new pet dog the treatment they need and deserve. i have never come across a more open, friendly and helpful group of people than the Daybreaks volunteers who all try and help to do the best for this beautiful breed of dogs. we are all passionate about their well being and therefore get upset when we see the odd dog returned who maybe has not fared as well as we hoped they would, especially as there is so much back up and help on offer. Ina xxx
Posted by kallie on May 5, 2011, 6:47 pm | 👍 0 Likes
Wizard
I’m Homed
Well, I think this just goes to show that, if in doubt, always consult Daybreaks - help, advice or reassurance is only ever a phone call or mouse click away and is actively encouraged at all stages of the homing process. It seems that the resounding theme of the posts were ones of concern for Wizard, and especially the updates from Alison which have always been positive, reassuring and well received. I'm also 100% confident that these same posters and more would have freely (and preferably) offered advice and support in any amount in order to help Wizard and his previous family. Other breed dog owners are a valuable source of information but, in my experience and particularly with regards to greys, many are keen to offer well-meaning conjecture as fact and if you are a new dog owner it is all too easy to bow to this 'experience'. This is one of the reasons why the RGT offer free grey specific training. The overriding belief seems to be that greyhounds are 'skinny' dogs (not the glorious muscular and finely tuned athletes we know them to be), and so it would seem reasonable not to expect a passing member of the public to notice and then act upon a dog who is 'meant to be skinny'. I don't wish to upset anybody by saying this, but ultimately, the responsibility for a dog's welfare, whether it be feeding, teeth, socialisation, behaviour etc, lies squarely at the feet of the owners. This is not just my opinion, but also that of the RSPCA https://content.www.rspca.org.uk/cmsprd/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobkey=id&blobnocache=false&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1232992446339&ssbinary=true I think lessons have most probably been learnt all round, and we can now look forward to hearing about Wizard's progress and finding him a new family.
Posted by Emma on May 5, 2011, 11:40 am | 👍 0 Likes
Wizard
I’m Homed
The comments on here haven't shocked me, I've been impressed how reserved and unjudgemental people have been. The comments have been written by concerned people who own greys and can visualise what their own dogs would look like if they had lost that much weight or from people who have seen the condition Wizard was returned in first hand. Daybreaks are kennels that are there for the wellfare of retired Greyhounds who need a forever home. The dogs are looked after by people who are passionate about this wonderful breed, it's a lovely place to be because the dogs are so loved and their needs come first. I think it's a bonus that Ruth and her team are so friendly and warm to us humans too, which is why so many Greys are homed and happy...sometimes it doesn't work out, for whatever reasons, the people returning the dogs will have to deal with their own feelings as to why. Thankgoodness for passionate people
Posted by Tash'ntheGreys on May 5, 2011, 8:46 am | 👍 0 Likes
Wizard
I’m Homed
Hi Ruby's mum, thank you for your comment. I dealt with this family when I homed Wizard and I take great pride in giving as much advice as possible which is also duplicated to take away in the homing pack given to all new owners. I was available for advice to the family the day before returning Wizard due to an incident where he had bitten his owner whilst playing, which was understandably frightening. However sadly I was not at the kennels the following morning when he was returned, only seeing him later on the afternoon. I was saddened to see the shadow of the boy weighing in at only 26kg I had homed only 6 weeks ago at around 35kg. A weight loss such as this could only possibly mean illness or not getting the food quantities quite right. I have spoken to the family since and am aware that a dog can lose weight in a new environment but not to this degree. I am also aware that Wiz was going to a local training club. However this is why we offer a Greyhound Training Club membership free of charge to offer specialist advice for this breed especially with regard to weight control. Sadly the home checker was unable to get in touch with the family on several occasions also and this would have been an opportunity to see how he was doing. I just find it so sad that with all the support we offer, a dog can be returned when it is just learning all the new skills of being a family pet. This is something that can take months sometimes. I am always there to support anyone who takes a grey and am sorry in this instance things haven't worked out. Everyone at Daybreaks is so passionate about all the dogs and Wizard was an 'inmate' for a long time so obviously everyone was devastated to see him back but at no time have I ever implied he was mistreated. I am upset for the family as they are clearly devastated but I am equally saddened for Wizard.
Posted by DaybreaksRuth on May 5, 2011, 6:50 am | 👍 0 Likes
Wizard
I’m Homed
I have been shocked and very troubled by the forum posts about Wizard. I have been involved with the welfare and rehoming of another breed for over thirty years and I know that the thought of a dog being mistreated in a new home can be traumatic - BUT - what is the other side of the story? Wizard joined a family who had thought incredibly hard, planned and prepared over a number of years for the time that they would be in a position to offer a dog a home. When that time came they did an enormous amount of reading and researching to ensure that they did the very best job possible. Wizard attended a local training club every week and was walked in very public places in between times. Wizard was seen regularly by a wide range of experienced dog people - none of whom had any concerns, only encouragement for a family who were wholeheartedly entering the world of sharing their life with a dog. I assume the follow up checks also raised no concerns? The family returned him with a very heavy heart, but did so with a full set of 'kit' so that he moved with familiar items. I didn't meet Wizard, but I have become aware of the family who owned him for a short time. I do know that they wanted to follow his progress to a new home via this forum. I understand that they are devastated by the comments they have read.
Posted by Ruby'smum on May 4, 2011, 11:33 pm | 👍 0 Likes
Evi (Tippie)
Over the Rainbow Bridge
Obviously we'll make a donation when we come across as she's going to be ours and we're very grateful for all that has been done for her. Also we'd love to bring Mia over and pay for a "pampering" - we do our best with her teeth etc but we'd love her to have it done by an expert! Poor little Tippie - we're so much looking forward to bringing her home and we promise we'll give her all love and care we possibly can. Getting Mia has been such an incredible experience and has far exceeded our expectations, it's one of the best decisions we've ever made, and we can't wait to have her little companion with us as well. A heartfelt thanks to everyong who is helping to care for her until we can collect her in just over a week.
Posted by cinders on May 4, 2011, 10:24 pm | 👍 0 Likes