Louie is Lucy's big brother and he's the first Greyhound I ever met, which was in about late October 2009. My first impression of Louie was what a dignified, majestic animal he was:-)
Louie and Fatima
After a few minutes talking with Fatima, his Mum, I began thinking how boring he was just standing next to her not showing any great interest in anything! I didn't see them again for a good few weeks until we bumped into each other at the park I'd told Fatima about. Louie was much more animated this time and I started to see a glimpse of the 'real' Louie. As we began to see more and more of Louie at the park I soon realised that he isn't boring at all, but a very deep dog who is secure in the knowledge of who he is and where he is and doesn't see the need to impress anybody or any dog. Louie was a champion racer in his younger days, won lots of money and races and was 'Dog of the Year' twice. Now, I'm not too sure what that means but in Greyhound racing it's pretty special. And his racing name of Charleston State is revered by many. So by the time Louie was retired from racing at 5 he'd pretty much been there and done that.
Louie at the river
What is remarkable about Louie is that after his spectacular racing career was over he began a new career learning to become a Canine Good Citizen, which he passed at his first attempt aged 7:-) He would have got his Bronze too if his other Mum, Rachel, didn't have to go to a wedding that afternoon! Louie loves learning and having a job to do and is also enjoying Rally O. I forgot to mention that his little sister, Lucy, also passed her CGC on the same day, only about 5 months after coming to live with Fatima and Rachel. Louie and Lucy are the only Greyhounds in New Zealand to have their CGC's:-)
Now, you may be wondering what all this has to do with the title of this post? Well, down at the river the other day Louie did something that no-one had ever seen him do before ....
He took 3 minutes to dig that hole, I cut the video down to 1 minute. We'd seen him have fun before, in his own fashion! He is our 'fun police', lol! But to throw off his majestic, dignified persona and dig a hole in the sand, that was a whole new side to Louie that we didn't know existed:-)
If I hadn't met Louie and then Lucy I wouldn't have Beryl and I'll always be grateful to Louie for showing me what wonderful dogs Greyhounds are:-)
The kids did get their 2 walks today and we met up with Louie and Lucy for the first time for days. Lucy and Frankie had an outrageous reunion and Louie seems to be having a second puppyhood, he's running around like a 2 year old, lol. I think he missed us too:-)
We're hoping for more CGC greyhounds in the near future. If Beryl's Mum (me!) would get her act together and do a bit of training Beryl would fly through! It's up to we owners to show the general public what Greyhounds are capable of away from the race track:-)
8 comments:
He reminds me of our girl, Blueberry! Once she gets it in her head that a bed needs fluffing, it is an event! What a striking dog he is!
My first greyhound was an old, accomplished racer, called George. He was pretty similar to Louie with the sounds of it.
I have to say - the first greyhound I met. Barbie is *my* first greyhound. Heh.
O we love Louie. He looks a lot like Danger...sounds a bit like him too :) Thanks for sharing!
Louie is beautiful! Love the hole digging, my Rex is a lover of digging too!!
The kids did get their 2 walks today and we met up with Louie and Lucy for the first time for days. Lucy and Frankie had an outrageous reunion and Louie seems to be having a second puppyhood, he's running around like a 2 year old, lol. I think he missed us too:-)
Congrats to the only New Zealand CGC greyhounds! Very cool!
We're hoping for more CGC greyhounds in the near future. If Beryl's Mum (me!) would get her act together and do a bit of training Beryl would fly through! It's up to we owners to show the general public what Greyhounds are capable of away from the race track:-)
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