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Re: Tula, we love her to bits.

Lovely to hear from you glad you and doggys doing fine we still have willow she was 9 past 1 January there scary where time goes take care hope to hear from you soon gill john willow ccxxx

Re: Booker

Dear Greg and Nicolai,
It's natural to be looking for a reason and someone to blame (particularly yourselves). I know, I've been there. The truth is, it was a combination of events that, individually, should not have been fatal but, combined, are best summed up as a tragic accident. You will be able to move on more easily if you can view it that way.
Even if you could attribute blame, it would not turn back time or bring Booker back, which is what you most want at the moment. I'm sure none of the people involved would have wished this to happen - fate just dealt you a bad hand of cards.
You'll work it out and be happy again, I'm sure. You made such a good job of one so-called 'bad boy' that you'll do even better with the next one, with all you've learned from your teacher (that's why he was called Booker).
Best wishes,
Marion

Re: Booker

Marion
it was a combination of events that, individually, should not have been fatal but, combined, are best summed up as a tragic accident.


Hi Marion. Thanks for that and you are right of course. In my line of work we call it the swiss cheese model. Every slice represents a layer of protection, but every slice has a hole representing a mishap not by itself enough to cause an accident. You might get through one, or even two, but should be stopped by the next. When all the slices are lined up so you get a hole all the way through, the accident happens.

There is no one person or event to blame, just as you say a series of mishaps with the fatal outcome.

Possible candidate

I already told you all that we have decided to have another companion for Tula and us. It is only a question of when?

The time is near. I think we are all ready, but will probably wait to the end of the month when I have lots of time off to dedicate to this new task. Anywhere between 1-12 months.

With this in mind we have started the process. Yesterday, on the 18th anniversary since we met, we took Tula to meet on of the possible candidates.

I mentioned him before. It was Nubis from SOS Galgos in Barcelona. He was a lovely and playful gentleman. Veeeeeeery skinny compared to Tula... But ever so slightly taller. He got on well with Tula. She appeared quite happy to be able to socialise with another Greyhound.

We all liked Nubis, but will look at some more candidates before we make a final decision.

SOS Galgos, do not have Kennels. All their dogs are in foster homes until they get rehomed.

Here are 3 pics from our meeting:







Who's the Mama?...

Re: 3 Years today

Re your photo: Dinner time never an issue - I think it won't be long before the 'nubile' Nubis matches Tula in weight! I'm so happy things are working out OK, as I believe that, once two (or more) greyhounds have been homed together, it's hard for a sole survivor left on their own (never mind their human companions). A new chapter has started .

New chapter!

You are right Marion. It is a new chapter. It is a positive experience, easing the pain of loosing Booker. I am sure we got the timing right as well.

Like I mentioned before; Nubis is picking up on Tula's habits such as "assuming the position" on the carpet when he wants something. Here they were both sitting down, looking at us and we think wanting to go out. By the time I grabed the camera, Nubis had laid down. Pic is a little dark, but you get the idea.


Open the door!!!



Here he climbed up on the chair next to Greg and squeezed down between him and the armrest. Tula is on the couch.





Re: Cat


First, re Nubis on the blue sun lounger - he should have been called Adonis!
My greyhounds like to get on the lounger with me, which completely ruins the experience - too d--- hot!
Lucky escape with the cat! - and you're right, it's so easy to be lulled into a false sense of security when everything's been going fine for a while. You did well to keep Nubis away as a first priority and get Tula to let go. It's something I worry about when I have 2 'chasers' on the lead - you just can't prescribe for all eventualities.

Galgos in Spain

Stan/Polish
I was in Majorca in May trying to find Galgos or Podencos. I did not manage to spot any. Quite interesting because people say they are quite common... Maybe not in Majorca though. Next time I need to go to Spain (in the continent)to look for them. I like both of the breeds.



Hi Stan.

You should contact SOS Galgos in Barcelona. Both Nubis and Moët comes from there. Anne is the founder and does the day to day running. Her husband in a vet specialising in Galgos. I think they are really good.

Their website is www.sosgalgos.com and they also have a Facebook page.

Re: Still here

Your yard is a brilliant size, no matter about the grass , we have got a digger as well, I have got a wee "anti-Jess" fences around my flower beds, once she dug a hole under the shed .

Glad you are all well

Tula 14

Hello.

This month is Tula's 14th birthday. Her and Booker were born in November 2005. Four years and tree months later (Feb 2010) they came to live with us.
Tula is now a happy old Lady. She spends most of her time sleeping, although if she hears a Magpie she is ready for the chase.

However. Old age comes with its own issues. Her back legs are noticeably weaker and stiffer. The main thing is that she is happy and feisty.

Saturday she got a bad case of diarrhoea that was still persistent on Sunday, so we took her to the vet. They said she was a bit dehydrated and also low on potassium and they wanted to keep her for observation and hydration for the night. Needless to say she was not happy. I picked her up this morning and was told she was better. She has been drinking a lot of water today and eating a little, but she is picky. We let her get away with since nourishment now is important.

Here spirit is good and she has been her usual self today, albeit a little more tired that usual, which is to expected after a night away from home

Here are some pics from the other day from one and all on a walk. We walk her by herself now as she is quite slow. She does enjoy her walks and has to sniff everything. Ever since we got her, that nose has been like a mine sweeper.

As adorable as ever.








With Nubis


Re: Tula 14

I'm so sorry you have been unwell Tula, but hope you are feeling much better now. I also wish you a very happy birthday this month. :birthday:

Re: Tula 14

Tula says thank you.

She is better today, but still a bit quieter than normal.

Re: Tula 14

And what a grand old duchess she is! 14 is a mighty fine age for a greyhound and she still looks so well and happy.
I'm not sure if her leg stiffness is due to osteoarthritis or not but my Foxy (mentioned in a post above) has just turned 13 and has been prescribed Galliprant, a recent targeted medication for osteoarthritis. She has been on it for 2-3 weeks now with no side effects and a notable improvement in her mobility and general enthusiasm for exercise. I was delighted by the difference it made.
Best wishes to you all.

Re: Tula 14

I will check that.

Re: Tula 14

Lovely to hear that she's still doing well. Sadly I lost her wonderful special dad Nipper, at 10. He was such a special lad.Your photos are brilliant, best wishes to you all.

Re: Tula 14

Happy Birthday when it comes Tula. You look a lovely girl and I think you are related to my Maisie dawg, your markings and paintbrush tail are a giveaway. Get well soon and I’m sure you’ll be spoiled with treats of your choice

Re: Tula 14

Of course she is being spoiled with not only treats, but also the food of her choice... I would say within reason, but thats not entirely true...

She has learned that if she wants something else other than what's being served, she stick hr nose up and walks away. This can go on for a couple of times before I figure out her desires...

And yes, I let her get away with it. It is important that they also enjoy their old age and I only want her to be happy, and I making sure sure that she eats is more important any kind of training etc at her age.

Yesterday we cooked chicken a liver for her... But has more to do with her resent illness. Today we have a box of chicken gizzards... She will love them.

She is back to normal again after the weekend and that is a relief. AS cheeky as ever and her poo was normal this morning as well.

R.I.P. TULA 😢

Tonight we had to say goodbye to Tula. She made 14 years and 9 months.

Tula and her brother came to us one dark February night 10 1/2 years ago. We loved them from first walk at the Kennels and they followed us from Glasgow, to Lisbon and to Olivella near Barcelona. Booker traveled over the Rainbow bridge 7 years ago and tonight The two of them were reunited.

Tula was getting very old and fairly infirm wit a heart condition, arthritis, slight hip dysplasia and deteriorating muscle mass.

Nonetheless, she was not in pain, and her spirit was very much there until the very end and she would run to the gate with other two whenever another dog had the nerves to walk by.

Although we knew she was approaching the final journey, we did not expect it quite yet and not so sudden.

Today after one such run, we noticed that she was not herself. She seemed uncomfortable and in pain. She was bloated, her stomach was very tight and tender to the touch. We rushed her to the vet and as I was driving I was already thinking that I would come home alone.

The vet checked her over and were able to "deflate" her stomach. Somehow she had managed to twist her stomach. The suggested that they could try to rectify it by going through her throat. I asked if this was worthwhile since major surgery is normally the only way to fix this and at her age and health condition I was not going to put her through that.

Before sedating her for this attempt, I went to her to say my goodbyes. She had been given a sedative, but still conscious and calm. I had a few minutes with her, rubbing her ears and nose, holding her head in my hand.
When I put my face next to her nose, she gave me the smallest little lick as if she was saying goodbye. That was all she cold manage.

I held her head while they gave her the anaesthetics and then left the room so they cold do their work.

About 15 min later I was notified that the twist was too severe. We decided not to wake her up, but I wanted to be present when she left us. Again I held her head in my hands. I put one hand on hear heart to feel it one last time before the vet gave the final injection and the breathing stopped.

Tula and Booker were our first dogs. They changed our lives for the better.

Tula and us had over ten happy years together. We take great comfort in that she lived out her full natural life and then some, and as far as we can tell, she was very happy. Here presence was large and it has left an empty void.

I will leave you with the last three pictures taken of Tula. One where she is eying up a peace of pizza on the table and the next where she grabs it. Those where taken 4 days ago. Finally I leave the last picture taken her two days ago.

Now we must look after the other two. They will miss Tula. Especially Nubis was very protective of her.

My dear Tula, You will be missed and fondly remembered.










Re: R.I.P. TULA 😢

Truly the end of an era, Booker and Tula will forever be GRF legends and you let us share their amazing life stories, so thank you.
I can imagine a little of what you must be feeling, as I thought I was losing my Foxy a few weeks ago, when she got up to turn round in the night then suddenly screamed and lay panting for the rest of the night. In lock-down, I called the vet and we agreed to give her Tramadol for pain relief and, gradually, she is recovering and able to walk short distances. She will be 14 in October, so not as old as Tula, but I think they share the same huge courage and will to live.
Tula was clearly a very happy and loved old lady. Endings are rarely pretty or as we would wish for them but it is all that has gone before that make them bearable and, of course, you have your two beautiful boys to give you focus and comfort. In my experience, dogs handle these things much better than we do.
Your last GRF greyhound has gone, but please keep in touch, as you and Booker and Tula are very much part of the history of the rescue and what they strive to achieve.
My best wishes,
Marion