Leo ~ Special Dog With A Huge Heart – 6yo Black Greyhound

LEO

**UPDATED: OCTOBER 2012**

The lovely Leo is a 6 year old ex-racing greyhound boy who just wants a soft, warm bed to retire to after a long stint in racing kennels. He is a very pretty black boy who will be so striking once his currently dull coat puts on some condition.



~ Personality ~
Leo is an incredibly sweet, gentle boy but when he first arrived into rescue it was clear that he was extremely depressed and unused to people. He has been in a foster home in Ireland for 3 months before coming to Kerry Greyhounds UK just last week, and in this time he has come on amazingly from the fragile, shell-shocked dog he was once upon a time.

Leo is a very special hound who has touched a lot of people’s hearts. We would dearly love to see him settled and cosy in his new home in time for Christmas. He is a very sensitive, gentle dog who quietly craves human company and has all the love in the world to give to a family who will be patient and allow him to progress at his own pace. Above all else, Leo just wants to be ‘a good dog’. Even if frightened, he will still try his very hardest to listen to you and not pull on the lead. It seems that Leo has forgotten how to do a lot of doggie things, but he is slowly coming out of himself the longer he spends in a loving foster home. All he needs is time and love.



~ In the Home ~
Leo has been in a home environment for 3 months now so is familiar with all the sights and sounds of a house. He tries so very hard to be a good dog, and so doesn’t have any bad habits to speak of. He doesn’t countersurf, doesn’t chew, is ok to be left with other dogs for company, is fully housetrained and is quiet as a mouse through the night. Routine is vital for this boy, who can still become frightened of unfamiliar things. Once he gets settled in your home and adjusts to the new layout, we’re sure he’s going to be one of the easiest dogs in the world.



All Leo wants to do is curl up with you and be loved. He is incredibly sweet and loving, but in such a quiet, soulful way. Once he realises what you want of him, Leo will try his very very hardest to fulfil it. He really does hit you right in the heartstrings! Leo is going to be a truly fantastic dog, friend and companion to whomever gives him a space on their sofa.



~ Other Animals ~
Leo is very good at meeting and passing other dogs, though he doesn’t seem to know how to interact with them much. If a dog tries to entice them to play, he sadly just stands still or moves away. There is no aggression in Leo at all, he simply doesn’t seem to understand how dogs should behave after the initial sniff hello. Its very possible he has never been around other dogs except when being walked with the other greyhounds at the racing kennels.

Though Leo doesn’t interact much with other dogs, we feel he does actually rely quite heavily on them to show him what to do. As such we think he would be absolutely happiest in a home with another one or two dogs already present to show him the ropes, though very young or boisterous dogs might just frighten him.



~ Out and About ~
Leo won’t need much exercise, and will be more than happy with two 30min walks a day with perhaps a chance to stretch his legs and let off some steam in a secure area once or twice a week. He walks like a dream on the lead, even if frightened, and he is getting better at dealing with the big wide world every passing day. Initially Leo was terrified of everything beyond a simple field or laneway – traffic, people, prams, noises, it was all a very frightening new environment for him. He is much better now and has finally started to behave more like a dog when out, sniffing and looking around rather than walking in an unwavering straight line with no interest in anything around him.



~ Where Can I Live? ~
Leo would be happiest in a quieter home with one or two other middle aged, quiet dogs to keep him company and give him support, especially in the early days. Children or boisterous dogs would be far too much for this boy to deal with as he’s still relearning how to behave like a dog and not a racing machine.

Leo is a truly special hound who has a lifetime of love and devotion to give to his forever family. We just hope he doesn’t have to wait too much longer to find them.



~ Where Am I? ~
Leo is currently being fostered in Norfolk. He can be homed anywhere in the UK, but please note that you may be required to travel to our rescue to meet and collect him.

~ Want To Adopt Me? ~
Leo is neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, de-flea'd and wormed and a homecheck will be required as part of the adoption procedure.

If you are interested in adopting Leo, please visit our website’s Adoption Page: http://s300889640.websitehome.co.uk/uk/adoption.html for information and instructions on our homing procedures, as well as phone numbers to give us a call. If you have any further questions or problems, please feel free to email me (Tam) on tamakin_84@yahoo.co.uk. Emails are usually replied to within 24 hrs. Thanks!


~~ KERRY GREYHOUNDS UK ~~

Kerry Greyhounds UK is a small voluntary organisation that is based in Norfolk, England. It focuses on rehoming unwanted Irish greyhounds and lurchers, as huge numbers are bred in Ireland each year and homes are few and far between. KGUK operates through a network of volunteers spread over Ireland and the UK. We can look after approximately 30 dogs at any one time in both kennels and foster homes.

Each dog is neutered, vaccinated, & microchipped before being adopted (unless stated otherwise).

We assess the suitability of all home offers, and we have homed greyhounds in all corners of the UK. If interested in one of our hounds, please visit our website’s Adoption Page:[b/] http://s300889640.websitehome.co.uk/uk/adoption.html for information and instructions on our homing procedures. Once you have filled in and returned the application form, we will then contact you via phone or email to discuss adopting one of our hounds in more detail.

If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. I (Tam) can be contacted through the following email:
[b]Email: tamakin_84@yahoo.co.uk. Emails are usually replied to within 24hrs.
Alternatively you can contact us directly via:
Phone: 075 000 626 48.
Our Website: http://www.kerrygreyhounds.co.uk

Thank you.
Tam
KGUK Volunteer

Leo is adopted!

Tam
KGUK Homing Volunteer