Polo

[andreak]

The more eagle-eyed of you may have noticed from the Castledon website that Polo has been reserved for a while

For those of you that were wondering where he was going, I am happy to announce that he is now officially a member of the Kirk household
Jodie asked us a while back if we would consider taking him on and after some thought we decided that such a lovely boy deserved the chance of living in a home.
We started by walking him with Jezza and Elsa to see how thay all reacted to one another.
There were no problems at all, so the next step was for him to have a short visit to our home (well, just the garden to start off with)
As you can see from the photo below, both Jez and Elsa were very accepting of him:



After the success of Polo's 'day release' visits, it was decided that we should wait until we had some time off to settle him in before we brought him home for good.
Sadly, we lost Jezza before that day arrived but judging by his reaction to Polo, i'm sure that he would have approved of his arrival.
Having had a week away last week with Elsa in Kent (Kent Greyhound Rescue's Myrtle Cottage - very highly recommended!) we picked Polo up yesterday to start his new life.
Here he is on the patio checking out his new garden just after his arrival:



He really has been a little poppet - as he is so very nervous we're not putting any pressure on him and are just letting him find his feet (or paws!)
He has his own crate at the back of the lounge, where he's spending most of his time at the moment.
He's absoloutley fine with us and isn't at all concerned by the TV or washing machine etc, which is great - it's just outside that worries him
Because he's unsure of his surroundings he's very hesitant to go into the garden if there's anything that he's unsure of, such as a dog barking in the distance or people in nearby gardens.
When he was out there earlier, some birds started rustling in the trees and he shot back in at a rate of knots!
It's going to take a while but we're hoping that his confidence will grow bit by bit - he's already had a game with Elsa in the garden!
Plus, the fact that he's known us for quite while and sort of trusts us has helped - it's one less hurdle for him to overcome.

It's early days yet and it's a big step for him but so far so good......!
Welcome home, Polo!

[honey31]

Honey and Family are very pleased to see Polo's found a loving new home with people he knows and feels comfortable with!

[Mr Tink]

Wonderful news Andrea and Dale. Mia is especially overjoyed that her beloved brother has found the best possible home after all this time and sends you all loads of her own special kisses

[andyt]

Just the best possible news.

We know that Polo will find his feet in his own time and he is now in the best possible place.

Step by step Polo.

[moysey]

So very pleased to hear the news, he has found such a good home.  He sounds a little like Sophie when she first came to live with us, but I am sure he will settle in given time and a lot of love.    It is so rewarding seeing them gradually settle in.  Enjoy your new life Polo

Derek, Maureen, Ben and Sophie

[Izzey the Siamese retriever⁶]

Andrea ,you know what a softie I am when it comes to these hounds and I am writing this with tears in my eyes , it is just great news that you and Dale have taken him into your home to share the comforts with Elsa , I did secretly wonder if he was coming to you when i saw that he had been reserved. So So pleased that he has been given a chance at last! Well done to you both and good luck Polo !

Luv
Babs, Paul Misty & Diver
xxxx

[jackiespack]

Well done Andrea.

Polo looks a wonderful hound adopted by fantastic people.

Jackie, Allen, Tom & Harley

[dixiedog]

So pleased to hear this! I was curious about where he was going and I'm sure he couldn't be in a better place!

Well done and good luck Polo!

Dixie, Tazz and the two legger xx

[Mr Tink]

Hi Andrea

I wondered whether you could give us an update on Polo's progress - we are hoping that he is making a little progress each day.

Rose

[andreak]

Sept 24, 2013 13:46:03 GMT Mr Tink said:

Hi Andrea

I wondered whether you could give us an update on Polo's progress - we are hoping that he is making a little progress each day.

Rose

Little by little and day by day, Polo is becoming more comfortable indoors
Although he's still spending most of his time in the safety of his crate he's certainly getting more curious as to what lays in the main part of the lounge where everyone keeps going.....
Only this morning I spied him in the hall as I was coming down the stairs - he was looking up at me and we both made each other jump!
He loves playing with his squeaky ball in the garden and he and Elsa have also played together out there, which is lovely to see.
The only thing is, Elsa absoloutley hates walking on wet grass so she shoots indoors to carry on playing but poor Polo thinks that she's taken fright at something out there and just runs in after her and returns to the safety of his crate
Hopefully he'll soon realise that he can carry on playing indoors.

Going out into the garedn on his own is proving a bit of a challenge for him - the everyday noises all around tend to spook him a bit.
He'll run in when something's startled him but then pops out again when he thinks that it's gone. He's happier exploring the garden in the evening or early morning when there's not so much 'everyday' noise going on but hopefully he'll eventually realise that he's safe in his giant paddock!
Elsa often lays close to him on the little sofa by his crate or within his sight - I think that she knows that he's nervous and being a bit timid herself I think that she's bidding her time with getting to know him better.
I reckon all hell will let loose when they both overcome their nerves, lol!

When I think that he's only been with us for 10 days, it's quite amazing how relaxed he seems with us and although it's only tiny changes day by day it's very heart-warming to think that he's heading in the right direction
Will keep you all posted as to 'Polo's Progress.......'

[Izzey the Siamese retriever⁶]

Such good news Andrea, as you say it has only been 10 days, you knew it wasn't going to happen overnight. sounds like he's adapting slowly but surely. Good to hear that Elsa is getting on ok with him. Hugs to both of them

Babs
x

[andyt]

As you know, it was never going to be an overnight win Andrea, but very encouraging signs so far.

The really good thing is that he is in an environment where he will be given the time he needs to make adjustments, and not too much will be expected of him. There are probably not that many owners who would be quite as patient as you.

[Mr Tink]

Keep up the good work Elsa and Polo - oh and Andrea and Dale too!

[honey31]

Great to hear polo is starting to settle in ! Nice to see that Elsa is looking out for him aswell

[andreak]

With all the bad news that Castledon has had of late, I thought that it was time we had a 'good news' story for a change.
So, ladies & gentlemen here's an update on Polo's Progress.........

Can't believe that the lovely boy has been with us for 7 weeks now!
He is such an adorable, affectionate boy who is certainly enjoying his home comforts.
When he first came, he'd get up and go into the garden when Dale got up at 5 o'clock in the morning but now he barely opens his eyes when Dale leaves!
He's a very clean boy and he's getting very confident in the garden. He struts up and down and isn't really spooked by 'everyday' noises anymore.
He's got a bark like a rottweiler if anything needs 'telling off' - who says greyhounds don't make good guard dogs?

He's still rather nervous when we go out walking but we try to do the same walks so that he becomes more familiar with the routes and he seems to be slowly becoming a bit more at ease with his surroundings when out and about.

We've been taking him in the car to where he used to be walked at the kennels, so that he associates going in the car with being taken to somewhere familiar.
However, lately we've 'mixed it up' a bit - a couple of times we've been to Southend ( - the posh part, Thorpe Bay) ......


and at the weekend we went to Holland on sea.....




Both places he's been really good - we make sure that there aren't too many people around and he seems to take it all in his stride.

As I mentioned in a separate posting, the amazing thing is that he's not remotely bothered by the fireworks!
The funny thing is, Jezza (who was also a very nervous boy) wasn't bothered by them either!
Maybe Jez is watching over him, who knows?

We are so pleased that Polo has decided that he wants to stay - keep watching this space and i'll try and update you all with any more news of Polo's Progress.....