Hi,

Here are a few pictures of our hounds. The tan one is Goldie (nearly seven). The fawn one is Tiger (four and a half). We got Goldie about six months ago from the N.C.D.L. home at Kenilworth. He is an ex-racer and had been in the home for several months, and was on three good meals a day, having been brought in as a stray, yet was still underweight. Apart from his 'selective' hearing, he settled in remarkably quickly! We established the ground rules on the first day. All the comfy surfaces are his. The rest are ours..!

Five months later, we felt that Goldie might be lonely. He was taken to several homes to try and find him a brother or sister. After many introductions (with little/no interest from Goldie who we chose..) we found Tiger, also an ex-racer, at Kenilworth. Tiger had been in the home for nearly a year, and was very nervous. He had never been in a real home before, having been handed in by his trainer. We took Tiger on as a nervous wreck, who would shy away from anyone and anything, particularly men. As we took the lead from the staff, we were warned that he could be vicious towards female dogs, and we should never let him off the lead. With some apprehension we took him home.

Up until then, we hadn't needed to hide everything edible from the dogs. Goldie is happy to leave most things alone. No such luck with Tiger! Nothing is sacred. Plates left on the worktop, the bins. Even plastic garden gnomes from other people's gardens find themselves going through him! Despite this, he has settled in well.

Initially, Goldie decided that Tiger was not worth any attention, and ignored him, putting his nose in the air every time Tiger walked by! After a week, Goldie realised that Tiger was here to stay, and got a bit grumpy! Now, (five weeks after getting him) they are getting on much better, and Goldie gives Tiger the occasional kiss! Tiger is becoming more confident by the day, and now goes up to people he knows and shoves his nose in their pocket for treats! He is still very nervous with strange men, as we believe he was beaten in the past. He is currently on lead walks as the vet thinks he has arthritis in one of his knees, although he has been off the lead despite what we were told, and he behaved brilliantly. He even comes back when called, most of the time!!

The third doggie is Kelly, my brothers dog, from page 19. The three of them often have a gallop together on Watergate beach in Newquay!

Matt and Anita Gerrard