Owner’s Feedback
Thinking about adopting a greyhound?
Read the feedback from people who have adopted from Crossing Cottage Kennels. What they thought of the whole adoption process, how the kennels have helped and, most importantly, what they think of their greyhounds.
Andy and Rosie
Having persuaded Val, my wife, that we should think about having a dog, she actually came up with the idea of a retired greyhound and, much to her astonishment, I immediately made an appointment to visit Crossing Cottage Kennels. She agreed to go, but only on the basis that we have a look around and then think about it some more.
However, on arrival at the kennels, John’s opening gambit was, ‘Come on, we’ve got the perfect dog for you’. We were taken to meet Andy, a big black and white dog with baleful brown eyes. Every other dog in the kennels clamoured for attention, but not Andy. He took one look at us and strolled off to his bed and lay down with a big sigh. Val was smitten. Andy looked so sad, we had to take him home.
It turned out that Andy had been in the kennels for over a year. Always overlooked by would-be homers, probably because he didn’t push himself forward. Even more reason to take him, according to Val.
Having gone through all the formalities, the adoption went through and Andy came home with us. He was perfect – quiet, clean and beautifully behaved in the house (and office) and on the lead. And he still is. Off-the-lead, in open spaces, he reverts to type; he was born to race. Invariably, he does two flat out circuits of the field, always in the same direction, and then falls in behind, waiting for the lead to go back on.
But he remained reserved. Never sought affection and responded grudgingly to any that was given.
After we’d had him for about 18 months, I came up with what I thought was the solution to Andy’s reticence. He needed the company of other dogs. We should get another greyhound to keep him company. Val was appalled and adamantly refused.
However, on a visit to the kennels, I came across a very pretty blue dog called Bridie. A chat with Judith revealed that Bridie was a bit of a problem. She’d been homed twice and had come back both times for a variety of reasons. She’d got a reputation as something of a ‘devil dog’. Judith said that if I wanted to take her home and try her with Andy, I was welcome.
So I did and having got her home (and, at Val’s insistence, changed her name to Rosie), she stayed. And, far from being a devil dog, she’s fantastic. Clean, quiet and beautifully behaved – a really charming character.
Only one minor area of concern. She’s a chaser. Anything smaller than her, furry and with four legs, she’d be gone. I learned from bitter experience. Having let her off in the middle of a ‘safe’ area, she spotted rabbits in the distance and she was off. Field, after field after field. I reckon, with Andy trotting happily at my heels, I did about five miles across rough ground trying to catch up with her. Eventually she went in to a barn and I managed to corner her. My furious reprimand was met with what I can only describe as a defiant smirk.
She stayed on the lead for a long time after that episode but now, having checked every horizon carefully, I let her off in ‘safe’ places and she contents herself with racing and, much to his annoyance (he barks at her), beating Andy in his two laps round the field.
Rosie and Andy are now a couple. He’s top gun (or at least she lets him think he is) and, after three years, he’s turned into a really affectionate dog who actually comes and gives you a hefty shove in the back when he wants a stroke. Rosie is a delight - funny (she actually makes a noise like a dolphin and stamps her feet when she wants something) endearing and affectionate.
We wouldn’t be without them now and, if anyone is thinking about getting a dog, we would unreservedly recommend a visit to Cross Cottage. John will be waiting with the time-honoured phrase – “Come on in, we’ve got the perfect dog for you” – and he probably has!
Ray and Val Hirst
Joe
On our first visit to Crossing Cottage, we were welcomed by Judith and John and showed around the kennels at all the gorgeous Greyhounds. After talking to John and telling him our lifestyle and what kind of temperament we were looking for in a Greyhound, John introduced us to Joe as he thought he would be a good match for us and Joe really chose us after giving me a huge lick on the cheek and looking into those big brown eyes of his – how could we resist him!
While, we were waiting for a home check, we went back for another two visits and took our grandchildren, as this was what Judith advised. We were able to walk him and visit him a few times and given lots of really helpful information about aftercare and advice on what to do when we got him home; feeding, walking and adapting to living in a home etc. which has since been ongoing, as John and Judith are always there on the end of the telephone for any help and are happy to give us any advice no matter what.
We were 100% happy that we were making the right decision about not only the right dog but also with the right kennels. The kennels are immaculate; the dogs are their number one priority. We were given plenty of information about Joe including his pedigree, trainer, injury, general health and temperament and he was in excellent condition when we got him. We’ve also been given lots of information about the Retired Greyhound Trust, with up and coming events, fayres, walks and Greyhound gatherings to which we have attended on numerous occasions and enjoyed getting together with other Greyhound owners and especially their dogs. Since adopting Joe in August ‘09 we now wonder what we did before Joe as he has become such a big, but SPOILT!, part of our family now thanks to John and Judith and their dedication to finding Greyhounds new loving homes.
From Joe, Janet, Allan and Lauren Proffitt
Eddie & Stella
If someone had told me a couple of years ago that I would have 1 greyhound nevermind 2 vying for position on my settee I would have never believed it but we have – both from Judith and John Morton at Crossings Cottage in Newark.
The background to our introduction to John and Judith and greyhounds starts with my youngest son Niall who is autistic. Autistic children have problem with social interaction and can find every day situations extremely stressful – one of these being with dogs especially the noise they make and life out and about with Niall was becoming extremely difficult. During this time I happened to watch an item on television about greyhounds and how many needed homing after their racing career finished. It also mentioned how good they were with children and that they rarely barked – they sounded too good to be true. After looking on the web site for information on greyhounds that needed homes I came across John and Judith’s site in Newark. As we were staying near Newark over the Christmas holidays I phoned John to get some more information. I told him of Niall’s condition and that it would depend entirely on his reaction to the dogs as to whether we would go ahead. From the very first phone call John was so friendly and understanding and we arranged to go and visit.
When we arrived at the kennels the dogs automatically started to bark and Niall began to stress but once we had gone inside they settled down and he calmed down. We met both John and Judith who showed us round the kennels and straight away we were so impressed with all the care and love they gave to their dogs. The greyhounds and how friendly and pleased they were to see us soon took in Niall and our eldest son Euan. We chatted to Judith and she knew exactly which dogs she thought would be suitable for us. The boys excitedly set off looking at the dogs and we took out two of them for a walk. We were amazed how good the dogs were on leads and how happy they were to come a walk with us. After much deliberation the boys settled on Eddie provisionally if we decided to go ahead. We left John and Judith to have a think about it and as we got in the car to leave Niall burst into tears as he thought we would be taking Eddie home that night. What an amazing reaction, one we never thought we would see and our minds were made up there and then. After speaking to Judith later that evening she explained the adoption procedure including a home check. Needless to say this all went well and we collected Eddie in early January.
We were so excited and a little apprehensive when we arrived at the kennels to collect him but John and Judith were great at settling our nerves and giving us advice before we set off for home. Eddie was great and settled down really quickly. He has always been great with the kids and both of them love him to pieces. We have visited John and Judith at Christmas Fairs and always have a look at all the residents. An idea started to form in my mind that it would be lovely to have a female greyhound as Eddie had been so easy, so we found ourselves at the kennels again and chose Stella a beautiful fawn greyhound and collected her just in time for Christmas 09.
Eddie is very protective of his sister and our family is complete. Eddie is very quiet and laid back and Stella is a typical girl who loves lots of attention and fuss.
Niall is fine with all dogs since having our 2 greyhounds, the difference is amazing. We try to get to the kennels when we can and wish we lived nearer so we could support them more in the fabulous job they do. We have been home checkers ourselves which was a great experience. We can’t thank John and Judith enough for making our lives so much easier with Niall and bringing the joy of greyhounds into it., We have a motorhome and the dogs love travelling in it. Eddie has already been to France and Spain and both of them have toured all over the UK.
We have also used Crossing Cottage for kenneling the dogs while we flew to Spain and it was great to know they were looked after with as much care as John and Judith give to them.
Liz Yates
Willow
Willow came to live with us on 7th July 2009. It was just a lucky chance that we had gone to the kennels the week before to have a look and find out about keeping a Greyhound. Judith suggested we take one for a walk and see how we got on. Willow, or Pearls Black as she was, had been returned to RGT and was looking for a home. Well, one walk was all it took, and after a home check, she became one of our family. A sad depressed dog then, unsure and insecure.
Gradually she came out of her shell and began to trust us and show her real character. And what a gem she has turned out to be. Great fun, mad moments, gentle, lovable, affectionate and beautiful to look at. She loved to race around the garden, which began to look like a race track! It took some time before I risked letting her off the lead for a run on the marsh, but as long as there were no other dogs she was fine. She also had to get used to our son’s Beagle, called Poppy, plus a bundle of energy called Pippa, a Parsons Jack Russell belonging to our daughter. Willow and Pippa are now great friends. Unfortunately on 13th January 2011, Willow raced off after some friends and their dogs while we were on the marsh. At the far end of the marsh is a 10 ft dyke, and Willow was unable to stop. She tried to jump it but crashed into it and broke her left front leg. With help from my daughter and a friend we got her out, my husband came down with the 4 x 4 and with more help got her to the surgery in Newark. They did what they could to ease her pain, and then we took her to the Veterinary Hospital at Castle Donnington. The Surgeon there did what he could to save her leg but it was too badly smashed, and it had to be amputated. After a few
days we got her home and slowly she started to cope with her disability. She was naturally very depressed and disorientated, but is now going for short walks and visits to John and Judith at RGT.
Now in February she has started playing with her squeaky toys again and pulling her bed about when she is excited!. She trots down the garden and races back to the house! Through it all she has never once showed any sign of bad temper and is as lovable as ever. Her coat is growing in and despite her loss she is still our beautiful lovable Willow.
