I’m a sucker for punishment, so when it comes to memes, I like to add a little extra challenge. For the last round of ABC Wednesday, I chose to post only pictures from the archives. This time around, I’m going to use greyhounds as my theme.
And so today, I give you ‘A‘ for Apparel. In that first picture, the Princess Renie is modelling a grey purpose-made greyhound sweater with front legs and a polo neck, and a pair of Virgin Atlantic flight socks.
Now, greyhounds, more than any other large dog, seem to need fancy stuff. Why? They spend their early years at the track, owning nothing very much, but when they retire, they somehow turn into prima donnas. That’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it?
To be fair, these are actually amazingly sensitive dogs who are delicate in many ways. You can think of them as the canine equivalent of racehorses if you like, because like racehorses, they are thin-skinned, and aristocratic. I can trace each of my ex-racers’ pedigrees back to the 1800s, which is more than most people can say about their own ancestry. They are sensitive to certain anaesthetics, and a little more prone to injury than most breeds, because they move so fast. They are also more prone to heat-stroke, and frostbite, and most definitely need a coat in cold or rainy weather.
Now, because they are thin-skinned, and have those long necks and narrow heads, they also require specialized collars. Most people in England use ‘fish-tail’ leather collars, which are made wide, narrowing to the buckle ends, so they can be fitted tightly enough not to pull straight off. Most people in America use martingale collars, either of fabric or leather, and these are kinder to my way of thinking, and what’s more, you can get them in a wondrous array of fancy fabrics , or even stamped and decorated leather.
Here’s Jack modelling his pirate skulls martingale with a black hemp tag collar decorated with brass beads.
Martingales, however, though they are wonderful things, have a downside: they do not lend themselves to the attachment of tags, firstly because of their construction, and secondly, because they should not be left on an unattended dog. The free loop, or one those large D rings, can get snagged on things and I have personally known of two dogs who have hanged themselves on their collars, which is a fate too awful to contemplate. So many greyhound owners also put a separate collar on their dogs just to hold the tags, and it’s either loose enough to pull straight off over their heads, or it’s made to break under strain.
Tag collars can be very fancy. In fact, some tag collars are actually necklaces. This one belonged to the Princess Renie, seen here grinning at you from the picture, with her everyday soft martingale collar hanging on the other side of the frame.
That one was made for Renie by a friend of mine, who makes jewellery for both people and hounds under the name of Paws De Deux, but here are a selection of the tag necklaces I’ve been making recently -I’m planning to sell these to raise funds for greyhound rescue.
And then there are pyjamas. You might think this is a step too far, but trust me, with practically no body fat and a very thin coat of fur, some greyhounds really do need these, especially those of advanced age, or those with special problems, or those who go camping with their people. Or in this case, when a dog is suffering from cancer and feels the cold because the cancer is using all her resources.
Poor girl. Her feet and ears would be like ice, and she did love her pink fleecy pyjamas to snuggle into.
And of course, a greyhound’s requirements will vary according to where they live. In Florida, it’s unlikely they’ll ever need more than a light jacket. In the depths of a Canadian winter, they will probably need a specialised coat and blizzard boots just to go into the yard to pee, with a belly warmer underneath if they plan to stay out for long. Especially if they raced in Florida! Here in England, some need clothing, some don’t. Mine wear it as and when needed. But they have to have a full wardrobe of apparel.
Just in case.
Oh my gush their apparel and accessories are awesome. And they look so great with those. Thanks for sharing!
ABC Wednesday:Autograph
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Oh, I loved those pictures. Great fun
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Yay – 26 weeks of gorgeous greyhound piccies – I can’t wait!!
Unfortunately OH won’t let me order any PJ’s for Taffy and William (I am allowed fancy martingale collars!) so I guess Taffy will have to continue jumping on OH in the night to get between us on the bed when he is feeling the cold! (Fortunately William doesn’t suffer so much even sleeping under the open window else one of us would end up on the dogs beds!)
PS how many pics of JD with greyhounds have you got
Love your fashion show and theme for ABC. Its going to be fun to see the choice each week.
I didn’t realise greyhounds had so many problems and found this really interesting Jay, as well as fun. I shall definitely be on the lookout for your future ABC weeks.
Jack has got to be one of the very best dressed dogs ever! He’s got apparel for every occasion.
Yep, I saw those pirates on those fancy girlie pajamas – all the more special for this special girl. I bet they love wearing them as much as we do. Great shots!
Princess lives up to her name, some wonderful apparel. I had never thought about the collars before, fascinating post. I’m looking foward to leaning even more about greyhounds now.
I think he has more Apparel than I have
I guess if a dog doesn’t want to have any clothes on, he/she would try to get out of them every which way they can!
Love your new meme theme though. Can’t wait to see the rest of the alphabet!
Kim – What my dogs have is nothing compared to what some dogs have, but thanks!
Anthony – Thanks!
Taffy’s Mum – I have precisely NO pictures of Johnny Depp with greyhounds! I have a picture of him with a nameless husky type dog, and a koala bear, and horses – and even a fish – but no greyhounds. LOL!
OH won’t let you get your hounds pyjamas? Have you contacted the RSPCA? I’m shocked!! Still, I supposed if he’s willing to warm them by letting them in bed, that’s fair enough.
I’m glad you’re looking forward to this round! I am, too!
Photowannabe – Thanks – I’m glad you enjoyed it!
SJ Anne – Thanks! Greyhounds are really one of the healthier breeds, in that they have very few genetic disorders and few anatomical problems. It is just that they are ‘thoroughbreds’ so their skin tears easily, and they have one or two special requirements. Us greyhound owners hardly notice them. LOL!
EG Wow! – And actually, Jack was the dog who had the fewest clothes! He didn’t feel the cold as much as most greyhounds, so he just had that black coat plus a lightweight raincoat. I made him a fleece for when he went into kennels but he hardly ever wore it.
Kml – Oh, yes, those were her pink skullies pyjamas! They were very pretty, but so was she!
Joy – Renie was definitely a Princess, and expected to be treated as such!
Ru – Well, there are two dogs in this post and the new necklaces don’t belong to either of them, but yes, I take your point. We do seem to have rather a lot of dog apparel, don’t we? :p
Mara – That’s very true. Sid, on the other hand, when he sees his blue fleece in my hands, runs over and sticks his head into the neck hole because he knows he’s warmer out there with it on!
Your dogs are better dressed than I. But I’m not complaining.
That’s awesome apparel. I agree with Tumblewords.
On behalf of the ABC Wednesday team, which I just joined, thank you!
No one works this meme better than you! And these are such beautiful dogs!!
This was fascinating, Jay! I always thought that dogs who wore apparel had owners who were a bit over-protective; thanks for straightening me out! I can certainly see the need for warm coats for your greyhounds and some other breeds. On the other hand, my daughter puts a football jersey on her pug when they watch their favorite team:) You’re right about the martingale collars–that’s what I have on my Golden, Sophie, and it was a bear to put the tags on. The separate necklace is a great idea.
lovely take on the theme! power to you and the greyhounds!
What fashion statements. I’d love to have a grey jumper just like Princess Renie. Gorgeous, and what long long legs. Those dog necklaces are just the ticket for fund raising. I can imagine them becoming very popular.
Oh, what a wonderful collection of pampered pooches! What I want to know, is how did The Princess sneak onto my sofa?
Wow! Nice clothes;-) Like the last ones colors!
Have a great day!
Awfully adorable apparel ! Your dogs are patient animals! Very nice post with great sense of humor! I miss your Johnny Depp!
Man, you really take care of your dog very well. The shirt fits on nicely. Even the pyjamas you’re giving him. I salute!
How lovely to see the Princess and Pirate again – I was looking at my pics of them only the other day!
I think since Hippie bounded into our lives we have bought more warm fleecy clothes for her than for ourselves – but she does love being snuggled up – she sleeps really well in her Christmas PJ’s!!
Three labradors here are laughing there arses off now, but they are just stupid and have their double layered coats to keep them warm.
I love the necklaces. Hope you will raise obscene amounts of money with them.
By the way, I’ve always pronounced Renie as Reenee
You know I thought in the picture of Princess Renie there were two dogs, one showing the head and the front paws and another only the hind legs because she looks soooooo long ! just as two dogs, hahaha !
Gattina´s last blog ..WINDOW VIEWS & doors
pure bliss for me a deer lover to read.Mine do not dress unfortunately..more pictures I found the cards by the way
sandy´s last blog ..Thursday 13 – Thirteen life affirming memories I’ll never forget.
Tumblewords, Roger Green and Meleah – Thank you! Yes, mine are well-dressed dogs!
Rose – Well, some owners who dress their dogs certainly are overprotective, and greyhound owners can be as over-the-top as any ‘handbag’ dog owner, too. Nutty as a fruit cake, some of us! LOL!
Try the tag necklace idea! I bet you like it. You can get some nice plain ones, too – longdogleatherworks.com does some great tag collars.
Magiceye – Thanks!
Aussie – We have two of those jumpers, one grey and one cream. They comfy lounging wear, by the look of it, aren’t they?
Long legs indeed. She was certainly my pin-up girl. *Sigh* … I do miss her.
Shrinky – You have a sofa like that? Excellent taste, my friend!
Spiderdama – Thanks! Purple and pink seemed appropriate for a Princess!
Reader Wil – Never fear, Johnny will turn up again, at the opportune moment! LOL!
Patient? No, just dogs who love their comfort. They quickly learn that when we put clothes on them, they feel warmer. Sid pokes his head into his outdoor jumper now, when I hold it for him.
Winson – Thanks!
If you’re going to dress a dog, you have a duty to make sure the clothes fit well and are comfy! Otherwise, it’s just torture.
Kate – They love it, don’t they? I think you have a Princess of your own, there. I’m glad you found some PJs for her. I hope to come a visit some day, and I really don’t think I could have coped with seeing Renie’s on her. Sorry about that.
Carolina – You’ve always pronounced ‘Renie’ correctly? You’re a very intelligent woman!
I can well imagine your labradors laughing. In fact, it always makes me smile when I see a fat lab being walked in a coat. I want to go to the person and say ‘he really doesn’t need a coat, you know!’ but then I think, ‘what do I know about their circumstances?’ and so I say nothing. But yes, a double coat, an oily coat (greyhounds have very little oil in their coats) AND a nice layer of fat under the skin – should keep your labs nice and cosy without clothing! LOL!
Not that I’m saying your labradors are overweight – I’m sure they’re not! But labs are well insulated. It’s how they’re bred, isn’t it?
Gattina – An understandable mistake! In fact, greyhounds and lurchers are called ‘longdogs’ by countrymen here!
Sandy – You don’t need to dress yours – you’re in Florida! LOL!
Glad you found the cards.
PS: I think I want my OWN pair of those pink fleecy pajamas to snuggle into.
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Great photos. I didn’t know that greyhounds are so sensitive to the cold. Maybe that is why I don’t see them here in Chicago.
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Meleah – You’d look pretty funny – there’s no ‘bottom’ to them! LOL! Although I’m sure you could find the fleece and make some proper human shaped ones.
Kala – Oh, Greytalk has several members from Chicago! It can’t be as cold as Canada, surely? We have members there, too! You just have to protect the hounds properly and they manage.
was your grey hound a prized runner? I LOL when I look at the first photo. Your dog is like some people, their lower limbs don’t seem to be cold.
Were you originally from NZ or did you just come to live in Takapuna for one year?
ann chin´s last blog ..Friday Shoot Out: Sounds in your Town
this is a wonderful post for the letter A!
I love seeing your portraits of these beautiful animals. They do indeed look like true aristocrats, so fine and delicate.
On another note, I had to link my post to yours today. if you get a chance, please check it out, I am hoping you will like it. Yours is a wonderful blog!
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I have learnt so much about greyhounds already; and this is only the first letter of the alphabet! An interseting post.
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Aw, they’re so lovely. But I can’t see me getting George into pjs!
liz´s last blog ..I’m a proper granny
Greyhound dogs are really adorable, and yours are the cutest! Love their accessories as well1
Kisses from Nydia.
Nydia´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday – B is for Blues Traveler
I enjoy reading your page, always learn something interesting stuff.
Emily Randall from Husky Training.net