My name is Foyle Flash which I have been renamed “Spot”, because I am black and covered in white spots. I was a good racer winning 9 A1 races at Wimbledon and I received dog grader of the year for my achievements for 2010, which my Mum is very proud of. I spent my racing days with Bernie Doyle, which allowed my Mum to visit on a Sunday to give me a nice walk and a lovely bowl of chicken and sardines. Which to my Mums horror I would cock my leg in my bowl to show her how pleased I was.  I now have been at home for 7 weeks, this was a little early in my career due to a hock injury but I am really enjoying myself, although my Mum says I have some teething problems. One is cocking my leg up my Nannies sofa, curtains on kitchen door when I go for a visit, but don’t have this problem at home. Another issue is my fascination with Mums fish pond. On day 2, I managed to leap over her bench and land completely in the middle sinking the net, scaring the fish and panicking mu Mum. I couldn’t see her problem, I was being very still and calm, just needed a helping hand to manoeuvre over the large wall. It was freezing cold, we were both very wet, I got a lovely rub down but after I ran back into the house and shook all over her lovely white walls. But the best bit was being dried off with the hairdryer. Safely to say, I haven’t ventured in since, but will have my eye on it when it gets warmer. When visiting Nanny, there is Susie who is 7 years old and Moo Moo who is 2, which both are retired greyhounds. They both make a big fuss of me. At home I live with Badger who is 4 and luckily for him never raced, due to being too slow, not like me !!! and has been at home for almost 3 years. He has his own couch, and is a little reluctant for me to scramble up, when he is sitting on it. So I think that Mum should go and get me one, rather than the vetbed on the floor. I now have a completely new routine to my life. I get up at about 6.30 in the morning and have a lovely breakfast which consists of weatabix, yoghurt, a little milk, banana topped with runny honey. Then I get to go for a walk to the park at about 8.30, this is when the fun really starts. On the journey to the park, I start to bark at anything I can see that moves, which drive my Mum mad as she is trying to drive the car. At the park, I am very good until I see another dog. I really only want to join in, but at the moment they wont let me, as I have a red muzzle on, and must look quite scary. So I spend most of the time, barking at them, which again drives my Mum mad. Hopefully she thinks I will calm down, and has had me neutered to help with this, I wasn’t too keen but didn’t have much say in the matter.  I then get a little rest in until my lunch at 2.00, which is my usual greyhound food, but the sort that is for retired hounds like me. Then its time for a BIG sleep. I prefer to do this with my legs up in the air, wrapped around Mums TV unit and against the patio doors !!! I’m a very lucky boy because I get another walk to the park at about 6.00, but this time Mum leaves the car behind!!!Bed for me is at about 10.00, I get all covered up with my blanket, and stay put until my Mum gets up at 6.30, she seems to be very pleased with me over this. So I must be doing something right, as I get a yummy pig’s ear to start the day off with.

Will update you all in a few months with my continued life, as a retired greyhound.

 p.s Should be fun. my Mum is talking of obedience classes for mature dogs, whatever they are !!!!

BADGER AND YOURS TRULLY