Our Baby Has Arrived

Our new baby has arrived...all 70 lbs, 4 lanky legs, long muzzle with extremely wet nose included, and wagging tail. The only surprise? It isn't Onyx!

We had no idea that Greyhound Pets of America-New Hampshire would bring along another greyhound when they brought Onyx to pay us a visit on Saturday. But that's exactly what they did.

After just a few minutes of walking around our backyard, a tour of the inside of Casa Fox, and meeting our crazy Boxer and 4 cats...it was apparent that Onyx wasn't going to be joining this dog pack. It wasn't anything in particular...we just didn't have that connection.

However, the other greyhound, Chatterbox, fit right in. He obviously loved the kids...leaning in for scratches behind the ear, and walking easily on lead. While cautious with Zora, he was still interested in playing, and when strolling around inside he looked at the cats and turned away as if they were just another piece of furniture...ALL good signs. And I thought it was kind of ironic that a guy that talks on the radio for a living would have a dog named Chatterbox!

So now he had to pass the Charmen test. In all honesty my wife would have been just fine without another dog in the house. She likes the calm and ease of only one dog. Truth be told she's a cat person...as a matter of fact, I'm convinced that if I die early and the kids move away...she'll be the crazy cat lady at the end of the street. You know the one...79 cats in one house, cat magnets all over the refrigerator, 18 years of Cat Fancy Magazine stacked up beside the bed...get the picture?

Anyway, after a lengthy discussion about schedule conflicts, crate size, and responsibilities...it came down to this statement from my wife: "Do it if you want."

To the less experienced husband that would have been the green light, all systems go sign, full steam ahead...but I've been around the block a couple of times...I know that phrase comes with a lot of hidden meanings. Not only did she say "Do it if you want", but she threw in "the look." You know the one guys...the look that says, "Do it, but when it all blows up in your face...don't come running to me for help!" The one that says, "I can't believe you don't see the problems you're causing with this decision."

So being wise enough to recognize this look I new it was time to slow my roll! Maybe she was right...maybe I rushed into this, maybe things were OK without adding another 4 feet to the pitter patter of my house...hmmm...or else it was all a big ploy on her part. Maybe she was working an angle...trying to score some expensive necklace she's had her eye on, or a long weekend in Boston with her sister, leaving me to take care of the boys and all of these animals. Hmmmm...this would require some real thought.

So I excused myself to ponder all of the possibilities...and there on the toilet all things became crystal clear. I decided to follow my heart...adopt Chatterbox, love him, give him a forever home, and deal with the othr stuff as it comes up! I also realized it was time for a new toilet as well!

By the time I made it outside I could see that Charmen was finally warming up a bit more to the idea of having a greyhound in the family again. Chatterbox had made his way over to her and was laying on the charm. After a few more minutes of discussion with the adoption coordinators, Charmen finally gave me the sign that she was on board. There were cheers from the kids and the GPA folks, and even Chatterbox seemed relieved that he had found a permanent home.

The first night was pretty uneventful. Chatterbox found his way upstairs to explore and meet the other cats...who were NOT impressed, but tolerated him none-the-less...he played with Zora, and reveled in the fact that he was getting scratched and rubbed at every turn.

The real fun started at 1:30 this morning. That's when I decided to finally call it a night, and placed him in his crate. All seemed well at first...until I had just gotten comfortable...and that's when the howling started. I ignored it at first, realizing that we're in a transition phase...this is normal. Then came the barking. OK...that's normal. Then came the moaning, howling and barking all at once!

That's when my wife rolled over and said, "Your dog wants you!"

Cut to the chase...I slept on the couch last night, right next to Chatterbox. He calmed down and finally went to sleep. When I woke up a couple of hours ago I was greeted with a big wet greyhound kiss for my efforts...meanwhile, my wife is still sound asleep in our bed...with her cat!

The kids are eating breakfast, and Chatterbox is right here beside me on the floor as I type this...feels like a pretty good Sunday...even if my back does hurt from sleeping on the couch!

I'm off to the kitchen for a cup of coffee...and to feed my new best friend. Talk to you in the morning.

A New Member of the Fox Family?

Now before anyone gets too excited...my wife is NOT pregnant! I already have two sons and that's MORE than enough!

However, we may be adding to the family with another 4 legged friend...a really, really fast friend...a retired racing greyhound.

I first got involved with greyhound adoption when I was in the U.S. Air Force and living in San Antonio, TX. My first wife and I adopted a total of 5 greyhounds and we were actively involved with Hill Country Greyhound Rescue and Adoption (now TXGAP).

I helped coordinate meet and greets, arranged transport schedules from the track in Corpus Christie back to San Antonio, did home checks for potential greyhound owners, helped clean kennels, feed, and turnout the dogs for exercise...I was very involved and loved every single minute of it. The people were fantastic, and the dogs captured my heart.

I still remember the day that I met my first greyhound. We had gone to Petsmart to pick up a bag of food for my Norwegian Elkhound (another truly amazing breed) and as we were leaving, the HCGRA was just setting up for a meet and greet...greyhounds were everywhere. I was instantly taken with their grace and beauty.


As I looked on admiringly, one of the volunteers asked me if I'd like to pet one of the dogs. Well...you don't have to ask me twice! I was thrilled to stand around petting a dog I didn't even know. Too bad the dog didn't feel the same way! Perhaps it was my exuberance and enthusiasm, but that particular greyhound wasn't so thrilled to meet me...he gave me a look that said, "Stand back freak show."

At that point...someone that would turn out to be one of my favorite people in the world...Ray Massey...stepped forward to reassure me that just because that greyhound didn't like me...that there were others that would. As a matter of fact one was on the way within minutes!

So being the goofy dork I am, I stood around waiting. Then he walked through the door...long, sleek, shiny black hair, tail wagging, tongue hanging out the side of his mouth...and he was walking straight toward me. I've said since that day that he saw SUCKER written all over my face and turned on his magic greyhound charm.


It was like a scene out of some movie...I bent down as he approached and before I could blink he was giving me those greyhound kisses that I would learn to love and cherish. He rubbed his head against my leg, then leaned into me and before I knew what hit me I was in love.

The only thing that I didn't like about him was his name...Wubba Wubba! Who names a dog Wubba Wubba? I soon found out that lots of greyhounds get weird names...but have "normal" nicknames. However, Wubba Wubba didn't have a cool nickname...that would soon change.

To be honest...at this point, like any new relationship...I got scared. I wasn't sure I was able to commit. So we said our goodbyes...a nice hug and a rub on the head from me...a big sloppy greyhound kiss from Wubba Wubba...and I left the store.

For the next hour I tried to shop for furniture for the new house I had just had built. I'd moved in the week before and most of the rooms were empty or had left over stick furniture pieced together from my parents and in-laws left overs.

As hard as I tried to focus on chairs, couches and end tables...my mind kept thinking about Wubba Wubba.

My ex, for all of our differences, shared a true love for animals and she could tell my head and my heart was back at Petsmart. So she quickly wrapped up the deal on the furniture, and as we walked back to the parking lot we both knew we weren't headed home just yet! Without saying a word, I pointed the car toward Petsmart.

As I walked back through the door, Ray was there...a smile from ear to ear, his hand extended, his voice booming "Welcome to the family!" As I signed the adoption papers Ray told me that he knew I'd be back. Little did he know I'd be back again and again.

Becoming active in he and his wife Patsy's greyhound rescue group is one of the shiny moments of my life. However, as things change and people grow, our paths split off as I went to California for a new morning show opportunity...then another...along the way getting divorced, remarried, and having two kids...I've never found a way to merge our paths for more than a quick visit or a phone call and/or an e-mail.


However, in that time I've adopted and loved several greyhounds. Three years ago this month I lost one of my favorites...Tornado...to cancer. It was one of the three saddest days of my life.


Since then I've been without a greyhound and my life has been worse because of it. Oh sure...I have pets...and if you listen to the show, then you know I love each one of them. From our crazy Boxer, Zora...to the amazing cats Linus, and Pearl that we adopted from the Animal Refuge League in Westbrook...and our sons 2 Guinea Pigs...I love them all. But none have ever filled my heart the same way a greyhound does.

So after months of mulling it over...today we'll meet Onyx. He's a black, 2 year old retired racer from Greyhound Pets of America-New Hampshire. A volunteer is driving him to our house tonight to see if this may possibly be his forever home. He reportedly gets along well with other dogs, likes cats, and is great with kids. So our hope is that he'll be a good match.

My hopes are probably a little higher than the rest of the family...they'll love him no matter what because he's a sweet dog. Me on the other hand...well, I'm looking for true love like I found with Wubba Wubba...who by the way, had his named changed that first day to Bogey!

I'll let you know tomorrow how things turn out this afternoon with Onyx. Wish me luck.