Dusty and me

Shawn and Charlie show off his new service vest. Shawn said people generally ignore the "Do Not Pet" warning. Charlie, as a matter of fact, apparently thinks it says, "Please pet me." ---------- Friends of Greyhounds alum Charlie has earned his vest as a service dog. The 5-year-old, who lives in Davie with mom Shawn and older sister Dee Dee, recently graduated from a six-month course in PTSD and mobility service. One handsome devil ... ---------- Shawn, a captain in the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department, said Charlie is the first service dog in a department pilot program. "Many departments are using therapy dogs to manage PTSD and other issues," Shawn explained in an email. "Charlie is being used on debriefings and more. He's touched many of my co-workers in touching ways, and more are now interested in the program." Shawn said the department is employing Charlie "on critical stress-team callouts and for firefighters in cri...

Dee Dee feeling at home ---------- Shawn sent along a couple more photos of Dee Dee in her new home. Shawn said in an email that she's not the only one in the household thrilled to have Dee Dee. Since Shawn's hound Zen passed a couple of weeks ago, Charlie had been suffering some separation anxiety when Shawn would leave the house, she said. But Dee Dee's presence already has gone a long way to ease Charlie's pain, she said. "She's the sweetest, easiest thing to care for," Shawn wrote about Dee Dee. "She does everything you tell her, literally. She is so affectionate but sometimes looks sad. I'm sure she misses her other family, but I just cuddle her hoping it comforts her. "She moves slowly and has the signs of an elderly dog. And she deserves much better than that in her final years. Charlie loves her, and his anxiety is much better, especially when I leave the house. I can't help but stop and pet her instead of just walk b...

Dee Dee relaxing in one of her new beds ---------- Dee Dee relaxing in another one of her new beds ---------- Shawn dropped an email this morning with a couple of photos to let us know that Dee Dee seems to be settling into her new home. Shawn said Dee Dee's new brother, Charlie, seems happy to have another greyhound in the house once again. "Charlie didn't cry when I left the house," Shawn wrote. "I got back, and both were laying down and got up with smiles, walked a nice walk together. And it seems Charlie is OK now, not as anxious. Still early, but looking good! "Small issue with the cat," Shawn said. "But I think we'll work through it." Thanks for the update, Shawn. Keep us posted. Dee Dee and Charlie chilling out together

Dee Dee, the 11-year-old brindle who landed in the Friends of Greyhounds kennels for the third time, didn't have to wait long for a new home. Shawn with Charlie (left) and new family member Dee Dee ---------- She was at FoG for only about 10 days before she found herself a new home. Michelle and I delivered her today to Shawn, a Miami-Dade County firefighter who lives in Davie. Dee Dee is at least the third greyhound Shawn has adopted from FoG. Shawn lost her older hound a couple weeks ago and had decided she needed to fill the empty space in her home with another. She called Michelle on Sunday, and they quickly agreed that Dee Dee would be a good fit in Shawn's home. Dee Dee had been spending her days in the FoG permanent residence with Michelle and Jerry D.'s house dogs, sleeping overnights in the guest kennels. Michelle had planned to get Dee Dee's vet work done this week but decided to get her Shawn immediately. Dee Dee will get a few days to get accus...

Taylor with Crystal and his new canine sibling, Bailey ---------- I usually write up news like this as it happens. But it's been a crazy couple of days in Dusty Land, so apologies for being late. We'll start with news about Taylor. The beautiful white hound with the gimpy leg found himself a family Tuesday -- Crystal delivered her adoption application to Friends of Greyhounds  shortly after Michelle and I returned from delivering Kango to his family. Crystal had her eye on three hounds, but Taylor was her first choice. He made the choice easy for Crystal when he was the only one of the three to pass an impromptu cat-tolerance test. Michelle and I delivered Taylor to Crystal's townhouse in Coconut Creek on Thursday. He will need to navigate a long, steep but straight and carpeted stairway to get in and out of his new home. He did pretty well going up and then down for the first time with human assistance. It'll be a challenge for him for a few days, ...