by Sue Burkhard
 

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly....just make sure you keep them high enough that your Greyhound doesn't pull them down, along with the tree!  The holiday's are a wonderful, hectic, stress-filled, time of the year.  And often in the hustle and bustle of decorating, parties, shopping, and get-togethers we forget about those fur-covered family members that live in our house. Unfortunately the Holiday Season (including Christmas, Chanukkah, New Years Day, and others) is one of the most dangerous times for our Greyhounds.
 
    Think about it.  What we think of as Holiday Spirit must be looked at by our pets with sheer disbelief.  All year round we tell our Greyhounds that they cannot drag sticks into the house and then we bring in a whole tree!  After months of picking up items left lying around the house, we toss a whole bunch of interesting packages, all wrapped with funny smells and sounds, on the floor. No wonder pet owners find the holidays especially hectic.  But it doesn't have to be that way.  Greyhound owners can take a few simple steps to assure that the holidays are a joyous, peaceful, and safe time for ALL family members.
 
    A little pre-planning goes a long way.  A well placed ceiling mounted planter hook over where you are going to place your tree will allow you to wire your tree to the ceiling to prevent it from being knocked over by a toy- tossing Greyhound.  Use the hard earned wisdom of other pet owners for tips on keeping your tree from becoming an indoor toilet area or giant chew toy.  My family has used X-Pens for years to surround the tree.  This keeps your presents and decorations safely out of reach of inquisitive needle noses.  Also remember that even the best security system will be tampered with if whatever is on the other side is irresistible to your Greyhound.  Do not put food or treats under the tree.  Our hounds may be Sight Hounds but there's nothing wrong with those long noses when it comes to sniffing out a wrapped box of Chocolate.  Other tree hazards include tree flocking which can be poisonous if ingested, tinsel and angel hair (spun glass) that can cause intestinal damage, and glass ornaments which can cut paws if broken.  Also many tree preservatives, which you place in the tree stand with water, are poisonous and should be avoided.  Electrical wires can be run through PVC pipe or kept inside your "gated tree" to prevent your hounds access to them.
 
    With all the guests coming and going, remember to have your Greyhound secured away from the entryway during high traffic periods to prevent escape.  An especially risky time is when packages are being delivered, since your hands are full as you are trying to navigate the door at the same time your vision may be blocked.  This would be a prime time for your hound to make a break for it. Try locking your hound in another room while you handle the delivery person. 
 
    There's a good reason that half of America goes on a diet January 2nd of each year.  The Holiday season is full of wonderful, fatty treats.   We may feel like we need to share some of this bounty with our 4 legged friends...but resist the urge!  Chocolate can be toxic to dogs, fatty food can cause intestinal upset, pancreatitis, and diarrhea.  And NEVER give alcohol to your Greyhound.  As little as one ounce of 20-40 proof alcohol can cause your pet to go into a coma.  Plants also pose an edible hazard for your hounds.   Poinsettias and mistletoe can be poisonous to your pet, and pine needles can cause intestinal blockage or upset.
 
    Always make sure your pet has a safe and quiet place to retreat to in case they get overwhelmed with all the activity.  Actually, when you're feeling stressed, overloaded, and overwhelmed with the holidays, or when your getting a little case of the Holiday Blues, think about taking your Greyhound for a walk around the block or a romp in the yard.  Your Greyhound will love the one-on-one attention that they sometimes miss during this season, and you will feel much better after you have had a chance to catch your breath. 
 
    Remember that our Greyhounds are experts at counter surfing and stealing things, so place candles and simmering potpourri pots on high shelves out of reach.  Stockings should be hung with care , again high enough where your Greyhound can't get them.  And while you're hanging those stockings why don't you hang one for your Greyhound.  Finding small items that will fit in your hounds stocking will help you focus on your special companion. 
 
    Speaking of focusing on the Greyhound in your life, don't forget to have a little fun with your hound.  Get them a holiday collar or collar cover so they can join in the celebration.  Remember to switch ID tags to any new collar though, or have an extra set made to be placed on temporary collars.  Inquire if your community has a Holiday Pet Parade (we have a ReinDog Parade) and get a group of Greyhounds together to walk in it.  Make sure you have Adoption information on hand to pass out to anyone interested.  And what would the holidays be without Holiday Pictures.  Many non-profit animal groups have Santa Paws picture days where your pet can be photographed with the Jolly Old Elf himself.   And while you're making your Holiday Gift Giving List, consider giving a gift in your Greyhound's name to your Adoption Group so other Greyhounds will have a Happy Holiday next year!