Wearing my lovely fleece coat from Greyhounds As Pets (NZ)
Brrr! Winter has finally come to Auckland!
Although the leaves have been falling off the trees and the sun has been going down earlier, it has not really been cold yet…until yesterday!
It was so chilly that my humans put on my lovely leopard-print coat for my walk yesterday.
Don’t you think I look very chic? 
It is always really hard to find nice coats for me because pet stores never make things in XXXXXL size! But then one day, my humans saw a greyhound wearing a lovely warm, fleece coat from Greyhounds As Pets (GAP) which is a charity that helps find loving homes for ex-racing greyhounds.
Greyhounds are lovely dogs but many people don’t realise that they make wonderful pets: they are very gentle and friendly and don’t actually need a lot of exercise! (They are sprinters, not marathon runners – happy with one or two 20mins walks a day) They are placid and walk very nicely on leash, and like us Danes, they just love to snuggle up with their humans.
(from the GAP website)
In some countries, greyhounds have a terrible life – from young puppies, they are kept in cages and only taken out to race – and then at just 3yrs (or if they don’t win their races), they are ”retired” and killed. It is horrible. But thankfully, there are humans who care about greyhounds – even if they can’t run fast anymore or don’t like to win races - these humans help them find new homes where they can end their days as loved pets.
Greyhound Prayer: "When I die, let it be as a pet. So someone will remember me." (from the GAP website)
Greyhounds As Pets (GAP) is an independent charitable trust established by Greyhound Racing New Zealand to find pet homes for greyhounds which are no longer able to race.
For more information about greyhounds as pets and to see greyhounds looking for homes in New Zealand, please visit: www.greyhoundsaspets.org.nz
My humans asked the GAP people if they could please make up a special coat for me, in super-big size, and so they made me a beautiful coat in double polar fleece, with a lavender leopard-print pattern for just NZ$40! (normal coats are NZ$25).
All ready for the cover of Canine Vogue!
Heading off for my walk...all warm and snug!
Check out the online shop on the GAP website for lots of other lovely things, from waterproof raincoats to fun fur coats to extra small coats for smaller doggies…and all the money paper will go to help ex-racing greyhounds find new loving homes.
******
Mystery Parcel: who sent this to me??
Earlier this week, my humans found a parcel in our mailbox which had my name on it but no information about who sent it to me! The only thing they could see was that it was from the faraway place called “UK”. Inside were 2 really cute dog toys!
Did you send these to me? Please tell me!
I think there was also a dog treat in the parcel too but there was a letter from NZ Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry (MAF) saying that they were keeping the dog treat for themselves (humph!). New Zealand is very strict about letting any food or plant things come into the country because we are an island far away from everybody else and we don’t have many of the diseases in other countries. Lots of wildlife here can be hurt or killed very easily by diseases and parasites coming from other countries.
Anyway, if any of my blog friends sent this lovely parcel to me – can you please let me know? There was no note inside the parcel. I just LOVE my new toys – so I would really like to say thank you properly!
Update: Mystery solved! The parcel was from the Dugallmore Beagles!
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My human’s going to Camera School!
My human, Hsin-Yi, has started going to Camera School every Monday night so she can learn what all the buttons on her big camera machine are for and so she can take nicer pictures of me. She is going to learn about things called aperture and exposure and ISO…
I have to say, though – so far, she doesn’t seem to be doing very well. She keeps pushing buttons and muttering to herself – and then getting grumpy because the pictures come out all black. Or all white. Or all blurry. I don’t think she has any clue what she is doing.
And of course, (sigh) - you know because she is a Chinese species of human, she takes photos all the time already. Well, now she’s really obsessed and spends even more time hovering around me with the camera machine!
Anyway, here are some of her efforts so far…what do you think?
Yikes! Why am I changing colour...?
...and here you can't see my face...
...and here I look like a ghost...
Huh, this is not even me...it's the geese who terrorise everybody in the Auckland Domain!
...and here I'm not even standing straight...!
She’s got another 5 weeks left of classes – I sure hope she gets better…!
Pretty fancy coat Honey! My Mom wishes she could go to camera school like your Mom.
She's not of the Chinese species but maybe she should have been because she likes to take lots of photos too. 
I think the photos are looking good and I like the silhouette one….your not supposed to see your face silly. 
Just your gorgeous and shapely outline. 
Nala
WOW!
Furst off, the parcel khame from The Dughallmor Beagles!
And yes, there were YUMMY treats in there!
NOW, fur the WOW'S: woo look furry furry chikhk in your woolie! Funny, it is 28 or 29 degrees here now and woo are khooling off down under!
My next door neighbour is a retired greyhound! 'Chloe' is furry beawootiful!
SPEAKING OF BEAWOOTIFUL, the photos! Woo better rest up fur woo are going to be the model subjekht fur many many many weeks!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
Honey, your coat is quite lovely -- you look beautiful in it. Congrats on your package -- lots of nice things in there. Practice makes perfect so get ready, Mom will be doing her homework on you.
woos, the OP Pack
Honey, you look gorgeous in your winter finery. Every girl needs a good coat.
How lucky are you to receive surprise presents in the mail? Even though it was a pity a treat was confiscated!
You look amazing in the photos your human has taken. She is super-talented! I am sure with a model like you, she will be an expert in no time!
You look great in the coat, Honey! Your human takes really nice pictures! And that's a really nice parcel you've received there!
Honey, great job by your mom in getting them to make you a custom fitting coat! It looks great on you
I love that Greyhound prayer. Their lives can be so sad.
Honey, you look cool in your new coat! Yes, the temperature suddenly dropped yesterday. So, our mum turned on a heater in a small room where we slept last night.
We also got a parcel from overseas today. It was from our mum's mum. But, our doggie biscuits had also been taken by MAF!
Daddy always complains that photos Mum takes are always blurred. Maybe she should take camera classes as well!
hello honey its dennis the vizsla dog hay yes khyra is rite that packadj is frum owr gud frends the dughallmor beagles and it is ful of gudness as yoo hav fownd owt!!! oh and yore greyhound prayer mayd dada sniffel a littel bit but he is just a big softee ennyway and not the ice kreem kind ha ha ok bye
Ohh la la Honey -- tres chic, what a stylish girl! We love your coat -- glad it keeps you snug.
How exciting to receive a mystery parcel too -- shame about the treats, humph!
Tail wags -- JD and Max.
hehehe I know all about how strict the NZ police are about letting any food or plants in the country, because when I was a kid I went there with my parents and My mom had some milk for me! the policeman didn’t what to let it in, but then he realized that it was made in NZ… he was so pleased that we were buying NZ products in Macau that he let it pass
Now… you look fierce in that leopard coat!
kisses
Sara
PS -- Pu sends some licks too!
Wow, you DO look like you should be on the front of a glamor Dog magazine
Gosh, my mom and dad make me wear a horse coat, and it's bright orange to protect me from hunters.
Mom keeps saying she needs to go to classes to take better photos too, but so far she hasn't gone.
wags,
Behr Behr
Honey! That coat is fantastic on you! WOW! You are totally hot!
Momma tried to adopt a greyhound friend for my grandpa Angus, but when they went to the meet and greet, Angus didn't know they were doggies and pee'd on all six potential pals that he met, so she just gave them some kibbles money.
Your mom is doing great with the camera. My mom resisted going digital for a loooong time because she said she knew how light and stuff worked with film, but not digitals. Now her pictures skills are limited because she lost the user manual and can only use automatic (watch out, your mom might become a dotty old hen one day too).
I might be ready for a movie of the moves I learned from you. Stay tuned.
Slobbers,
Mango
I'm pretty sure that package came from the Dughallmor Beagles. They are in the UK and Ludo just received a furry similar gift fur competing in their red snooter contest.
I LOVE your coat Honey! It's furry stylish
Mummy is familiar with the work of GAP. They were at the Million Paws Walk the other day too.
Big licks to you
Suzuki
xxx
You look dashing Honey!
Hi Honey! Your coat is adorable! I have to buy one! Your photos are always great for me!
Kisses
Rufus and Indie
Hi Honey
Where abouts in Australia are you moving to? This is the website fur GAP in WA. http://www.greyhoundsaspets.com.au/
Big licks to you
Suzuki
xxx
Honey, you look beautiful in your coat!
One day my mommie would like to go to camera school. Since she has to use one hand to wrangle me and my treats and one hand for the camera, she usually just uses the camera's automatic setting.
We love your coat Honey! It's very stylish!
That's so exciting that your mom is taking camera classes! Think of all the possiblities! I think that would be a lot of fun to learn about all the different aspects of your camera for better photos.
Great fleece coat Honey!!
Our mum took courses too, but her technical aspects are so lousy even up until now!!
Great attempts by Hsin-yi!love the silouhette ones…
Awww, Honey, you look so great in that fashionable coat!
And I like your toys very much too!
so funny, this weather stuff… here in portugal we are leaving Winter behind! Summer is coming!
Your Mummy will learn to take awsome pictures, you will see! I think she already takes funtastic pictures of you!!!
Carla received Hsin-Yi mail and she always reads you Mom's mails with lots of attention. She is looking for a Halti for me, now.
Thank you so much! You have a funtastic Mommy, Honey! She sure knows about us doggies.
Love,
Pipa
What a great jacket, Honey! Mommee made Waldo a jacket for our winter, but it will be too small for him next year. She will have to make ANOTHER one for him! I don't need a jacket, because I wear 2 coats all the time.
How fun for your mommee to learn how to use the camera! Mommee is always taking pictures of us. Now you will have beautiful pictures to go with your beautiful face!
Wuv,
Gus (and Waldo)
WOW! we love your coat! you have extremely long LONG legs don't you! you are sure a tallllllll beauty! greyhound rescue is very popular in Nova scotia, they are becoming a comman sight now…
can't believe winter is coming to you and spring is finally coming here. strange that we live on opposite ends of the earth-huh? xoxox saige and guinness
Ludo is a big show-off. I, like you, like to think through things lest I agree to do something that might make me look foolish.
Momma says its a good thing that my weave poles come apart easily because sometimes I just don't see the point of actually going around them when I can just knock them about with my head (sort of like a big old bull).
Slobbers,
Mango
Aww, encourage your human, she will be so happy. If she learns how to take good pictures she won't have to take so many, so you win too
!
I love your coat. You look beautiful in it.
Also I've given you a blog award so come on over and get it.
Love,
Jackal
Wow Honey….what a post!! So much to say
)
We think you look so beautiful in your fleecy coat, wasn't it nice of them to make one in your size? We know a couple of retired Greyhounds, they're very cool dogs!
We're glad you like your toys….those crazy chicks really seem to have gone down a treat….and we're sorry the customs took your treats, it didn't even cross our mind…oops!
We think Hsin-Yi takes beautiful photos now….so we really look forward to what's in store after camera school! We love the one where you can't see your face….it's dramatic (we see the drool though, hehe!) but they're all lovely.
So sorry to hear your boyfriend has moved away, that sucks, we know you loved him….he'll still write though? You will have to find yourself a new man, shouldn't be too hard for a leggy beauty such as yourself!
Sorry we've been MIA again….never seem to catch up!
Slobbers xx
A Glamorous coat….Glamorous presents and Glamour pictures!!!!
who's a DIVA!!
Paw Paw -- Diva
Hi Honey….
Thanks for visiting my blog. My Mom said we will look at your video together. Thsnkd for letting me know!
Diego Dog
Honey, Honey, Honey! So great to meet you! Thanks for visiting my blog! I am adding you to my list. I am happy to have a large breed to get to know. Do you have any suggestions on the meeting guests and peeing chaos we have going on? I feel like our late Tonka did the same thing, but grew out of it. I am starting to forget. I also tagged you on my blog. You don't have to participate if it is annoying. Keep in touch!
Kasha and Africa
Hi Honey
You look lovely in your coat. It reminds us of the coats that mom makes for us. Mom loves greyhounds, they have such beautiful eyes.
Love Ruby & Penny
We think you look spectacular in your coat!!!! We would also love to curl up on it because we love fleece!
We understand why your treats were taken out of the package….but still….those were YOUR treats!
We are glad there are humans that like to take care of animals in general. We just wish there were more humans to help all of us!!!
Hi Honey!
Tibby
What a wonderful coat you have! And for a wonderful cause too! I am glad that you figured out who sent that package to you! I think your human is doing pretty good so far! My Owner Girl wants to learn how to use all the buttons and things on her camera too but it can be very frustrating. Have a great weekend!
Hi Honey -- us again!
Just to let you know that we've just posted a 'guest blog' for Oskar, which invloves a game featuring all his blog pals. You're in there -- please do pop along to have a look!
Tail wags -- JD and Max.
Of course you look gorgeous in your coat, Honey! I have the same problem getting big sizes, so thanks for the tip. We have a special place in our hearts for Greyhounds too, knowing how they are treated so shamefully. I'm very glad you posted about it to get the word out about these wonderful, beautiful dogs.
Good luck to your Mom for going to school to perfect her camera skills, although they look pretty good to me!
xoxoxo
Chef