Brilliant to hear how well Ritchie is doing! It would be fab if he could find a home before you have to bring him back to the kennels. Fingers crossed! Xxx

Way to go Ritchie!! You are doing so well, Elizabeth he is doing you proud indeed. xx

Thanks Angie. I feel so proud of him. We've just walked along the canals and there were two small dogs on top of one of the barges. These two dogs have run up and down the length of the barge barking at him and he barely bated an eyelid. Once we got home, we had a couple of practices of me leaving him downstairs on his own. The second time he didn't even get up when I moved and stayed on the sofa the entire time I was upstairs. He didn't even attempt to come with me. As I said, he is a bright boy, who is really flourishing living in a home xx

What a great report for Ritchie. Just goes to show what can be achieved with time, patience and consistency. He sounds like an absolute treasure, and is obviously learning what's expected of him.

Thanks so much Elizabeth for giving this boy a break from kennels and working with him to show him the way forward. Fingers crossed a new forever home comes his way soon. x

Ritchie was doing zoomies around the garden first thing this morning. He is such a happy boy :-) We were at the far end of the garden together and the fence panel rattled. We both turned round to see a squirrel's head and paws just coming over the top. Both Ritchie and the squirrel froze to see who would make the first move. The squirrel darted and despite Ritchie's speediest of lunges, evaded him. He was so disappointed!

I have been working with Ritchie on various things. When he was returned to the kennels, we were told that he could be quite reactive to other dogs. He has been exposed to lots of other breeds every day that he has been with us. Whilst he still whines, I find holding his collar to guide him past another dog works a treat. I only hook one finger in his collar, so that gives an idea of the strength needed to control him.

We were also told that he finds it difficult to be left alone. It is true that he does prefer to be with someone, but he has started to gain in confidence. He will chose to leave us now, normally at tea time. We eat in the kitchen and he goes and jumps on the sofa. He also likes to accompany you upstairs. Whilst we have allowed him upstairs with us, if you just want to nip upstairs quickly, it is not practical to have him race up the stairs with you. A firm 'no' does stop him following you and depending how long I am upstairs, he will settle, although I also do not leave him for long. This will of course, need further practice when he goes into his new home. I think he has a lot of potential though.

Ritchie absolutely LOVES his food. We have been practising not diving at it once it is put down. We only started this yesterday. I use one hand to hold him back and put his bowl down. Before I left go of him, I use my other hand to signal that he should wait and then I release him. This morning he waited for a few seconds before he was allowed to start. This was all done by just my hand raised in front of him. We will keep practising so that I hopefully don't have to hold him when I put his bowl down. He is a bright boy though and I think he will get the idea quickly.

He is a good boy in the house. He is interested in the food in the kitchen but after a few times of body blocking him, he gives up and lies on the rug.

He is a really handsome and loving boy. If anyone wants to know anything else about how he has been getting on in foster, please just post a question and I'll get back to you.

Fab update on Ritchie, thanks so very much to Liz and her husband for fostering him on a short term basis. He really is making progress with them and undoubtedly if anyone is considering giving him a forever home they can give some positive feedback, his true character is beginning to emerge! X

As my husband had the day off today, we all had a lovely, long lie in. Ritchie was very happy to laze away the morning. Early this afternoon we set off for a walk along the canals. Once again, he walked well, taking all the new sights in. He travels very well in the car and has no hesitation jumping in and out. Once home again he had some fun playing with his toys. He is so funny to watch. Ritchie has so much potential to be a wonderful pet and it would be lovely to send him off to his forever home after his time with us. Fingers crossed for him xx

Ritchie, what a great time you are having! :)) Much better than sitting in your kennel feeling stressed and unhappy! Xxx

Oh Ritchie you sound such a gorgeous boy xxx

Oh bless him, he is very 'helpy' isn't he?...bet the plumber thought is was hilarious, well done Richie xxxxx

So Ritchie's adventure today has consisted of him 'helping' the man fitting our new boiler. Now to his definition of help: (1) Blocking any door that the boiler man needs to open or close (2) Accompanying him every time he went upstairs. I'm sure he just wanted to make sure he wasn't lonely (3) Checking that he had the right supplies in his tool kit and van (4) Staring at him through the glass panel to make sure that he stays on task. (5) Demanding fuss any time he had a free hand and to be fair, even when he didn't!! Ritchie now has the offer of an apprenticeship with him or at least a job offer of carrying his tools around! He is such an affectionate boy xx

Ritchie has walked beautifully along the canals in Lapworth and Rowington today. I love that when I say 'walkies' to him, he wags his tail. When I used to say that to my greyhound, she'd give me such a withering look. We met a few people on the way round and he received compliments for being so handsome x

Thanks to Liz for taking Ritchie out on short term foster. This is only for a short while. He sounds as if he is having a fantastic time and no doubt when he comes back to the kennels he will be a lot shorter in the legs than he was due to all the lovely long walks he has had!!! Xx

Ritchie slept well again last night. I think he was worn out from his day. We went for a lovely walk around Sheldon Country Park this morning and he enjoyed exploring again. Once home, he had a nice snooze whilst I did an online Zumba class. He raised his head to look at me rather quizzically a few times, but couldn't be bothered with more than that. He did look a bit bemused at me jumping around. Perhaps he has never been to a Zumba class before ;-) This afternoon we went to Brueton Park to have a walk round with a Weimeraner puppy. He did tell her off a couple of times when she ran at him, but apart from that they spent a very companionable couple of hours together. He's had his tea and is happily curled up on the sofa now xx

Ritchie sounds like he is having a fantastic time! He obviously loves going for walks and seeing the big wide world. Xxx

Ritchie had a good first afternoon and night with us. He spent most of yesterday afternoon in the garden and spent the night in his crate in our room. He slept well and was raring to go this morning. We had a lovely 5 mile walk around Kingsbury Water Park this morning and saw lots of other breeds. He gets a bit vocal when walking behind them, but settles as soon as you have passed them. I think he maybe sees it as a race that he has to win?!? He has had a good snooze this afternoon and just enjoyed another two mile walk. He really loves getting out and about. He's currently waiting for his tea to be served and cannot wait. He loves his food and all the attention he can get. He prefers being with us and mastered our stairs without hesitation. Lovely boy xx

What a shame Ritchie - but now we know you need a friend to help build your confidence and offer companionship. Fingers crossed another red sign will come your way soon. x

Ritchie is a very affectionate dog. He enjoys company and is very relaxed when he is being handled. He walks well on the lead. Cuddles for him tonight xxx

Very sadly Ritchie is no longer reserved. He has been out on trial for a few weeks but he gets very stressed when left on his own. The family who reserved him say he is a very affectionate lad who loves company. They feel he would be happier in a home with a Greyhound friend. xxx

Ritchie came out for a lovely long walk with me today. He was so happy when it was his turn to go out, as he really does love being with someone and having a bit of extra attention. He walks very well and the lead stayed relaxed for the vast majority of the walk. He is a bit interested in other dogs and does whine on occasion, when he sees one in the distance. That said, when he actually gets close to the dog he is very manageable. He is keen to have a good look, but doesn't lunge. He did bark at one dog today, who completely ignored him. Ritchie backed down very quickly and we then walked with this dog and his owner for the next five minutes. Once Ritchie had had the first (and last word), I didn't hear a peep more out of him! We walked for about two hours and he was very happy to see his bed again. He flopped on it very contentedly to catch his breath. He is a really handsome boy. Fingers crossed he won't be at the kennels for too long xx

So very happy for Ritchie! Xxx

Oh wow, fabulous news Richie, over the moon for you....yaaayyyyy xxxx

What fantastic news, hoping all goes well, he really is a lovely lad. Good luck. X

Ah this is great news Ritchie. I know you are struggling in a kennel environment so this is just what you need - well done. xx

Ritchie had a great time today. He is still very stressed in his kennel so we let him out! He investigated every corner of the kennels....the office and all the treats were very exciting to him and when I opened the food storage cupboard he tried desperately to chew a hole in a bag of Burns! He stood very patiently while Yvonne and I gave him a groom. :)) He is a super affectionate lad loves life and has so much love to give. Do hope his forever home will soon be his! :)) Xxx

Richie is such a nice lad, he would love a home either with a doggy friend or where there is someone at home most of the time. He is very inquisitive and likes to watch what's going on and what everyone is doing. :)) Xxx

Ritchie had a walk around Elmdon Park with me again today. He was notably more at ease than last time and rather than his ears being up and alert, they were floppy and relaxed for a lot of the walk. We walked for about an hour and saw quite a few dogs. We didn't stop to say hello to them though, but walked past briskly. Whilst Ritchie did want to take a closer look, he was easy to manage. When we got back he flopped on his bed in the run with his head hanging off the raised bed and his nose squished against the floor. He looked quite content with life. He is a lovely boy xx

Ritchie came for a long walk with me today to Elmdon Park. He is a happy chap and enjoys being out of his kennel. We walked around a very muddy nature reserve and his eyes were like saucers. He was very alert and keenly watched out for any sign of movement. His ears were constantly pricked as he took everything in. We saw quite a few dogs from afar and up close. He needs a bit more practice when it comes to meeting other breeds, but he did get thrown in the deep end today! There were lots of children around today, as well as people whizzing past on bikes. This didn't faze him at all. He has a lovely soft coat and loves any attention he can get. Hoping he finds his family soon xx