Greetings to the group from Catrin Skynith/Linda Popdan This missive is just general information I have had to deal with since I have been working with rescue hounds since 1978 here in Alabama.
First, I am an independent adoption person. I am not associated with any agency. I work strictly with kennels and owners to place their hounds as pets when they can no longer run. Most owners I work with ask me sign a contract with them stating the hounds will not be used in any way to endanger their health or for monetary gain upon the liability of my being sued by the owner and the pet being removed from it's adopted home. They all know the hounds love to run and are not adverse to the hounds coursing as they do in the SCA. Many of you have adopted hounds from me so you may feel safe coursing your hounds as long as common sense is used. Sometimes the hounds have injuries on the right side so then they would only be coursed when the lure is run to the left and so on. You do not course your hound at any time you feel the ground or course that is set is unsafe for your hound. I personally do not like to set up a course with sharp turns because most of our hounds are 'couch potatoes' and they are not conditiioned for these type courses. I perfer the light bulb stylt course for this reason. A hound should never be coursed if you are unsure the hound will return to their owner after they have run. If a hound can be let off lead and will come when his owner calls then there should be no problem with coursing outside a secure area. I am of the opinion that experienced houndfolk be positioned around the perimeter of the course but if a hound gets confused and runs off course, the owner is the one to guide others in recovering his hound because a grey will return to his owner quicker than to a stranger, unless his name is Abe, then he will find someone new to get acquainted with. As for introducing a cat into your home with a grey who has a high prey drive, I suggest an adult tom cat that is very laid back and then be very careful. Introduce them to each other in a very netural place so they hound will not feel he is having to defend his home. Make sure he has a muzzle on and spend a couple of hours with then together. Most greys will accept cats in the house because they know their owners expect them to but outside is a different story. My Abe has a very high prey drive and we had a beautiful blue/gray and white queen that he adored in the house. She could walk all over him or cuddle with him and that was fine but outside was a different story. She would not get inside his fence when they were outside because they seemed to understand each others nature. Glad to hear that so many of my pups are doing well. Hugs and scratches to all Catrin Skynith Linda Popdan Meridies Alabama _________________________________________________________________ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar � get it now! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/ ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> In low income neighborhoods, 84% do not own computers. At Network for Good, help bridge the Digital Divide! http://us.click.yahoo.com/S.QlOD/3MnJAA/Zx0JAA/PJ_qlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SCA_Coursing/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
