It is 12:30 AM and Sheri is still on her bridge call. I am on the third load of firewood I carried inside from the wood pile. I just poured myself a big tumbler of iced tea so I guess I'm up for the duration as well.

We have a few things to get before Mitch arrives. Probably the most important is a new cage. The one we have from Goliath is too small. We measured the size cage they recommend when we were out there this morning and it was 42" long, and 28" wide and tall. They will rent a cage for three months for $30, but a brand new one only costs $60 so it makes more sense just to buy one.

Probably the second most important are some sweaters for him. Greyhounds have very little body fat, very thin fur (usually naked on their bellies), and we keep the house on the cool side, especially over night. Doctors Foster and Smith have nice looking sweaters in his size (extra large) for only $11 each. I am thinking about getting him two or three so as one gets dirty we can swap it out with a clean one and throw the dirty one in the wash.



We will probably also get him boots but not right away.



We need a big soft cushion for him but I don't feel like paying $50 - $70 for one from the pet store. We talked to someone that had a great idea: keeping an eye on the scratch and dent sections of stores like Ikea.

We also need general pet supplies. Coal tar shampoo for their skin. All the dogs we saw fresh from the track looks like they had flaky dry skin. Goliath had sensitive skin and coal tar shampoo seemed to do the best for him. I think the bristles on the shedding brush we had for Goliath are too long for Mitch's short coat so we will need to get a short hair brush. Maybe one of those rubber things with the little nubs. Greyhounds are not supposed to be big shedders, and they don't have an undercoat, so this may not be that big of a deal anyway. We'll have to get a bag of the same kind of dog food he is eating now so we don't upset his stomach with a big change. They recommend elevated food and water bowls, but they were eating Scooby snacks off the ground just fine today. I am not convinced they are necessary. We still have the water bowl from Goliath that has the 5 gallon water jug that automatically keeps the bowl full. We have a leash from Goliath. He comes with the special collar they need. Maybe a few toys to chase around.

I think that is all we need. I am not above getting something like this for him though.



It is 1 AM now and Sheri just finished her call so we are going upstairs and go to bed.