Irish Heart WolfhoundsCAYLA: Grrrrr…eat day to ya!
My name is Cayla, or that is what Mom calls me. My real name is Lady McCayla. I am a beautiful, five-year old red wheaten wolfhound. And, I am big too…35 inches at the shoulder and weigh 145 pounds, sometimes more. There is a lot to my long, slim athletic body.
I am not only striking, but a show-stopper with a great personality. Mom says I could do public relations for Irish Wolfhounds. My babies are just as good looking. Some of them excel at lure coursing and have become champions. Others have because therapy dogs, like me. Consider yourself blessed if you have one of my babies.
I love everybody, and everybody loves me, including show judges, children, visitors, and patients at the nursing home. The patients like me to visit because I can get right in their faces, and they don’t have to bend over…their wheelchairs put them just at the right height for kisses.
My favorite things are riding in the car, with my rose ears blowing in the wind and my big nose sniffing the air, and being with people—big ones, little ones, old or young ones. I especially like the young ones.
My Mom is also a favorite. I tag right behind her, wherever she goes—no matter what she is doing. Mom is my heart, and I am hers. That is why she calls her dogs “Irish Hearts”.
GRACIE:
My name is Sweet Gracie. That’s who I am. I like all my pack members and they all like me. I play hard with all of them even though they sometimes gang-up on the fun. I eagerly welcome new members and treat old ones with great respect.
My birthday is St. Patrick’s Day—March 17th. I’ll be four in 2010. Mom says I am built like a Hummer because I am so big-boned, broad, and heavy. However, I am not the tallest dog in the park, but I can be tough when I have to be. My heavy coat of fur is wheaten with a little silver running through it. It’s quite striking.
I had my first litter in the Spring of 2009. They are truly impressive babies. They, too, had large bone and came in a variety of colors, especially with Darby as their Dad. All their personalities are sweet like mine, but strong.
Fun is playing with my pack, running and jumping, and even digging a few holes in the dirt. My speed is quite something to watch. But, all of that changes when Mom calls us to come in after some time outside. My speed drops down to a slow-movement tempo. She says I am last out of the house and last in. I don’t see the big deal; I get where I want to go—a little after everyone else. She does call me “Eeyore” on occasions.
In winter when it is time to settle down, the pack cuddles with each other on the kitchen floor where Mom puts a deep layer of blankets and comforters. In the summer, we push and shove to be the closest to the floor fans. We take turns sleeping with Mom; I like it when it my night.
I am not one of the first greeters when folks come to visit, but I warm up quickly. I like to check out people before I make a fuss over them like the other wolfhounds do. Besides, I learn a lot just by watching, listening and checking out the situation. But, watch out I don’t run over you when everything seems okay.
So, when you come to visit, don’t be surprised if I am not the earliest one to the door after hearing a knock. But still I will be watching, listening and sniffing as you come in.
Mikki: Arffffffffff!
Did you see my picture? I am something special. My name is Mikki. I am a four-year old, large-boned wheaten female. I am built like a tank or maybe even a Hummer. I weigh almost as much as Darby…I am about 160 pounds. You will feel it if I accidently step on or bump into you.
I am extremely smart, but don’t let a lot of humans know it. I tend to be less inclined to greet you when you first arrive. I do like people, but I want to check you out first. Then, if you seem to be trustworthy, you can’t get me off or away from you.
I enjoy playing, running and napping with Gracie and Rhue. They are younger wolfhounds and still act more like puppies. Now that I am considered an adult female…it doesn’t mean I have to act like one. You can watch me run and play on any given day, rain, shine or snow.
Even though we all share our food bowls, I prefer to eat when everyone else is done. I like the solitude and quiet of eating alone. Mom tries to keep our food diverse so it doesn’t always taste the same. She uses Purina products, but varies the specific brand. She has added raw chicken backs to our diet, which has greatly improved our coats, skin and made our teeth “Crest” white.
After we come inside, we dash for the large water dispenser. Wolfhounds are known to drink a lot of water, whether we have been exercising or just lying around. It is always fun to greet Mom or her friends after we get a long drink. Since the water clings to our beards and then drips on the humans, we can always expect to get a shout from them. They just don’t know how much we are laughing when they make such a fuss.
I had my first litter of puppies. They were fun, but a lot of work. I was glad when they no longer nursed. Mom started giving them goat’s milk, which is an excellent substitute for a mother’s milk. They certainly thrived on it. My pups are just as big as I, big boned and very smart.
There is no stronger bond than the one any wolfhound has for its pack leader and its pack members. The love in my heart is beyond description; hence Mom calls us Irish hearts.
Why don’t you come by and see us?
DARBY: Arf! Arf!
Pleased to have you visit. My name is Darby—Sir Darby that is. I am a wheaten brindle, who is three years old. Most of my growing is complete. I am 38 inches at the shoulder. Don’t know how much I weigh, but it is approximately 190 pounds. When I step on Mom’s foot, she cries out that it hurts.
She says I am just a big, handsome, loveable teddy bear. I wouldn’t go that far, but I am a very handsome, big-boned, gentle guy who loves my Mom and all of my pack members. Mom says I have an outstanding pedigree. Following Mom’s alpha position, the girls appear to be in control of all situations, at least that is what they think. I am my own being who maintains a calm, peaceful and attentive presence; unless my pack members are in danger. Then you can see my strength, power and determination. My name, Sir Darby, describes our noble breed, which dates back many centuries in Irish history. Mom can tell you all about it if you don’t know.
Also, I think I am quite intelligent. I learn quickly, and never forget anything once I’ve accepted the idea. I can recognize humans and other creatures that I have met. While I like to establish a physical touch with my Mom, I will always stand in front of her when a stranger greets us…until I know there is no threat or she is not frightened.
My favorite things are being with and helping my Mom, running across the fields like the wind, playing with the girls, and visiting the elderly at the nursing home. They give me so much attention, kisses, and lots of petting.
I have bred several of the female pack members, as I am the only male in the pack. We produced some fine-looking puppies together. My wheaten brindle color generates a myriad of colors in the puppies ranging from wheaten to dark brindle. You should check out their pictures to see what superior babies we produced. They are really great!
Love to have you send me an email or come by for a visit. You are welcome any time!
RHUE: Yap! Yap!
Glad to have you stop by to see us. I have an unusual name—Rhue. It means red in Celtic. That’s because I am a red wheaten.
In case you haven’t seen one of us ‘reds’, it is like a strawberry blonde or a light-colored red fox. I think my coloring is glamorous and sexy. I have a happy-go-lucky disposition, Even though I have a smooth gait, sometimes I feel like I bounce in the steps I take. And, everyone loves me cause I am so friendly, jovial, and carefree. Mom says I wear a smile on my face; not really on my face, but in my temperament. If there was a contest, I would be voted “Miss Congeniality”.
I am very athletic, and my long slim body and strong muscles let me run like the wind. I look like a red comet when I go streaking across the field. Also, I have the longest eyelashes of any other pack member; I think they are jealous.
My birthday is March 3, 2005. While I have reached my adulthood, I am still very much a puppy. I act like a puppy and play like a puppy. Maybe one of these days I’ll become a true adult; I just hope it is not too soon. It is fun to be young at heart.
Usually I play so hard that when I come in the house, I just drop on the floor and stretch my long legs in a comfortable position so I can sleep. Of course I always get a long drink of water before settling down.
Darby and I have produced some absolutely stunning puppies. They have my personality, but his size. Check out some of the puppy pictures under the “Proud Parents” tab, and you will have to agree that we did a great job.
Mom leaves food in the bowls so we can eat whenever we want. It is kind of nice because we are not all stepping on each other trying to eat at the same time. She calls that “free feeding.” At dinner time, we get a bowl of our own, and then there is a mad rush underway wanting to be first. The rush is soon calmed, and we have to sit and wait our turn.
I especially like for visitors to come. When are you coming? I’ll wait to hear from you or listen for you to knock at the front door.
Be happy like me!
Abbey: Howl –de!
Glad you could stop by. My name is Abbey. I am a four-year old, large-boned wheaten female. Mom says I am an extroverted being who loves to meet people of all ages. Everybody thinks I am truly gorgeous (I think I am too!).
I’ve had one litter of puppies…eight of them. I must say, even though they are mine, these pups are exceptional. There are three boys and five girls, ranging in color from wheaten to dark brindle. They inherited our big bones, straight lines, beautiful teeth and bites, magnificent heads, broad chests, and friendly personalities. Check them out on the puppy page.
My favorite things are being close to Mom, touching her whenever possible. I like to lay by her feet if I can’t get in her lap. I also enjoy playing with my pack members. We like to run around the big Maple tree in the yard, and then take naps in the shade. Romping in the snow is great fun too! The snow isn’t here for very long, but we sure did make the most of it.
Local residents often come by to greet us. At first they were afraid of us, but soon learned we are just giant puppies. Of course, we still bark if it is someone we haven’t met. I don’t know how often I’ve heard someone say that Mom could hitch us up to a wagon, and she wouldn’t have to buy gas for her van. She says she is known as the lady in town with the big dogs
When I go for a ride in the car with Mom, I like to look out the front windows. There are always so many new and different smells when I make a trip with her. People stop us and ask what kind of dog I am. You would think they had never seen a wolfhound. Then, they ask lots of questions about me, like how much do I eat or do I live in the house. How silly! Of course, I live in the house; my pack is in the house and I stay with the pack, wherever it is. I don’t think I eat a lot of food; I prefer human food when I can get it. Mom keeps a bowl filled with our food so we can eat whenever we want.
I like having other wolfhounds around me. We all feel superior to other breeds, and there is no other breed that compares with us. I do accept other creatures, but my preference is hanging out with wolfhounds. If you have a wolfhound, you feel the same way. And, if you don’t have one, you should seriously consider it.
Come and visit. You will quickly see how great we are!
MATT: Howww are you?
My name is Matt, sometimes call Matt, Mattie, Sweetheart, Precious…you get the idea. I am also known as the Old Man, the retired Gentleman, and Grandpa. I answer to most anything Mom calls me.
This October I celebrate my 8th birthday. It doesn’t seem I’ve been around that long. I am a large-boned cream-colored wolfhound, weighing about 160 pounds, more or less.
All the other pack members listen when I speak to them, but I don’t usually bother. I am content to be in retirement, leaving time for me to sleep, rest, relax, nap, or just lay on the couch. I still eat my share of goodies, especially those I browse off the kitchen counter. Mom has tried many unusual techniques to get me to stop browsing, but I am still the expert on how, when and where to nose the countertop or kitchen table.
Also, she knows how intelligent I am. Mom used to think a chain-link gate latch could keep me in the yard, but I fooled her by lifting the latch with my nose. Then, I showed her I could open sliding glass doors, both from the inside and outside of the door. After that it was an easy task to hold doorknobs in my mouth and turn them…that way I could pretty much come and go as I wanted. She soon learned all my tricks. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.
I love people, and I really enjoy it when people come to visit. I greet them at the door; my tail swinging to and fro. Everybody likes me too! Many guests have said they want to take me home with them. If they would promise me a ride in the car, I would go. There is nothing more fun than that!
Mom and I are more than devoted friends and pack members. She understands how much I love her, and she loves me in return. We are connected in our heart-to-heart feelings toward each other.
Enough of this, it’s time for another snooze, but please come and visit when you can. I will be sure to give you a big lick in the face. There is nothing like an Irish Wolfhound tongue wetting your cheek; it’s one of those unforgettable moments.
GINGER…Woof! Woof!
Hi! I am called Ginger, but my real name is Irish Hearts Ginger Snap. As you can see, I am a beautiful red wheaten female. Besides my striking good looks, smooth gait, and large size, I think my eyes are most beautiful. They look like I applied a heavy eye liner around each of them. That makes my look classy. My red coloring is a rich, dark red. Mom says on the outside I am ginger-colored, but inside I am full of vim and vigor.
Fun is my middle name. There is nothing better. I like running, charging the other hounds, and being the first at everything. If I were a male, Mom would call me “Peter Pan” because I will always be a pup no matter how many birthdays I have. Besides, my long, strong legs make me run fast, faster than others when I want. And, why should I be the second out the door when it is far superior to be first, cause then I get to watch all the hounds as they come out to play and can choose which one I single out to be my playmate for the day. I may be first, but I still give Darby his due…he is our leader after Mom. Whenever Darby speaks, I listen…although I don’t always listen to Mom. Of course, Darby is bigger and has a stronger voice.
Though I should not tell my age…I will. In April, I will be three years old. That is considered to be an adult in Irish Wolfhound years. I’ve never had any puppies. I suppose at some point I will have a litter, just don’t know when. Maybe this year will be a good time. I can tell Mom is thinking about it. Darby and I would make magnificent puppies together…some would be red wheaten, and others brindle, red brindle and wheaten. They will be the best looking pups ever.
Like all my pack, I am quite large for a female, and Mom says I have great bone (whatever that means). But, I don’t have a shy bone in my large body. I like everybody and believe everybody should like me as well. If you come to visit, I will be one of the first to greet you…count on it.