Sidney X Pebbles: From Foster to Forever

The Beginning

Pebbles' journey into her forever home began not with a grand plan, but with a chance encounter. One day, her humans were walking through a park when they stopped to pat a greyhound—and that was it.

Sidney and Dan had never really even heard of greyhounds until one day they were walking through a park and reached out to pat a grey.

"It was the softest thing I'd ever touched in my life – from that moment we were hooked."

Not entirely sure what life would look like in the coming years, they decided fostering would be the perfect way to help without committing too soon. When they heard about a nervous girl named Pebbles needing a place to stay over Christmas, they agreed to take her in—just for five days. But those five days changed everything.

The Foster Phase: First Impressions & Adjustments

Pebbles had already been through more than any dog should. Rescued from an emergency situation alongside five other greyhounds, she had bounced between homes and hadn't had a real chance to settle. Understandably, she arrived timid and uncertain.

"She was such a nervous girl from the get-go—we couldn't blame her. She'd been through so much."

Her personality didn't shine through right away. It took time, patience, and a safe environment for Pebbles to start trusting again. But there was a moment—a quiet one on the couch—when she rested her head on Sidney's lap. That simple gesture was everything.

"The first time she rested her head on me when we were on the couch, that was it."

The "Foster Fail" Moment: Realising She Was Already Home

Pebbles wasn't supposed to stay. Sidney and Dan had recently lost another greyhound and were still grieving, hesitant to open their hearts so soon. But Pebbles had other plans.

"She just needed so much love and attention to start feeling like a dog again."

They couldn't imagine handing her back. The idea of her continuing to bounce from house to house felt wrong, especially when she had finally started to come out of her shell. Day by day, that shy little girl transformed—becoming cheeky, playful, and bold.

"She's become a bit of a monster at times—but the good kind! She dug up four of my six sunflowers and planted herself in the hole. We're big believers in celebrating those cheeky rescue dog moments so they know they're safe."

Life Now: A Family Forever

Today, Pebbles is a whole new dog. She still gets scared during storms, but those are the only times she really seeks out comfort—and her family secretly loves the excuse to cuddle her up on the bed.

Pebbles has brought structure and joy into their lives. After the chaos of COVID, her routine has helped re-establish old habits. Her family enjoy their daily walks, letting her sniff every flower and fence post along the way, and love watching her blossom in a home where she knows she's safe.

For Future Adopters: Why Greyhounds Are Special

Fostering was meant to be temporary, but Pebbles had other ideas—and Sidney and Dan are so glad she did. For anyone hesitant about adoption, they offer this: