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See the Events Calendar for our monthly Meet and Greet events and for more details on the events below.
9/14 Event at Centinela Feed & Pet 10/11 Wiggle Waggle Walk 10/25 GreySave Spaghetti Social Support GreySave when you shop at Amazon by clicking below (how this works) (866) Grey-Save 866-473-9728 |
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May/June 2007
We publish our online newsletter, GreySave Scoop, to keep our friends and volunteers up to date with what has been happening at GreySave. If you know someone who would enjoy receiving our newsletter, please forward this edition and tell them that they can register on the web at http://greysave.org/mailinglist.php to receive their own copy. Your feedback is important– please share your comments with us!
(Left: Race to the Park! registration) June 2: Meet & Greet at Burbank Pet Mania
June 3: Best Friends Animal Society Adoption Festival in Los Angeles at Westchester Park (corner of Lincoln and Manchester, near LAX). City of Arcadia Whiskers ‘n Tails Animal Care and Pet Adoption Day and Skyhounz Flying Disc Competition (Eisenhower Park -corner of Colorado Blvd and Second Street).
June 9: Meet & Greet at Chino Petsmart, Meet & Greet at Huntington Beach Petco June 10: Meet & Greet at Santa Barbara Petco June 16: Second Annual Sierra Madre Dog Days Fair (Sierra Vista Park in Sierra Madre)
June 23: Meet & Greet at Chino Hills Petco, Meet & Greet at Upland Petsmart June 24: Meet & Greet at Moorpark Petco, Meet & Greet at La Canada Petco
"We didn't win [the musical carpets game], but I've never had so much fun with my Greyhound." "I saw so many old friends and met so many great new people." "I love the big shade trees at this park." "The whole day was so fun and yet so relaxing." "I can't wait for the next event; we'll be there."
(Left: Race to the Park! foster parade led by Gracie, the GreySave mascot) Then there were the Greyhound games. Of course everyone enjoyed the favorite "oldies" (like bobbing for hot dogs - the Greyhounds were bobbing, not the people) but there were also some creative new ones (like switching shirts with your Greyhound?!). The laughter and applause was great.
(Left: Race to the Park! foster parade) It was that perfect type of spring day that begged for lounging under a shady tree next to your favorite Greyhound, listening to the birds (they were rather noisy at times; I think they wanted to join in), sipping a cool drink, and chatting with friends. Ahh, ... it doesn't get any better than this. by Bonnie Jeffers
Homecoming News: AbbaZabba's Diary
A Homecoming Diary by AbbaZabba, as told to Jim Jeffers (Left: AbbaZabba just off the track, lounging by the pool) Note: currently you can see larger photos as well as descriptions of these hounds on the Adoptables page. May 19 8:00 am: The people cheer and say “we just crossed the border!” They seem happy, so I’m happy too. Maybe I’ll celebrate with one of the girls back here! Hey, where’d that water come from? Who’s squirting me with water? Cathy gets in the back of the truck with us. Maybe I’ll just curl up quietly and celebrate later. In a while, Cynthia takes Cathy’s place. 12:30 am: I ’m back at Cathy’s place. You wouldn’t believe what they’ve been doing to my hound buddies while I was gone! First, they’ve given us new names taken from types of something called “candy.” The girls are now Taffy, Chicklets, Caramel, and Bit o’ Honey while the boys are Snickers and Hershey. I’m AbbaZabba. That’s a much better name than Snickers, don’t you think?
But the best news is that my bandage has been taken off my foot and I’m walking on all fours (I still have to be careful, though). You know, I think I’ve found out what it means to be a “pet” and it’s all good!
The end of April and the month of May were greyt times for GreySave adoptions! Nine, yes, nine wonderful greyhounds found their Forever Homes:
Congratulations to all you precious greys and those who love them!
This is an update on the two grey girls whose medical needs are currently being paid for by your donations to GreySave’s Greytlove Fund. The Greytlove Fund was set up to help take care of the extraordinary medical needs of some of the special greyhounds GreySave brings in, whether it be for a broken leg, a long-term illness, or some other injury or accident. Since the medical costs for these greyhounds can be very high, GreySave established the fund just for them. All money donated to the Greytlove Fund is used exclusively for these extraordinary medical needs greyhounds. See the Donation Page of the website if you would like information on contributing to this fund.
A simple, healthy homemade replacement for canned and moist foods In light of the recent pet food recalls on many canned or moist foods, many greyhound owners are making their own food to pour over the kibble to ensure that their dogs are getting a truly healthful meal. Sandy Hightower has provided her recipe for a greyt greyhound soup that is healthy and much more cost effective than buying canned food, but it comes with a warning - your dogs will really love it! Here’s a recipe to get you started:
Bring to a boil and then let simmer for 1 – 2 hours. Carefully remove bones if using chicken with bones. Soup can be pureed in a blender if your dogs tend to turn their noses up at vegetables. The soup can be stored in the freezer in small batches for use as needed. Alternatively, beef, lamb or salmon (include the skin) can be used as the meat base for the soup.
Keeping Safe Around Dogs
Summer Safety Tips for Your Dog
For more dog tips, go to www.SolutionsPets.com.
Report: Canine Good Citizen Testing CONGRATULATIONS to these new Canine Good Citizens, certified on May 12, 2007 at the “Race to the Park”:
My Dog Became a Canine Good Citizen at the “Race to the Park” – Yours Can Too!As Cassiopeia and I walked away from the testing area with the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) paperwork in hand, I was bursting with pride, and I swear that she was too. It opens doors at many schools, hospitals, and retirement homes; it’s also the first step toward becoming a certified therapy dog if we decide to go that direction. Your Greyhound might already be well on his or her way toward gaining this honor. The breed’s temperament and the track training your ex-racer received often gives your Greyhound a head start toward certification. If you have done some basic obedience training and participated in Meet and Greets, you’ve also been preparing your dog for certification. Certified AKC Evaluator Priscilla O’Malley of Liebe Aire Acres conducted CGC testing at the GreySave “Race to the Park”. Here’s what happens when you try for Canine Good Citizen certification; 1) Accept a friendly stranger: Priscilla walks up to you, shakes your hand and begins talking with you. Your dog should stand quietly as she does this. (Not a problem with most Greyhounds.) 2) Politely accept petting by a stranger: Priscilla then greets and pets your dog. (Most Greyhounds rather like this kind of attention.) 3) Allow grooming and examination by a stranger. Priscilla brushes your dog (my Cassie loved this part) and checks her teeth, ears, and toes (Greyhounds are used to this on the track). 4 & 5) Walk on a leash in a mannerly fashion and walk politely and calmly through a group of people: You walk with your Greyhound on leash next to you. Priscilla gives you a series of left and right turn commands, then has you walk among people in the picnic area. The dog doesn’t have to do a perfect heel, but should keep with you without pulling or being distracted. (This should be the way you walk your Greyhound anyway.) 6 & 7) Respond appropriately to a “stay” command and come when called: With your dog on a long leash for safety, Priscilla has you give the “stay” command and walk away from your dog. You then turn and give the “come” command. (This was the most difficult requirement for my dogs and the only one that kept my second dog from getting her CGC.) 8) Respond politely around other dogs: Priscilla does a variety of maneuvers with her Airedales walking up to and around you and your Greyhound. (If you’re involved in Meet and Greets, your Grey is used to this. You can also practice by walking around your local Petco or PetSmart.) 9) Demonstrate appropriate reactions to distractions. Priscilla uses various tools like a triangle and a hammer to make strange noises. The dog should not be overly concerned about the noise. (Again, the track experience has prepared many Greyhounds for this.) 10) Maintain training and good manners when separated from owner: Priscilla will take your dog’s leash and ask you to leave the area for several minutes. (Once again, track experience and Meet and Greets have probably given your Grey experience with this.) Perhaps your Greyhound is already well on his or her way to earning the Canine Good Citizen certification. Why not work on those final few steps? My second dog, Artemis, failed the “stay” and “come” portions of the test this time, but we’re practicing some training tips that Priscilla gave us. The next GreySave event is in approximately five months; join Artemis and me in trying for the honor of AKC Canine Good Citizen. by Bonnie Jeffers PS: GreySave would like to extend its most sincere thanks to Priscilla and Michael O’Malley of Liebe Aire Acres for providing us with an opportunity to have our greyhounds tested to become Canine Good Citizens. These generous folks donate all fees paid for CGC testing at our events to GreySave! Dear Foster Mom Gwen, I want you to know how happy I am living with my new mom, Marie, and all the things I've been doing since I got here. It was a little scary at first leaving you for my new home. I was very shy and quiet. But after a week I felt more comfortable with my new surroundings and now I'm totally at home! When I first got here I had a few accidents in the house because I didn't know where I was supposed to go, but my new mom understood. She cleaned up after me and encouraged me to let her know when I needed to go outside. Now I know to go outside on the patio or ask to be taken out to the front yard. Mom even bought me this new dog door for the patio. She taught me how to go in and out of it by crawling through it herself while I watched! That sure was funny! When I did it all by myself, she gave me yummy treats! I still haven't figured out how to go through that flap thingy--it kinda freaks me out. So mom rigged the flap to stay open all the time for me until I figure out how to use it! My other first was meeting my two feline sisters Baci and Biskit. I wasn't so sure about them and I don't think they liked me at first either. I don't know why although for some reason I had this urge to chase them and maybe eat them! I was sure drooling like I wanted to eat them! Strange, huh? I don't think they liked it when I kept sneaking into their area and eating all of their food either. Mom spent a lot of time introducing us and watching us together to make sure nothing bad happened. Now we're all good friends! We even all sleep together in mom's bed with her when my new dad, Jason, isn't there! (That’s ‘cause when he's there, there isn't enough room for all of us on the bed.) I still think my sisters look and smell funny and I don't know why they like rubbing up against me--it's weird. The best part of my day is when I get to go for walks around the neighborhood or when mom takes me to the beach! Mom takes me for a walk every morning before she goes to something called "work." I don't know what “work” is but it doesn't sound like any fun. When she gets home from that “work” thing she takes me for a walk again or we go to the beach! Once a week, mom takes me along for one of her training runs. I'm up to almost two miles now without stopping! I'm way faster than she is so I'm actually just trotting alongside her; she can go so much farther and longer than me that she usually drops me off at home when I'm tired and she keeps going. I like running with mom. My new dad is so much fun too. We both get so excited when we see each other and I dance around every time he walks through the door! He spends time playing with me in the living room or taking me for a walk while mom makes food and I like snuggling up next to him on the couch when he watches TV. Sometimes on Sundays mom and I go to a big field and watch dad and a bunch of other guys chase and kick around a big white and black ball. It looks like fun and everyone gets really excited when the ball goes into this big net thing. I don't know what it's all about--I just like being outside! My life is really great here and I'm a very happy grey. It's four paws up all the way! I get lots of love and hugs and kisses. I always make mom and dad smile and laugh. I want to thank you for saving me and finding me this great home. I miss you. Maybe, when mom and dad go on their vacation in June, I can come stay with you. Mom says we're going to a reunion picnic in May and I might get to see you there too. That would be fun! Love, Dancer |
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To increase public awareness regarding greyhounds as pets, GreySave participates in and sponsors a number of events each month. If you would like to participate or attend an event, details on these and others that may be added can be found at 
(Left: Race to the Park!)
(Left: Race to the Park! games) 
(Left: Race to the Park! games) 
"People are going to want to come just for the food; it is unbelievable!" 
These were just a few of the comments I heard throughout the day. How does one do justice when describing a day like the "Race to the Park?" There was plenty to do beginning with a Parade of Fosters lead by "Gracie the GreySave Greyhound" and a visit to the row of vendor booths. 
Now for the food. Nothing got more raves than the sausage and buffalo wing appetizers followed by tri-tip steak and barbeque chicken--although I must say that the piles of scrumptious homemade desserts came close. The food truly made even non-Greyhound owners eager to come back next time.
(Left: Bit o' Honey)
(Left: Caramel)
(Left: Chicklets)
(Left: Taffy)
(Left: Snickers)
(Left: Hershey)
companion named Sammy and gets to go to work with his mom almost every day. Dimitri's great news is that when he visits his mom's construction sites he sometimes gets to run and stretch those long legs.