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See the Events Calendar for our monthly Meet and Greet events and for more details on the events below.
1/17 GreySave Foster Home/Adoption Rep Meeting 2/21 GreySave Spa Day Support GreySave when you shop at Amazon by clicking below (how this works) (866) Grey-Save 866-473-9728 |
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July/August 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! Events 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 www.greysave.org/events.php: Saturday,
July 28 • Meet
& Greet at Upland Petsmart Sunday, July
29 Saturday,
August 4 • Pet Faire Meet
& Greet at La Canada Petco Sunday,
August 5 Saturday,
August 11: GreySave Greyhound Homecoming Day Saturday,
August 11 • Meet
& Greet at Huntington Beach Petco Saturday,
August 25 • Meet
& Greet at Upland Petsmart Sunday, August 26 Saturday,
November 10
Homecoming News Since our last newsletter we have held 2 Greyhound Homecomings (where we bring up dogs from the racetrack)– yes, two! On June 23, we brought in 10 wonderful greyhounds that we named for cocktails: Gimlet, Sangria, Mai Tai, Martini, Brandy, Manhattan, Spritzer, Hurricane, Stinger and Julep. On July 21, we brought home 14 more greyhounds! Their names are European cities: Aberdeen, Milan, London, Madrid, Berlin, Rome, Venice, Düsseldorf, Geneva, Brussels, Dublin, Vienna, Athens and, of course, Paris. Paris distinguished herself even before we got her back to Pasadena by prying open the double windows between the truck bed and the cab, slipping through the opening and coming up to ride in the passenger seat! I am sure we will have more “Paris” news as the months goes on. Check the Adoptables section of the website to see the pictures of the beautiful Euro City greyhounds. To find pictures of most of the June greyhounds, you’ll have to check the Adopted section since most of them are already in their Forever Homes. The greys still available from the cocktails group will probably go to new homes soon. Several of the European City greys are already in "adoption pending" status. We will be going back to Mexico on August 11 to repatriate more greyhounds. If you want to foster or think you may want to be a Foster-to-Adopt home, please call Sandy Hightower at (714) 776-8212.
Adoption News Since the last Newsletter, just after the Picnic, 17 GreySave hounds have found their Forever Homes. They are:
Congratulations to all these precious greys and those who love them!
GreySave Spa Day a Huge Success GreySave’s first-ever Spa Day fundraiser was on July 14. It was held at two locations, one in Pasadena and one in Chino Hills so more greyhounds could attend and be pampered. By the end of what was an exhausting but fun-filled day, 67 greyhounds had been pampered, had shorter nails, cleaner ears and nicer-smelling bodies. Even better than the clean dogs and hard work was how the event attracted and added to GreySave many new volunteers who discovered what fun it is to pamper your hound. Watch our website for the next Spa Day this fall.
GreytLove Fund News The Greytlove Fund was established to help take care of the extraordinary medical needs of some of the special greyhounds GreySave brings in. Whether it is a broken leg, a long-term illness, or some other injury or accident, the medical costs for these greys can be very high. All money donated to the Greytlove Fund is used exclusively for the extraordinary medical needs of our greyhounds. If you would like more information on contributing to this fund, either by check or through PayPal, see the Donation website page at http://greysave.org/donations.php. If you would like to talk to someone about fostering or otherwise helping one of these broken leg or medical greys, contact us through info@greysave.org. Three greyhound girls are currently benefiting from the Greytlove Fund which is paying a portion of their medical costs (see photos of them at the bottom of the Adoptables Page on the GreySave website). Here is a brief summary of their injuries and status:
Special Profile: Summer the Survivor
Some of you may remember that when Miss Summer came to GreySave in mid-April she was very thin, blind and extremely ill. She has been to many vets with none giving her much hope for recovery, but she has proved that miracles do happen. With help from the vets, some very special friends worked together to give her amazing care and love as she came so close, on several occasions, to crossing the Rainbow Bridge. But each time she managed to stay here with the hounds. To date, no vet has diagnosed what set off the original problem. For months she was a walking, or mostly sleeping, pharmacy but she is now off most of the meds and doing just fine. She still has days where she scares her foster mom by walking away after nibbling on the daily fare. When that happens, we pick up the dish (wondering if we are being conned) and give her a choice of something slightly different but still nutritious for the next meal. What was her problem? We are guessing that a combination of toxic mold, a complete lack of nutritious food with accompanying pancreatic issues, and a probable thyroid condition all rolled together caused her illness. Her recovery has been amazing! She’s still thin, but her vision is fine and she’s feeling good. Apparently, at her prior home she ate whatever she could find or beg so she still is a bit picky about her choice of vittles. We don’t give in and feed her the bologna and hot dogs she really longs for, but we do give her chicken, steak, or other tasty food for appeal with plenty of kibble! Soon Miss Summer will be looking for a Forever Home, although she would love to stay with the pack that has nurtured her to health and they would love her to stay. But Miss Summer needs to move forward so a place can be made for other sick or injured greyhounds to be nurtured back to health. More importantly, Summer deserves her own Forever Home where she will be fed right, loved forever and kept safe. Her ideal home would be with someone who is home quite a bit, is affectionate, has other older greyhounds to keep her company and is somewhat perceptive when they are being conned. She would be OK under other conditions BUT she deserves so much more. If you are someone who wants to love Miss Summer and care for her forever, please call her foster mom, Cathy Kiburtz, at (626) 354-8476.
In Memory of Pippin
"Do you want to take the puppy too?" was the first question from the shelter staff when the volunteers called to confirm they were coming. Pippin slept throughout the entire drive to Pasadena in his favorite sleeping position - on his back with his legs in the air, completely content, with no notion of the happy life ahead of him in a foster home where he would learn the ropes of being a pet and then in his own Forever Home when the right match was made. Pippin (originally named "Maverick" by GreySave--image above taken before he joined Gretchen's family) grew up tall and thin and there was never a day where he wasn’t happy and full of enthusiasm for all of the wonders of the world. In January, when Pippin was six months old, it was decided that Pippin needed to find a new foster home. The foster-home greys had taught him all they could and it was time to move on. After all, he had already enthusiastically dug many a crater in the defenseless lawn, eaten more than one book with joyful abandon, and pilfered treasures from more than one trash can. At the same time, Gretchen Beckert had lost her agility partner and best dog friend, Molly, to bone cancer. Her greyhound, Andy, needed a new friend, too. In bounced Pippin with his tail held high and a mischievous glint in his gold eyes. He was fostered for… oh... perhaps one whole hour before being adopted. He proceeded to enthusiastically dig many a crater in the defenseless lawn, eat more than one book with joyful abandon, and pilfer treasures from more than one trash can. Pippin was a true friend to Gretchen and Andy, and he brought joy and laughter to many people around town with his goofy antics and joyful spirit. He loved running in the back yard, playing in puddles, snuggling with mama, and dismantling every toy in his large toy box. Pippin was a natural at agility. He was completely fearless; every new obstacle was a new toy to play with. Sadly, some beings are not destined to spend much time on earth. Earlier this month Pippin died in a freak accident while playing at home. He died doing what he loved best - running at top speed around the yard. He missed a turn while looking back at a toy and crashed neck first into a cement retaining wall. His life was over in a second. His mom saw it all and was able to hug him and kiss his nose as he started his journey across the Rainbow Bridge. Pippin will be missed so very much. Fly free, little Pip, on strong white wings. Dig holes in puffy clouds and steal golden halos with a doggy kiss and a grin. Love, Mom.
Cool and Refreshing Summer Treat Summertime frozen yogurt treats for your hounds Some of you may have seen the frozen treats for dogs called Frosty Paws©. They are a great way to give your dog a healthy snack and cool them off at the same time. Here’s a recipe so you can make them at home for much less: 1 quart container of plain yogurt You can use non-fat, 2% or full fat yogurt depending on how thin or chunky your dogs are. DO NOT use any artificially sweetened yogurt for your dogs, as those can be harmful to dogs. You can use vanilla yogurt, but your dog probably doesn’t need the extra sugar. If you feel compelled to add extra flavors to spoil your dogs, add a ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract instead. Puree all ingredients in a blender until mixed, then pour into small disposable plastic cups or ice cube trays and freeze. This is one dog recipe where you can lick the spoon and it tastes really good! Some people also add powdered glucosamine to the mix so that their dogs are getting their arthritis supplements while getting a special treat. I have also heard of some people making this with yogurt and a can of tuna, but I just haven’t wanted to go there….
Your Greyt Library: Care of the Racing & Retired Greyhound
Section I: Basic anatomy and physiology of the greyhound and dysfunctions within each system; blood values for greyhounds with explanations of what these values mean when they fall out of “normal” ranges; expanded sections on tick diseases, aging medical problems, cancer, and a new overview of immune-mediated diseases. Section II: Life stages of greyhounds, therapy and rehabilitation of injuries. Section III: Drugs and medications used for greyhounds The newly updated book is on sale now at the NGA:
Contact:
Training & Safety Tips: Dealing with Bored Dogs Is your dog bored? Many dogs these days are developing behavioral issues and anxiety problems due at least in part to simple boredom. Does your dog ever exhibit any of these symptoms: persistent barking, persistent licking with no medical cause, pacing, digging, fence fighting, destructive chewing, or experience anxiety when left alone? Here are some simple ideas to help combat the doggie boredom blues:
OK, so you don't have time for those ideas. Here are some other ideas for when you are tired or have had a long day at work:
Just remember to have fun and keep your dog mentally and emotionally stimulated. Both of you will be much happier. Jamie Lurtz
Foster Tails: Biscuits Becomes a Couch Potato (Finally) One greyhound asks the perennial question: What does it mean to be a Couch Potato? Follow Biscuits' personal journey of discovery in the pictorial essay below.
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Summer is hopefully coming off the Medical Hold list in August so I wanted to give you an update on her medical status and personality (left: Summer is looking great these days!). Anyone who has met Summer (or “Miss Summer” as we call her) just loves her. This almost seven-year-old charmer really gets to your heart! She is quite pixie-like at a whopping 54.2 pounds with big bright eyes, a sly grin and one or sometimes two stand up ears. She still has the skinny legs with big feet, a bony head and spine but she is growing round at the tummy and rib cage. 
In August 2006, a three-month-old greyhound puppy was found wandering the streets of Bakersfield, starving and covered in ticks and fleas. He had no tattoos in his ears, so there was no way to find out where he came from. His saviors came in the form of two local women who love greyhounds and volunteers from the very new greyhound adoption group, GreySave who were driving up to retrieve three Desert greyhounds from the local animal shelter. 
The long awaited update of this book is finally available to the public. It is a definitive overview of greyhound health and happiness at every stage of life. The book is divided into three sections:
