GPA Update

The Newsletter of Greyhound Pets of America/California:
Orange County and Greater Los Angeles

July-August 1996



FIRST PICNIC A SUCCESS!

Invite them and they will come. And come they did. Over 300 people and at least 150 greyhounds and other canine friends joined us on May 11, 1996, for our First Annual Picnic in the Park. Huntington Beach Central Park proved to be a great location, offering everything necessary for an enjoyable picnic.

There was plenty of shade and room to stretch out and relax while watching the canine contests. Entrants in the Costume Contest included a (grey- hound) bride and groom and a grey- hound stripper complete with eight pasties (this greyhound was stripped of all dignity). Other contests included the longest tail, the tallest male and tallest female dog, smallest greyhound, and the one traveling the farthest - coming over 200 miles from Ridgecrest. Additional entertainment was given by the So. Cal K-9 Air Corp Frisbee Team and an obedience demonstration by Trick Shot Dog Training.

What would a picnic be without a lunch including hamburgers and hot dogs! There was also a Penguins yogurt booth and a bake sale for anyone wanting to indulge in delicious goodies or take some home for later.

For any greyhounds and/or humans wanting to stretch their legs, there were plenty of trails to stroll along and ponds where waterfowl could be observed. There was also the chance for greyhounds to run at the Bark Park adjacent to the park.

And if you still wanted more to do, you could meet some of our foster dogs, check out one of the vendors, shop in Ruthie and Catherine's Grey- hound Boutique (offering t-shirts, notecards, collars, leashes and many other greyhound items for sale to benefit GPA), pick up GPA literature, get some insight on your greyhound's experiences and thoughts by pet psychic Lydia Hiby, take a dip in one of the wading pools (for dogs only, of course), and meet many wonderful greyhounds and their lucky owners. The day ended with drawings for our raffle which consisted of over 50 raffle prizes, thanks to the many donations by generous individuals and businesses.

Our picnic was later shown on OCN (the Orange County News channel), and you could read all about the picnic in the Orange County Register.

One last observation -- has anyone ever seen so many dogs together at one time and heard so little barking! It makes one proud to own a greyhound.

Note: Our picnic was not only a great way to meet and socialize with grey- hounds and their owners, but was a major fund-raiser for GPA/CA-OC&GLA. Thanks to the huge success of our Picnic in the Park, we were able to financially afford to keep a greater number of greyhounds at our boarding facility (we had up to 40 greyhounds there at one time in addition to the greyhounds in foster homes). Thanks to everyone attending or supporting our picnic, we were able to give some extra greyhounds a great retirement.




CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS

If you would like to become a volunteer for GPA/CA-OC&GLA, be sure to send in the form found in this newsletter. Just let us know how you can help. No matter how large or small, your efforts make a difference.


IT'S OFFICIAL -- WE'RE A CHAPTER

Greyhound Pets of America is a national organization consisting of many chapters all across the country dedicated to finding good homes for ex-racing greyhounds. Anyone wanting to have their own GPA chapter must first be sponsored by another GPA chapter. As a sub-chapter of that group, you are given support and guidance. After fulfilling a time requirement and when you feel you are ready to go out on your own, you can request an evaluation, and finally a vote by other GPA chapters to determine if they feel you qualify to be an independent chapter.l

When we started our group in October 1995, it was as a sub-chapter of GPA Arizona. We must have shown GPA National that we were doing a good job of finding homes for greyhounds, because in june they voted for us to become an official chapter of GPA. It's been a lot of hard work, but anyone that has been involved will tell you it has also been very rewarding. As of June 23, 1996, we have found homes for 98 greyhounds, have 14 greyhounds in foster homes and are boarding 34 at a facility in Inyokern.

Our heartfelt thanks go to joan Headland and Carol Osborne of GPA Arizona for their sponsorship and support of our sub-chapter. The success we have enjoyed to this point is due to their guidance. Carol and Joanie have become our very good friends during this period, and we look forward for this relationship to continue for a very long time.

We also want to thank the many individuals and businesses that have supported us. It is because of your generosity that we have been able to rescue so many greyhounds from the track.


HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 9th, 1996 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm and prepare to have "ye merry good olde time". That's the day that PETCO, one of our strongest supporters since our beginning in October 1995, and WALTHAM Pet Foods will be sponsoring:

The First Annual PETCO Renaissance Faire Irvine Regional Park, Orange, CA.

See thrilling equestrian events.
Enjoy lively shows on our three stages.
Games of skill and chance.
Fine handmade crafts abound.
Fun for the wee ones at the kid's court
Colorful parades.
Wandering entertainers.
Jugglers, jesters and minstrels.

Proceeds will benefit Greyhound Pets of America California-Orange County and Greater Los Angeles Chapter

Wanted: Vendors, Actors & Performers.
Low merchant fees.
Call today for application:
Shannon, Anaheim Plaza PETCO
(714) 635-1714

PETCO's plan is to start a one day event this year and expand it to two or three days in the coming years. Volunteers (in costume) will be needed to staff the event. We will have grey- hounds in attendance, a show and tell booth, and a greyhound merchandise booth. Call Karen at (310) 496-1873 to find out more and reserve your special volunteer spot. Our next newsletter will have further details, but we are giving you plenty of time to dedicate November 9th to a day of fun and frolic with a(l the profits going directly to the greyhounds we all love so much.


SPECIAL THANKS

The California - Orange County & Greater Los Angeles Chapter of `Greyhound Pets of America would like to I thank the following businesses for their help in our efforts to find homes for ex-racing greyhounds.

Wendy Lagatta Community Feed Store 5916 Los Angeles Avenue Simi Valley, CA 93963 (805) 526-1364

GRAPHIX Printing Design 7209-C Arlington Ave. Riverside, CA 92503 (909)351-8193

Superior Mini Storage 1600 Superior Avenue Costa Mesa, CA 92627 (714) 631-3930

Thank you to the following who have donated or provided discounts for veterinary services. Without their support we would not have been able to rescue as many greyhounds as we have.

Aliso Viejo Animal Hospital 24038 Aliso Creek Road Laguna Niguel, CA 92656 (714) 643-0437

Dr. Robert Rooks All Care Animal Referral 18440 Amistad Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714)963-0909

Dr. Kevin Caylor All Pets Veterinary Hospital 29131 S. Western Ranchos Pales Verdes, CA 90275 (310) 547-2784

Frank Moore, DVM Amigo Animal Hospital 13951 Milan St. Westminster, CA 92683 (714) 894-5558

Gib Benschoter, DVM Brea Veterinary Hospital 675 S. Brea Boulevard Brea, CA 92621 (714) 529-4988

Brook-Ellis Pet Hospital 18452 Brookhurst Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714)963-0440
Central Orange County Emergency Animal Clinic 3720 Campus Drive Newport Beach, CA (714)261-7979

Garden Park Pet Clinic 12453 Valley View Garden Grove, CA 92645 (714) 898-6377

Dr. Charles M. Mintzer General Pet Hospital 800 N. Diamond Bar Blvd. Diamond Bar, CA 91765 (909) 861-4116

La Mirada Animal Hospital 13914 E. Rosecrans Ave. La Mirada, CA 90670 (310) 921-3539 or (714) 521-2185

Dr. Peter Kendrick Pet Hospital - PetCo. 19050 Brookhurst Huntington Beach, CA (714) 378-0330
PetCo. Corporation All stores with veterinary services

Dr. John Agostini San Clemente Veterinary Hospital 1833 S. Fl Camino Road San Clemente, CA 92672 (714) 492-5777

Dr. L. L. Novy & Associates Valley Veterinary Clinic 845 Los Angeles Avenue Simi Valley, CA 93065 (805) 526-0917 (818) 884-1 533

VCA Rossmoor Fl Dorado Animal Hospital 10832 Los Alamitos Blvd. Los Alamitos, CA (310) 598-8621

Thanks again to those who continue to support us with their time, services and financial support. And a big thank you to everyone who participated in our picnic and helped make it a great success.



WE'RE ON THE WEB!

by Jim Jeffers

The Fast Friends Web Page; the official web site of GPA/CA-Orange County & Greater Los Angeles, is now online. Check us out at http://orca. csudh.edu/~jjeffers/greyhound. As you'll see below, we need your help to make this a success.

At this site, you'll find an introduction to GPA and to our chapter, including comments on the origins of both. You'll also find general information on the greyhound breed and one of the most extensive histories of the greyhound, currently online (I'm a historian by profession). You'll find common questions and answers about adopting racing greyhounds as well. We even have a copy of our adoption application online. We also talk about our II fostering program, emphasizing its importance in the transition from track to couch.

This is a greyt way to introduce people interested in greyhounds to our organization. It's also a greyt way for you to stay in touch with our group. The calendar of events will keep you up to date, even if you lose your newsletter. Speaking of the newsletter, we plan an archive of its back issues so those just joining us can see where we've been and can benefit from the greyt articles of the past.

We plan to add a "Hall of Fame" to honor the dogs we've placed and the folks who have taken them in. That's where we need your help. We would like you to send us a photo of your adopted greyhounds, preferably along with the rest of the family (four-legged, two-legged, it's up to you). We want people to see our retired racers in their new environments. Maybe you can snap a shot of all the pets sleeping or playing together. Let us know if you need the photo returned, and we will do so. We'd also like you to tell us a bit about your adopted dog(s). in a sentence or two, how would you describe his or her personality/behavior! We may or may not have room for stories, since we now have adopted out nearly 100 dogs.

We have one more request. Since we're constantly in need of foster homes, we'd like to get stories from our current and former foster parents about the fostering experience. Do you have some advice or anecdotes that you think might encourage potential foster parents to sign up, and at the same time make them aware of what they're getting into! As someone who recently fostered for the first time, and whose dog "suckered" me into adopting her (does this sound familiar to anyone!), I have a friendly warning for potential foster parents!

I want to thank Tom and Joyce McRorie and Lynda Adame for their info and advice as I put this page together. We're not trying to outdo sites like "Adopt A Greyhound" or "A Breed Apart"; we want a site that will serve the interests and needs of our own people as well as attract new folks to our organization. If you have any comments or questions about this site, you can e-mail me at jjeffers@dhvx20.csudh.edu or call me at (909) 591-4570. Send your stories and photos to jim Jeffers, 12954 Elm Tree Lane, Chino Hills, CA 91709.




WELCOME ABOARD, WELCOME BACK, JOIN UP

Since the May/June issue of GPA UPDATE, we have added a few new foster homes and veterinary hospitals to our greyhound rescue "family". Welcome to Dave and Terrell Utley, foster parents of Kerry; Jim and Bonnie Jeffers, foster parents of Kit; Sharon Cummings, foster mom for Izzy; and Hilde Mott, who survived all of Joker's little pranks and helped find him a wonderful home. Welcome back Neil and Elaine McCarthy! Glad you're fostering again.

Our new vets are Dr. john Agostini at San Clemente Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Charles Mintzer at General Pet Hospital, and Dr. Kevin Caylor at All Pets Veterinary Hospital. To the doctors and staffs at all our participating vets: our greyhounds thank you.

HELP!! We are lacking a few foster homes at the moment due to upcoming weddings, sale of homes, and summer vacations. If you can help temporarily, call Karen at (310) 496-1873. It's only two or three weeks of your time, but it's a whole new life for a greyhound.


GYPSY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT

Let's see, where are we in Gypsy's story......

For those of you who are new to this newsletter, I'll attempt a quick summary of the events which lead up to this article. Gypsy wandered into the Caliente Greyhound Track in Tijuana the day before our group arrived to pick up dogs. When we arrived, one of the kennel workers asked us if we would take the dog. At that time, she looked to have had a draining abscess on her rear end. During the operation to drain the abscess, it was discovered that, in fact, Gypsy had a crushed bone in that area, and much of it had died. The vet decided to postpone spaying her and, instead, repaired the bone. (At the time we speculated that someone had hit her with a blunt object or she had been hit by a car.)

Bob and Carol Vinnacombe took Gypsy in for her recovery period at which point Gypsy came down with Sarcoptic Mange. Gypsy was placed prior to her spay (this decision was made because she was not strong enough to sustain the operation) with Sherree and Brett Maxwell in Sacramento.

When Gypsy was spayed, she was found to be pregnant. None of the eleven puppies survived. During the time Gypsy has lived with Sherree and Brett, the wound from her original operation has never healed properly. Everything would go along well for a time, and then it would open up again.
Several weeks ago, Brett and Sherree went on vacation and bearded their dogs at the veterinary practice Sherree manages. During that time, Gypsy's leg began to swell and she was in pain. The doctors took X-Rays and found the fragments of a 22 caliber bullet in the leg. They will operate to remove them.

So, now the mystery of how Gypsy's bone was smashed is solved!

Stay tuned for the next installment. We'll keep you posted if we hear any more news. (If Disney doesn't pick up this saga, they sure are missing a good plot.)


RESCUED GREYHOUND RESCUES OWNER

by Clarice Roeder

Somewhere, somehow, during his three years as a racer, lack learned that bleeding can be serious. He learned a bleeding event should be evaluated and if necessary, treated by a caring and trained person. Through the three years that Yara Lewin and Bob Buckner have loved their adopted boy, they marveled at how he would become agitated and concerned over a simple kitchen cut or any small accidental scrape. Little did they know that lack's experience, alert mind and lighting reflexes would make the difference between life and death, joy and tragedy.

On the 17th of April at 2:30 a.m. Bob unfortunately suffered a seizure and while unconscious, bit off the tip of his tongue. Quickly Bob's mouth and throat began to fill with blood. No one was aware of the impending danger. No one, that is, except our hero lack. lack saw the danger and instantly set to barking out emergency canine codes. First to respond were his canine sisters, who following lack, took up howling. All this activity finally woke Yara, who immediately called 911. When firemen and other rescue personnel arrived, they relieved lack of his duties and whisked Bob to the hospital with "greyhound" speed.

Bob is back at home and recovering with his family. He calmly lets Yara tell this remarkable story. But Yara says emotionally, "We always loved our beautiful greyhounds, but now we have so much more to be grateful for. Bob would have died in that awful attack. Thankfully we have our Jack who rescued us."

AMAZING TAILS

A new nationally syndicated TV show about pets and the people who love them is searching for videos or still pictures about amazing pets to be included in the show as well as pictures of owners and pets who look alike. Please send a nonreturnable video or picture to:

Amazing Tails!, 2220 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404. (310) 264-7830 or fax (310) 264-7831


ADOPTIONS

We've again been busy getting the word out about adopting an ex- racing greyhound through Show and Tells, TV spots, and our Picnic in the Park. The hard work of our many volunteers has resulted in finding the following greyhounds wonderful homes. together since our last

Listed below are the families and their dogs who newsletter:

Bonnie --Shirley Van Sickle from San Pedro
Dreamer --Clarice and John Roeder from San Pedro
General --Wanda and Vince Maciorski from Bakersfield
Hardy --Kathy Mooney from Costa Mesa
Ibsen --Dan and Mary Warren from Lancaster
Indy --Hal and Wendy Friedman from Cypress
Iris --Kelly Watson and Martin Elliott from Huntington Beach
Izzy --Sharon Cummings from Irvine
Jade --Kelly Sullivan from Irvine
Jake --Sandi and Starr Williams from North Hills
Jammer --Michael and Becky Hotter from Huntington Beach
Java --Eric Thayer and Alyssa Yauchze of Huntington Beach
Jazz --Anita Hodel and Glen Hodel from Lake Forest
Jillian --Bruce Turner from North Hollywood
Jinx --Pat Hagler from Lawndale
Joker --Scharlene McLaughlin from Upland
Joy --Sherrilyn and Dana Tapp from Citrus Heights
Suzy J. --Bob and Carol Vinnacombe from Long Beach
Julip --Brian and Connie Adair from Anaheim
Kahlua --William and Catherine McCloud from Whittier
Keeper --Mac and Becky McKenzie from Orange
King --Theresa and Robert Lauer from Rancho Santa Margarita
Kismet --John and Renee Wilson from Signal Hill
Kit --Bonnie and Jim Jeffers from Chino Hills

P.S. Does anyone out there have a clever idea as to what we do to name the dogs after we have reached the end of the alphabet! We would like to keep each group unique so restarting from the letter "A" will be our last resort.



I'M BEGGING YOU, PLEASE -- GREYHOUND RETIREMENT PLAN

More than ever we need donations for our Greyhound Retirement Fund. We currently have 34 greyhounds at the farm in addition to 14 in foster homes. Our cost is $2.00 a day per dog to board them at the farm.

If you would like to help sponsor a greyhound until we have an opening in one of our foster homes, send your donation to:

GPA/CA-OC&GLA
9642 Bay Meadow Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92646

with a note or notation on the check that it is for the "Retirement Fund". ANY amount you can give would be greatly appreciated. It will be the best retirement plan you ever invested in.


CELEBRITY GREYHOUNDS II

It's not the big screen yet, but it's another step toward fame:
The date: May 11, 1996
The place: Huntington Beach Central Park
The event: A live videotaping session for GEOSAFARI, a CD-ROM game by Educational Insights Interactive.

The actors and actresses: Rascal and Brandy Vinnacombe (Dalmatians), Samya Mooney (Saluki). Skylor McKenzie (Greyhound), plus a Pug, a Borzoi, a Standard Poodle, and two Basenjis.

Watch for this exciting computer game, featuring some of our very own pets, to be in the stores soon. (I hear that Rascal and Brandy are giving autographs by appointment only).


THANK YOU FROM A GREYHOUND

by Debbie LaMonica-Anderson Greyhound Friends Northwest Adopter and Volunteer from Bellevue, WA (printed by permission)

Note: Faith & Dean Autio are the operators of a no-kill kennel in Tucson, AZ and go to great lengths to get their dogs into adoption programs.

May 11, 1996

Dear Mama Faith and Papa Dean,

I thought that you might be wondering how I am doing in my new life outside the kennel. I know that it has taken me a few weeks to get this letter to you, but I had to learn how to use the word processor first
I spent a few days at Hal and Karen's with some of my other racing friends from Arizona. We were tired~from the trip, and it took me a few days to recover. A nice lady who turned out to be my new mom came to visit with me when I was there, and she really liked me, but she had to interview some other greyhounds first to prove it to herself! So the next day I went to a place that they called a "foster home." It was in a nice place called Camano Island. They ha a little girl-person there. They also had another greyhound (a female), and there was this thing called a toy poodle. They told me that it is a dog, but I don't believe them! I was only there for a few days. My new mom and dad came to visit me on the weekend, and they were hooked.
I went back to Issaquah at Hal and Karen's house for a f~w days. My new mom took a few days off since she was fighting a cold anyway, and she brought me home. Our house isn't very big, but it has many soft places to sleep.

I have one brother and two sisters. My oldest sister is a real dog. She is a cocker spaniel/sheltie mix named Tammy Faye Barkker. My brother is a dog too. His name is Banjo Bojangles. He is a lab/rottweiler mix. We wrestle together. We usually get along really well. Mom says that I discipline Banjo better than she ever could. If he bothers me, I tell him so, but we never have to fight since he listens to my words.

My other sister (her name is Amanda May Warmbody) is a soft mushy thing I .hat they call a CAT. When they don't want me to know she's in the room they call her a C-A-T. I was really
excited the first few days when we were getting to know each other. I would try to jump on her to give her a kiss, and~she would run toward me like she was going to hug me. Then, just as she was about to hug me, her feet would get really sharp. They really hurt me when she would touch my nose with them. I feel sorry for her. I hope that they don't hurt her as much as they did me! Anyway, that hasn't happened since the first few days. We sleep together now. She makes a good pillow. Now instead of hurting my nose to greet me, she rubs her~head on it. It feels so soft. Mom and dad said that she was teaching m~e Kitty manners. I wonder what that is! I just I;now that if I don't jump on her, everything is fine.

Something really weird happened a few weeks ago. I went to this place with my mom. She left me there. I felt more tired than I have ever been, so I went to sleep ... and when I woke up I had a sore bottom ... and my breath was minty fresh! If ! tell you a secret do you promise not to laugh! It is very embarrassing! When I was sleeping, I think that someone took my boy-parts away! It made me a little cranky for a few days .. but I am better now. I went back and they took something that they called stitches out. I just don't get it. Who would want to steal my boy parts!

I eat lots of premium grade pet store dog food every day. I really enjoy the new food It is a lamb and rice formula. It has a pleasing taste and rolls nicely over my palate. My mom and dad put something called acidophilus (some- times yoghurt) on my food. I am not sure how it is possible, but they say that it improves the air quality in our house. All I know is that it seals up the hole where the smelly air leak is in my bottom. I don't have that air leak any more, except when I stretch!

The floors here are really weird. Sometimes there are eight or ten uneven little floors in a row. They call them stairs. They were a little hard to learn how to walk on, but I got the hang of it! Another strange thing is that some of the walls here are invisible! They call it windows. You can't see them, but if I try to walk through them they give me a headache. I know where they are now, and I have learned not to walk into them

When I first came here, I was really mad because there was another greyhound who followed me around and copied everything I did. Isn't that Immature. They said it was a mirror. I don't care what he is. He's annoying. He doesn't smell like a dog, and if I walk away he disappears. I still don't understand it, but I have discovered that if I just ignore him, I feel better. Every now and then I try to chase him into the closet, but he always disappears.

We go to a park where there are lots of other dogs ... even some Greyhounds. Everyone else is allowed off their leashes, but mom says that the grey- hounds are on leashes for their own good. Tammy and Banjo get to be off leash, though. I don't mind so much because on Sunday's I get to go to a place where there are other grey- hounds. We run together in a fenced field. Tammy and Banjo aren't allowed in there because we are too fast for them. Some of my racing friends from Arizona are there, and we all run together. It is like a family reunion ... with a big extended family. I run for the joy of it until I am tired, and then I net to go home to my nice soft bed and take a nap. AAAAAAHHHHH .. this is living. My new veterinarian says that you did a really good job with me, and that you must be the best. She says that it has to do with the fact that I have good self esteem, and I'm very outgoing. She wants to take me home! I LOVE PEOPLE!!% My tail wags so hard that I almost fall over when I meet someone new.

I only spend a few hours a day in my crate now. The only reason that I even do that is so that I will always stay used to it. When we go over to Grandma's at Thanksgiving and Christmas, I will have to stay in my crate, and I guess that will be OK. Better than being outside.

I only potty where I am allowed to now. It is amazing how touchy people can be ... that's an I have to say. I have only had three accidents in the house. They have this thing that looks like a shiny black tree. They call it a vacuum cleaner. I liked to pee on it, but it sure did get me in a heap of trouble. I got yelled at, so I stopped. I think about it once in a while, but I can't open the closet where they put it, so I guess I can't use it.

Anyway I am enjoying life with my new family. I met grandma and my nephews and aunt and uncles. They all gave me treats. Pretty cool, this family stuff. I think I'm to like it here Good food, soft company, ~treats, vacuums, love, playing, N, love, and love. This is the life! Thanks Mama Faith and Papa Dean for giving me the chance to ii

All my love always, Laser

p.s. If you see whoever has my boy parts, will you ask them to give them back!

3 + 1 = 12 dogs
by Paula Otteson

Thursday night, May 2, Joyce called and told me she was going on vacation for the weekend. She also told me that Susan Netboy from the Greyhound Protection League had called her and told her there were three greyhounds in the South Central Los Angeles Animal Shelter that were scheduled to be euthanized on Tuesday if somebody didn╒t get them out. Joyce asked me to handle the situation. I called Carol Simpson to tell her she was going with me. Friday morning I called Sheila Budd at Hemopet Blood Bank and asked if they could house the greyhounds for a few days since all of our foster homes were full. She said they could put them in the isolation area. I called the shelter and asked when we could pick up the three greyhounds. They told me there were only two greyhounds and my heart sank. Wait a minute, they said, there are four greyhounds. Four? Oh well, what╒s another one.

Image: Julie and FriendsLEFT: Carol Simpson and Paula Otteson pose with greyhound mother-to-be Julie.

We ended up getting lost along the way, but we eventually arrived at the shelter. Shelter employees led us to the dogs. There was a large red and white male, a small black female and a small white female. When Carol and I saw the white female, we both gasped, "She╒s pregnant! VERY PREGNANT." Shelter workers then led us to the other greyhound, another red and white male who had stitches on his shoulder, apparently from a disagreement with the other male on their trip to the shelter (all four greyhounds were brought in together by the same person). After the paperwork was done, we prepared for the ride home.

On the way home Cari Russell from the Needle Nose Crew called to tell us she was trying to line up temporary homes for the dogs. The Needle Nose Crew is a group of volunteers who work with Hemopet Blood Bank to adopt out the greyhounds that are used as blood donors. Cari told us that Linda Brown of Retired Racers, another greyhound rescue group, offered to take two of the dogs.

We arrived in Lakewood and were greeted by Karen Charpie-Elton, Phil Faust, Ellen Odell, and Bob and Carol Vinnacombe. Phil, Bob and Carol S. bathed the pregnant white female, who we named Downtown Julie Brown, so she could be taken to the vet for a checkup. Bob and Carol V. then took Julie to the vet while Carol S. and I left for Hemopet with the other 3 dogs. We were welcomed there by Gilbert Velasquez of Hemopet and Toni Bryant and Cari from the Needle Nose Crew. Toni╒s daughter named the large red male Thomas O╒Malley and the smaller red male Benjamin. As the dogs settled in, we left knowing they were in good hands.

Image: three dogs and owners RIGHT: (left to right) Carol Oglesbee with Thomas O╒Malley,
Sharon Cummings with Isabel (Izzy) and Mike Gallas with Benjamin


On Saturday x-rays showed that Julie was going to have eight puppies. Carol
Simpson volunteered to foster Julie and
the puppies when they arrived. Meanwhile, the other greyhounds were being fed and cared for by Hemopet workers and volunteers. Mike Gallas, Carol Oglesbee, and Sharon Cummings of the Needle Nose Crew and I met at Hemopet on Sunday to bathe, de-flea and de-tick the remaining three dogs. Sharon agreed to foster the black female whom she named Isabel (Izzy for short) and Mike and Carol O. offered to drive the two males up to Linda Brown in Acton. The males looked almost identical so we assumed they were brothers, although we don╒t know for sure because the only greyhound with tattoos was Izzy. Julie is now living comfortably at Carol Simpson╒s with her new puppies, Izzy was adopted by Sharon, Benjamin came to live with Mike and Carol O. and Thomas O╒Malley found a wonderful home in Bakersfield.


We invite all greyhounds and their owners to join us at our Show & Tells.




A CHANCE FOR JULIE

by Carol Simpson


[pups] Image: Little girl Zoie is curious about everything. It was a hot day when Paula and I made our trip to South Central L.A. We were on a mission to pick up four greyhounds that were to be put to sleep in three days. We were not prepared for what awaited us when we rounded the corner to the kennel. It was damp from the water they had just sprayed to clean the cages. The barking of other dogs grabbed our attention as we looked around for someone to help us. It was at that moment Paula and I focused on one kennel just inside the door. Two greyhounds wagged their tails, eagerly waiting to be petted. In the corner of the cage laying on the cool, damp concrete was a little girl with a dirty white coat with black ticking. You could see her ribs and hip bones, her tummy swelled and red from being pregnant. She raised her head and stared at us.

[pups] Image: On the left is Laceie. She is small but mighty and into everything. On the right is Rudy. He is the largest but is very shy and sweet. After going through the paper work for their release, we loaded all four into the truck for the trip home. Julie laid in the corner the entire trip, not making a sound. We arrived at Karen's so she could see the dogs and discuss what to do with our pregnant little girl. Julie was taken to the vet and upon examination, they were able to tell us how far along she was. Much to our surprise she was due any day and from the x-rays taken, we could see eight puppies.

[pups] Image: Raven is very cute and knows it. She has a Valley Girl attitude. There was no question in our minds to allow her to deliver. Now the question was, where would she go? My husband, Wayne, and I volunteered to take on the task. I was off work for several months and could give Julie the attention she would need. We prepared the garage with x-pens, newspapers and gates. Wayne built her a whelping pen so she would be comfortable for her delivery. I fed her three times a day trying to get her in a little better shape than when she arrived. Her delivery was not at all what we expected. On her next visit to the vet's, more x-rays were taken. One of the puppies was too large and blocking the birth canal, the reason Julie still had not given birth. It was decided to deliver the puppies by c-section that day. The delivery went well. Julie was doing fine. She delivered five girls and three boys - all healthy.

[pups] Image: (Left to right) Cody is an outgoing little guy. Bandit loves to eat and be held. Farra has the most beautiful eyes. Brandi picks on everyone. The two girls bully the boys and are good at it. Julie is a reward in herself. I see it daily in her warm eyes and little smile. She is very caring and more eager to please than you will ever imagine. Every day with Julie and her puppies shows that!here is never a task too difficult for the volunteers and kind hearts of other kind people that can't be worked out. The job of fostering Julie as well as eight puppies is never ending, but it is rewarding. However the cost of caring for them will not be cheap. That is why I am asking you to open your hearts by contributing to the puppy fund set up to help with medical expenses, puppy food, and other items growing puppies may need. Send your donation to GPA, 9642 Bay Meadow Drive, Huntington Beach, CA 92646 and "indicate it is for the "puppy fund".

Help give these little guys the chance they almost didn't get.



Dear Friend of Greyhounds,

As we have now received full chapter status with Greyhound Pets of America and are approaching the completion of our first year in October, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your participation in GPA. No matter what the participation may have been, your efforts have made it possible for us to find homes for over 98 ex-racers. Anyone who has adopted an ex-racing greyhound has only to look into the eyes of his/her greyhound to know the meaning of appreciation.

We thought you might be interested in knowing more about some of the aspects of our chapter's program and hope that you can participate in some of these activities.

FOSTERING GREYHOUNDS
A critical aspect to GPA's successful adoption of ex-racing greyhounds is the foster program. Foster families open their homes to a new foster dog, helping it to adjust to a life of retirement. Greyhounds are very intelligent and learn very quickly, particularly when fostered by a family who already has adopted a greyhound. The greyhounds teach each other and adapt quickly to life as a family pet. The foster families volunteer to share their lives with a greyhound for a short time and are rewarded with more of those appreciative eyes.

DOG WASHES
As foster homes are available, dogs are brought either from the track or from the farm where they are housed on an interim basis, and are prepared to enter a foster home. Each dog is physically checked, given all its shots, and wormed. They are then tested and observed to determine their tolerance to cats and small animals. It's at this time they are given their GPA name.

Last, but not least, each dog is bathed, has its nails clipped and its ears cleaned. Finally, the greyhounds meet their foster family. The greyhounds need those who can help during their first grooming. This is an opportunity to be among the first to give a newly retired racer a big hug (sometimes a wet one) and loving care, and share in the excitement of watching another beauty emerge.

TRANSPORTATION
Even though they are known for getting around pretty quickly, the greyhounds rely on us for their transportation. Transportation of the dogs from the track, or to and from the farm, takes place in vehicles which can accommodate 4 to 5 dogs.

In addition, during the greyhound's stay with a foster family, they are scheduled to be spayed or neutered and have their teeth cleaned. It is not always possible for the foster families to transport the dog for these appointments, so alternative transportation is needed.

If you are able to give the greyhounds a ride in any of these situations, please let us know. Each ride is an opportunity to provide a little more reassurance to a greyhound friend who is entering a new world.

HOME DURING THE DAY
Oftentimes, there are events or errands which need to be accomplished during weekdays when a great many of our volunteers are at work. If you have a schedule which permits, and you may be available for these weekday events or errands, please let us know. Many fun greyhound surprises have popped up during the week.

ASSEMBLY AND MAILING OF NEWSLETTER
Every other month, GPA publishes a newsletter of the latest happenings with the greyhounds. Of course, a scoop on the latest news is available to those who can help collate, staple and stamp the newsletter.

SHOW & TELL
The Show & Tell events are opportunities for the greyhounds to help each other by being themselves and showing people who they are. These 2-3 hour events are generally held on weekends. The set up consists of pens for the greyhounds, a small table with material to hand out regarding adopting the greyhounds and a sign or two. If you can help with the organization and set up of a Show & Tell, please let us know. If not, you can still help by bringing your greyhound(s) to Show & Tells in your local area, if even for a short time. The dogs are able to be "salesdogs" and it also gives them the opportunity to socialize with each other.

TELEPHONE SOLICITATION
There are always many telephone calls to be made to remind people of upcoming Show & Tells, followup calls to foster parents or new adopters, or just calling to get information from volunteers. This does not involve soliciting for money. If you enjoy talking on the phone and talking about greyhounds, this job is for you.

All the activities we've described are on-going and are maintained and staffed through volunteer efforts. If you have an interest in participating in any of these activities, please mail back the attached form to our Volunteer Coordinator. We're also interested in any suggestions you might have for promotional events that would introduce more people to greyhounds, or fund-raising events, or perhaps you know of a good location to hold a Show & Tell, or you have a story to submit for the newsletter, or you are able to get donations of dog food or bathing supplies. The possibilities are unlimited and the greyhounds award their loving appreciation for all efforts, no matter how big or how small.