An e-mail has been circulating recently with some figures and statements that to the best of our knowledge contain outright bogus or misleading information about the closing of Dairyland.
This is the information I can share with you all regarding this tracks closure from our volunteers heavily involved in assisting these greyhounds:
1) Currently the number of dogs at Dairyland (DGP) is unknown. A State official indicated they would have a list ready in 2 weeks. 900 was the number given in a recent newspaper article, but we anticipate that number is high and the realistic number is somewhere between 300-500 dogs.
2) There is confirmation from the track veterinarian, who is a State of Wisconsin employee, that no dogs will be left behind. The facility will stay open as long as it takes to find adoption groups for all the dogs that are left at DGP.
3) Hauls are being organized to move the pet dogs out of the track prior to the closing to relieve some of the burden. This is going smoothly. Racers can't be moved until January 1st, since racing will continue until Dec. 31st. A haul going east through Ohio is scheduled to leave Dec. 5th. Another haul is leaving for Canada around the same time. Both of these hauls are going to groups that are approved to accept dogs by the State of Wisconsin.
4) All of the regional adoption groups are all ready in communication with each other and are strategizing how to move the dogs and increase adoptions. Its a good team and confidence is high in their abilities to get the job done. The groups are from WI, IL, MI, MN, IN, OH and IA (the neighboring states), but we anticipate support from well behind that perimeter.
Rory Goree
President
Greyhound Pets of America - National
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Phoenix Greyhound racetrack to shut down
by Amy B Wang - Sept. 26, 2009 12:00 AMThe Arizona Republic
Phoenix Greyhound Park, one of three remaining dog tracks in the state, plans to shut down by the end of the year.
In a letter to the Arizona Department of Racing on Thursday, track officials said the park would remain open for live racing until Dec. 19, continue to simulcast races until Dec. 31, then shift some of its simulcast operations to Apache Greyhound Park in Apache Junction.
"As you can imagine, it's budget time for a lot of businesses, and this is our budget time," said Dan Luciano, Phoenix Greyhound Park general manager. "Nobody's going to be happy."
The Phoenix park, near Washington and 40th streets, opened in 1954 and runs live races seven days a week. The business has faced a number of challenges in recent years, including increased competition from casinos, declining revenue and dwindling visitor numbers.
Attendance at the track dropped 14 percent last year to about 106,000 annual visitors and has declined 56 percent since 1998, according to its annual reports.
As attendance dropped, so did revenue. In 2008, Phoenix Greyhound Park's annual pari-mutuel revenue - the amount of total bets wagered on all live and simulcast races at the complex - fell by nearly 17 percent, to about $46.4 million. Just 10 years ago, in 1998, it was nearly $100 million.
"It's not much of a shock. The writing's been on the wall for a while," said Clifton Gray, head trainer at Arivada Kennels, adjacent to the racetrack. "You knew the way things were going this year, they were going to have to make wholesale changes."
One last-ditch proposal to state lawmakers to turn the track into a "racino" failed to gain traction during the Legislature's special session this summer. The plan would have allowed horse and dog tracks to operate slot machines, video gambling and poker tables on-site; in exchange, they would have given 45 percent of the proceeds to the state.
"It was part of a potential budget-helping exercise," said Gibson McKay, a lobbyist for the track. "I don't know that it garnered the support it needed at that time, but we remain open and will vigilantly pursue it, if need be. But that doesn't change the current situation."
The park will retain its racetrack license in case the racinos proposal passes in a future legislative session.
Track officials have "been trying to get us to stay positive about the possibility of slots next year, but that's a long way off," Gray said.
Calls to representatives at Delaware North Cos., which owns both Phoenix Greyhound Park and Apache Greyhound Park, were not immediately returned Friday.
Track officials broke the news Friday to its employees and kennel owners and operators. The closing would affect about 120 to 140 park employees involved in live-racing operations, as well as dozens of peripheral workers, such as kennel owners and dog handlers.
In addition to the layoffs, it may be difficult to find homes for the hundreds of greyhounds that regularly race at Phoenix Greyhound Park. Arivada Kennels boards 84 greyhounds, down from the usual 110 or so.
"We've been trying to keep our numbers to a minimum," Gray said. "We have not missed a chance to adopt a dog out in the last couple months."
Luciano said that the park would work with kennels to place greyhounds at other tracks, return them to their owners as pets or facilitate adoptions.
Gray said that "unless some sort of a miraculous injunction happens between now and then," he would use the opportunity to get out of the dog-racing business.
"I'm going to have to give up the only thing I've ever loved doing in my life," he said, "but there's no track in the country right now that is on stable ground."
http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2009/09/25/20090925greyhounds0925-ON.html
by Amy B Wang - Sept. 26, 2009 12:00 AMThe Arizona Republic
Phoenix Greyhound Park, one of three remaining dog tracks in the state, plans to shut down by the end of the year.
In a letter to the Arizona Department of Racing on Thursday, track officials said the park would remain open for live racing until Dec. 19, continue to simulcast races until Dec. 31, then shift some of its simulcast operations to Apache Greyhound Park in Apache Junction.
"As you can imagine, it's budget time for a lot of businesses, and this is our budget time," said Dan Luciano, Phoenix Greyhound Park general manager. "Nobody's going to be happy."
The Phoenix park, near Washington and 40th streets, opened in 1954 and runs live races seven days a week. The business has faced a number of challenges in recent years, including increased competition from casinos, declining revenue and dwindling visitor numbers.
Attendance at the track dropped 14 percent last year to about 106,000 annual visitors and has declined 56 percent since 1998, according to its annual reports.
As attendance dropped, so did revenue. In 2008, Phoenix Greyhound Park's annual pari-mutuel revenue - the amount of total bets wagered on all live and simulcast races at the complex - fell by nearly 17 percent, to about $46.4 million. Just 10 years ago, in 1998, it was nearly $100 million.
"It's not much of a shock. The writing's been on the wall for a while," said Clifton Gray, head trainer at Arivada Kennels, adjacent to the racetrack. "You knew the way things were going this year, they were going to have to make wholesale changes."
One last-ditch proposal to state lawmakers to turn the track into a "racino" failed to gain traction during the Legislature's special session this summer. The plan would have allowed horse and dog tracks to operate slot machines, video gambling and poker tables on-site; in exchange, they would have given 45 percent of the proceeds to the state.
"It was part of a potential budget-helping exercise," said Gibson McKay, a lobbyist for the track. "I don't know that it garnered the support it needed at that time, but we remain open and will vigilantly pursue it, if need be. But that doesn't change the current situation."
The park will retain its racetrack license in case the racinos proposal passes in a future legislative session.
Track officials have "been trying to get us to stay positive about the possibility of slots next year, but that's a long way off," Gray said.
Calls to representatives at Delaware North Cos., which owns both Phoenix Greyhound Park and Apache Greyhound Park, were not immediately returned Friday.
Track officials broke the news Friday to its employees and kennel owners and operators. The closing would affect about 120 to 140 park employees involved in live-racing operations, as well as dozens of peripheral workers, such as kennel owners and dog handlers.
In addition to the layoffs, it may be difficult to find homes for the hundreds of greyhounds that regularly race at Phoenix Greyhound Park. Arivada Kennels boards 84 greyhounds, down from the usual 110 or so.
"We've been trying to keep our numbers to a minimum," Gray said. "We have not missed a chance to adopt a dog out in the last couple months."
Luciano said that the park would work with kennels to place greyhounds at other tracks, return them to their owners as pets or facilitate adoptions.
Gray said that "unless some sort of a miraculous injunction happens between now and then," he would use the opportunity to get out of the dog-racing business.
"I'm going to have to give up the only thing I've ever loved doing in my life," he said, "but there's no track in the country right now that is on stable ground."
http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2009/09/25/20090925greyhounds0925-ON.html
Monday, August 24, 2009
Boonsboro couple honored for greyhound rescue efforts
By MARLO BARNHARTAugust 24, 2009marlob@herald-mail.com
BOONSBORO — Hettie Ballweber couldn’t have been happier when she learned that Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue Inc. was named Shelter of the Week by SPCA International.
The announcement means that Fast Friends will receive a $1,000 award for placing retired racing greyhounds into responsible and loving homes.
“It was our program called Craiger’s List that actually got us the award,” Ballweber said by telephone last week. She and her husband, Bill, co-founded Fast Friends and Craiger’s List.
Fast Friends “is an organization that thinks outside the box” and is willing to work with anyone who shares a desire to give greyhounds the kind of life they deserve, according to the SPCA Web site.
The Ballwebers have lived near Boonsboro for more than 12 years. One recent year, the couple found homes for 79 greyhounds, all from racetracks.
Together, they have run Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue for 4 1/2 of those years. Craiger’s List came about in April of 2008.
“The program is named for a young greyhound named Craiger in our care who died of lymphoma,” Hettie Ballweber said.
New homes are found for dogs that are selected for the list and, when adopted, the adoption fee is sent directly to the Morris Animal Foundation for its work in cancer research.
Since it began, Craiger’s List has found homes for 22 greyhounds and has donated $3,100, she said.
Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue Inc. stands out because it focuses on placing overlooked dogs — the ones who often sit in kennels because they are not attractive, not the right color, have medical needs or behavioral issues and/or are older dogs.
The Ballwebers have several greyhounds of their own and are fostering others.
“We will be plowing that prize money back into the Craiger’s List program,” she said.
For more information on Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue, visit the Web site at www.greytdogs.org. To reach the Ballwebers, call 301-416-2028.
By MARLO BARNHARTAugust 24, 2009marlob@herald-mail.com
BOONSBORO — Hettie Ballweber couldn’t have been happier when she learned that Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue Inc. was named Shelter of the Week by SPCA International.
The announcement means that Fast Friends will receive a $1,000 award for placing retired racing greyhounds into responsible and loving homes.
“It was our program called Craiger’s List that actually got us the award,” Ballweber said by telephone last week. She and her husband, Bill, co-founded Fast Friends and Craiger’s List.
Fast Friends “is an organization that thinks outside the box” and is willing to work with anyone who shares a desire to give greyhounds the kind of life they deserve, according to the SPCA Web site.
The Ballwebers have lived near Boonsboro for more than 12 years. One recent year, the couple found homes for 79 greyhounds, all from racetracks.
Together, they have run Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue for 4 1/2 of those years. Craiger’s List came about in April of 2008.
“The program is named for a young greyhound named Craiger in our care who died of lymphoma,” Hettie Ballweber said.
New homes are found for dogs that are selected for the list and, when adopted, the adoption fee is sent directly to the Morris Animal Foundation for its work in cancer research.
Since it began, Craiger’s List has found homes for 22 greyhounds and has donated $3,100, she said.
Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue Inc. stands out because it focuses on placing overlooked dogs — the ones who often sit in kennels because they are not attractive, not the right color, have medical needs or behavioral issues and/or are older dogs.
The Ballwebers have several greyhounds of their own and are fostering others.
“We will be plowing that prize money back into the Craiger’s List program,” she said.
For more information on Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue, visit the Web site at www.greytdogs.org. To reach the Ballwebers, call 301-416-2028.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Racetrack owners push for casino-style gaming
Instead of driving to an Indian casino, how about Vegas-style gambling at a Tucson racetrack?
There's a new offer on the table to help Arizona dig itself out of a giant budget hole. Racetrack owners have a plan that targets fun money to ease the $3.4 billion deficit.
Tom Taylor, CEO of Tucson Greyhound Park says not only will mini casinos bring in state and city revenue, but attract a new generation of horse and dog race enthusiasts.
Card games such as blackjack, Texas hold ‘em, and four card poker are a possibility, along with slot machines. Taylor says mini casinos are popping up at racetracks nationwide, they're nicknamed racinos.
"The horse race and dog racing industry as a whole is depressed and the racinos have resurged them all," says Taylor.
A recent study by some Arizona track owners estimates Arizona could generate $226 million this budget year if the bill is passed. In return, tracks will give the state, 45 percent of its profits.
The City of South Tucson will also receive a chunk of the proceeds, a half-percent of the track's revenue.
"You know a half-a percent of the revenue could be anywhere from a half a million to a million dollars," says Taylor.
Besides revenue, Taylor says mini casinos will generate 1,500 new jobs at Arizona's six tracks and provide work for contractors.
But officials for the county-owned Rillito Horse Racetrack aren't so quick to jump on board. A spokesperson says at this point, there's too many unanswered questions.
So how do Tucsonan's feel?
Bob Kreuzer tells News 4's Rebecca Taylor he likes the idea.
"I think it's a good idea as long as it's kept within reason," says Kreuzer.
But some critics worry racinos will take away from Indian gaming.
Tom Taylor says, "Obviously if you have a monopoly and then you lose it, you've lost something, I can see where they'd be concerned about that."
Dale Bell who works near the tracks adds, "South Tucson is a poor community, how come the Indians can have it? If they can't have it here, it doesn't make any sense. I'm all for it."
Right now, the bill is in its early stages. But if approved Taylor says it will take 120 days to get a temporary mini casino going Tucson Greyhound Park.
To be balanced, News 4 contacted Southern Arizona's Indian tribes.
Late Monday, Ned Norris Jr., Chairman of the Tohono O'Odham Nation released this statement:
"Once again, the horse and dog tracks are resorting to misinformation, innuendo and smear tactics to try to push their unpopular agenda.
This proposal is a slap in the face to the will of Arizona voters. In 2002, the exact same issue was addressed by Arizona's citizens. In that election over 80 percent of Arizona voters said ‘no' to casino-style gaming at dog and horse tracks, despite the millions spent on the campaign by the out-of-state track owners.
Horse and dog tracks' profits are frequently funneled to out-of-state owners. However, revenues from the tribal gaming facilities stay right here in Arizona. The argument that racinos will help balance the state's temporary budget crisis is absurd.
We implore the Governor and the state legislature to adhere to the overwhelming will of the people and reject this dangerous proposal."
The Pasqua Yaqui Tribe, which owns Casino del Sol decided not to comment.
News 4 would like to know what you think. Head to http://www.kvoa.com and click on "Your Vote" towards the middle of the Web site, and vote. Results will be given Tuesday, July 28th on our 5 p.m. newscast.
http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=10799896&nav=HMO6HMaY
There's a new offer on the table to help Arizona dig itself out of a giant budget hole. Racetrack owners have a plan that targets fun money to ease the $3.4 billion deficit.
Tom Taylor, CEO of Tucson Greyhound Park says not only will mini casinos bring in state and city revenue, but attract a new generation of horse and dog race enthusiasts.
Card games such as blackjack, Texas hold ‘em, and four card poker are a possibility, along with slot machines. Taylor says mini casinos are popping up at racetracks nationwide, they're nicknamed racinos.
"The horse race and dog racing industry as a whole is depressed and the racinos have resurged them all," says Taylor.
A recent study by some Arizona track owners estimates Arizona could generate $226 million this budget year if the bill is passed. In return, tracks will give the state, 45 percent of its profits.
The City of South Tucson will also receive a chunk of the proceeds, a half-percent of the track's revenue.
"You know a half-a percent of the revenue could be anywhere from a half a million to a million dollars," says Taylor.
Besides revenue, Taylor says mini casinos will generate 1,500 new jobs at Arizona's six tracks and provide work for contractors.
But officials for the county-owned Rillito Horse Racetrack aren't so quick to jump on board. A spokesperson says at this point, there's too many unanswered questions.
So how do Tucsonan's feel?
Bob Kreuzer tells News 4's Rebecca Taylor he likes the idea.
"I think it's a good idea as long as it's kept within reason," says Kreuzer.
But some critics worry racinos will take away from Indian gaming.
Tom Taylor says, "Obviously if you have a monopoly and then you lose it, you've lost something, I can see where they'd be concerned about that."
Dale Bell who works near the tracks adds, "South Tucson is a poor community, how come the Indians can have it? If they can't have it here, it doesn't make any sense. I'm all for it."
Right now, the bill is in its early stages. But if approved Taylor says it will take 120 days to get a temporary mini casino going Tucson Greyhound Park.
To be balanced, News 4 contacted Southern Arizona's Indian tribes.
Late Monday, Ned Norris Jr., Chairman of the Tohono O'Odham Nation released this statement:
"Once again, the horse and dog tracks are resorting to misinformation, innuendo and smear tactics to try to push their unpopular agenda.
This proposal is a slap in the face to the will of Arizona voters. In 2002, the exact same issue was addressed by Arizona's citizens. In that election over 80 percent of Arizona voters said ‘no' to casino-style gaming at dog and horse tracks, despite the millions spent on the campaign by the out-of-state track owners.
Horse and dog tracks' profits are frequently funneled to out-of-state owners. However, revenues from the tribal gaming facilities stay right here in Arizona. The argument that racinos will help balance the state's temporary budget crisis is absurd.
We implore the Governor and the state legislature to adhere to the overwhelming will of the people and reject this dangerous proposal."
The Pasqua Yaqui Tribe, which owns Casino del Sol decided not to comment.
News 4 would like to know what you think. Head to http://www.kvoa.com and click on "Your Vote" towards the middle of the Web site, and vote. Results will be given Tuesday, July 28th on our 5 p.m. newscast.
http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=10799896&nav=HMO6HMaY
Fate of dog racing in RI takes another twist
Fate of dog racing in R.I. takes another twist
01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, July 28, 2009
By Katherine GreggJournal State House Bureau
PROVIDENCE — When legislative leaders decided not to return to the State House this week to override the governor’s vetoes, they cleared the way for the bankrupt Twin River track-and-slot parlor to suspend live greyhound racing in mid-season — as planned — on Aug. 8.
But that may not be the end of dog racing in Rhode Island.
The General Assembly’s Democratic leaders still seem intent on overriding Governor Carcieri’s veto of a bill requiring a full 200-day racing season at the track when legislators return in early September, and possibly as early as Sept. 2. The dog races would presumably resume at that point.
But there is a lot of time between now and then for the owners of the Lincoln gambling facility to file in U.S. Bankruptcy Court a long-anticipated — and possibly imminent — motion for relief from a contract requiring them to pay a $9-million annual subsidy to the current group of dog owners who have banded together as the Rhode Island Greyhound Owners Association. About $5.5 million has been paid so far. Asked what might happen if a judge voids the contract and the lawmakers subsequently require a full season of racing, Twin River spokeswoman Patti Doyle on Monday raised the possibility that the consortium known as BLB Investors that owns the gambling hall would resume the races with a less-expensive cast of dogs.
She offered no specifics, but dog racing has already effectively ended in New Hampshire, and will end in Massachusetts on Jan. 1, leaving dog owners across the region in search of new venues.
In Rhode Island, wagering on “simulcast” showings of out-of-state races drew $30.9 million last year, more than double the $13.2 million bet on the live races offered every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Simulcasting is offered every day except Tuesdays.
The owners blame their financial arrangement with the dog owners’ association for some of the money troubles, since the racing nets them only $1.75 million, not nearly enough to cover the $2.5-million expense or the $9-million subsidy they are currently obligated to pay the greyhound owners.
If freed from the contract with the owners association, but forced to continue the racing, Doyle said: “BLB, legally, would be within its rights to seek less expensive racing options — another ownership group — or to manage the dog-racing aspect themselves … We are talking about possible scenarios so, again, I do not have specifics … But certainly, there may be dog owners and dog-owner associations interested in racing in R.I., at a lower price.”
Twin River is operated by a subsidiary of BLB Investors, a holding company made up of Kerzner International Ltd., the Waterford Group LLC and Starwood Capital Group.
After defaulting on more than a half-billion dollars in loans, the owners filed a petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month under terms that would require them to relinquish ownership to their lenders, which include the Merrill Lynch Capital Corp.
The 4,700-plus video-slots placed at Twin River by the state Lottery are the big moneymakers for the owners, the state (which gets close to 60 cents out of every dollar that Twin River wins away from its losing players) and a group of machine suppliers that includes Providence-based GTECH Corp. The Narragansett Indians and the Town of Lincoln also get shares.
Even if the racing comes to halt on Aug. 8, RIGOA spokeswoman Jennifer Bramley said: “Everybody will actually stay in place. So the kennel owners and the workers in the kennels will remain at the track and we are hopeful that when the legislature does convene in early September that they will see fit to override the governor’s veto … [and] we would continue racing under our present contract.” Governor Carcieri had this perspective: “The good news is the longer they leave the Twin River legislation alone, then perhaps the bankruptcy judge will sort this out and do what we had wanted to get done.”
House leaders have not responded to questions, since the General Assembly went on hiatus, about the vetoed bill sponsored by Sen. Frank Ciccone, D-Providence, to require a full 200-day racing season, while allowing overnight gambling at Twin River seven days a week.
But Senate Majority Leader Daniel Connors, D-Cumberland, said an override vote is likely regardless of events outside the legislature’s purview, such as the bankruptcy court proceedings. But Connors said the senators are less concerned about which dogs race than they are about the 225 jobs the greyhound owners say are at risk if live racing is eliminated entirely. Without the legislation, he noted, the Town of Lincoln would lose the extra $784,458 one-year shot of video-slot revenue that lawmakers promised last year as compensation for allowing overnight gambling, over town objections, on weekends and holidays only. Lincoln is in his district.
The next bankruptcy court hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 18. It remains unclear who will run Twin River after the lenders seize control. Harrah’s Entertainment has expressed an interest.
Doyle said the current owners “remain committed to Twin River and Rhode Island and if there is any feasible avenue available for them to stay involved, they would certainly welcome that.”
— With reports from Cynthia Needham
kgregg@projo.com
http://www.projo.com/news/content/dog_racing_07-28-09_4BF6IOQ_v18.3b3d305.html
01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, July 28, 2009
By Katherine GreggJournal State House Bureau
PROVIDENCE — When legislative leaders decided not to return to the State House this week to override the governor’s vetoes, they cleared the way for the bankrupt Twin River track-and-slot parlor to suspend live greyhound racing in mid-season — as planned — on Aug. 8.
But that may not be the end of dog racing in Rhode Island.
The General Assembly’s Democratic leaders still seem intent on overriding Governor Carcieri’s veto of a bill requiring a full 200-day racing season at the track when legislators return in early September, and possibly as early as Sept. 2. The dog races would presumably resume at that point.
But there is a lot of time between now and then for the owners of the Lincoln gambling facility to file in U.S. Bankruptcy Court a long-anticipated — and possibly imminent — motion for relief from a contract requiring them to pay a $9-million annual subsidy to the current group of dog owners who have banded together as the Rhode Island Greyhound Owners Association. About $5.5 million has been paid so far. Asked what might happen if a judge voids the contract and the lawmakers subsequently require a full season of racing, Twin River spokeswoman Patti Doyle on Monday raised the possibility that the consortium known as BLB Investors that owns the gambling hall would resume the races with a less-expensive cast of dogs.
She offered no specifics, but dog racing has already effectively ended in New Hampshire, and will end in Massachusetts on Jan. 1, leaving dog owners across the region in search of new venues.
In Rhode Island, wagering on “simulcast” showings of out-of-state races drew $30.9 million last year, more than double the $13.2 million bet on the live races offered every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Simulcasting is offered every day except Tuesdays.
The owners blame their financial arrangement with the dog owners’ association for some of the money troubles, since the racing nets them only $1.75 million, not nearly enough to cover the $2.5-million expense or the $9-million subsidy they are currently obligated to pay the greyhound owners.
If freed from the contract with the owners association, but forced to continue the racing, Doyle said: “BLB, legally, would be within its rights to seek less expensive racing options — another ownership group — or to manage the dog-racing aspect themselves … We are talking about possible scenarios so, again, I do not have specifics … But certainly, there may be dog owners and dog-owner associations interested in racing in R.I., at a lower price.”
Twin River is operated by a subsidiary of BLB Investors, a holding company made up of Kerzner International Ltd., the Waterford Group LLC and Starwood Capital Group.
After defaulting on more than a half-billion dollars in loans, the owners filed a petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month under terms that would require them to relinquish ownership to their lenders, which include the Merrill Lynch Capital Corp.
The 4,700-plus video-slots placed at Twin River by the state Lottery are the big moneymakers for the owners, the state (which gets close to 60 cents out of every dollar that Twin River wins away from its losing players) and a group of machine suppliers that includes Providence-based GTECH Corp. The Narragansett Indians and the Town of Lincoln also get shares.
Even if the racing comes to halt on Aug. 8, RIGOA spokeswoman Jennifer Bramley said: “Everybody will actually stay in place. So the kennel owners and the workers in the kennels will remain at the track and we are hopeful that when the legislature does convene in early September that they will see fit to override the governor’s veto … [and] we would continue racing under our present contract.” Governor Carcieri had this perspective: “The good news is the longer they leave the Twin River legislation alone, then perhaps the bankruptcy judge will sort this out and do what we had wanted to get done.”
House leaders have not responded to questions, since the General Assembly went on hiatus, about the vetoed bill sponsored by Sen. Frank Ciccone, D-Providence, to require a full 200-day racing season, while allowing overnight gambling at Twin River seven days a week.
But Senate Majority Leader Daniel Connors, D-Cumberland, said an override vote is likely regardless of events outside the legislature’s purview, such as the bankruptcy court proceedings. But Connors said the senators are less concerned about which dogs race than they are about the 225 jobs the greyhound owners say are at risk if live racing is eliminated entirely. Without the legislation, he noted, the Town of Lincoln would lose the extra $784,458 one-year shot of video-slot revenue that lawmakers promised last year as compensation for allowing overnight gambling, over town objections, on weekends and holidays only. Lincoln is in his district.
The next bankruptcy court hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 18. It remains unclear who will run Twin River after the lenders seize control. Harrah’s Entertainment has expressed an interest.
Doyle said the current owners “remain committed to Twin River and Rhode Island and if there is any feasible avenue available for them to stay involved, they would certainly welcome that.”
— With reports from Cynthia Needham
kgregg@projo.com
http://www.projo.com/news/content/dog_racing_07-28-09_4BF6IOQ_v18.3b3d305.html
Pet Lover's Story to be featured on Show
By Michael D. Pitman,
Staff Writer Middletown Journal
7:45 PM Sunday, July 26, 2009
FAIRFIELD — Fairfield resident Helen Johnson has a pet lover’s heart, and hers is one of six stories to be featured in a television special presented by Purina and Kroger.
Purina and Kroger sponsored a television special in 2008 called “Four Plus Two: Tales of a Pet Lover’s Heart.” The companies are again partnering for another “Tales of a Pet Lover’s Heart” special to air in October on WCPO-TV Channel 9 and on a national network.
“The ultimate goal is to really connect with Kroger shoppers on an emotional level,” said Dave Tornberg, Purina marketing manager.
Each Kroger division nationwide will get a portion of a $150,000 contribution to be made to a neighborhood animal shelter in the name of the show.
The hourlong show is “a celebration of pets,” Tornberg said.
“It features six stories of very normal people that have very extraordinary stories about what they do with their dog or what they do with their cat,” he said.
The 2008 special was nominated for nine local Emmy awards.
Johnson’s story starts two and a half years ago when she adopted Keeley, a retired greyhound. Two months later, she fostered her first greyhound. When that greyhound found a home, she adopted her second greyhound, Marisa.
Both of her dogs are retired racers.
Johnson is fostering her ninth greyhound since July 2007.
“If you told me two and a half years ago before I adopted Keeley this is what I’d be doing, I would have said, ‘You’re crazy,’” said Johnson, who was found by the show’s local production company.
Johnson is the director of events planning with the Queen City Greyhounds, an organization of volunteers who help greyhounds find good homes.
“It’s been a great experience,” Johnson said. “When you adopt a greyhound, you are part of the family. And we are a close group of people.”
The Queen City Greyhounds organization has meet-and-greets practically every weekend to meet the public.
“I’m an animal lover, always been an animal lover,” Johnson said.
For information, visit www.talesforthepetloversheart.com.
http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/middletown-news/pet-lovers-story-featured-on-show-222587.html
Staff Writer Middletown Journal
7:45 PM Sunday, July 26, 2009
FAIRFIELD — Fairfield resident Helen Johnson has a pet lover’s heart, and hers is one of six stories to be featured in a television special presented by Purina and Kroger.
Purina and Kroger sponsored a television special in 2008 called “Four Plus Two: Tales of a Pet Lover’s Heart.” The companies are again partnering for another “Tales of a Pet Lover’s Heart” special to air in October on WCPO-TV Channel 9 and on a national network.
“The ultimate goal is to really connect with Kroger shoppers on an emotional level,” said Dave Tornberg, Purina marketing manager.
Each Kroger division nationwide will get a portion of a $150,000 contribution to be made to a neighborhood animal shelter in the name of the show.
The hourlong show is “a celebration of pets,” Tornberg said.
“It features six stories of very normal people that have very extraordinary stories about what they do with their dog or what they do with their cat,” he said.
The 2008 special was nominated for nine local Emmy awards.
Johnson’s story starts two and a half years ago when she adopted Keeley, a retired greyhound. Two months later, she fostered her first greyhound. When that greyhound found a home, she adopted her second greyhound, Marisa.
Both of her dogs are retired racers.
Johnson is fostering her ninth greyhound since July 2007.
“If you told me two and a half years ago before I adopted Keeley this is what I’d be doing, I would have said, ‘You’re crazy,’” said Johnson, who was found by the show’s local production company.
Johnson is the director of events planning with the Queen City Greyhounds, an organization of volunteers who help greyhounds find good homes.
“It’s been a great experience,” Johnson said. “When you adopt a greyhound, you are part of the family. And we are a close group of people.”
The Queen City Greyhounds organization has meet-and-greets practically every weekend to meet the public.
“I’m an animal lover, always been an animal lover,” Johnson said.
For information, visit www.talesforthepetloversheart.com.
http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/middletown-news/pet-lovers-story-featured-on-show-222587.html
Greyhound Racing's Closeout is Coming Soon
Greyhound racing's closeout is coming soon
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Fosters Daily Democrate
For many years greyhound racing has existed, and occasionally thrived, across the country. Greyhounds are an ancient breed and have lived with and hunted for humans for many centuries. Somewhere along the line, in the 17th century, we began to put one particularly fast greyhound against another to see which was the faster. Humans being humans, when the dogs were compared as to speed, people bet on the outcome. Voila! Greyhound racing began. While greyhounds were the property of very wealthy, eventually a few people saw the potential in opening the races to the unwashed masses, who also would bet on the outcomes. This eventually led to track racing as we know it today, with all its strengths and flaws.I have been to greyhound races in Ireland, where though breeding greyhounds for export is big business, the races themselves are basically unchanged over the past 200 years. Most of the dogs are brought to the track in the back seat of their owner's car, walked into the track, and raced before returning home at the end of the day. I remember a day near Limerick, when I stopped a man walking seven greyhounds along a country road. The dogs were lovely; beautifully constructed, sound and in wonderful condition. They were also quite happy to spend time with a silly American who asked too many questions, but understood just how to scratch ears. After a couple of hours of my peppering him with questions about the dogs and racing in Ireland, the owner invited me to the Limerick track the next day for a very important race. I had a wonderful day at the track, meeting many breeders and their dogs. Uniformly, each dog was healthy, sound, beautifully conditioned and clearly having a blast. They were excited to be able to race and clearly loved every minute of it. Just as at U.S. tracks, each dog was examined by a veterinarian immediately before and after their race.Some people who don't know very much about animals have decided that all racing of dogs is bad and cruel. If these people understood more about greyhounds they would know that the dogs absolutely love racing. No dog can be forced to run hard enough to race unless he really wants to run and win. But there are people who do not believe this, and they have been working for years to forcibly stop all racing in the U.S. They are beginning to succeed at blocking greyhound racing in some states, at least temporarily. The recent vote in Massachusetts is being investigated for illegalities and may be reversed.Decades ago, when a dog's racing career ended, many of them were disposed of as trash. Most were killed. Beginning in the late 50s, small groups, including many breeders and owners of racing dogs, formed to find off-track retirement homes for the dogs. Greyhound rescue became a popular concept, especially in geographic areas where a licensed track existed, as in New England. Given that greyhounds are delightful pets, rescue has been well accepted by the public. These groups have been able to provide many people with a companion and many greyhounds with permanent, loving homes. If you have given thought to taking a greyhound into your home, you might want to get the process started pretty soon. As tracks in New England begin to close permanently, the supply of available dogs may dry up. When that happens, you will have lost the opportunity to live with a dog that will being you joy every day.If you have never considered a greyhound pet, let me supply a few reasons for you to do so now. Greyhounds are beautiful athletes, and similar to Afghan Hounds and Saluki, can be described as "poetry in motion." They can be found in "any allowed hound color," which means just about any color or combination of colors you have ever seen in a dog. Their short hair requires nothing more than an occasional wipe-down, and shedding is minimal. They do require weekly nail clipping. Many greyhounds have teeth or gum problems, but regular dental care will help prevent this. Osteo-Sarcoma and bloat are concerns, as with many medium to large sized dogs.Their personalities are endearing and very laid back, unless they are running or chasing prey. Their prey drive is what makes them run as they do. It also means that some greyhounds should never be asked to live near small pets. They may chase, and if they do, there are precious few animals that can escape the tremendous Greyhound speed. They make great couch potatoes and tend to be quiet in the home. Mine rarely barked, were very responsive to training and affection, and just plain fun. They could also clean off the kitchen counter in the blink of an eye. Living with greyhounds quickly teaches you not to leave anything edible on a table or countertop and nothing fragile on a table top susceptible to that gently wagging tail. I have never known a greyhound who was not quick to learn and innately clever and intelligent. As a breed, they tend not to be argumentative or aggressive with other dogs. All in all, rescuing a greyhound will do more for you than for the dog. Just don't wait too long to find one, or the supply may disappear.
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090726/GJCOMMUNITY_01/707269955/-1/FOSLIFESTYLES
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Fosters Daily Democrate
For many years greyhound racing has existed, and occasionally thrived, across the country. Greyhounds are an ancient breed and have lived with and hunted for humans for many centuries. Somewhere along the line, in the 17th century, we began to put one particularly fast greyhound against another to see which was the faster. Humans being humans, when the dogs were compared as to speed, people bet on the outcome. Voila! Greyhound racing began. While greyhounds were the property of very wealthy, eventually a few people saw the potential in opening the races to the unwashed masses, who also would bet on the outcomes. This eventually led to track racing as we know it today, with all its strengths and flaws.I have been to greyhound races in Ireland, where though breeding greyhounds for export is big business, the races themselves are basically unchanged over the past 200 years. Most of the dogs are brought to the track in the back seat of their owner's car, walked into the track, and raced before returning home at the end of the day. I remember a day near Limerick, when I stopped a man walking seven greyhounds along a country road. The dogs were lovely; beautifully constructed, sound and in wonderful condition. They were also quite happy to spend time with a silly American who asked too many questions, but understood just how to scratch ears. After a couple of hours of my peppering him with questions about the dogs and racing in Ireland, the owner invited me to the Limerick track the next day for a very important race. I had a wonderful day at the track, meeting many breeders and their dogs. Uniformly, each dog was healthy, sound, beautifully conditioned and clearly having a blast. They were excited to be able to race and clearly loved every minute of it. Just as at U.S. tracks, each dog was examined by a veterinarian immediately before and after their race.Some people who don't know very much about animals have decided that all racing of dogs is bad and cruel. If these people understood more about greyhounds they would know that the dogs absolutely love racing. No dog can be forced to run hard enough to race unless he really wants to run and win. But there are people who do not believe this, and they have been working for years to forcibly stop all racing in the U.S. They are beginning to succeed at blocking greyhound racing in some states, at least temporarily. The recent vote in Massachusetts is being investigated for illegalities and may be reversed.Decades ago, when a dog's racing career ended, many of them were disposed of as trash. Most were killed. Beginning in the late 50s, small groups, including many breeders and owners of racing dogs, formed to find off-track retirement homes for the dogs. Greyhound rescue became a popular concept, especially in geographic areas where a licensed track existed, as in New England. Given that greyhounds are delightful pets, rescue has been well accepted by the public. These groups have been able to provide many people with a companion and many greyhounds with permanent, loving homes. If you have given thought to taking a greyhound into your home, you might want to get the process started pretty soon. As tracks in New England begin to close permanently, the supply of available dogs may dry up. When that happens, you will have lost the opportunity to live with a dog that will being you joy every day.If you have never considered a greyhound pet, let me supply a few reasons for you to do so now. Greyhounds are beautiful athletes, and similar to Afghan Hounds and Saluki, can be described as "poetry in motion." They can be found in "any allowed hound color," which means just about any color or combination of colors you have ever seen in a dog. Their short hair requires nothing more than an occasional wipe-down, and shedding is minimal. They do require weekly nail clipping. Many greyhounds have teeth or gum problems, but regular dental care will help prevent this. Osteo-Sarcoma and bloat are concerns, as with many medium to large sized dogs.Their personalities are endearing and very laid back, unless they are running or chasing prey. Their prey drive is what makes them run as they do. It also means that some greyhounds should never be asked to live near small pets. They may chase, and if they do, there are precious few animals that can escape the tremendous Greyhound speed. They make great couch potatoes and tend to be quiet in the home. Mine rarely barked, were very responsive to training and affection, and just plain fun. They could also clean off the kitchen counter in the blink of an eye. Living with greyhounds quickly teaches you not to leave anything edible on a table or countertop and nothing fragile on a table top susceptible to that gently wagging tail. I have never known a greyhound who was not quick to learn and innately clever and intelligent. As a breed, they tend not to be argumentative or aggressive with other dogs. All in all, rescuing a greyhound will do more for you than for the dog. Just don't wait too long to find one, or the supply may disappear.
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090726/GJCOMMUNITY_01/707269955/-1/FOSLIFESTYLES
Friday, July 24, 2009
Racetracks campaign for slots as budget solution
Arizona's racetracks are galloping into the state's budget fray by opening the gates on a publicity campaign this week promoting slots and tables at tracks.An Arizona Racetrack Alliance campaign led by Turf Paradise horse track and Phoenix Greyhound Park began Monday with tiny plastic "budget jockeys" placed all over the state capitol to attract legislators' attention, said Jason Rose, whose PR firm is heading up the publicity campaign for the tracks.The jockeys featured tags with messages such as "Everyone's sacrificing except tribal casinos."
Arizona House Majority Whip Andy Tobin, R-Paulden, found one of the jockeys on his windshield as he was driving away from the capitol Monday. No legislator could be more receptive to the message, since he's been trying to get fellow legislators to consider legalizing racinos (racetracks with gaming slot machines and/or tables) for months and has a bill ready to go.Tobin thinks fellow legislators are warming up to the idea as an alternative to Gov. Jan Brewer's push to increase the sales tax temporarily, although he won't drop the bill until he thinks it has a chance for approval.Tobin doesn't see other alternatives to balancing the budget that could get through the Legislature and governor. The Legislature's ongoing special session still is trying to come up with a final budget for the fiscal year that began July 1."The question is, do you hate a tax increase more than you hate expanding gaming at racetracks?" Tobin said. "You've got to pick."On Wednesday, the track campaign placed banner ads on political websites such as the Capitol Times that linked to a Facebook page offering more information and a chance for people to show support, Rose said.A consulting firm estimated for the alliance that racinos would gross an extra combined $833 million for the state's six horse and dog tracks by the time they set up permanent operations in 2012.The tracks are offering 45 percent of that gross to state and local governments.The consulting firm estimated that the Yavapai Downs horse track at Prescott Valley would rake in $23.7 million in new gross revenues by 2012.Legalized slots and tables clearly would be a huge boost to the struggling Yavapai Downs, which has seen its revenues drop about 15 percent the last two years."It would help any racetrack in the country stay in business," added Vincent Francia, marketing manager for Turf Paradise in Phoenix. "They're all struggling."Yavapai Downs General Manager Gary Spiker said the extra revenues also would translate into more jobs, more entertainment, bigger purses, better horses, facility improvements and extra horse stalls. And it would help breeders, trainers and owners."It would just help all the way around," Spiker said. "And it's discretionary dollars, whether one agrees or disagrees with gambling."Arizona's Indian casinos contributed a combined $111 million to state and local governments this past year, through compacts that share 1-8 percent of their net revenues depending on how much they earn. The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe and other tribes don't have to report their revenues.If Arizona legalizes racinos, the tribes' 2002 voter-approved compacts would allow the tribes to stop sharing revenues and expand their gambling ad infinitum.Currently 12 states have legalized racinos that contributed from $13 million to $752 million to state/local government coffers in 2008, according to the American Gaming Association.
http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=70631
Arizona House Majority Whip Andy Tobin, R-Paulden, found one of the jockeys on his windshield as he was driving away from the capitol Monday. No legislator could be more receptive to the message, since he's been trying to get fellow legislators to consider legalizing racinos (racetracks with gaming slot machines and/or tables) for months and has a bill ready to go.Tobin thinks fellow legislators are warming up to the idea as an alternative to Gov. Jan Brewer's push to increase the sales tax temporarily, although he won't drop the bill until he thinks it has a chance for approval.Tobin doesn't see other alternatives to balancing the budget that could get through the Legislature and governor. The Legislature's ongoing special session still is trying to come up with a final budget for the fiscal year that began July 1."The question is, do you hate a tax increase more than you hate expanding gaming at racetracks?" Tobin said. "You've got to pick."On Wednesday, the track campaign placed banner ads on political websites such as the Capitol Times that linked to a Facebook page offering more information and a chance for people to show support, Rose said.A consulting firm estimated for the alliance that racinos would gross an extra combined $833 million for the state's six horse and dog tracks by the time they set up permanent operations in 2012.The tracks are offering 45 percent of that gross to state and local governments.The consulting firm estimated that the Yavapai Downs horse track at Prescott Valley would rake in $23.7 million in new gross revenues by 2012.Legalized slots and tables clearly would be a huge boost to the struggling Yavapai Downs, which has seen its revenues drop about 15 percent the last two years."It would help any racetrack in the country stay in business," added Vincent Francia, marketing manager for Turf Paradise in Phoenix. "They're all struggling."Yavapai Downs General Manager Gary Spiker said the extra revenues also would translate into more jobs, more entertainment, bigger purses, better horses, facility improvements and extra horse stalls. And it would help breeders, trainers and owners."It would just help all the way around," Spiker said. "And it's discretionary dollars, whether one agrees or disagrees with gambling."Arizona's Indian casinos contributed a combined $111 million to state and local governments this past year, through compacts that share 1-8 percent of their net revenues depending on how much they earn. The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe and other tribes don't have to report their revenues.If Arizona legalizes racinos, the tribes' 2002 voter-approved compacts would allow the tribes to stop sharing revenues and expand their gambling ad infinitum.Currently 12 states have legalized racinos that contributed from $13 million to $752 million to state/local government coffers in 2008, according to the American Gaming Association.
http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=70631
Greyhound wine event begins today
Cayuga Lake, NY -- The new and improved Greyhound Wine Tour & Friends, P.A.W. event on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail begins today and runs through Sunday.
The 16 wineries along the trail will welcome visitors for wine tastings and food pairings at each winery, lawn concerts, seminars such as Myths & Misconceptions at Americana Vineyard and vendors like Kylie's Canine Treats.
Unique to this event is the Finger Lakes Wine Country "Painted Barrel" promotion through out the Finger Lakes. Fourteen businesses that surround Cayuga Lake are prominently displaying their barrels.
For more information or to order tickets call the Cayuga Wine Trail office at (800) 684-5217, or go to this Web site or any Wegmans store.
Scheduled events on the weekend include:Thursday: 6 to 9 p.m. Montezuma Winery, wine tasting, cook-out, music and vendors. Fee for food & wine.
Friday: Noon- 5 p.m. Long Point & King Ferry Winery (Friday only) & Six Mile Creek hosting winery event with vendors; concert at Buttonwood Grove starting at 7 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Regular event at all west side wineries from Six Mile Creek to Montezuma vendors, demonstrations and seminars; 5 p.m., Ice Cream Social at Cayuga Ridge. In the evening take you're pet can play at the Allan H. Treman Dog Park in Ithaca.
Sunday: 9 a.m. Self- guided walk to the Falls at Taughannock Falls State Park. Brunch & Sunday concert at Americana. (Concert 4 to 6 p.m.); 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. winery event continues at the wineries on the west side.
Tickets are $25 (plus sales tax and handling fee). Designated Driver tickets are available. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to rescue groups and SPCA's throughout New York state.
http://blog.syracuse.com/farms/2009/07/greyhound_wine_event_begins_to.html
The 16 wineries along the trail will welcome visitors for wine tastings and food pairings at each winery, lawn concerts, seminars such as Myths & Misconceptions at Americana Vineyard and vendors like Kylie's Canine Treats.
Unique to this event is the Finger Lakes Wine Country "Painted Barrel" promotion through out the Finger Lakes. Fourteen businesses that surround Cayuga Lake are prominently displaying their barrels.
For more information or to order tickets call the Cayuga Wine Trail office at (800) 684-5217, or go to this Web site or any Wegmans store.
Scheduled events on the weekend include:Thursday: 6 to 9 p.m. Montezuma Winery, wine tasting, cook-out, music and vendors. Fee for food & wine.
Friday: Noon- 5 p.m. Long Point & King Ferry Winery (Friday only) & Six Mile Creek hosting winery event with vendors; concert at Buttonwood Grove starting at 7 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Regular event at all west side wineries from Six Mile Creek to Montezuma vendors, demonstrations and seminars; 5 p.m., Ice Cream Social at Cayuga Ridge. In the evening take you're pet can play at the Allan H. Treman Dog Park in Ithaca.
Sunday: 9 a.m. Self- guided walk to the Falls at Taughannock Falls State Park. Brunch & Sunday concert at Americana. (Concert 4 to 6 p.m.); 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. winery event continues at the wineries on the west side.
Tickets are $25 (plus sales tax and handling fee). Designated Driver tickets are available. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to rescue groups and SPCA's throughout New York state.
http://blog.syracuse.com/farms/2009/07/greyhound_wine_event_begins_to.html
Therapy dog’s loss felt as 'part of our family'
Beverly Kisner wiped the fresh grass clippings from the stone marker on Brook's grave to reveal the picture of the greyhound that she used on business cards advertising its services as a therapy dog. Next to the photo are the words "My precious girl, you were a blessing from God to me and as a therapy dog to the many other lives you touched with your gentleness and love."
The small grave is tucked away in the quiet northwest corner of Davenport's Oakdale Cemetery. The plot is part of Petland, which contains separate burial grounds for dogs and cats as if they would chase each other for eternity if placed too closely together.
The dirt is still fresh from when the 15-year-old dog was buried late last month. Kisner has already been to the grave several times to visit her companion, which got her out walking every day and brought smiles to countless nursing home residents who could not have dogs of their own any longer.
"I tell her I miss her and I'll see her one day up in heaven," Kisner said with tears in her eyes. "I think if there's going to be wolves and sheep and all that, there's going to be dogs."
Kisner, a religious woman who points out that greyhounds are the only dog mentioned by breed in the King James version of the Bible, said that while she has owned many dogs in her life, Brook was the first dog she prayed about when deciding whether to adopt from Quad-Cities Greyhound Adoption in 1998. At the time, Brook was 4 years old and Kisner didn't think a big dog would fit in her cozy two-bedroom home. But she had never seen a greyhound before and curiosity got the best of her, so Kisner went to a meet-and-greet event. When she arrived, there were a handful of people and about 10 dogs.
"The dogs were calmer and quieter than the people were," she recalled. "You don't usually get that many dogs together without having some kind of commotion."
Kisner remembers petting Brook and then moving on to check out the other dogs and talk with someone from the rescue organization.
"I remember standing there and all of a sudden I felt this up by my leg and I looked over and it was Brook," Kisner said. "It just clicked."
Greyhounds are known for being gentle giants, and Kisner's son will attest to that. When Brook stayed with him while his mother spent seven weeks in the hospital a few years ago, the dog needed less space than his beagle.
Brook's therapy dog certificate came in handy during that lengthy stay because it allowed the dog to visit Kisner in the hospital several times per week.
"It was uplifting," said Kisner, who remembers Brook's tail spinning in circles like a helicopter blade instead of wagging back and forth when she visited. "Which is not something greyhounds normally do. They're not big tail-waggers."
Brook received her therapy dog certification within six months of being adopted and visited Quad-City area nursing homes and hospitals several times a month. The dog would walk from person to person, calmly laying her head in their lap to be petted.
"They would all say, 'Thank you for bringing her, please bring her back,' " Kisner said. "And then she'd just walk right straight by somebody, just skip them all together, and I'd say, 'You don't care for animals do you?' And they'd say, 'No.' "
At the age of 15, with sore hips, it had been a while since Brook had made her weekly therapy rounds. But Kisner still walked her and Junior - a Chihuahua she took in when its owner had to move into a nursing home - around the neighborhood two to three times a day. The first day she walked Junior alone was the equivalent of posting a death notice in the neighborhood.
"Neighbors are coming out the door saying, 'Oh, no,' " Kisner said. "The minute they saw I was walking without Brook, they knew."
One neighbor has asked for a picture of Brook, and Kisner has received several sympathy cards, including one from her family physician. One reads: "Sorry to hear about your dog. They are part of our family. Bet she was awesome because she had a real good name." The card is signed "Brooke."
"She just had that effect on people," Kisner said, "All my dogs were very good dogs. They were all special. But this one just stood out, not only with me, but with everyone who met her."
Posted in Leisure on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 2:00 am Updated: 11:00 am. Tags: Beverly Kisner, Oakdale Cemetery Petland,Brook The Greyhound, Quad-cities Greyhound Adoption
http://www.qctimes.com/lifestyles/leisure/article_564f9382-7571-11de-ab10-001cc4c002e0.html
The small grave is tucked away in the quiet northwest corner of Davenport's Oakdale Cemetery. The plot is part of Petland, which contains separate burial grounds for dogs and cats as if they would chase each other for eternity if placed too closely together.
The dirt is still fresh from when the 15-year-old dog was buried late last month. Kisner has already been to the grave several times to visit her companion, which got her out walking every day and brought smiles to countless nursing home residents who could not have dogs of their own any longer.
"I tell her I miss her and I'll see her one day up in heaven," Kisner said with tears in her eyes. "I think if there's going to be wolves and sheep and all that, there's going to be dogs."
Kisner, a religious woman who points out that greyhounds are the only dog mentioned by breed in the King James version of the Bible, said that while she has owned many dogs in her life, Brook was the first dog she prayed about when deciding whether to adopt from Quad-Cities Greyhound Adoption in 1998. At the time, Brook was 4 years old and Kisner didn't think a big dog would fit in her cozy two-bedroom home. But she had never seen a greyhound before and curiosity got the best of her, so Kisner went to a meet-and-greet event. When she arrived, there were a handful of people and about 10 dogs.
"The dogs were calmer and quieter than the people were," she recalled. "You don't usually get that many dogs together without having some kind of commotion."
Kisner remembers petting Brook and then moving on to check out the other dogs and talk with someone from the rescue organization.
"I remember standing there and all of a sudden I felt this up by my leg and I looked over and it was Brook," Kisner said. "It just clicked."
Greyhounds are known for being gentle giants, and Kisner's son will attest to that. When Brook stayed with him while his mother spent seven weeks in the hospital a few years ago, the dog needed less space than his beagle.
Brook's therapy dog certificate came in handy during that lengthy stay because it allowed the dog to visit Kisner in the hospital several times per week.
"It was uplifting," said Kisner, who remembers Brook's tail spinning in circles like a helicopter blade instead of wagging back and forth when she visited. "Which is not something greyhounds normally do. They're not big tail-waggers."
Brook received her therapy dog certification within six months of being adopted and visited Quad-City area nursing homes and hospitals several times a month. The dog would walk from person to person, calmly laying her head in their lap to be petted.
"They would all say, 'Thank you for bringing her, please bring her back,' " Kisner said. "And then she'd just walk right straight by somebody, just skip them all together, and I'd say, 'You don't care for animals do you?' And they'd say, 'No.' "
At the age of 15, with sore hips, it had been a while since Brook had made her weekly therapy rounds. But Kisner still walked her and Junior - a Chihuahua she took in when its owner had to move into a nursing home - around the neighborhood two to three times a day. The first day she walked Junior alone was the equivalent of posting a death notice in the neighborhood.
"Neighbors are coming out the door saying, 'Oh, no,' " Kisner said. "The minute they saw I was walking without Brook, they knew."
One neighbor has asked for a picture of Brook, and Kisner has received several sympathy cards, including one from her family physician. One reads: "Sorry to hear about your dog. They are part of our family. Bet she was awesome because she had a real good name." The card is signed "Brooke."
"She just had that effect on people," Kisner said, "All my dogs were very good dogs. They were all special. But this one just stood out, not only with me, but with everyone who met her."
Posted in Leisure on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 2:00 am Updated: 11:00 am. Tags: Beverly Kisner, Oakdale Cemetery Petland,Brook The Greyhound, Quad-cities Greyhound Adoption
http://www.qctimes.com/lifestyles/leisure/article_564f9382-7571-11de-ab10-001cc4c002e0.html
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Abandoned Guam Greyhound Cheers Up Veterinarian's Bedridden Mother In New York!
By Jeff Marchesseault
GUAM - It seems one of Guam Greyhound Park's abandoned racing dogs has been welcomed with open arms into the home of an ailing elderly woman and her care-giving daughter. It's a stranger-than-fiction story of the neglected being nourished and the newly nourished enlivening the sickly. An epic misadventure spanning an ocean and a continent and redounding to a glorious happy ending.
One moment a thoroughbred racer chasing a fake rabbit around a dirt track on bets she would win. The next moment "adopted". Then suddenly cut loose into the wild to fend for herself. Eventually rescued and cared for by humane activists. Then airflown to a strange new land to be domesticated and domiciled. Pearl's newfound place in a Yonkers, New York home follows the dramatic, large-scale rescue and recovery effort that saved her life and the lives of more than 100 other greyhounds after the abrupt closure of the Guam Greyhound Park and racing track in November.
Hastily "adopted" on island, about 150 of the dogs soon turned up abandoned, malnourished, skin-diseased, and with broken bones -- surfacing on the roadsides, parks and jungles of Guam.
During the roundup of surviving dogs, the animals were fed, cleaned up and cared for at the Guam Animals In Need (GAIN) shelter, then flown to the East and West Coasts of the U.S. mainland for further recovery and proper adoption into area homes.
According to The Journal News, a mostly-recovered Pearl has since charmed her way into her Veterinarian's home:
[Dr. Joan] Kobalka has been a veterinarian for nearly 20 years and, as a veterinary volunteer with the rescue group [Greyhound Rescue and Rehabilitation], her job is to foster dogs until they are healthy enough for adoption. As Pearl's health improved, Kobalka said, she decided to keep her because she became attached to the vet's bedridden mother.
Filled with energy, the black and white, 55-pound dog provides Kobalka's mother, Frances, with plenty of kisses, while keeping her company. Kobalka said it seems as if Pearl provides her mother with a purpose.
GUAM - It seems one of Guam Greyhound Park's abandoned racing dogs has been welcomed with open arms into the home of an ailing elderly woman and her care-giving daughter. It's a stranger-than-fiction story of the neglected being nourished and the newly nourished enlivening the sickly. An epic misadventure spanning an ocean and a continent and redounding to a glorious happy ending.
One moment a thoroughbred racer chasing a fake rabbit around a dirt track on bets she would win. The next moment "adopted". Then suddenly cut loose into the wild to fend for herself. Eventually rescued and cared for by humane activists. Then airflown to a strange new land to be domesticated and domiciled. Pearl's newfound place in a Yonkers, New York home follows the dramatic, large-scale rescue and recovery effort that saved her life and the lives of more than 100 other greyhounds after the abrupt closure of the Guam Greyhound Park and racing track in November.
Hastily "adopted" on island, about 150 of the dogs soon turned up abandoned, malnourished, skin-diseased, and with broken bones -- surfacing on the roadsides, parks and jungles of Guam.
During the roundup of surviving dogs, the animals were fed, cleaned up and cared for at the Guam Animals In Need (GAIN) shelter, then flown to the East and West Coasts of the U.S. mainland for further recovery and proper adoption into area homes.
According to The Journal News, a mostly-recovered Pearl has since charmed her way into her Veterinarian's home:
[Dr. Joan] Kobalka has been a veterinarian for nearly 20 years and, as a veterinary volunteer with the rescue group [Greyhound Rescue and Rehabilitation], her job is to foster dogs until they are healthy enough for adoption. As Pearl's health improved, Kobalka said, she decided to keep her because she became attached to the vet's bedridden mother.
Filled with energy, the black and white, 55-pound dog provides Kobalka's mother, Frances, with plenty of kisses, while keeping her company. Kobalka said it seems as if Pearl provides her mother with a purpose.
Greyhound racing backers file suit alleging voter fraud by anti-racing group
Supporters of dog racing are suing the group that led the campaign making greyhound racing illegal, accusing the Somerville-based nonprofit of election fraud.
The lawsuit, filed today in Lynn District Court, requests the court conduct an inquest, or judicial investigation, into alleged violations committed by “the proponents of Ballot Question 3.”
The Committee to Protect Dogs, the campaign arm of Grey2K USA, led the campaign that in the November election ended greyhound racing in Massachusetts by Jan. 1, 2010, but the lawsuit does not name any specific defendants.
In an e-mailed statement, Grey2K officials slammed the allegations as “baseless.”
“These latest accusations amount to nothing more than post-election sour grapes,” said Christine A. Dorchak, co-chairperson of the Committee to Protect Dogs.
“Greyhound racing interests will go to any length to undermine the will of the voters, including a reckless campaign of misinformation,” she added.
In the four-page complaint, proponents of ending racing are accused of making false statements about kennel crates and adoption rates.
The lawsuit also alleges proponents used photos and videos “depicting the cruel treatment of greyhounds in other states and countries for the purpose of misleading Massachusetts voters.”
Finally, the anti-racing group is accused to trying to influence voters by offering a free computer desktop wallpaper for Web site visitors who pledged support.
The lawsuit is signed by board members of Protection of Working Animals and Handlers Inc., a Lynn-based nonprofit that has expressed interest in challenging the election results.
Albert G. Smith of Raynham, a trainer at Raynham Park and treasurer of the nonprofit, and Michael B. Curran of Stoughton, a kennel operator at Raynham Park, are among the four complainants.
READ MORE about this issue.Jessica Scarpati can be reached at jscarpati@enterprisenews.com.
The lawsuit, filed today in Lynn District Court, requests the court conduct an inquest, or judicial investigation, into alleged violations committed by “the proponents of Ballot Question 3.”
The Committee to Protect Dogs, the campaign arm of Grey2K USA, led the campaign that in the November election ended greyhound racing in Massachusetts by Jan. 1, 2010, but the lawsuit does not name any specific defendants.
In an e-mailed statement, Grey2K officials slammed the allegations as “baseless.”
“These latest accusations amount to nothing more than post-election sour grapes,” said Christine A. Dorchak, co-chairperson of the Committee to Protect Dogs.
“Greyhound racing interests will go to any length to undermine the will of the voters, including a reckless campaign of misinformation,” she added.
In the four-page complaint, proponents of ending racing are accused of making false statements about kennel crates and adoption rates.
The lawsuit also alleges proponents used photos and videos “depicting the cruel treatment of greyhounds in other states and countries for the purpose of misleading Massachusetts voters.”
Finally, the anti-racing group is accused to trying to influence voters by offering a free computer desktop wallpaper for Web site visitors who pledged support.
The lawsuit is signed by board members of Protection of Working Animals and Handlers Inc., a Lynn-based nonprofit that has expressed interest in challenging the election results.
Albert G. Smith of Raynham, a trainer at Raynham Park and treasurer of the nonprofit, and Michael B. Curran of Stoughton, a kennel operator at Raynham Park, are among the four complainants.
READ MORE about this issue.Jessica Scarpati can be reached at jscarpati@enterprisenews.com.
Pocono Greyhound Group Still Barking 4 years 200 greyhounds later
By Wayne Witkowski
For the Pocono Record
June 24, 2009
Animal rescue groups are cropping up around the Poconos these days, but Pocono Greyhounds has a uniqueness and a presence during its four years that has assured its steady growth even though there is no brick and mortar headquarters.
"We do a lot of e-mail, I'll tell you that," said Pocono Greyhounds president Joan DiMondo with a laugh.
The nonprofit group, formed in 2005, exceeded the 200 mark of dogs with four more coming in this week. Many of the greyhounds are retired from the racetrack where they experienced harsh treatment. Families in the region keep the dogs in foster care until they are placed.
With the group of seven board members and 30 dedicated volunteers parading their pooches at various events, including the Dog Expo in Smithfield; Stroudfest earlier this month in Stroudsburg; the Tamaqua Summerfest last weekend; the Barrett Halloween Parade, in which they sport costumes; and St. Patrick's Day Parade in Stroudsburg, where they're bedecked with green berets on their heads, the animals enliven the festive atmosphere of events.
And Pocono Greyhounds' reach has broadened.
"It's really expanded," said DiMondo, who said her group the last couple of years has adopted dogs as far as Easton, Wilkes-Barre and Allentown and Carbon County.
If they're not at events, they go to elementary schools in Barrett and Tobyhanna and recently Stroudsburg Elementary. They visit PetSmart on Route 611 in Stroudsburg once a month, usually the fourth Saturday.
"You can't get dogs adopted if they're not in the public eye," said DiMondo. "That's our mission."
It's a simple but effective business plan, but not an easy one. Many greyhounds are physically or emotionally scarred, but still adoptable.
"We've taken in quite a few with broken legs," said DiMondo. "That's what we're in the business to do, to get good homes for them."
Enter Dimples. She arrived this past Saturday from Florida by way of Gold Coast Greyhounds in Orlando, which works closely with Pocono Greyhounds. Dimples had a broken leg that had gone untreated. Gold Coast could not finance the costly surgery and contacted Pocono Greyhounds. They took on the standard $2,000 bill, which includes screws and pins typical with that type of surgery on humans as well.
"She looks great," said DiMondo.
Dimples will go into foster care, which ranges from three weeks to six months, depending on how quickly they're adopted. Amazingly, only four have been returned, said DiMondo.
"The economy really has no impact on our greyhound adoptions," DiMondo said. "Other groups have dogs returned because of (owners') lost jobs and things like that, but it's not had that here. Dogs have been able to stay in their homes."
In fact, the group is ahead of last year's pace. "We're really doing well. We place 30 to 40 a year and this year, we have about 30 dogs, and applications are coming in," DiMondo said.
What helps is the affordable $225 that helps fund the organization — less than half of what it would cost to spay and neuter these dogs if they had come from other sources.
"Usually, they're very well behaved," said DiMondo. "They are crate-trained because that's how they come off the track, so we housebreak them and most do very well. It's not too hard of a sell."
And they stay healthy and can live long lives of 12 to 14 years with no specific canine disease related to them, like the hip problems experienced by German shepherds.
Another major source of revenue is the annual picnic held in late May.
DiMondo said she first was exposed to greyhounds at a meet and greet, which is what her group does.
It was love at first sight as she and husband Ralph and some close friends volunteered for another greyhound adoption group near Philadelphia, the closest one to the Poconos at the time.
"There was no presence in the Pocono Mountains and we thought we'd start our own group," DiMondo said. "We got incorporated with a 501c3 classification, so all donations are tax deductible."
She also adopted greyhounds. "I had a Welsh corgi and could not bring another dog into the house because my dog was not receptive to another, but when that dog passed away, we adopted one (greyhound) and within a year and a half, we had three," DiMondo said.
She said it "was tough in the beginning" for her organization. "We did not have the money and had to lay out our own money to incorporate ourselves and sent out fees (of $1,500) to the state and the IRS and liability insurance for the group as well. Once you get your designation, you can tax deduct anything previously given out. We have recouped it and done very well. Of course, our biggest expense for greyhounds is medical expenses."
Donations are always welcome, and there is a jar out at events attended by Pocono Greyhounds. Supporters also can pay online.
For information, visit www.poconogreyhound.com or call (570) 856-0377.
For the Pocono Record
June 24, 2009
Animal rescue groups are cropping up around the Poconos these days, but Pocono Greyhounds has a uniqueness and a presence during its four years that has assured its steady growth even though there is no brick and mortar headquarters.
"We do a lot of e-mail, I'll tell you that," said Pocono Greyhounds president Joan DiMondo with a laugh.
The nonprofit group, formed in 2005, exceeded the 200 mark of dogs with four more coming in this week. Many of the greyhounds are retired from the racetrack where they experienced harsh treatment. Families in the region keep the dogs in foster care until they are placed.
With the group of seven board members and 30 dedicated volunteers parading their pooches at various events, including the Dog Expo in Smithfield; Stroudfest earlier this month in Stroudsburg; the Tamaqua Summerfest last weekend; the Barrett Halloween Parade, in which they sport costumes; and St. Patrick's Day Parade in Stroudsburg, where they're bedecked with green berets on their heads, the animals enliven the festive atmosphere of events.
And Pocono Greyhounds' reach has broadened.
"It's really expanded," said DiMondo, who said her group the last couple of years has adopted dogs as far as Easton, Wilkes-Barre and Allentown and Carbon County.
If they're not at events, they go to elementary schools in Barrett and Tobyhanna and recently Stroudsburg Elementary. They visit PetSmart on Route 611 in Stroudsburg once a month, usually the fourth Saturday.
"You can't get dogs adopted if they're not in the public eye," said DiMondo. "That's our mission."
It's a simple but effective business plan, but not an easy one. Many greyhounds are physically or emotionally scarred, but still adoptable.
"We've taken in quite a few with broken legs," said DiMondo. "That's what we're in the business to do, to get good homes for them."
Enter Dimples. She arrived this past Saturday from Florida by way of Gold Coast Greyhounds in Orlando, which works closely with Pocono Greyhounds. Dimples had a broken leg that had gone untreated. Gold Coast could not finance the costly surgery and contacted Pocono Greyhounds. They took on the standard $2,000 bill, which includes screws and pins typical with that type of surgery on humans as well.
"She looks great," said DiMondo.
Dimples will go into foster care, which ranges from three weeks to six months, depending on how quickly they're adopted. Amazingly, only four have been returned, said DiMondo.
"The economy really has no impact on our greyhound adoptions," DiMondo said. "Other groups have dogs returned because of (owners') lost jobs and things like that, but it's not had that here. Dogs have been able to stay in their homes."
In fact, the group is ahead of last year's pace. "We're really doing well. We place 30 to 40 a year and this year, we have about 30 dogs, and applications are coming in," DiMondo said.
What helps is the affordable $225 that helps fund the organization — less than half of what it would cost to spay and neuter these dogs if they had come from other sources.
"Usually, they're very well behaved," said DiMondo. "They are crate-trained because that's how they come off the track, so we housebreak them and most do very well. It's not too hard of a sell."
And they stay healthy and can live long lives of 12 to 14 years with no specific canine disease related to them, like the hip problems experienced by German shepherds.
Another major source of revenue is the annual picnic held in late May.
DiMondo said she first was exposed to greyhounds at a meet and greet, which is what her group does.
It was love at first sight as she and husband Ralph and some close friends volunteered for another greyhound adoption group near Philadelphia, the closest one to the Poconos at the time.
"There was no presence in the Pocono Mountains and we thought we'd start our own group," DiMondo said. "We got incorporated with a 501c3 classification, so all donations are tax deductible."
She also adopted greyhounds. "I had a Welsh corgi and could not bring another dog into the house because my dog was not receptive to another, but when that dog passed away, we adopted one (greyhound) and within a year and a half, we had three," DiMondo said.
She said it "was tough in the beginning" for her organization. "We did not have the money and had to lay out our own money to incorporate ourselves and sent out fees (of $1,500) to the state and the IRS and liability insurance for the group as well. Once you get your designation, you can tax deduct anything previously given out. We have recouped it and done very well. Of course, our biggest expense for greyhounds is medical expenses."
Donations are always welcome, and there is a jar out at events attended by Pocono Greyhounds. Supporters also can pay online.
For information, visit www.poconogreyhound.com or call (570) 856-0377.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Is a greyhound right for you
Adoption experts say the dogs are equally at home with children as they are with retirees — it all depends on the temperament of the dog and the home setting.
By LIZ BALMASEDACox Newspapers
Published: Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 3:37 p.m.
The greyhound, they say, is the 45-mile-an-hour couch potato of the dog world.
While it is speed on a track that cast this breed as a race dog, it is the race-track life that has spawned active adoption and rescue groups and a greyhound-loving subculture.
It is a diverse subset with conflicting views on the greyhound-racing industry. But as National Greyhound Adoption Month reaches the final stretch of April, greyhound devotees can agree on at least one thing: These regal pooches make wonderful pets.
“They’re very loving, very loyal, extremely thankful,” says Sonia Stratemann, who runs Elite Greyhound Adoptions from her Loxahatchee, Fla., farm. “They’re social, and most of them are awesome with kids.”
Her own 10 greyhounds share the family farm with eight horses, two cats, two cockatoos and a bunny.
“They’re great with other animals. They’re very adaptable. Most of the time, they can fit your lifestyle,” says Stratemann.
Another greyhound expert agrees.
“It takes them about two weeks to get oriented into a home. Usually, they’ve never been in a home before,” says Alice Borchert, CEO of the Greyhound Adoption League of South Florida.
Like other local greyhound adoption groups, her 11-year-old agency re-homes racetrack dogs from local racing kennels. She says she finds many misconceptions about greyhounds among prospective adopters.
“Some people think they’re vicious because they’ve seen them in muzzles at the track. But it’s not true. They’re gentle, gentle dogs. They don’t have a vicious bone in their bodies,” says Borchert. “If you’re looking for a watch dog, you’ve got the wrong animal. Just about all they’ll do is wag their tails.”
Granted, it can be one mighty tail.
“When we do our home visits, we tell people to be careful about what they leave on their coffee tables. Candy dishes, forget it. When a greyhound wags his tail, everything flies off the table,” says Borchert, who used to race greyhounds at the Palm Beach Kennel Club before she and her husband launched their adoption effort. To now, she’s found homes for 425 greyhounds.
Wagging tail aside, these are not hyperactive dogs, say local adoption folks.
“They do need to be on a leash while outside on the street, though,” says Stratemann of Elite.
That’s because greyhounds are sighthounds, dogs that hunt not by scent but by sight and motion, prone to chase quickly moving objects.
That is not to say retired greyhounds are ready to race 24/7.
“They’re sprinters, not endurance dogs. They don’t have that energy all day long,” says Stratemann. “They go for about 30 seconds and then they’re done, completely done. It’s easy enough to give them the exercise they need by simply walking them.”
Which brings us to another greyhound misconception, that they belong only with young, active owners. Adoption experts say the dogs are equally at home with children as they are with retirees — it all depends on the temperament of the dog and the home setting.
Neat freaks may love the fact that greyhounds are considered to be extremely clean dogs, and nearly hypoallergenic.
“You don’t have to bathe them too frequently,” says Barbara Masi, president of the Florida Southeast Coast chapter of Greyhound Pets of America. “And they’re very quiet dogs. They don’t tend to bark too much.”
Tall and elegant and weighing anywhere between 55 and 80 pounds, the greyhound is surprisingly hardy for its size, not prone to hip dysplasia as are some larger dogs. But it is their lean structure and fine coat that makes them more sensitive to cold, insecticide and even some anesthetics. Owners are encouraged to provide warm, cushiony beds for their greyhound companions.
If greyhounds are built to be treated like royalty it’s probably because they were considered royalty once upon a time. A venerable breed, the greyhound was worshiped by the pharaohs of ancient Egypt.
The breed traveled to ancient Greece and Rome, where they were equally revered and, it seems, raced for the first time. Centuries later, they were bred for coursing, the pursuit of quickly moving game prey, by the British.
Today’s greyhound lovers find themselves sharing the fascination of the ancient noblemen, the Renaissance painters and the great English writers for the stately greyhound.
“They’re really happy dogs,” says Stratemann. “They spend every day just trying to please us.”
By LIZ BALMASEDACox Newspapers
Published: Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 3:37 p.m.
The greyhound, they say, is the 45-mile-an-hour couch potato of the dog world.
While it is speed on a track that cast this breed as a race dog, it is the race-track life that has spawned active adoption and rescue groups and a greyhound-loving subculture.
It is a diverse subset with conflicting views on the greyhound-racing industry. But as National Greyhound Adoption Month reaches the final stretch of April, greyhound devotees can agree on at least one thing: These regal pooches make wonderful pets.
“They’re very loving, very loyal, extremely thankful,” says Sonia Stratemann, who runs Elite Greyhound Adoptions from her Loxahatchee, Fla., farm. “They’re social, and most of them are awesome with kids.”
Her own 10 greyhounds share the family farm with eight horses, two cats, two cockatoos and a bunny.
“They’re great with other animals. They’re very adaptable. Most of the time, they can fit your lifestyle,” says Stratemann.
Another greyhound expert agrees.
“It takes them about two weeks to get oriented into a home. Usually, they’ve never been in a home before,” says Alice Borchert, CEO of the Greyhound Adoption League of South Florida.
Like other local greyhound adoption groups, her 11-year-old agency re-homes racetrack dogs from local racing kennels. She says she finds many misconceptions about greyhounds among prospective adopters.
“Some people think they’re vicious because they’ve seen them in muzzles at the track. But it’s not true. They’re gentle, gentle dogs. They don’t have a vicious bone in their bodies,” says Borchert. “If you’re looking for a watch dog, you’ve got the wrong animal. Just about all they’ll do is wag their tails.”
Granted, it can be one mighty tail.
“When we do our home visits, we tell people to be careful about what they leave on their coffee tables. Candy dishes, forget it. When a greyhound wags his tail, everything flies off the table,” says Borchert, who used to race greyhounds at the Palm Beach Kennel Club before she and her husband launched their adoption effort. To now, she’s found homes for 425 greyhounds.
Wagging tail aside, these are not hyperactive dogs, say local adoption folks.
“They do need to be on a leash while outside on the street, though,” says Stratemann of Elite.
That’s because greyhounds are sighthounds, dogs that hunt not by scent but by sight and motion, prone to chase quickly moving objects.
That is not to say retired greyhounds are ready to race 24/7.
“They’re sprinters, not endurance dogs. They don’t have that energy all day long,” says Stratemann. “They go for about 30 seconds and then they’re done, completely done. It’s easy enough to give them the exercise they need by simply walking them.”
Which brings us to another greyhound misconception, that they belong only with young, active owners. Adoption experts say the dogs are equally at home with children as they are with retirees — it all depends on the temperament of the dog and the home setting.
Neat freaks may love the fact that greyhounds are considered to be extremely clean dogs, and nearly hypoallergenic.
“You don’t have to bathe them too frequently,” says Barbara Masi, president of the Florida Southeast Coast chapter of Greyhound Pets of America. “And they’re very quiet dogs. They don’t tend to bark too much.”
Tall and elegant and weighing anywhere between 55 and 80 pounds, the greyhound is surprisingly hardy for its size, not prone to hip dysplasia as are some larger dogs. But it is their lean structure and fine coat that makes them more sensitive to cold, insecticide and even some anesthetics. Owners are encouraged to provide warm, cushiony beds for their greyhound companions.
If greyhounds are built to be treated like royalty it’s probably because they were considered royalty once upon a time. A venerable breed, the greyhound was worshiped by the pharaohs of ancient Egypt.
The breed traveled to ancient Greece and Rome, where they were equally revered and, it seems, raced for the first time. Centuries later, they were bred for coursing, the pursuit of quickly moving game prey, by the British.
Today’s greyhound lovers find themselves sharing the fascination of the ancient noblemen, the Renaissance painters and the great English writers for the stately greyhound.
“They’re really happy dogs,” says Stratemann. “They spend every day just trying to please us.”
Rescued greyhounds travel 7,000 miles await adoption
Rescued Greyhounds Travel 7,000 Miles, Await Adoption
POSTED: 10:15 pm EDT April 23, 2009
UPDATED: 11:14 pm EDT April 23, 2009
CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio -- For 16 years, greyhounds born to run have found sanctuary in Chagrin Falls at Greyhound Adoption of Ohio.
In that time, nearly 2,000 dogs have come from tracks near and far to find new homes in Ohio.
But none have traveled as far as the latest arrivals, with an estimated journey of about 7,000 miles.
The journey started in Guam last November after a track there closed.
From there, several rescued greyhounds were flown to Los Angeles for veterinary treatment and then to Arizona to prepare them for adoption.
Six of them will now call Chagrin Falls home until they are adopted.
That the Guam greyhounds survived at all is nothing short of a miracle.
"The dogs lost in the jungle, found starving, found by the side of the road, hit by cars and they were very lucky that the Greyhound Protection League was there to help them," said Linda Perko, of Greyhound Adoption of Ohio.
Perko said, "When we started doing this 16 years ago, there were about 50,000 dogs a year born and about 50,000 destroyed."
Rescuers said adoption has helped save up to half of all greyhounds bred for racing.
"They make very loving pets. They get very attached to their owners. They're just great," Perko said.
Greyhound Adoption of Ohio will hold open houses this weekend and next if you are interested in adoption.
To learn more, go to www.greyhoundadoptionofoh.org.
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/19266810/detail.html
POSTED: 10:15 pm EDT April 23, 2009
UPDATED: 11:14 pm EDT April 23, 2009
CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio -- For 16 years, greyhounds born to run have found sanctuary in Chagrin Falls at Greyhound Adoption of Ohio.
In that time, nearly 2,000 dogs have come from tracks near and far to find new homes in Ohio.
But none have traveled as far as the latest arrivals, with an estimated journey of about 7,000 miles.
The journey started in Guam last November after a track there closed.
From there, several rescued greyhounds were flown to Los Angeles for veterinary treatment and then to Arizona to prepare them for adoption.
Six of them will now call Chagrin Falls home until they are adopted.
That the Guam greyhounds survived at all is nothing short of a miracle.
"The dogs lost in the jungle, found starving, found by the side of the road, hit by cars and they were very lucky that the Greyhound Protection League was there to help them," said Linda Perko, of Greyhound Adoption of Ohio.
Perko said, "When we started doing this 16 years ago, there were about 50,000 dogs a year born and about 50,000 destroyed."
Rescuers said adoption has helped save up to half of all greyhounds bred for racing.
"They make very loving pets. They get very attached to their owners. They're just great," Perko said.
Greyhound Adoption of Ohio will hold open houses this weekend and next if you are interested in adoption.
To learn more, go to www.greyhoundadoptionofoh.org.
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/19266810/detail.html
Fast Friends: Breeders and rescuers race to find homes for greyhounds
FAST FRIENDS: Breeders and rescuers race to find homes for greyhounds
By LIZ BALMASEDA
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/accent/content/accent/epaper/2009/04/20/a1d_greyhound_web_0420.html
While it is speed on a track that cast this breed as a race dog, it is the race- track life that has spawned active adoption and rescue groups in South Florida and a greyhound-loving subculture in Palm Beach County.
It is a diverse subset with conflicting views on the greyhound-racing industry. But as National Greyhound Adoption Month reaches the final stretch of April, greyhound devotees can agree on at least one thing: These regal pooches make wonderful pets.
"They're very loving, very loyal, extremely thankful," says Sonia Stratemann, who runs Elite Greyhound Adoptions from her Loxahatchee farm. "They're social, and most of them are awesome with kids."
Her own 10 greyhounds share the family farm with eight horses, two cats, two cockatoos and a bunny.
"They're great with other animals. They're very adaptable. Most of the time, they can fit your lifestyle," says Stratemann.
Another local greyhound expert agrees.
"It takes them about two weeks to get oriented into a home. Usually, they've never been in a home before," says Alice Borchert, CEO of the Greyhound Adoption League of South Florida.
Like other local greyhound adoption groups, her 11-year-old agency re-homes racetrack dogs from local racing kennels. She says she finds many misconceptions about greyhounds among prospective adopters.
"Some people think they're vicious because they've seen them in muzzles at the track. But it's not true. They're gentle, gentle dogs. They don't have a vicious bone in their bodies," says Borchert. "If you're looking for a watch dog, you've got the wrong animal. Just about all they'll do is wag their tails."
Granted, it can be one mighty tail.
"When we do our home visits, we tell people to be careful about what they leave on their coffee tables. Candy dishes, forget it. When a greyhound wags his tail, everything flies off the table," says Borchert, who used to race greyhounds at the Palm Beach Kennel Club before she and her husband launched their adoption effort. To now, she's found homes for 425 greyhounds.
Wagging tail aside, these are not hyperactive dogs, say local adoption folks.
"They do need to be on a leash while outside on the street, though," says Stratemann of Elite.
That's because greyhounds are sighthounds, dogs that hunt not by scent but by sight and motion, prone to chase quickly moving objects.
That is not to say retired greyhounds are ready to race 24/7.
"They're sprinters, not endurance dogs. They don't have that energy all day long," says Stratemann. "They go for about 30 seconds and then they're done, completely done. It's easy enough to give them the exercise they need by simply walking them."
Which brings us to another greyhound misconception, that they belong only with young, active owners. Local adoption experts say the dogs are equally at home with children as they are with retirees — it all depends on the temperament of the dog and the home setting.
Neat freaks may love the fact that greyhounds are considered to be extremely clean dogs, and nearly hypoallergenic.
"You don't have to bathe them too frequently," says Barbara Masi, president of the Florida Southeast Coast chapter of Greyhound Pets of America. "And they're very quiet dogs. They don't tend to bark too much."
Tall and elegant and weighing anywhere between 55 and 80 pounds, the greyhound is surprisingly hardy for its size, not prone to hip dysplasia as are some larger dogs. But it is their lean structure and fine coat that makes them more sensitive to cold, insecticide and even some anesthetics. Owners are encouraged to provide warm, cushiony beds for their greyhound companions.
If greyhounds are built to be treated like royalty it's probably because they were considered royalty once upon a time. A venerable breed, the greyhound was worshiped by the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt.
The breed traveled to ancient Greece and Rome, where they were equally revered and, it seems, raced for the first time. Centuries later, they were bred for coursing, the pursuit of quickly moving game prey, by the British.
Today's greyhound lovers find themselves sharing the fascination of the ancient noblemen, the Renaissance painters and the great English writers for the stately greyhound.
"They're really happy dogs," says Stratemann. "They spend every day just trying to please us."
5 REASONS
THERE'S NOTHING GREY ABOUT A GREYHOUND
Greyhounds are lean, sleek dogs with thin coats. Their low percentage of body fat can make them sensitive to cold and high heat. For this reason, they love sweaters in the winter and comfy, well-cushioned beds. Indoors, please.
Their thin coats often make them a good match for people with allergies. The coats also make them low-maintenance pets when it comes to grooming. In fact, they should not be bathed too often to allow natural oils to keep their coats luminous.
Greyhounds need about as much exercise as any large-breed dog, which means daily, on-leash walks.
Greyhounds are not gray. But there are some 'blue' greyhounds with a deep silvery coat.
Dogs that are bred to run professionally are often raced from the time they're 18 months old to about 4 years of age.
— Liz Balmaseda
CAMP GREYHOUND!
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office mascot, Finnegan, and the Ambass-A-Dogs, two greyhounds owned by Barbara Masi, are visiting camps this summer to teach animal kindness.
The Professor Pooches program covers animal safety, responsible pet ownership, dog care, laws governing dog ownership, the importance of regular veterinary care and Sheriff Ric Bradshaw's campaign against dog fighting.
To arrange a visit to your camp, call Masi at (561) 688-3981.
HOW TO ADOPT A GREYHOUND ...
Elite Greyhound Adoptions. Visit elitegreyhounds.org, or call Sonia Stratemann at (561) 252-2216.
Greyhound Adoption League of South Florida. Visit greyhoundadoptionleague.org, or call Alice Borchert at (561) 615-0818.
Greyhound Pets of America Florida Southeast Coast chapter. Visit greyhoundpetsfl.org, or call Barbara Masi at (561) 478-3006.
By LIZ BALMASEDA
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/accent/content/accent/epaper/2009/04/20/a1d_greyhound_web_0420.html
While it is speed on a track that cast this breed as a race dog, it is the race- track life that has spawned active adoption and rescue groups in South Florida and a greyhound-loving subculture in Palm Beach County.
It is a diverse subset with conflicting views on the greyhound-racing industry. But as National Greyhound Adoption Month reaches the final stretch of April, greyhound devotees can agree on at least one thing: These regal pooches make wonderful pets.
"They're very loving, very loyal, extremely thankful," says Sonia Stratemann, who runs Elite Greyhound Adoptions from her Loxahatchee farm. "They're social, and most of them are awesome with kids."
Her own 10 greyhounds share the family farm with eight horses, two cats, two cockatoos and a bunny.
"They're great with other animals. They're very adaptable. Most of the time, they can fit your lifestyle," says Stratemann.
Another local greyhound expert agrees.
"It takes them about two weeks to get oriented into a home. Usually, they've never been in a home before," says Alice Borchert, CEO of the Greyhound Adoption League of South Florida.
Like other local greyhound adoption groups, her 11-year-old agency re-homes racetrack dogs from local racing kennels. She says she finds many misconceptions about greyhounds among prospective adopters.
"Some people think they're vicious because they've seen them in muzzles at the track. But it's not true. They're gentle, gentle dogs. They don't have a vicious bone in their bodies," says Borchert. "If you're looking for a watch dog, you've got the wrong animal. Just about all they'll do is wag their tails."
Granted, it can be one mighty tail.
"When we do our home visits, we tell people to be careful about what they leave on their coffee tables. Candy dishes, forget it. When a greyhound wags his tail, everything flies off the table," says Borchert, who used to race greyhounds at the Palm Beach Kennel Club before she and her husband launched their adoption effort. To now, she's found homes for 425 greyhounds.
Wagging tail aside, these are not hyperactive dogs, say local adoption folks.
"They do need to be on a leash while outside on the street, though," says Stratemann of Elite.
That's because greyhounds are sighthounds, dogs that hunt not by scent but by sight and motion, prone to chase quickly moving objects.
That is not to say retired greyhounds are ready to race 24/7.
"They're sprinters, not endurance dogs. They don't have that energy all day long," says Stratemann. "They go for about 30 seconds and then they're done, completely done. It's easy enough to give them the exercise they need by simply walking them."
Which brings us to another greyhound misconception, that they belong only with young, active owners. Local adoption experts say the dogs are equally at home with children as they are with retirees — it all depends on the temperament of the dog and the home setting.
Neat freaks may love the fact that greyhounds are considered to be extremely clean dogs, and nearly hypoallergenic.
"You don't have to bathe them too frequently," says Barbara Masi, president of the Florida Southeast Coast chapter of Greyhound Pets of America. "And they're very quiet dogs. They don't tend to bark too much."
Tall and elegant and weighing anywhere between 55 and 80 pounds, the greyhound is surprisingly hardy for its size, not prone to hip dysplasia as are some larger dogs. But it is their lean structure and fine coat that makes them more sensitive to cold, insecticide and even some anesthetics. Owners are encouraged to provide warm, cushiony beds for their greyhound companions.
If greyhounds are built to be treated like royalty it's probably because they were considered royalty once upon a time. A venerable breed, the greyhound was worshiped by the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt.
The breed traveled to ancient Greece and Rome, where they were equally revered and, it seems, raced for the first time. Centuries later, they were bred for coursing, the pursuit of quickly moving game prey, by the British.
Today's greyhound lovers find themselves sharing the fascination of the ancient noblemen, the Renaissance painters and the great English writers for the stately greyhound.
"They're really happy dogs," says Stratemann. "They spend every day just trying to please us."
5 REASONS
THERE'S NOTHING GREY ABOUT A GREYHOUND
Greyhounds are lean, sleek dogs with thin coats. Their low percentage of body fat can make them sensitive to cold and high heat. For this reason, they love sweaters in the winter and comfy, well-cushioned beds. Indoors, please.
Their thin coats often make them a good match for people with allergies. The coats also make them low-maintenance pets when it comes to grooming. In fact, they should not be bathed too often to allow natural oils to keep their coats luminous.
Greyhounds need about as much exercise as any large-breed dog, which means daily, on-leash walks.
Greyhounds are not gray. But there are some 'blue' greyhounds with a deep silvery coat.
Dogs that are bred to run professionally are often raced from the time they're 18 months old to about 4 years of age.
— Liz Balmaseda
CAMP GREYHOUND!
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office mascot, Finnegan, and the Ambass-A-Dogs, two greyhounds owned by Barbara Masi, are visiting camps this summer to teach animal kindness.
The Professor Pooches program covers animal safety, responsible pet ownership, dog care, laws governing dog ownership, the importance of regular veterinary care and Sheriff Ric Bradshaw's campaign against dog fighting.
To arrange a visit to your camp, call Masi at (561) 688-3981.
HOW TO ADOPT A GREYHOUND ...
Elite Greyhound Adoptions. Visit elitegreyhounds.org, or call Sonia Stratemann at (561) 252-2216.
Greyhound Adoption League of South Florida. Visit greyhoundadoptionleague.org, or call Alice Borchert at (561) 615-0818.
Greyhound Pets of America Florida Southeast Coast chapter. Visit greyhoundpetsfl.org, or call Barbara Masi at (561) 478-3006.
Rachael Ray Donates Seven Tons of Treats to Area Shelter
http://www.qctimes.com/news/local/article_fd69c450-2bc8-11de-87c6-001cc4c002e0.html
Stephanie De Pasquale Posted: Friday, April 17, 2009 10:25 pm
"Celebration" played loudly over the stereo as a dozen volunteers spent Friday morning unloading seven tons - yes, tons - of dog treats that TV chef and talk-show host Rachael Ray donated to the Quad-Cities Greyhound Rescue Center in Maysville, Iowa.
They passed box after box from one person to the next until a 10-by-10-foot room was filled from floor to ceiling and a second storage pod was half-full.
The donations were the result of a letter that Rochelle Buskirk, the fundraising coordinator for Greyhound Rescue, sent to the celebrity, asking for help. The shelter houses 50 dogs and goes through 12 pounds of treats per day. At that rate, even large bags are used up quickly and the shelter is always running out.
"It was the right place at the right time," Buskirk said. "It was a great deal for us because the fact of the matter is that a terrific donation like that, for a nonprofit that is a totally volunteer-run organization, is pretty big for us."
Every cent of the profits from the celebrity's dog food, Rachael Ray Nutrish, funds the Rachael's Rescue effort. The money is then donated to shelters and used to provide food and treats to animals in need. Fifty-one tons of Rachael Ray Nutrish have been donated to shelters throughout the country.
"These are good, whole foods. I like the fact that she includes plenty of vegetables in there. I really like that and its good protein sources," said Ernie Ward, the veterinary correspondent for the "Rachael Ray Show."
"The food that Rachael is donating is of very good quality. Most of the time, the shelters that I work with, we are not able to give a food of that high of quality."
The donation from Rachael's Rescue will last the Quad-Cities
Greyhound Rescue for nine months to a year, Buskirk said.
"It means that we can concentrate efforts on other things that we need and don't have to worry about the treats for a while," she added. "A huge thank you to Rachael Ray Nutrish because its been like Christmas around here today."
However, the storage rooms were nearly empty before the donation arrived because the Greyhound Rescue has run out of dog food that is normally donated by Purina, and they don't know when another shipment will come in, she said.
It takes 50 pounds of dog food to feed the animals for one day, and the rescue is relying on volunteers to provide food until more arrives from the company.
"Without the donations, we would not stay afloat," Buskirk said. "You hate to complain because everybody's struggling. But we've been around since 1997, so we make it work and it's always a work in progress and everybody out there puts in 110 percent to get it done.
"But the rewards are endless with the greyhounds, they really are. They sneak into your heart and it happens fast."
Posted in Local on Friday, April 17, 2009 10:25 pm Updated: 9:29 am. Tags: Dogs, Rachael Ray, Quad-cities Greyhound Rescue Center
Stephanie De Pasquale Posted: Friday, April 17, 2009 10:25 pm
"Celebration" played loudly over the stereo as a dozen volunteers spent Friday morning unloading seven tons - yes, tons - of dog treats that TV chef and talk-show host Rachael Ray donated to the Quad-Cities Greyhound Rescue Center in Maysville, Iowa.
They passed box after box from one person to the next until a 10-by-10-foot room was filled from floor to ceiling and a second storage pod was half-full.
The donations were the result of a letter that Rochelle Buskirk, the fundraising coordinator for Greyhound Rescue, sent to the celebrity, asking for help. The shelter houses 50 dogs and goes through 12 pounds of treats per day. At that rate, even large bags are used up quickly and the shelter is always running out.
"It was the right place at the right time," Buskirk said. "It was a great deal for us because the fact of the matter is that a terrific donation like that, for a nonprofit that is a totally volunteer-run organization, is pretty big for us."
Every cent of the profits from the celebrity's dog food, Rachael Ray Nutrish, funds the Rachael's Rescue effort. The money is then donated to shelters and used to provide food and treats to animals in need. Fifty-one tons of Rachael Ray Nutrish have been donated to shelters throughout the country.
"These are good, whole foods. I like the fact that she includes plenty of vegetables in there. I really like that and its good protein sources," said Ernie Ward, the veterinary correspondent for the "Rachael Ray Show."
"The food that Rachael is donating is of very good quality. Most of the time, the shelters that I work with, we are not able to give a food of that high of quality."
The donation from Rachael's Rescue will last the Quad-Cities
Greyhound Rescue for nine months to a year, Buskirk said.
"It means that we can concentrate efforts on other things that we need and don't have to worry about the treats for a while," she added. "A huge thank you to Rachael Ray Nutrish because its been like Christmas around here today."
However, the storage rooms were nearly empty before the donation arrived because the Greyhound Rescue has run out of dog food that is normally donated by Purina, and they don't know when another shipment will come in, she said.
It takes 50 pounds of dog food to feed the animals for one day, and the rescue is relying on volunteers to provide food until more arrives from the company.
"Without the donations, we would not stay afloat," Buskirk said. "You hate to complain because everybody's struggling. But we've been around since 1997, so we make it work and it's always a work in progress and everybody out there puts in 110 percent to get it done.
"But the rewards are endless with the greyhounds, they really are. They sneak into your heart and it happens fast."
Posted in Local on Friday, April 17, 2009 10:25 pm Updated: 9:29 am. Tags: Dogs, Rachael Ray, Quad-cities Greyhound Rescue Center
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Jasmine, the Mother Theresa Greyhound
Jasmine, the Mother Theresa Greyhound
http://www.greatpetnet.com/630/jasmine-the-mother-theresa-greyhound/
by Myke on March 27, 2009
In 2003, police in Warwickshire, England, opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog. It had been locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had clearly been abused.In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a Greyhound female, to the nearby Nuneaton Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, run by a man named Geoff Grewcock and known as a willing haven for Animals abandoned, orphaned or otherwise in need.
Geoff and the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved.
They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home.
But Jasmine had other ideas. No-one remembers now how it began, but she started welcoming all Animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It wouldn’t matter if it was a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, any other lost or hurting Animal, Jasmine would peer into the box or cage and, where possible, deliver a welcoming lick.
Geoff relates one of the early incidents. “We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the centre and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them.”
“But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them and it helps them to not only feel close to her but to settle into their new surroundings.
“She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose.”
Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary’s resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, 15 chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and 15 rabbits.
And one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, 11 weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the Roe deer with affection and makes sure nothing is matted.
“They are inseparable,” says Geoff “Bramble walks between her legs and they keep kissing each other. They walk together round the sanctuary.
It’s a real treat to see them.”
Jasmine will continue to care for Bramble until she is old enough to be returned to woodland life. When that happens, Jasmine will not be lonely. She will be too busy showering love and affection on the next Orphan or victim of abuse.
From left, Toby, a stray Lakeland dog; Bramble, orphaned Roe deer; Buster, a stray Jack Russell; a dumped rabbit; Sky, an injured barn owl; and Jasmine with a Mothers heart doing best what a caring Mother would do… Such is the order of God’s Creation.
Link: http://www.warwickshirewildlifesanctuary.co.uk/index.htm
via David Wilson
http://www.greatpetnet.com/630/jasmine-the-mother-theresa-greyhound/
by Myke on March 27, 2009
In 2003, police in Warwickshire, England, opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog. It had been locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had clearly been abused.In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a Greyhound female, to the nearby Nuneaton Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, run by a man named Geoff Grewcock and known as a willing haven for Animals abandoned, orphaned or otherwise in need.
Geoff and the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved.
They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home.
But Jasmine had other ideas. No-one remembers now how it began, but she started welcoming all Animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It wouldn’t matter if it was a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, any other lost or hurting Animal, Jasmine would peer into the box or cage and, where possible, deliver a welcoming lick.
Geoff relates one of the early incidents. “We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the centre and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them.”
“But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them and it helps them to not only feel close to her but to settle into their new surroundings.
“She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose.”
Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary’s resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, 15 chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and 15 rabbits.
And one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, 11 weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the Roe deer with affection and makes sure nothing is matted.
“They are inseparable,” says Geoff “Bramble walks between her legs and they keep kissing each other. They walk together round the sanctuary.
It’s a real treat to see them.”
Jasmine will continue to care for Bramble until she is old enough to be returned to woodland life. When that happens, Jasmine will not be lonely. She will be too busy showering love and affection on the next Orphan or victim of abuse.
From left, Toby, a stray Lakeland dog; Bramble, orphaned Roe deer; Buster, a stray Jack Russell; a dumped rabbit; Sky, an injured barn owl; and Jasmine with a Mothers heart doing best what a caring Mother would do… Such is the order of God’s Creation.
Link: http://www.warwickshirewildlifesanctuary.co.uk/index.htm
via David Wilson
Randolph man's group publicizes need to adopt former racing dogs
Randolph man’s group publicizes need to adopt former racing dogs
By Lauren DeFilippo
Tue Mar 31, 2009, 06:02 PM EDT
http://www.wickedlocal.com/randolph/news/x549587405/Randolph-man-s-group-publicizes-need-to-adopt-former-racing-dogs
Randolph -
At the time, Michael McCann and his wife had wanted to get a cat.
But McCann read a newspaper article that described greyhounds as the most “cat-like” breed.
Then he met a greyhound while staying at a bed and breakfast in Maine.
In 1994, the couple adopted its first greyhound.
“It was the ugliest greyhound you’d ever see,” he said, describing Teddy, who only had one eye. “(He) was the greatest dog.”
Since then, he’s opened his Randolph home to foster more than 100 of the dogs.
He owns three greyhounds now: Santos, Whisper and Camban.
McCann is president of the Greyhound Project, a non-profit group of volunteers that promotes the welfare and adoption of greyhounds.
To mark April as national Adopt-A-Greyhound Month, the group has produced six radio public service announcements that debut today.
Fostering greyhounds helps overcrowding at kennels and adoption agencies. The greyhound population at those facilities will increase after regional greyhound racetracks close their doors following voters’ approval to ban greyhound racing in the state.
Usually, the dogs stay in their foster homes for a short time before getting adopted, McCann said.
The work of adoption agencies is already hard, but adopting full-grown dogs is even harder, he said.
With the economy in its current state, adoption agencies also have seen a lot of returns.
“There are enough adoptive homes out there, they just haven’t discovered it yet,” he said.
McCann, who has had dogs as pets for much of his life, said he had never come across a breed so easygoing and gentle.
“They’re the 40 mile-per-hour couch potatoes,” he said of greyhounds.
When he was growing up, McCann said he always thought the dogs were vicious.
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.
That’s not the only myth about greyhounds circulating.
Because they run so fast, people think of them as hyper dogs, McCann said. He pointed out that greyhounds are sprinters, not distance runners.
“They’re very laid-back and gentle,” he said.
Lauren DeFilippo can be reached at ldefilip@cnc.com
Founded in the 1992, The Greyhound Project is a volunteer, non-profit organization. The mission of the Greyhound Project is to promote the welfare and adoption of greyhounds by providing support and information to adoption organizations, adopters, and the public.
For information, visit www.adopt-a-greyhound.org
Greyhounds Grab the Spotlight in April
Greyhounds Grab the Spotlight in April
http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-news/2009/04/01/greyhounds-grab-the-spotlight-in-april.aspx
Massachusetts-based nonprofit launches National Adopt-a-Greyhound Month.
Posted: April 1, 2009, 5 a.m. EDT
The spotlight will shine on retired racing Greyhounds during the month of April, which has been designated as National Adopt-a-Greyhound Month.
The Greyhound Project of Boston, Mass., launched the initiative for the first time this year. Organizers seek to draw attention to the large numbers of Greyhounds who retire from racing each year and are cared for by rescue and adoption groups throughout the United States as they wait to be placed into permanent homes.
Melissa Cook, Project board member, said the organization expects to see the numbers of retired Greyhounds in need of homes to increase in the coming months as racetracks in some states close as a result of new legislation to ban dog racing. Additionally, the country’s economic crisis has resulted in fewer adoptions and more surrenders to shelters because owners can no longer afford to keep their Greyhounds and other pets.
To spread the message of Greyhound adoption awareness, the Greyhound Project created a series of public service announcements about the topic. The 30-second television ads are set to air on stations across the country during the month of April.
The main goal, Cook said, is to increase Greyhound adoptions and find new homes for more of these former racing dogs. By releasing the TV ads, the nonprofit hopes to erase misconceptions about the breed and highlight some of their lesser-known traits, Cook said.
What many people may not realize about Greyhounds, she said, is that they’re great companions for seniors as well as families with children. Through the ads, she added, the public will get to see the breed’s gentle, graceful side.
http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-news/2009/04/01/greyhounds-grab-the-spotlight-in-april.aspx
Massachusetts-based nonprofit launches National Adopt-a-Greyhound Month.
Posted: April 1, 2009, 5 a.m. EDT
The spotlight will shine on retired racing Greyhounds during the month of April, which has been designated as National Adopt-a-Greyhound Month.
The Greyhound Project of Boston, Mass., launched the initiative for the first time this year. Organizers seek to draw attention to the large numbers of Greyhounds who retire from racing each year and are cared for by rescue and adoption groups throughout the United States as they wait to be placed into permanent homes.
Melissa Cook, Project board member, said the organization expects to see the numbers of retired Greyhounds in need of homes to increase in the coming months as racetracks in some states close as a result of new legislation to ban dog racing. Additionally, the country’s economic crisis has resulted in fewer adoptions and more surrenders to shelters because owners can no longer afford to keep their Greyhounds and other pets.
To spread the message of Greyhound adoption awareness, the Greyhound Project created a series of public service announcements about the topic. The 30-second television ads are set to air on stations across the country during the month of April.
The main goal, Cook said, is to increase Greyhound adoptions and find new homes for more of these former racing dogs. By releasing the TV ads, the nonprofit hopes to erase misconceptions about the breed and highlight some of their lesser-known traits, Cook said.
What many people may not realize about Greyhounds, she said, is that they’re great companions for seniors as well as families with children. Through the ads, she added, the public will get to see the breed’s gentle, graceful side.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Off Track Economy Leave Greyhounds in Cold
Rabies shot? Check.Frontline? Check.Dog food? Check.Toys? Check.As most new dog owners know, the cost of a new pet can quickly add up and that's what the West Haven-based greyhound rescue organization, Pups Without Partners, is afraid of. The recession is taking a big bite out of their adoptions.Adoptions of retired greyhound racers are down because the recession has would-be adopters second-guessing whether they can financially handle a new dog. And if the recession lingers, that may mean more racetracks and kennels across the country will close too, the New Haven Register reports.Regional rescue groups also worry that the number of greyhounds up for adoption will increase even more when two major racing tracks in Massachusetts close at the end of the year. The state is imposing a ban on commercial dog racing, which many animal activists see as cruel to the animals.And the Connecticut Greyhound Adoption in Avon has seen an even more disturbing trend: adopted dogs being returned a few weeks into the process because of financial problems.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29723473/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29723473/
Greyhounds ROCK Fredericksburg to help cure canine cancer
FREDERICKSBURG — Greyhounds from as far away as Connecticut gathered for a benefit event at the Fredericksburg Hospitality House and Conference Center last weekend.
The retired track dogs were not here to run, but rather to help Ohio State University’s race to find a cure for the devastating cancer that plagues the breed.
The fourth-annual Greyhounds ROCK Fredericksburg event derived its name from greyhounds Ricky, Orion and Crooke. The event held in their memory has grown from a simple dessert party to a full-fledged educational seminar.
Forty-four percent of Greyhounds lose their life to cancer, and of those 50 percent die from Osteosarcoma. OSU’s Greyhound Health and Wellness Program is spearheaded by Dr. C. Guillermo Couto, DVM, founder of Veterinarians for Retired Racing Greyhounds, and is the recognized leader in Greyhound cancer research and treatment.
Sessions conducted Saturday included Living With Osteosarcoma, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Riding on the Greyhound Underground Railroad.
The Osteosarcoma session was an emotional class for attendees and speakers.
Rhonda Morey’s dog was afflicted with Osteosarcoma and had almost every adverse side effect that can be encountered from the disease and the treatment. She explained that her family was devastated by the diagnosis, but then reality set in as they realized they had no idea how to deal with the treatment. Morey demonstrated the use of a sling to help support your dog as it learns to walk as a tri-paw. But she allowed that one of the most important bits of information she received was how to keep blood from dripping around the house following surgery.
“I was advised to get a tight fitting dog tee shirt and place a sanitary pad under the drain from the wound,” she said.
Although amputation followed by chemotherapy is an accepted course of treatment, Osteosarcoma can quickly metastasize to the lungs. Some dogs are not candidates for amputation or chemotherapy because the cancer has already spread. Even for those that undergo the protocol, life expectancy is usually only about one year.
Morey’s dog Bodie lost his battle with cancer. But she lauded Internet support groups such as Circle of Grey, Hope for Hounds, and Greytalk, for providing tips on post surgery care as well as emotional support. As devastating as this journey is, there is however a bright, shining symbol of hope. For at the other end of the spectrum there is Bosha.
Barabara Heisey’s eight-and-a-half-year-old Greyhound was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in the fall of 2005. And after amputation and follow-up chemotherapy, he is still cancer free. But perhaps Bosha’s remarkable recovery is due to his uncommon presentation. Unlike other Greyhounds, he never had any lameness, pain, or swelling prior to his pathological fracture.
The seminar concluded Saturday evening with a dessert party. Dr. Liliana Marin, DVM, OSU’s Greyhound program coordinator gave the keynote presentation that addressed palliative and curative treatments. She provided information in the latest studies and told the attendees, “Adriamycin has shown promising results post amputation.”
She updated the group on the program’s new website with current Greyhound health information, a recently launched quarterly newsletter, and educational programs. OSU provides a list-serv for Veterinarians for Retired Racers; free consultations and educational programs for Greyhound owners and veterinarians; and free chemotherapy for retired racers with cancer.
A portion of vendor sales, the group’s dinners at Foster’s Grille and Uno Chicago Grille, and proceeds from a raffle and silent auction were donated to the OSU program.
For more information, visit hartwoodroses.com/GRF/index.html.
Marty van Duyne is a member of the Dog Writers Association of America.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
AGTOA Adoption Person of the Year
2008 AGTOA "Greyhound Adoption Person of the Year"
The American Greyhound Track Operators Association (AGTOA) announced that it has selected Dennis Tyler of Central Florida Greyhound Pets of America (GPA) as its 2008 Greyhound Adoption Person of the Year. The award recognizes individuals who are dedicated to placing former racing greyhounds into qualified homes as pets.
“All nominees deserve to be recognized for their commitment to finding homes for greyhounds once they retire from racing,” said Karen Keelan, president of the AGTOA. “It was difficult to select only one winner from so many dedicated individuals.”
After a great deal of deliberation, Dennis Tyler was selected for his 24-hour-a-day commitment to finding good homes for retired greyhounds including those with special needs; for caring for the health and welfare of the dogs until they can be transported to adoption organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada; for raising funds to support his adoption activities; and for serving as a mentor to new adoption organizations.
Since 1996, Dennis and his wife, Claire, have worked as a full-time team to placed 6,077 greyhounds retiring from Melbourne Greyhound Park into adoptive homes. They host fundraisers to pay for the medical expenses for hard-to-place greyhounds so they can be offered to adoption groups at no charge.
According to Nanette McClary of Greyhound Adoption of Greater Rochester, N.Y., “Dennis does an excellent job of profiling greyhounds, organizing spaying/neutering and transporting them to groups for adoption. When he and Claire end their 24-hour dog hauler trips to Buffalo, we can see the satisfaction in their tired faces.”
Alane Shultz of Springfield, Mo. said that Dennis “cultivates new adoption groups by mentoring them and sharing a wealth of knowledge and years of experience with newbies.”
Dennis, accompanied by Claire, will be recognized on March 23, 2009 at the AGTOA annual meeting in Las Vegas. The AGTOA will donate $500 to the Central Florida GPA and pay for the couple’s travel expenses to accept the award.
“I am very honored to be singled out as Greyhound Adoption Person of the Year,” said Tyler. There are many other extremely dedicated individuals who are equally as committed to finding homes for retired greyhounds. GPA Central Florida’s accomplishments would not have been possible without the support of my wife Claire, our wonderful volunteers and more than 40 adoption groups that have helped us over the years.
Nominations for the 2009 Greyhound Adoption Person of the Year will be accepted between April 1 and August 28, 2009. Anyone involved in greyhound adoption can be nominated for the award. The recipient will be selected based on the individual’s dedication and contribution to greyhound adoption during the year. For more information about the award, visit www.agtoa.com or call Dennis Bicsak at (561) 615-3916. For more information about adopting a greyhound, call 1-800-366-1GPA (1472).
The AGTOA, formed in 1946, is a nonprofit corporation comprised of greyhound race track owners and operators throughout the U.S.
The American Greyhound Track Operators Association (AGTOA) announced that it has selected Dennis Tyler of Central Florida Greyhound Pets of America (GPA) as its 2008 Greyhound Adoption Person of the Year. The award recognizes individuals who are dedicated to placing former racing greyhounds into qualified homes as pets.
“All nominees deserve to be recognized for their commitment to finding homes for greyhounds once they retire from racing,” said Karen Keelan, president of the AGTOA. “It was difficult to select only one winner from so many dedicated individuals.”
After a great deal of deliberation, Dennis Tyler was selected for his 24-hour-a-day commitment to finding good homes for retired greyhounds including those with special needs; for caring for the health and welfare of the dogs until they can be transported to adoption organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada; for raising funds to support his adoption activities; and for serving as a mentor to new adoption organizations.
Since 1996, Dennis and his wife, Claire, have worked as a full-time team to placed 6,077 greyhounds retiring from Melbourne Greyhound Park into adoptive homes. They host fundraisers to pay for the medical expenses for hard-to-place greyhounds so they can be offered to adoption groups at no charge.
According to Nanette McClary of Greyhound Adoption of Greater Rochester, N.Y., “Dennis does an excellent job of profiling greyhounds, organizing spaying/neutering and transporting them to groups for adoption. When he and Claire end their 24-hour dog hauler trips to Buffalo, we can see the satisfaction in their tired faces.”
Alane Shultz of Springfield, Mo. said that Dennis “cultivates new adoption groups by mentoring them and sharing a wealth of knowledge and years of experience with newbies.”
Dennis, accompanied by Claire, will be recognized on March 23, 2009 at the AGTOA annual meeting in Las Vegas. The AGTOA will donate $500 to the Central Florida GPA and pay for the couple’s travel expenses to accept the award.
“I am very honored to be singled out as Greyhound Adoption Person of the Year,” said Tyler. There are many other extremely dedicated individuals who are equally as committed to finding homes for retired greyhounds. GPA Central Florida’s accomplishments would not have been possible without the support of my wife Claire, our wonderful volunteers and more than 40 adoption groups that have helped us over the years.
Nominations for the 2009 Greyhound Adoption Person of the Year will be accepted between April 1 and August 28, 2009. Anyone involved in greyhound adoption can be nominated for the award. The recipient will be selected based on the individual’s dedication and contribution to greyhound adoption during the year. For more information about the award, visit www.agtoa.com or call Dennis Bicsak at (561) 615-3916. For more information about adopting a greyhound, call 1-800-366-1GPA (1472).
The AGTOA, formed in 1946, is a nonprofit corporation comprised of greyhound race track owners and operators throughout the U.S.
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