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/
Friday, March 27, 2009
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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