Late Afternoon Naps

Do our dogs like snow?

Cher and Arwen seem to like the snow, and Sabatini, seen in pink, shivered the whole time and wanted to go in. At one point, they raced one lap around the yard, but that was about it. They seem more content curled up in their beds sleeping through our exciting snow event.

I wuv you

This is a picture taken by Ashley for her journalism class last semester. I think it is such a sweet picture of Cher. I love that dog!

All's well with the dogs. We had a number of rough nights with Arwen because of the fireworks on New Year's Eve and the following 3 or 4 nights. Both she and Sabatini slept in the closet together. Now that everything is calm again the dogs are back to sleeping in their regular spots at night.

Hey, it finally turned cold. I can't believe it. I've been wanting cold weather, but then this morning, I'm thinking, I hate walking the dogs in the cold! But actually, we all bundled up and it wasn't bad since there is no wind today.

Here is an informative post from Pam Davis on the Greyhound list. It's sad to think that even with adoption groups out there, still 2 of 3 greyhounds at JCKC are put down. Clearly, adoption groups alone aren't the answer...

"It's been a long time since I posted on GH-L... I've been here since the very beginning, but don't post much...I've only seen parts of this discussion, so please excuse me if I don't speak directly to what has been discussed.

I'm just responding to the reference to the JCKC dogs. I'm the one "on the scene" at JCKC. John's group does take most of their dogs from JCKC. Our group is a "sister" of their group. They helped us get the program started down here and have given us tremendous support.

Our little group maintains a holding kennel in the JCKC track compound. We move a LOT of dogs to groups in other states.Let me say first that I would NEVER criticize Cara, nor anybody else, for helping dogs in need, wherever those dogs happen to be. The Guam situation is heartbreaking. I wish there was something I could do to help! Each and every one of us has to make our own choices about how/when/where to help.But, what John says is true. We have dogs right here in the US in every bit as much danger as those Guam dogs. JCKC is a low-end track (the lowest of the low) and our little group can't begin to handle all the dogs that NEED to go into adoption here.

Yes, we still see the kill trucks. Yes, we still see many, many broken-leg dogs euthanized. Yes, the kennel conditions are horrible.

On the up-side, the kennel folks here really do TRY to work with us. Right now, they are holding many, many dogs, hoping we can take them in the next couple of weeks. They are asking me every day, "How many will you be able to take this week?"

I don't want to write a book, so I'll give you a few images of what we deal with:

For every dog we take into our adoption program, at least two die. Yes, the "kill trucks" do exist.

Unaltered dogs are still handed "over the fence" to anybody who wanders into the kennel compound and asks for a dog. Dogs with broken legs are euthanized immediately after the race. The trainer holds the garbage bag. The vet shoots in the juice. The dog falls into the garbage bag. This happens right outside on the concrete, with the smokers on the poker room porch watching it all happen. The kennels are infested with fleas/ticks/ rats. The roofs all leak. Each kennel has one tiny turnout, so dogs must be turned out in "shifts". The turnouts all flood when it rains. The gates blow down and dogs escape on a regular basis. There is no perimeter fencing. There is no guard. There are no alarms. If there's a fire, the dogs will all die. (Our A/C blew up a few weeks ago. Thankfully, somebody was there when it happened!)Half the kennels were without air conditioning for many days last summer. (This is FLORIDA!)In the past few months, we've had dog food, carpets, supplies and gasoline stolen from the adoption kennel/truck.

Last week, we got a dog into the adoption kennel who had recently been an 'A' racer. The trainer who brought him over didn't say anything about any health problem. He was shaking his head and pawing at his face, so we took him to the vet immediately and learned he had a tumor more than 6 inches long in his mouth! The poor dog had been trying to run when he couldn't breathe/eat/ drink! He hadn't been seen by a vet. We spent several hundred dollars diagnosing the problem, then immediately euthanized him. The poor dog had been suffering for MONTHS!

On the "up side", we have a kennel full with 52 "safe" doggies 365 days a year. In the past 60 days, we've moved nearly 100 of those doggies into homes or to other adoption groups. We have a dog truck that works (thanks to Team Greyhound of Ohio) and we paid off our HUGE vet bill last week (thanks to GPA-Richmond and a BUNCH of other helpers).

Okay, so I did write a book...But, now y'all know... And, JCKC isn't the only track with these problems. Many, many hugs to both John AND Cara who have done SO much to help the JCKC hounds... and to ALL the others who help us day after day, week after week, year after year...Pam"

Dear Santa-

Dear Santa,
We have been such good little greyhounds this year. There have been no fights, no injuries, no expensive vet bills, and we have even let Mommy dress us up a few times. We are not asking for any treats or toys this year. Everyday feels like Christmas to us. We just ask that you help our friends who will be spending Christmas alone, in crates, not knowing what real love is. Please help our soul mates find a special home with a special family very, very soon.

We'll leave out a plate of cookies for you and will try our best not to eat them all before you get here.

Love,
Cher, Arwen, and Sabatini

This sun feels goooooood!

Yeah, I know I look hot!

Poor Cher!

Cher went to the vet yesterday for a dental, chipping, and shots. She was perfect when I picked her up, but then pop, pop, pop...hives started popping up. Eventually, her whole head was swollen. She was sooooo miserable. This picture doesn't quite catch the misery. I took her back to the vet for a shot of cortizone and we drugged her up with some Benedryl. She's all better today but she hasn't quite forgiven me. She's had her teeth cleaned before. I'm not sure what was different this time. The vet said it was the same protocol as before. At least her teeth are sparkling. Arwen and Sabatini have lovely teeth and gums.

A Portrait of Fall

We made a scarecrow yesterday and thought it would make a good backdrop for a picture of the girls. Sabatini thinks the scarecrow is a real person. When she sees it, she gets all excited and wants to greet it the same way she greets our human visitors. The others aren't fooled.

Happy 2nd Gotcha Day Sweet Arwen

It seems like Arwen has been a part of our lives for much longer than two years. Two years sounds like she's still new, but really she's an old and precious friend. Thanks Arwen for finding your way to us.

Uh oh, Someone had the Zoomies!

Last night I wasn't feeling well, so I sent my daughter out with Dad to give the dogs a short walk. When they got back, Ashley said, "Mom, Mom, something is wrong with Sabatini! She's acting very strange and keeps arching her back. " I said in my authoritative, doctor's voice, "Sounds like she has the zoomies!" Sabatini couldn't get to the back door fast enough to take off and run a dozen circles around the yard. Cher and Arwen tried to participate but couldn't keep up. Poor Arwen tore off her dew claw. Actually, I had to pull it off. Ouch! But she's fine. She took off the bandage during the night and the exposed quick doesn't seem to bother her too much. If this is the most excitement we get in a week, I'm totally fine with that.

Squawker Training

All is well with the "girls". They really enjoy their walks in the cool morning air. The evening walks are nice too but watch out for those spider webs. Don't they creep you out when you walk into one?

This a a clip of the dogs responding to the squawker. I call them with it every now and then and reward them with a treat. Hopefully, I'll never need it to retrieve a lost dog.

Sabatini's 4th Birthday-Rice Pudding for All

Hounds a Roo'ing

Sabatini

Sabatini, Sabatini, Sabatini! What a girl. After adopting two greys, I really thought that in no way could we ever have a third dog in the house. But as a bounce, Sabatini came back into the SEGA fold with some issues. Maria Peters and family straightened many of her issues out and then I took her on to finish the job. I took Jennifer Bachelor's advice and kept her on a leash for at least three days so that she'd learn her limits and know who's boss. After that, my puppy acted like such a little lady. Though I spoke often about my wishes for Sabatini to have just the right forever family, never would I have imagined that we'd adopt her. My husband must have noted my concerns because he suggested adopting her to ensure that she does live with the right family.

Actually Sabatini is not a puppy though she's got the spirit of one. Sabatini just turned four years old and has been ours for one year. This little girl gets so excited about walk time. She barks when it's time to go. It's about the only time she barks so I let her really express herself. In fact, I try to get her to bark on command (just for the heck of it).

Sabatini is the only one of our dogs that gets the zoomies. The others fein a chase but give up quickly. They just don't share her enthusiasm. She also loves her bones. She carries them inside, outside, room to room.

And I must mention poor Sab's storm phobia. It doesn't even have to be a storm. Rain and/or wind is enough to send her hiding. This is just her reality, and we try to ignore it and welcome her back when the weather has passed.

Arwen

Arwen was one of our numerous fosters in 2006. She came from a home with a new baby and the parents thought she wouldn't get enough attention. What a gift for us! Arwen is now eight years old and has been with us for almost two years.

Arwen is my special buddy. She prefers to hang out with me until I go to bed, and she's aware that often there are late night snacks involved. When I was up with an abscessed tooth, Arwen was up with me. She was so comforting. When Sabatini is upset during the night about the weather, Arwen will come let me know. I know that when I die and am in heaven (hopefully), Arwen will be the first to welcome me.

Arwen like any other dog has her unique characteristics. She's picky about eating. I often have to coax her to eat. Usually I can get her started by adding a few treats to the top of her bowl of chow. She also takes the longest to eat. The other dogs have to wait patiently for her to finish before they get to lick her bowl. Arwen is also funny about her walks.

Arwen enjoys relaxing in the morning. Often she passes on the morning walk and waits for the shorter walk in the evenings. Neighbors, who I don't even really know, stop their cars and ask where the white dog is. I think this is so funny. Have you noticed how people remember your dogs' names but not yours? I'm the same way. I know people by the dogs they walk.

Arwen has a fear of fireworks, balloons, and always looks cautiously at signs and mailboxes on her walks.