On December 4th, I participated in my second Prison Program Exchange event.  I continue to be amazed at how seamless and efficient the process is.  Early in the morning, the hauler from Alabama arrives and the anxious, noisy hounds are ready to disembark!  One by one they are removed from their crates, and we collar, muzzle, and leash them after which they run to the grassy area so they can pee!! They are cateloged and then walked into the prison where their new handlers are awaiting their arrival. The graduate hounds are then brought out to us and are loaded in the vans, destined for a new road on the journey to their forever homes. 

The process is efficient, organized, rewarding, and fun!  It is exciting to see the new dogs coming off the hauler; we all find those we think are cute, handsome, pretty, and sweet looking.  Then we look forward to seeing the graduates, all cleaned up and looking their best.  Today we used the association's  new van for the first time to bring the dogs back to Valporaiso.  We had nine dogs in the back of the van, some tired, some anxious and nervous, and a couple who just wanted to push their way up and drive with Jeff!  After arriving at Jeff's home we created a greyhound crate village in his upstairs, microchipped everyone and logged them in.  Another efficient and fun process.  The van worked great, the dogs were grey.  Good times, good company, dedicated volunteers and plenty of smiles all around.  As you can see by the picture, we had a good time. 

Many of you remember my previous notes about our first greyhound, Netti, who died of Blastomycosis.  Our second hound, Marley, we had only 6 months and she died of a brain tumor.  I used the picture of Marley  in my previous notes and this time I have included a picture of our new hound, Tut.  He is an amazing big boy who has brought greyt joy and fun into our home.  We acquired him through TGIE in July.  He has done a remarkable job of filling the painful void left by Netti and Marley. 

Do you have a TGIE dog?  I know we have a lot of TGIE graduates out there who are fabulous members of your family.  How about giving the TGIE handlers a little Christmas joy and send me some pictures of your dogs along with a little update.  I'm sure your are like me and take pictures of all the funny things your dogs do or just take pictures of what a wonderful job they do sleeping!  Some updates would be the best Christmas present we could give the handlers in return for the best

presents they gave us! 

Please send me some Greyt News!!

Thanks,

Cheryl Tyson 

It's the time of year when visions of sugar plums dance in a lot of our heads.  Many of

us are beginning celebrate our holiday traditions whether it's a trip to Grandma's house or reciting every line while watching It's A Wonderful Life. But, some of us are preparing for one of my favorite traditions-American Greyhound's Polar Plunge.  

This year's Polar Plunge will take place on New Year's Day at North Avenue Beach in

Chicago, and we would love to have you join us on the beach!  All you need to do is

visit our FirstGiving page to get registered.

This year, we've made it even easier for folks to participate as the Plunge will feature

three divisions:

• Polar Bears:  This is the traditional division in which a plunger head is entirely submersed in the icy cold water of Lake Michigan.
• Penguins:  This division will showcase the plunging talents of our volunteers who want to participate but can't quite make themselves go all the way under.
• Warm Walruses:  This division will feature our virtual plungers who would rather plunge into their warm wooly blankets.

After we take the plunge, we travel just up the street to the Old Town Ale House for

our annual warm up party.  Many memories are made and it's an event you won't want

to miss. 

So what do you say?  Are you willing to start a new tradition and start 2015 off with a

splash?

Happy Plunging,

Sarah Gasienica

Polar Plunge Coordinator

[email protected]

(219) 263-8742

P.S.  Even if you aren't inclined to join us, please visit our First Giving Page and

sponsor one of our many penguins, walruses and polar bears.  Not only will they

appreciate it, but there a lot of hounds out there who will appreciate it even more!

This winter we have many dogs staying in foster homes, and have several new foster homes.  It's greyt that we can help so many hounds and have so many new volunteers.  However, since there are so many dogs in foster homes this season, we have run out of coats!

Hopefully this winter won't be like last year, but that doesn't change that winter is cold, and that can make even just running out to pee a very chilly affair for our hounds. 

We would love coat donations this winter to help keep our fosters warm as they find their ways into the hearts and homes of their forever families.  If you can help out, please send your coat donations to Barb Coggins at 2005 Fleming Rd. Valparaiso, IN 46383