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A monthly newsletter to keep you informed.
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Rescue Results for October
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We had 10 adoptions and 14 new arrivals from Memphis. 10 dogs went into American Greyhound foster care, 2 dogs went to GEM (Greyhounds of Eastern Michigan) and 2 went to Great Lakes
That makes our year-to-date totals 112 adoptions and 122 rescues (103 to AG and 19 to other groups).
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For the last 4 years, Our Picnic Chair, Loree McKinney, has asked all attendees to please bring dog treats for donation to TGIE, The Greyhound Inmate Experience.
And what a response we have seen! Each of those years we have literally filled up the hauler with an assortment of treats that end up making a huge impact on the program. And, what an impact it does make, on not only the dogs who enjoy an extra treat, but also on those men administering the program. These 40 handlers devote their every waking hour to our dogs. And, the results certainly show.
Four times since American Greyhound's participation in the program I have had the opportunity to go inside and see TGIE in action. And each time I've been there I become more and more impressed with the results of the program and our participation.
As you have heard me say many times, when we began partnering with the prison program (it was called SCAL, 2nd Chance At Life, when we started our association and became TGIE in the Fall of 2011) I was only interested in how it could help us help more dogs by taking a load off of our foster homes and transferring that load into the prison for the 10 week session each dog spent inside.
However, once I had the opportunity to go inside and see TGIE in action, I was sold on how we were making a difference in the lives of not only those retired racing greyhounds, but on the men who were changing them from poorly mannered, smelly racers into polite shiny pets. Every time I've been there I receive a friendly welcome and an exorbitant amount of thanks for the things American Greyhound does to support them. Where we went into the prison program with only the hounds in mind, we find that we are making an even larger impact upon society in the rehabilitative properties those unwanted hounds provide for those in their care.
Above is a letter of thanks I received from the handlers for the abundance of treats supplied to TGIE from our recent picnic. In addition, I would like to extend my thanks for your continued support of this very worthwhile endeavor.
-Jeff Coggins |
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Robert Larson: Dog Haul Coordinator
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As many of you know, when we put together a trip to pick up new dogs, we may get a two week notice or may get a call on the day we need to head out. As much as we would like to have that two weeks to plan the trip, unfortunately sometimes we just don't get it. Either way, one person who has been a real workhorse behind the wheel for American Greyhound is
Robert Larson-Someone You Should Know.
Robert and his wife Sharon first became a part of American Greyhound in 2011, when they
adopted Ticket, their first greyhound. Since then they have become more and more involved with us, volunteering to foster, help with prison pickups, etc. In fact Sharon is one of our Adoption Coordinators.
At the Polar Bear plunge in 2014, a group of us were talking about making a trip to Birmingham, Alabama to pick up a load of dogs the following weekend. We had most of the planning done, except for finding an extra driver (those days, prior to the purchase of our van, we pulled the trailer with my truck and we were limited to no more than three people, due to space). Well that part had barely passed come out before both Robert and Sharon said they would be happy to ride along.
That first trip for Robert and Sharon went along very well. We left Valparaiso around 10 PM on that Friday night, and drove uneventfully south down I-65, arriving at the track Saturday morning. After loading the dogs into the trailer, and one older broodie girl into the cab of the truck, we were on our way north. We made a stop in Franklin Indiana to drop off a dog to an adopter there, and then headed northeast toward Angola, Indiana to drop several dogs to a couple other groups who would meet us there. It was around 9 PM when we dropped the dogs there and got back on the road, and it was about that time that we began to see the first flurries of snow that we knew had been forecasted for the evening. We dropped one more dog along the toll road in Goshen and by this time we were seeing accumulation. By the time we passed through South Bend there were several inches on the ground and we began seeing cars spin out and run into the ditch (a couple immediately in front of us, coming very close to hitting us as they spun out of control). Needless to say, it was one of the most stressful rides of my life-and I wasn't driving. Through the entire 110+ mile drive (it took about 3 ½ hours), Robert was as cool as a cucumber, and though we saw plenty of vehicles in the ditch and involved in collisions, we arrived back in Valparaiso in good shape. And, remember, he had been awake since about 2 am that morning when he first slid behind the wheel at our first fuel stop, and had been driving off and on since then. Robert drives a tractor-trailer, so I am sure pulling a little dog hauler with a pick-up truck is child's play for him.
Later that year, early on a Saturday morning, I received a call from a group in Indianapolis who had a load of dogs coming north and the hauler had broken down in Tennessee. They had a rental truck to bring the dogs to Indianapolis, but had no way to move them on the last leg of their journey into Wisconsin. I was unable to make the trip as I had already committed to wearing the Santa suit at Petco. When I spoke with Robert, all he said was, "what time do you need me there". I readied the van and trailer and left it in front of my house. Robert picked it up and started on his way to Indianapolis. After arriving and loading the trailer and van (he had two big boys in the van with him, which made for an interesting drive), he headed back out on the road headed for Wisconsin. After unloading, he headed to his home in Tinley Park, Illinois, arriving around 5 am the next morning. Here is a link to a You Tube video documenting the rescue that day:
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Robert has continued to participate in a number of hauls, and late last month we had another one of those last minute hauls come up, to West Memphis, Arkansas. Robert was available, but we really didn't have anyone else available to go on such short notice. Robert told me he was willing to go by himself. I told him I couldn't in good conscience let him go such a distance alone, so we jockeyed around to departure time to 12:30 am Saturday morning and my grandson Liam and I jumped into the van for the 11 hour ride south with Robert. I had officiated a high school football game earlier that evening (the reason for delaying our departure) so I had gotten absolutely no sleep that evening prior to heading out. We weren't 20 minutes down the road when I asked Robert if he was ok to drive if I nodded off. Needless to say, he drove every single mile on the trip down without so much as a hiccup. Then he drove all but about 200 miles on the return north, a total of over 1000 miles! That is a real workhorse!
That is just a small sample of all that Robert does and has done to help American Greyhound help some unwanted hounds. After the most recent trip, we have decided to assign someone the duties of arranging trips for dogs, and the first person that came to my mind was Robert. Going forward, he will handle the business of setting things up and filling the driver's seat. You 'll see more info in another article in this newsletter about how you can take part in the experience of bringing in new dogs.
At the warm up party after the 2015 Polar Bear (which also happened to be his first polar bear plunge) I had recognized him for his efforts to help those dogs stranded in in Indianapolis find their way to Wisconsin. He summed it up perfectly when he said "It's all about the hounds". Well Robert, thanks for that attitude, and thanks for what you do.
-Jeff Coggins
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What's better than a senior girl living the life in a senior retirement center? I'm not quite sure.... but all I know is Bess has it made now!
Bess came to American Greyhound at the age of 10, needing to be fully vetted, including a dental and ended up having 10+ teeth pulled. With being a senior, it's hard to find a forever home that is willing to take in a senior, especially at Bess's age.
Then came along the perfect family. Connie and Rick, who adopted Folley and Dotty earlier this summer from AG, has a mother in the Brookdale retirement center in South Bend, IN. Connie and Rick take their greyhound girls over to visit all the time, and all the residents and workers love them! At the age of 92, Kay is very found of Connie and Rick's greyhounds, always was asking them if Folley could stay with her. What better than to get a senior dog for a senior lady?!
Bess LOVES retirement with Kay, she has a large courtyard, where she can romp and play in every day. Bess likes to roam the halls everyday, visiting everyone in the facility,
soaking up all the love and attention she can get from everyone!
Halloween week, Brookdale had a Halloween party, and all the dogs got to dress up and be around all the residents in the common area. Bess, along with her greyhound friends and other resident dogs, all had a blast getting to socialize and dress up. By the end of it though, Bess was ready for a nap!
We at American Greyhound cannot thank the Mann family enough for allowing this sweet senior girl into, what we think, could not be a better home for Bess, so thank you!
Please consider opening your hearts to a senior one day!
-Ashley Martin
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Unleash Your Inner Polar Bear
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 Unleash your inner polar bear and come get your Plunge on! We are going to be bold and cold, and want you to join us! The funds you and others raise will help American Greyhound continue to carry out its mission to find forever homes for unwanted greyhounds.
There are a couple of things you should know:
First, the plunge is NOT a swim! You can dip your big toe or your whole body, it is completely up to you. Truth be told, you don't have to plunge at all. You can register as a Walrus and will be excused from putting even one little tootsie in the water if you don't want to.
Second, no wet suits, that's cheating! (Nice try though!)
Third, there are a few ways to register:
- Register as a Polar Bear and dive all the way under the icy cold waters of Lake Michigan.
- Register as a Penguin and you can splash around without going underwater!
- Register as a Walrus and you can skip the water all together!
Every participant who raises at least $25 will receive a commemorative long sleeve t-shirt and admittance to our post-plunge Warm Up Party! Prizes will be awarded to the top fundraisers in each category so don't be shy about raising additional funds!
However you choose to register, with your help, American Greyhound can continue its mission to find forever homes for unwanted greyhounds.
What are you waiting for? Let's get those inner Polar Bears unleashed!
-Sarah Gasienica
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Unkle Phil's Annual Chicken Fest
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In July of 2013 we were contacted by Leslie in Monticello, Indiana about a little greyhound running wild near her restaurant. Summer was a wild little thing and once captured had no intention of living inside a house. Leslie and her husband already had two senior dogs, so she contacted us and we took her in and found her a home.
Recently, we were contacted again by Leslie and she let us know that they were planning to hold a fund raising event at their restaurant, The Oakdale Dam Inn. Leslie said the event, Unkle Phil's Chicken Fest, will honor a friend/customer who passed away a year ago and to give back to your team for helping us find a home for Summer. Phil loved greyhounds too.... so this is a great fit. Ron and I adopted 2 retired greyhounds back in the mid 90's - one from Iowa and one from Florida and fell in love with these adorable creatures. I found your organization last year when to our huge surprise - a stray greyhound showed up at the restaurant !! Unfortunately, Summer didn't want any part of being inside a house and we had two other senior dogs - so we called your team and American Greyhound took her in. We do an annual honor flight benefit, breast cancer benefit, and various other donations in the community - so this is not new for us. Have owned the restaurant for 10 years and one of my core beliefs is that a responsible business owner gives back to the community that supports them.
So, if anyone is out that way next Saturday, please stop in, have a bite to eat, and support American Greyhound. The Oakdale Dam Inn is located at 11899 W. Oakdale Drive, Monticello, IN 47960. Please keep in mind that this event is Eastern Standard Time.
We would recommend reservations for this event. . For reservations or more information, please call (574)965-9104. Also, the Oak dale Dam Inn is on Facebook here.
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Have you ever considered taking a ride to get some greyhounds, fresh off the track, farm or
wherever they may be? Maybe it hasn't ever crossed your mind, maybe it has, either way, here is your opportunity to get involved and make that trip.
In the past, we have put together lists of interested parties, but really didn't do a good job of
making notification and we weren't real successful with them. However, we believe we have gotten the kinks worked out and believe it is time to establish another list.
When we receive word that we need to move out, we'll send an email, using this same service we use to send our newsletter (we use Constant Contact and with it, your privacy is assured and when we send emails no recipients emails are disclosed to other recipients). Then, we'll take the first three to four people who respond that they are available and interested. Robert Larson, our new Transportation Coordinator, will handle all the trip planning a relay that to the participants. We hope this will give more and more people an opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes at American Greyhound and experience what their dogs have experienced at some point in their lives.
And, let us assure you, driving the van/trailer combination is really no problem. It pulls very
nicely and you'll be amazed at how easy it is. We want your experience to be a nice as possible and we won't set you up to fail. At least one of the drivers going will have experience driving the rig, loading dogs, and handling them during the trip.
If you'd like to participate, contact Jeff Coggins at [email protected]. I'll send you a reply that I have received your email address and added it to the list of potential drivers. If you have any questions about this program or about what to expect, please contact Robert Larson at (708)203-3898 or email him at [email protected].
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Many times I have been contacted by people who tell me that they are no longer receiving our
newsletters and emails. I will then log into our account in constant Contact and see what the problem
is. Most times I find that they have unsubscribed. And, just about as many times they will tell me that,
no, they didn't. Now, I can see the exact date and time that the account was unsubscribed, so I did a
little more research. Now, I have found the culprit. And, they were absolutely correct, "they" didn't
unsubscribe their email, someone else did.
Many times people will enjoy the newsletter, email, or whatever communication we have sent, and will want to send it to another friend of theirs to enjoy as well. And, like most of us, we just hit the forward button in our email and forward the email to our friends. However, when we forward these emails like that it allows the recipient, or any recipient that our friend forwards the email to, to unsubscribe the email it was originally sent to (yours). This happens because Constant Contact only recognizes your email, the original recipient. In fact, your friend isn't even subscribed or they would have received the email to begin with.
Rather the way to forward these emails and communications to your friends is by clicking on the "Forward This Email" link found at the bottom of each email. This will prevent your being unsubscribed by some recipient, no matter how many times the email is forwarded. |
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