March 2014

We all have heard that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.  Well, so far, we've seen the lion, but the jury is still out on what we'll see at the end of the month.  We hope that both you and your hound(s) have been able to keep warm and dry during this winter that has no end.
We hope you enjoy this months newsletter and all the news of upcoming events (that will occur in weather much warmer than what we have been experiencing).  And, we would like to again remind you that we would love to have you submit articles or ideas for inclusion in future newsletters.

In February our rescue efforts were again hindered by the harsh weather we have been experiencing. But, certainly, warmer weather is right around the corner, and with it, an upswing in our rescue results.

We were able to take in 9 new racing hounds in February, with the arrival of new hounds at our Coldwater, Michigan prison training program, "The Greyhound Inmate Experience".  Also, we welcomed a single lurcher (a greyhound mix) into our program in February.

What had the most impact upon our ability to bring in more hounds, was our adoption numbers for February.  We were only able to place 4 hounds into adoptive homes last month.  And, when we don't see foster dogs moving into adoptive homes, we aren't able to bring in more pups to fill those foster homes.  Of course, that is where the cold weather comes into play.  As you can imagine, when the mercury drops, so do the numbers of adoption applications coming into our adoption department (And, realistically, it's tough to blame anyone who would rather wait for warmer weather to welcome a new pup into their home).

As the weather warms, expect to see these numbers improve substantially.  You can be a part of those improving numbers by giving fostering a try.  It's a really easy way to make a difference in the life of an unwanted greyhound.  We supply the dog, the crate, and all the veterinary care.  All you add is a little TLC, a roof over their heads, and a couple meals each day.  It's as easy as falling off of a log.  For goodness sake, if I can do it, anyone can!

Spuds, with John (in blue) and a friend

By Jeff Coggins

 

Some time in the late nineties, I was introduced to a neighborhood dog named Spuds.  I had seen dogs like her before, but never up close.  What I saw flew in the face of all the misconceptions I had about her breed.

 

 

Spuds, you see, was a retired racing greyhound!

 

 

I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  I had been lead to believe that greyhounds were nothing but skin and bones (I guess Matt Groening had never seen a real greyhound before he drew Santa's Little Helper either), yet here was a dog with a greater proportion of muscle than any dog I had seen before.  Of course, she had skin and bones, just a whole lot more muscle!  She was soft, she was friendly, and maybe just a little bit feisty.  From that moment on, I was smitten.

                Of course, you can probably figure out what that chance meeting lead to for me.  I was aware of rescue and adoption organizations, and their need for more adoptive homes for retired greyhounds.  In fact, my wife Barbara and I had picked up literature from a couple different groups and had told ourselves that one day, we'd take one home.  But, those plans were all theory.  Meeting Spuds pushed us to make that plan a reality.

                Spuds had been adopted by Lenore Heaphey and her husband John.  And, for the next fifteen years, I regularly saw them walk by my house with Spuds.  Sometimes they would wave, other times they would stop and we would have a short conversation.  But, always, there was faithful Spuds getting her daily exercise.  It seemed as though she was forever young.

                Early this week, I received a call from Lenore.  On the last Friday in February, Lenore and John knew it was time.  She made her last visit to her veterinarian and passed on peacefully.  We all knew that the day would come sooner rather than later.   The years were starting to show in her walk and in her face.  And, when I last saw her walking, late last year, before this harsh winter weather set in, you could see she was slowing down a bit.  She had been suffering from renal failure and I am sure the cold this winter had been rough on her.

                Spuds had lived with Lenore and John for fifteen years!  I'm not sure if I have ever met someone who had a greyhound that long, even those who adopted a young greyhound puppy. I'll attribute that to the regular walks that she received, along with some terrific care.  Doggone it; every time I saw her, it seemed to me that she looked five years younger than she actually was!

                Lenore and John, thank you for opening up your home to Spuds and giving her such a wonderful life.  I'm certain that if we could speak with her right now, she'd tell us that she was the luckiest dog in the world.  And, thank you for walking her by my house, especially for that first meeting.  My life would have been tremendously different had I never met her.

 

 

I am often asked about our window stickers and how a person can get one for their car. Well, you send me your address and I'll be very happy to send you, free of charge, a sticker, or stickers if you would like more. 

All I ask is that you apply them to your cars to spread the word about what we are doing and what wonderful pets these dogs make.

We really would love to see these on the back
of every car and truck we see, everywhere we go.  To get yours, simply drop me an e-mail, with your mailing address and the number of stickers you'll need.  I'll get them in the mail to you right away.

Thanks for helping us spread the word about unwanted greyhounds and what wondeful pets they make.

One of our talented members, Melissa Washburn, has a special place in her heart for greyhounds.  She opened her home to a little girl named Dynamo in early 2009. She recently completed the design of our 2014 American Greyhound calendar.  She has also created a very moving piece of art, entitled "Running for their Lives".  Melissa has offered this piece for sale through her ETSY store, with 50% of the sale price going to American Greyhound, to help continue our mission of finding homes for unwanted greyhounds.  The 12" x 18" poster is available by accessing  Melissa's store.

I think this is a beautiful piece and  have one hanging on my wall.  I hope you'll do the same.

Melissa, thank you so much.

If you think being a part of something that is making a difference may be for you, why not give us a call.  You can make a life changing difference for one of these dogs who needs you.  And, you'll be surprised to find you will have made a life changing difference for yourself as well!

There are a lot of different ways that you can help.  You could foster an adoptable hound, until he or she finds that special home.  You could join the auction committee be a part of what will prove to be our best and biggest event yet.  You could run adoption programs at local pet stores and help introduce our hounds to those folks who may have never been exposed to them.

As the weather becomes more tolerable, we want to see our rescue numbers increase dramatically, and YOU can make a huge difference in that improvement!

The possibilities are limitless, and in fact you may have skills we are not even aware that we are in need of.  Get in touch with one of the folks listed below, and we'll do our best to match your interests to one of our needs.

One more thing we want to mention one more thing in this newsletter.  We'd like to remind you about our "Greyhound Guardians" program.
Greyhound Guardians is a program designed to assure the permanency of American Greyhound.  Assuring that in the future, long after we are gone, that when a greyhound finds himself in trouble, American Greyhound will be there to make a difference in his or her life.

Now, I'm asking for your help in assuring that American Greyhound continues to be the premier greyhound rescue in the Midwest, by becoming a member of Greyhound Guardians, on a monthly basis of $10 or more.  You can start the process today at our Greyhound Guardians Page, or by contact ing directly by phone at (219)771-0892.

If you have any questions about the program, or how together, we can help more and more greyhounds, please give me a ring, I'd love to speak with you.

Jeff Coggins
President, American Greyhound
(219)771-0892


PS-Don't forget, one of the benefits of Greyhound Guardian membership is discounted tickets to our 4th annual "Winning Hearts, Not Races" charity auction on May 3rd.

        

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