In June we had we had 13 adoptions and 25 new arrivals.
8 arrived from Mobile, AL, and entered TGIE along with Pengyou from China. 3 went straight from the track in Mobile, AL, to foster care. Earlier int he month we had a load of 10 arrive from Arkansas, including 6 broods. We also had 3 untattooed greyhounds that AG stepped up and assisted by taking into our care, one of which is a 7 month old Staghound.
This makes our year-to-date totals 84 adoptions, 91 AG rescues, and 7 hauled for other groups.
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Meet Me in St. Louis: Delivering Dee Dee
The 4
th
of July weekend held an exciting adventure for one of the newest TGIE parolees that just graduated from the Back in Black parole group on June 29. Dee Dee the greyhound had a pending adoption in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and needed a lift. As you probably guessed, American Greyhound didn't let her down! Two of the volunteers involved in Dee Dee's journey have shared their part in making this happen for one very lucky greyhound. Jordena and Ron Backnick piloted and co-piloted Dee Dee's private airplane and Nicole Graves, one of our foster coordinators, was there to meet Dee Dee at her destination.
American Greyhound, this is your captain speaking:
When I saw the request for transportation for Dee Dee, I hesitated at first to offer up Ron's services as K-9 transport pilot. Partly because flying a small plane safely depends upon weather conditions which, as we know, can change at the drop of a biscuit, and this co-pilot doesn't fly in anything less than perfect weather (I trust my pilot, not Mother Nature). I reached out to Nicole Graves and asked that she keep car transport arranged, but keep us on stand-by until we could confirm a safe, smooth flight. I definitely watched the extended weather forecast more than Ron - the combination of his passion for flying and mine for "anything dog" is one of the few reasons I'll fly with enthusiasm in a small plane. When we were finally able to confirm good weather, I told Nicole to cancel the road trip - Dee Dee was being delivered by same-day air!
First class on Aerodog Airline was prepared the evening prior; back seats folded down, crate secured, and a freshly washed crate fleece to keep our precious passenger comfy. Home prep consisted of planning an early pre-flight breakfast so it was properly digested, and having cotton ready to place in Dee Dee's ears in order to muffle the engine noise. Greyhounds, and dogs in general, can be surprisingly resilient. I feel that when humans project patience and a calm demeanor, dogs are also patient and calm. Two qualities necessary for a stress-free flight, along with a little prep and forethought. The morning of take-off, at the airport, we made sure we had everything we needed, then boarded Dee Dee. Ron gently passed her through the rear hatch and told her to "crate up", which she did without hesitation. I put the cotton in her ears and closed the crate door. She never once looked concerned or uncomfortable with this strange new experience.
After a pre-flight check, we taxied and took off. Humans enjoyed scenery and coffee, and Dee Dee enjoyed a nap. We had a greyt flight, and a smooth landing at Spirit of St. Louis airport, where Nicole was waiting for her special delivery.
Jordena Backnick
Prepare for final descent:
Once I picked up Dee Dee from Ron and Jordena, we hit the road back to our house to let Dee Dee get settled in; which didn't take long! She made herself right at home. She spent the 4
th
of July weekend with our family (which includes two very young children) and she took everything in stride. After the holiday was when the real fun began. She met her new mom and was adopted! She will now be part of the community and spread joy and happiness with her mom who is a family life director at a church in a town about two hours south of St. Louis. Dee Dee will get to go to the office and even make home visits to bring comfort to parishioners who have experienced the loss of a loved one. It is an important role but I think Dee Dee is more than up for her new job. Dee Dee's new mom, Nikki, sent me a photo of her snuggling up to a stuffed moose that has sentimental value as it was a treasured toy by Nikki's dog that has crossed the rainbow bridge. Seeing this photo deeply warmed my heart. If we sit back and consider how many people made this possible for Dee Dee and Nikki, it is truly amazing. None of it would be possible without our diverse volunteers that offer so much to greyhounds and the families that love them. Because American Greyhound was there for Dee Dee, she will be there for those in her community that need love, comfort, and companionship. If you want to be a part of sending a greyhound on their new journey into retirement just like Dee Dee, e-mail me at
[email protected]
.
Nicole Graves
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14th Annual American Greyhound Picnic
For as long as greyhounds have been lazy couch-potatoes, there has been an annual
American Greyhound Picnic. Well, at least it seems like it anyway. And, 2017 is no different. Well, it's a little different, but there will again be an Annual American Greyhound Picnic.
And again this year the event will be hosted by Loree and Mike McKinney, at their home at 891 Jane Avenue, Chesterton, Indiana 46304. The date and time for this year's big event is September 9th, from 12 noon until 5 PM (all times Central Daylight Time).
American Greyhound will again be providing the hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken. . We'll need attendees whose last name begins with the letters M-Z to bring a side dish and those whose last name begins with the letters A-L to bring a dessert.
Each year for the past five years, we've asked that you bring along some treats to donate to TGIE, The Greyhound Inmate Experience, our prison training program, and every single year you have responded by filling our trailer with hundreds of pounds of treats. However, we have had an issue occur in the prison warehouse that has caused them to not allow us or the other local dog training program to continue to bring treats into the warehouse. So, this year we are changing things up a bit and we're going to try to make a donation of Ruby Rawhide chews (the ones that Loree has demonstrated at the last couple picnics and do such a wonderful jo0b of cleaning the dogs teeth) to TGIE. And to do just that we're going to ask for your help. Loree has contacted the maker of the chews and gotten a very good deal on a large order of them. We would like to ask you to purchase one of them for about $5.50 (we aren't sure of the exact price just yet, but will sell them to you to make the donation at the same price we pay). That way we will be able to continue the very generous donations to TGIE, with just a little twist. We'll get you more info on this as it becomes available. Having seen how this program affects not only our hounds, but also the men care for and train our hounds, I can attest to what a wonderful impact your help makes with the program.
There will be a large yard for your hound to run (all dogs entering the yard will need to be muzzled for safety, if you have no muzzle, there will be muzzles available for purchase at the picnic). We'll have the American Greyhound store on site for purchase of t-shirts, as well as a number of other vendors (we'll update you as the picnic draws closer on a lineup of vendors onsite). There will be the usual contests (again, we'll keep you apprised of the different contests we have planned). There will be 50/50 raffles going on most of the day. And, of course, we'll have our annual silent auction taking place (if you have items you'd like to donate, please contact Nicole Roth at [email protected] or (708)828-6810).
Like every year, the picnic is a real highlight and is enjoyed by all. Loree can still use some help on her committee and you'll see more about helping out in other parts of this newsletter. We look for ward to seeing you again this year and hope you all can make it out.
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The Easiest Way to Volunteer
The easiest way to volunteer: Meet and Greet! All you have to do is love greyhounds!
We are in need of volunteers in the Elkhart/South Bend/Mishawaka area!
No "long term commitment
is needed - if you could volunteer for a Meet and Greet or two, it would help more than you can imagine.
All you really need is a friendly hound (or two!); the hounds do most of the work for you. We will make sure you have everything else you need before you go!
Kelli Manigrasso Gianotti
Volunteer Coordinator
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Blood Donors Save Lives (human and animal
We've all seen the pleas from the Red Cross when blood supplies get low. Fortunately, they
know that they must maintain a certain quantity of bloodon hand to be assured that blood will be available when the need arises (and it always arises). So, when the level of supply drops below a certain level, a plea goes out automatically.
For dogs on the other hand, there is no means to maintain a supply of blood for dogs. When the need arises, there needs to be a donor available. That's why it's so important to sign your greyhound up with American Greyhound. Your dog is likely a universal donor and can make a life-or-death difference for a dog who is in a bad situation. And, what's more, you'll be making a huge difference for the family of that sick or injured dog.
Throughout my career, I've seen dogs come in to the clinic terribly injured or deathly ill, and we need to scramble to find a donor. And, unfortunately, many times we weren't able to locate a donor to help make the difference. It's heartbreaking, and there is something we can do about it.
If you have a greyhound in good health, under the age of 8 years, please contact Jeff Coggins by email at
[email protected], and add your dog to the list of potential donors today. If you have any questions, you can give Jeff a call at 9219)771-0892.
There is no better feeling in the world than knowing that your dog, who was rescued in his or her hour of need, has been able to pay it forward and help another dog (and their family) in their hour of need.
Dr. Larry McAfee DVM
McAfee Animal Hospital
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Around Town with Your Hound
The fireworks are over and it's finally safe to come out of your house. I've managed to find a little space in my summer calendar to attend some of these fantastic events happening at some of American Greyhound's fellow Greater Valparaiso Chamber Members or supporters this month or coming up!
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Event
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Location
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Date
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Time
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Cost
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Hound Friendly
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Game Night w/ Simko Signs
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Ironwood Brewing Co.
Valpo, IN
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July 11
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4:00 P.M. CST-Close
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Free!
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No.
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Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
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Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso, IN
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Weekends July 14-July 30
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8:00 PM CST Fri/Sat
2:00 PM CST Sun
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No.
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Bark in the Park
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Thomas Centennial Park, Chesterton, IN
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July 15
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9:00 AM- 3:00 PM CST
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Free!
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Yes!
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United Way Family Fun Field Day
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Sunset Hill County Park, 755 Meridian, Valpo, IN
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July 15
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11:00 AM-2:00 PM CST
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$5 for adults, kids are free
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Yes!
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Porter County Fair 4H Dog Obedience
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Porter County Fairgrounds
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July 20
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8:00 AM
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4H Event is free; fair admission is $7 after 1:00 PM and is required to attend the 4H event. Rumor has it there might be a greyhound in this event!
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No
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Porter County Fair 4H Dog Showmanship
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Porter County Fairgrounds
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July 20
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11:00 AM
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4H Event is free; fair admission is $7 after 1:00 PM and is required to attend the 4H event
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No
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Porter County Fair 4H Dog Agility
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Porter County Fairgrounds
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July 21
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8:00 AM
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4H Event is free; fair admission is $7 after 1:00 PM and is required to attend the 4H event. Rumor has it there might be a greyhound in this event!
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No
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Porter County Fair 4H Dog Show
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Porter County Fairgrounds
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July 22
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5:00 PM
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4H Event is free; fair admission is $7 after 1:00 PM and is required to attend the 4H event
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No
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Zoo Bque
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Washington Park Zoo
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August 26
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4:30 PM -8:30 PM CST
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$15 for adults, $10 for kids. Includes BBQ dinner with zookeepers, admission to zoo and special lectures, behind scenes look of Vet clinic and Big Cat house as well as up close meet and greet with some animals. Advanced purchase is recommended:
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No.
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Folds of Honor Foundation Scholarship Fund Golf Outing
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The Course at Aberdeen Valpo
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August 27th
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1:00 PM CST
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No.
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If there is a fun community activity in your area that's greyhound friendly or showcases one of American Greyhound's fantastic sponsors, I would love to tell everyone about it! Email, text or call me about it and I'd love to try to feature it in my monthly column-Around Town with Your Hounds! By the way, the event doesn't just have to be in the Valpo area either-the schmoopies and I LOVE a good road trip.
Sarah Gasienica
(219) 263-8742
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Greyhounds and Parasites
I submitted an article a few months back about all different types of canine parasites but the subject continues to come up, so I found this article specifically on parasites in racing greyhounds and wanted to share it with all of you. The first greyhound that Jeff and I adopted was named George Bailey (from It's a Wonderful Life). George was SO infested with parasites that it took Jeff and I and our vet almost 2 years to completely rid George of his nasty visitors. What was explained to us is the dog's intestines can only hold so many parasites, so as they multiply and the numbers exceed what their intestines can hold, they migrate into their muscles, organs and even into their brain. As the intestines are treated and cleaned out, they migrate back and with continued and diligent treatment, they too can be eradicated, but it all takes time.
Our second greyhound, Harry Bailey, (also from It's a Wonderful Life) came to us full of whipworms. Those are the nastiest of all as they can actually eat through their intestines and cause huge health issues and are very very painful to the dogs.
So yes, American Greyhound treats each and every foster for intestinal parasites but yes, you will more than likely still need to treat your new family member on your own after adoption. There is only so much we can do in the short time they are in our care but please be assured, we do all we can while we have them. Please read the information below.
Barb
Worms, Worms, and More Worms!
by Ann E. Kenny
updated by Marcia Herman 5/15/10
No not earthworms, but roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and even whipworms! We recently became aware that a number of ex-racers (including our own three dogs) have been diagnosed with the above internal parasites. The greyhound you adopt was wormed when he of she retired, but he or she may be at risk for future infestations of internal parasites. Your adoption group may not have been able to worm the dog during the appropriate time of the worm's life cycle. Most worms can be killed only when they are in their adult phase. And your dog may develop worms if he is exposed to them after you bring him home.
Tapeworms
How can you tell if your dog has worms? Tapeworms are easy to identify. They are white rice-like segments which appear in the dog's stool. Take a fresh sample (a tablespoon will do) for testing to your veterinarian and treat him with the appropriate medication. Do not treat him yourself using over-the-counter wormers. They either won't work effectively of they may poison your greyhound. The cause of tapeworms is simple: fleas. If you have a flea problem, it is possible that your dog either has tapeworms or will develop tapeworms. A dog can get tapeworms only if he or she eats a single flea carrying a tapeworm egg. The cure is simple: get rid of the fleas! Treat the dog, your house and your yard. Keep the grass cut short. Apply a nematode-based lawn treatment product such as Bio Flea Halt. The nematodes eat the flea larvae and other nuisance insects such as crane flies in your lawn. Inside, use only pyrethrin-based insecticides on your dog. Do use a flea product which contains "Precor," an insect growth regulating ingredient which prevents pre-adult fleas from developing into adult fleas. Have a flea comb handy so that you can regularly check for fleas and go into action to eliminate them if you find even one flea. One flea on the dogs means there are at least 1,000 flea eggs hiding in your carpet and the dog's bedding! Webmaster's note in 2010: Sometimes tapeworms will actually "wave" at you in the sample on the ground! Even then a fecal test sample may be negative. If you see even one of these charming objects, treat for tapes. Simultaneously get rid of a flea infestation on your dog via a Capstar pill; then treat with Frontline, Vectra, Sentinel, and other such products to avoid future infestation. Your dog may well have tapes after an infestation and after a negative fecal test, so it may be best to treat for that presumptively. Tapes often cause loose stools although the dog may feel fine otherwise.
Roundworms, Hookworms and Whipworms
Roundworms, hookworms and whipworms can be identified only through microscopic examination. What symptoms will the dog have? Puppies with these types of worms will very quickly sicken and die if left untreated. Adult dogs develop resistance to these worms and may not show any obvious symptoms. If you have had your dog for six months to a year and it is still underweight (all ribs showing, hip-bones and backbone showing) despite a voracious appetite, then it would be a good idea to take in a stool sample. These worms attach to the lower intestine and interfere with the dog's ability to absorb nutrients. They may also cause loose stool or diarrhea. Hookworms actually move around and reattach in different areas of the intestine every several hours. This can cause pain for the dog and some of the symptoms my husband and I have seen in dogs infested with hookworms include an intense desire to eat grass, loud gurgling from the dog's abdomen, whining and lack of appetite. Hookworms can actually "eat" right through your dog's intestinal wall, causing your dog to become septic.
Diagnosis and Treatment
See a veterinarian for this. Do not try to diagnose or treat any kind of worm yourself. Why? Well, you may be wrong about what the dog's problem is and you might just poison you dog trying to treat it. Over-the-counter wormers can be highly toxic to greyhounds.
Treating and controlling roundworms, hookworms and whipworms can be a challenge. Sometimes it is difficult to diagnose the worms, depending on where they are in their life cycle. Sometimes it takes many treatments before the worms are killed. In some cases these worms can become encysted in the dog's muscle tissue and infestation can reoccur even years later. For these reasons, it's a good idea to take a stool sample with you when you take you dog for its annual checkup and shots. Your vet may recommend testing twice a year and placing your dog on preventative medication. Your veterinarian will likely prescribe Panacur or Strongid.
Probably the single most important thing you can do to protect your dog's health is to be absolutely diligent about keeping your yard or turn out pen free of "dog doo." Twice a day would not be too often! If your dog has the above kind of worms, its stool will contain the eggs. These eggs are extremely resistant to environmental conditions and will last for months or even years. Your dog can contract these worms by eating the stools or licking its paws. Additionally, you must be extremely careful about handling "dog doo." These worms can easily be transmitted to humans causing unpleasant health problems. You must wash you hands thoroughly and you must not allow your children to play in areas where the dogs "do their business."
Finally, be careful about where you take your dogs and how close you allow them to get to other dogs. If your dog is an incurable sniffer (you know what I mean), keep him away from other dogs. If you take your dog to an area where lots of dogs have been, keep him away from stray piles of stool or find another area to go. You never know what the other dog may have! Always be a good citizen and scoop up after your own dog.
Worms can be treated and managed, but it takes diligence. Leaving your dog untreated is unhealthy for the dog and potentially for you. Once your dog is treated, however, you should notice significant improvement in his or her appearance, appetite and attitude.
CG SP 96. This article was written before the invention of high-tech flea prevention products. An old-fashioned remedy for fleas and ticks is Adam's Flea and Tick Spray. It's still around and is very good - as is the "bones" of this article. As of September 2010, it's still the favorite flea and tick product of Dr James Radcliffe, the renowned greyhound-general veterinarian from Wheeling, West Virginia.
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