Summer 2007
Summer's Here!
Summer time is here already? It hardly seems possible, yet school is out and an old fashioned sprinkler has become a seemingly permanent part of my backyard for daily 2-legged kid fun. I don’t have to wear a jacket to walk my hound in the mornings and recently I’ve been trying to convince Hero she would rather take her second walk after 5:30 than at 3:00 pm due to the heat. For the record, she believes she would rather walk at 3:00 AND 5:30 pm. Go figure.

While Hero sorts that out, here’s what’s been going on since the Spring edition of
the newsletter:
Incoming!
Saturday, June 16, 2007, after a 24-hour ride, four weary greyhounds arrived from Oklahoma. Witty, Moose, Mondo, and Lexi were met by a dozen GACA volunteers – some were present to collect their new fosters and some came just to help handle the dogs. We have been overwhelmed by all of the support for this and earlier transports. We thank all of our volunteers for contributing to making our transport days go so smoothly.
Why Would You Ever Want to Foster a Dog?
To a newcomer, the thought of taking in a foster dog may seem overwhelming. Here’s this month’s “Five Questions for a Foster” to help us get a better understanding as to why those who have tried it often do so again and again. Our featured foster for this edition is Sylvia A. Olson.

Q: How long have you been fostering and how many dogs have you had?
A: I have been fostering about 5 years and have had about 10 true fosters and probably 15 fosters who had “bounced” from their first home and were looking for another.

Q: Why did you start?
A: Jack Fishbaugh and Ann Sanders, especially Jack, made me think I should try it. I don't regret that decision, although a few dogs have made me question it.

Q: What do you like best about being a foster parent to a greyhound?
A: It is so rewarding to send them off to their new forever home! They always amaze me in their ability to adapt to retirement so quickly. Most are ready for placement in two weeks. Some of the younger dogs need another week.

Q: Isn’t it hard to give them up when they go to their forever homes?
A: I have had a few dogs that were very hard to let go. I did keep one, but, since I only have two hands, I try - and so far I have managed - to stay at two.

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to potential fosters, what would it be?
A: I say try it; you may find you like it!

If you would like to try opening heart and home to help a foster dog make the transition from track to couch, please let us know by e-mailing Jim and Carolyn at 2greys@mindspring.com.
Greyt Turnout at Recent Events!
Our thanks goes out to all the volunteers and especially the new people helping with booths at recent events. Woof to Woof (a benefit for Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired) on June 2nd was staffed by the Lancasters, Karen Elders, Scott Sanders, newcomer Veronica McGlynn and their hounds.

The Campbell Highland Games booth on June 16th was especially successful, with GACA the only dog group represented. Our booth had the area to itself and got a lot of attention. Hard working volunteers for that event were: Tom, Sherrlyn, Thomas, and Michael Lancaster with Holly and Gromit
Patrick Friel and his hounds Courtney and Miller
Ken and Sheila Smith with Anubis and Sammy
Rose and Mike Epting with Finnigan
Richard and Delene Dunne brought Teddy and Rusty
Dana Chandler, accompanied by Jubilee
Karen and Matt Findling with Huey
The Haworth family and Rosie
Jen and John Morales and the unstoppable Gus
Lawan and Andy Jackson brought hounds Olive and Martini
PLUS Karen Elders and Scott Sanders. New volunteer Stacey Smith came to learn and lend a helping hand.

Save the Date!
Saturday Oct. 6, 2007 has been set as the date of our next picnic and local greyhound gathering. The location will be Pleasanton. More information will be available nearer to the date of the event.
Unexpected Vet Bills
Surprised by an expensive surgery? Need help with your pet’s everyday checkups? We all hope to avoid costly trips to the vet, but in reality they happen. Here is an option to consider: http://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/whycc.html CareCredit offers low interest loans for your pet’s health care with low minimum monthly payment options.
Special Kudos to Our Modesto Adopters
We recently received a call that one of our greyhounds got spooked, jumped a gate, and was lost. A dedicated group of Modesto volunteers stepped forward to help with the search effort, post signs, and contact local shelters. Fortunately, the greyhound was sighted four days later. A happy ending was witnessed by GACA volunteers as the lost little girl ran from a field and into the arms of her mom. We so very much appreciate the compassion, dedication, and persistence of the many folks who helped with the search efforts. You truly are the heart and soul of Greyhound Adoption California.

Please be reminded that if your dog is lost, ask for help – there are many other adopters who are willing to lend a leash and bring their greyhounds to help in a search. The number to call to report a lost or found greyhound is 408-749-0899.
Most greyhounds aren’t jumpers but that doesn’t mean that the breed isn’t capable of jumping fences. In October 2006, the Guinness World Record for "highest jump by a dog" went to a Greyhound named "Soaring Cindy". Cindy, a 5-year-old, 60-pound pooch from Miami, cleared 5'-8", winning her the honor at the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge. This jump is the same height of the fence surrounding the yard that Casper, Wendy and Pete have access to!
Donations
Special thanks from GACA to PETCO Foundation, who donated $854 through their PETCO Animal Supplies Spring a Pet 2007 Fundraiser.
Keeping the Pearly Whites--Dental Care For Your Hound
We’ve all heard dental care is important for our dogs. Some of us even schedule appointments and have their teeth cleaned each year. I speak from personal experience when I say I have a hard time doing this and an even harder time explaining this action to others. Why? When I was a kid, advanced dental care for the family dog was a Milk Bone at night before bed.

Now, thirty-some years later the vet tells me the number one thing I can do on my own to extend the life of my pet is to brush her teeth regularly. It’s hard to argue with that, but no less intimidating knowing where to start. Fortunately, our friends at Pet Medical Center in Fresno, CA, have put together some guidelines that are quite useful when your and your hound are eyeing each other suspiciously over a toothbrush.

First, don’t delay the task. Plaque begins to accumulate at the gum line within hours of a dental cleaning and if not removed, will mineralize and becomes tartar within 48-72 hours. The mechanical action of toothbrush bristles (not a sponge, gauze or Q-tip) above and below the gum line is needed to remove this plaque. Here are more tips:

1. Each greyhound should have his/her own toothbrush. Wash it after each use.
2. Try to brush at the same time every day, preferably when you are not in a hurry.
3. Rewards and petting are important to convincing your pet that brushing is fun.
4. Use toothpaste that is specially formulated for dogs
5. Begin brushing by petting & rubbing your dog’s head (remember, you want your dog to think that tooth brushing is a good thing). Using one hand, gently lift the lips, leaving the mouth closed. Use the brush to make small circles at a 45 degree angle to the gum line. Pay special attention to the outside of the teeth, where plaque first accumulates.
6. Repeat on the other side of the mouth. Brush the upper and lower teeth and then the front incisors and canine (fang) teeth.
7. Don’t forget to reward your pet when you are finished.

If your pet is anxious about brushing, don’t fight it, but be firm in resolve. Start slowly, make small advances, and persist towards your goal.
Summer Safety
It wouldn’t be a summer newsletter without a reminder that greyhounds feel the heat more than you do. Keep them off of hot pavement and blacktop, NEVER leave them in a car unattended for any amount of time. California enacted a law this year that makes leaving a pet unattended in a car during extreme weather a crime.

Extra water is important, too. Using a spray bottle to mist their head, ears, and tummy can bring relief to a hot dog FAST. For extended stays outdoors during the summer you may also want to get a cool-coat for your greyhound.

Don’t forget July 4th or any celebrations can be a very stressful time for your hound. As evening fireworks approach, close your windows and leave the T.V. or stereo on to muffle fireworks sounds. This would be a very good time to double check/repair gates that don’t close properly or sagging fences to avoid your hound giving “Soaring Cindy” competition if frightened. Be especially cautious while walking your grey during the July 4th holidays; sudden firecrackers may cause them to startle and bolt.
New Adoptions
Adoptions since last newsletter:

*Jada* was adopted by Michael Garcia.

*Lucy* and *Ricky* were adopted by Debby and George Chunn.

*Cinder* and *Moose* were adopted by Tal Mashhadian and Rebecca Dowell.

*Homer* is happy in the home of Paul Forbes.

*Lexi* was adopted by Steve and Becky Lincicum.

*Witty* was adopted by Brandon and Rene Shoemaker and their kids.

*Zoe* was welcomed into the Stroshine household.
Happy Birthday to...Your Hound!
But how do you know when to celebrate? Most of us know the tattoos in a Greyhound's ear will tell you his or her birth year and month, but there is so much more information that can be gathered about your hound simply by checking ears, making a phone call, or checking the internet. Read on for some very helpful information from the Shofstahls:

Racing greyhounds have two ear tattoos that uniquely identify them. The tattoo in the left ear is the National Greyhound Association (NGA) litter registration number. The tattoo in the right ear lists the month in which the dog was whelped, the last digit of dog's birth year, and the order in which the dog was tattooed. The combination of this information is used by the NGA to identify the greyhound's owner and verify the dog's identity before a race.

You can use this information to learn more about your dog. For example, our greyhound, Wendy, had a left ear tattoo of 85541 and a right ear tattoo of 119G. This told us that her birthday was in November of 1999 (and that she was the 7th dog in her litter to be tattooed). With this information, we contacted the NGA via their website. You can also find them via their email address at nga@ngagreyhounds.com, or write to them at NGA, P.O. Box 543, Abilene, KS 67410. We learned Wendy's racing name (BC Miss Peggy), exact birth date (November 29, 1999), and family lineage (dam was Abby Absolut and sire was Bobo's Breaker). When communicating with the NGA, it helps to provide a description of a dog (sex, color, approximate age); this aids them in determining the racing name if the dog's tattoos cannot be clearly read.

The NGA website also contains a link to a greyhound database maintained by greyhound-lovers that records information about greyhounds and provides it free-of-charge to greyhound lovers. This website contains a tattoo look-up feature. Once we had a racing name, we could then search the internet to find out Wendy's racing history. As it turned out, Wendy's racing career was short and dismal - but, lucky for her, she was a winner at finding her resting place on our couch.
Current Board Members
Current Board Members

President: Jim Shofstahl
Vice President: Jill Mazzei
Treasurer: Sherrlyn Lancaster
Webmaster/Secretary: Jennifer Morales
Foster Coordinator: Carolyn Koester
Merchandise/Picnic Coordinator: Nina Denegri
Liason to GPA National: Scott Sanders (also Vice President GPA)
Board Members at Large: Jack Fishbaugh, Delene and Richard Dunne

Have a Happy and Safe Summer with your Hound!

Greyhound Adoption California is a chapter of Greyhound Pets of America 1-800-366-1472