March/April, 2005
Rain, Rain, Go Away!
Will it ever stop raining???  My Greyhounds are starting to slosh when they run.  And we're growing webbed feet.  We are really looking forward to summer this year.  The weather keeps teasing us with a few warm, sunny days and then, it's cold and rainy again.  I have talked to so many of you who have said their Greyhound put on a few pounds this winter due to lack of good days to get out and exercise.  Hopefully, the rain will let up soon and our Greys will get all the exercise they need. 
Foxtail Season
A word of caution to all of you that this is foxtail season.  These little buggers can get lodged in your Greyhound's toes and cause lots of problems.  Keep your eyes open to watch for them when taking your Greyhound out for walks and such.  It is nasty for them and expensive for you. 
Annual Picnic
Speaking of summer, we have set a date for our annual picnic.   Mark your calendars.  It will be July 16th at Hellyer Park in San Jose again.  This year promises to be our biggest one yet with lots of vendors and shopping.  We also have some amazing silent auction items and wonderful raffle prizes.  There will be lots more information in the next newsletter.  It is already shaping up to be a fun day.
Adopt a Senior
Our organization has been contacted about a 7 year old fawn male named Okie Wacko.  For that last few years, he has been living at the Oklahoma State Vet. school.   He is probably the healthiest Greyhound we have ever had for adoption as he has been checked for every known disease that affects dogs.  We are looking for a home for him.  He is not cat safe, but otherwise is a real love.  I have pictures of him if you would like to see him.  He is very handsome.   He will arrive here on May 14th.  If you are interested in this very sweet boy, please let me know as soon as possible.  You would be getting a real gentleman according to my sources.  Teddy also informs me that there is another red brindle male from the vet school who will be six in May who is needing a home.  His name is OL Speedy.  May is traditionally "Adopt a Senior" month in Greyhound rescue, so if you are interested in either of these boys, you can contact me.
Bay Area Events
We have lots of upcoming Show & Tells and events scheduled for the summer.  Here are just a few so be sure to mark your calendars. 

April 30th, we will be at the Petco in Monterey.  This is a new Petco and we want to have a great turnout to promote our beautiful Greys. 

June 4th is the Wiggle Waggle Walk in Fresno.   A fun day for all who participate.

San Juan Bautista's Rib Cook-off is June 11th & 12th.  Also, San Juan Bautisa's Craft Festival is July 9th & 10th. 

We are also participating in Bark in the Park again this year.  The date is Sept. 17th at Williams Park in San Jose.

Sept. 17th is also Greyhound Planet Day at all the Petco's in the country.  This is a great fundraiser for us every year.
No Greyhound Left Behind
Scott Sanders has been serving on National's 7x7 committee since September of last year.  The 7x7 committee was set up a couple of years ago. The original goal of the committee was to foster new chapters and assist existing chapters in the placement of dogs to reach 70,000 placements by the year 2007. As of the 2004 convention, GPA has placed just over 60,000 dogs. GPA is placing dogs at the rate of about 4,500 per year, so the goal of 70,000 is well within reach.

The new mission of the committee is to continue to develop new chapters and work with existing chapters to accelerate the rate of adoptions to the point where every dog that is born into a racing kennel has the opportunity to become a pet. Right now, according to NGA records, 85 to 90% of racing greyhounds are petted out. This leaves about 3,500 dogs per year that we are losing. GPA is working with the NGA to improve the database and tracking, so we can put a firm number on how many dogs we are losing and have a mechanism to track our progress.

To go along with the new mission, there is a new name for the committee, which will be announced at the 2005 convention. The new name is the "No Greyhound Left Behind" committee.  This was Scott's submission in a contest they held to chose a new name for the committee.  The prize for submitting the winning name is a beautifully framed poster that we will be auctioning off at our picnic July 16th. 
Condolences
Our condolences go out to Ellen & Mark Hubler and their children Abigail and Paul.  They adopted Claire last October and she passed away two weeks ago due to a failure of her immune system.   Their consolation is that she spent her last few months very well loved and cared for.  
New Adoptions
We've adopted out a "baker's dozen" this time. 
 
Sylvia Olsen adopted Derby.  Sylvia was one of our first two adopters who adopted Dawn.  She has been looking for a good match for Dawn and Derby is just perfect. 
 
Mora Gozani adopted Doobie.  When Doobie was delivered to Mora, he immediately made himself at home on her couch.  He wrapped himself around her and literally adopted her as his new "mom."  They've been together ever since.
 
Chris & Michael McGregor adopted Dusty (Dustin) after reading about him in the last newsletter.  They are the "grandparents" of Gracie Grossman in Modesto.  Gracie convinced them that they needed a Greyhound of their own.  Good for you Gracie.
 
Jason Pettitt adopted Cali which is short for California.  Jason is at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey and his next assignment is going to be Florida.  He felt it appropriate that he call his Greyhound California after where he adopted her. 
 
Deb & Peter Skibitzki and their children Madeline and Pierce, and Greyhound Lincoln,  adopted Lori.   Lori is for Deb since Lincoln is Peter's Grey.   Deb read that Lori prefers women and knew she was the Grey for her. 
 
Richard & Margaret Cameron adopted Prima Donna.  From reports, it sounds like she is living up to her name and settling in just fine.  She was already cock-roaching by the second day. 
 
Melissa Barnhill and Ernie Garcia adopted Bella (Coldwater Ellen).  Upon delivery, she immediately helped herself to the burrito that was sitting on the counter.  Oh, did we mention they are major "counter surfers?"
 
Ray Barragan adopted Kid's Yo Man.  This was the first placement by Louis Vasquez, our new placement rep in the Los Banos area.  Kid's will be a true companion to Ray who plans to take him to work with him. 
 
Libby & Tom Bevans adopted Voudousi (Lucky Gal).  Her name is pronounced voo-Doon-zi, (Dounsi for short) and is Bedouinize for high priestess of voodoo from their peace corps days in Africa. 
 
Dennis & Carole Dolan adopted Stella.  When called to find out how she was doing, Dennis said all was going very well except when they found her up on the counter in the kitchen.  She hasn't tried that again. 
 
Terry & Randy Barnhill (no relation to Melissa above) adopted Scooby (Wam Denzel) and Glory (Maze Angela).  When they came to pick them up, unfortunately their truck was broken and they were driving a much smaller car.  With lots of coaxing, they were able to get Scooby and Glory in the small back seat.  Fortunately, it was a short drive home.  
 
Susan & Steve Ellenberg, their children Zach, Molly and Naava, adopted Jason (Wb Golden Seal).  When he was delivered, the whole extended family turned out to greet him.  
 
Thank you to all of you for giving a retired racing Greyhound a wonderful "forever home." 
You Say It's Your Birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING GREYS
 
The Birthday group for March and April includes the following Great Greys:
 
March - Cougar, Louis, Billy, Isaac, Buffy, Truman, Olive, Pippin, Fritz, Cindy, Willow, Aveda, Aussie, Becca, Paul, Mr. Cracker, Jordan, Miller, Starkist, Kiowa, Antigua, Tina, Courtney and Lori.
 
April - Ana, Tickle Bee, Cali (Lancaster), Theodore, Isis (Dunne), Marcus, Shadow, Max, Piper, Chloe, Lincoln, Petunia, Richmond, Lady, Mina Loy, Gazette, Emilio, Eve, Erica and Rubio.
 
Happy Birthday to all and treats all around.