May, 2003
Now More Official!
IT'S OFFICIAL! WE ARE NOW A FULL CHAPTER OF GREYHOUND PETS OF AMERICA!
Our official name is GREYHOUND PETS OF AMERICA - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. We will continue to use Greyhound Adoption California. By using both, it makes things rather long. Good thing we can abbreviate to GPA-NorCal/Greyhound Adoption California. Let me take this opportunity to address a rumor that many of you have been questioned about. The rumor is that we give 10% of our profits to National. We are a non-profit organization. There is no such rule and, since we have no profits, it would be useless.
Past Newsletters:
March, 2003
April, 2003
Caliente Controversy
For those of you who subscribe to the Greyhound List, you are probably aware of the controversy about the Caliente Track. The adoption area was referred to as the "death kennel." Caliente is a no-kill track. The person who started this knows better. What she was trying to accomplish, who knows??? I would like to include Tom McRorie's response:

Date: Sat, 10 May 2003 21:46:13 -0700
From: Tom McRorie

Hi all -

To provide closure to this unfortunate issue, we went to Caliente this
morning and returned with all the greyhounds in the Caliente Pet (AKA
Death) Kennel. As I write this, all are resting comfortably in their
respective foster homes. We have been doing this regularly for several
years and will continue to do so.

FYI the Caliente Pet Kennel was established several years ago as a joint
venture of GPA and Caliente. GPA Board members at that time included
this list administrator. The kennel is operated so that any reputable
adoption group can obtain greyhounds from it. Owners and kennel operators that
are no longer going to race a dog, can place the dog in the kennel where it
is cared for until taken to the adoption facility. No dog, once placed in
that kennel is ever harmed and all find homes as pets.

This kennel will continue to accept dogs whose racing days are finished
and will live our his/her life as a pet.

Of the dogs he is referring to, 4 came to the Bay Area and 5 went to
Sacramento. All are doing very well and are soon ready for adoption.

The Picnic That Wasn't!
Several of us went down to La Habra for the annual Greyhound Pets of America - OC/GLA picnic. Unfortunately, due to cold, wet, rainy weather, it had to be cancelled. It has been rescheduled for June 28th. If you are interested in going, let me know and I can give you the information you will need. Those of us who went had a great time in spite of the cancellation. We were invited to the McRorie Ranch for brunch and had fun renewing acquaintances. When we arrived, Freddie Sainz met Scott and I out in front. She had been our Becca's foster. When Becca came out of the van, Freddie took her leash and asked if it was OK if she took her. Off they went, and for a while, we weren't sure we'd ever see Becca again. Thanks for giving her back Freddie. :o)
New Adoptions
We have three adoptions this month. Two are new Greyhound families:

Brian & Teresa Alvarez of Fresno adopted Smooch. That's another boy for Jill's group.

Julie & Robert Western-Mahoney adopted Marimba. Robert is a piano teacher and has a musical family. They felt her name was very appropriate.

Elissa Eckman and her son Azul, adopted Herbie. Herbie has two Greyhound brothers also, Tiger and Paul. Tiger is very shy and makes shy Herbie seem outgoing. Paul is recovering from being hit by a car. We wish him a speedy recovery. Last report, he was doing much better.

Thank you all for giving these Greys wonderful "forever homes."
You Say It's Your Birthday!
Happy Birthday to the May Birthday Group:

Rufus Buffalo, Yogi, Jubilee, Charley, Casper, Milton, Gus, Dawn, Darby, Tetley, Ginger, Stella & Scott (the last two are in the group that just came off the track.)
We'd also like to wish Gazette a belated happy birthday. She was left off the April list.
Upcoming Events!
May 31st is the Wiggle, Waggle Walk in Fresno. For information, contact Jill Mazzei at 559-322-7136 or mzmazzei@pacbell.net.

June 4th is Pleasanton's First Wednesday. If you are interested in helping Jim and Carolyn, please contact them at 925-484-5570 or jims@nothingbutnet.net. The hours are 6 pm-9 pm. This event attracts several thousand people and as the weather gets nicer, we will need more volunteers to help out. We have signed up for the First Wednesdays in July, August and September also. It's a fun way to spend time with your Grey bragging about how wonderful he/she is.

June 7th and 8th is the Pleasanton Heritage Festival. This is a Williams event and we need lots of help just like Campbell. If you want to volunteer for either the booth or as a "walker", please contact either me (408-749-0899, GPA-NorCal_GACA@attbi.com. ) or Delene Dunne (209-836-9196, dogmum@valleyip.net ).

For those of you who like to plan ahead, July 12th and 13th is the San Juan Bautista Craft Fair, weather permitting. To sign up, contact Sherrlyn Lancaster at 408-448-0807, sherrlynl@sbcglobal.net.

The following you really need to put on your calendar. September 19th, 20th & 21st is the Pet Expo in Pleasanton at the fair grounds and that same weekend is the Pleasanton BBQ Cook Off. We will need lots of volunteers from all over for these two events. I will have more information over the next two months and will keep all informed.
It's That Time Again!
Just a reminder that flea and tick season is here. Be sure your medicines cover both.
Happy May!