September/October, 2005
Happy Howl-O-Ween
It's that time of year for ghosts and goblins and things that go "bump" in the night.  In other words, stuff to scare the dickens out of our Greyhounds.   Then there's the whole "chocolate" issue...   The worst is dark chocolate.  Milk chocolate and such is not as bad.  Just keep all candy away from your Grey as a precaution and you both will be happier.  My Greys love to see the trick or treaters when they come.  We keep them back with a baby gate.  Before, we used kitchen chairs to block the way.  This way, they can see them without the danger of getting out.  Also, if the child is afraid of dogs, they are not in their face.   Taking these precautions should help you both have a safe and happy Halloween.
Fancy
I'd like to tell you about a very sweet Greyhound that we have come to call Fancy.  Fancy is a red/fawn 6 year old that was rescued from the animal shelter in Fresno where she was dumped.  She has tattoos but only the right ear is readable, 49E.  Fancy came to us with a dislocated hip, worms and anemia.  We put her with Jon and Alonso at Greyhound Bark (If you would like to see pictures of Fancy, go to Greyhound Bark).  Last week, Fancy had surgery to repair her hip.  Dr. Sharon Gottfried also had to spay her at the same time.  In other words, Fancy has not had an easy life up to now.  She is also covered in bites, probably from horse flies.  She is now on the road to recovery.  Jon and Alonso are doing all of her post-op care which includes daily feedings of cooked liver to build up her system.  When I talked to Jon this morning, he said that Fancy is doing very well.  She is starting to walk with her repaired hip and putting weight on the leg.  So far, Fancy's bills have totaled over $2000.  If you would like to contribute to the "Fancy Fund," we could certainly use the help.  Also, Fancy will need a home when she's healthy.  She is so sweet and snuggly in spite of all that she has been through, that we have all fallen in love with her.  You can contact me if you are interested in her.  She should be ready to go in about a month.  Also, any donations can be sent to GACA, 1582 Wright Avenue, Sunnyvale, Ca. 94087.  Thank you.
Mooch
We also have a darling little one year old boy who is looking for a home.  His name is Mooch.  He is cat safe, kid safe and cute as a button.  He is white with one black eye.  If you are interested in him, let me know.  He would be a great second Grey.  For being so young, Mooch is very calm and not at all rowdy.  He loves people and will warm up after a short period of shyness.  Let me know if you are interested in giving this sweet little boy a home.   His picture is on the home page of Halfway Home Greyhounds. 
Greyhound Transport
On November 5th, we have a haul coming in from Oklahoma.  This will probably be the last one this year.  We are getting five girls and one boy.  Four of the five girls need foster homes.  We have outstanding applications that we are still processing.  Please let us know if you can foster one of these girls.  They will all be cat safe and they are a very interesting group of very sweet girls.  You can contact either me or Sherrlyn.
Changing of the Guard
Our organization has a new vice-president.  Jim Shofstahl has taken over from Delene Dunne who retired and is now a General Board Member.  Delene served as vice-president for four years.  Thank you, Delene, for all you did to help the organization get started and to thrive.  We are very fortunate that she is still going to remain active in the organization.  Also, Sherrlyn Lancaster is now head of fosters and foster training.  Nina Denegri is our new merchandise coordinator.  Congratulations to all on your new responsibilities.  Thank you Jim, Sherrlyn and Nina. 
Katrina Relief
So far, GPA - National has sent over $5000 to help the Greys who were victims of hurricane Katrina.  They are now preparing to help those who were affected by hurricane Wilma in Florida. 
Holiday Gift Wrapping
Again this year, we will be doing the gift wrapping at Barnes & Noble on Stevens Creek in Santa Clara.  We will need lots of volunteers.  Watch the web site under "events" to see what our schedule is.  If you would like to do the same at your local Barnes & Noble, contact their event coordinator to volunteer.  All proceeds go to help the Greyhounds so it is a very worthwhile event. 
Holiday Cautions
The Holiday season is now beginning.  This is an exciting time for you and your Greys.  As you get ready for the season, remember to include them in the celebrations.  Also, remember, they are going to be curious, especially the new ones for whom this will be their first.  There are many hazards such as poinsettias, paper, ribbon, tinsel, lights, candles and turkey bones.  As long as you take precautions, you can both have a safe and happy holiday.  
Holiday Babysitting
Also, now is the time to make your reservations at Greyhound Bark if you are traveling during the holidays and need a place to baby-sit your Greyhound.  Jon Kitto and Alonso Saldivar, the "Greyhound Concierge,"  will give your Grey a wonderful and safe haven.  You can contact them at www.greyhoundbark.org or call them at 925-625-3364.  I highly recommend them as I have seen first hand how caring they are
Happy Ending!
Good news, last weekend, a little Greyhound named Boeller got out through a gate that was accidentally left open.  She was visiting her "grandparents."  Many people came to the aid of little Boeller from many different groups.  We all worked together to find her and she is now home safe and sound.  Thank you to all who helped, particularly Barbara Judson of GFFL and Jim Shofstahl and his Wendy. 
Condolences
Our condolences to the McRaes who lost their sweet Elle to bone cancer. 
Story Time!
The first comes from Jack Fishbaugh and Joan Scott:
Chelsea and Sarah ride regularly in my van.  Chelsea gets in first on my side and lies on the back seat.  We stop for Joan and Sarah who get in on the other side of the car.  When we stop at Petsmart or wherever, both dogs stand on their respective sides waiting to be hooked up. BUT when we return home to drop Joan and Sarah off, Sarah waits at her door to be hooked up and Chelsea lies quietly on her seat until we get home.  Amazing !!  Where would you begin to teach them that ?

  The second comes from Chris McGregor:
Recently I had leg surgery that involved removal of tissue and a skin graft.  My daughter, Heather Grossman, and husband have been incredible.  I am recouping and there is some pain but most importantly this will be 100% recovery.

When I came home from the hospital, Michael put Dusty and Gracie in the backyard so they would not get excited on my return and injure me.  After they got me to bed the dogs were let in.  Heather running around to get everything done for me.  Mike forgot when he let the dogs in that the garage door was still open as well as the door from the house to the garage.  Dusty was in loving me, Gracie still is not good with closed quarters.  All of a sudden I heard the panic in Heather's voice "Dad, where is Gracie".  I knew immediately what the problem was and all I could do was lay in bed sobbing, Michael trying to calm me down.  Heather yelled I'm going out and I was out of control.  She opened the front door, and there stood Gracie.  She immediately yelled Mom, she is here.  Gracie is sleek and very fast.  We will be forever grateful that she has been to Grandma's so many times and realizes she doesn't come inside through the garage.........Gracie uses the front door!
New Adoptions
We have fifteen more adoptions to report:
 
Maggie Russell and James Robillard of Fresno adopted first Guinevere (Chick Chick) and then Arthur (Buster).  Guinevere is very shy and they felt she would be happier with another Greyhound, so they adopted Arthur.  It has been a "greyt" match. 
 
Larry & Ronna Crews and daughters, Hollis and Kendall, have adopted Ruby (Rc's Deb) as a sister to Callie, their first Greyhound.  Ruby is a beautiful blue girl.  Callie is black and they make quite a pair walking together.  They also live in Fresno.
 
James and Mary Horspool, another Fresno placement, adopted Ginny (Athena).  They are now members of the Black Pack as Ginny is a beautiful little black girl.  She is doing very well in her new home.
 
Terry and Randy Barnhill have adopted Uma Mae, a seven year old senior girl to go with their other two Greyhounds, Scooby and Glory.  Terry and Randy also foster for us.  They are also sponsoring one of Halfway Home Greyhounds' dogs.  They definitely have a soft spot in their hearts for Greyhounds and we are very lucky to have them as part of our organization. 
 
John and Sharon Niedermaier and their children Greg and Kimberly, adopted Champ (San Tan Sidestep).  They are very patient adopters who are working with his separation anxiety.  Last report was that he made it for 39 minutes.  A big "step" for him.   They live in Cupertino.
 
Kay and Everett Scheckla adopted Circles.  Circles literally runs in circles due to nerve damage in her back leg.  Reports are that she is doing very well with their other dogs, cats, sheep and horse on several fenced acres up in Palo Cedro.  Kay and Everett and their daughter and her husband were all there at Santa Nella to meet Circles when she arrived. 
 
Jenni and Jim Moore and their children, Kayla and Tyler, adopted Zora (Wynona).  Zora had to be kid safe and cat safe and so far, so good.  They live in Fremont.
 
Colleen Cahill and Jerry Kinkade adopted Casey as a sister for Cisco, their first Greyhound.  Scott and I fostered Casey and by the time she left, we were calling her "The Little Nut."  One morning, Casey was in the kitchen getting a drink of water.  Just then, our Grind and Brew coffee maker went off.  She first spit out the water and then started barking at the coffee maker.  Casey is only 55 lbs, but thinks she's as big as the big boys.  You should see her try to counter surf.  So far, Casey has gone nose first into Jerry's wine and fallen in their pool twice.  Her new home is in Morgan Hill.
 
Juliette and Kurt Ferguson adopted Gogo (E's Ready Set Go) as a sister for Blitzen, their first very spoiled, in a good way, Greyhound.   Gogo is doing very well living by the sea in Seaside. 
 
Jennifer and Alain Jobart adopted Caramel (Southern Charm).  Mel is a beautiful fawn, very elegant looking. 
Her new home is in San Jose.
 
Jan Avent and Dave Rossetti adopted Petie (My T Fleeta Foot).  Petie loves to watch birds and this is great since Jan and Dave are also bird watchers.  Petie's new home is in Los Altos.
 
Amy Klatzkin and Terry Fry and daughter Ying Fry adopted Aero (Acme Electric).  Aero, a shy black brindle girl, has adopted Ying and sleeps in her room at night.  Her new home is in San Francisco. 
 
Ed Shrouf and Margie Szwaja adopted Island Joe.  Island Joe came to us from the Turlock Animal Shelter.   He is tattooed and when we located his owner in Florida, he had no idea Joe was in California.  He was supposed to be in Oklahoma being trained for racing.  He immediately turned ownership over to our organization.  We had him neutered, teeth cleaned and completely checked out.  Also made sure his shots were up to date.  When Ed and Margie heard about him, they decided he would be perfect for them.  He is an active two year old who was the fastest in his litter.  Last heard, Joe is settling in beautifully.  His new home is in San Andreas.
 
Scott and Ann Sanders have added a senior girl named Blue Ribbon Cowgirl (Shata Ribbon) to their pack.  Ribbon was a broodie who had four racing litters and one "oops" litter.  She was found in a shelter in Missouri and turned over to GPA-Missouri.  Ribbon is white with black, hence the "Cow girl." 
 
Thank you to all of you for giving these Greyhounds wonderful "forever homes."
You Say It's Your Birthday!
Happy Birthday to the following Greys! 
 
September: Doobie, Stanley, Apollo, Dolittle, Josephine, Norm, Jynx, Alpine, Emma D., Arwin, Spido, Nipper, Agatha, Beau, Negrita, Princess Priscilla, Darcy and Peetie.
 
October:  Jax, Remy, Cairo, Barry, Gracie G., Luthien, Mandy, Cyrano, Lily, Fritz, Barney, Gracie M., Chelsea, Martini, Maxwell, Rudy, Fritzly, Jillian, Attention, Lady, Licorice, Charlie B. and Theo. 
 
Hope all of you had and have lots of treats and stuffies on your special day. 
If you have moved and/or have a new phone number, please let me know so I can update your contact information.
Greyhound Adoption California is a chapter of Greyhound Pets of America 1-800-366-1472