The season is upon us…

As swallows return to San Juan Capistrano and whales migrate south each winter so too do the greyhounds return to Fashion Island. Yes, Fashion Island!  For the past four years the Needle Nose Crew and their greys race to Fashion Island from all over the county for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree.  But not just any Christmas tree!!  Fashion Island takes pride in decorating the largest Christmas tree in the country each year.  This year’s tree measures one hundred and ten feet tall.  Actually, I think the greys are a lot more spectacular than any tree, no matter how large it might be.  This year 39 greyhounds shared in the festivities, many dressed in their winter best. The fashions for the evening ranged from smartly worn Christmas patterned sweatshirts to cozy looking designer coats to Sharin’s stunning turquoise number that was really a head turner. Some greys even sported crowns of antlers in an attempt to get into the spirit of the season. It was a smart looking group indeed.  The evening’s activities included a walk through the shopping center and answers to lots of questions asked by interested passers-by.  One hearty grey, that shall remain nameless, decided the Koi pond was simply too good to resist and had a quick dip, to the surprise of us all.  The evening proved to be a great success for all who participated.  The weather was even mild.  The Needle Nose Crew would like to thank all the members that took the time and fought the Friday night traffic in order to join us.  We wish all of you a merry Christmas and best wishes in the coming new year.

 A FRIENDLY REMINDER

Here are a few pointers that may hopefully help your holidays go by without incident:  Exercise pens come in very handy this time of year for blocking off certain rooms or for keeping curious greys away from the Christmas tree. They also help with the fact that many male greys love the convenience of having a tree in the house.  Edible gifts should not be put under the tree no matter how well they may be wrapped. They may be called sight hounds but their noses still work really well!  Decorating should be done with your greyhound in mind.  If they can reach it, they more than likely will reach it, before the season is over.  Keep candles, glass objects, seasonal plants and any other decorations than may be a danger to your dog(s) out of reach.  Finally, this time of year can be very hectic for all of us with so many extra things to do and people to see.  Please, remember to take time out to spend with your pet(s).  Our loving companions depend on us for security and companionship. 

GREYHOUND ART

The Needle Nose Crew is delighted to be able to offer some truly wonderful posters for sale to all greyhound lovers.  The original works of art were painted by English Artist, David French, who obviously loves our marvelous greys as much as we do.  These shown and the other available posters can be seen on our web site at: http:/www.ocnow.com/community/groups/needlenosecrew.  Each poster is $45.00 and can be picked up or mailed for a $5.00 shipping and handling charge.  These posters will make terrific gifts for the holidays, so please take a peek and give us a call at 949 552-1373.  We will be happy to set up a time for you to see the actual posters.  Remember, the proceeds from the sale of each poster will be used to further promote the adoption of more ex-racing greys.

THE PEACE OF FLOWER ESSENCES

By Carole Oglesbee

I adopted Addie from Hemopet more than six years ago now.  Almost immediately after adopting her, we both found ourselves immersed in Show and Tells in order to promote the adoption of greyhounds both from Hemopet and other rescue and adoption groups in the Southland.  All this activity was not Addie’s favorite thing to do.  She would have much preferred to stay home and enjoy her favorite couch or dog bed or just to perch on the landing in my stairwell.  Just so that I would know of her dislike for such public events, Addie found many ways to express herself.  She would not lie down, drink water or eat anything offered to her.  She would shake from time to time (and I don’t mean a handshake), hide behind me and avoid people’s glances as often as she possibly could.  I knew she wouldn’t ever get any better if I allowed her to hide at home.  In addition, greyhound rescue became such an important part of my life; I really wanted her with me on our weekend adventures.  As the first two years progressed, Addie did get a lot better.  Shows were certainly not her favorite activity, but she began to tolerate them.  She also began to let me know that she really didn’t want to be left alone on the occasion I went without her.  Finally, one summer some of us ventured up to Lompoc to see the Western Sighthound Specialty dog show.  While there I ran into a vendor selling Flower Essences products.  One such concoction was called Five Flower Formula.  It was touted as being a great calming mixture for nervous, shy and high-strung dogs.  For nine dollars, I decided I had nothing to lose and gave it a try.  Now, these natural remedies are supposed to take two weeks to thirty days to really begin to work.  Someone forgot to tell Addie this though.  Within thirty-six hours, we had her at a show and she was a different dog.  No one could believe this was the same Addie who had spent two years making sure everyone knew she really didn’t like all these weekend public appearances.  I quickly found that in order to purchase Flower Essences products, I needed to send away for them.  I’m all in favor of mail order, but picking up one bottle at a time from a local store seemed a lot easier to me.  I was to learn that Bach’s Rescue Remedy is an equivalent and is carried in our local health food stores, so I picked up a bottle.  Remember that I had no real opinion on either brand.  All I knew was that it worked for Addie and surely one was as good as another.  Once again, Addie was to prove me wrong.  Within a week, we noticed that the improvements she had made over the month of taking the Flower Essences product were beginning to lessen.  We finished the bottle of the Bach’s product and then switched back to the original Flower Essences.   Again, within about thirty-six hours, a more positive and happy Addie began to appear.  I really had no preference myself, nor could I have forced a preference on Addie if I had had one.  Addie also had no preference or control of her actions.  She just felt better and acted with much more ease when she was on the Flower Essences product.  Her overall changes began with simply standing during an event rather than shaking.  Within six months, she was drinking water and lying down in the ex-pens.  By the end of a year, she was taking treats and napping from time to time.  Addie is now ten and would still rather stay at home most of the time than attend shows.  As she ages, we leave her home more often than not, but not because she is scared to death of shows…She is just getting older.

BIOSYNC^® IS GOIN’ TO THE DOGS

By Lane Kussman

At this point you may wonder – what’s a BioSync, or what might it do?  BioSync is a unique form of soft-tissue bodywork, developed by Mark Lamm of the BioSync Research Institute.  Specially trained consultants practice BioSync worldwide, although up until now the work has only been directed towards humans.  BioSync often proves effective at undoing trauma at a deep tissue level.  BioSync practitioners working with people often see a dramatic improvement in removing the damage from injuries, aging, and from stress factors such as poor diet and pollution.  Human clients report relief from specific problems, as well as feeling an immediate improvement of the entire body’s functions.  Biosync is not intended to diagnose, nor to replace regular medical (or veterinary!) care.  So now you’re wondering, what does this have to do with me – or my Greyhounds?  I’ve been a friend and neighbor of Mark Lamm’s for the past five years.  He’s often resolved my injuries, and has helped our Greyhounds (and other pets) find relief from some aches and pains arising from a variety of causes.  Over time, I’ve encountered unique problems with my many pets, and have often been frustrated by the lack of alternative measures available to help them when I’ve run the course of normal veterinary options.   My desire to have other methods available to help our companions led me to complete the BioSync Certification Program.  After completing the required training, Mark and I explored how to transfer the BioSync human protocols to animals, making sure we addressed their differing physiology, and unique stresses.  The final result is a specialized “Companion Animal Practitioner” for BioSync, and that practitioner is me!  Although my training qualifies me to work with people, and I’ll gladly do so, my intent is to help our animal friends.  To learn more about the human form of BioSync, visit their Web page at http://www.biosync.com/, and don’t forget to look for me listed on the “Contacts” link!  I’m very proud to be a part of the family of BioSync practitioners.  Call me to discuss benefits your pets might receive from BioSync - at 949-916-9715 - and we can work together for better health and comfort for your pet.

REMEMBRANCES

Our hearts go out to…

 Vicky MacKinnon for her loss of the magnificent nine year old Toy.

Randy and Marion Phillips and family for their loss of another very special boy, Wonka.

Editor: Joy Moss

 E-Mail to GreytJoy@msn.com