GOODBYE TO A FRIEND

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Jim Tejada. Jim died of a heart attack while working at the Greyhound Adoption League kennel in Tucson on Thursday, January 25th.  

Jim’s love of greyhounds was mighty, and he will be missed by the many who knew him and loved his devotion to the dogs.  

We first ran into Jim in May of 1996 at the first Retired Racer’s Fun Day. He was the proud owner of Panyo Pooch who had been renamed Daisy Mae. Jim followed Panyo Pamela’s ill-fated career in the hopes of adopting her after she completed her racing career only to have her die in a terrible accident during one of her races (reference NNN article in the July 1999 issue, “#2, Race 10, Born? – Died, 6/5/1999, RIP”).

As the years went by Jim would adopt sisters Panyo Polly and Panyo Megan through Retired Racers and Greyhound Adoption League.  

Jim assisted at Retired Racers when he was able, put up two wonderful personal web pages for all of us to enjoy, became a valuable web site master for Wings for Greyhounds, and helped with greyhound transfer trips and activities for the Greyhound Adoption League.  

Finally in the middle of last year, Jim moved to Tucson in order to help with the Greyhound Adoption League kennel work on a day-to-day basis. Although his work with and for the greyhounds was quiet and behind the scenes, he was a wonderful example of the many volunteers who silently go about promoting greyhound adoptions in the best ways they can.  

Regardless of how many bright and shining stars there are in the public eye who seem to keep greyhound rescue and adoption going, much of what is done would not be possible without the less visible, yet active souls who care and do so very much. Jim Tejada was one of these souls. He was loved, greatly respected and will be truly missed by the many whom he helped.  

Note from Ed…

Jim’s web page efforts can be seen at: www.geocities.com/panypolly/index.html and www.wingsforgreyhounds.org. DOG FANCY ARTICLE By Deb Evans Hemopet Operations Manager Jennifer Long speaks out about greyhounds and blood-donor programs in the March 2001 issue of DOG FANCY. Coverage begins with the editor’s column on page 4 and continues on page 18, where you’ll find an in-depth piece about how the need for blood has become a national crisis. The article even mentions the Needle Nose Crew as one of the organizations Hemopet works with to help find adoptive homes for dogs that retire from the blood-donor program. The March cover shows a Great Dane on a white background. Don’t miss this issue!

COLBY  

By Samantha Kemp

On June 28, 1995, I adopted Colby from Hemopet in Garden Grove. Since then, he has become a wonderful pet. He is sweet, friendly, and patient with everyone, including other dogs, cats, rats, birds, etc.   Only once has he ever shown any ill will to another dog. A friend and I were at the beach with Colby and her new puppy. Another dog came up ownerless and tried to dominate the puppy, and was snapping at us. Colby protected us by circling us and not letting the dog pass. It was very un-Colby-like behavior, but it made him all the more special.   Colby has spent his years as a therapy dog, going to visit the elderly in retirement homes and hospitals, and participating in parades. He has won a Canine Good Citizen award, and has taken agility classes.   Colby just turned 10 last December and can jump as high and run as fast as he ever could. Thank you for your wonderful organization. I will be owning greys for the rest of my life!  

GREY MATTER

By Mike Gallas

Amazing as it seems daylight savings is just weeks away, which means Manners and Socialization classes can’t be far behind.

If you are interested in enrolling your dog (s) please contact me at (949) 552-1373 or via e-mail at blueben@juno.com (please leave your nighttime phone number). 

April classes are filling fast so don’t delay. I will contact those of you who have already called as the starting date approaches.  Each session runs 8-10 weeks, depending on the speed at which the dogs master each of the lessons presented to them. Each weekly meeting is about an hour in length during which a new challenge will be presented. Each team, dog and trainer, is also required to practice about 20 minutes a day.  

The classes are held at Deerfield Park in Irvine (near Culver and Irvine Center Drive).   The cost is $70.00 per dog. Upon completion of the class your dog will have learned to sit, stay, down, long down, heel, wait and come on command.  

I discuss and troubleshoot any problem behaviors that anyone may be having. There is great emphasis on socialization. So, you may ask, why should I spend my free time and money to train and/or socialize my dog? For some the answer may be obvious, your dog is out of control. If this is the case I guarantee I can be of help. Yet, there are others that are for the most part satisfied with their grey’s behavior. To them I would ask, has your dog’s personality truly developed? Is he or she comfortable in most public situations? Is he or she easy to control in both public and private? Do you really understand and communicate with each other? Are you the one “calling the shots”? If you answered “yes” to all the above, good for you! If you did not, you know how to reach me.  

There are a few more reasons that you may want to consider taking a class. First of all, we have a great time out at the park. Many a class has run well over an hour simply because we were all enjoying ourselves and didn’t wish to leave. Secondly, I have a lot of experience and enjoy more than anything working with very shy or fearful greyhounds. There is so much personality waiting to come out; it just needs a little help. Finally, my opinion is that it is your responsibility as a greyhound adopter to help your dog become the best dog he or she can be.

As an adopter you have become a walking advertisement for greyhound rescue, and your dog’s behavior may very well determine whether those you come in contact with adopt a greyhound of their own. Obviously, a calm, friendly, well-mannered dog is going to make a more positive impression than would a nervous or out of control one. The best thing you can do to help greyhound rescue is to adopt a dog (or two, or three…). The next best thing is to get your friends and family to do so as well.  

Come join us at the park to learn and enjoy, you’ll be delighted with the results.  

REPLY FROM THE SWAMP

By Cara Brockhoff

It was a thrill for us to see Phil Epler’s article presenting our Greyhound Playground as both lovely and safe. We’ve been talking about the “Swamp” for so many years that sometimes Jerry and I stop to wonder if long distance friends envision alligators and quicksand! We were excited to see that Phil invited all to come visit what he called our “Doggie Disneyland”. Have no fear of lengthy lines – we’ve been disappointed so many times when friends say they want to “stop by”. Little do they know we’re more than a 7 hour drive north of San Francisco. We keep hoping friends will show up – with hounds or without! North Coast Greyhound Support is indebted to the Needle Nose Crew not only for providing a prototype for our own much smaller “support” group, but most especially for introducing us to Phil. We’ve made huge progress in sales to benefit greyhounds in need with Phil masterminding our site at www.northcoastgreyhounds.com. (Congratulations, BJ, upon undermining that class in Fostering!)

EXPANDING THE CREW

In January, the Needle Nose Crew made their maiden appearance in San Diego at the Home Remodeling Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The feedback from people was extremely positive and our booth was the busiest one there. It was very rewarding to witness the volunteers, representatives from several different greyhound rescue groups, come together to talk about one of our favorite subjects, the greyhounds. People were anxious to find out about the dogs available for adoption from all the rescue groups in the San Diego area. If you are interested in volunteering in the San Diego area please call (858) 513-6511.

REMEMBRANCES

Our hearts go out to…

• Mike and Judy Bushnell for the loss of both sweet Mr. Charlie and Jaydon 

• Michael Vance and Kelly Reiss for their loss of Ariel.

• Colleen Browne for her loss of Lucille.