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TO LOVE ME IS TO KNOW ME By Mike Gallas So, you have provided a greyhound (or two or more) with a good home. You make sure he is eating a nutritious diet, has one or more comfortable places to stretch out, and more toys than he knows what to do with. You may have even provided this fortunate fellow with a full wardrobe of sweaters, collars and accessories. Teeth are scaled as needed, shots are up-to-date and your new grey is the picture of health. Good for you! This sounds like one lucky dog. These are important aspects for the well being of your new friend. Yet there are other equally important aspects that are often overlooked. Do you really know your dog? Do you understand each other, have a common language? Have you set boundaries as to what is acceptable behavior? Are you in charge? These are important questions if a happy, well-adjusted dog is important to you. Here are some suggestions that will hopefully help in forming a happy and lasting relationship. (1) As much as you may like to believe it you and your dog will never be equal. Dogs just don’t think in such terms. One is either the dominant or the subordinate - period. Often times a dog may not even be up to the challenge of being top dog, but if his human is not providing any leadership the dog has no choice. Leadership does not mean cruelty, just boundary setting and guidance. (2) Spend quality time with your dog every day. We are all busy with daily life, but your dog is a social being, and all the toys and dog treats in the world will not make up for you not having time for her. This means interactive play, hugs, kisses, baby talk, long walks together, a good brushing - whatever it is that makes your dog happy and builds the bond between you. Quality time need not take hours, just enough time for her to know that you still care. (3) Read a good book. The more you know about your dog, the better you can provide for him, and the better you will understand how a dog works. It is amazing to me that so many dog owners will happily spend a fortune on dog fashions, but not spend a few dollars on a good book. There are several very good dog/greyhound books from which to choose. "Adopting the Racing Greyhound" and "Adopting the Racing Greyhound for Dummies" are among the best and should be in every greyhound-lover’s home. The Monks of New Skete books are very good as well and I highly recommended them. (4) All greyhounds that started their lives as racing dogs need to be socialized. Some need more socializing than others do, but all ex-racers need to be exposed to the world around them. A greyhound misses out on much of the typical puppy experience. It is up to you to expose him to all the new things in his world. Just think how lost you would be if you didn’t see the outside world until you were an adult. (5) Take a class. One of the best ways to tie together all of these suggestions is to take a class with your dog. A class will teach you how to communicate with your dog, and to work as a team. You’ll learn how to be the leader, as well as help toward socializing him. It is a great way to meet other new greyhound owners and to iron out any problems. I teach greyhound manners and socialization in the Irvine area and will have two more classes this year. One class will begin in mid June and one in late August. I can be reached at (949) 642-0228. If you do not live in the central Orange County area, find a class in your area. It will make a world of difference. |
Note from Editor… Please refer to the February 2002 Needle Nose Notes for trainers in different areas of Southern California. NEW PATH TO WEB SITE Because of changes at OCNOW, our new web site address path is: http://communitylink.ocnow.com /groups/needlenosecrew – please be patient, it’s taking a while to get back up and running. MY LITTLE GIRL KASSIDY By Lauren Graham This is to celebrate the life of my wonderful girl / angel, Kassidy, who passed away on November 2, 2001. Many of you may have met Kassidy at Hemopet in Irvine from which we adopted both Kassidy and Kurri in August of 1997, or afterwards at a "meet ‘n greet". We had already decided to adopt Kurri, but that changed very soon after my husband walked Kassidy a few times. One time after walking, he climbed into her kennel and Kassidy lay down and put her head in his lap. We also took in Sgt. Bilko, who was being abused, and questioned whether to stay a two-dog family. Sheila Budd assured us that three dogs were as easy to keep as two dogs. I’m glad we decided for all three. When we moved to Arizona in February of 2000, we joined Greyhounds of Fairhaven. We do Renaissance Festivals here, and also in San Diego and Las Vegas. Kassidy and I started attending the Festivals together and it was the beginning of a whole new bond between us. When I would get into my costume, she would be at my heels, following me all through the house so I could not forget her. Kassidy would have a big smile on her face all day long. She loved the people and would drag me over to greet everyone who visited the booth. In January of 2001, we adopted our third greyhound, and all of us would happily go to the Festival. Then, last August, Kassidy was diagnosed with bone cancer. The vet said she would live no more than six months. On Halloween, I was let go from my job. We sat outside, with Kassidy lying on her bed, enjoying the kids coming up to pet her while I handed out candy. I was able to spend all of the last few days of her life with her, until that Friday when it was time to say goodbye. Thank you to all who sent condolences and to the Gessert Family for their donation in her name to the Morris Animal Foundation. I thought of Kassidy at the past Renaissance Festival as I wore a Rainbow Bridge pendant in her honor.
IRVINE - Dress up your dog (and yourself) in red-white-and-blue, and join us on the 4th of July for the Woodbridge Wheels and Tots Parade, in Irvine. The Parade runs for one block along Barranca Ave, from Lake to Creek, and back again. Meet in the parking lot of the LakeView Senior Center, on Lake Avenue, just north of Alton. |
(Don't try to drive on Barranca. It'll be closed for the parade.) Line up at 9:30am, because the parade starts at 10am sharp! For more information, contact Michal Peri at 714-381-0559, or michal@alumni.caltech.edu. IDYLLWILD - For anyone looking to go a little bit farther, join us in Idyllwild, for the annual 4th of July parade, or for the Needle Nose Crew show on Saturday, July 6th at Kountry Kollectables. CHNIO – For lots of red, white and blue (and greyhounds, too), you and your greys are welcome to join in at the Chino Hills 4th of July celebration. There are plenty of booths with games, food, and good stuff to buy. PLAN AHEAD FOR THE NOISE Some of our wonderful companions just don’t tolerate 4th of July celebrations very well. If your grey is noise sensitive, please plan ahead. Set up a quiet "protected" corner of the house. Interior bathrooms are usually a bit more sound proof. Just in case, don’t leave your greys home alone. We hear stories every year about greys that injure themselves trying to "escape" the noisy fireworks. Consider contacting your vet now to ask about medication options. Here’s to a happy – and safe – Independence Day!
SUMMER CASUAL Last month, a few of us were feeling a little bored and restless, and decided to go for a walk around Woodbridge Lake in Irvine. It was a warm summer evening, plenty of daylight left and marvelous company. One thing lead to another and four Wednesdays later, the walk has become a regular summer event. We meet each Wednesday at 6:30PM in the Coco’s parking lot at Barranca and Lake. Unless you like to gab after the event (which none of us do…right??), we are usually finished about 7:30PM. For those of you not familiar with Irvine, the intersection is two lights east of Culver and Barranca. You will find the location on any recent Orange County paper or Internet map. So for those of you interested in some fresh air, relaxed exercise and great company, please "grab your greyhounds, and come out and join us". CLICK HERE FOR THE NEW PATH TO THE NNC WEB SITE, THEN SAVE AS A "FAVORITE" or "BOOKMARK" 
Send your articles and pictures to: Joy Moss, Editor, Needle Nose Notes 4857 Royce Road, Irvine, CA 92612 greytjoy@msn.com Contributions are always welcome and help our cause. Needle Nose Crew, P.O. Box 3012, Laguna Hills, CA 92654-3012
Editor: Joy Moss 4857 Royce Rd., Irvine, CA 92612 |
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