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A TRUE "COACH" POTATO By Stan Brunner At first, I didn't even want a dog. I was raised without pets in the house and just didn't see the need to have any. My wife had brought a couple of cats with her into the marriage that eventually passed on of feline leukemia and old age. A couple of years later, she and our son Steven, started looking at some dog books about all the different breeds, thinking that in the near future we could adopt a dog. I was still reluctant to have any more pets. Ruthe and Steven heard about Hemopet in Irvine and went to investigate. They ended up spending a lot of time walking the Greys there, and coming home to tell me of all the wonderful dogs that they had met. Unfortunately it still fell on deaf ears. While on vacation that summer, Ruthe and Steven (somehow) convinced me to go with them to walk when we got back home. When I reluctantly agreed, I was impressed by all of the dogs that were at the facility. Among others, there was Garth, Scarlett and O'Hara, Dodger, and a couple of brindle roommates, B.J. and Coach. We walked these dogs (and others) for a couple of weeks, noticing that Coach had a very sweet and playful personality. Now, I (not being the one wanting a dog) became enamored with Coach as he paid me the most attention. I had long hair at the time and kept it back in a ponytail with a "scrunchy". Coach loved to sniff it and poke at it with his nose. I grew to enjoy his personality as well as his brindle coloring and the name "Coach" was really cool as I was coaching little league baseball at the time. Needless to say, we decided to adopt him. Ruthe didn't feel quite the connection to Coach like Steven and I did, but was so sold on a Greyhound that she said OK, and we brought Coach home that August of 1999. Ironically, Coach would become "Ruthe's dog", and to this day follows her all around the house, takes naps when she does and always has to know where she is at all times. When she comes home, we always have to yell "Mommy's home!!", and Coach will jump up from where ever he is to go greet her. We live in a small 3-bedroom condo, across the street from a park and the situation is just perfect for Coach. He is a true "couch potato" with his series of naps during the day. A true bonus is the large fenced-in field next to the park, where we can let him off the leash and let him run. It is truly a beautiful thing to watch him hit full speed in three strides. He can't maintain it for very long and always comes back to us winded but happy. When he gets home from his walks and runs he loves to pounce on his stuffed toys. He will then run VERY fast around in circles and then stop and 'pose'. He'll then go the opposite direction for a few circles and pose again. He then comes to one of us (usually Ruthe) for approval of his actions. As he is puffing and panting, he is told 'how fast he is' and 'how tough he is' as we rub his face and his ears. Oh, Coach's ears. Imagine two big satellite dishes at full extension when you have his attention. He is even capable of doing one ear up, and one ear down, and then alternate like 'semaphore' flags. He is a real sweetheart, and a true member of our family and we could never do without him. If (and unfortunately when) he passes to the "Rainbow Bridge" it may be about the same time that Steven goes off to college |
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At that time we will just have to get two more Greys: one to cover for Coach, and one to cover for Steven. This is just another example of how adopting Greyhounds can change people's lives. AND THEN THERE WERE TWO By Carole Oglesbee For the past seven years, brave holiday-spirited Needle Nose Crew members have met at Fashion Island Center in Newport Beach on the Friday evening before Thanksgiving for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. As the years have gone by, the crowd has grown and the parking has become more and more difficult. We’re not the only ones who have noticed the changes. The public relations department at Fashion Island has taken heed as well, and has decided to add a second tree lighting night this year. So we will attend the same event two nights in a row. The first night will be Friday, November 22nd, as usual, and the second night will be Saturday, November 23rd. We will meet at 6:00pm at the fountain outside of Robinsons/May and then make our way down toward the tree near Bloomingdale’s. For those new to the event, it usually takes about two hours to walk to the tree as we stop often to talk with those who want to know all about our greys. The walk back from the tree takes as long as you like as we disperse after reaching the tree area. Most of us are on our way home around 9:00pm. So dress yourself, and your greys, in festive warm clothing and come join us. Pick the night that best suits your schedule, or come out both nights if you would like. This event is a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season.
Bones (formerly Sherry) welcomes new "big" brother Kango! WE LOVE A PARADE By Janie Ulrich In the past, the Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade has been held the same weekend as the Corona Del Mar Christmas Walk. This year the parade is Saturday, December 14th, and we are very happy to include this event in our holiday schedule. The parade begins at 10:00am and travels approximately one mile down Crown Valley Parkway. I will be receiving more details regarding parking areas and staging times by mid-November. So, if you live in southern Orange County or north San Diego County (or even if you don't!) and would like to join us, please contact me for more information at one of the following numbers: Home phone: (949) 586-8086 - Work phone: (949) 863-1000 ext 386 - E:mail: Julrich@wga.com Festive holiday attire is definitely encouraged! GREY-SITTING CO-OP By Trish Schatz Have you ever thought of going away for a day, overnight, or longer but are concerned about where to board your greys. Do you ever have to work late and need help with getting your grey out for a walk? Many grey owners realize we have adopted a special breed and that ordinary kennels, vet offices, etc. are not the most ideal arrangements for boarding our greys. They don’t always do well in a noisy environment with other breeds. They like their couches and pillows, and most are so loved and spoiled that they need the human touch. Thus came about the idea of a dog-sitting co-op for grey owners that would allow us to assist others with providing services and also utilize the services of others when we are in need. |
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A small group of us got together to test our idea, and it has been very successful. To continue developing our co-op, we need to create a database with details to be able to match availability with needs. If you can help as a walker, can house overnight guests, or provide only day care, we need you. If you need help with care of your greys, we would like to be able to help you. We will need to know whether, for example, you need cat-safe or small dog safe greys, whether you are only available for day walking, overnight visits, whether your dog has special requirements. We will need to know how many greys you have, medical information, and current vet information. Please contact Trish Schatz @ trish.schatz@eds.com or 949-387-6594 for a registration form. Once completed, you will be included in the co-op database. GREYT SMILE By Donna Arcaro After reading the nice article by Maia Bourque (In Memory of Wind), I got to thinking that maybe some readers have never seen a greyhound smile. After a year of trying, I was finally able to get a photo of Gee showing us his "pearly whites". Sunny, formerly Sundown, hasn’t quite figured out what the grinning is all about. Gee’s frequent smiles are only outdone by his deadly weapon of a wagging tail. I think his racing name of Mr. G stood for "Mr. Grins" or "Mr. Giggles"!
 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 |
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