BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR!

By Joy Moss

For the last couple of years I have been wanting to add a third greyhound to my family, but last fall it became apparent that if I wanted one to attend shows with me that I had to adopt a youngster soon.  I took Tanner and Sharin with me to Tucson for the grand opening celebration of Greyhound Adoption League’s new pet kennel, and both came home injured.  Eleven year-old Tanner just doesn’t have the strength in his hind end, and his old bones deserve the comfort and soft beds at home.  Sharin, who will be ten years old in May, with her overdeveloped shoulder muscles, shouldn’t be getting in and out of the truck on a regular basis.  Going up is easy, it’s the jumping down that injures her (and she refuses to use the ramp).  Those soft tissue injuries just seem to take forever to heal.

Now, I knew just what I wanted in a third grey.  The most important part was to make sure that any potential addition to the family got along well not only with Tanner and Sharin, but also with Silver Kitty.  Since I am on the go almost every weekend, talking to people about adopting greyhounds, I wanted a friendly, outgoing greyhound.  A young one to keep up with, and play with the frequent fosters.  And I also have to admit I was not color-blind.  I really wanted a black male with a tuxedo.  After more than fifty fosters, I finally adopted my third greyhound from Hemopet through the Southern California Greyhound Adoption League foster program.  AJ was my Christmas present.  Coincidentally his birthday is the day after Christmas – his sixth birthday.  Oh well – compared to Tanner and Sharin, he’s relatively young!  AJ is a big black boy with tuxedo markings, and so maybe he has more gray than white – oh well.  AJ is also not a great show dog.  He is very shy, terribly afraid of most men, and would much rather be cuddling on the couch than shaking down the x-pen – oh well.  But the most important qualification was met.  AJ fit right in to the pack, and Silver Kitty will actually sleep curled up with him, which she rarely does with Tanner or Sharin.

After allowing AJ some time to adjust, I started to foster again.  The first time was confusing for AJ, but he quickly seemed to get the hang of teaching the new greyhounds how to get mom to hand out the treats.

In early March, we made another trip to Tucson , with the intention of bringing back at least one SoCalGAL foster from the GAL pet kennel.  Big surprise – I fell in love with a tiny little red brindle girl named Willow .  She’s cute as a button, only weighs 50 pounds, and not even two years old yet.  I practically begged to be allowed to foster her!  I was just sure she was going to be my fourth dog.  In the meantime, a nearly six year-old brindle girl had been returned from her home of three years.  Without even seeing Lulu, we agreed to find her a new home in Southern California .  The morning arrived to pick up the girls for the trip back, and I was so focused on Willow that I barely saw the pretty blonde brindle Lulu.  The next few days were very interesting… Sharin disliked Willow almost immediately. Sharin has always been very good at sharing her toys, but Willow wanted them ALL!  

Silver Kitty was afraid of Willow and refused to come out of the closet. And even Tanner lost his patience with her exuberant ways.  I am happy to report that we found a different home for Willow .  She now gets to boss Rupert around!  (Needle Nose Notes Volume 6, Issue 7, November 2001)

While Willow had been bouncing around, Lulu had been quietly worming her way into everyone’s hearts.  Those soulful brown eyes seemed to say that she really needed to stay.  The first evening after Willow left for her new home, AJ and Lulu were curled up on the sofa together (squishing me!), when Silver sauntered into the room.  The cat casually walked over, jumped up between Lulu’s legs and proceeded to lie down on top of Lulu!  That was the final seal of approval.  Lulu is now officially named Buffy Moss.  That most important qualification is evident on a regular basis, with AJ, Buffy and Silver happily all curled together.  I still don’t have a young grey (thank goodness!), but it seems that all my “requirements” have been met… with two greyhounds not just one.  I wouldn’t trade my big shy AJ for a million bucks, but Buffy is my friendly, outgoing greyhound ambassador.

By Carole Oglesbee

It started last year with a gorgeous spring day, two friends looking for something to do, and greyhounds who always appreciate a new walking area.  Mid-April last year began with just one new walk and turned into a great routine.  We walked Wednesday evenings during daylight savings time around Woodbridge North Lake in Irvine .  Sometimes there would be half a dozen greyhounds and their human companions, and sometimes our numbers would swell to two dozen or more greyhounds.  No matter who came or how many, we all had a terrific time during our weekly walks.  We truly enjoyed each other’s company and that of our greys.  We enjoyed the fresh air and exercise.  Most of all, we enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.  It turned out to be one of the best midweek break ideas any of us could have planned.

With such positive results from last year, we have decided to start up our weekly walks once again.  By the time most of you receive your Needle Nose Notes, the Wednesday night walks will be under way.  However, please feel free to join us on any Wednesday evening between now and the end of daylight savings time.  We meet in Irvine at Barranca and Lake in the Coco ’s parking lot.  Our meet time is 6:00PM and we usually finish up by about 7:30PM . So please, let your greyhounds climb into your cars, trucks, vans or SUVs, and come on over to the lake for a casual walk and loads of friendship.  You will all be welcome.

For those of you in the San Diego area, Lois Niven has started up a group called the Greyhound Walking Club of San Diego.  For walking locations, you can access their web site at  http://www.gwcsdc.homestead.com/  All the information you need to join in their walks is listed.  We hope some of our San Diego county members will give them a try.  If the walks are anything like our Wednesday night Orange County events, you’ll be delighted with the time you make for yourselves and your greys.

Well, not quite the “Biggest Show on Earth”.  However, for those of us in the Southern California animal world, the America ’s Family Pet Expo might as well be.  Thousands of folks went through the Orange County Fairgrounds the first weekend in April to see one of the largest varieties of pets and pet related products displayed anywhere in our area.  For the Needle Nose Crew, it is without a doubt the biggest event we attend. 

This was the second year for the phenomenal show to be held in the Orange County venue.  The sponsoring organization, World Wide Pet Supply Association, Inc., went to bat for all the exhibitors and made many improvements to the show.  These improvements included spread-out display areas and wider aisles that put all of us more at ease as we talked about our beloved greyhounds.

Most important of all though was the wonderful response the NNC had from the many volunteers and their greyhounds who responded to the call of help in order to staff our booth.  During and after the show, we had many comments on how friendly and informative our various volunteers were.  We know we do a great job at promoting greyhounds but it is always nice to hear from the outside world that they appreciate our efforts, professionalism and friendliness. 

So to all of you who worked a shift and/or stood by in reserve in case you might be needed, we thank you.  It is with your help that we are able to continue to let the public know just how wonderful our greyhounds are.  Thanks for attending and presenting such a professional face for our group.  We as volunteers are all truly the backbone of our great organization. 

WRITERS WANTED…

Summer vacation planning is starting for many of our readers.  I know some of you have vacationed and/or camped with your greys and we need your help and experience.  We would greatly appreciate any tips you have that would make traveling with our greyhound companions more enjoyable.  Dust off those pens (or keyboards), and send in your stories.

	Scott & Lauren Graham for their loss of the lovely Dove
	Mike & Judy Bushnell for their loss of wonderful Sammy
	Gil & Jacki Espino for their loss of Dulcie