THE MONEY END OF THINGS

By Carole Oglesbee

Each year the Needle Nose Crew must cover its expenses through generous donations and purchases made by our members and those who meet us during our shows. Although our expenses are minimal, they do exist and need to be paid. During 2003 we spent approximately $2300 to copy and mail our monthly newsletter. The cost of our literature printing ran about $500. We had to send the State of California about $300 for our share of the sales tax.  Last but not least, we paid out about $500 for show participation fees.  These costs bring us up to approximately $3600 in expenses during last year.

Thanks to everyone’s wonderful help, we cover our costs and each year have money left over. It is always our pleasure to pass on the extra dollars we receive to various groups and organizations.  This past year found us with more money to distribute than is normal. These extra funds were a direct result of our participation in the IVAS Acupuncture Clinics held in San Diego . So, thank you to each and everyone who made a contribution, purchased a product and/or encouraged family members, friends and clients to help us out.  We truly appreciate your assistance, which helps us spread the word about our wonderful greyhounds.

The following is our list of contributions for the calendar year 2003:

SHEER JOY

By Donny Moore

I am sure glad I got to go home with my new mom and dad, Mike and Marilyn.  I am so happy here.  I have been on my very best behavior and they are very impressed with me.  They play a lot with me and don’t yell at me when I play on my own.  Once in a while they stop me from running in the house, but Mom says it’s because the downstairs neighbor is home and it sounds like thunder down there.

I have my choice of where I want to sleep.  I usually sleep on the couch, but sometimes I go into the bedroom and get on the bed or in the doggie bed.

Mom won’t let me run into the bedroom any more because I overdid it one day.  I jumped from the doorway to the bed, and did a 180-degree turn in mid-air.  Well, I kind of overshot my mark and slid off the other side.  It’s a good thing Mom keeps a big soft quilt on the floor.  I was more embarrassed than injured because Mom was laughing so hard.

Mom and Dad take me to the Bark Park sometimes, and I really have fun there.  Everyone at the park throws balls for me (I love tennis balls) and I can hardly keep up with them all.  Last time we were there, I fell in love with a white standard poodle.  She and I played ball with her mom for a long time.  She sure was pretty.  By the time we leave the park, I am so tired I can barely walk.  But everyone there knows my name!

I had a wonderful Christmas.  I got three stuffed toys and four tennis balls and a whole stocking full of chewy bones!  Mom and Dad let me rip up the stuffed toys right away, but I still have the skins to play with.  Mom has given me a nickname – she calls me T.K. (short for toy killer).

I got Mom to sing with me one morning.  She did fine until she got out of tune, and then started laughing so hard she had to sit down.  Mom said we probably shouldn’t do that any more because it would disturb the neighbors!

I love my walks also.  Sometimes I get to play in the sprinklers and Dad laughs a lot, but the best is walking in the rain.  That is so much fun, I leap in the air just for sheer joy!

TO SCOTTY

By Rex Lawton

From birth they’ve never know any more,

Just a cage and a cement floor.

Born to run with a loving heart,

They didn’t know they were doomed from the start.

Of all God’s creatures given to man,

I’ll never in my lifetime understand,

How you can throw away a living soul,

Like dumping trash in an open hole.

Can’t you see the grace and beauty there,

The slender build, the shiny hair,

A pair of eyes that would melt your heart,

The slender tail, just waiting to start?

A heart so big, you’ll never know,

How much love it has to show.

With just a chance to romp and play.

What’s not to love about this grey?

	Larry & Linda Brown for their loss of Chloe
	Ron & Kathy Trammell for their loss of Miss Boo
	Pat Cooper for her loss of the gentle Alli
	Mark & Claire Fieger for their loss of Lobo

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

By Joy Moss

When we adopted our first greyhound, we thought that Tanner was a good “dog” name.  Of course, there were all kinds of nicknames (including Goofy!) but “Tan Man” was the one that was used most often. 

Next came Sharin.  What kind of name is that for a dog?  We discovered that her racing name was Sharin’ A Lane , and because of her spooky, shy nature, we decided we needed to continue calling her the name she was accustomed to.  I’m certainly glad now, five years later, we made that decision.  She has welcomed many foster and visiting greyhounds into her home (with a few exceptions!) and has happily shared her numerous toys, treats, chews, and beds.  Sharin has been the best “sharer”.

My next boy is AJ.  I had a lot of trouble getting used to saying AJ, but again decided my shy, spooky boy didn’t need to adjust to another name.  Antsy Jay was his racing name, and it sure fits when he’s out in public, but at home AJ is my “cuddle buddy”.

Then along came Lulu, the foster who insisted on staying.  Yuck!  She is definitely not a Lulu.  One day I looked at her and said “Buffy?” and she got so excited and wagged her tail like crazy.  Well, it’s better than Lulu.  And now that California has the “Terminator”, I have the “Buffinator”!!

What’s the story of your greyhound’s name?  Does he or she have a special nickname?  Send me an email, or snail mail a note to me for next month’s Needle Nose Notes!