VOL 9, ISSUE 7

Give Thanks for a Greyt Gobble-Day!

NOVEMBER  2004

With the end of summer comes the end of daylight savings time. With the end of daylight savings comes the end of the Needle Nose Crew walks around North Woodbridge Lake in Irvine on Wednesday evenings. Or does it? As luck would have it, we have some very active, die-hard walkers. These folks don’t want to let a little bad weather and/or darkness get in their way. So there will still be folks meeting at 6PM on Wednesday evenings for the weekly Walk Around the Lake. Those braving the elements will meet in the Coco’s/Water’s parking lot located at the northeast corner of Lake and Barranca in Irvine. For those of you who like brisk weather, good company and plenty of greyhounds, please come on out and join our hearty walkers. Remember to bring warm clothing not only for yourselves but also coats for your four-leggers. Some evenings can be a tad bit chilly. Of yes, and throw the umbrella in the car just in case. These folks walk in the rain as well. Who says Californians can’t handle a little bad weather!

On Wednesday October 13th I got High.  He's an adorable brindle boy with a silly expression and a slight limp due to corns on two of his paws. His two new older brothers, Vinnie and Zipper, are getting used to High following them everywhere.  Many people have asked me why I decided to adopt High.

So here are my Top Ten Reasons:

#10 - Any time you can get High without the aid of drugs or alcohol is a good thing.

#9 - I'm a sucker for a cute face and a sob story.  His slight limp just melted my heart.

#8 - As his Foster Mom, I ruined him for any other home by spoiling him rotten.  (High got his dinner while he lounged on the sofa, because I didn't want him to have to stand on the hard tile to eat.)

#7 - I've learned a new use for duct tape. (Putting duct tape on his corns helps them go away.)
#6 - High's racing name was Ace's High, so he will now be known as Ace. My nickname was once Ace.  I sprained my ankle and had to wear an Ace bandage for many months, so everyone just started calling me Ace.

#5 - With a dog named Zipper, and now with one named Ace, I can honestly say I know greyhounds from A to Z.

#4 - I've always been envious of the dogs that could wear that hot turquoise color.  Now with a handsome fawn brindle I can buy turquoise collars, leashes and a cool necklace.

#3 - Any dog that can inspire such a silly list of reasons to be adopted is my kind of goof ball.
#2 - High's a big love bug and has proven himself to be worthy of our crazy household. He's my first greyhound that is an actual couch potato.  When he first walked in my house he ran straight for the couch and hasn't left it yet.

And the #1 reason I got High is . . .

It was meant to be.  High picked us and has kissed and cuddled his way into our hearts! 

When the subject of adopting special needs greyhounds came up in a recent conversation, my first thought was "Oh, that’s too hard… and too heartbreaking." Then it was pointed out that John and I have been doing that for years. We just never though of old greys, and greys needing medication daily, or chiropractic treatments monthly, as "special needs".

Drew had severe back and hip problems, and Nicky had a leg injury that wasn’t treated correctly, leaving him with a serious limp and back problems. As far as we can tell, he was also in several track accidents resulting in head injuries. He certainly isn’t "the sharpest tool in the shed", but he’s one of the most loving. Both Drew and Nicky were on a regimen of pills twice a day and exercise up and down our mountain, and they gradually regained strength in their back legs and hips. The joy of seeing them run down the mountain, or jump up and down playing with a stuffed toy is worth all the worry as they healed. The first time Drew threw a stuffed toy into the air, then play bowed to it, the tears rolled unchecked down my face.

Ellen has severe Panus, and needs drops in her eyes twice a day and ointment every night. Each time, she raises her face for the drops or ointment, knowing she’ll get a treat and a hug. The last time at the vet’s, he was pleased (and surprised) to tell us there has been no further deterioration in her eyes. We know she may someday lose her sight, and we’ll help her adjust. She’s one of our brightest greys, so we’re convinced she’ll do well.

When they came to us, Zack had arthritis in his right shoulder and right hip, and Sunny had it in both front hocks. Penny came to us with a badly healed rear hock. All three are on glucosamine and chondroitin with MSM twice a day, not to mention whatever other medications they take periodically.

Li’l Bit is a true ditz. We tease her that she doesn’t have a single brain cell in her beautiful blonde (fawn) head. She can’t be trained to remember much of anything, and there are no pills for her "special needs"!

Georgie isn’t a ditz, just not quite bright. He has allergies, and he has to take Atarax twice a day. He’s exuberant and happy, but sometimes mows down whatever is in his path. We’ve nicknamed him "Tigger", since he likes to bounce and jump, but still needs help remembering how to climb into the car.

Several of our greys came to us late in their lives. Evan was 13, Kuki was 12, Annie and Judy were 11, and Lady and Sammy were 9. Annie is still with us, and going strong, although also going deaf. Though we had the other "old" greys only a few months or a few years each, we are constantly thankful that we didn’t miss having these wonderful greys in our lives.

Most of our greys, those with us now and those who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge, have needed one type of medication or other on a twice-daily basis, and vet, chiropractic and acupuncture visits fairly often. (We’re suspicious that we recently single-handedly sent our vet on a cruise to Alaska!) We have "pill time" twice a day, and it’s a chance to spend a few special minutes with each grey.

We didn’t think of any of our greys as "special needs" when they came to live with us. One look into a pair of liquid brown eyes, and we were lost. No special need was too much – it wasn’t even a consideration. We fell in love (again), and a greyhound, whatever their need, had a home, for better or worse, for the rest of their life. Any pain at losing an older grey or one who finally succumbs to the aftermath of track injuries, is far outweighed by the joy and love we receive while they are with us.

All greys add something special to our lives; but the "special needs" greys bring an extra dimension of love and appreciation with them. Just try it, and you’ll know what we mean!

HOLIDAY TIME

As the busy holiday season approaches, remember to make sure your greyhound’s environment stays safe.

With people coming and going, visits and parties, shopping and errands, please take care when opening doors. I have an exercise pen across my front door – I know it’s not "House Beautiful" – but the dogs can’t bolt out the door when visitors arrive. Make sure your pet always wears a collar with ID tags.

I love just about everything about Thanksgiving dinner (except maybe the clean-up afterward)! Pets are not garbage disposals for holiday leftovers – don't upset the season by making your pet ill. Dogs become accustomed to a regular diet and treating them to excessive fatty holiday leftovers can upset their entire systems. Stick with their normal diet and avoid giving them more than a scrap or two. Bones of any kind can be dangerous to your pet, but particularly splintery turkey bones. Aluminum foil that has been wrapped around meat and disposable baking pans are very attractive, so be sure to discard them securely. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to many domestic animals, including dogs. Alcohol (many dogs like the taste) is also toxic. Both of these holiday traditions have proven fatal. Food gifts are also best kept out of reach. Many a greyhound has sampled gifts intended for another. They may be sighthounds, but their noses work pretty well, too.

Keep in mind that many plants such as Holly, Poinsettias, and Mistletoe used as holiday decorations are toxic if ingested. Keep them out of reach, or use artificial alternatives. Even if your dog isn’t a grazer, it may try chewing leaves or berries just to see what they are.

Christmas tree decorations such as tinsel, glass balls and popcorn strands can cause serious intestinal complications. The trees have also proven irresistible to many greyhounds who feel it is their duty to keep the tree "watered" (girls too!), or just find it convenient to have a tree in the living room. An exercise pen has proven useful in curtailing this behavior. Once the tree is positioned and decorated, simply wrap the exercise pen around it as a barricade. Dogs that have free run of the house may need to be confined during unsupervised hours.

Finally, remember to make time for your greyhound buddy during this busy season. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, pets become stressed. Your dog depends on you for companionship and love. Share the joy of the season with your pal. Happy Holidays from all of us at the Needle Nose Crew!

	Brenda Christianson for her loss of Scarlett
	John Bauer & Len Betz for their loss of the impish Stacy
	Marie Guanzon for her loss of her true love Dixie
	Richard & Teresa Victor for their loss of Doc
	Donna Baker and Family for their loss of Pokey
	Jeff & Yolanda Heller for their loss of Bruno
	Kathy MacInnes and family for their loss of Ravin
	Greg and Marsha Palmer for their loss of the gallant Hooter.