HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE CREW!

By Carole Oglesbee

As we close out 1998 and open 1999, it is time to reflect on last year. The Crew participated in 48 separate events last year which included quite a variety of venues and activities. There were 23 standard show and tells which were held at various pet stores, neighborhood centers and community fairs. We were included in 2 grand openings of new Petsmart stores that opened their doors in our Orange County area. We assisted with 7 events that were held to aide local Shelter and Animal Welfare organizations. We officially participated in 3 greyhound group picnic and fun days and many of us attended other greyhound groups' annual activities in order to enjoy the companionship and support the efforts of any and all rescue groups. The multiday (extreme effort!!!) events numbered 5 and included the American Family Pet Expo in Pomona, the Get-A-Pet Adoption Faire in Los Alamitos, the City of Orange Police Expo in Orange, the Home and Garden Show in Anaheim and the Harvest Festival in Irvine. We incorporated spreading the greyhound word with 2 fund-raising events which included multiple man hours and effort and were successful beyond our wildest dreams. The summer months found us at Expressly Portraits in the Mission Viejo Mall for weekends during July and daily during the first two weeks of August. Right in the middle of the Christmas season we staffed the Petsmart Santa Photo shoots at both the Foothill Ranch and Aliso Viejo stores. We have already distributed the $858 we earned at Expressly Portraits and the total is included in the sums listed later in this article.
  Finally, we tried out our new idea of joining various community events during the holiday season, attending 6 of them. All in all the holiday ideas were successful with some due to be repeated next year. We thank all who attended any of the events. Each one is an important piece of the puzzle that helps get greyhounds adopted into loving homes. Our reflections must include the funds we raise each year and the groups we are able to assist with those funds. We were able to distribute $1780 in total which included the following amounts and groups: Community Groups-Irvine School District (children's greyhound story books) $173.00, Irvine Animal Shelter $25.00, Laguna Animal Shelter $86.00, Mission Viejo Animal Shelter $26.00, Orange County Police Canine Association $100.00 and Seal Beach Animal Shelter $30.00. These funds were raised with 1997 Barnes & Noble gift wrapping efforts and NNC sales and donations received at various Open House and Demo events. Greyhound Rescue Groups- Retired Racers $550.00, Hemopet Garden Grove (dog chews and treats) $110, Greyhound Pets of America GLA/OC $180.00, Greyhound Adoption League (Tucson, AZ) $300.00 and Wings for Greyhounds $200.00. Again, these funds represent our donations during this past year but do not include the funds we raised both with our mail-in request and the Petsmart Santa Photo Shoots. We are delighted to be able to help various community and greyhound groups and appreciate all the effort and help our members give in order to make our donations possible. And so, we thank each and every one of you who walked, washed, placed and/or fostered a grey. Our hats are off to those of you who stood and talked for hours to strangers about these noble dogs. Thanks for all the phone bills, gallons of gas and wear and tear on your vehicles and shoes you incur in order to make a difference. Each and every greyhound placed in a new and loving home does so with the help of fantastic people all over the Southwestern United States. We rarely talk to or meet these wonderful folks, but with everything they do that is focused and positive, another greyhound finds a home. We are delighted to be part of and belong to a community of people who can accomplish so much with such love, energy and positive action . . .Thank You All! May 1999 be an even better year for all the greys who come our way.

 

PET PHOTOS w/ SANTA A SUCCESS!
By Jan Keith

The weekend of December 12-13, 1998, was an extremely busy one for the Needle Nose Crew and PetsMart as several dedicated volunteers spent their Saturday and Sunday playing Santa "Claws" (and his Helpers) for customers in the Aliso Viejo and Foothill Ranch PetsMarts. BUT, what a success!!! Over 200 families and their pets lined up for photos with Santa from 11 AM until 5 PM on both days and received a festive holiday ornament and greeting card with their pets photo right on the spot!! No waiting for weeks and wondering how the pics turned out--instant gratification was the order of the day. For all their hard work, NNC volunteers helped make this event the most profitable one yet, earning donations in excess of $1000!!! Job well done & special thanks go to all the Santas who endured the itchy beard & moustache & hot Santa suit--Ken Dunn, Mike Gallas, Geoff Keith, Robin Keith, Tony Lamparelli, Jim Mladnik, Rich Monroe, and Eric Shelman. Many thanks to all the Santa helpers--Lynn & Roger Aragon, Lane & Dan Kussman, Steve Carle, Pat Cooper, Linda Shelman, Katie, Mike & Christopher Sherman, Paul & Karen Embler, Janie Ulrich, Joy Moss, Darlene Monroe, Eileen Lamparelli, Pattie Price, Jackie Dahl, Leigh Siemion, Roberta Mladnik, Bonnie Francois, Toni Schultz, Carole Oglesbee & Jan Keith. Thanks from the greys-in-waiting and those yet to come!! We can make a difference in the lives of these dogs with the continued support & dedication of "our" Crew!!


HERE'S TO THE CLASS OF '98!
By Mike Gallas

Well, another training season has come to a close. I would like to thank all the dogs and their wonderful "people" who participated. So to Cheeta, Red, Sisko, Trixi, Sam, Deion, Shiloh, Charity, Cody, Dignity, Annie, Outlaw, Monty, Nick, Buck, Luther, Dusty, Lexi and, most of all Opus . . . A heart felt Thank You!! I hope the lives of the dogs and their families are a little easier to deal with now that they understand each other. With a gentle hand (and really good treats) you can teach a greyhound anything. There are many great moments in every season: that point in time when the dog "gets it", the perfect sit, a drop on command or a two minute down. Yes, this is the pay off for me. I get such a rush when everything comes together and the dog figures out what is expected of him. It is also wonderful to see the shy dogs with very little self confidence bloom into happy, confident personalities. Buck and Sam both came to class very reluctantly, but with the help and support of their people Lora Wright and Paul Embler, are now more confident, secure and less fearful. Way to go guys! Yet, my fondest memory of the season was watching Opus graduate. Opus is a really wonderful dog, just a bit more exuberant than most. Unfortunately, not all people look at him in such positive terms. Opus bounced out of several foster homes. A few good hearted souls even attempted to adopt him, but his enthusiasm became more than they could bear, and he was returned. Would he ever find a home? Some "greyt" people, Ken and Alice Johnson, just happened to be looking for a greyhound friend for their female, Lexi. After hearing of Opus' plight, they decided to give him a try. It took some adjusting, but, miracle of miracles, Opus bounced right into their hearts. Opus had found a home! Sweet as he was, Opus was in need of some manners, and schooling was in order. Opus struggled a bit at first. Concentration was not his strong point, but Ken was determined. Little by little, tidbits of information would stick. Opus was learning and responding to Ken's commands—well sometimes. As the weeks passed, Opus became more consistent. He would sit and lie down on command, but had trouble holding either position for more than a few seconds. Many would have given up, but Ken stayed with it, practicing and improving day by day. Well, graduation day arrived. It was time for Opus and his classmates to demonstrate what they had learned. In order to graduate each dog must be able to sit and stay for at least one minute and lie down and stay for one minute. All the dogs were working through their exercises nicely, even Opus was on his game. But, it came time for the "hard stuff", long sit and long down. Ken walked Opus to the testing area. Ken looked very concerned. Opus just looked happy. Ken gave the command, "Opus, sit". Opus fell into position. I began counting off the seconds, 10, 20, 30... It was a very long minute for all of us. But, Opus, the class clown, came through and proved himself. A roar rang out as everyone cheered. Ken gave Opus the biggest hug he had probably ever received. Opus wagged his tail and smiled back at the crowd. I was amazed and delighted—after all of their hard work and dedication . . . what an amazing transformation. What a wonderful goofy boy! Greyhounds have an amazing capacity for learning if taught in a way they can understand. With compassion, patience, dedication and really good treats, ex-racers can be transformed into first rate companions. The 1999 training season should begin mid-April. If you are interested in your own little miracle, come out and join us. See you at the park!!