PANYO PAMELA 

ANOTHER VIEW
By Jim Tejada & Daisy May

This letter was sent by Jim to NNN some months ago . . . it's a poignant
follow-up to Maggie McMurtry's article. ES

Dear Needle Nose Crew,

Some time ago, I read with great sadness, Maggie McCurry's story of her visit to the greyhound races, and the death of a dog called #2, Race 10. It hit so very close to home. I attended my very first greyhound race last October, while on a business trip to Arizona. Like those of you at the Caliente event, I had a wonderful time, and enjoyed watching the hounds flying around the track. One dog in particular however, caught my attention. My own couch potato, Daisy Mae, raced at this very park as Panyo Pooch. Now, on a crisp October evening, running in the 5th race from box number 8, was her kennel sister Panyo Pamela. Although not related by blood, I was thrilled none the less to be able to watch another member of the Panyo family. She was a petite little black sprinter, who ran with the grace and the confidence I've seen so often in Daisy Mae. Pamela finished 2nd that evening - by half a length, and as I closed my eyes, I could imagine Daisy dashing around this same field. During the weeks that followed, I thought about her often, and wondered how she was doing. Searching the Internet, I found I could follow her career via the park's homepage. She was quite a racer - as Daisy Mae was. During the spring, she raced in both grades B and C. She struggled a bit with the former, but when she was graded down to C, she usually tore up the field. Although she didn't win every race, she rarely finished out of the money. I must admit I secretly hoped to be able to adopt her after her racing career was over, or at the very least hoped she could find her way to Linda Brown's Retired Racers in Action, CA. I even asked Linda about this possibility, and received hopeful encouragement - providing the owner was willing to place this dog into the adoption program. But since he had already allowed Daisy Mae to be adopted, I was optimistic. Of course all this would have to wait, as Pamela was still winning, and making money for her owner and kennel. On June 5th, Pamela was entered in a grade B race. She drew box position #2 - the blue blanket. The following day, I checked the results page, eager to see how she had done. She was listed last - with a ominous sounding remark next to her name: "pulled up first turn - DNF (did not finish)." I was very worried for her - dogs don't just pull up in the middle of a race without something being terribly wrong. I figured she had been injured, praying it wasn't too serious. I checked the web-page, the local newspapers, even called the racetrack to inquire about her, but nobody seemed to know anything. I could only hope that she was safe, resting comfortably in a new home. My worst fears were realized when the July Needle Nose Notes arrived last week. The headline told the story - I didn't have to read the article. I knew.....and it just broke my heart. It is my hope that people will not remember her just as that dead dog from chute #2. She deserves much more than that. Although cut tragically short, she did have a good life, she had a future and she has people who loved her. As you hug your hounds this evening, please say a little prayer for a very special little lady at Rainbow Bridge:

Name: Panyo Pamela
Born: Sept. 26, 1995 - Died June 5, 1999

She flew home on angel's wings while chasing her dream.

DOG DREAMS
By Mike Gallas

In our August newsletter, Ron and Linda Heath asked why their greyhound, Football, howls in his sleep? Could he be dreaming? The logical answer to this question would be yes, your dog is dreaming. Although I am not aware of any scientific study that has proven dogs do indeed dream, after living in a multiple dog household for several years and experiencing this phenomenon several times myself, I think it is fairly safe to say that they do. I have watched our dogs "acting out" during “dream states” several times and continue to be amazed. There is such a variety of sound and movement depending on which dog is involved. Able, our eldest and alpha male, is a very “active sleeper”. He kicks his legs about as if he is in hot pursuit of something, muscles twitching all over his body. He also pants and emits little yipping noises. No wonder he stays so thin; his naps have become an aerobic workout! In contrast, our youngest male, Ben, is a very vocal sleeper. I have awakened to the sound of his forlorn cries and howling many times. One can only imagine what he is dreaming about. He seems to be in such a state of panic. The only way to reach him is to call out his name loudly several times. Once he is awake, his panic ends. This brings up the next question, what should one do to calm a dog who seems to be having a bad dream? Due to both the surprises of one’s approach and the dog’s intensified emotional state, the dog may snap if approached too quickly. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for greyhounds to sleep with their eyes open. Even though the dog may appear to be awake, it is advisable to call out to him before approaching too closely. This may take several seconds. I do not advise touching the dog until you are certain the dog is awake and aware of your presence. At this time, it should be safe to approach the dog in order to comfort him. Rubbing a dog’s ears is often an effective way to calm him down. Long stroking motions down the dog’s back seem to help calm him as well. I like to lie with ours until they fall back to sleep. I don’t know of anything one can do to stop a dog from dreaming or even if it would beneficial. Dogs, like us, may need to dream in order to stay sane. All we can do as their compassionate friends and caretakers is to be there to comfort them when they need us. Our wonderful dogs have lived through too many bad dreams already. Hopefully, with time and our love, they will begin to dream about long walks, big hugs and really good treats.

REMEMBRANCES
Our hearts go out to. . .

• Brian Montoya & Family for their loss of 10 year old Rex; 
• Tom & Sharon Cummings for the loss of their Rufus; 
• Sandy Gessert and family in Colorado for the loss of Mr. Wiggles.

THE STORY OF BARNES, 

PART TWO
By Lynn Plank

I have never gone through the pain or the joy with any animal that I did with our Barnes. My husband and I got back together after I brought Barnes home, which was a total surprise to my husband when he came to the door and Barnes and I both answered. His first reaction was this condo is not a place for a dog, (little did he know Barnes wasn't really a dog) and to top it off, I was leasing the property which made him more nervous about my new adopted friend. It came down to,"You need to decide between me or the dog." Well, needless to say I never needed to decide that . Over the next several weeks he bonded with Barnes before he even knew it, he was hooked and he had simply stolen his heart. Last January we discovered a growth on his front leg, with many months of doctors visits, x-rays, surgery and then amputation and a couple of quality months with him, then dealing with the reoccurrence of the cancer in his lungs, resulting in the loss of our boy, we had to say our final good-bye. He was strong after his amputation of his front leg, up and about the very next day, two weeks later up the stairs and even running in the back yard with his dear playmate Katz our other grey adopted almost 1 year ago from Retired Racers. Two and a half months after his amputation, suddenly, within one weeks time our boy lost his appetite. He was a real trooper, he continued to go outside and do his duty, stay be my side and take his herbs, go to the door when he heard his dad come home. I need to say how wonderful Linda Brown and Carol Oglesbee were throughout this very difficult time. There were decisions to make that we never had to make before, prayers that were answered, and they were both there answering so many questions over a long period of time, lending a helpful ear, guiding with their wonderful caring knowledge and support. Roger and I and Katz thank you so very much for all your help. When we needed to make a decision to either put Barnes down or amputate his leg, my husband and I knew he was not ready to go and we were not ready to say good-bye, that was a very difficult decision to make. We were in the process of moving from a very small condo to a home with a real yard and our prayers were answered. We asked if we could have more quality time with Barnes and if he could make it to his new home so he could have a real yard to play in, and also not to be in any pain, and that we would know when his time was here so he would not suffer, and we would be able to let go. The Lord works in mysterious ways, I became ill with a virus the week Barnes took his final turn home. I got to spend every day with him, even though I wasn't well my time was with him by my side. I would of never been able to go to work knowing that I couldn't be with him to give him all I could to make him comfortable and tell him all the wonderful stories I shared with him everyday from the first time I laid eyes on him, to when his daddy didn't first accept him, and then fell in love with him so quickly. Our prayers were answered and I thank God how he brought Barnes into my life and let me be with him his last week on this earth. He is really home now and someday we will be with him again, but in the meanwhile, that boy of ours is running on all fours with all his other friends and enjoying life with no pain at all, just an eternity of love, just like he gave us. Thank you Barnes. You're in our hearts forever and I still look into your eyes everyday. Love, Mom, Dad Katz & Woody (our parakeet who Barnes let perch on his leg)



CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

Don't forget the Needle Nose Crew is proud to present not one but three different Millennium Calendars for your gift lists this year. There is still stock of all three at the moment, but the copies are disappearing fast. If you want your copies, call 949 552-1373 to reserve the number you think you might need. We can hold them for your pick up or arrange to meet you at one of our upcoming show and tells!