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A monthly newsletter to keep you informed.
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Rescue Results for November
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In November we had 6 adoptions but no new arrivals.
That makes our year-to-date totals 118 adoptions and 122 rescues (103 to AG and 19 to other groups).
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| Tis the Season for Freezin' |
It's the time of year when visions of sugar plums dance in a lot of our heads. Many of
us are beginning celebrate our holiday traditions whether it's a trip to Grandma's
house or reciting every line while watching It's A Wonderful Life. But, some of us are
preparing for one of my favorite traditions-American Greyhound's Polar Plunge.
This year's Polar Plunge will take place on New Year's Day at North Avenue Beach in
Chicago, and we would love to have you join us on the beach! All you need to do is
visit our FirstGiving page to get registered.
Back by popular demand, this year's Plunge will feature three divisions:
- Polar Bears: This is the traditional division in which a plunger head is entirely submersed in the icy cold water of Lake Michigan.
- Penguins: This division will showcase the plunging talents of our volunteers who want to participate but can't quite make themselves go all the way under.
- Warm Walruses: This division will feature our virtual plungers who would rather plunge into their warm wooly blankets.
After we take the plunge, we travel just up the street to the Old Town Ale House for
our annual warm up party. Many memories are made and it's an event you won't want
to miss.
So what do you say? Are you willing to start a new tradition and start 2016 off with a splash?
Happy Plunging,
Sarah Gasienica
Polar Plunge Coordinator
[email protected]
(219) 263-8742
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Tamara Foss: Champaign-Urbana, Illinois Representative
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A couple years ago I was contacted by a lady from central Illinois who was very
interested in helping American Greyhound get the ball rolling in that area. She had previous
experience working with an Illinois Doberman rescue and even a little bit with a greyhound
rescue. Over time we continued to discuss ways we could establish our operation around
Champaign-Urbana, and we began getting materials (brochures, adoption supplies, etc) to her to help her get set up. Slowly things began to fall into place. That lady has become our
Champaign-Urbana Representative, and her name is Tamara Foss-Someone you should know.
When we began talking, Tamara had adopted a big black boy named Callen, who was
likely a greyhound mix. Eventually, Tamara began fostering for us and shortly thereafter, she took in a little fawn girl from a Decatur who became her first foster dog. Kensi also became Tamara's first dog adopted from American Greyhound.
Tamara is in a special situation that allows her to bring all her dogs to work each day.
This may seem odd until you learn that she works for the ASPCA (American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Then it seems perfectly normal.
Since Kensi, Tamara has fostered a number of dogs for American Greyhound. And, just
as important, she has helped us get possession of some dogs in her area that needed our help. We see a large population lurchers and other greyhound mixes in the central Illinois area. It is very important that when they need a hand, we are there to lend that hand. Likewise, it is important that we have Tamara there to alert us to any and all dogs who may be there waiting for an adopter.
Lately, Tamara has been hard at work getting the word out about what we do. She
recently booked us to appear on a local television program and it was an outstanding success, thanks to Tamara. She is also working on scheduling us to appear at local pet stores.
If you happen to live in the Champaign-Urbana, and are interested in coming out and
making a difference, please contact Tamara at (217)384-5082 or e-mail her at
[email protected]. We'd love to have you join us.
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Again this year, American Greyhound is holding photo sessions with Santa "Claws" at the Petco store in Highland, Indiana. Our first session was last Saturday and was a little slow, possibly due to the unseasonably warm and sunny weather. But, we still have two dates left for you to get out and let your four legged friends tell the big guy what they'd like to see under the Christmas tree this year.
This Saturday, Best Buddies Pet Pantry (some very good friends of ours) will be providing the Santa, due to scheduling issues our Santa (the real Santa Claus) can't make it. But, he'll be back in his seat and ready to brighten your pups Christmas on the following Saturday, December 19th. The photo sessions begin at 11:00 AM and conclude at 4:00 PM. Come either day and your photo will benefit American Greyhound.
We hope to see you and your hounds. And, make sure you remind them that Santa whether
they have been good this year.
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| Champaign-Urbana, Illinois |
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This past month, American Greyhound appeared on the local CBS affiliate, WCIA on their
afternoon show, "ciLiving". This exposure was a wonderful opportunity to show the Champaign-Urbana area what American Greyhound is all about and hopefully turn up some new volunteers, foster families, and adopters.
A good number of our hounds have found their forever home in the Champaign-Urbana area over the years. And that is one of the reasons we are beginning to put some added emphasis on establishing American Greyhound's programs in this region. We would like to establish a base of fosters and volunteers who can spread the word about greyhound adoption and hopefully find a few homes for some of our dogs.
Tamara Foss, our Champaign-Urbana area representative, has been very active for the last
couple years volunteering, fostering and recruiting. In fact, Max, one of our recent TGIE graduates traveled to the area last weekend and is now living in the home of our 2nd Champaign-Urbana foster.
If you would like to help get the ball rolling in the Champaign-Urbana area, please contact
Tamara at (217)384-5082 or e-mail her at [email protected]. We're not looking to overwhelm anyone or tie up a ton of your time. We welcome a whole lot of little gears turning the machine rather than a couple big ones. Whatever your comfort level, there is something you can do to help, and we'd love to have you.
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The American Greyhound Store has a new feature item coming. The camouflage Green Woodland was a real hit at the picnic so we are going to bring in the Sand Digital camouflage T-shirt. Limited quantities available so watch for this item to go live. An announcement will be made through our Facebook page and the newsletter.
Here is a sneak peek of the Sand Digital T-shirt!
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Happy Holidays Greyhound Family! American Greyhound Association has had an eventful year finding loving homes for our beautiful faithful friends. The prison program continues our efforts to socialize the hounds and then find temporary or permanent homes for them.
Do you have a free piece of real estate in your home for one of our sweet dogs? Do you have room in your heart that can only be filled with the love of one of our hounds? We have dogs waiting patiently for a warm and loving forever home.
I cannot begin to explain how wonderful my two "kids" are! Tut, my big white male, and Olive, my little female, both came from the prison program. The love and guidance they received while part of the program was invaluable in their ability to adapt to home life. The handlers provide support, training, but most of all human love and a personal touch to the dogs. The men have a way of opening the hearts and souls of the dogs, allowing them the chance to experience kindness and love in a way the dogs have never felt in their short lives.
Do you have one of our prison dogs? Please send me some updates and pictures of your hound. The handlers would love to know how the dogs are doing. Your pictures and updates are a small, simple way we can give back and thank the handlers for all they have done for our program and our dog. My email is
[email protected].
This holiday season think about putting one of our special sweet friends under your tree. They will be the gift that lasts forever!
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| 5 Things I Wish You Knew Before Euthanizing |
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Euthanasia.
The word itself makes all our stomachs drop. It is a gift to pets and a curse to owners - having the power to decide is something we are not comfortable with. However, when going through the euthanasia process with your own pets, you are in a position to make numerous decisions that can change the course of the overall process. As a Veterinary Technician, I witness euthanasias on a daily basis. Let me share from personal experience the 5 things I wish every pet owner knew.
1. It's ok to cry
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People apologize to me all the time for crying over their pets. Whether it's time to say goodbye, or you are simply having a hard time watching us draw blood on your dog, I wish you knew that I GET IT.
Many of us who work in animal medicine (myself very much included) are totally neurotic, hypersensitive, and obsessive when it comes to our own pets. I may seem calm and collected while working with your cat, but that's because it's my job and I can't afford to be any other way if I'm going to be good at it. You best believe that the second my dog so much as sneezes, I go into a total state of panic, lose all common sense, and forget everything I learned in tech school. So, when you are crying over the pet that you have loved for years, I assure you, I have nothing but respect for you. I respect how much you care. I respect your ability to make such difficult decisions. I respect your bravery. And please know that no matter how demonstrative you may be with your emotions, you are still keeping it together more than I would be in your shoes.
2. Be there, if you can.
I am lucky to work in a hospital where the vast majority of pet owners stay with their pets for the euthanasia process. However, this is not always the case. I urge you to stay with your pets, if you can, for multiple reasons. First, for my sake. One of the absolute most difficult things I do as a Veterinary Technician is take on the role of comforting and loving a pet as they pass on when their human is not there to do so. It is an incredible weight to try to act on your behalf, and it is emotionally exhausting in a way that I cannot even begin to describe. When you stay with your fur baby, I can focus on my own job, instead of doing both of ours. Second, for your pet's sake. The vet can be a very scary place for animals - they don't understand what all these noises and smells are, or why these strangers are poking and prodding them. Do you want them to experience that fear alone? And have it be their very last memory? Your pet doesn't know what we are doing or why - they only know that you are there, that you said it's ok, that you love them. I remember being a child, and how scary going to the doctor was, but how much more confident I felt with my mom there reassuring me. I imagine that is exactly how pets feel. If you can find the strength to be there, please do so. Please let your love, your touch, your presence be the last thing your pet experiences.
3. Keep the collar on.
One of the saddest things I witness during the euthanasia process is when humans take their pet's collar off when they are still very much awake. To many pets, taking their collar off can have negative associations. For example, I know my own dog panics when I remove her collar as she knows it's bath time! I want your pet to be as comfortable as possible, and that means not making any major changes immediately prior to euthanizing. Pets are much smarter than we give them credit for, and they pick up on the smallest of cues. The unknown is scary to your pet, so even if they don't know what the cues mean, the idea that something is new and strange and out of the ordinary is enough to cause them some sense of anxiety. So, keep the collar on until your pet has passed. Let them go in the state that they always were.
4. Make it a celebration.
Bring treats. Tell stories. Laugh and cry at the same time. Surround yourselves with all his/her favorite toys and beds and blankets. It's ok to cry, and it's also ok to celebrate! I love when people tell me they took their dog to the beach or napped in the sun with their cat right before coming in to the hospital. This is going to be one of the hardest days of your life, but it doesn't have to be for your pet. I promise that the more you celebrate your pet's life, no matter how long or short, the easier it will be to continue to live your own once this is all said and done. It is ok to cry in front of your pet, to tell them how much you will miss them, to let them see you be absolutely beside yourself. I'm sure your pet has seen you at your worst before - I know mine has. But remember to celebrate, no matter how miserable you are. I promise it will make it easier for both you and your pet. What's more, It will allow you to reflect on the euthanasia experience with positivity - you will remember that you celebrated and you will feel good about having done so.
5. Prepare.
I want this moment to be entirely about you and your pet. In order for that to be the case, several things must happen. First, you must understand the euthanasia process. If possible, talk to your Vet or Tech prior to coming into the hospital, or prior to starting the process - ask them to walk you through the steps of euthanasia so that you know exactly what to expect. Ask as many questions as you need to in order to feel comfortable with the process (or at least, as comfortable as you can be). Know what you're walking into, so that your focus can be entirely on your pet. Second, take care of business ahead of time when possible. Sign any required paperwork. Pay the bill. Decide on after care. Even go so far as to prepare you next meal ahead of time, arrange a ride, rent a movie, invite friends over - whatever you think might help you cope when you return home from the hospital without your pet. The less you have to deal with during and after euthanasia, the better. I want you to be able to focus entirely on your pet during the euthanasia, and then entirely on yourself afterwards. Let's do whatever we can to make that possible.
Every euthanasia is different. Some are planned, some are sudden. Some may happen in your home, some in the hospital. Regardless, they are difficult - to prepare for, to cope with, to experience. I hope these 5 things will help you to plan ahead and to make the process as beautiful as it can be for both you and your pet.
-- Kelsey Beth
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Amazon Associates Program
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It is well into the Holiday season and folks are happily doing their shopping all over the stores and internet for their loved ones.
How about doing your shopping while making an extra difference? What if you had a way to give back to American Greyhound just by doing one extra click online, at no cost to you?
That is exactly how this program works! Simply navigate to our website,
www.AmericanGreyhound.org
and then click on any of the Amazon.com partner links posted all over our site and when you finish your online shopping American Greyhound will receive anywhere from 4-10% of your total purchase for our participation in the Amazon Associates Program! Every time you use this link to start an Amazon shopping event this will occur, not just during the Holidays.
What a GREYT way to spread extra Holiday Cheer and find more Forever Homes for retired racing Greyhounds!
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2016 Winning Hearts Not Races
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American Greyhound's biggest fundraiser of the year is just around the corner. Please save the date for the 2016 Winning Hearts, Not Races benefit auction on
Saturday, April 9, 2016
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This event continues to be a geryt success because of all of our wonderful volunteers. If you are interested in joining the Auction Committee to plan and/or volunteer for this special event please contact Nicole Roth (
[email protected] or
708-828-6810).
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As we mentioned last month, we are putting together a list of potential volunteers to participate in our hauls. This is a great opportunity to experience what it takes to move a hound from a track, farm, or wherever, into our rescue and ultimately find them their forever home.
If you're interested in participating or would like more information, contact Jeff Coggins at
[email protected]. We'll enter your email address into a list that will be sent out whenever we are planning a haul (that may be weeks in advance, or may be less than 24 hours, it varies from haul to haul). You'll hear back that your message has been received and you have been added to the list.
We'd like to give as many people as possible the chance to take a ride. So, get in touch and we'll take trip that will make a huge impact in the lives of the dogs we will haul, and I'm guessing you'll be impacted too!
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