Below are several articles from the August issue of In The Loop.
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In The Loop
download the August issue.
17th Annual Octoberfest
October 16 Dufresne Park
Granby Ma 12 - 4 p.m.
One of our three biggest fundraisers of the year, our 17th annual Octoberfest will be held this year on Sunday, October 16. We hope everyone will come out to Dufresne Park in Granby MA from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. to join us in celebration of our special breed. New adopters are especially welcome as there will be fun for Greys and owners alike.
As usual, we plan to have an adoption booth with Greys who are looking for homes and we are in need of foster homes for these dogs. If you would like to try fostering, even if it is just for this one event, please contact Claire at (413) 967-9088 or e-mail at: ckerr1@aol.com for the details. We hope to be able to bring a few more dogs up from West Virginia for this event in addition to the many wonderful dogs we currently have for adoption.
At the Octoberfest, we will once again have our very popular raffle and auction tables and would welcome any items you may have for these booths. Lisa Crouser at (413) 596-4945 can give you all the details on how to donate your items.
We are in need of vendors for the Octo-berfest so if you know anyone who might be interested in setting up a booth, please encourage them to contact Lisa Packard at (413) 253-4894 for more information.
Shelly Graziano of Graziano's Groom- ing will be offering nail trims if your dog needs some pampering.
Tick testing will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Only pre-registered dogs will have their blood drawn so please see the registration form on page 8.
Games and contests are always a big hit at the Octoberfest with Greys and owners alike so be prepared to enter your pet in our Singing Contest, Look-alike Contest and more! Good food will once again be a highlight of our event with our Greyhound Grill. Word has it that new offerings will be on the menu this year along with our famous homemade corn chowder!
The Octoberfest is a time to socialize with other Greyhound lovers and spend a day outdoors with your family and friends.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the company of others who love this breed as much as you do.
For more information about the Octoberfest, go to our web site: www.greyhound- options.org and click on Events and Meet and Greets. See you there!
Directions to the Octoberfest
From Springfield Area - Tak Rte. 21 North (Center Street) in Ludlow to Rte. 202. Turn left onto Rte. 202 South in Belchertown and continue for about 4 miles past the Granby Jr. Sr. High School. Turn left onto Kendall Street after the school. Park is on the right.
From Connecticut - Take Rte. 91 North to Exit 16 onto Rte. 202 North to Granby MA. Turn right onto Kendall Street after the town common. Park is on the right.
The State of Greyhound Options
Last issue I wrote about the June tornado, this time we just had Hurricane Irene. What will be next? Oh yeah, not too far off will be time for snowstorms again. Through it all, we have still gone to our meet and greets, made home visits and placed dogs in good homes. That's what it's all about and our dedicated volunteers continue to make this all happen, through the sunny days and the stormy ones.
We are continuing our work on the G.O. website and welcome any and all suggestions on how we can make it better. We plan to add more buttons to make it easier to find what you are looking for and are partnering up with the Facebook page to hopefully steer more traffic to the website where we have so much information about our group and Greyhounds in general.
Of course, plans are underway for our an- nual Octoberfest and we are looking for raffle and auction items as well as vendors. The items and vendor booths do not have to be specifically Greyhound-related; it is good to have a variety. If you want to help out at the event, we will welcome all the help we can get.
Claire needs a few more photos for the 2012 calendar so be sure to send your best ones along to her. More info on all these things are on the pages of this newsletter.
We hope to see you all at the Octoberfest and don't forget to stay in touch through our website and Facebook!
Cliff Kerr, President Greyhound Options Inc.
Our Special Thanks To
Jenn Farner for her donation
Dennis Purdy for his donation
Janet Hughes for her donation
Beverly Strodel on her donation in memory of "Quincy"
Tricia and Jeff Angelica for their donation in celebration of "Lucy's" fourth year with them
Ira & Mary Nathanson for their donation in memory of "Tracer"
Kathy Pratt for her donation in memory of "Tabitha"
Kelley Emery and Kelly Schuhlen for their donation in memory of "Dutch"
Nancy Weiner for her donation
Jen, Jim and Madison Flora for their donation in memory of "Sedona"
New 24-Hour Emergency Facility
Long-time Greyhound owner Kim Keegan told us that he is now working at Hampshire Veterinary Hospital that recently began offering 24-hour emergency service for sick and injured pets. Two veterinarians are on call 24 hours a day for your animal's urgent care.
Hampshire Veterinary Hospital is located at 260 Snell Street in Amherst MA. The phone number is 413-549-5800.
It is always good to know that there are facilities available when our beloved pets are sick or injured.
Fund-raising Corner
Raffle And Auction Items Needed
We all have times when life gets busier than normal, and we just can’t spend as much time as we would like on certain projects.
Well, this fall we find ourselves a little behind in soliciting donations for the Octo- befest raffle and auction tables, and we can really use your help. The raffle and auction tables are always a big part of our fund- raising efforts, and they are a lot of fun for those who attend our events. And we hope to keep it that way.
If you are a good customer at a local busi- ness, perhaps you can ask the manager if they can donate an item for an organization that you support. We will gladly provide any documentation that you may need. Or, if you see something in your travels that you might want to pick up as a donation, we would very much appreciate it.
Please contact Lisa Crouser at (413) 596- 4945 or email fundraising@greyhoundoptions.org if you can help. And, as always, thanks for your support!
From The Mailbag
Photo Gallery
Foster dog "Hershey" joins his sister
"Star" Packard for a family photo.
Sisters "Gilley" Lundgren, "Marlie" and
"Princess" Bertuch were recently reunited.
Greyhound Options Benefit Tag Sale
YOU made it a huge success !!!
I started our tag sale with two boxes of donated items from a friend and an idea. I put out a request to GO members and friends for STUFF!! and boy oh boy, did you respond! Thanks to you and your STUFF!! we raised nearly $1200 AND most importantly Greyhound awareness. WOW! Did your greys put on a show! Because of the venue we were able to have all visiting Greys off leash in an enclosed area . Lots of new space to explore and every one of them ran and played, totally loving a new spot with old and new friends. At one point we had about 15 running around exploring!
As the crowd watched, your herd ran up the hill, behind the tag salers, ran like crazy for about four minutes then rushed back down the hill, through the crowd, got a drink and found a bed!! The crowd roared!! I could feel my heart about to explode, they’re amazing! Because you brought your Greyhounds we made a fundraiser an amazing awareness event. I can’t tell you how many times I heard in the crowd, “Gee, I could have a dog like that….” Our Greys are so special if yelling from roof tops would get them adopted, I’d do it. Bringing your dogs here FOR A TAG SALE definitely opened the eyes of people unfamiliar with this very special breed. I NEVER could have done that without YOU.
G.O. members and friends, you are a wonderful group of people and it was my pleasure meeting each of you throughout this tag sale madness! Your help was im- measurable, truly. Our “Gate Masters”, Mark and Ed made the off-leash possible, the most important job of all!
This year was off the cuff and we got the go ahead for next year…..so, start a box or a corner or a room, START SAVING STUFF!!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK
YOU!
Liz Lunghi =)
GOT STUFF? or questions,
elizabethlunghi883@gmail.com.
Greyhounds and Reading Programs
Greyhound owner Nina Mulligan, who works at the Clapp Memorial Library in Belchertown MA told us about a program offered at the library which pairs children who may have some difficulties mastering the art of reading with dogs who are willing to listen to them read. The idea behind the program is to allow the child to read without any judgement. The library is look- ing for more dogs to join the program.
Dogs must have go through a therapy pro- gram such as Bright Spot which provides insurance for their "graduates." If your Greyhound has gone through such a pro- gram and you would like to participate in the reading program at the library, contact Jennifer at 413-323-0417. If you would like more information on Bright Spot Therapy Dogs, Inc., go to www.bright-spot.org.
"Briscoe" Juneau seems like a good
candidate for the reading program.
Greyhound Spa Night
Many people have asked us what happens when the dogs come to us from the race track. Because of Massachusetts Department of Agriculture regulations, all dogs coming in from out of state must spend 48 hours in isolation at an approved facility to make sure they do not bring infectious diseases into the state. When the dogs come out of this isolation, the fun begins!
At what has affectionately become known as "Spa released after 6 p.m., G.O. volunteers have been gathering to help the newcomers get off to a good start in their new life in retirement. It is exciting to see the new dogs as they begin their journey and here is a glimpse into what goes on during Spa Night.
One of the first steps is to trim nails. We have several volunteers who are willing to clip or Dremel the nails, saving the foster families that job. Not all the dogs have to picked up as shown here but sometimes it helps to calm them down during the process.
We test all incoming dogs for heartworm and blood must be drawn and put through the IDEXX test which also tests for ehrlichia, Lyme and anaplasmosis, in addition to heartworm.
At some point, the new dogs are shown one by one to Pickles, G.O. 's official "cat tester." This is not a definitive test of a dog's cat safeness but it does help us identify the ones with a very high prey drive so we do not place those dogs in a foster home that has cats. The dogs are introduced to Pickles wearing a muzzle and on a leash. Careful note is taken of their body language and interest. We estimate that Pickles has tested more than 800 greyhounds over the last 14 years!
An important part of Spa Night is the flea and tick bath, given by volunteers who brave the shower they usually get after the dogs come out of the bath and shake! This is a good time to look over the dogs and determine whether they have any skin conditions or injuries that may need to be looked at.
Everyone in G.O. loves to see what the new dogs look like and so a photography session is always on the agenda. A squawker is used to get a good expression and usually the dogs are eager to cooperate.
And of course, in between all these steps is plenty of time for hugs, kisses and reassurances that everything is going to be alright. This is such a big adjustment for these Greyhounds but volunteers are ready, willing and very able to provide all the love and affection they so richly deserve.
After a long night, the new Greyhounds go home with their foster families and finally get to relax in a home setting.
If you would like to attend a Spa Night, just let Claire know. She will be happy to let you know when the next one might be scheduled. You won't be sorry!
G.O. Golf Tournament Survives The Rain
The weather gods finally took pity on us and sent us a beautiful, sunny day for our11th annual G.O. Golf Scramble, held July 9.
Seventy-eight golfers enjoyed a day of fun and relaxation at East Mountain Country Club in Westfield and were joined for a delicious steak dinner by a host of extra diners after the match. The foursome of Ernie Welker, Randy Lavallee, Jason Lavel- lee and Andy Sullivan took home the first place trophies and the many raffle items drew a lot of interest from the golfers.
We thank Michelle Fortier, Kris Dufour, Caroline Silva and Anne Peplinski for helping with registration and Caroline Silva, Kathy Lenehan, Kris Dufour and Lisa Bryant for sitting at the hole-in-one holes. We also thank Kathy Loiselle , Liz Bertuch and Ed Peplinski for their gener- ous sponsorships and to all the golfers who made the day so enjoyable.
See you next year!
Lucky Dogs - Recent Adoptions
Sonya...........................Anne-Marie & Stan Sambor
Clarice.....................................Tricia & Jeff Angelica
Mike.................. Annie Barbour & Carolyn Hooks
Warren.....................................Janet & Kim Keegan
Abby................Dane Rasmussen & Michael Leslie
Helena..........................................Tanya Wasielewski
Bigley............................Meredith & Jeremy Wyman
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