Below are several articles from the August issue of In The Loop.
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In The Loop
download the August issue.
Ellie is hoping to find a home at this year's Octoberfest
16th Annual Octoberfest October 3, Dufresne ParkGranby MA12 - 4 p.m.
This year, in the hopes of better weather, we are holding our 16th annual Octo-berfest on Sunday, October 3, two weeks earlier than in years past. This is one of our three biggest fund-raisers of the year and we hope everyone will come out to Du-fresne Park in Granby MA from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. to join us in cel-ebration 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 retiredgrey@msn.com 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 Sherry Jones at (413) 667-8801 for more information.
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 delicious pulled pork 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.greyhoundoptions.org and click on Events and Meet and Greets. See you there!
Directions to the Octoberfest at
Dufresne Park, Granby MA.
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
It's that time of year again - time to think about our upcoming Octoberfest. It's hard to imagine that this is our 16th annual fall affair but it is one that we hope will be the best ever.
We are always in need of help for this event and one of the things we need most is someone with a pick up truck who is will-ing to bring the tables and adoption booth fencing to Dufresne Park and bring them back to Ware on the day of the Octoberfest. This is a once a year task that would make our lives so much easier. Please contact me at (413) 967-9088 or adopt@greyhoundop-tions.org if you can help.
Communications seem to be improving through our e-mail system and we ask any-one who is not receiving our e-mail blasts but would like to, to please contact me and I will be more than happy to add you to our list. It is a fast and economical way for us to get the word out about our Greyhound activities.
We have a fine group of foster dogs available for adoption now, some of whom have been waiting in foster care for many months. The three featured on page 5, Silvio, Tully and Whitey, seem to need other Greys around for confidence and company so please consider them if you would like to add another sweetheart to your family. You won't be sorry!
Finally, we would like to send out a big thank you to all the foster families and volunteers who sweated through one of the hottest summers on record and still came to our weekly meet and greets and the summer activities pictured throughout this newslet-ter. We may not have placed as many dogs as usual but we kept G.O. in the public eye and hopefully that will mean more adop-tions this fall.
See you in October!
Cliff Kerr, President
Greyhound Options Inc.
G.O. at Monson Summerfest and Amherst Craft Fair
Foster dog Scotty greets his public at the Summerfest.
Foster dog Falcon had a good time at the Summerfest.
Once again, G.O. had a presence at the Monson Summerfest, held July 5 in downtown Monson MA. Although the day was a hot one, foster dogs Falcon, Scotty, Coach, Whitey and Carney greeted the public under a giant shade tree. We received many wonderful comments about the dogs and gave out quite a few flyers which we hope will turn into applications in the future.
On July 10, our informational booth at the Amherst Craft Fair was caught in the rain-storm and the day had to be cut short. But after the skies cleared in the afternoon, a few volunteers walked their Greys around the fair and gave out some flyers.
Our thanks go out to everyone who came out with their dogs to spend some time at our summer informational booths. You never know when your presence makes a difference to someone thinking about adopting a Greyhound!
G.O. Golf Tournament Survives The Rain
Bob D'Avignon gets ready for the start of the G.O. golf scramble.
Tony Bryant sports a new look at the G.O. golf scramble.
Although the rain poured down all morn-ing accompanied by lightning and thun-der, the skies cleared in time for the start of our 10th annual G.O. Golf Scramble, held July 10.
Eighty-two golfers enjoyed a day of fun and relaxation at East Mountain Country Club in Westfield and were joined for a de-licious steak dinner by a host of extra din-ers after the match. The foursome of David Mahoney, Steve Lavell, Scott Mortimer and Victor Carra took home the first place trophies and the many raffle items drew a lot of interest from the golfers.
We thank Michelle Fortier for helping with registration and Caroline Silva, Kathy Lenehan, Lynn D'Avignon and Lisa Bry-ant for sitting at the hole-in-one holes. We also thank Kathy Loiselle for her generous sponsorship in the name of the Morris Ani-mal Foundation and to all the golfers who made the day so enjoyable.
See you next year!
G.O. 2011 Calendars Coming Soon
Thanks to all who submitted photos for our 2011 calendar. More than 75 color photos of G.O. dogs and friends grace the pages of the calendar which will be on sale at our Octoberfest and through our web site. Watch for ordering details coming soon!
In Need Of A Friend
One of the unique aspects of Greyhound Options is our foster program. We have always felt that fostering our Greyhounds before adoption is the best way to deter-mine their personalities and needs in the hopes of making the best matches possible for them.
For three of our Greyhounds currently in foster care, it has become clear that they need the company of other Greyhounds to feel secure and happy. We are hoping that there are families out there with a Grey-hound (or two!) of their own who will wel-come these special dogs into their homes and help them settle into their new life in retirement.
Silvio
Silvio came to us last October after injuring his leg at the race track. He has had three surgeries to repair it and now seems to have healed well. He is a beautiful, friendly and affectionate boy who seems a bit insecure when not in the company of other Grey-hounds. Silvio loves to walk and has a bouncy wiggle that will delight anyone who welcomes him into their household. He would do well without small animals but would love a Greyhound buddy to play with. Could you be the one for Silvio?
Whitey
Whitey came back from a home (due to health reasons of his owner) where he was living with two other Greyhounds. He, too, does much better in the company of the Greys in his foster home and would love a forever home with Greyhound friends. He is a sweet, unassuming boy who only wants to be with his human family and Greyhound companions. Could you find room for Whitey?
Tully
Tully has been in two homes without Greyhounds and was not happy in either one but thrives in his foster home with other Greys. He is a fun-loving, affection-ate boy who enjoys life to the fullest. He would love family life with someone home a lot of the time and a Greyhound friend to play with. Can you help Tully find his forever home?
Fund-raising Corner
ABRUZO DINNER...SERVICE WITH A SMILE A BIG SUCCESS!
Caroline Silva holds a handcrafted stained glass piece that was auctioned off.
The patio at Abruzzo's Restaurant over-looking Nine Mile Pond in Wilbraham provided the perfect backdrop for an eve-ning of fun and fellowship at our second annual Dinner and Service With A Smile Auction, held August 1.
Cocktail hour and a delicious buffet started off the evening and then Don Crouser served as the auctioneer for al-most 30 items ranging from services such as holiday gift wrapping, house cleaning, yardwork, and pet sitting. Delicious homemade soup, brownies, chocolate chip cookies and unique items such as hybrid daylilies, a margarita basket and a handcraft-ed stained glass Greyhound piece were just a few of the offerings.
Don Crouser was the auctioneer while....
...his daughter Sarah was an enthusiastic bidder.
The bidding was lively and when the night ended, everyone went home with their trea-sures and the G.O. coffers were replenished once more. Our special thanks go out to Lisa Crouser who coordinated the event, Don Crouser for his auctioneer skills and every-one who joined us for this special evening.
Tick Testing at the Octoberfest- October 3, 2010
Dufresne Park, Granby MA
2 pm - 3 pm
If you are titering your dog(s) for the first time, we suggest you check all four tests (Babesia canis, Ehrlichia canis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme). Because we have experi-enced vet technicians volunteering to help us, we are able to eliminate the processing fee your veterinarian would have to include if this testing was done at the vet clinic or hospital.
In order to be prepared with the necessary materials, we must know in advance from those of you who would like to take advantage of the testing program. The testing is open to all Grey-hound owners. Please complete the form below and return it with a check made payable to:
Greyhound Options Inc. - no later than September 25.
Questions regarding tick testing may be directed to: Cliff/Claire at (413) 967-9088.
Please remember that only pre-registered dogs can be tested.
Download the complete version of in the loop for the tick testing registration form
Life-saving Greyhound
"Jake" Packard is a regular blood donor at Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital in South Deerfield. If you would like more information about this life-saving program, contact the hospital at (413) 665-4911.
From The Mailbag
Falcon (now Moose) went to his new home with the Tenney family recently. Kristin Tenney has been updating us on his progress.
Moose had a great first day. He raced around the back yard with Travis and two of his friends and went in the sprinkler with Lindsey. He met one of the neigh-bor’s dogs and played with him for a little bit. He met lots of the neighbors and gave them all kisses. He is now passed out in the middle of the living room floor on his pillow. He is a great dog!
"Moose" Tenney
Later on:
Moose did awesome when I went to work. He was so happy when I got home with the kids. He was just laying down in the crate waiting for us. Funny thing about the cat. He is scared to death of the dog and has been hiding since
Wednesday. The neighbor's cat has been over and Moose just ignores him. I have pictures of the dog all passed out that I will end to you Monday.
Kristin Tenney
Happy Three Years to Lucy!
"Lucy" Angelica
Please accept this donation in celebra-tion of Lucy's thrid year of retirement!
She is doing great. Over the winter we had a little scare with a bacterial infection, but, after a few sleepless nights, one vet visit and hydrating via water in a syringe, she was back to normal. She's also had some paw/toe and dew claw issues, luckily nothing major.
Lucy srtill makes me laugh every day. One morning, a piece of her food went into the water bowl. I heard and then saw her trying to get it out, putting her nose in the bowl and splashing the water all over until she got the kibble. That was funny enough. She then put her nose back in the bowl and was blowing bubbles. I kid you not. If I had a video camera, she would have won "funniest home video".
At home, she never goes in the kiddy pool we bought for her, but when we are out places, in she goes. At the "Paws On The Promenade" event held at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor, I couldn't get her out of the pool. She just stood there, staring at the other dogs daring them to join her! We gave her a bath for the first time a few weeks ago. After she got out, she was nuts wiggling around on her blanket, shaking, shaking and then running like the wind.
I could go on and on about her. She is definitely very smart, lazy, stubborn and although not openly affectionate, gives love in her sweet way.
Tricia Angelica
Easy Livin'
"Benny" Corbett enjoys the easy life this summer at home with
Liz and Bill Corbett and Greyhound friend Delilah.
Volunteers Needed at Belchertown Fair
We will have an informational booth set up at the annual Belchertown Fair in Belchertown MA on Saturday, Septem-ber 25 and Sunday, Sept. 26. Mark Masztal is heading up this booth and could use as many volunteers as possible. This is a busy event for us and it would be great to have people come for an hour or two with their Greyhounds to meet the public.
Booth space is at a premium at this event so we must stay within the boundaries of the G.O. booth and cannot walk around the fair with our Greys since other dogs are not allowed. But we always draw a large crowd and Greyhounds who love people and attention and don't mind noise would do well as ambassadors at the fair.
Give Mark a call at (413) 783-0891 or e-mail him at: markmasztal@verizon.net if you can spend some time at the Belchertown Fair.
Lucky Dogs - Recent Adoptions
Sparky..............................................................Julie Day
Lola............................................................Erica Pawlak
Pretty Girl........................................Jenn & Brad Farner
Pokey...............................................Lisa & Tony Bryant
Zeus..............................Raymah & Richard Hutchinson
Apollo...........................Raymah & Richard Hutchinson
Scotty.......................................................Jennifer Puffer
Abby.........................................JoAnne & Dennis Purdy
Coach......................................Mary Ellen & Bill Adams
Ozzie.............................................Karen & Ed St. Onge
Stakes.........................................................Linda Gaunt
Moose........................................Kristin & John Tenney
Louise..........................................................Tom Piorek
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