Ellie & Tux LOVE the greysitting swap!

One of our greyt volunteers, Janet Riggan, submitted the below story about their first experience with greysitting swap. We are so happy!

Ellie, dog-daughter of Karlie and Patrick, vacationed with Tuxedo, the man-Riggan-Peoples, over the weekend. A grand time was had by all. Tux introduced Ellie to the drive-in window at the bank where magically snacks come out along with banking receipts and/or cash. Walking, of course, was a main event, followed closely by sunning together on the deck. Switching beds was also a hit. Lucy, the cat, was reserved but held her ground. Surprisingly, everyone ate their own food rather than gobbling up the other's. Sadly, Ellie went home and Tux seemed truly sad but looking forward to his turn in early September while his parents travel to Arizona.


Everyone involved agrees that play dates and sleepovers are THE BEST. Security for our special dogs with care from others who truly understand special creatures and keep them safe along with the joy of simply watching them together. -Janet Riggan
 
If you want to join or learn more about the Greysitting Swap- click the Greysitting Swap tab at the top of the blog (under the blog banner). Signing up gives you free access to the Greysitting Swap database anytime you need a sitter!
 

The Dog Blog reaches 5,000 hits!

This week we reached an exciting 5,000 hits on the dog blog! Thank you everyone for checking up on us and participating in blog polls, commenting on posts and reposting on facebook, twitter & e-mailing to your friends & family.


To celebrate 5,000 hits we are welcoming a new co-blogger to the HOH Dog Blog: Mrs. Trisha Whitley! Trisha has been involved with Hounds of the Heartland for over a year and a half and is mom to Luke {Uther On The Go} and YooHoo {Yoo Hoo Canoe}. Everyone please welcome Trisha to the world of dog blogging- we are excited for her to be a part our blog team and can't wait to see what she has to share with our readers! 

We want to make the dog blog interesting and relevant for everyone who visits. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations for HOH dog blog features? Are there certain topics about greyhounds you want to learn more about? Post a comment and let us know your feedback! You can comment on any speficic dog blog post OR make a comment in the box at the bottom of the blog.

We can't wait to hear from you!

Norman Petsmart Pics

Thank you everyone who participated in today's Norman Petsmat Show & Tell! We received an adoption application AND finalized Tango's adoption! Congratulations to Kathy, Ed & Tico on yor new family member!

Greyt weekend ahead!

Can you believe it's already the weekend again? And can you believe this GREYT weather we're having here in Oklahoma City?

Take advantage of the ideal conditions and visit us this Saturday at one of our weekend show & tell events! Bring your greyhound out to mingle with the rest!

Saturday, August 28th:

OSU-OKC Farmers' Market
8:00 - 10:00 AM
{400 N. Portland Ave., OKC}

Norman Petsmart
12:00 - 2:00 PM
{660 Ed Noble Pkwy,, Norman}

Click the "Events" tab below the blog banner for more details. We'll see you there!

Greyhound Study

Shelley Lake, Veterinarian and fellow greyhound parent is conducting a study based on greyhounds that have lost their lives to cancer. If you have lost a loved greyhound to cancer & would like to participate in her study, please e-mail the following information to us to pass along:


1. Racing Name of the Greyhound
2. Type of Cancer Diagnosed
E-mail to: GreyhoundPetsOK@GreyhoundPetsOK.org

We encourage you to take the time to share this information to help Shelley in her research. Thank you for your participation!

Interesting Fact: Typically, the larger the dog, the shorter life span they have. Greyhounds are a major exception to the rule in that they live to be about 12-15 years on average. Bred to be athletes, they are generally very healthy dogs in great physical shape. Just one more reason to adopt a greyhound! Read more interesting facts about greyhounds here: http://www.greyhoundpetsok.org/BreedInfo.aspx

63rd & May Petsmart Pics

What an awesome turnout today! Thank you everyone for taking the time out of your weekend to come spread the word about the option to adopt. We love our volunteers!!

This Saturday: Petsmart on 63rd & May!

We hope to see you tomorrow at our Show & Tell event @ Petsmart on 63rd & May Avenue! We will be set up near the back of the store from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Bring your dog to meet some friendly greyhounds!

Spotlight on Kingsley!

**Kingsley has been adopted and is now named Spiral!**

Here's what Kingsley's foster mom, Monica, has to say about him!

Kingsley is a young male who doesn’t quite know what to make of a home just yet. He is soft spoken, gentle and quite happy. He gives kisses, too! He was a little interested in the cats & guinea pig at first, but now he ignores them. King enjoys going outside for walks and takes the lead. This guy is quickly discovering the joy of squeaky toys and is beginning to gather goodies and surf the counters for yummy surprises. He is learning very quickly from his older 2 “siblings” and would do well in a multiple-dog home. He crates well during the day and seems to be housebroken. He hasn’t had any accidents in his crate. Kingsley’s baby face will melt your heart. You’ll just want to squeeze him and show him all the goodies life has to offer!

Mr. Kingsley is retired from Pensacola Greyhound Track in Florida and is available for adoption right now! View his racing pedigree here: http://greyhound-data.com/d?i=1540052

Pet Food Pantry of OKC

We want to share information with you about an amazing organization: the Pet Food Pantry of OKC. They are a non-profit group who provide pet food to low-income, home-bound or homeless senior citizens. Many of these individuals rely on meals being delivered to their homes and most likely are sharing their food with their pets. Many would first feed their pets before themselves. Their mission is to provide food for their pets while helping keep food on the table for them

Kim Pempin, the founder of PFP of OKC, has made it her goal to prevent elderly and homeless citizens from having to give up their precious family members due to lack of financial resources to care for them.

If you know of anyone who can benefit from the services provided by the Pet Food Pantry of OKC, please visit their website and get them connected with someone who can help.

Please learn more about Pet Food Pantry of OKC on their website at http://www.petfoodpantryokc.org/ or by contacting them via e-mail at info@petfoodpantryokc.org

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.


When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals that had been ill or old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one of the pets suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly, he/she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...
(Uuthor unknown)


Do you have a special greyhound that has made the journey to the Rainbow Bridge? Please share their story with us. If you would like to submit a story and picture of your greyhound that you have lost, we would love to place a memorial on our website so everyone can know their special story. {View our Current Memorials here}

Please submit stories & pictures to EmilyHummel@GreyhoundPetsOK.org.

Sweetheart's Story

Last week we were notified of a greyhound suffering from severe animal abuse in a nearby Animal Shelter. We weren't sure if she was strong enough to make it, as she was in terrible condition and weighed only 31 lbs. FASThound of Seminole, OK made the call that she had the will to live and they had the resources to save her, and now she is in their care and doing better and better every day! Thank you so much to FASThound for caring for this sweet girl and spreading the word about her amazing strength and will to live. In light of her beautiful personality, she has been named Sweetheart. They have started a blog to share her story and update everyone on her rehabilitation as it progresses. 

Please share this with everyone you know so people are aware of the need for donations and support for FASThound rescue. Please visit their website to donate to her care. Every dollar helps Sweetheart's road to recovery.

Note: there are some graphic images on her blog that are not easy to stomach. Please take a look so you can understand the care she is going to need for some period of time. We can all help in some way!

http://sweetheartsstory.blogspot.com/  

PLEASE help FASThound rehabilitate this amazing girl fighting for her life. http://fasthound.org/

August LIVE on the Plaza!

Thank you everyone who came out to volunteer for thsi event! It was hot, but Jane brought cool drinks for everyone and we had a greyt time educating people about the option to adopt a retired racer!


Special thanks to Kristen Vails for continuing to make us feel welcome and a part of this AWESOME event to support local art and talent!

Foster Focus: The Balabans

This month's Foster Focus is on Pete & Marilyn Balaban. They were awarded the first "Outstanding Foster Family" award at the First Annual Greyhound Gala earlier this year for their outstanding commitment to providing temporary housing for retired greyhounds waiting for their permanent forever home.

Peter and Marilyn actually lived in Abilene Kansas before moving to Edmond, OK. Abilene is the location of both the Greyhound Racing Hall of Fame, and the National Greyhound Registry. So, they have been exposed to greyhounds for several years just by the nature of where they lived. As Pete’s 50th Birthday present from Marilyn they adopted their first greyhound – ‘Bullet.’ Pete had met Bullet at a Petsmart Show and Tell and knew he was the right dog for him. The Balabans fell into fostering by first asking for ‘play dates’ for Bullet. After several play dates, the step into fostering was easy and worked well for them and for Bullet. Over the past 5 years, they have fostered many greyhounds,  some for just a few hours, some for a few weeks, and then Pongo who they fostered for over a year! They even adopted a second greyhound, Miss Hailey, and now rotate 2 fosters along with their own 2 fur kids. We often hear people refer to "the man who walks 4 greyhounds" - we know exactly who they are talking about!

Pete & Marilyn are often questioned about their sanity by owning two greyhounds and fostering two. Their response is easy: The dogs are the reward in themselves, we love them, they love us back, and it is a perfect match. Pete and Marilyn’s love for greyhounds is obvious, and seeing adopted greyhound re-unite with Pete is simply an amazing site! Some greyhounds don’t seem to remember, but the ones that do are just overcome with excitement to see an old friend. Thank you, Pete & Marilyn, for your undying dedication to the greyhounds!

Want to learn more about Fostering greyhounds? Click Here!

HOH Greysitting Swap

Are you interested in swapping Greysitting services with other greyhound owners?


Join the HOH Greysitting Swap!


We all go out of town on occasion, and boarding our greyhounds at a kennel isn’t always our #1 choice for pet care while we are away. If nothing else, it’s downright expensive! We would like to put together a database of greyhound lovers who are willing to exchange favors for others needing someone to care for their greyhound while they are out of town. It is always nice to have someone to call on when you need a hand and are able to return the favor on occasion!


Once we have the list together, you can contact any board member to get a copy of the list for a service swap.


If you would like your name, number and/or e-mail address added to the list, please send an e-mail to EmilyHummel@GreyhoundPetsOK.org with your information to be added. Please specify if you have cats, small dogs, birds, etc. in your home.


Thanks for your participation!

Natura Pet Products sells out to Procter & Gamble

Natura Pet Products, producer of high-quality dog foods such as Innova, Evo & California Natural, has been bought out by big business name Procter & Gamble. The article below highlights some of the questions and conerns from the public at large about P&G's quality & ethical standards:

http://www.examiner.com/x-36301-Newark-Dogs-Examiner~y2010m5d8-Menu-Monday-Natura-Pet-Products-maker-of-Innova-and-Evo-sells-out-to-Procter--Gamble

We urge you to become educated about the quality of the food your feed your pets. The following sites compare and highlight different dog foods and are great research tools for finding the best food for your pet. It is a myth that all high quality dog food is expensive as there are many higher quality foods that cost the same or even less as some foods marketed in specialty stores & veterinarians' offices.

www.dogfoodanalysis.com
www.dogfoodadvisor.com
www.DogAware.com
www.dogfoodscoop.com

We all know our greyhounds are "special" {in a GOOD way!} and their diet is no exception. The following excerpt from our required reading, "Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies" - highlights key elements to look for when choosing a food that is right for them:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/feeding-your-retired-racing-greyhound-a-nutritious.html

Always remember, just because a website says it is great dog food doesn't mean it will always be right for your dog specifically. Every dog has different needs and some food will naturally agree with your dog better then others.

Healthy Hound Reminder: If you plan on switching your dogs' diet, no matter what breed, you should always do so gradually by mixing in about 1/3 cup of the new food with the old food, increasing every few days or so. This gives your pooch's stomach time to acclimate to the new food and will significantly reduce belly aches and gas or diarrhea from a drastic switch in ingredients.

HOH @ Ghost Runners' 5k

Hounds of the Heartland will have a booth at the First Annual Ghost Runners' 5K on Sunday, October 24th hosted by Heartland Weimaraner Rescue. We will be present from Noon-6:00pm and the 5K race starts at 2:00. This is the first sanctioned event in Oklahoma to allow runners to be accompanied by their K-9 friend and receive times and awards. The event will be held at Stars & Stripes Park on beautiful Lake Hefner in OKC. To read more about the event visit http://www.heartlandweimrescue.org/racereg.pdf or click the flyer below.

{click to Enlarge}

If you are interested in volunteering at our booth or can pick up a foster dog for the event to increase their exposure, please contact us at GreyhoundPetsOK@GreyhoundPetsOK.org! We have 2 shifts avaialable; 12:00 - 3:00 and 3:00 - 6:00. We appreciate all the support from our volunteers & foster families! Without you, events like this would not be possible for HOH.

It's that time again... LIVE on the Plaza this Friday night!

Don't miss LIVE on the Plaza this Friday night from 7-11pm!

Attend Live on the Plaza for another FREE showcase of unique local art and music! From 7 – 11 pm on August 13th, Oklahoma City’s Plaza District is hosting its monthly artwalk to exhibit a new collection of local aspiring artists, musicians, and creatives.

Bring your greyhound(s) or come alone, the Plaza District is very dog friendly and we have such a greyt time showing off our favorite dogs to the crowds!

Our "area" is set up on the corner of 16th & Blackwelder - grab a leash & lawn chair and lounge with us while we introduce people to the greyhounds!

See you there!

Check out details about the upcoming LIVE on the Plaza this Friday: http://plazadistrict.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/live-aug2010/

Second Sundays @ the dog park!

Today and on the Second Sunday of each month we like to gather our hounds at the OKC Dog Park on Hefner Parkway & Grand! Come by today around 7:30 with your greyhound(s) and let them socialize with their fast friends!

For Information & a map to OKC Paw Park visit http://www.pawok.com/

Reminder: This dog park has a pond, bring a towel if your hound likes to get wet! :)

A Dog Walk in the Park: Mark your calendar!

Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 25th for The Bella Foundation's annual "Dog Walk in the Park" event! The event is located at Duffner Park (SE corner of Hefner & May Ave. in OKC) from 9:00am - 3:00pm.

HOH will have a booth at the event and we invite anyone and everyone to come enjoy this fundraising event for a great cause. A Dog Walk in the Park will have a 1.5 mile dog walk, Oklahoma's Ugliest Dog Competition, Food & Beverages, Pet Product Vendors, Microchipping, Vaccinations, Music & much more! This event is free to the public and everyone is welcome!


Read more about The Bella Foundation at: http://www.thebellafoundation.org/index2.html  
Read more about A Dog Walk in the Park at:  http://www.thebellafoundation.org/dogwalk10.html

United Pathfinder Project

Greyhound Pets of America National Chapter has put a group together to address the possibility of numerous track closings in the US in 2010 in 2011. If you are interested in reading more about the United Pathfinder Project, read on. It is interesting to read the steps they are taking to prepare for the influx of dogs needing homes. They are doing such a great job for the greyhounds and we plan to help in any way we can! The following information was made available by Alane Schultz of GPA.

January 2010
The United Pathfinder Committee’s goal is to prepare as much as possible for multiple greyhound track closings that we foresee happening in 2010 and/or 2011. Our first objective is to start calling GPA and non-GPA groups that the committee members work with in placing greyhounds. We want to make everyone aware of the “greyhound tsunami” we expect in the near future and to prepare for it as much as possible. We are also preparing a letter from GPA National officers to present to veterinarians to verify and confirm the urgency of our message.


Nine greyhound tracks will no longer race greyhounds in 2010. This constitutes 1/3 reduction of the current number of greyhound tracks in the US. In 2010 only 23 greyhound tracks nationwide will still remain in operation. Florida, with its 13 tracks, will have more active racetracks than the rest of the states combined. In 2009 legislation was introduced to allow Florida tracks to discontinue live racing and still maintain their simulcast operations and Poker room activities. That bill failed to get out of committee but it became apparent to the House and Senate that it was one of the “wants” of several of the Florida tracks. There are many who feel that similar legislation will come up again, in 2010, and may pass as a consolation to the tracks for other pro-Pari-mutuel bills that failed, like allowing tracks to have the full use of slot machines.


We are not saying that it WILL happen in 2010 but IF it does happen there could be as many as 5 or 6 Florida tracks that would discontinue live racing. If not in 2010 it could be in 2011. Unlike the track closings in Arizona, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the tracks in Florida that would close would be the lower-end tracks that every other track in the country uses to send their poorly competitive greyhounds. This will be unlike the Dairyland track closing, where more than two thirds of their hounds went to race at other tracks. At the low end tracks in Florida, it will be more likely that VERY FEW greyhounds can go on to race at other tracks, as MOST tracks would be a step or two UP from their current competition level.


How many non-competitive greyhounds would be looking for homes should Florida pass legislation allowing tracks to discontinue live racing? Each track has between 500 to 1000 greyhounds in their kennels. There may be 5 or 6 tracks taking the option to end racing so the numbers COULD be well over 3,000 ALL AT ONCE. I refer to this as a greyhound Tsunami, and there is a SECOND wave that may even precede the first.


Since the greyhounds come to the track at 15 to 18 months of age there are well over 20,000 greyhounds that are currently on farms waiting to race. Although they range in age from new born pups to greyhounds 15 to 18 months old, they will be ready to come to race tracks at a rate of about 1000 a month. With the track closings of 2009 there will already be 1/3 less tracks for these hounds to go to start racing and owners are already experiencing problems placing their greyhounds at tracks. There will, no doubt, be some owners that will stop paying boarding fees and create problems for farmers and greyhounds on those farms.


With NGA help we can be alerted to such problems. Knowing the full scope of the problem can only help prepare for solutions. In GPA, we are trying to alert ALL greyhound adoption groups to “unite” for this huge wave of greyhounds that may be upon us soon. Our United Pathfinder Project could save many greyhounds that will be in jeopardy if we all work together and PLAN AHEAD!


What can all the adoption groups in the US and Canada do to prepare for such an event?
• Inform their membership of the “POSSIBILITY” of such an event and rally them to get as many people to commit to fostering one greyhound for this one time event.


• Contact local vets, inform them of the likelihood of this mass layoff of greyhounds and ask their support to spay and neuter, as that will cut the time for greyhounds to exit Florida.


• Contact local boarding kennels that many of your adopters use and see if they could donate housing for one or more greyhounds.


• Plan fundraising events to swing into place WHEN this event becomes imminent. This will help local groups pay for veterinary work & may even pay some for transport costs incurred with this mass exodus.


I am sure that we all thought that greyhound racing would not be closing down as quickly as it is at present but it would be sad if we did not see what is coming and take action early. Although some would say it will never happen just think of all those greyhounds needing help IF it does. I feel if we fail to plan … We plan to fail! Although this is a Herculean task, IF we all rally together. …United…WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!


Update May 2010
The Florida & Iowa legislative sessions are over for the summer. In Florida the Indians struck a deal where they will give the state 480 Million right away and 1-1/2 billion over the next 5 years to have exclusive rights to casino gambling with the exception of the few tracks in South Florida that have it already. There is almost no gain for all the other tracks in Florida. They have increased the pots and hours of operation allowed for poker. It is felt that a couple of tracks in Florida will close this year but nothing is certain. The combined number of greyhounds that could be affected is around 1,500. Our hopes are that there would be some notice time if and when this happens. Certain is the combined circuit between Flagler track and Naples/Ft Meyers tracks where it will be the equivalent of a track closing as half the kennels will not be booked.


There are more calls from owners and kennels wanting to move “Pets” to make room for farm greyhounds. There are still over a 1000 each month ready at the farms to go to the tracks. With 9 or 10 tracks no longer racing there are a lot less places for them. This will set the stage for next year when the tracks will most likely pursue dropping the requirement for live racing to run their poker rooms. In Iowa the two remaining tracks, Dubuque and Council Bluffs, will remain status quo. However, it is expected that these two tracks might close in 2011.


Rhode Island’s Lincoln Greyhound Park has closed. They are setting up a website that will show all the greyhounds available for adoption there. 61 greyhounds were profiled the week of 5/22. Also 12 left, 20 more are going to Maine and 12 more are going to GPA-MD. These dogs were not profiled. More dogs are expected to join this number before its all said and done.

Spotlight on Rocky!

Rocky is a four year old brindle male who is cat safe. He is extremely laid back and does great in the car! This boy has 30 registered races. He was the winner of the 2008 Lincoln Night of Stars XXI and 2009 NOS XXII. He was 3rd at the 2009 Twin River Inaugural. He is such a gentleman! Offspring of Let's Winendine and By See You Later.

Stay tuned for a personality update on Rocky!

Teaser: New Foster Dog!

We are bringing in a new foster dog today and his name says it all!

"U Rock My World" is a four year old brindle male who is cat safe. This boy has 30 registered races. He was the winner of the 2008 Lincoln Night of Stars XXI and 2009 NOS XXII. He was 3rd at the 2009 Twin River Inaugural. He is a true gentleman - calm and gentle. Offspring of Let's Winendine and By See You Later.

Check out U Rock My World's pedigree HERE!

Stay tuned for more pictures and information about U Rock My World!

Farmers' Market Fun

This weekend's Farmers' Market event was a huge success! We received an application to adopt, placed 2 dogs in their new homes and received enough donations to buy 3 bags of dog food.. thank you to all the volunteers and foster families who came to help show off our greyt dogs!