Hi friends and readers! You will hardly ever see me post as “myself” but this week is a special week and deserves a special post :)
This Friday, October 8th is our first official “Blogiversary” – it will have been exactly one year since we started the HOH Dog Blog and what a year it has been!
How can one person be so lucky to have been involved with such an unbelievable group of people? We became involved with Hounds of the Heartland in April 2009. Showing up to a few show & tell events here and there, I thought we were doing it for Cami… she loved to see her “friends” and ESPECIALLY her foster dad Pete. When she caught a glimpse of Pete walking through the Petsmart sliding doors, it was like she was being reunited with the only man she ever knew. She still does this every single time she sees her foster "dad" and I'm so happy to know we have such a good connection between our foster parents and foster greyhounds.
As a newcomer to “the group” I wasn’t sure where I was invited and how often I should come to events before everyone thought I was a “greyhound groupie,” which I totally was. I slowly realized that there were no invitations or exclusions and being a “greyhound groupie” was totally acceptable! Everyone was so friendly and welcomed us with open arms. Standing at Show & Tell events next to Candee & Sharon was the most important source of knowledge I had found. Sure, the books were informative but they could never prepare me for the things I learned from those two women who had been doing this for years.
I tell you this because often I hear new adopters ask if they can continue to come to our events even if they aren’t adopting another—the answer is YES! We try our hardest to make outreach events fun for everyone in hopes that people will continue to keep our group alive with energy. If you adopted from us 7 years ago and want to get involved- come see us!
Never have I been more inspired by a group of people for such an unbelievable cause. Becoming a board member for Hounds of the Heartland has been the best thing to happen to me—ever. Volunteering for this group has taught me patience, understanding, compassion and has given me so many priceless friendships that will last forever. Never had I imagined so many hours, e-mails and phone calls would be involved in this work but every single moment is worth it when it's time to move a dog from
"Our Hounds" to
"Happy Tails."
We started the Dog Blog on October 8th, 2009 in hopes of inspiring others to get involved & join our efforts of finding a home for every hound. We have poured countless hours into creating a central hub for event announcements, pictures, videos, ANYTHING that might make a difference to one person; causing them to be aware of the need for foster and adoptive homes for these dogs. We will continue to grow and change to conform to what our readers want to see and we always welcome comments and suggestions as to what that might be.
To date we have received 7,375 hits to our little blog in one year. Our fancy statistics generator tells me that in addition to the USA we have had visitors from South Korea, Chile, Slovenia, Netherlands, Ukraine, Malta, Canada, Iran & Columbia. WOW! Can we keep it up? I hope so. You all are doing such a fantastic job spreading the word to your family and friends! Keep it up!
Please join us on our mission to make more people aware of the amazing greyhounds that need homes and THANK the people who have been doing this for years and years with no indication of letting up or backing down. To my best friends, Candee, Sharon, Brad & Trisha and ALL the special friends and connections we have made by doing what we love and loving what we do: Long Live Adoption! Here’s to many more successful years!
-Emily Hummel
