Spotlight on Sir Elton!

Elton, or "Sir Elton John," is a HANDSOME 9 year old boy who is looking for someone to love. He is extremely laid back, great on the leash and totally cat & small dog safe.

Elton was a perfect gentleman from the moment he entered his foster home. He gets along with all the other pets in the house (2 greyhounds, chihuahua, italian greyhound and a cat) and will politely go in his crate when it's time. He has been left uncrated for up to 4 hours already and is always in the same place he was left - tuckered out on a nice comfy dog bed. He has wonderful house manners and will tell you when he needs to go outside to potty. At nighttime he likes to sleep on a cozy dog bed.

His favorite things are loving on his humans, napping and nibbling on a treat every now & again. Sometimes he gets a frisky streak and likes to romp in the yard with his ears and tail pointed up, ready to play! He has a soft coat and loves, LOVES to be cuddled and have his head scratched. In fact, he will even talk to you when you're loving on him. Stop by our next show & tell to experience his cute mumbles!

We can't say enough wonderful things about this big sweet boy. He would be safe with a family w/ children or perfect with an older couple. If you already own a younger dog, Elton would make a wonderful distinguished addition to your family. Sir Elton is a ready made pet, just waiting to race into the heart of the perfect family. Are you the one?

Inquire about Sir Elton's senior adoption rate! He'll give you twice the love for half the fee! ;)

Tell us what you think!

Please take a moment to respond to our current blog poll in the left column of this blog. We'd love to hear your favorite ways to stay connected with us. Do you follow us on Twitter, like us Facebook or both?! Are you an avid blog reader or would you rather come visit us in person at a show & tell event? We'd love to make all our efforts worthwhile to our volunteers & adopters.

Do you have an idea for a great Show & Tell that you'd like to help set up for us? Drop us a line at GreyhoundPetsOK@GreyhoundPetsOK.org! We're always looking for fun, unique ways to reach new potential foster homes and adoptive families and volunteers who are interested in owning the idea and running with it.

The Ninth Racer

Who says greyhounds are 'forced' to race? This guy loves it!

Fun with Greyhounds

Why the adoption application?

Have you ever wondered why we have such a detailed application to adopt a greyhound? Like all other rescues, we have a responsibility and have pledged to find the best home for every greyhound that comes through our program. Although it doesn't always work out that way, we work very hard to ensure our adopters are committed, aware and educated about the breed and the type of dog that would work best for their household.

Our application has been especially designed with greyhounds in mind, and while we don't get applications and "deny" them if not perfect - we do use it as a tool to educate our applicants about what dog would work best for them or why they should choose a particular foster dog we have available.

Penny Elms with Examiner.com wrote a great article explaining many of the reasons we ask the questions we do. We encourage you to check it out and pass it along, so others understand that our involvement with adopters is a labor of love and in the best interest of our foster greyhounds.

Enjoy!

Those darn dog rescues with all of their rules & questions. What gives?

{click to read article}

Ready to adopt a greyhound? What's stopping you! Fill out an application today :)

Adoption Application

A greyt insight to life at the track

Ever wonder what your hound's life was like before retirement? Check out this awesome collection of photographs and explanations about life on the track before they come to us!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dazzleme/sets/72157627145032411/with/5970627686/

Greyhounds in People Magazine

Check out the publication in the August 1 issue of People Magazine, in newsstands now! What a beautiful pair of greyhounds!

Spotlight on Jerry!

Jerry, or "Jeremiah Johnson," is a very laid back greyhound who loves to lie around the house. He enjoys short walks and loves to have his neck rubbed! He would be great in a quiet house with no young children. He ignores cats and small dogs. He has a lot of love to give and wants to live the good life as a retiree!

A Story of Giving

by Kathy Pendarvis

A little more than two years ago upon the advice of Hounds for the Heartland advocate Charlotte Stover; Eric Stover fostered and then adopted a greyhound named Murphy. Shortly thereafter Eric and Murphy began a routine of joining Austin (my 8 year old son) and me for dinner. Austin fell in love with Murphy and decided that when Murphy was at our house, Murphy was Austin’s dog. Austin has spent the last two years caring for and loving Murphy. He bathes Murphy, has taught him to sit and takes him on regular walks. He even keeps Murphy’s water and food bowl full and ensures the pantry has an endless supply of Murphy treats.

Last year Austin joined the Boy Scouts and has embraced citizenship and serving his community. This year when planning Austin’s 8th birthday, I asked Austin about collecting cash donations for a charity of his choice in lieu of receiving presents at his birthday party. He exhibited the reluctance one would expect from an almost 8 year old regarding the foregoing of birthday presents. Then Eric mentioned how much it would benefit Hounds for the Heartland and the greyhounds they place in forever homes. Eric and Austin discussed the various ways Hounds for the Heartland could put the charitable donation to good use. Austin was pretty much convinced but the real cincher was when Eric told Austin that he would financially match the monies Austin collected. The decision was made! A collection jar was decorated, Invitations were sent and both boys had a great time telling people what they were doing.

One friend of Eric’s expressed disbelief over a young man foregoing presents to raise charitable funds and then when he heard about Eric’s matching statement he said to Eric, “Friend, I’m going to hurt you!” The “friend” donated generously and while Eric was a bit surprised he had to admit the money is going to a good cause and it really didn’t hurt a bit. So there’s our story…. One rescued greyhound that has brought much delight to one big hearted little boy, two old friends embracing a child’s decision, 15 birthday party guests and generous other friends and family members and $934 to Hounds for the Heartland.

Murphy with Austin at his birthday party

Murphy hangs poolside with all the party guests

We want to express HUGE thanks to Austin, Kathy and Eric for turning such a fun event into a generous event of giving for a great cause. We are so appreciative of the huge donation and will put it to great use caring for our foster greyhounds!

Spotlight on Shelby!

Shelby, or "All Bout Adriene," is having a great time learning what it is like to finally live in a home. She has learned that windows are hard and you can’t go through them, that tile is slippery and carpet is fun to play on. She has also learned that there that giant dog beds are great to cockroach on, and that people are so nice and friendly and will pet you as long as you stand still. She also has learned that there is nothing better than going for a walk or for a ride in the car; and a close second would be a big squishy toy to throw around.

Shelby is a sweet little girl who needs a special family to adopt and care for her. She has been diagnosed with Idiopathic Epilepsy which can be controlled by inexpensive daily medication. She has a lot of love to give and will make a wonderful addition to a special family. Please contact us to learn more about Shelby and how you can give her the forever home she deserves.

Tractor Supply Pet Appreciation Day

Tractor Supply Company is hosting a Pet Appreciation Week event at their stores nationwide on Saturday, August 6th! Through our partnership with Petfinder.com, Hounds of the Heartland has arranged to be at the Mustang and Moore Tractor Supply stores from 10am-2pm that day. Come meet our volunteers and find out why greyhounds make amazing pets! If you're interested in volunteering for HOH at either location, please email EmilyWilliams@GreyhoundPetsOK.org.


Where:
Mustang Tractor Supply, 201 N. Mustang Rd., Mustang, OK 73064
Moore Tractor Supply, 2030 S. Telephone Rd., Moore, OK 73160

When: 10am-2pm

Visit http://www.tractorsupply.com/ for directions and more information. If you stop by, be sure to thank Tractor Supply and tell them how much you enjoyed meeting the greyhounds!

A Dog Walk in the Park 2011

Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 10th for The Bella Foundation's annual "Dog Walk in the Park" event! This year's groovy theme is "A Summer of Puppy Love" complete with Oklahoma's "Hippest Dog" Contest!  The event is located at Duffner Park (SE corner of Hefner & May Ave. in OKC) from 9:00am - 3:00pm.

HOH will once again 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,  Food & Beverages, Pet Product Vendors, Microchipping, Vaccinations, Pet contests, 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

Prez Says - July 2011

Call for Authors: Greyhound Care


This blog was started nearly two years ago as an avenue to share information about Hounds of the Heartland as well as a media to help promote greyhounds as pets. From time to time, the blog is also used to share useful information about caring for greyhounds and other tips & tricks. Sometimes the best resource for information about caring for greyhounds comes from people that do it every day. So, to all those out there reading this: we all interested in hearing interesting or cool things you do for your greyhound to keep them healthy and happy. For example, do you have some great shampoo you use for your greyhound? or toothpaste that really works well? How about a cool dog bed that doesn’t go flat, or a trick you use to keep them safe in the car?

The best way for people to learn is from other people actually doing it, so let’s all share some of our great successes in caring for our greyhounds.

Please submit your suggestions to BradWhitley@greyhoundpetsok.org and I will consolidate all the comments and share in next month’s “Prez Says” post.

-Brad Whitley

Red, White & ROO 2011!

Thanks to everyone who came to Paws Around Town on July 2nd to show off their patriotic hounds!

LIVE on the Plaza tonight!

Has it been a month ALREADY? Join us this evening for another night of keepin' it local in OKC's Historical Plaza District. Stop by the HOH booth on the corner of 16th & Blackwelder for greyhound COOKIES and lots of greyhound love!

Live on the Plaza is a FREE showcase of unique local art and music! From 7 – 11 pm on July 8th (and the 2nd Friday of every month), Oklahoma City’s Plaza District is hosting its monthly artwalk to exhibit a new collection of local aspiring artists, musicians, and creatives.

We will be set up on the corner of NW 16th & Blackwelder - grab a leash & lawn chair and lounge with us while we introduce people to the greyhounds! 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!

Special thanks to Fowler VW for sponsoring Rescue Corner and supporting animal adoption in Oklahoma!

SEE YOU THERE!