Happy New Year! Greyt Happenings For Willamette Valley Greyhound Lovers - January, 2018

The January, 2018 issue of Greyt Happenings For Willamette Valley Greyhound Lovers can be downloaded here  

Enjoy!

Dog Food Recall: Darwin's Natural Pet Products

Darwin's Natural Pet Products of Tukwila, Washington, has notified its customers that it is recalling 2 lots of its Natural Selections raw dog food products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. 

 To learn which products are affected, please visit the following link:

Darwin's Dog Food Recall of December 2017

Happy Holidays From the Willamette Valley Greyhound Lovers!

Greyhound Holiday Walk - Sunday, December 10

The Greyhound Holiday Walk

Where: 5th St. Market, Eugene
When: Sunday, December 10th @ 1:30

Let's meet at 5th Street Market for some walking and holiday cheer. Please bring your hounds wearing their festive holiday best and plan to walk through the downtown Eugene area.
Afterwards, we will gather back at 5th St. Market for cookies and hot cider.

Greyt Happenings For Willamette Greyhound Lovers - December 2017 Issue

The December, 2017 issue of Greyt Happenings For Willamette Valley Greyhound Lovers can be downloaded here.

And don't forget about Santa pictures at Petco in Springfield this Sat. (12/2) from 1-4!

Enjoy!

FDA Warning: Store-Bought ‘Bone Treats’ Could Kill Your Dog

November 28, 2017 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning regarding the purchase and use of store-bought “bone treats”. The FDA claims the danger goes beyond the risk of regular bones.

Continue reading here

Just Another Saturday Afternoon...

Are These Thanksgiving Foods Safe for Dogs?

Are These Thanksgiving Foods Safe for Dogs?

Can dogs eat Thanksgiving turkey? Are potatoes safe for dogs to eat? Find out which Thanksgiving foods are safe for dogs — and which aren’t! 

Continue reading here

Looking For Relaxing Music For Your Pooch While You Are Away From The House?

If so, check out "Relax My Dog," a YouTube channel (also available as a Roku channel) which has videos featuring up to 12 hours of relaxing music your pooch can groove/meditate/sleep to while you are away.  When I have a guest Greyhound, I always click on a video before I leave the house.  With hundreds of music choices to choose from, it's guaranteed you'll find something to suit your needs.

The "Relax My Dog" channel also features tips to reduce anxiety in your pooch, as well as other interesting, fun stuff.

My greyhound Keith and the guest hounds give it two paws up!

Find it here.

Santa Pictures - A Benefit for GPA-NW - Saturday, December 2nd @ Petco in Springfield!

Greyhound Pet Adoption Northwest will be at the Springfield Petco store, hosting Pictures With Santa on Saturday, December 2nd at the Petco location in Springfield at the Shoppes at Gateway from 1PM - 4PM.

For just $10, we will snap a lovely 4” X 6” Keepsake Photo of your beloved pet, be it Greyhound, Labradoodle, Ferret, Tabby Cat, or Python (well, not entirely sure about the Python). We will also send you a digital copy via email. A picture of your pet with Santa can make a wonderful holiday card. Best of all, the proceeds earned will benefit GPA Northwest and their greyhound adoption efforts.

In addition, volunteers will be on hand with some "display model" Greyhounds to answer any and all of your Greyhound adoption questions!

For more information, please contact Eric @ fantomenos@gmail.com

See you there!

Greyt Happenings For Willamette Valley Greyhound Lovers - November, 2017 Issue

The November, 2017 issue of Greyt Happenings For Willamette Valley Greyhound Lovers can be downloaded here.

Enjoy!

New Adoption: Skip!

Skip has been adopted by Kym & Mark Fleming of Eugene.  Welcome to your new home, Skip!

New Adoption: Simon!

Simon has been adopted by Gerry & Maureen Frank of Corvallis!  Welcome to your new home, Simon!

---------------------------------------------------------------

So, almost a year after the loss of Jake (our last grey), we adopted the Worlds Best Greyhound, Simon!  Or, as Barry calls him, "Just Simon." It seems Simon was never registered with the National Greyhound Association so he has no official racing name....he's just "Simon!"  He's 17 months young and Barry & his Greyhound Ambassadog Keith fostered him for 1 week.  In that short time, Keith taught Simon all he knows and Simon learned a LITTLE of it!   Simon then moved in with Maureen and me.  He's a fast learner and has already done two meet and greets here in Corvallis. He loves everyone.  

As I write this, it's Halloween night and Simon is helping me hand out the goodies while wearing his red light collar and his spider web neck tutu.  One of the first groups of Trick or Treaters that came to the door asked if I just got Simon and when I told her yes she asked if Simon was a GPA dog.  When I said yes she exclaimed "I KNOW SIMON. I helped out as a Vet Tech and took care of Simon."  He went right up to her and seemed to remember her as she rubbed his head. 

Simon still has much to learn but he's a joy every day!

Gerry & Maureen Frank.

New Adoption: Mikey!

Mikey has been adopted by Mercy Chipman & Ted Williams of Corvallis.  Enjoy your new home, Mikey!

Should You Avoid Grains In Dog Food?

Are grains in dog food ever okay to feed your dog? There’s no simple answer. Here's what to know to make an educated decision that's right for your dog.

Continue reading here

Remembering Mary Lou Finigan - Alton Baker Park in Eugene - October 15th, 2017

Corvallis GPA-NW Meet A Retired Racer Adoption Event - Sat., October 21st.

Greyhound Pet Adoption-Northwest will be at Petco in Corvallis on Saturday, October 21st, from 11AM-1PM along with some wonderful retired racing Greyhounds for you to meet.

Representatives from GPA-NW will be on hand to answer questions about Greyhounds and/or Greyhound adoption.

Stop by, meet the pooches and say hi to their people!

Petco is located at 2365 NW Kings Blvd in the Timberhill Shopping Plaza

Get Ready For Winter! I Have a Polar Fleece Jacket w/Snood For Sale!

This is a LARGE Ultrex polar fleece jacket with fleece snood.  It's a bit too small for my Greyhound, Keith, who is a big guy and requires an extra large jacket.  It will fit an average sized male or a larger female Greyhound nicely.  Excellent condition.  $25 (sells for $52 new).

Contact me for more info:  Barry at greyhoundude@comcast.net.

Greyt Happenings For Willamette Valley Greyhound Lovers - October, 2017 Issue

The October, 2017 issue of Greyt Happenings For Willamette Valley Greyhound Lovers can be downloaded here.

Enjoy!

Is Your Dog Pulling on His Leash? How to Get Him to Stop

Some people get tennis elbow, but many dog walkers suffer from sore-leash arm. One of the most frequent reasons dog owners contact me is because their dogs haven’t mastered walking calmly on a leash. What are some of the most common reasons for a dog pulling on his leash? As with most supposed canine learning failures, we have to look first at the other end of the leash — at you, the dog owner, with your larger brain and thumbs.

Continue reading here

This Pooch Actually Saves Money to Buy Treats...

Alright, more like steals money to buy treats.  Still, you've gotta respect this pooch...she has more money than I do.  I now need to train my Greyhound, Keith, to do likewise...as long as he steals the cash from someone besides me.

Fostering Simon - Day 7. The Dangers of Failing Fostering.

Failing fostering?  If you've ever fostered a dog, you know what I mean  :)  Today Simon sat with me on the grass and offered up his tummy for a rub, displaying complete trust.

Today Simon goes into his new home.  He's leaving here a better pooch than when he arrived.  A fair amount of credit is due to my Greyhound, Keith, for assisting me in teaching Simon how to live away from a Greyhound farm.  Being just 16 months old, Simon still has a few things to learn, but he has made greyt progress.

Fortunately (and somewhat selfishly) for me, Simon will be living here in Corvallis with Gerry & Maureen Frank.  Gerry has assisted me with adoption events for the better part of 13 years.  Simon's next adventure will be as a GPA-NW ambassadog.

Canine Existentialism...

Foster Pooch Simon (Age: 15 Months) Romping In My Back Yard

Simon is preparing for adoption into his "forever" home!   I'm currently fostering him and here he is enjoying a romp in my back yard. 

Simon is 15 months old and quite the puppy!  

You can meet Simon at the Corvallis MARR adoption event at Animal Crackers Pet Supply on Saturday, September 30th.

September Greyhound Walk - Willamette Valley Walk to Defeat ALS - In Memory of Mary Lou Finigan

A Very Special September 17th Greyhound Walk
in Memory of Mary Lou Finigan
 

 What: The Willamette Valley Walk to Defeat ALS

When: Sunday, September 17th
Where: The River Bend Annex, 123 International Way, Springfield, OR
Who: You and your favorite grey(s).
 

Of course each of our WVGL monthly greyhound walks
is a special occasion, but we invite you to make time
for an especially special walk.

Greyhounds and their people are invited to participate in the
Willamette Valley Walk to Defeat ALS.

We will have our own team, known as Mary Lou's Greyhound Roos!
To learn more, visit our dedicated page on the ALS web site,
“Mary Lou’s Greyhound Roos” team page.

You can register your interest in attending, by clicking on JOIN TEAM.
Even if you can’t make it to the event, you can contribute by
sponsoring a walker, or by spreading the news to your friends.
We look forward to helping in the fight against ALS!

Mary Lou Finigan Bench Dedication at Alton Baker Park - Sunday, October 15th

Mary Lou Finigan's bench dedication will occur on Sunday, October 15, at 2:30 pm in Alton Baker Park, Eugene.  Please plan to meet promptly at 2:30 on the plaza area between the rock garden and the rest rooms.  Park in the lot that you can enter on the right off of Day Island Road after entering the park from Club Road. 

Plan to bring artificial flowers and ribbons to tie on the bench - purple colors preferred.  NO balloons, please.  There may be no formal program but please feel free to offer a few words about what Mary Lou meant to you and how she impacted your life and the lives of your dogs (if pertinent).  The dogs and their humans will walk along the river after the dedication.  

See you there!

Corvallis GPA-NW Meet A Retired Racer Adoption Event - Sat., September 30th.

Greyhound Pet Adoption-Northwest will be at Animal Crackers Pet Supply in Corvallis on Saturday, September 30th, from 11AM-1PM along with some wonderful retired racing Greyhounds for you to meet.

Representatives from GPA-NW will be on hand to answer questions about Greyhounds and/or Greyhound adoption.

Stop by, meet the pooches and say hi to their people!

Animal Crackers Pet Supply is located at 949 NW Kings Blvd in Corvallis.

Saturday, August 26 is National Dog Day!

Saturday, August 26th is National Dog Day!

National Dog Day celebrates all breeds, pure and mixed and serves to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, either from public shelters, rescues and pure breed rescues. National Dog Day honors family dogs and dogs that work selflessly to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort. Dogs put their lives on the line every day - for their law enforcement partner, for their blind companion, for the disabled, for our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and drugs and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage.

GPA-NW will be at Petco in Springfield (located at the Shoppes at Gateway) on National Dog Day!  Stop by and say hello to some wonderful Greyhounds!  We'll be there from 11-1.



Beneath The Fur from National Dog Day on Vimeo.

It's Eclipse Day and Lula is Ready!

"Bring it on," says Lula!  "Let's get this party started!"

NEW DATE! GPA-NW RooUnion, Picnic & Houndwash

What:  Greyhound Pet Adoption Northwest - Annual RooUnion, Picnic & Houndwash

When:  Saturday, September 9   11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Where:  Tubbs Residence  [21110 S. Ridgeway Lane, Oregon City 97045]

Pet Food Day - Saturday, August 19th - Animal Crackers Pet Supply in Corvallis

Pet Food Day at Animal Crackers is an annual event featuring pet food vendors from around the country displaying/touting/free-sampling their pet foods.  It's a GREYT way for your Greyhound to sample some of the best dog foods currently manufactured.  Keith & I will be there for sure.  The event is from 10:00 - 4:00.  Don't miss it!

Animal Crackers says:  "Come meet our food vendors on August 19th!  They will be here to answer questions and hand out samples. We will have refreshments from local businesses and you can enter to win prizes!"

"Well, That Was Fast" Department: Ethyl Has Found Her Forever Home!

Joyce, Apollo & Ginger

Ethyl (now known as "Ginger") was adopted today by Al & Joyce Couper of Eugene.  The Coupers also have "Apollo," so Ginger has a Greyhound brother in her family. 

 Congrats to all!

Greyt Happenings For Willamette Valley Greyhound Lovers - August 2017 Issue

The August, 2017 issue of Greyt Happenings For Willamette Valley Greyhound Lovers can be downloaded here.  It's now in the pdf format.  Enjoy!

GPA-NW RooUnion Picnic POSTPONED!

It looks like the picnic scheduling conflicted with something called an "eclipse."  The official notice is below...

------------------------------------------------------------

Hi everyone.  I need to let you know that the GPANW Board of Directors has decided to postpone our August 19 RooUnion Picnic & Houndwash.  In view of mounting advisories to avoid travel that weekend because of the anticipated eclipse traffic, it has been decided to postpone this event.  When planning began for the 2017 RooUnion, one of our priorities was to find a day that was most convenient to the Tubbs', whose property we use for this event - and the upcoming eclipse escaped our radar!  😞 

Please share this with any greyhound friends you have that may have been planning to attend.  We will be deciding on a new date and I will let you know as soon as that happens.  Thank you and please stayed tuned for a new RooUnion announcement.
Cindy
GPANW Volunteer Scheduler

Meet "Ethyl!" She's Smart, Beautiful And Seeking Her Forever Home!

This is Ethyl...OK, you can change her name...and she's currently being fostered with Barry in Corvallis.  She's 2 years old, 55 pounds and quite the young lady! She is very intelligent, curious, affectionate and gorgeous!  In addition, she is 95% housebroken (no accidents so far) and great on a leash.  She also gets along great with my grey, Keith, who is also teaching her about life away from the kennel.

Yes, she is directly from the kennel, so she has a few things to learn as she makes her way into her forever home.

If you are interested in meeting Ethyl (no obligation...you can simply stop by and say "hi" to her), get in touch with me at greyhoundude@comcast.net.

-Barry

Springfield/Eugene "Meet A Retired Racer" Greyhound Adoption Event - Saturday, August 26th - Petco at Gateway.

Hi folks!  Greyhound Pet Adoption-Northwest will be at the Petco store located in the Shoppes at Gateway in Springfield, Oregon on Saturday, August 26th, from 11AM-1PM along with some wonderful retired racing Greyhounds for you to meet.

Representatives from GPA-NW will be on hand to answer questions about Greyhounds and/or Greyhound adoption.

Stop by, meet the pooches and say hi to their people!

Petco is located at The Shoppes at Gateway, 3000 Gateway St #220, Springfield, OR.

See you there!

July Walk #2: Eugene Pet Parade - July 30th

Hi folks,

On Sunday, July 30, we will participate in the Pet Parade part of the EUG Parade because dogs are not allowed in downtown Eugene through which the EUG Parade travels.  See red dashed line loop at https://www.eugene-or.gov/2047/The-EUG-Parade

Please meet no later than 10:15 am on July 30 at Monroe Park at the corner of Monroe St and 10th Ave.  The Pet Parade leads the EUG Parade down Broadway.  We'll turn right on Lawrence and head back to Monroe Park.

See you there!

If you have any questions, you can call or text Monica at 703-628-6161 or email podarke@comcast.net.

Corvallis "Meet A Retired Racer" Greyhound Adoption Event - Saturday, July 22nd - Animal Crackers Pet Supply

Corvallis "Meet A Retired Racer" Adoption Event - Saturday, July 22nd - Animal Crackers Pet Supply

Hi folks!  Greyhound Pet Adoption-Northwest will be at Animal Crackers Pet Supply in Corvallis on Saturday, July 22nd, from 11AM-1PM along with some wonderful retired racing Greyhounds for you to meet.

Representatives from GPA-NW will be on hand to answer questions about Greyhounds and/or Greyhound adoption.

Stop by, meet the pooches and say hi to their people!

Animal Crackers Pet Supply is located at 949 NW Kings Blvd. in Corvallis.

July & August Greyhound Sitting Availability

Need Greyhound Sitting?

I have August (July is full until 7/20, unless you need drop-off daycare or a 1-2 day stay) dates available for Greyhound sitting.

I provide:

- Safe environment

- Large fenced yard for play

- Quiet cul-de-sac location

- 20 years Greyhound/GPA experience

- 24/7 supervision

- Multiple walks each day

- Friendly neighborhood (neighbors LOVE the greys!)

...and best of all...

- Your pooch gets to hang out with Keith!

Keith

My only requirement is that you have a non-super-Alpha Greyhound.  Keith has just a tad of Alpha in him and doesn't like to be "pushed" around.

References available.

Interested?  Drop me an email for specifics and available dates:  greyhoundude@yahoo.com  or give me a call:  (541) 753-1339

Photos From The July 4th Parade In Corvallis

Click on photos to enlarge.

Photo by Eric Merchant

Photo by Eric Merchant

Photo by Eric Merchant

Photo by Eric Merchant

Photo by Eric Merchant

Photo by Eric Merchant

Photo by Eric Merchant

Photo by Eric Merchant

Photo by Eric Merchant

Photo by Eric Merchant

Photo by Eric Merchant

Photo by Eric Merchant

Photo by Eric Merchant

Photo by Eric Merchant

Photo by Jill Lyon

12 Greyhounds Test Positive for Cocaine at Florida Race Track

A local Greyhound trainer's license has been suspended after 12 dogs in his care tested positive for cocaine.

According to records obtained by First Coast News, the dogs, all racers at Bestbet Orange Park, tested positive for Benzoylecgonine (BZE) - - a metabolite of cocaine.

Continue reading here

Watch the video:

Greyt Happenings For Willamette Valley Greyhound Lovers - July, 2017 Issue

The July, 2017 issue of Greyt Happenings For Willamette Valley Greyhound Lovers can be downloaded here.  It's now a fast downloading, easy-to-read .pdf file.  Enjoy!

Greyhounds, Fireworks & Thunderstorms

Helping your Greyhound Stay Calm during

Fireworks & Thunderous Weather

From the perspective of many greyhounds (and other dogs), summer is the scariest part of the year. Is it summer heat, biting gnats or the specter of a family leaving on vacation that worries them? No, it’s noisy fireworks displays and summer storms (with the accompanying thunder and lightning) that turn some normally placid greyhounds into desperately panicked pooches.

More dogs are reported missing during the summer than in any other season, due in large part to the terror induced even by storms of short duration. And the week following the Fourth of July is the busiest week of the year in animal shelters across the nation. All it takes is a shrieking rocket, a few peals of thunder or a crack or two of lightning and suddenly that fence that has always been tall enough is no more than a low hurdle for your running, frightened pet.

Fourth of July:

* Be sure your greyhound always wears a full set of identification tags: GPA’s tag, pet’s name/home phone tag, and your county/city licenses.

* Stay home with your pet – your reassuring presence might prevent panic. If you can’t be there, leave your dog in an indoor area where he can neither escape nor be injured if he panics. If he feels secure in his crate, use it. Leave the light on in the room. Keep the radio on or music to mask the sound. Close up the house.

* Reassure your dog in a calm voice; avoid having

other family members respond in an excited or frightened manner.

* Some dogs can be distracted from the noise by

playing a game of indoor ball or tug-of-war with

you – if your dog has trouble paying attention to

you due to the outside noise, don’t insist.

* Talk to your veterinarian about medication to help your greyhound get through the storm season and the Fourth of July.

* Don’t take your dog to fireworks displays, even if you feel you will be a distance from the firing site

or plan to stay in your car. From the dog’s perspective, he might as well be sitting next to the firing range.

Thunderstorms:

* Check you gates and fences prior to letting your dog out. Blown down fences and gates are the primary way dogs are lost during these storms. * Remain calm yourself – your agitation will only increase your dog’s level of fear. Giving your dog a slow comforting massage using long strokes might help you both get through it.

* Desensitize your dog using a recording of a thunderstorm. Start by playing the recording frequently at very low volume (almost out of hearing for you) while you are home. Interact calmly with your dog every time you play the recording. Over time, raise the volume slowly to more realistic levels. Then play the recording when you are out of the house for short periods, eventually working up to longer absences. Eventually, the noise of a real storm should be just normal background noise for your pooch. (This works well for other scary sounds as well, i.e. trash trucks and crashing trash cans.)

* Investigate the StormDefender Cape® (www.stormdefender.com). Many dog owners report remarkable success using this product to calm thunder-phobic dogs.

* We use the poor man’s version, which also seems to help a little bit -- a t-shirt, tightened around Pearl’s body by rubber-banding the loose part up above her haunches. We start using this well in advance of July 4, so she acclimates to it, without associating it directly with the explosions.

NOTE: D.A.P. (dog appeasing pheromones) diffusers have been used with some success to calm anxious dogs whether the anxiety is situational, such as fireworks phobias, or general/non-specific. Many dogs are comforted by this pheromone, which is similar to that secreted by a nursing bitch to calm and comfort her puppies. Diffusers must be used over a period of time to be effective. One commonly available D.A.P. diffuser is marketed as Comfort Zone™ by Farnam Pet Products.

Reprinted with the permission of Fast Friends Greyhound Adoption