Fall 2006 - Southeastern Greyhound Adoption

Fall 2006
Greyhound Chatter
A Publication of the Southeastern Greyhound Club – www.greyhoundadoption.org
Protecting Your Greyhound in Your Vehicle
IN THIS ISSUE
How to Get Your
SEGA Recipe
Book
Fast. Fur. Friends!
Dr. Toby on
Omega 3 Fatty
Acids
Holiday Gala Plans
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
President’s
Message
2
Over the
Rainbow Bridge
2
Greyfest 2006 3
Ask Dr. Toby
5
Lure Coursing
Corner
7
Recipe: Pumpkin
Puppy Muffins
8
It was the summer of 1995, a beautiful weekend afternoon. I was driving
home from the dog park with Sophie
and Owen, my two Greyhounds, and
Haley, my mixed breed. All were in
the back of the station wagon. Traffic
was fairly heavy and I crawled along
the freeway in the Seattle suburbs at
around 35 mph. Suddenly, I saw the
red flash of the brake lights in front of
me. I stepped on
the brake gently,
grateful for the
few car lengths’
distance between
the preceding car
and me. That inner
voice, that longtime
habit, forced me to
look up at the rear
view mirror.
My heart leaped
to my throat as I
realized the car
behind me was
A typical back seat barrier
coming too close
and too fast. I suddenly felt the collision as it rear-ended
me, forcing my car into the car in front
of me in a series of jarring impacts.
Fear clutched my chest as I heard the
impact of my beloved dogs against the
metal wagon barrier, and heard their
cries of pain and anger as they were
thrown against each other. Sophie, my
alpha bitch, was furious that her subordinates would dare step on her and
was on the verge of violent disciplinary
action. I was helpless, physically separated from them by the metal barrier,
and too mentally focused on what was
happening on the road to prevent a
possible serious dog fight.
When the dust settled, it was a
five-car accident. We crawled to the
shoulder to await police intervention.
My dogs forgave each other and the
raised hackles peacefully went back
into place. I was left weak and trembling. Except for Sophie’s pride and
the $1500 damage to my car, the worst
injury was my sore neck. It could have
been far worse. My dogs could have
been seriously injured or killed either in
the accident or the ensuing dog fight.
I was wearing my seatbelt, but what
about them? That was the day I began
planning to buy and outfit a properly
dog-safe vehicle. Why?
Loose vs. Contained
Car safety is an
important consideration
for dog owners. Otherwise conscientious
and responsible owners
often let their dogs ride
loose in the car, even
hanging out the windows, without regard
for the possible danger
inherent in such activities. My own mother,
who was adamant
about seatbelt use when I
was a child, scoffed when I told her my
plan to buy a dog-safe vehicle.
Dogs hanging out of windows can
suffer eye injuries from debris flying
by. They can be thrown from the car in
case of accident or can escape if they
see something tempting on the side of
the road. If the windows are rolled up
for containment, dogs can suffer fatal
heatstroke in a matter of minutes. In
an accident, loose dogs can be thrown
around in the car, colliding with windshields and other human or canine
passengers, often resulting in serious
injury or death.
By far the best solution for containing dogs safely in a moving vehicle is
a van or similar vehicle outfitted with
properly-sized crates for all canine
occupants. However, realistically this
continued on page 4
John Parker and Merlin
Greyhound
Chatter
is a production
of the
Southeastern
Greyhound Club
© 2006
Editor
John Parker
Managing Editor
Patti Peterson
E-mail Us
newsletter@
greyhoundadoption.org
Visit us Online
www.greyhoundadoption.org
First SEGA
Recipe
Book
What a wonderful
holiday gift!
Over the
Rainbow
Bridge
Friends waiting there
for us...
2
Another GreyFest has come and
gone, and I must say that this one will
stand out in my memory well into the
future. It was one the best attended,
most well organized such events in
the Club’s history. One of the most
refreshing aspects of the day for me
personally was that the great majority
of Greyhounds in attendance appeared
to be in the “proper weight and fitness”
contemplated by the contract under
which they were adopted. Those who
know me know that I zealously preach
the gospel of Greyhound weight
control on a regular basis. In the past,
I have often been sorely disappointed
at the number of obese Greyhounds
I encountered at events, both those
we hosted and those put on by other
organizations. There is little more
dismaying in the Greyhound world
than seeing our once proud athletes
turned into pudgy porkers by misguided
owners who give them as much food as
they’ll eat.
So as GreyFest approached, I
steeled myself to experience the same
disappointment, and was I pleasantly
surprised ! Lots and lots of Greyhounds
with the proverbial three ribs showing,
coats glowing, and muscles rippling.
Take heart, I told one of our Board
members, our preaching is paying off.
There is no better stewardship of our
Greyhounds than keeping them slim
and trim, as Nature intends them to be,
so that they can run “as swiftly as the
wind.”
Run swiftly they did at GreyFest,
and it was a joy to be able to offer a
running activity once again, as they
are almost always the single most
popular activities at our gatherings. One
of the most enjoyable aspects of my
service as “radar gun operator” was to
see the owners’ faces light up when I
announced the speed at which the radar
gun had clocked their Greyhounds.
I don’t know who had more fun – the
Greyhounds running full out, or the
owners’ watching them.
While keeping most Greyhounds
at proper weight is simply a matter of
portion control, keeping them fit can
be a greater challenge. The places to
let one’s Greyhound really stretch out
and run are few and far between, and
the disparity between the amount of
land dedicated by local governments
to athletic fields (on which dogs are
often expressly forbidden) and the land
dedicated to a place for the thousands
of dogs owned by thousands of
taxpayers to run is more than appalling.
That said, I’ll let you in on a little secret:
the standard fitness regimen of Irish
trainers for their coursing and racing
Greyhounds is lots and lots of walking,
and they have some of the fastest,
fittest Greyhounds in the world. It’s
pretty good for humans, too.
So, to all of you with the trim
Greyhounds at GreyFest, I offer a
hearty “well done !” And to those who
brought the few tubby ones, remember
– it’s all about portion control !
John Parker
Someone’s in the Kitchen, the much-anticipated SEGA recipe book, is now
available. Copies are $13 each or two for $25. As of press time, mail delivery is not
available, but check the SEGC/SEGA Yahoo group for updates on sale locations.
Copes will be available at the Holiday Gala.
For further information and to obtain your copies in time for holiday gift giving,
please contact Beth Kuhn at jbkuhn@bellsouth.net.
beth kuhn
Melanie and Dave Sills’ Army
– 8 years, 7 months
P h oto Co u r t e s y o f A M Y B EAV ER
Teresa Wheeler
President’s
Message
Amy and Kevin Beaver’s Master
– 11 years, 4 months
Cheryl Landes’ Wolf
– 11 years, 1 month
Kevin and Amy Beaver with Master
P h oto co u r t e s y o f b r o o k g o o d h e w
Greyfest 2006 Offered
Something for Everyone
This year’s winner of best costume was
An uneducated bystander might
dressed as a cowboy, complete with a
have thought that it was the coldersix-shooter and ten gallon hat.
than-normal fall temperatures that
There were some participants who
kept the Greyhounds’ and humans’
preferred more serious competition
teeth chattering throughout the day on
and entered their Greyhound into
October 28. But if you were one of the
the conformation match – a friendly
227 participants at the 2006 GreyFest,
dog show for bragging rights. Judged
you would know that it was all of the
by gender and in three classes
excitement in the air at the Old Mill
(youngsters, adults and
Farm in Cartersville that
seniors) each class’
kept the teeth clicking with
winner was then
nervous energy.
judged against the
GreyFest is more than
rest of the first place
just a fundraiser for SEGA.
finishers to select
The annual gathering is
the Best in Show.
a festival for Greyhound
The 2006 GreyFest
lovers, supporters,
conformation match
adopters and volunteers
Best in Show winner
from across the Southeast,
was Willow, formerly
offering an opportunity for
known as Bayou
dogs and their people to
Kitty, who is owned
gather together and enjoy
by Tony and Jody de
each other’s company.
la Motte Hurst.
Each year the event’s
Corky, owned by Tina and Gary WellBy far the highcreative volunteers dream
born, enjoying the Blur of Fur run!
light of the event was
up carnival booths that
the newest addition to
encourage the hounds to
the festivities, the Blur of Fur. Most
try their luck at a few unique carnival
Greyhound owners have always wanted
games. From bobbing for hotdogs to
to know how fast their Greyhound
digging for buried treasure, for just a
can run. Thanks to a well-positioned
few activity tickets skilled Greyhounds
radar gun, squawker and
could show their stuff and
a few fast hands, 82 proud
win a prize or two – well if you
owners now know exactly
consider a cold, wet, hotdog
how fast their Greyhound
a prize. The activities weren’t
can go. The fastest time
only for Greyhounds; there
clocked for the day was
were fun booths for kids
45 mph, ran by Venus,
and plenty of Grey-friendly
who belongs to Laura
vendors selling their goods.
Lovell and Scott Keith.
No festival would be
John and Laura Parker’s
complete without contests
Basso came in a close
and GreyFest does not
second running 44 mph.
disappoint. But here,
The Blur of Fur was just
superlatives include looking
as much fun to watch
for the Greyhound with
as it was for the dogs
the longest nose, best
to run, causing most
kisser, skinniest waistline
everything to come to a
and prettiest eyes. The
stand still. Greyhounds
competition was tough
Sassy owned by Jack and Donna Lamb.
who ran were also
and the judging was
captured beautifully in
even tougher, but a list of
motion on film and the
winners was announced
photos were sold as a fundraiser for
and prizes were awarded in 14
SEGA.
different categories.
This event would not have been
A staple at GreyFest each year
possible without the dedication and
is the Holw-o-ween costume contest,
support of Patti Peterson and Robin
where each year Greyhounds and their
Davis, and their team of volunteers.
humans show of their creativity and
This year’s festivities continued in
compete for the title of best costme,
the tradition of first-class events run
funniest costume and most original
by SEGA. Thank you for making our
costume. This year’s participants did
organization and our hounds proud.
not disappoint the crowd with dogs
dressed up as gladiators, fairies,
HEA THER COULOMBE
desperate housewives and ballerinas.
P h oto co u r t e s y o f g e r r y s k a l s k y
Fast. Fur.
Friends!
3
Protecting
Your
Greyhound
in Your
Vehicle,
continued
is also the most expensive option and
probably the least practical or affordable
for the average large breed dog owner.
While a station wagon may suffice for
crating smaller breeds, sports utility
vehicles or even many mini-vans are too
small to hold more than two large crates.
Thankfully, there are other options for
ensuring the safety of our beloved Greyhounds even if we are unable to afford a
“luxury” van and must make due with a
modestly sized or priced vehicle.
Barriers
I originally bought my barrier because my mixed breed loves to ride
plastered to the front window and thinks
nothing of climbing into my lap as I try to
drive. She is a sheltie mix and loves to
bark, particularly at other dogs, and she
would bounce around barking madly every time we passed a dog while driving.
Physically separating her from me while
I was driving was
the best option. At
the time, the wagon
barrier seemed to
provide adequate
safety for my canine
passengers.
Barriers are
generally available
in adjustable sizes
in multiple styles.
There are metal barriers that attach with
vertical pressure
points to the floor
and the roof of the
car. There are other
A wire travel crate
barriers that attach
to the windows with
suction cups. There are also barriers
made of netting or webbing. Whichever
style you choose, take care to attach
the barriers as securely as possible
according to the directions provided by
the manufacturer. I often pass vehicles
on the road with barriers attached in a
makeshift manner. I cringe because in
an accident, the barrier itself is sure to
become a dangerous projectile. Barriers are advantageous because they are
relatively inexpensive, readily available,
and do adequately segregate the dogs
from the passenger area, which is an
important safety consideration. They do
not, however, afford maximum safety.
In an accident, a dog can still be catapulted into the barrier, potentially causing injury or even dislodging the barrier
itself if the force of the impact is sufficient. And, as was illustrated in my own
4
accident, dogs can be thrown against
each other, resulting in dog fights at
absolutely the worst possible time.
Canine Seatbelts
Canine seatbelts consist of a harness designed to minimize compression to the chest, through which the
car’s seatbelt is fastened. They are
generally considered safer than barriers, because they keep the dog in
place in case of accident with the same
efficiency as a seat-belted human. They
are also relatively inexpensive, readily available, easily removable (thus
allowing the vehicle to be used for
occasional human passengers), and
allow a place for as many dogs as there
are seatbelts. On the other hand, some
Greyhound owners have reported that
they are an awkward solution for Greyhounds, considering their conformation
and inconvenient propensity to tangle
themselves.
Crates
Crating dogs
in an appropriatesized vehicle is the
safest way for them
to travel, if one is
lucky enough to be
able to afford this
solution. Expense
is most certainly the
major drawback,
however. Beyond
the cost of the
vehicle itself, mini
and cargo vans get
poor gas mileage and
are generally costlier to
maintain and insure. For those of us
who are unable to afford to maintain
and insure more than one vehicle, our
only choice is to commute in our more
costly dog-safe vehicles. Mini-vans
will only suffice for crating two or three
greyhounds. Owners of multiple dogs
may be required to purchase a full or
extended cargo van.
However, vans are advantageous
for many reasons that are persuasive
enough to merit serious consideration.
In an accident, there is no safer place
for a dog than in a crate. A properlysized crate will not only protect the dog
from injury but will contain the dog in
the vehicle in case of broken doors and
windows. Crates will contain the dog
if emergency workers are required to
open the vehicle to assist drivers and
passengers. Your individually crated
continued on page 6
Ask
Dr. Toby
1. What are Omega 3 Fatty Acids?
patt i p e t e r s o n
Omega fatty acids are some of the essential fatty acids needed for normal
body function. We cannot manufacture
these things ourselves. The fatty acids
allow for cell membranes, nerves, and
such to work. They come in several
forms, including Omega 3’s and Omega
6’s.
Toby Carmichael, DVM
OMEGA 3
Fatty Acids
Keeping your
Greyhound healthy.
2. What are the main health benefits
to giving my greyhound Omega 3 Fatty
Acids?
Want a shiny coat add Omega 6.
Maybe I should have had more Omega
6’s in my diet. Most dog food companies add Omega 6’s to the food. They
do this at a level above and beyond
what you need. The reason is that we
as consumers have no idea if the food
is good for the dog or not. However if
the dog’s coat is shiney we assume that
the food is good. Now the Omega 3’s
are associated with all kinds of things.
They act as an antioxidant and as an
anti-inflammatory.
3. What is the recommended daily allowance for Omega 3 Fatty Acids?
Oh good question. Depends on whom
you talk to. One of the articles cites
dosing from 40 to 300 mg/kg of Omega
3’s. Some 20 year old data suggests
0.5% of the as fed diet in Omega 3’s
less than 10% of the as fed diet in
Omega 6’s. This should correlate with
approximately 25mg/kg of Omega 3’s
and not more than 500 mg/kg of the
Omega 6’s. Getting more than 10% of
the as fed diet means you just have too
fatty of a diet with a decreased amount
of other nutritional values. The Hill’s
Brand J/D has approximately 10,000
mg for a 60 pound dog. That is a dose
of over 300 mg/kg of Omega 3.
4. The label on my dog’s kibble says it
contains Omega 3 Fatty Acids, is this
enough?
If it is a name brand food it will be
enough to function. So what do you
need to do better than function? Well it
is my opinion( I did say opinion) that it
is more about the ratio than the amount.
Most dog foods have an Omega 6 to
Omega 3 ratio (n6:n3) which provides
good hair coat. This ratio would be
listed as n6:n3 with the number value
of 1-10:1. There is research to show
that a 0.7:1 or less Omega 6’s to Omega
3’s should be more anti-inflammatory.
One article I recently read promotes the
1:1 or <1:1 and another basically says it
does not matter. Personally I have seen
dogs that were fed a lower Omega 6 to
Omega 3 ratio come off pain meds like
Deramaxx and Rimadyl. The Hills Brand
prescription food has a ratio of n6:n3 of
0.7:1.
5. Can I overdose my dog on supplemental Omega 3 Fatty Acids?
To my knowledge no you can not overdose. You could cause diarrhea and /or
pancreatits that would harm your dog by
giving him a lot at one time. You do have
to be careful if your n6:n3 ratio is good
you will have prolonged bleeding and
decreased healing. The decreased healing comes from the decreased inflammation.
6. What is the best source of Omega 3
Fatty Acids?
Omega 3 come from a variety of sources
but marine fish oil is the best. I looked at
one maximum strength 1000mg fish oil
capsule. This 1000mg capsule only had
350 mg of Omega 3. Following the Hill’s
suggestion you would need 1 capsule
for every kg of dog per day. I believe you
are asking for diarrhea. You can get a
good idea with looking at the ingredients. Plants provide more Omega 6 than
Omega 3. Flax provides alpha-linolenic
acid (ALA). ALA is used by the body and
converted to Omega 3. So if there is not
much EPA (Omega 3) or DHA (Omega
3) the levels can be bolstered by the
addition of ALA. Please be aware that
depending on the company’s advertising
the ratio can be listed as n6:n3 or n3:n6.
Either way you want more n3 than n6.
7. Is this a lifetime commitment or can
one cease providing additional Omega 3
Fatty Acids at some point in the future?
You have to remember that this is a
supplement. It can be stopped at any
time but the benefits will stop then as
well. The hard thing about these kinds
of supplements is that you may not see
the results until your dog lives to 15 with
a good quality of life. It is my opinion
that any supplement will be better than
no supplement if you are adding enough
Omega 3’s to compensate for the Omega 6’s already in the diet.
patti peterson
5
Protecting
Your
Greyhound
in Your
Vehicle,
continued
6
most Greyhounds. Crates must also be
dogs have little chance of getting loose
securely fastened within the vehicle, as
on the freeway and have no chance of
a flying crate is an even more dangergetting into a dog fight whether they
ous projectile than a flying dog in the
occur in the chaos of an accident or
case of accident. Bungee cords work
merely in everyday canine disputes.
nicely to secure the crates. Another opDogs can be safely left in the vehicle
tion, particularly if one is mechanically
during the heat of the summer with side
inclined, is to rig the existing seatbelts.
and back doors opened.
Some people buy or design barriers
My Ideal Dogmobile
of various kinds to use in mini-vans as
I am a single dogmom with a modest
well as in station wagons, but by far the
salary, and was not planning on replacmost popular use of a van is to outfit it
ing my reliable station wagon anytime
with crates.
soon until my
Plastic airlineD o g S e atb e lt s
unexpected car
approved crates
accident abruptly
such as The
M any crateless people use the Sure - Fit Pre Vari-Kennel made mier har nesses with seat belt leash/holders. A changed my
mind. After much
s afe, inexpensive alter native for those who do
by Doskocil and
consideration
n ot have vehicles large enough to hold crates,
the Furrari crates
I decided that
t hey are available from PetsM ar t chain stores;
are airline apf rom Changing Hor izons at 1-888-751-0877or
buying a van was
proved crates.
e -mail w w w.chor izon.com or other pet supply
a sacrifice I was
General Cage,
s ources. The retail pr ice is about $20 for both
willing to make to
h ar ness and selt belt holder.
Midwest Cage,
ensure the safety
or Kennel Aire
of my canine fammake wire crates. C r at e s
ily members. I
Wire crates often
come in more ap- Var i- K ennels win thumbs-up as the safest crate researched used
vans and finally
( i f the bolts are tightened proper ly). The K enpropriate sizes to
n el-Aire is nex t, followed by the collapsible
settled upon
maximize usage
c rate.
the Volkswagen
of space inside
Eurovan for a vathe vehicle, but
Barriers
riety of reasons. I
many people
prefer a foreigndo not consider
M etal bar r iers are excellent to keep dogs from
made car, a manthem as safe as a b ecoming projec tiles into the windshield.
ual transmission,
plastic crate. Most M aureen Lucas made a bar r ier of lawn chair
and was acutely
t
ype
webbing,
sewn
together
with
a
heav
y
airlines do not
c raf t needle on her sewing machine. This is
aware of the size
approve of wire
e asier on the dog.
limitations of
crates for shipmost mini-vans. I
ping, for instance. ID s
based my choice
Many dog fanciers
on the number
forego their conO ster makes plastic tags with removable paper and size of the
i nser ts for infor mation.
venience in the
dogs I currently
interest of safety.
had (two GreyHowever, if space C r at e s , b a r r i e r s , ot h e r s u pp l i e s
hounds, one 25
is an issue, wire
pound mixed
U
PCO:
800-444-8651
crates are a safer
Foster& Smith:
800-826-7206 breed), and the
solution than letR .C. Steele:
800-873-3773 dogs I was likely
ting the dogs ride
C her r ybrook :
800-524-0820 to add during the
free.
time I would own
K
V
Vet
S
upply
:
800-423-8211
Crates must
N ew England S erum Co:
800-NE - SERU M the van (another
be appropriately
Greyhound and a
sized, as a crate
Whippet). I knew
that is too large ofthat
my optimal
fers less protection in case of collision.
van
would
be
able
to
fit
three
500 VariGenerally a crate should be big enough
Kennels
and
two
300s.
I
knew
that rear
for the dog to stand up, turn around,
air
conditioning
was
an
important
feaand lie down again. Head clearance is
ture
for
my
needs.
I
knew
that
reliability
not critical. A crate of excessive size
and repair records were an important
will allow the dog to gain more momenconsideration, as I planned to put above
tum in a collision, increasing the force
average miles on the vehicle driving
with which it will impact the sides. A
to various canine activities. I went to
snug fit is far safer than a roomy one. A
500 Vari-Kennel is quite appropriate for
continued on page 8
p h oto co u r t e s y o f d av i d a l l e y
swing!
trophy named for another historical
The Club celebrated the 10th year
Greyhound, Master McGrath, was won
of it’s lure coursing program October
by SEGA’s 1,000th adopted Greyhound,
21-22 with the annual running of the
“Kady”, Costar Class, owned by Beth
Fullerton Cup at Old Mill Farm in Cartand Jeff Kuhn. The Master McGrath
ersville. Rain several days before the
was Kady’s second trophy win in as
trials created optimum footing on the
many appearances on the lure coursing
freshly mowed field, and temperatures
field after she won the Old Mill Cup in
were in the 60’s both days, making for
May.
very comfortable conThe Fullerditions for both hounds
ton Cup itself,
and humans.
for Best in Field,
We had an enwas run for by
try of 65 hounds on
nine hounds, all
Saturday, including
of them Best of
11 Greyhounds. The
Breed winners
volunteers of SEGA,
during the weekheaded up by Linda
end. coming
Sheffield, prepared
through some
a delicious lunch as
stiff competia fundraiser for the
tion, the Whippet
adoption program,
Lippy owned by
taking us back to the
Maurice Bahm of
early days of the lure
Louisiana, took
coursing program
top honors and
when such lunches
continued the
were a regular feature
The Whippet Lilly, winner of the Fullerton
Whippet
dominaof our trials. Thank
Cup, with owner Maurice Bahm.
tion of the Fullerton
you, Linda and volCup. In a wonderful
unteers, for providing
retrospective,
the first
such a nice “break from
Whippet to win the Cup, Alvin, now age
the action” - it was much appreciated
9, came to run a practice run and put in
by the hungry lure courses, and the
a beautiful course despite having been
money raised was appreciated by our
off the field for a number of years. His
adoptable Greyhounds.
owners were thrilled, and vowed to bring
Overnight rain stopped about an
Alvin back to run in the
hour before roll call on
Veterans stake at
Sunday, and the rain
future trials.
predicted for Sunday
It was another
never materialized,
great year of SEGC
so the running condilure coursing,
tions were once again
which included the
very nice. Fifty-nine
Club’s hosting of
hounds came to run,
the 1st ASFA Naseven of them Greytional Greyhound
hounds. In keeping
Specialty, and now
with the Fullerton
we look ahead to
Cup’s salute to the
our second decade
great English Greyof hosting great trihound and Waterloo
als. Our next trials
Cup winnter Fullerton
will be The Run for
and lure coursing’s
Rescue fundraiser
roots in the sport of
and Southeran Turf
coursing, another
The
Greyhound
Kady,
Master
McGrath
Classic,
March 24English Greyhound,
winner, owned by Jeff and Beth Kuhn.
25, 2007. We hope to
Basso Profondo,
see you there!
made his lure coursing debut in the Singles state and
John Parker
wowed the crowd as he made a
seamless transition from chasing the
“real McCoy” in England (where he
won the 2005 Waterloo Plate) to chasing the “plastic bunny.”
The run between the two highest scoring Greyhounds for a special
p h oto co u r t e s y o f d av i d a l l e y
Lure
Coursing
Corner
The season is in full-
7
Protecting
Your
Greyhound
in Your
Vehicle,
continued
Holiday
Gala
Plans
Save the date!
dealerships and measured van interiors, and the only one I found that would
accommodate the size and number of
crates I needed was the Eurovan, which
also matched my other criteria as well.
I secured a pre-approved car loan,
ordered spare crates from my favorite pet supply mail order catalog, and
began my search for used Eurovans.
Within a matter of weeks, I was the
proud owner of a 1993 VW Eurovan.
The first thing I did when I drove it
home from the dealer was to remove
the rear passenger seats and secure
my new crates with bungee cords.
Later, I built a wooden platform to raise
two of the crates over the rear wheelwells, maximizing the useable surface
area and providing storage space
underneath. I love my van (named Willi
— a good German name for a good
German van) and consider its purchase
one of the very best decisions, financial
or otherwise, I’ve made in my entire life.
My Greyhounds participate in com-
petitive dog activities, including lure
coursing and obedience. I knew that I
would need an appropriate vehicle not
only for the safety of my dogs in transit, but to haul them and equipment to
dog shows and coursing trials. With my
van, I am able to leave the dogs crated,
both for their own safety and that of the
interior of my van (Greyhounds often
destroy car interiors in their excitement
to chase the lure) regardless of the
weather. When it is hot I can open the
rear and side doors and rest assured
that my dogs will not overheat. I have
traveled over 1,000 miles to many dog
shows and Greyhound specialties in the
dog days of summer, and my canine
companions have traveled comfortably
and safely in their air-conditioned van. I
hope sometime soon to make a crosscountry trip with my dogs and am confident that my van will get us all there as
safely and as comfortably as it gets us
to our visits to the dog park.
beth levine
The Annual Southeastern Greyhound Club
Holiday Gala will be held on December 2nd 2006
at the Sheraton Midtown Atlanta Hotel
at Colony Square.
Join us at 7p.m. for cocktails
and then at 7:45 p.m. for a grand dinner.
Festive Casual attire requested.
We will be presenting the Friends of Greyhounds Awards
as well as the Texas Trophy, awarded to the
highest pointed ASFA Greyhound
starting the year as an Open contender.
It is sure to be a celebratory affair to culminate a successful year in greyhound ownership, adoption and promotion.
More information will be available on our website
in the coming days.
Pumpkin
Puppy
Muffins
Tested and approved by
Remi and Sugar Peterson
8
2 cups wheat flour
1 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2/3 cup canola oil
2 cups pumpkin
1 tablespoon vanilla
robin davis
In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients. Add oil, pumpkin and
vanilla. Using mini-muffin pans,
spray lightly with vegetable cooking spray. Fill cups 2/3 full. Bake
15-20 minutes in 350 degree
pre-heated oven. Freeze and
remove to unthaw before feeding.
patti peterson