Mid-South Greyhound Adoption Option

Greyhounds from MSGAO visited the Bodine School in Memphis Feb. 3 so fifth- through eighth-graders could learn more about the breed. Our own CG Magazine cover girl and therapy hound Sylvie (with owner Paula Pilgrim) and Riley and Lazer (with owner Renee Dingler), joined Vicki Cohen in this educational session.

Paula, who volunteers at Youth Villages, did a marvelous job talking about the breed in general, and Vicki talked about the life that racing hounds live. The kids really enjoyed getting to know Sylvie, Riley and Lazer. The boys enjoyed it even more when Riley dragged Renee to the back of the classroom where he found the school mascot–a bunny named Winston!

The Bodine School’s primary objective is to empower all individuals with dyslexia to understand their specific learning needs and to maximize academic success.

It was fun watching the kids get to know the greys, and ask questions, such as, “Why does their backbone poke up?” and “Why are they so skinny?” Renee’s favorite question was from a sixth-grade boy who asked, “So … are they like a deer?”

Perhaps we have some future greyhound owners in the crowd!

If you have a young one, a child we mean, not a greyhound, then a new book featuring our favorite breed may make a nice gift — one that encourages reading!

Fast Dog-Cool Cat-Hot Dog and A Time For Action is a book by Arnold Haber. Here’s the premise:

If you were a retired racing Greyhound, say, about 4 years old and you could wish yourself anywhere to live, you‛d probably pick a place with lots of running room, warm sun, shade and gentle breezes, right? WRONG! Not our hero, Comet!

Comet finds himself plunked down in the Fresh Meadows neighborhood of the borough of Queens in New York City. Adopted by Rob and Jesse Brooks and their 8-year-old daughter, Patty, he’s faced with a new family and a new place to live with nothing at all to do with racing or race tracks. How’s a guy to get through all that? Why, with a mentor like Rodrigo de Santana, the Spanish cat who’s the unofficial mayor of the neighborhood. He’s joined in teaching Comet what’s what by Igloo, the gentle giant Alaskan Malamute (very big, very strong). This book chronicles their relationships and adventures in the big city as Comet learns to navigate the streets, what it means to be a friend, share in good and bad times and how to get along with people.

Arnold Haber, Arne to his friends is a Native New Yorker and a retired pharmacist and community health planner. Much of his time was spent writing about his adventures with Sweets, a 14-year-old retired racing Greyhound. They were together for 11 years when Sweets went to the rainbow bridge in November 2010. He was Arne’s muse and inspiration for several short stories and two novels of which this is the first. Arne’s been a dog aficionado all his adult life including showing and breeding. From Vizslas to Greyhounds, from mixed breeds to purebreds and rescues they’ve rarely been apart.

Authored by Arnold Haber, Illustrated by Audrey Walker; Release Date: December 8, 2011. List Price: $15.95; 6” x 9” (15.24 x 22.86 cm); Full Color on White paper; 112 pages; Soft Cover; Trade paperback; Kindle Edition ISBN: 978-0-9839693-1-0; Dyllie Productions; Print Edition: ISBN: 978-0983969303; ISBN-10: 0983969302 BISAC: Fiction/Humorous; Available from www.Amazon.com.

Also, if you need to do some greyhound owner and dog-related shopping, please keep in mind these vendors who have been wonderful supporters of MSGAO:

– Shannon O’Reilly Designs at www.shannonoreilly.com (for the ladies)
– Blue Paw (for the greyhounds)

In case you didn’t know, MSGAO has a Facebook page that is now 369-members strong. It’s a good resource if you:

- Need advice on dog issues from people who’ve been there, done that
- Feel like getting your dog together with other greys for a nice walk (while also promoting greyhound adoption as a side benefit of getting the dogs out in public) or
- Want some recommendations for greyhound products and services

We’re not sure whether we represent a “community” or a “cult” of greyhound aficionados, but in either case you are welcome to join us at:
www.Friends of Mid-South Greyhound Adoption Option

Watch this VW commercial all the way through to see who steals the show at the end!

And then there’s the Skechers’ ad, which also features greyhounds. The entire ad will be unveiled during the Super Bowl. While this ad has stirred controversy, let us hope that it enhances awareness that leads to more greyhound adoptions.

Denise Choate shares an update on her adoption experience. Click on the image below to see Gordy’s story.

Kids say the funniest things at Meet and Greet events. At the Cordova Petco on Jan. 14, this little boy, as he approached a brindle from behind, spouted: “This is a big cat!” He got up close and personal with several greys in attendance, helping demonstrate the sweet temperament of these wonderful dogs.

And if you don’t own one of these fine dogs, where else but at a meet and greet can you get a big ol’ greyhound kiss?

Carley, who raced under the name Iruska Carlyn at 56 pounds, was our first Greyhound. She was born in August 1998 and came to live with us in December 2001. Carley was a red fawn with huge dark eyes and a white face.

Carley loved everyone and everything. She began meets and greets in the summer of 2002. She greeted every person as a friend she hadn’t seen in a while.

Her favorite toys were stuffed animals, especially our grandson’s teddy bear. Carley learned early on she couldn’t keep the teddy bear unless she could trick us by laying down with her front legs crossed over it.

Carley never met a piece of food she didn’t love. Scrambled egg in the morning, yogurt in the evening with special treats of bananas, peaches, carrots and hot peppers made for a perfect day.

Carley loved shopping in the cat toy aisles. Small fuzzy mice fit perfectly behind her teeth, leaving only the tail hanging out. Her other passion was purple Mardi Gras beads.

In June 2011, Carley was diagnosed with an enlarged heart. Medication kept her with us until Nov. 18, 2011.

She is greatly missed by all.

John and Judy Miller
Beau and Bebe

The following link will take you to a YouTube video promoting not only greyhound adoption, but also MSGAO in particular. Feel free to share!

www.MSGAO PSA

Troy Keeping, Southland Park Gaming and Racing’s president and general manager, presents Vicki Cohen, director of Mid-South Greyhound Adoption Option, a $15,000 check to further continuing efforts to provide retired racing greyhounds with homes after their careers!

Photo courtesy of Southland Gaming and Racing Facebook page.

Bandita (aka Marlene’s Cookie) wishes all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year (as well as happy Hanukkah and whatever other holidays you may observe). She is celebrating her first holidays with her new family. Bandita recently was adopted by Judy & Mike Losey.