I adopted Ale House (now Ally) two years ago. She changed my life. I was very nervous about adopting my first GH but Ally was the perfect little girl. She did stairs the first day, slept all night and just adjusted to everything so easily. Ally was 7 years young when I adopted her. Adopting a senior is such a wonderful experience. Senior Greys are gems!  Since adopting Ally, I have adopted three more greyhounds. I foster failed twice and that resulted in Dream and Gracie joining our family. Ally was a brood mom and I could not pass up the chance to adopt her pup, LNL Fast Ali ( now Leah). So that makes four beautiful greyhounds running around our house. Life is greyt!!!

I have now become very involved with Greyhound Rescue. I am a volunteer with Virginia Greyhound Adoption (VAGA). Volunteering has been very rewarding in so many different ways. I have made wonderful friends, learned a ton about the breed and have gotten to witness so many families meet their Greyhound for the first time. It always brings tears of joy to my face!

I owe this all to my Ally. I thought when I adopted her that I was changing her life, but I have discovered that she has changed my life so much more! She will forever be my heart dog. I will always be so thankful to Joan for finding me this wonderful girl! -Debbie Ackley

I read that Greyhounds sleep soundly, with their eyes open, and this is the proof. Speedie really is relaxed when he sleeps -- note the tongue. -Dick Hardman

ISIS (f/k/a) KELSOS TOBASCO

I cannot even tell you how in LOVE I am with this dog!!!!! 

I grew up with cats and that was totally different, cats are more independent and Isis is like having a baby. She follows me around and has been soooo sweet. She lets me hug on her all the time. She hasn't had any accidents at all in the house and has not chewed or destroyed anything. She has been gated off in the kitchen while we are at work, and I have gone home everyday at lunch to let her out and give her some love. 

After dinner Jeff and I take her on long walks everynight.

This is Olivia de Haviland, aka Libby, chillin' out with Fritzi, our daschund and Morgan. I heard greyhounds were couch potatoes, but now everyone wants to get in the act!  -Marilyn Hilton Sanford, FL

SEVIER ADVANTAGE a/k/a JADE

Jade was unfortunately a victim of an unhappy family situation and wound up in serious jeopardy. Once GPA got involved, we contacted Lori Clark, a previous adopter, asking if she could foster her. 

Lori took in Jade and as many of us have done, failed Fostering 101. Lori adopted Jade and as you can see from the pictures above, Ms. Jade is in a loving and happy home. A Big thanks to Lori for stepping up and opening her heart to this senior girl.

DONIA'S GIRL a/k/a DONNA and TREVOR

We made a donation to the Orange City Fire Department and were given the opportunity to have a family portrait taken by a professional photographer. Thought you might want a copy to add to Donna's file. Of course, they both had to ham it up with their tongues, but we still think it is the best picture of all.

Both are doing very well. Donna's eating well and looks great. Her personality has really come out the last few months, which is great to finally see. She loves her squeak toys and runs, jumps and pounces on them. When she gets a mind to she even takes toys away from Trevor and puts them in her own little pile. It's hilarious to watch, but  Trevor doesn't think so. It's a typical sibling rivalry type of thing. -Adopted by Stan and Terri Shields

From Zoe's new Mom, Denise

"When Joan Harris did my first home visit, I mentioned that Zoe would be on her bed, not mine. Joan just smiled in that knowing way and said, "Okay." Clearly Joan knew Zoe better than I did. Zoe's on my bed more than I am! She's a wonderful addition to my home and life."

A LETTER FROM CRUNCHTIME CLEO

Thank you so much for finding me a new home.

ALJO CORINTHOS a/k/a CORY

"I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES"

You will all be happy to know that Cory has settled in very nicely into his new home, and loves his long lost brother Morgan. It is a learning experience for all of us but we love both of them very much. Cory does love to eat and enjoys walks and car rides (just like his bro) and other than the early adjustment period we have been very fortunate. Cory is definitely more animated than Morgan and gives us lots of kisses.  He's very affectionate and appreciative. Good boy!

I want to thank all of you once again for all your efforts in caring for Cory and getting him to us so quickly. It seems like fate, everything seemed to happen very smoothly.   Here are four pictures of Cory and Morgan, and maybe Jenny.

All our Best from the Dahans - Lou, Cheryl, Elise, Matt, Jill, Morgan, and CORY!

RAINY DAY GOLDIE

owned by John and Dee McKimmey

Speedie visits a Retirement Home once a week and a Nursing Home about every other week.The residents love him, and he loves to be petted by them. He does an occasional trick, like speak or shake hands, but primarily he just quietly stands or sits there and lets them pet him and talk to him. When you think about this, most of the residents have had pets and now they don't, so they really enjoy the opportunity to pet a well behaved dog.

He has had one MAJOR success, in that a lady who wouldn't come out of her room now comes out to talk to him in the hallway! This is the ONLY time she ever comes out of her room.

And, there are some residents who greet him by name that do not know their own names!

The Rescued to the Rescue!!!
The Cyanide Brothers--True Heroes

Once the rescued, reclaimed littermates Cyanide Billy and Cyanide Andy are credited with saving their foster family from serious harm during Hurricane Frances.

During the hurricane evacuation of the GPA/GO kennel, these two gentle, happy boys were fortunate to end up together a the foster home. As all of Central Florida prepared for Frances' arrival, so did the foster family. During the busy pre-hurricane activities, Mike fell and injured his knee. Due to the extent of his injury, Renee insisted that Mike see a doctor, so off to the  ER they went. Upon their arrival home late that night, their power was already out.               

Still without power the next day, the foster home turned on their generator which sat outside their computer room window. When Frances arrived, the Mike, Renee and Amanda went to bed about 2am. The next thing Mike recalls is waking up to Billy licking his face as if he wanted Mike to get out of bed. Then Mike realized it was 1:00 pm and the house was full of fumes. As Mike walked through the house trying to find the source of the fumes, Andy was nudging Renee in efforts to wake her up. While Renee was waking up and feeling groggy, Mike found that a tree had fallen and broke out a window right next to where the generator was running, spilling fumes into the house. After waking Amanda, the three attempted to find the family cat and their Chihuahuas to no avail. So they loaded Billy, Andy and themselves into their van and started out for the hospital.  However, due to the dangers of driving with carbon monoxide poisoning,  they decided to dial 911 instead. When paramedics arrived, they determined that Mike, Renee and Amanda's conditions were so serious that the three were taken immediately to the nearest hospital...leaving Billy and Andy to wait in the family van with the AC running.

Thankfully the hospital requested a deputy go back to check on Billy and Andy sitting in the van. As the family was discharged, a doctor speculated that a few more hours of exposure to carbon monoxide could have proven fatal. When Mike, Renee and Amanda arrived home several hours later, they found Billy and Andy still sitting safely in the van. Thankfully they also found the cat and Chihuahuas alive and well.

TF BROOKVILLE k/n/a ANI and her new buddy SANDY

COMFORT IN THE STORM: ANI AND SANDY

You probably remember the awful thunder storm we had the other night.  Ani was quite upset by it. While I was at the grocery Bobby rubbed her down with a dryer sheet and put his t-shirt on her (we read that those things are comforting to thunderphobic pups).  Later we all sat down in the living room and Ani joined us on the couch.  Sandy was apparently worried about Ani and wanted to comfort her so she climbed up on the couch and got as close as she could get to Ani.  This is the first time she's ever done anything like that.  Ani really seemed to get comfort from Sandy's presence.  WAY more than anything mere humans could do to comfort her.

And, by the way, speaking of sisters helping sisters, Sandy's Separation Anxiety is completely gone now.  When Bobby and I went to Mass yesterday morning Sandy didn't even get out of bed to follow us to the door.  I did a video a few weeks ago while I was at the store and the only sound I heard was one of the dogs eating - no crying, no howling, no pacing around panting and drooling and watching out the window.  Sandy is completely comfortable with us leaving now that she has her sister!  I know you and Bobby both told me this would happen and I feel so silly for disregarding your advice for so many years.  Having a sister has completely cured Sandy.  I only hope Sandy can do the same for poor Ani's thunderphobia.

 In reality though, Ani's thunderphobia is dramatically better than it was when she first came to us.  She used to shake uncontrollably and drool and pace or even run around madly.  Now, at the first clap of thunder, she comes to me for the dryer sheet rubdown and lays down on one of her beds in whichever room I'm in or goes to her "safe place" which is her bed in our bedroom.  Sandy stays nearby but this is the first time she's ever laid next to her and even on her.  It really seemed to help.  Ani wasn't shaking a bit and was able to eat her dinner before the storm really got completely over.  Amazing.

Adopted by Madeline and Bobby Meixner

GALE WW ART a/k/a ART

Just wanted to let you know that Art is doing great and we love our new boy!  He loves running in the back yard with Gunner and chasing lizards.  He also likes being brushed and will stand still as long as you brush him.
 
He always wants to know where everyone is and to be in the room with someone and will nudge you with his head to be petted.  We gave him and Gunner each a soup bone Wed. night and he thought that was pretty special.  It kept his undivided attention for several hours.

He is quite inquisitive and has investigated everything but has not gotten into anything he's not supposed to except that he likes to collect scrub brushes. . . He hasn't had any accidents in the house and is a delight to have as part of our family.
 
Thanks for all of your help,
 
Karen and Mark Marlow

The greatest thing I've ever known,
Someone came and took me home.
I'm away from the track; hope I never go back!
Like a nightmare in my memory, my future looked black.

Then I was adopted and my life was spared.
I thank God everyday that someone cared.
This must be heaven, I'm a winner this time,
Got a ball, a bone, and a bed that's all mine.

I'm crazy about my family;
Devoted you might say.
Like a shadow beside them,
You bet I want to stay.

I'm special too, they call me "sweetheart",
They hug me and kiss me and tell me I'm smart.
Even dreams are more peaceful; no stress, no strife,
Now I run for fun and not for my life.

-author unknown

Ten Commandments for the Responsible Pet Owner

1. My life is likely to last l0 to l5 years. Any separation from you will be very painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me--it's crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment.  You have your work, your friends, your entertainment. I HAVE ONLY YOU!
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I'll NEVER forget it.
7. Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart may be getting old and weak.
9. Take care of me when I get old. You, too, will grow old.
10. Go with me on difficult journeys.  Never say "I can't bear to watch it" or "Let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for ME if you are there. Remember, I love you.