bjudson, Author at Greyhound Friends for Life - Rescue • Adoption • Advocacy

Volunteering

Our volunteers are the backbone of the organization; without them, we would not have an effective adoption group. Volunteering is an excellent way for new adopters to meet other people in the greyhound community, and there are opportunities for helping the dogs in many different ways. We hold outreach events in various areas in the Bay Area, Sacramento, Santa Rosa, and Carmel/Monterey/Santa Cruz areas and can always use more people to come out and talk with people about the breed. It’s a great time for your greyhound to hang out with other greyhounds! Even if you don’t have a dog that is social enough to attend Meet and Greets, you can help by coming out and talking with people and answering questions. Check out the website for Meet and Greets near you.

Every year there are several larger events that require a larger turnout of volunteers with their greyhounds because it is an all-day or multi-day event. We have booths at the San Carlos Art and Wine Festival, the Solano Stroll in Berkeley/Albany, Bark in the Park in San Jose, the Los Altos Pet Parade, the Human Race in Santa Rosa, the Pumpkin Festival in Half Moon Bay, Woofstock in Rocklin, and the Golden Gate Kennel Club Dog Show at the Cow Palace. At the annual reunion and picnic, we need people to help with the set up and take down, organize and run the games, cook the picnic lunches, bring condiments, drinks, etc.

Volunteers also foster dogs, work on our website, put together the newsletters and the annual GFFL calendar, take photographs of incoming dogs for the website and other postings, and transport dogs, whether to new homes, veterinary appointments, or meeting hauls and bringing dogs to Santa Rosa. All these areas of the organization can use extra pairs of hands and new ideas!

If you would like to volunteer, or have ideas for events, outreach locations, or other issues, please get in touch with your local representative or anyone on the board of directors. We’d love to hear from you!

“The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this world. There will most likely be no ticker-tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honor. But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people [and animals]waiting for someone like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our encouragement, need our unique talents. Someone who lives a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give… It’s overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt.” [Leo Buscaglia]

bjudson2022-03-17T20:37:01-07:00July 1st, 2015|Volunteer|

B.E.S.T. Fund

In the early days of GFFL, between 1,500 and 2,000 greyhounds were fostered at Barbara Eineichner’s ranch in Gilroy. In addition to providing care for the dogs coming from the tracks, she was devoted to the older and special-needs greyhounds. Because of this, our Sanctuary Sponsor program was renamed B.E.S.T., the Barbara Eineichner Sighthound Trust program.

Once greyhounds get into the rescue system, most find a wonderful “forever” home with new adoptive parents. Others, however, may require special help and sanctuary from Greyhound Friends for Life’s (GFFL) BEST program.

GFFL makes a life-time commitment to all greyhounds that come into our organization. GFFL provides care for returned greyhounds as well as those from other situations where our intervention is needed. Unfortunately, some dogs are not easily adoptable because of advanced age or serious medical problems. Although the long-term foster dogs live in a home environment with their foster parents, expenses are paid by GFFL. At any given time, we may have between 12 and 18 dogs receiving some level of support from the program. In 2013, the BEST Fund provided over $15,000.00 in support of the long-term foster dogs in the program. As veterinary expenses mount year after year, so does our need for funds to support this program.

How can you help? Sign up to sponsor a long-term foster greyhound! The BEST program is an opportunity for GFFL friends who have room in their hearts, but not in their homes, to make a tremendous difference through sponsorship.

You can complete the form, select a payment plan, and mail the form and your check to the address on the form. For those who would prefer to use GFFL’s PayPal account, complete the sponsor form on-line and submit a PayPal payment.
These donations are tax deductible and go a long way to ensuring that every GFFL greyhound is guaranteed a home – for life.

bjudson2017-08-23T14:27:19-07:00February 19th, 2015|Donate|

Healthy Hound

Just as you need to be an informed medical consumer and your own best advocate for your own healthcare, you need to be an informed greyhound health consumer for the sake of your greyhound. Especially if your veterinarian does not see many greyhounds in her/his practice, you need to be informed about medical issues specific for the greyhound breed. There are several great sources for this information: www.greythealth.com, written by Suzanne Stack, DVM; the Greyhound Quarterly Newsletter from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine (www.vet.osu.edu/GHWPnews.htm), “Care of the Racing & Retired Greyhound”, by LL Blythe, JR Gannon, AM Craig, DP Fegan. Published by the American Greyhound Council, Inc., 2007. This book can be purchased through Greythounds of Eastern Michigan (www.gemgreyhounds.org/gem_store/books&stuff.htm) or Greyhound Greetings (www.shop.greyhoundgreetings.com).

The National Greyhound Adoption Program’s website also has lots of great articles on greyhound medical issues and general health:

http://www.ngap.org/greyhound-health-z213.html

bjudson2015-07-13T18:24:41-07:00February 19th, 2015|Healthy Hound|

Dog Greeting Etiquette

At a recent meet and greet, we had an incident that resulted from a face-to-face canine encounter. A man with a large, long-haired dog stopped by to look at the greyhounds and his dog met one of the greyhounds nose to nose. The greeting went from a sniff to a snap on the part of the greyhound. Fortunately, the other dog had long hair, the people reacted quickly, and there were no injuries. The other dog’s owner was not impressed with greyhounds after this encounter. The venue for this M&G was on a busy shopping street with narrow sidewalks and lots of people with dogs. The greyhounds are on very short leashes to prevent them from blocking the sidewalk. All of these factors contributed to this negative encounter.

A first-time face-to-face canine encounter is a potentially dangerous situation. Off lead, most dogs will immediately go to the other dog’s butt and sniff. If the smells and vibes are good, the dogs will eventually do a face-to-face greeting. When dogs are on leash, they can’t do what they would naturally do. They are controlled by their handlers and the leash adds to the tension. Last month, in George’s Training Tips, GFFL talked about proper greyhound meetings:

Walk behind the other dog and let your dog sniff. Let the other dog go to your dog’s rear end and sniff. Take it slowly.
Let the dogs stand or walk side-by-side for a few minutes.
Take your cues from the dogs. When they’re calm, allow a face- to-face meeting.

For those that participate in meet and greets, play dates, or when you take your dog to places where they are likely to meet other dogs, play close attention to both dogs’ behavior in the greeting. If one dog is calm, but the other dog is tense or agitated, a perceived threatening movement could result in growling, showing teeth, or a bite – – – possibly even initiated by the dog that was initially calm. If your dog appears to be uncomfortable, remove him from the situation, walk around to calm him down, then try again. If your dog continues to be agitated or uncomfortable, leave the situation and try again another day.

If you’re concerned about a canine meeting, remain calm. All trainers will tell you that dogs can feel tension down the leash. If you’re tense, your dog will sense it and be on alert. If you can’t relax, leave the situation. If the dogs are okay with each other but the owners are tense, things could escalate because of the owners’ behaviors.

I’m constantly amazed by people who visit a meet and greet with their own dogs and plow into a group of strange dogs without a thought. Their actions tell me they are clueless about canine behavior. If that happens to you, take the high road and ask for a slower greeting just to be sure there are no problems.

When your dog behaves perfectly in a dog greeting, remember to give them lots of praise and loving for their good behavior.

bjudson2017-08-23T14:27:19-07:00February 17th, 2015|Training|

Laryngeal Paralysis

Laryngeal Paralysis, by Tracey Sterling

Laryngeal paralysis is a condition that prevents cartilage flaps in a dog’s larynx (throat) from functioning properly. Nerves and muscles normally required to open these flaps for breathing, and close flaps for eating can progressively stop functioning, becoming paralyzed. LP is often seen in large or medium sized, adult dogs. Nerve damage in some dogs may eventually extend to hind-end weakness.

Signs of Laryngeal Paralysis (from MSU link):

Increased noisy breathing from throat (stridor), sometimes called “roaring”, most noticeable when the dog is panting
Distressed breathing, especially in hot weather, humidity, and when excited or stressed
Unable to exercise, may sit or even collapse.
Bark Change – hoarse bark
When severe, gums may be pale or blue-colored (not normal pink)
Throat-clearing, hacking, or coughing
Gagging with or without regurgitation (may or may not be associated with eating or drinking)
Hind-end weakness and an unsteady gait
Loss of muscle tone

If your greyhound shows any of the symptoms, please alert your veterinarian. Mild cases of LP may be managed. Surgery is an option. Here are some tips on managing LP:

Keep dog in a cool, calm, stress-free environment
Limit dog’s excessive activity (e.g., avoid running)
Avoid walking dog in warm temperatures (early morning is coolest time of day)
Moisten dry kibble with a little water before serving
Be careful to not overfeed dog (A healthy pet Greyhound weight is being able to see the last two ribs)
Leash walk an LP dog with a harness instead of a collar (to eliminate pressure on the dog’s larynx)

Excessive exercise that increases heavy panting increases swelling of the throat, which could result in a breathing crisis in a dog with advanced LP. A breathing crisis requires immediate veterinary treatment with oxygen to prevent dog from suffocating to death.

For additional information, please check out the following links:

http://www.acvim.org/PetOwners/AnimalEducation/FactSheets/Neurology/LaryngealParalysis.aspx

http://cvm.msu.edu/hospital/clinical-research/golpp-study-group/living-with-golpp

bjudson2017-08-23T14:27:19-07:00February 17th, 2015|Healthy Hound|

Vacation Checklist

Vacation Checklist for your Greyhound

Recently, we‘ve had a few greyhounds that got away from their dog sitters while their adopters were on vacation. There are some simple steps you should take before you leave to help your dog sitter in case of an emergency:

ALWAYS keep your 800-GHOUNDS tag on your dog‘s day collar. If someone finds your dog and they can‘t contact you, they have another number to call. This number is manned most of the day and evening, especially if we know that a dog is loose.
ALWAYS have your cell phone number on your dog‘s name tag. If you have your dog‘s name and phone number embroidered on the collar, put your cell phone number on a the collar (and don‘t forget to attach the 800-GHOUNDS tag to the collar ring). Most people have their cell phone with them while on vacation and can help their distressed dog sitter or the person who found their dog.
ALWAYS give your dog sitter a list of GFFL contacts so that GFFL can mobilize a search team should your dog get out. Please include:
The GFFL 800 number (800 GHOUNDS)
The name and number of your local GFFL contact (see the Contacts tab on the GFFL website, www.greyhoundfriendsforlife.org)
Barbara Judson‘s name, phone number (510-525-3844), and email address (bajudson@gmail.com)
Get your greyhound microchipped and ALWAYS list GFFL‘s 1-800-GHOUNDS number as the primary or secondary number. Veterinarians and shelters routinely scan for microchips.
If you let a neighbor or family member know that you‘re away, ALWAYS share GFFL contact information with them.
Discuss what to do in case of a medical emergency – ALWAYS add your veterinarian‘s name and phone number to the contact list and make arrangements to cover costs.

And while we‘re planning:

Have enough medication and dog food on hand for the length of your vacation plus a few extra days (in case there are travel delays).
Have cleaning products available in case your dog has an accident.
If your dog is staying at home with a dog sitter, make sure that your cooling/heating system is set at a comfortable temperature.
If your greyhound will stay in a pet-sitter‘s home, leave your greyhound at their home for a few short visits prior to your travel. If your pet sitter is staying at your house, have your pet sitter come and stay with your dog when you are running some errands. This will help reduce the stress of your vacation on your greyhound (and you!).

bjudson2017-08-23T14:27:19-07:00February 17th, 2015|Care|

Hock Injuries

Over the years, GFFL has taken in many dogs with broken hocks. This is, unfortunately, a common injury of the racers. Because of the force exerted on the feet and legs, bone fractures and ligament and tendon tears or ruptures are all too common. While fractures of the toes occur more frequently than hock fractures, right hock fractures are probably the most common career-ending injury for the racing greyhounds. See Dr. Stack’s article on the greyhound-data.com website for a diagram and more information: www.greyhound-data.com/dir/394/Hock_Fractures.pdf.

Greyhounds run counter-clockwise on the track, and this injury generally occurs on the first turn, when the greyhound is pushing off with the right hind leg on the banked curve. The frequency of these injuries rises dramatically when the track doesn’t keep the track graded properly (good running surface and curves properly banked).

In Massachusetts, injuries to racing greyhounds at the state’s two racetracks were recorded and summarized for a 3-year period (2002, 2004) by Grey2K USA (http://www.grey2kusa.org/pdf/injuryreport.pdf). Fractures accounted for 74% of the injuries (356 injuries). The majority of these fractures involved the toes, but more than 100 were hock fractures (~22% of the total injuries).

In the past, it was not uncommon for tracks to euthanize these dogs, but with more scrutiny of the industry and more groups willing to take these dogs, the euthanasia rates have dropped. For the lucky dogs that are immediately splinted, the break often heals well, and the dog will have only minor lameness and no pain with walking on the leg after several months of limited exercise. However, some of the dogs have a more severe break and require surgery to repair the joint so that they can walk relatively normally and without pain. Even with a rescue discount, this surgery costs at least $4000.00.

bjudson2017-08-23T14:27:19-07:00February 17th, 2015|Healthy Hound|

Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis

By Michele Czaja.

At the reunion, I talked to several adopters whose dogs have become very ill with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Unfortunately, I have some experience with the disease, having lost my Seamus to hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and nursed two of my greyhound girls through bouts. There is no known cause for hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. It is more typically seen in small dogs. Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is deadly and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include bloody rectal discharge or bloody diarrhea, sometimes accompanied by bloody urine and vomit. If your dog has these symptoms, take your dog to a vet immediately. Intravenous fluids and antibiotics are the accepted treatment. Untreated, dogs will die within 18 to 48 hours.

bjudson2015-02-17T19:16:59-08:00February 17th, 2015|Healthy Hound|

Giving Back to Greyhound Friends for Life – Setting up a Living Trust

Giving Back to Greyhound Friends for Life – Setting up a Living Trust By Kathie Matsuyama

In August 2009, Paul and I were desperate. We drove 350 miles from Nipomo (on California’s Central Coast) to the Greyhound Friends for Life foster facility in Auburn, in search of a new addition to our greyhound family. We are seasoned greyhound rescuers and retired racer advocates of more than a dozen years. We had just lost a most unusual addition to our greyhound pack, an AKC champion greyhound, born in Australia, rescued from a most horrific situation, and given a forever home with the Matsuyama’s greyhounds. Paul and I were mourning the loss of Fallon, but even more, retired racer Bebe was missing her best friend. Immediate action was needed. In Auburn, Paul was especially drawn to the uber-playful, red brindle with the parrot nose and an amazing overbite, Trini Tortellini. We adopted her on sight and drove her 350 miles south to her new home on the Central Coast.

During her first two months, Trini ate her leather collar (except for the metal buckle and her dog tags) and she ingested a good portion of my expensive Dooney and Bourke briefcase! Goofy and funny, she grabs her entire dog bed with her teeth and shakes it when she’s excited. Trini stares directly and intently into your eyes when she wants to get your attention. Every morning, she eats a half a slice of avocado (I’m teaching her to roo “Avocado”!). Trini is a giggle a day, a snuggle in bed in the morning reading the paper with a cup of tea, the wet nose in the back of the knee to remind me we need to go for a walk ASAP, the face in the front window intently watching me pull weeds, and the loudest roo with Dad in the morning.

The immeasurable joy Trini Tortellini has brought to our lives, the ability of a dog to fill the seemingly inconsolable bottomless grief-hole after the loss of a very special dog, reminded us how special greyhound dogs have been in our lives. We are so grateful for the incredible work of Greyhound Friends for Life. So Paul and I took the simple step of providing for GFFL by naming Greyhound Friends for Life as a beneficiary in our living trust. Setting aside a portion of our estate for GFFL was easy. Ask your Financial Planner or Attorney how to do so. If you don’t have a will or a living trust, and you have loved ones, especially kids and/or greyhound dogs, please don’t gamble with their fates and your estate! Make it a priority and make an appointment today!

Paul says, “I feel fulfilled knowing we are helping support an organization that gave us this amazing dog. Setting aside a portion of our estate is the least we can do when they have given us the priceless gift of such a wonderful retired racing greyhound dog.”

We would like to encourage all adopters and friends of Greyhound Friends for Life to consider the simple act of giving back to this great organization by providing for GFFL in your will or living trust.

bjudson2015-02-17T19:06:05-08:00February 17th, 2015|Donate|

Please, No Retractable Leashes!

Retractable Leashes ……..……….…. Michele Czaja, with reference to Celebrating Greyhounds Magazine

If you are a GFFL adopter, you know that GFFL has a no-retractable-leash policy for greyhounds. Aside from offering little control over your dog, retractable leashes are dangerous for greyhounds. We have previously printed an article in the newsletter about greyhounds hanging themselves when they took off after something that caught their sight. Greyhounds have died or have been paralyzed as a result of running full tilt to the end of the retractable lead. The Spring 2009 issue of Celebrating Greyhounds magazine offered another take on the dangers of retractable leashes.

An experience dog owner was walking her golden retriever and her 18-month old greyhound in a park. The greyhound was on a retractable leash when the owner accidentally dropped the leash. The greyhound was spooked by the noise of the reel box and bolted. The reel box kept hitting the dog as he was running, resulting in further panic. When the owner finally caught the greyhound, he had a torn toe, a cut on his leg, and other bumps and bruises. The dog was in shock and was rushed to an emergency vet, followed by orthopedic surgeries. No doubt the owner spent several thousand dollars for the multiple surgeries required to repair the greyhound’s injuries.

In addition to the dangers, retractable leashes offer adopters very little control over their dogs. In an emergency, you cannot reel in the dog quickly enough to avoid a dangerous situation. Trying to grab the line to pull in the dog can result in serious injury to an adopter’s hand if the dog is pulling forward.

If you have a retractable leash, throw it out! Replace it with a good 4-to 6-foot lead. A 4- to 6-foot lead allows you to give your greyhound a leisurely walk, but enables you to easily rein in the greyhound when needed. A good leather lead will last forever – I still use the first leather leash I bought more than 30 years ago.

Now that you’ve thrown out your retractable leash (AND you can read on if you’ve never had a retractable leash), we always need to be attentive to our greyhound’s behavior while on a walk. Dogs out on a walk are highly stimulated by new sights, new smells, and movement. A greyhound living with cats, small dogs, or a greyhound with regularly met animal friends, views those animals as part of their pack. Cats and dogs met on a walk are not part of the greyhound’s pack and may be viewed as “prey”. It is important to watch for animals or for a change in the dog’s behavior – my greyhounds usually alert me to an animal off in the distance long before I’ve seen it by pricking their ears, an unwavering stare, or a rigid stance. If your dog sees something or exhibits alert behavior, it’s time to rein in your greyhound to a short lead – 12 inches. If the greyhound is overly attentive or shows fear or aggression, cross the street or reverse your direction. Taking a new path or direction will break your greyhound’s attention and will enable you both to resume a pleasant walk.

Unfortunately, we live in a litigious society. If your greyhound tangles with another pet, you could be sued and held responsible for veterinarian and other costs – – – even if you and your greyhound were not at fault. If your greyhound kills or injures a small animal on its own property, even if your dog was on leash, the dog may be impounded, labeled as a vicious dog, and euthanized. Animal control laws and owner liability differs from county to county. A quick web search of your county’s Animal Control or Health Department website will inform you about the laws and responsibilities of pet ownership.

Enjoy your walks with greyhounds – with the right equipment and attentiveness that your greyhound deserves!

bjudson2017-08-23T14:27:19-07:00February 17th, 2015|Training|