Blue Ridge Greyhound Adoption

November 6th was another adoption day – four hounds went to their new homes. Theresa & Dennis Agrella adopted Rooster Boz, a 3 1/2 yr. old red male. Zoya & John Schaller adopted Rosalie Royal, a 2 1/2 yr. old white and red female. Valentino, a 4 yr. old brindle male was adopted by Cary and Andy Bryczek and Christine Patenaude adopted I’m Ridin Solo, a 2 1/2 yr. old red male. Congratulations to the hounds and to their new families!

Special thanks goes to Lori O’Mara for getting the hounds cleaned and ready. Thanks also to Mark Hepler and Soon Park, and Mike and Wendy Ott for picking up dogs in Fredericksburg early on Saturday morning and delivering them to Leesburg.

Very early Friday morning (4:00 am) four newly retired male greyhounds left their foster homes in Florida and were brought to Leesburg by Judy and Mike Shamp. Judy is our “In Florida” expert, who takes the dogs from the track, organizes their medicals, places them in foster homes, advises us of the best and most appropriate dogs for our adopters and arranges their transport to Virginia.  After a day’s rest at Greyt Meadows these four lucky and happy greyhounds met their new families.

• Kebo FireDragon (renamed Nigel) went to Rachel and Steve James
• Flying Sagacious (renamed Sultan) was adopted by Mick Ahluwalia
• Scortch went to the home of Laurel Imhoff & Matthew Braverman
• LW’S Bobby was adopted by Heather & Greg Blake and Family. Bobby will be taking the new name ‘Clive’.

We congratulate the adopting families and wish them many happy wonderful years with their new companions.

A special thanks to Sharon Conger and Barbara Moskowitz who were great helpers at the adoption. They made everything run smoothly, and assisted the adopters with their new greyhounds. Thank you Ladies, much appreciated.

On June 11th, some BRGA members got up at the crack of dawn to meet in a shopping center in Leesburg and then convoy up to Wheeling, West Virginia.  We all checked into our hotel and gathered in the lobby to await our host for the day:  Lou Batdorf.  Lou led us on a short trip through town and up a hill to Cardinal Kennel.  There we were greeted by a fantastic surprise.  We’d been told in advance that we’d get to see some 4-week old pups and some 6-week old pups, but instead they had a 2-week old litter!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The broodie and her pups were in a large open-topped pen filled with clean shredded newspaper.   They were tiny bundles, eyes just opened and still milky blue, and still nursing.  The kennel manager, Kenny, allowed us to hold the pups as long as we sanitized our hands first.  It was such a joy to snuggle the soft little babies!

In the same kennel house, they had adult dogs in crates.  Some of the dogs were newly retired and adoptable, a few were there to recover from minor injuries or to be bred, and some were still active racers.  Kenny let the adoptable dogs out of their crates so we could pet them.  One brindle boy was a social butterfly and ran eagerly to meet each and every one of us!  We spent some time petting the dogs there and asking Kenny questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After seeing the kennel house, we wandered around the farm a little to look at the dogs in runs.  There was an indoor-outdoor combo kennel/run with three 11-week old pups in it.  They were at the age when puppies are frisky, so they were very popular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also visited some yearling dogs kept in outdoor runs with dog houses.  Kenny explained that they loved it there, and would even run up and down their runs in the heat of summer or in the snow.  The runs were approximately 250 feet by 10 feet, so each dog had a huge amount of space.  We were also told that they often drove the four-wheeler up and down beside the runs to give the dogs something to chase.  It sounded like the entirety of a greyhound’s life before he starts race training is to grow strong and happy.  The dogs were indeed very happy and well-cared for.  We were reluctant to leave and thanked Kenny profusely for the opportunity to visit his farm.

After we left Cardinal Kennel, we proceeded to Wheeling Island Casino and Racetrack.  Our first stop was to visit the GPA adoption kennel, which is housed on the racetrack property.  We visited the retired racers there and chatted with Marylou from GPA.  A couple of our members fell in love and arranged adoptions through a joint partnership between BRGA and GPA!  Congratulations to Marci and Mike, and to Lisa on your new family additions!

Wheeling Island Racetrack is very cool because the outdoor viewing area is only feet away from the finish line, which makes for an intimate and exciting experience.  It was very interesting to see the dogs paraded along the track to the starting boxes, and to see their muzzles and blankets being checked.  The dogs were astonishingly fit and healthy, and when they raced down the first stretch they took your breath away.  It was also fun to hear the announcer call out “Here comes Spunky!” as the lure came past the starting boxes.  Each race was about 30 seconds long and the dogs ran one and a quarter times around the track.  There is a slightly longer race which goes about one and a half to one and three fourths times around, but they usually only run one of those in an evening or afternoon program. There was about 15 minutes between races so that the track could be groomed, the previous dogs cooled down and put away, and fresh dogs prepped and weighed in.  There are also indoor dining/gambling areas with broad windows looking over the track and televisions on each table for viewing replays and photo-finishes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also very cool is that Wheeling Island dedicated a race in our honor.  Race #9 on the evening program was the Blue Ridge Greyhound Adoption Feature Race.  The winner, #1 Kiowa Lazy Jay and his owner were presented with a beautiful trophy by our President Lorena.  It was a triumphant day for all of us, the opportunity to see first-hand how our favorite dogs are raised and how they work before they retire to our couches was wonderful.  Huge thanks go out to to Niels, Lorena, and Lou for organizing the day.  If you’re interested in participating in a trip like this, let us know!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photographs courtesy of David Conger and Sheila Lueking, all rights reserved.

 

Richard Womeldorf from Shepherdstown, West Virginia, became chair-bound after a series of strokes in 2003 and he opted not to undergo extensive and painful therapy required to regain use of his legs.  However, he lives alone quite successfully and happily – with the assistance of some fuzzy love.  In 2009, Richard  was ready for another companion.  Richard had previously owned three whippets, an afghan hound, and a greyhound, so he’s definitely a sight hound lover.  He tried to find a local whippet rescue organization, but the nearest ones were in Ohio, which makes a home visit problematic.  He applied and waited patiently for the logistics to be worked out, but it just never happened.  So then he looked for a greyhound adoption group and found BRGA’s website.  While perusing the site, he found Farmer’s picture under the “Available Dogs” tab.   And fell in love.

Inkan Farmer, a handsome brindle boy born in 2005, raced primarily in Wichita and Daytona Beach before being retired at four years old.  He was being fostered in Florida at the time Richard saw his photograph.  After Richard applied to BRGA to adopt Farmer, negotiations were started with Gold Coast Greyhound Adoption and Farmer’s foster family who were thinking of adopting him.  When everybody agreed, Farmer made the journey to Leesburg where he stayed in foster care for a couple of weeks to make sure he was in fact the right dog for Richard before they met each other.

Just like all retired racers, Farmer would have to learn about life in a home.  Unlike most retired racers, Farmer would have to learn about wheels – as in, how not to get his toes run over by his owner’s chair.  And also about the various home equipment required for a disabled owner to live independently.  Essentially, in order to live in his forever home, Farmer had to become a therapy dog.

As it turns out, it was a match made in heaven.   Farmer was found to be calm and gentle, very trainable, and not spooked by strange sounds or objects,  so he was soon taken to West Virginia to meet Richard.  Farmer quickly adapted to being around the wheelchair.  Richard uses a body leash; the end loop that you usually put your hand through is adjustable so that you can loop it around your head and shoulder.  He’s trained Farmer to walk behind his chair so he doesn’t become an obstacle.  Someone comes once a week to take Farmer on a long exercise walk, but Richard is able to take him out to the side yard several times a day for potty breaks.

Farmer has taken daytime possession of Richard’s bed in lieu of a couch.  Richard reports that the bed isn’t big enough for both of them, though, so Farmer has to sleep in his own bed at night.  He has also trained Farmer to jump on the bed and wait there when someone comes to the door, since his front door essentially opens to a busy street.  Once guests are inside, Richard told me that Farmer is supposed to stay on the bed until the guests sit down.  Which explained Farmer’s hesitation before he jubilantly jumped off the bed to greet me.  And what a sweetheart he is!  Farmer is friendly and inquisitive and loves people.

I discovered that he’s also quite playful.  When I asked if I could take a few pictures, Richard took me into the next room over; a nearly empty big room that he intends to turn into his business office.   But for now, it’s a play room.  I tossed toys and Farmer joyously ran and pounced them, and even brought one back to me at one point.  Besides waiting on the bed when guests come in, Richard has also trained Farmer to sit and lay down on command.

Retired racers make calm, loving pets and are very well suited to living in special-needs households.  Richard’s story proves that physical disabilities shouldn’t be an obstacle for a person who is willing and able to care for a pet.  Blue Ridge Greyhound Adoption knows this.  It’s why we have a track record of happy, successful matches of dogs and forever homes!

On Sunday, May 29^th, and Monday, May 30^th, BRGA will be participating in the Viva Vienna Festival, a popular and very well-attended dog-friendly street fair held in the Town of Vienna.  Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Vienna, Viva Vienna will feature booths for artisans, retail vendors, and community organizations and other non-profits, such as BRGA, in addition to food vendors and professional entertainment on the Vienna Town Green.  There will also be amusement rides for children.

The Viva Vienna Festival is an excellent event to showcase our magnificent hounds and to facilitate our fundraising efforts.  During Sunday and Monday, Church Street from Lawyers Road to Mill Street will be turned into a pedestrian mall, providing for a pet-safe environment.

BRGA’s booth # is 433, on Dominion Road off Church Street, right near the Old Red Caboose and the Bike Path.  Please visit www.vivaviennava.org for a map and parking instructions.

The festival starts at ten A.M. each day for the public.  BRGA will need volunteers to help set up on Sunday morning and pack up on Monday late afternoon as well as volunteers to help man the booth during festival hours.

Can we count on you?

Please email Barbara Moskowitz at mosks@verizon.net and indicate the day you wish to volunteer, the time period, and your telephone number/email.

The Blue Ridge Greyhound Adoption’s Annual General Meeting will be held this year at Sycolin Elementary School* on March 27th at 1pm.  All BRGA members are encouraged to attend.  The meeting will include:

• a very informative speaker talking about issues relevant to greyhound care
• a potluck lunch (Members with last names starting with letters A to L please bring a savory item. If your last name starts with letters M to Z please bring a dessert., BRGA will supply beverages and plates/cutlery/napkins.)
• board of directors elections (If you would like to serve on the board of directors, please watch your email this week for instructions on how to apply.  We have three openings.  All nominations are welcome, except we cannot accept nominations from the floor.)
• reports from the board officers about last year’s accomplishments and the state of the organization
• raffles and door prizes
• lots of time to shop the BRGA Store and swap stories with fellow greyhound owners
• a very special award for everyone who adopted in the last year (so be sure to attend to collect your award!)

in other words, it’s not just a meeting, but quite a fun event!  Unfortunately this is one of those rare BRGA activities where we cannot bring our dogs.  School rules.  But it will be a fun time anyway, and we look forward to seeing you all there!

* The address of the school is 21100 Evergreen Mills Road, in Leesburg.

The Grapehound Wine Tour is a multi-day celebration of greyhound adoption held in mid-May in Leesburg, Virginia.  The dates for 2011 are May 13, 14, and 15.  The event features wine tasting, music, a custom wine glass for registrants, vendors, and beautiful scenery, while benefiting participating greyhound adoption groups throughout the country. Registration is now open, see www.grapehounds.com for more details.

The August 2010 meet and greet in Leesburg was a very special one.  On that day I met Rochelle and Jason who came to see the dogs and ask questions.  They asked very pointed, wonderful questions and had obviously done their homework.  When they told me they were going to move to Prague soon, my heart sank.  But fortunately, Lorena happened to be working that event with me and she knew that the State Department, Jason’s employer, does a very good job of transporting animals.  They treat pets like children and spouses when they relocate their staff overseas – all necessary shots would be administered, proper travel accommodations made, and the dog would not have to suffer a long quarantine.  The family was quickly approved and soon introduced to Haynes, a red fawn boy.

Haynes and his family are now settled into their new home in Prague.  Rochelle wrote to Lorena recently to tell her that Haynes loves the snow and will run over it in circles like a crazy dog.  Rochelle commented that greyhounds aren’t very common there, so Haynes is very popular and she often has people stop to ask about him and even ask if they can take pictures of Haynes.   He’s a very lucky dog, too.  There is a fenced in park near his home where he frequently gets to run off-leash, and his apartment compound is also fenced.  Oh, and weekend trips around Europe?  Haynes has move up from the racing circuit to the world traveler circuit!

Rochelle has sent some gorgeous pictures of Haynes to share.  He’s clearly a happy boy and living a great retired life.  Keep up the great work Jason and Rochelle, and please send more pictures when you can!

The annual Leesburg Christmas parade takes place on Saturday, December 11th. Blue Ridge Greyhound Adoption will be participating. We need to be gathered at IDA LEE PARK by 9:30 am. Parade start time is 10:00 am.

The walk is about a mile from Ida Lee Park down King Street to The Safeway Parking lot (not too long for your greyhound). There is lots of parking both at Ida Lee park and Safeway.

At the end of the parade BRGA will have a refreshment booth set up in the Safeway parking lot, near the street. Safeway has very kindly given us permission to put up our tent and table. We will be serving hot coffee, cocoa and tea, along with fresh muffins to volunteers and anyone else who stops by.

PLEASE COME AND JOIN US FOR A MORNING OF FUN AND GOOD CHEER

It’s a chance to enjoy a Greyt event with your greyhound companions and show off our beautiful hounds. There will be bells and bow decorations for the greyhounds and their humans at Ida Lee. You are encouraged to deck yourselves and your greyhounds out in holiday finery. The weather will probably require us to put coats on our greyhounds, so please don’t forget to bring a coat for your dog.

If you would like to help BRGA but don’t want to walk in the parade, we need someone to set up the refreshment booth and “man” it until the parade walkers arrive. We also need someone to bring the refreshments. If you would like to help, please notify Sharon Conger at jetcitywoman@speakeasy.net

Be sure to visit the updated available hounds page and take a look at the latest hounds awaiting adoption.