May 2003

Candy's Wagging Tale

By Lynne Przychodzki

Candy fought like a trooper but sadly, I must tell you she recently lost her struggle. She has found her peace at the Rainbow Bridge.

Although her spirits remained high and her tail kept wagging, keeping food down became extremely difficult for her. An endoscopy revealed that Candy's esophagus was severely damaged. This condition could have been an underlying problem she experienced while at the track, but without proper medical care and documentation there is no way of knowing. With this diagnosis, Candy could no longer be treated medically, because the few options available were risky and were not favorable for an underweight dog without a known medical history. The vet felt that she was more likely to experience the risks of treatment rather than the successes. It became clear that Candy deserved to go to rest after a morning of receiving love, playtime and attention rather than after multiple procedures, restriction and a prolonged struggle. In her short time with us Candy was able to experience love, caring and happiness and was able enjoy the retired life.

Every cent of medical care, every part of our hearts that gave love, every minute of time she demanded was worth it. In her time with me she played with toys, ate good food, was spoiled with treats and attention, and most importantly, was loved. She lived more during the months I had her than in her years at the track. Candy was given the best care possible and was given the ability to explore all the chances available to her. Because of those facts, I knew that letting her go was all that I had left and was able to give.

The response to Candy's Wagging Tale has been more than we imagined. Words cannot express the heartfelt appreciation we feel; the sentiment is tremendous. I, as well as the other volunteers, am overwhelmed with the generosity that comes to NJGAP in the mail every day. Each envelope holds donations of money and caring words; both equally important and cherished. One little grey I had the pleasure of caring for has now come to represent how each of our adopters feels about their greys and what they would do if he or she were in need!

Your generous donations have covered Candy's medical expenses, which exceeded $3,000, and the additional money is being set aside so that we are able to give 'special needs' greys the chance at a life they deserve. With this intention, the "Candy Fund" has been established in an effort to provide the same care given to Candy.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your words of support and for your donations. The experience I had with Candy will remain with me always. As well as those who came to know her, I will remember her with love while smilingÉthinking of her big spirited eyes and, of course, her wagging tail.

NJGAP at the Shore

Sheila Havens

Hooray! Spring at last! Even though snow is falling as I type this, spring has to be here - I have already packed up my dogs' coats and I just refuse to drag them out again!

It has been a busy fall and winter considering the bitter cold and amount of snow. The Pt. Pleasant Halloween Parade is always fun for us, seeing the different costumes that people came up with for themselves and their dogs. Once again my dogs went as "anti-racing greyhounds." What a wonderful time was had after the parade when Faith invited us all back to her house - cookies and cider for the humans and water and treats for the dogs. Thank you, Faith, for being so considerate and warm to all. We decided not to do the Belmar St. Patrick's Day Parade and went for the one in Seaside where we always get such great response. Thank you, Beth, for pulling that one together. Our walks have been limited due to the weather, but we have new adopters joining us, which is always a pleasure to see.

The blizzard of 2003 brought out many funny stories from us who are just not used to panicking when the first thought in the morning is "how are my dogs going to go out?" even before "is the coffee done yet?" But we got through it and hopefully it will be the last one for years to come.

We have many events planned for the spring and summer at the shore: chili cook-off, flea markets, street fairs, etc. If you live in the area and want to join us, just let us know.

We had to say good bye to several of our loved ones this year: Chris and Bill lost Mac, Michele and Joe lost Sonny, Kevin and Alice lost Simon, and Laura and Bob lost Eve. I am sure all of our hearts go out to them. They will be missed but never forgotten.

We have a very special group of people at the shore who love their dogs and love to share their funny stories and problems with each other. What a wonderful support group you are! Barbara Vogel tells all new adopters that when you adopt around here you don't just adopt a dog, you adopt a family. You shore people are great and I love you.

Basic Greyhound Safety

by Melissa Boos

Through meet and greets, occasional boarding, and just being out and about, my husband and I come across a lot of greyhounds. These greyhounds are owned by people brand new to greyhound adoption, by veterans who have had greyhounds for years and years, by volunteers with adoption organizations, etc. Some are single dog families and others have multiple greyhounds. The reason I am writing this article is because over and over I see one single, yet potentially very dangerous basic safety issue with many of these dogs. It involves their collars and identification. Certainly every single one of these greyhounds has a collar and id. That is not the problem. The problem is where these tags are attached to their collars. Greyhounds wear a special collar called a martingale collar. Some are fancy, some are plain, but they are all constructed similarly with two side rings and one center D ring. The D ring is where the leash is attached for walking. The collars are constructed this way so that they tighten when pressure is exerted on the leash (and the D ring) so it will not slip over the greyhound's skinny head. The safety issue is when owners affix the dog's tags to the D ring, rather than to one of the two side rings. This seems innocuous enough, but this can be potentially very dangerous. That safety hazard is choking. If those tags get caught in the bars of their crate, in the small space between boards on a backyard deck, in a fence É anywhere, and do not come loose, the dog will attempt to free himself and may even panic. In that attempt they are exerting pressure on the D ring of their collar and in effect causing their collar to tighten and tighten around their neck. In a dog that seriously panics they could hurt their neck or worse: choke themselves into unconsciousness or possibly death. Think this couldn't happen to your grey? It can. I know from personal experience as it's happened to one of our greys twice! Fortunately, we keep all of our greys' tags on the side rings rather than the D rings. Thank goodness, because twice our male, Bear, has gotten his tags caught in the bars of his crate. Both times from the force of him trying to free himself he ripped and broke the tags off of his collar. Not an easy feat!! I shutter to think what the outcome would have been had those tags been attached to his D ring. And all this happened while we were at work and not at home, which makes it even scarier. So please go take a look at your own greys' collars and see if your tags are on the D ring. If they are, for your greys' safety's sake, move them over to one of the two side rings. The fact that you're preventing something awful from happening will make you glad you did it!

Awareness Rally

"Who will plead for the thousands who will die before their second birthday? Who will feel the grief and rage as the 'killing trucks' pull out of the gate and vanish into the night? Who will be left to tell the truth about the brutal deaths in the backwoods and deserts of America? Who will despair that these scenes will be repeated year after year after year?"

Greyhounds have been the victims of horrific documented death and cruelty since the inception of pari-mutuel wagering eighty years ago. Once the protected companion of royalty, in modern day America the greyhound is merely a means to an end, a commodity whose life and death is dictated by the greed of a cruel form of gambling.

PLEASE join The Greyhound Protection League for a peaceful awareness rally at Shoreline Star Greyhound Park in Bridgeport, CT on May 10 from 11:30 am to 1:30 PM. For directions and information please contact Sheila Havens at greyaspet@aol.com or 732-458-9180.

Why Greyhound Racing Should Be Stopped

By Caitlin Gribbin, Age 12

The horn blares, people hurry to place bets on winning dogs, and everyone cheers as thin, sleek dogs round the corner. Where can this happen? At race tracks. Not just any race tracks, but at greyhound racing tracks. There are forty-five tracks in the U.S. alone, and many more overseas. Many people don't realize just how serious greyhound racing is, and some people don't even know it exists, but it exists all right, and takes away the lives of thousands of dogs each year. Greyhound racing is a cruel and inhumane sport, and only serves those who watch it, and those who profit from it.

You might be thinking "Well, what is greyhound racing, and why is it so bad?" Greyhounds are very sleek, muscular dogs; therefore, they are very fast. Specifically chosen greyhounds are brought to tracks as puppies and raced. People can bet on the dogs and make money.

Some, if not most of the greyhounds, are bred on breeding farms, which are breeding facilities that breed dogs in huge quantities. The dogs and puppies at the farms are treated horribly, with little attention, and improper feeding. They often catch diseases that spread easily, and become very sick. Sadly, some dogs stay at the breeding farm their whole lives, and are used to breed other dogs. When they can no longer produce puppies, they are killed. Not surprisingly, many of the greyhounds at the farms are sick or "inadequate for racing" and are not brought to the tracks, but are rejected. The farm, has no place for these dogs, so they become unwanted. If no one adopts them, they are put to death.

Many dogs do make it to the track though. Even so, they are mistreated and neglected. The dogs are kept in tight, uncomfortable crates all day, and aside from their training sessions they are only let out three times a day to go to the bathroom. In addition to that, they are fed horrible food that someone would normally throw away. The dogs eat raw meat that isn't from an edible part of an animal, and is never eaten by humans. Even dog food companies don't use this kind of meat in their products. Since this meat is very soft, and it is the only thing the dogs eat, some adopted "retired" greyhounds have a tough time adjusting to gnawing on toys and other hard objects.

The average life span of a greyhound is thirteen years, but they usually end their racing career when they're anywhere from three and a half, to four years old, or when they stop making as much money as they used to. After they stop racing, they're called "retired" dogs. These dogs are gotten rid of so the track can make room for "fresh" groups of dogs. Some of the "retired" dogs are shipped off to different countries, research labs, or back to breeding farms. Many dogs are adopted each year, but thousands are not. These are put to death, and since the racing tracks want an inexpensive way to do this, they are sometimes killed by gunshot.

The good news is that the greyhound racing industry is declining. No more tracks have real rabbits that the dogs chase; they are all mechanical. Since 1990, sixteen tracks have either gone out of business or stopped hosting races, but the industry still exists, and still takes away thousands of dogs' lives each year. In the year 2000, nineteen thousand greyhounds, "retirees" and rejected puppies were put to death. Adopting unwanted dogs, although very helpful, will not bring an end to the industry. Some people feel that greyhound racing is fun to watch, and a good way to make money, but the industry will end if it is voted against and banished, and that's what side of the argument I support.

Greyhound racing could never be done in a kind, humane way. The only reason that any person is involved with it, whether it's hosting the races or betting on dogs, is for money, and a whole dog's future depends on how much money that dog brings in. Any activity that gives away lives for money, and human entertainment is horrible and cruel, and should be fought against and gotten rid of. Greyhound racing is definitely one of those activities. Boarding Your Greyhound

The following people board greyhounds. Please be advised that boarding is an individual effort. NJGAP is not directly involved in the boarding. Each person boarding will have his or her own prices and conditions.

Name Phone Number Location

Julia & Phil 732-752-1862 Dunellen, NJ

Jerry 732-748-8819 Bridgewater, NJ

Kelly 908-306-0241 Bridgewater, NJ

Beth 609-265-2650 Mt Holly, NJ

Leslie & Mike 908-788-8191 Ringoes, NJ

Donna *** 732-566-7387 Matawan/Aberdeen, NJ

Kyle 609-443-4161 Hightstown, , NJ

Susan & Rick 908-245-9128 Kenilworth, NJ

Melissa & Chris 856-232-7672 Deptford, NJ

Faith 732-701-0534 Pt Pleasant, NJ

*** Donna does not board dogs in her home. She is a pet sitter that comes to your home.

The Serious Side of Meet and Greets

By Melissa Boos

What is a Meet and Greet? Meet and Greets are typically held at pet stores, malls or any other location where a table, greyhound literature, volunteers, and greys are welcome to spread the word about greyhounds. The purpose of a Meet and Greet is to acquaint people with greyhounds as a breed and to let people know that greyhounds are in need of homes and make excellent pets. NJGAP hosts a lot of Meet and Greets (referred to as M&G's from now on), which you can learn more about at http://www.njgreyhounds.org/event.asp. Any one of the M&G organizers welcomes help at their M&G's. However there are two serious things among a myriad that make M&G's so successful: one involves you and the other your grey(s).

1) First, you. To be a great asset to a Meet and Greet you must be able to talk intelligently about greyhounds, NJGAP's adoption process, and to some extent, the racing industry, in order to respond to people's questions. Just from owning greys and adopting them from NJGAP you'll know most of this info already. The rest you can be coached on at the M&G's by the organizer. The very best way to learn this info is to attend a M&G and just listen to what the veterans have to say. If you don't know how to answer a question just refer the person to a more seasoned volunteer and listen to their response. Next time it will be you answering. In no time you'll be a veteran yourself. Second, you'll need to be able to talk about the racing industry (a very volatile topic all on its own) in a calm, professional manner. NJGAP is an anti-racing adoption group and the literature we provide at the table and the responses that we give to questions support this. M&G volunteers, however, do not initiate nor participate in heated exchanges nor belittle the opinions of others that may not agree with our stance on greyhound racing. A calm demeanor and factual information are the rules of thumb. Third, M&G's are serious business and are not social hours. They are NJGAP's primary source of adoptions and are also fundraising events. Certainly it is always good to catch up with other volunteers and their greys, which is encouraged, but that is secondary to the actual purpose of the M&G. Socializing should never impede the work of the M&G. Simply, when you are at a M&G you are there to do the M&G. Lastly, at all times you must be in control of your grey(s). There are many people and dogs around and vigilance is necessary for just basic safety's sake, and also because calm, well-behaved dogs, even under the trying atmosphere of a large crowd, only further prove to those gathered that these animals make great pets.

2) Now, your grey. Greyhounds have wonderful demeanors and make excellent pets. Heck, that's why all these M&G's are taking place! However, just because your dog is a greyhound doesn't mean that your dog is a M&G greyhound. M&G greys are ambassadors of their breed. A great M&G greyhound is calm and well mannered and is great around kids, adults, and other greys. He or she is one who loves attention and one who doesn't mind being surrounded by lots of strangers who are petting them and crowding in on them. For most greyhounds, they fit the bill just by being themselves. However, there are a small number of greys that just shouldn't be at a M&G even though they make wonderful pets at home. These include greys that have aggression issues be it toward humans or other dogs, ones that are very shy or spooky, ones that aren't healthy (a M&G is physically demanding on the dog), etc. Basically, it's any issue where the dog may have a problem with being in a loud crowded area with a lot of strangers, kids, or other greys or dogs with people leaning over them and petting them. The combination of these personality traits and a crowded, confusing environment could lead to an unpleasant outcome. Leaving these greys at home is a service to the M&G and to greyhound adoption in general, but especially to the grey because they do not have to deal with the unnecessary stress. There are so many ways to volunteer that putting the dog through such an unpleasant experience is just not necessary.

So that is the serious side of M&G's and important to keep in mind at any M&G event. Now, after reading all that, don't let this discourage you from becoming involved in M&G's!!! That is not the intent of this article, merely education. M&G's are a lot of fun and really aren't hard work at all. If you'd like to become involved contact any one of the volunteers on the above website for more information. Also, please contact them before showing up at a M&G with your dogs. Some M&G locations have a strict dog limit and having too many may cause problems, including not being invited back. So please always contact your coordinator first. Hope to see you at a M&G soon!

NJGAP Picnics

We hope to see you all at our spring picnic being held on June 1st. Additional information and directions are included in this newsletter. Also, mark your calendar for the fall picnic, which will be Sunday, September 21st. Reunions at the Shore

One of the things I hear most from adopters at the shore is "Why can't we have one reunion down here?" I want to explain to everyone: I TRIED! For two years my husband, my dogs, and I have made trips to just about every park in Monmouth and Ocean counties. We needed shelter, water and (the most important for me) indoor bathrooms. We looked for picnic tables, shade for the dogs and places that would allow a large number of people and dogs. We offered to take away the trash and insured that poop would be picked up, and no place in Ocean or Monmouth would allow us to have our reunion here. I thought we had found the perfect place: huge pavilion, water, bathroom, tons of picnic tables and shade. After talking to several different people in charge of the park we were told that we could not use the pavilion and could not erect tents, so no go for that one.

If anyone knows of a park that would have all the things we need and would allow us to use it, please let us know. We are trying to accommodate people from all over the state but the state just isn't cooperating with us!

NJGAP Online


by Melissa Boos In addition to our lovely website we also have an active Yahoo Group where people who volunteer with NJGAP and people who have adopted from NJGAP talk aboutÉwhat elseÉour greyhounds! Questions are asked and answered. Greyhound related issues are discussed. NJGAP events are announced. Stories and pictures are shared. It is a great resource available to all NJGAP volunteers and adopters, and it's all done through your email inbox!

Our online group now has just under 70 members with new members joining all the time. We average about 50 messages a monthÉso no worry of your inbox being flooded with messages. It's a great way to "talk greyhound". Why don't you join us and check it out!

To see what it's all about you have three options:
  1. Send a blank email to NJGAP-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. That will subscribe you to the group. Then, to post a message to the group at anytime, send an email in the normal fashion to NJGAP@yahoogroups.com. That will post your message for everyone to read.
  2. Or, send me, Melissa Boos, an email at quiltngryhndlady@comcast.net and I'll set you up. Likewise, if you have any questions please contact me here, too.
  3. Or, go to the NJGAP Yahoo Group website at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NJGAP/ and click the Join This Group link. If you already have a Yahoo account log in and follow the onscreen instructions. If you do not have a Yahoo account (it's free), click the Sign up now link and follow the onscreen instructions.
We're looking forward to your "talking greyhound" with us!

10 Best Reasons to Adopt

  • #10. Don't have to bend over so far to pet them
  • #9. Even when wet don't smell like dogs
  • #8. During heavy shedding season still can't fill a garbage bag with hair
  • #7. Everyone needs company while going to the bathroom
  • #6. Stepping over dog beds and toys is great exercise
  • #5. Most are smarter than the average honor student
  • #4. An excellent babe/dude magnet
  • #3. Thousands sold for medical research every year
  • #2. 20,000 killed annually
  • #1. They all deserve a home and love for the rest of their lives.

NJGAP Database

If you have moved, or are planning to move, please notify NJGAP of your address/telephone change. With every mailing, we get at least two dozen undeliverable returns. The printing and postage for the newsletter is expensive, and returned mail is just wasted money - money that could be spent on the dogs. Not only that, but if we don't have current information and someone calls the rescue line about a loose or lost dog, we have no way of contacting the owner.

This is a good time to check you dog's tags also. Do you have a tag on your dog with your name and phone number? What about your NJGAP tag? If it is worn and unreadable, call the rescue line and request a new one. The phone number is 908-832-9678.

Teammates in Therapy

Karen and Zak Karas
Hazlet, NJ

I had always admired Service Dogs...leading the blind, finding the lost, and enabling the handicapped. My favorite charities to contribute to during our annual Combined Federal Campaign are the ones that provide animal assistors, lifelong partners in the quality of life.

Over the last decade or so, I became aware of a new type of assistor--an animal who contributes to the emotional well being of those whose paths they cross, the therapy dog. Zak, my black and white tuxedo greyhound, came into our lives on May 29, 2001, when I adopted him from NJGAP. We had just lost our black and white lab mix, Bosco, at 15.3 years of age. I had adopted him from the pound at 9 months old. Even our 4-year old tabby, Templeton, was in a deep depression since "Old Man Doggie's' death on March 9th of that year. Ironically, on the night of March 8th, Bosco and I watched Animal Planet's "Breed All About It", and they featured greyhounds. One of the first scenes was a racetrack, with a black/white tuxedo grey heading towards the starting box. How beautiful he was! "Hey Bosc", I said, "What do ya think about greys? He looks like you!" Bosco was gone the next morning.... My "heart dog" was gone; the house was too empty and quiet. My husband and I just didn't want to think of another dog right away, but my daughter Jamie reminded me, "Mom, didn't you always say you wanted to adopt a greyhound for the next dog? Why don't you find out about it?"

I got on the web and found a link to NJGAP. I downloaded an application, filled it out and mailed it in. But if the truth be told, my heart really wasn't in it. I didn't think I could love a dog so much again. A representative by the name of JoAnn called me at work and we discussed the application. She asked if she could call me at home later that night. We talked that evening well over an hour. I told her about Bosco...about Templeton, and our wonderful 15 years together. She said we'd probably have to wait until May, when dogs were coming in from New Hampshire.

When we went to pick up "Ellwood" on May 29th, we couldn't believe our eyes. There stood a big black & white boy. He looked just like "Bosco" only big and skinny! As we filled out the adoption papers, Jamie laid by the crate he was in, tears in her eyes...because it was like having "Old Man Doggie" back again. The foster family had started calling him "Zak" because that was the name we had chosen. On the way home, we wondered how the meeting with Temple would be. As we walked through the door....a big yellow tabby jumped on the coffee table..."Huh? What's this?" You could almost hear those big gold eyes exclaim. Zak, still wearing his muzzle, looked only for a moment at Temple and then surveyed his new home. Temple never showed signs of depression again from that night on...Zak's future calling had begun.

All of the books I had read on greyhounds suggested obedience training as a good bonding tool. I had heard of a great sight hound trainer right here in New Jersey. I mentioned it on the AOL Greyhounds as Pets and Companions Board and someone gave me the email address of the woman who assisted her in setting up the classes. We were in luck; the class would begin in February of 2002. The basic obedience class led by Beverly Olsen would last for six weeks. Every Saturday, Zak and I made the journey to Toms River, a good hour away from home. Treat bag, water jug and dish in tow, down the Garden State Parkway we sailed, trying to make our class on time. Zak knew when we got off exit 80 we were heading for "pupper school". He'd stand up on the back seat whining in excitement, because he knew we were going to see the "greys". His class was an all greyhound obedience class.

Midway through the classes, Beverly offered us a choice for those of us wanting to continue classes after basic obedience. We could either try agility training or therapy dog classes as part of her Canine Good Citizen program. We played around with some agility equipment, but we all opted for therapy dog training.

Beverly had just been certified as a CGC Tester, but would arrange for the Therapy Dog International of NJ group to come in and test with her at the end of the CGC classes. The advanced classes were four weeks long. During that time the tests required to pass the CGC and Therapy Dog trials had to be mastered. The dogs would have to pass all ten tests for both Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog certification: greeting strangers politely (in wheelchair for Therapy Group), behaving while greeting a stranger with a new dog, allowing a stranger to touch and groom them, walking on a loose lead, maneuvering through a crowd (on crutches, walkers and wheel chairs for the Therapy Group), sit/down on command, staying in place, come when called and behaving during owner separation. The Therapy Group also tests for walking past food on the floor. If the dog eats it, it's an automatic failure. Also there's an audio/visual "startle" test. Metal bowls are clanged together and thrown on the floor, to simulate a medical cart or a food tray falling on the floor. Due to various commitments, the test was not given until July 14, 2002. In the interim I had walked Zak along busy streets, and up to kids with bicycles to see their "big wheels". I'm pleased to report all 12 greyhounds passed!

Both hounds and owners became friends, and the saddest part of all was knowing our "Saturdays together" had come to an end. It was truly the "high point' of the week for both handler and dog. We had progressed from being 12 people meeting weekly with 12 greyhounds, to 12 teams meeting for drills, enjoying the practice and companionship along the way.

As soon as Zak received his Photo ID and Therapy Dog International tag, I contacted the local nursing home that my mom had been in when she had become too ill to stay with us. The Social Director invited me in, and told me to bring Zak so she could meet him. Zak was a hit! I don't know who was more excited to see him, the staff or the residents! We were given the tour, and I gave the Social Director a 6" X 8" picture of Zak smiling for the camera so she could post it on days he was coming. The picture still hangs on the activity room cork board.

We were invited to their annual picnic on Sept. 8th. Zak wore his American flag silk, in remembrance of September 11th. The DJ announced, "This next song is in honor of Zak" and played "Who Let the Dogs Out?". It was a hot day, and every one was bringing him bottled water. A group of children followed us around asking questions about him, his flag, his ears...he was truly a great "ambassadog" for his breed that day. Zak and I still visit once a month, as we also do Meet & Greets monthly at our local Petsmart. I remember one woman, who had owned German Shepherd dogs herself. When she first saw Zak, her blue eyes filled with tears and she clapped her hands in delight. The nurse said, "This is not a German Shepard, Lucy, it's a greyhound!" Lucy looked at me in disgust and said, "I know this is a greyhound, I own German Shepherds!" Always having loved big dogs, I could see myself in her place 30 years from now. How I could see myself waiting for someone to bring the big dogs in for a visit....

Then there's Ruth, who sits in her wheelchair and calls Zak over to her...she never wants to let him go. We talk about all the dogs she's owned...and she pets his ears, and tries to get him to give "kisses' but Zak just leans against her wheelchair - he's not a kisser for anyone but "Mommy". I slip her treats for Zak, and they enjoy their time together. Zak's adopted sister "Zoe" is in therapy dog classes right now, and I promise Ruth a "kissy girl," who looks like a deer, will be visiting her soon!

Zak always loves to go on a "mission"...he's always ready to slip on a coat or flag and head out for a new adventure. I can never put a price on the satisfaction I get accompanying Zak on our visits. Every dog lover alive will someday grow old, if God allows, and many of us will need assisted living..."There but for the Grace of God go I."

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