Greyhound Adoptions of FL, Inc. www.ahomeforgreys.org

Quinn Goes to 3rd Gradeby Nancy Roberts

Volume 1Issue 3June 2012

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From Your Editor

On 26 May I attended the Grey2KUSA“Honoring the Heroes of GreyhoundAdoption” Dinner and applauded loudlywhen our own Marilyn and our goodfriend Kelly Faircloth of GREAT(Tampa Bay) received the recognitiontheir work deserves. Hand in hand withadoption is “rescue” and Marilyn's short,poignant acceptance speech reemphasizedhow committed we in FL are to celebratethe day when the last dogs needing rescuefrom racing have been safely homed. Andall of us, we adopters and loving families,will share in this great achievement.There are many stories of love given andreturned in this issue – thanks to NancyRoberts for “Quinn Goes to ThirdGrade,” to Valerie DeLisle and KateWilson for sharing their “family” stories,and to Chris Anderson for her fascinatingundercover race track report. Verybelated Thank You, too, to MarkSprenkle for his photo album of theGAFNE New Year's Day Walk, andMark, we hope you'll be a regularcontributor! But, especially appreciationto Kathy Diemer, who has invested the

last 20 months to help bring about acourageous rehabilitation. “MeetKrystal,” in this issue and continued inthe next, will introduce you to canine andhuman heroes, and the very potent powerof love.So, the photo array here includes Marilyn& Kelly at the Dinner with their awards,the Certo Ladies giving swimminglessons!, and, courtesy of Master PhotoChronicler Kelly Faircloth, some picturesof Freedom's Memorial Garden lookingsharp after the 18 March Work Day.Also thanks to Jody Huber for 3 photos ofOscar doing what greyhounds do best ...Jody writes: “No one can sit down in ourhouse with having Oscar climb on top ofthem for some love.” A hodgepodge ofhappy pictures!I hope you enjoy this issue, and pleaseremember, your comments andsuggestions are always very welcome!

Joyce

Page 3Meet Krystalby Kathy Diemer

Editor's Note: Following is one of the most incrediblyamazing tales of resilience, courage and determination youmay ever read.  The dog who gives poignant meaning to“Triumph Over Adversity” with her indomitable will powerand with the 100% dedication of the people in her life whowanted to make sure she had every chance to succeed. Mybelief is that Krystal inspired her people, and those samepeople inspired Krystal.  I happen to have one of Krystal'ssons and I can tell you this same single-minded “I will dowhat I will do” is in the genes. Krystal's son is The DogWho Hunts Thunder … literally tries to run it to earth andpounce on it.  And I wouldn't bet against him succeedingone day. As clearly his mother is succeeding … I knowthis is a story you will remember. Part 1 begins below andPart 2 will be featured in our next edition. Krystal was one of many sweet brood moms that waslucky enough to find her way to Grey Haven andMarilyn.  And so the story goes ... Krystal was ready tofind her new home. An older couple, Garrett and MaryRobinson, had just lost their female greyhound, Willow,to osteo. Lieban, their 10 yr old male, needed a buddy.Krystal at 9 seemed to be the perfect fit. In September of 2010, just 3 months into her new homean unexpected event happened one evening. Krystal wentout in the yard for a turnout. When she didn't return herparents found her on the ground in pain and struggling,but unable to get up. 

She was rushed to the vet’s office where they were toldshe needed to see a specialist for an MRI and possiblespinal surgery. Fortunately, very fortunately, her parentswere able to do this for her. Nancy Roberts and I took herto Metropolitan Vet to see Dr. Jacqui Niles. The MRIconfirmed that she had ruptured a disc, was paralyzed inher back legs and needed surgery to correct her situation.No surgery is guaranteed and this was no exception. Wewere told that there was an 85% chance that she wouldwalk again, and we considered that a good outcome. Somany considerations: what was best for her, what shecould handle, the road to recovery, her physical andemotional strength ... and we needed her input, too. Welooked at Krystal and saw a dog that had no idea that shewas paralyzed. In her mind, she was going to get up andgo ... just someone show her where the door is now!So, the surgery was performed. The first good sign ismovements or kicks from the legs ... next good sign isregaining bladder control. Krystal achieved both and weall waited and hoped for the best of news. As the dayswent by with no further changes it became obvious thatKrystal's would be a long recovery, needing long termhands on, extremely labor intensive care. She couldstraighten her front end but was not able to pull herselfup. Step one was to literally pick her up ...prop her onher 4 feet so she could hold weight on the front legs, buther back end absolutely needed the bottom's up harness toallow a human helper carry the back end for potty breaks.

Krystal laying there paralyzed....her front feet bandagedbecause she ripped off all her toenails when trying to pullherself up....even through all this....she was still happy anddetermined to go!!

Her right hock's fracture was her racing career ending injury.Her hock was never repaired, but she continued to producepuppies for several years.

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We were told she must get into a vigorous rehab programimmediately. That she needed acupuncture, low level lasertherapy, water treadmill therapy, and physical therapy …all wonderful tools to use ... but to use when her body wasready and if she responded well.Above all of these, the most important exercise after anyspinal surgery is to motion the legs as if walking and totouch the feet to the ground to retrain her brain how towalk again. Range of motion exercises are also vital tostretch the muscles.The acupuncture and laser therapy would help healing.The physical rehab therapies come into play only whenthe body is able to perform at that level of exercise. Overstressing does more harm than good for a body that istrying to heal. So the important first lesson we learned isthat the body has to heal first and it does that by gettinglots of good rest. The second lesson was to listen … thepatient will tell you what they can do, what they need orwant to do … you must listen and watch.We also found that our very good friend Diane Mayer didthe best healing for her in those early months, using Reikiand Connective Healing therapy. This opened up energyflow to all parts of body and communication along thenerve pathways. When Krystal felt strong enough webegan water therapy with Diane at Gentle Spirit Farm(www.gentlespiritfarm.com). Simply put … Diane doesAMAZING work!!!

Krystal swimming the turns was very important to“straightening” out her back. Her tendency was to lean onthe strong left rear leg so her curl was to the left. Dianeworked for several months on this to give her enough midsection muscle tone for the strength to walk again.Just the slightest support and Krystal was swimming onher own! She had a knack for tilting her head and“getting her ear wet” and thinking “swimmie” would bedone for the day. Diane solved that problem by holdingher ear and the workouts continued!For months we continued the Reiki and Swim Therapy.We tried to build up to 3 times a week for swimming, butthis left her in long recovery periods with over-tiredmuscles. Muscle fatigue also increased her chance ofurinary tract infections as her weak muscles did not allowfor complete emptying of her bladder. So, 2 was hermagic number and we would listen to her and alternate asneeded between swim and reiki sessions.In between we took car rides and trips to the park andplaces other than my yard to spark her interest to want togo … to want to walk … to set those feet in motion! Justlike any dog … new smells and new environment wouldstimulate her to do things. And would also help for greatpotty breaks! As you might guess … good, routine pottybreaks are very important in the daily life of a dog withKrystal's regimen. Planning each day around her peeingand pooping became the norm.

Krystal, just being her cute self and making Diane smile as shewarms up in the 94 degree water!Krystal loved her “pre-swimmie” massages – you see Dianeworking the right hock, the source of her slow recovery.

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Her milestones … I can remember to this day things thatmade us both smile. She had been with me for 3 to 4weeks and I remember her first real tail wag as I washolding her while she stood up. And then she smiled soproud of herself!! A few weeks later she reached out withher front legs and did a play bow stretch one night … thatseemed to feel so good. Several weeks later she did awhole body shake and, boy, could you tell by her face thatshe had wanted to do that for a long, long time.In my yard she would take 4 good steps in a row with herback legs…and yes, that was reason to party! Being atrue greyhound she learned to run very early on …greyhounds want to go … and go fast!!! So she would

reach with her front legs and bunny hop on the back onesand somehow I coordinated running with her and holdingher back end harness so we both made it safely. She felther best and most free when she could do that … soneedless to say, we got very good at tandem running.Every once in a while she would do what we called a“phantom walk.” Where you would be talking to someonewho came to visit with her … out of the corner of your eyeyou suddenly noticed Krystal went from one dog bed toanother across the room!!! Sometimes you would see herjust go and do it … other times she was so sneaky youmissed it completely but knew that it happened becausesomehow she wasn’t where you put her!

Krystal paddling strong with all 4’s…heading to the steps for atreat of course.

Krystal and Bea…one of her recovery buddies.

Krystal, supported by Diane, about to swim on her own.

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So good things could happen … we just had to keepworking with her and doing things she needed to make ithappen more often.END OF PART 1. To be continued in our nextedition...stay tuned!!

Krystal practices walking in the kitchen!Krystal standing to eat!!! HUGE celebration on this day!!!!

Krystal sittin’ pretty for a treat!Krystal and Penny beagle saying hello.

Page 7In the almost 20 years that I have been working withgreyhounds, I have met an awful lot of interesting people,some of whom became part of my life and truly part of me… these are my heroes. None of them ever made theheadlines in any newspaper. Most of their names areknown only to small groups of lucky folks……but theyshare common principles and stand out in my mind asspecial people whose values make the world a betterplace.Writing on Memorial Day, I can’t think of anything betterthan to remember three of my very special heroes and letyou know a bit about what made them unique.I met Mike Schmidt as I did most of my friends in TheVillages….we had greyhounds!! Mike’s boy, Blue, withthe unusually colored eyes always stood out in the crowdand was a wonderful conversations starter! Mike alwaystalked “greyhounds” to those who asked about Blue andhis eyes. One afternoon Mike and Pat came to visit andhe was so excited to tell me that they were moving to aplace that had room for lots of greyhounds! He felt that itwas the time in his life where he had the opportunity to domore for something that was so important to him….hisgreyhounds!!! He would go on to adopt multiple dogsand spend so much time at Grey Haven working to makethings better here at the farm and for our dogs.Mike changed his life to focus on the greyhounds thatneeded him.

Marilyn VarnbergPresident and Co-Founder ofGreyhound Adoptions of Florida, Inc.

Marilyn's Thoughts

We miss you, Mike.

Tim Archibald and Gail Wilson came to me years ago toadopt a little girl who would fill an empty spot in theirhearts. When they lost one of their girls, they would cometo help yet another…usually an older dog…possibly areturn…but one that needed them as much as theyneeded her. I was always amazed at how the girls took toTim! He had a magnetism when it came to these girlsthat was so interesting to watch! They saw immediatelyright to the kind, gentle and protective spirit in Tim.The day they came for what would be Tim’s last dog, Ishowed them every dog in the kennel who needed a home.Tim kept looking at Chickie, an older brood mama, whoreally disliked men. She growled and snarled at any manwho ventured near her. Tim finally asked about her andas I heard myself begin to tell him about her feelings forthe male sex, I realized she was quietly standing in hercrate, wagging her tail. I was stunned….I let her out and

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watched in amazement as she ran right to him, leaned upagainst him and I swear I could hear her say, “Take me home,Dad!” And he did just that.They all knew he was their hero.

We miss you, Tim.

Any greyhound person who ever frequented “GreyhoundsReach the Beach” at Dewey Beach, Delaware, knew FatherAl Dash. He did the blessing of the greyhounds each year onthe beach and then sat in a chair and individually blessedevery dog who waited in line for him…no matter how long ittook.He always had two greyhounds of his own. They helped himcelebrate mass on Sunday morning (really!)…..they were thespecial part of this wonderful man’s life.I got to know Al when he adopted his first GAF dog,Bounty. When he lost Bounty, we mourned together and heasked me to find him yet another very special dog and, of

course, I did. Through the years we spent hours talkingabout his great faith, his love for his religion and his hugeheart for all greyhounds.He had a great sense of humor….when I asked for aspecial blessing for my very sick boy, Boggles, Al gentlytook Boggles’ face in his hands and gave his quietblessing. When I thanked him, I couldn't resistmentioning that it was a lovely Catholic blessing butBoggles was Jewish. Al never missed a beat andproceeded to bless him in fluent, perfect Hebrew!!Soon after Al lost Captain and Willow, his last twogreyhounds, his own health began to fail. The lastconversation I had with him was almost like sayinggoodbye. He quietly told me that he was going to getbetter and regain his strength and then I could look forone more very special greyhound for him.But that was not meant to be. Father Alan Dash died afew weeks ago and all of us who knew him know for surethat he was met by a multitude of greyhounds as he madehis way to that bridge.

We will all miss you, Al. You, along with Tim and Mikewere my heroes. Today and every day you are and will beremembered.

Page 9Mark Your Calendars!

GAFSESocial DinnersContact Laurie, Lcerto5696@aol.com

Thursday, June 28 – The Wine Bar (Steele Creek/Tega Cay)Saturday, August 25 – Summer Pool Party at Cheryl & Anne’sThursday, October 25 – Bravo Italian Restaurant (North Lake)

Wells Fargo (Wachovia) Meet & GreetsContact Certo SistersTuesday, June 19Tuesday, August 14

GAF – FLORIDACongratulations to Chris & Russ Anderson and all who helped make the April Garage Sale such a huge success!! Summer andEarly Fall Events in the planning stages.For more information contact Jackie Ohara, jbohara@embarqmail.com

GAFNEContact Jean Gilmore (jean.gilmore@verizon.net) for detailed information on all of these, unless another contact is given.Sunday, June 17 – Therapy Dog Visit, Cokesbury Village, 10:30 AMSunday, July 1 – Therapy Dog Visit to Masonic Home, 10:30 AMSaturday, July 7 – Meet & Greet PetSmart Philadelphia, 11:00 AM, contact Eileen Saks, golddot2@aol.comSaturday, July 14 – Meet & Greet Concord Pet Foods Hockessin, DE, 11:00 AMSunday, July 15 – Therapy Dog Visit to Cokesbury Village, 10:30 AMSaturday, Aug 4 – Meet & Greet PetSmart Philadelphia, 11:00 AM, contact Eileen Saks, golddot2@aol.comSunday, Aug 5 – Therapy Dog Visit to Masonic Home, 10:30 AMSunday, Aug 19 – Therapy Dog Visit to Cokesbury Village, 10:30 AMSaturday, Sep 1 – Meet & Greet PetSmart Philadelphia, 11:00 AM, contact Eileen Saks, golddot2@aol.comSunday, Sep 2 – Therapy Dog Visit to Masonic Home, 10:30 AMSaturday, Sep 8 – Meet & Greet Concord Pet Foods Hockessin, DE, 11:00 AMSunday, Sep 16 – Therapy Dog Visit to Cokesbury Village, 10:30 AMThursday-Monday, Oct 4-8 – Greyhounds Reach the Beach, Dewey Beach Annual Event!Saturday, Oct 6 – Meet & Greet PetSmart Philadelphia, 11:00 AM, contact Eileen Saks, golddot2@aol.comSunday, Oct 7 – Therapy Dog Visit to Masonic Home, 10:30 AMSunday, Oct 21 – Therapy Dog Visit to Cokesbury Village, 10:30 AM

Yard SaleContact Anne, Laurie, TracySep or Oct – to be determined.GREAT CAROLINA ROAD RALLYcontact Mary, maryshounds@yahoo.comSaturday, Sep. 15 – More information to come!

Page 10My Recent Dog Track Experienceby Christine Anderson

On January 24, I took a ride down to Bonita Springs,FL, to take a short vacation on Fort Myers Beach. Thatwas not the only intent of my trip, however. Located inBonita Springs is the Naples-Ft.Myers GreyhoundTrack. This track has been there at least since the 1970s.My first visit there to see the dogs race was around 1980as a winter vacationer. Everyone went there forentertainment. This time, knowing what I now knowabout greyhound racing, I went to record my observations.And to relay them, because there are many greyhoundowners who have never seen a race. It's a sight to behold.The parking lot for the afternoon races was quite busywith out-of-state cars, snowbirds and tourists. Ireluctantly handed over the $2 admission. Armed withmy pen and note pad I walked over to the rail, the onlyperson standing there. I could see the next race's lineupof dogs and handlers starting to head out onto the track.Nine dogs, beautiful, sleek, calm, muzzled. They lookedgreat but I wondered what their teeth looked like. I couldhear the dogs in the nearby holding area yelping likecrazy, anxious for their turn to run. I thought, of course,you've all been caged up for heaven knows how long, nowonder you want out.The inner field of the track was unchanged from my lastvisit...the track and the facility looked old but clean. Butit was clear they had not wasted much money on the decorafter all these years.The dogs were brought in parade fashion for all to seeand place their bets. They were very quiet but walkedpoorly on a leash. As they were taken down to thestarting boxes I asked a woman who'd walked up next tome if she had ever been to a race before and if she knewwhat happens to many of these dogs after they arefinished racing. She said she had been talking to a trainerlast night who told her she had 70 dogs and had gottenthem all adopted. I then gave her a firm, "No shedidn't"....and I walked away. I was angry already.I went further down the rail as it was time for the race.The dogs were loaded and barking excitedly. I heard thesqueaking of the mechanical "rabbit" and the loudspeakerexclaiming, "Heeeere comes Sparky!" As Sparky roundsinto the view of the frantically barking dogs, a bell rings,to the tune of "And they'rrrr off!" The dogs absolutelyexplode out of the boxes as the doors pop up. It's rocket

speed from the get-go. I lean forward to get a betterhead-on view of them barreling my way, and with awhoosh of paws and sand flying they all zoom by almostin a blur. My heart was pounding...I had forgotten whatit was like to witness their speed and muscular beauty.They head in a pack into the first turn, and I say aloud,please don't anyone fall. Like jacked-up cheetahs theyround the entire track and are clearly slowing down andtired by the time they rush past me again. People wereshouting, "Come on! Come on!.” I don't know whichwon, and I could hear people upset they didn't win, or "Ishould have picked the 4." I was just glad none of themwere injured.Time to scout around for someone else to give my abusesermon to while waiting for the next race. I lookedaround at the crowd outside of maybe 40 middle-agedpeople or seniors, and in the grandstand maybe 25people. Given the number of cars in the lot most of thepaid attendance was in the poker rooms. I hone in on acouple with a little girl. One of the handlers gives a cutelittle wave to the girl. I leaned over to the mother andsaid, "They make it look wonderful, don't they?" Andthen asked her if she knew what happens to these dogs.She told me they have a real good adoption program here.I told her no way, that a lot of them get put down, andthey get broken legs and are kept in cages. She moaned alittle and walked away. This second conversation mademe see that these people don't want to hear what I have tosay. They are here to have a good time.

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It is 83 degrees in the sun, and the dogs are brought outto stand in the heat before being led out on display.Finally, the race starts and it's a repeat performance, onlythis time the dogs go around the track one and a halftimes, clearly tired and slowing down, all stopped andsafe (thankfully) by a canvas curtain across the track withwalkers there to leash them. The muzzles prevent thecheering crowd from seeing the panting.All this time, I have been furiously writing notes on mylittle pad, getting more and more frustrated knowing whatI know. I tried to tell a few more people about whathappens to these dogs, and they did not seem to want tohear anything either. There's a totally different attitudebetween people at races and people at Meet & Greets orwalk-abouts.After an hour, I was red in the face, not from the sun, butfrom the frustration I was feeling for the lives of thesedogs. But I do encourage anyone who's never attended a

race to do so just once. Tell yourself you are not a patron,you are investigating. You'll see first hand the incrediblespeed and grace of these dogs. You have to see them runfull throttle just once, and knowing what you alreadyknow about racing, you will further appreciateadoption...and the word "abuse" takes on a whole newdimension.Oh, and one more thing, after only two days away frommy dogs, I was anxious to get home to them especiallyafter seeing what I saw at the track. I got out of the carand my husband "released the hounds!" onto the porchwhere I was almost knocked over by their jumping,twirling, rubbing and love-growling like I had been gone ayear. They knew Mom was home and I was so glad theyhad a home!Editor's Note: On April 30th Fort Myers News-Press.com wrote on this track ... what was once a thrivingindustry has hit the doldrums as interest wanes.

Tigger (3) came into our lives this past Fall after we lostone of our greys to cancer. When we heard his story weknew we had to add him to our family. He had brokenhis hock during a race and suffered for two weeks with aloosely wrapped, severely infected leg. He was rescued,received an emergency full leg amputation, and spent twomonths recovering and learning to walk on three legs. Weanxiously waited for him to be well enough to make thetrip from Florida to join our family. We didn’t know whatto expect, never having an amputee before, but he amazesus every day. After all he had been through he is sohappy, loving, energetic and smart. He is currently goingthrough training toward a therapy dog title and is learningincredibly fast and smiling through every minute of it. Hehas already become OUR therapy dog making us laughevery day, and it is our goal to take him to visit withanyone needing inspiration or their spirit uplifted. Heloves having Rusty (13) as his big brother who licks hisface every night and Briar (6) who is his partner in crime.He is truly amazing and a blessing!

Tigger's Rescueby Valerie DeLisle

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When my husband and I decided to rescue a greyhound,we did our research, bought the books, and went to ourfirst meet and greet. There we met Josie and Chandler,who are mother and son. Chandler won us over with hissweet disposition and slight overbite, while Josie charmedmy husband by leaning on him and trying to follow himout when it was time to leave. We were thrilled to be ableto reunite a mother and her son.Many people have asked me if I think that they know theyare mother and son. I answer that they certainly act as ifthey do. They graciously share a rawhide bone, evenwhen given their own. Chandler is always checking tomake sure that Josie is still following behind him on walks,as she has slowed down in her later years. They still giveeach other kisses even when they have been separated foronly five minutes.

There is no question that they have a strong bond andlove for each other. Of course that doesn’t mean that oneis willing to give up a cozy spot when the other one wantsit. Chandler and Josie have enjoyed sharing the past fiveyears of their lives together and have brought so much joyto our family. I believe that we have brought just as muchjoy to them!Editor's Note: Sadly just a few weeks before this issuewas being prepared Josie said her last goodbye to the familyshe loved and who loved her for 5 years. As Kate wrote,“We adopted Josie as an eight year old hoping to make herlast years happy ones and I think that we did, but weweren’t expecting to get so much in return.  She was one ofa kind and our family will never be the same withouther.” 

Chandler and Josieby Kate Wilson

Newsletter Contact: Joyce CartaJoyce@JoyceCarta.comProduction Courtesy: New Adventures©2012 Greyhound Adoptions of Florida, Inc.