Newsletter Autumn 2013

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Homefinders

Newsletter

Newsletter

Publisher: Jules Wright

Issue Number: 26

Date: Autumn 2013

Kennels situated at 51 Cromer Road, Hainford, NR10 3AU (on A140) and are Open from 10am until 2pm every day. www.yarmouth-greyhound-homefinders.co.uk Telephone: 0845 458 3797

Note From The Editor:

Volunteer Activities

Well I can’t believe that it is time to produce another newsletter again, the summer is just going so quickly. But what a summer it has been, it has been lovely although it has been a bit too hot for the dogs. My dog Ronnie has really struggled with the heat, poor thing.

We are very lucky to have lots of volunteers who do a variety of things for us. Therefore I thought I would start a column to record what our volunteers do for us. If you do anything on behalf of Homefinders then please let me know and I will include it in the next edition of our newsletter. It doesn’t matter how small it is.

I hope you have had lovely holidays and if you have taken your dogs with you I hope that they have enjoyed a trip away. We had two weeks at Overstrand in June and we took Ronnie with us.

Here is a picture of him enjoying being off the lead on the beach.

A few months ago my daughter and I were lucky enough to visit Mel Shield’s kennels and see his puppies. The mother had given birth to 14 puppies. As you can see from the pictures they were absolutely gorgeous. I could have easily taken them home, although I think my husband would have had something to say!

I have introduced one or two new things to this newsletter, as ever if you have any comments or suggestions then please feel free to drop me a line.

Here is a picture of one of our volunteers, Lisa Pimble cleaning the Homefinders van. This is an example of the range of jobs that people volunteer to do in addition to walking and caring for the dogs!

I would like to thank Mr Wernard who brought in two big bags of change into my shop at Rackheath.

Unfortunately I do not know the amount as at the time of printing I hadn’t got round to counting it all up.

Thank you also to Corinne Douglas who made a £5 donation for stamps.

I would like to start a Volunteer profile for the newsletter. If you would like to be featured in this then please drop me a line. It would just be a few simple questions, nothing too taxing!

Thank you to Albert Chapman for the cheque for £50 which he has kindly sent us.

Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders, a branch of the Retired Greyhound Trust Registered Charity No: 269668

jewls.knights@hotmail.com 1 Bernard Close, New Rackheath, Norwich, NR13 6QS

A conversation on FaceBook I think the last comment says it all.

Deborah Cutler

but I’m sure she will get there it may just take a while and a lot of patience. He can still be like that now, he needs to know where we are.

Hi guys, my friend has just got her first grey about a week ago, and is really struggling with him whining / crying / howling all night. We didn’t have that problem with ours, so I can’t help her. Anyone got any useful tips?

He isn’t a Yarmouth grey, but she is desperate for help (and sleep) - hope you don’t mind!!

David Jones He needs to sleep next to them and not be shut in a room on his own(if he is) for a while until he has settled. A week is a short time with so much to learn. He has probably never been on his own away from other greyhounds before. Put his bed in or outside the bedroom door and remember he is a baby!!!

Jill Dawson David is probably your best person to ask on this one

Mark Baker I agree with 2 greys let them even sleep with you... i do in the mornings as soon as the wife`s out of bed at 5.30 and let the dogs up, it`s 2 shades of grey, a brindle lurcher and a fawn whippet all squeezed on my kingsize bed...love is? a dog......

Rachel Mizsei Ward It sounds like separation anxiety - our grey Rowan had it terribly when we first had him and still is a bit anxious now. He whined and also smashed up plates, pyrex and stole rubbish, food. We borrowed a crate and crated him for the first few months, at night and when we went out. It seemed to help because he was used to it and it made him feel more secure. Once he was settled he didn’t need it any more.

Jan Mayor The other solution is to get another one for him, but sadly everyone cannot have two. Hope she gets on okay with him.

Lois Artpeach Prismall We had a radio on in another room when we went out. Maybe have one on quietly where he is sleeping the sound of voices and quiet music could be soothing. Coming from a busy noisy kennel environment to a almost silent house can be quite unsettling.

Lynne Lilley Trigger did it at night to start with but we soon realised it was because we were making him stay overnight in the utility room. Once he had his duvet on the living room floor and not confined he was much better but I couldn’t leave him for more than a few minutes for what seemed like ages. They are all different

Co-ordinator’s Bit Well summer arrived at last and all the dogs suddenly flaked out and wouldn’t move......so what is new! We have had a very good start to our summer events with very successful days at Long Stratton, Hellesdon Carnival, Harveys Furniture Store in Yarmouth, Wells Next The Sea Fete, Sheringham Carnival, Taverham Vets Dog Show and probably more since this was sent off for printing. Thanks to everyone who has come along to help it has been much appreciated.

Our Summer Open Day and Greyhound Show was a huge success where everyone was a winner but some people went away with trophies and rosettes.

Jan Mayor My two can’t do stairs, but they have each other Lynne Lilley Trigger doesn’t do stairs either, so if he needs us, or is lonely he stands at the bottom and cries!

Deborah Cutler Thanks everyone, much appreciated.

Deborah Cutler They took him upstairs with them last night and he slept by their bed and didn’t make a sound :-) thanks again all.

Jill Dawson It was as simple as that Jane Slocombe hooray! so glad he’s not stressed any more x Lynne Lilley Fantastic!

Jan Mayor What a great support network we have, we should all be very grateful :-)

Pic 1 Sandra Williams with “Most Handsome Boy” Legend and Chloe Fairman with “Most Beautiful Bitch” Princess who also won “Best In Show”. Pic 2 Pretty In Pink. Pic 3 Three good looking “Veterans” winners, Pic 4 Some very proud “Young Handlers”.

New Dawn Care Home who provide services for people who need care and help organised a sponsored walk for us. Some of the people had walking difficulties and some were in wheelchairs. Their efforts were magnificent and they raised £330 for us.

Well done and a big Thank You to everyone involved.

Pic 5 (above) Joanne being presented with a cheque by staff and clients of New Dawn Care Home.

Whilst at Sheringham Carnival our stall was visited

by Wesley, a white and black greyhound who had spent a long time in our kennels waiting for a home.

He brought his new owner with him and was obviously very chilled, happy and loving his new life.

He is one dog that required a lot of patience and it was really good to see him so happy. Well done to his owner. We have a few that take a while to home for whatever reason and it is always brilliant to see them again once they have been rehomed and to see how well they are doing due solely to the patience and love of their owners. I can think of a few more out there that spent a long while with us but are now very happy. A big thankyou to all their owners.

DOGS HOMED SINCE LAST ISSUE Athena (Ballymac Athens), Brody (Blonde Brutus), Rufus (Wilsham King), Cross Boss (Hugo), Ice Cool Billy (Billy), Darjina (Gina), Big Dark Jack (Fergus), Swift Sonny (Bono), Clonluck Back (Lucy), Perfect Harmony (Harmony), Zoe’s Smile (Tip of the Tail), Marys Tornado (Mally), Bluebena (Fluke), Manjo (Manjo), Slip The Thunder (Bonny), Fawn Lake (Sally), Oh So Olly (Solly), Glenvale Jimmy (Jimmy), Riverside Way (Shandy), Anger management (Tiff), Summerlane Sally (Sabrina), Toon Madness (Peanut), Indigo Fergie (Fergie), Grownups (Mister), Galtee Victoria (Myah), Cordial Oasis (Squeaky), Shiloh Asisi (Shay), Confident Paddy (Paddy), Sparklee Olivia (Livi), Hollys George (Georgie), Salems Shanless (Benson), Saltmills Beta (Phoebe), Toxic Bank (Tomo), Shiloh Russo (Ginger), Perfect Sunset (Robyn), Parkers Prospect (Parker),

Plus others homed or reserved whilst this was in print. Good luck to them all we hope they are all very happy.

Keep an eye open for the launch of next year’s calendar, I have been told that the photos are excellent and there are some very handsome and beautiful greyhounds. We hope to have it ready by the October Open Day. We have said farewell to the following dogs: Stella (Star in Time) who I know is much missed. Sadiq (Quiet Confidence) missed by his two pals and his family, Kewell Agassi (Fella) remembered with affection and Dylan (Dilton Slaney) who had quite a chequered life and proved to be one of the most loyal of dogs. He will not be forgotten and was much loved by the family who cared for him in the latter years of his life. Franc (Bank It) February 2004 to August 2013 passed away and missed a lot by his family in Northampton. Dingo (Dream Hawk) very sadly passed away in August at only 4 years young I hope you will be able to join one or both of the walks (maps elsewhere in this issue) and our last Open Day of the year on Sunday October 13th where we will be holding our popular Auction.

We will also be holding a Christmas Fayre (details elsewhere in this issue) PLEASE NOTE WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY BLANKETS YOU CAN FIND FOR US. OUR STOCK IS QUITE LOW AND WE NEED TO COLLECT MORE FOR THE COMONG WINTER. DUVETS ARE ALSO VERY USEFUL. WE DO NOT NEED TOWELS, SHEETS, PILLOWS OR CLOTHES AS WE HAVE QUITE A BIG STOCK OF THESE AT PRESENT. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP. Every year we welcome some young people who join us for work experience from their schools or colleges. We are happy to help them and give them a worthwhile experience.

This year Wallis and Alice joined us and proved themselves to be very capable young ladies. Both Joanne and Molly were very impressed with them and we wish them every success in the future.

Give all your lovely hounds a big hug from me David

10 facts about greyhounds 1 Greyhounds are the fastest breed of dog in existence. They can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour over a short distance.

2 In 1014 AD the English Forest Laws stated that only noblemen could own and hunt with Greyhounds. To kill a greyhound was punishable by death, the same sentence as for murder.

3 Racing Greyhounds are bred for speed. They are therefore not susceptible to the congenital defects or temperament problems of many other breeds of dog.

Generally only the fastest, healthiest and most even tempered animals are used as breeding stock.

4 Queen Victoria and King Henry VIII kept greyhounds.

5 Most greyhounds are physically unable to sit. A few can manage the sit, but for most the length of their back and their heavily muscled hind legs make the position impossible or at the least uncomfortable.

6 Greyhounds have a short and almost odourless coat which moults less compared to other breed of dog.

This means that sometimes greyhounds can be suited to live with people who are commonly allergic to other breeds of dog.

7 Greyhounds are known as 40mph “couch potatoes” and this is a very appropriate term. Greyhounds can sprint extremely fast, but equally they do like their beds and a good snooze session.

8 Greyhounds have stereoscopic vision, which means they are ideally suited to seeing moving objects. It is not uncommon for a greyhound to focus purely on the object it is chasing and subsequently “not see” the tree trunk or fence it runs into.

9 The Greyhound is the only breed of dog mentioned in The Bible. Proverbs 30, verses 29-31.

10 A cautionary note: Greyhounds are highly addictive.

Commonly once a greyhound owner always a greyhound owner and it’s very common for one greyhound pet to suddenly become 2, 3 or more greyhound pets!

CHRISTMAS FAYRE Angela Watson has contacted me with details of our Christmas Fayre. I know that it is still ages away but it will be here before we know it!

With only a short time until christmas I thought I should let you all know about the upcoming Christmas fayre on Saturday 14th December from 12 til 3pm. Unlike previous years we have been unable to use Hainford Village Hall but we have found an alternative location at Taverham Village Hall. For those of you that haven’t visited the hall it has a large field behind it to give the hounds a stroll and plenty of parking. Broadland Dog Training have also been kind enough to lend us their matting so the hounds won’t slip on the floor! There will be the usual christmas activities with a few surprises thrown in so why not come along for mince pies, homemade soup and the opportunity to buy those last minute christmas gifts!

I look forward to seeing you there.

Letters We receive many letters cards and emails from owners telling us all sorts of things about their dogs (we do get letters from the dog also!). It is great to hear from you, even if it is a concern or for advice or sad news, it helps us to keep in touch with you and the dogs and we love to know how the dogs are getting on. We print some of the letters or stories and hope they are enjoyed and perhaps useful to you.

Sparky and I are happy here, thank you for homing us here.

Lots of love and licks from Bonnie (and Sparky)

Dear Jules, Several weeks ago we adopted “Reggie” (Jiving Brookland) as an addition to our two springer spaniels.

Dear Jules, This is Floyd (Killeacle Eamo) and Annie the cat. We re-homed Floyd on Xmas eve 2012 as his previous owners were unable to look after him due to serious medical problems. Floyd was quite disoriented and he had suffered some fur loss. He is now in a routine and the fur is growing back. He lives with Bud, a whippet cross, Peggy a beautiful blue girl Aldo from Homefinders and Annie the cat who rules the roost!

Kind regards, Michael Gunney

Dear Jules, “Slip the Thunder” here, but I have a new name now, it is “Bonnie”. I now live with Tom and June Frost in Caister, with their other greyhound “Sparky”. He used to be “Bridgewater Lad” and he has lived here quite a while.

We get along well together, but he hasn’t got the energy I’ve got, and he won’t play with me!

We went to a barbeque, I didn’t know what that was but when we got there I realised it was “food”! Sparky and I had a chase around the garden then we ate. We had chicken, some lamb and sausage. Then we slept while the “people” talked. I enjoyed it! So did Sparky,Yum! When we go for walks, I sometimes see cats but I’m not allowed to chase them. They sit there all fur and eyes just daring me to chase them, and I’m not allowed!!

Anyway, I just wanted you to know, I have a new home, a new name and I’m happy to be spoilt a bit, and I have a toy box with squeaky toys. I take the toys out, giving them a good shake and squeak, mum puts them back so I take them out again, it is fun!

I am settled and happy with a mum and dad who take me for walks, give me dinners, play with me and let me sleep when I want to.

He has settled in very well and he even gets on with our three elderly cats.

A couple of weeks ago Reggie and the spaniels decided to go right to the top of our garden which is slightly overgrown, my husband was trying to do some bird watching behind some bushes so it was very quiet, suddenly Reggie thought he had been left on his own so he ran very quickly down the garden, so quickly he could not stop and ran straight into the fish pond. Reggie was not amused and neither was the fish!!

A few days later my husband went to the top of the garden, again. All the dogs went too, a few minutes later there was a lot of scuffling sounds and Reggie had found a new friend a muntjack deer!! The Muntjac did not want to play Reggie’s game of chase. The more Reggie chased it the more frightened it became. Eventually it managed to jump the fence to freedom, Reggie had hurt his leg but after some sympathy and a biscuit he was fine. At the moment Reggie is banned from the top of the garden!!

Reggie sounds energetic but he does prefer a sleep.

Dear Jules, It is exactly a year today since I have had Whoopie, (Krakat Woody), how time flies!

She is the most wonderful dog.

Obedient, clever and very quick to learn.

When we walk into Dereham, people come up to ask if they can stroke her. Of course she loves it, and once she even cured a little girl’s fear of dogs by being very calm and letting her stroke her.

When I do visit the kennels I always try to take Sardines (large tins), which a friend of mine gets off Wymondham market.

In conclusion, may I thank David and all his staff for all the help and advice they have given me regards Whoopie.

I hope that we have a long and happy life together.

Yours sincerely, Peter and Whoopie

Remembering Hartley Sadly Hartley the last of the dogs from Crystals farm died recently.

We thought it would be fitting to dedicate a page to him. He was aged 15 (January 1998 to August 2013) and his racing name was “Communication”. His owner Miss Woodhead, has sent us some poems and photos of her sons with Hartley on his 15th birthday and of him sleeping near some ducklings.

He was 9 years old when he was homed and the family gave him a wonderful retirement. He died shortly after having his photo taken for next years calendar.

Since my last ditty was printed I thought I might share some insight into my life at Stokesby.

Choices by Hartley Choices??

What sort of dog is he?

Ducks and chickens Chickens and ducks

I never knew choices when I was racing, I had to win.

I’m retired now and choices are such difficult things to do.

Dogs and chickens Ducks and dogs

Which settee shall I lie on?

Hartley the greyhound

Shall I go in the garden or stay indoors?

Chickens and ducks,

Shall I eat my own dinner or see what else is on offer at mealtimes?

Shall I walk the long walk or cut it short now I’m a senior dog!

Shall I come indoors via the dog flap or stand here looking at her through the window of the door, after all she is standing by the door washing the dishes looking at me!

Should I chance and take the boy’s ice cream?

He’s not looking and he’s holding it right at my mouth’s level...yum, yum.

Some choices are good. (Carol always laughs and shakes her head saying learning curve for the boys... they are only six, bless...).

Hartley and the family had a lovely day at Newmarket even though he was thoroughly exhausted and worn out with excitement from Seeing so many other greyhounds. His jaw didn’t stop quivering all day. It was too much exercise, after all Hartley is now a retired greyhound and a proper couch potato!!

Scratching, pecking, nibbling Sitting on his back!

Not even a growl From a greyhound Placid, laid back, Takes it all in his stride Sharing the garden With one and all, The best greyhound ever!

Autumn Walk Map of the Autumn Walk venue for Sunday 27th September.

We will park at the new car park in Butt lane and visit the Roman Fort, the riverside and possibly the riverside pub.

Meet at 11am

Winter Walk 24 Nov 2013, at Burlingham Woodland Walk Map of the venue for our Winter Walk. Parking is by the church down a short track. Meet at 11am as usual and hope for some reasonable weather!

Sponsorship News Greg is our sponsor dog this issue. To be a sponsor please fill in your details below and send a cheque or postal order made payable to Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders, and send it to: Lisa Pimble, 77, St Benets Road, Stalham, Norwich, Norfolk, NR12 9DW. Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............................................. .............................................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Postcode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If you are sponsoring as a gift for someone else also provide their details.

Standing Orders We have now set up a standing order form for anyone who wishes to donate a monthly amount (from only £1) to Homefinders. This is another way of helping our lovely greyhounds and will be of great help to us. Simply complete the form and send it to Lisa at the same address as for the sponsorships.

Seth says “ To feed one dog for a year at the kennels costs about £120 to feed me at home with all the things I love ie. chicken, steak, asparagus, finest silverside of beef doesn’t cost me anything.”

Recent Activity Zippy (Glebe House) on her way to her new home but helping us collect a cheque for ÂŁ2682.80 from CO-OP Bradwell on the way!.

Pics of our stall at All About Dogs Show at Norwich Showground and a pic of the crew after the All About Dogs Show, all very tired.

IN MEMORY

ASK JULES

In 2004 I rescued a greyhound called Nelly, previously Nells Turn in November 2004. She has been with me through two house moves, a marriage, 2 children and a new business. I loved her with all my heart and I thank you for bringing us together. She became very poorly all of a sudden today and was put to sleep at 11.45pm 24th May. She will always be a part of my family and I hope that she had a wonderful time being part of it. Keep up the good work.

Best wishes, Claire Goldstone (previously Chapman)

I want to add a regular advice column to the newsletter. If anyone has a behavioural or training issue regarding their greyhound that they would like help with then please feel free to drop me a line. (jewls.knights@hotmail.com or 1 Bernard Close, New Rackheath, Norwich, NR13 6QS ). I can withhold names if you prefer. If I am unable to answer your query myself then I have expert who will be able to assist me.

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