Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders Newsletter, Summer 16

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Homefinders

Newsletter

Publisher: Michele Perry Issue Number: 36

Date: Summer 2016

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

Notes from the Editor

Thank You

Welcome to the Summer edition of the Newsletter, after a very unpredictable Spring this year, here’s hoping Summer brings us some lovely weather for long walkies. The start of 2016 hasn’t been the best for me, many of you will know that we lost Blue in March, in fact just weeks after he stared on the front of the Spring newsletter.

If you’ve been to the kennels lately you may have noticed the lovely new doors on the spare block. Many thanks to Phil and Barbara Pearce for their generosity in memory of their greyhound Devon (Jeffys Spotty)

Nothing can really prepare you for the loss of a pet, even knowing that each extra day was a bonus with us.

We had to make that final difficult decision and help him over the rainbow bridge. We were very grateful to our vets for making this a home visit, so that he was at home with us, and our other dog Jack, and peacefully went to sleep on his favourite bed.

What struck me most was the overwhelming support from our Homefinders friends. Such lovely words of sympathy and love from you all were a great comfort at the time. Hopefully others who have gone through the same thing will also feel very comforted by our fantastic support system, both in the Facebook group, and in person at events and gatherings.

I had a “significant” birthday just a week later, and a surprise holiday which had been planned for months by my husband. We weren’t sure at first if we would make it, or should we still go, but in the end we decided to carry on with our plans. A few sunny Spring days in Rome, with a bit of rest and recuperation were just what the doctor ordered. Plus I now have bumper set of “spotted” photos later in the newsletter too!

Hetty & Marley join the cubs!

We were recently asked to give a talk about Homefinders to a group of cub scouts at St Catherine’s Church Hall, Norwich. Hetty and Marley kept the cubs in order whilst they listened to the talk. A DVD was shown of a couple of Hetty’s races which caused great excitement and the cubs learnt how to approach and deal with dogs in a responsible manner and how Homefinders works in the community with volunteers.

A quiz enabled one lucky cub to win a toy greyhound and all were given a goody bag at the end. We all had a lovely evening.

Now we’ve started a new phase in our lives, we have recently adopted a whippet puppy, 9 month old Bella is a great companion to Jack, and is really keeping us on our toes!

Please keep sending me your stories and photos for the next issue, I’ll try and include as many as possible.

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

Editor: michele_storer@hotmail.com 25 Vanguard Chase, Costessey, Norwich NR5 0UG

CO-ORDINATOR’S BIT

As many of you are aware we have had some Staff changes at the kennels.

Isn’t it nice to have the lighter evenings and some blue skies at last? The dogs have been enjoying some of the sunny days sleeping on a duvet, of course, in the garden and we’ve had some lovely evening walks.

Molly Paul is still working full time.

I’ve had numerous phone calls since the new micro chipping legislation came in asking if their greyhound is chipped. All our hounds are chipped and you will find the number on the Adoption Agreement in the right hand corner. I change all numbers over to the new owner within a couple of days of the dog being rehomed, after that it is your responsibility to ensure all the recorded information is kept up to date.

We were very lucky for our first Open day of the year, the weather was fine and not too cold. It was very successful thanks to all the volunteers who helped on the day. The Track Walk was extremely well attended and it was lovely to see so many of our newly adopted dogs and the “old hands” and their “slaves”. So many very excited dogs desperate to have a run on the track again.

Do they ever forget!

Sheryl Melton is assisting and covering Molly’s days off.

Unfortunately we will be losing Sheryl at the end of June as she is taking a year out to work on the family farm with a view to going to Agriculture College in 2017. We wish her well but we’re sure she won’t lose touch.

Krista Scarll covers holidays at present but will take up Sheryl’s hours.

Wallis Canham started with us on a work placement from Easton College and continues as a volunteer helps out occasionally with holiday relief and is a very useful addition to the team.

Corinne

Dogs homed since last Newsletter

Merc (Come On Pilgrim), Oreo (Kiplash Park), Ruby (Kilfinny Ruby), Roxy (Tamna Roxy), Lad (Rathglass Lad),Toby (Benkaat Nero),Kylie (Same Old Story), Cavalli (Droopys Cavalli), Bert (MoorBert), Dave (Lifeguard), Streety (Church Street), Holly (Lovely Holly), Piper Our next Open day is the 12th June. It is our Greyhound (Pipe’n’Hot), Mary(Glenske Mary), Gracie (Goes Black), show starting at 12pm. but we will be open from 11am.

There will be the usual stalls and a BBQ and refreshments. Spot (Indalo City), Ace (Vettys Ace), Titch (Oh So Nikita), Ziggy (Gurtlug Zig), Danny (Bodens Hawk), Finny (Swift With the summer upon us we have started to attend Finn), Lady (Camino Lady), Rubie (Lodge Dream), Lola various fetes and events to promote greyhounds as pets. (Horoscope), Phantom (Moors Phantom), Coco (The If you would like to meet and greet the public and talk Clown), Mackie(Joker Mac), Senni (Montis Sienna), Wassie nonstop about our lovely breed please come and join us. (Wotshisname), Buster (Montis Buster).

The Kennel A team! - Corinne, Wallis, Molly, Krista and Sheryl

The Spring Open Day

Stadium Track Walk May 15th 2016

Off Lead Walking: Round Two! by Karen Fordham The trauma of the first dog exercising park incident lingered and so it was a while before I felt strong enough to visit the second site I had found. This area it transpired was situated in a large heathland and wooded area and was in my opinion much more appropriate for my hound. It was large, grassy and offered lots of rabbit holes to explore. It was also where I met the person responsible for Missy’s lead free walking.

Having spent a not inconsiderable length of time in the secure dog exercising area I put Missy back on her lead so that we could go off and explore the heathland and woods together. We had just rounded the corner of one of the long grassy pathways peculiar to this site when we were greeted by a Labrador, closely followed by a Jack Russell, closely followed by a large bearded gentleman. By the time the man had drawn level with me his Labrador and Missy were sniffing each-other appreciatively and clearly wanted to play. “Don’t you let your dog off the lead in the woods?” he demanded in one of those rather slightly too loud voices.

“You ought to be able to let her off in these parts you know” he continued. For some reason I felt quite affronted by his tone and started to think uncharitable thoughts about what I would like to do to his parts! Thankfully Missy came to my rescue. She had exhausted her interest in the Labrador and was letting me know that she wanted to carry on with our walk. I allowed her to pull me away and to safety!

I am a bit of a “dweller” by nature, that is to say I keep revisiting perturbing events in my mind. For some reason, what that man had said seemed to have hit a nerve in me and I kept mulling it over. Gradually I got over the feeling of indignation and began to focus on what had actually been said. He was right, I should really be able to let Missy off her lead in the woods, I mean what was the worst thing that could happen? This was not supposed to be a rhetorical question but in my mind I started listing them. I made myself stop and start thinking logically about the situation! I ticked off the positives:- 1) plenty of fences to keep dogs off the fields; 2) the woods were deep and therefore far away from main roads; 3) well away from houses and any pet cats; 4) other people let their dogs off their leads in the woods and they are fine so why wouldn’t Missy be OK too?

The following week-end I put Missy in the car and armed with the obligatory sausage and clicker whistle we set off for the woods. I was feeling very nervous but determined and while I was driving along I gabbled on to her, imparting instructions on the behaviour I expected from her on our special outing. There was clearly no comprehension in her beautiful eyes and I silently preyed that I wouldn’t live to regret my decision.

We pulled into the parking area which was already fairly full. I walked with her on her lead for a little way and then, deciding it was now or never, I unhooked her lead with a flourish. Missy carried on walking beside me until she realised that she could now go off-road and explore the

heather which smelt deliciously of rabbit and other things and off she ran. I swallowed hard and kept walking – I hoped I was walking in a manner which said that I was feeling confident, that I was fine about her being over there while I was over here, that I trusted her and that I expected her to follow me and to come back to me if I asked her to.

After a little while we left the heathland and entered the woods. Missy trotted along, still close by, looking very happy in her new found freedom. All was going better than I could possibly have hoped for and I berated myself for not allowing Missy off her lead before now. This was clearly my trust issue rather than anything my hound had done to make me think that she would run away and not come back.

Slightly off to my right I heard a sharp crack as if a twig had been snapped in two and both Missy and I looked around in the general direction of the noise. We both spotted the squirrel at about the same time but the speed at which Missy gave chase far surpassed my attempt to reach my clicker. She shot off through the bracken leaping over the larger clumps like a gazelle – she was amazing to watch.

I completely forgot about any attempts to recall her and just stood and watched in awe at her grace, beauty and determination to catch the squirrel. I had no idea that she could leap like that because up until this moment she hadn’t had the opportunity. Long after the squirrel had retreated to a safe distance up a tree Missy stood below, looking upwards, ears alert, looking and listening to see whether she would get another opportunity to catch her quarry.

Smiling to myself, I suddenly remembered the clicker. Would she return to me after all that excitement? The moment of truth had arrived. I let out 3 sharp clicks with the clicker and waited. I could see Missy in the distance still looking heavenward – I gave another 3 sharp clicks. This time she responded. Having decided that the game was over for the time being anyway, she refocused, heard the clicker and came bounding back to me all excited and breathless from her pursuit. My heart lifted when I saw her moving in my direction and I showed her the piece of sausage I had got out ready for her return. I laughed at the way her tongue seemed to have suddenly grown and was hanging out the side of her mouth, her eyes were like sharp black pins, bright with excitement and she seemed to enjoy being the source of my amusement – if I didn’t know better I would have said she was smiling too.

This proved to be the start of a new era for Missy and me. Every week-end we set off in the car and go to places carefully researched by me to ensure plenty of off-lead time.

She loves being in the car, so now on top of the car ride Missy gets to run and chase things as much as she likes. On my part, I still walk hours at a time with her because I enjoy it and as a bonus, at the end of the day, I now have a very tired, contented hound.

Spotted!

My recent trip to Rome resulted in a bumper crop of “spotted” pics. I found the top three on our visit to the Vatican Museum, they date back to 2 A.D. This is a much more up to date Roman “spot”; when enjoying a lovely cool drink on a hot day. Look closely at the Diet Coke can... we Googled the name of the advertiser “Trussardi” and discovered it is a very chic Italian designer clothes company, who have a greyhound as their logo. They have even used greyhounds as models for their ranges.

With only an hour to spare before leaving for our flight home, we discovered the nearest shop was only 5 minutes away so had to have a look. The clothes were very “Italian stylish” with a hefty price tag too high for me. I had been looking for a new perfume to spend my birthday money on, and hadn’t found “the” one yet, at the counter a new range of Trussardi perfume was on display.

One squirt, and I knew it was fate, I loved it, and had to buy it! So my favourite perfume now has an embossed greyhound logo on, but luckily does smell much better than a typical greyhound!

HETTY’S HELPERS Hetty would like to thank all those of you who have contacted her to confirm existing annual donations, standing orders and direct debits. It has helped a great deal to sort out the difficult situation we were left with.

She is also extremely grateful to all those people who have recently started monthly standing orders and those that have sent donations. Her friends in the kennels are delighted and content in the knowledge that there are so many generous people.

If you are interested in contributing to the feeding and care of the dogs in kennels then Standing Order forms are available from Hetty at the kennels or by emailing jones432@btinterent.com. Anything from £1 a month helps us a lot. One off donations can be sent to Hetty at the kennels. All Hetty’s helpers get a small gift, a photo and are kept advised about what is happening.

Letters to the editor Hi Michele,

Dear Michele, After 15 months the slaves have finally given in and let Asher and Gad on the sofa....!

After 3 years now, Kylie likes coming fishing but was unimpressed with my 12 lbs bream!

Sarah Hewitt Hello Michele,

Dave Gladwell Hi Michele, Here’s a photo of our daft new hound.

Cassie (can boogie) came home early February. She is only just 3 and when she is awake which is quite a lot for a greyhound she likes to play. She didn’t think much if the new “chew toy” today!

Lynne Lilley

Dear Michele, This is Snowy, I’ve had her just 4 months. She had never lived in a home and came straight into my home where she lives with two Chihuahuas, one cat and a rabbit! She is fantastic, never had any confrontations. It goes to show it can work with the right situation.

Joanne

It is with great sadness that I am writing to inform you that our greyhound Lulu (walk on Lulu ) has passed over the rainbow. We have had her for 9 years, and she was the most laziest dog we had, but such a lovely girl even with no teeth and her tongue hanging out. She was nearly 15.

She has gone to join her playmate fudge who left 6 months ago.

Regards, Erika and Mike Dear Michele, It is with much sadness that we have to tell you of the loss of our boy “Sparky” (Bridgewater Lad). Since he “adopted” us, he gave us so much love - and lots of smiles.

He was a very big boy, but so very gentle. Everyone loved him - but when strangers came to the door, he had a bark like an Alsatian!

Our other greyhound Bonnie (Slip the Thunder) is missing him dreadfully. He has left such a big gap in our lives, but we have so many lovely memories, that he will always be part of our hearts.

We are so thankful that he became part of or family - we Sparky Frost, 2006 - 2016 miss him.

June and Tom Frost

Wolterton Hall Spring Walk

EVENTS LIST 2016 SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND ADDITIONS Saturday 11th June . . . . . . . . . Stradsett Country Show Sunday 12th June . . . . . . . . . Late Spring Open Day at kennels Inc Greyhound Show-11am to 3am Sunday 19th . . . . . . . . . . . . GB Greyhound Walk, Pakefield 11am Sunday 26th June . . . . . . . . . Allendale Field day Norwich 11-3 Saturday 9th/Sunday 10th July . . . Elveden Festival of Dogs Sunday 10th July . . . . . . . . . . Summer Walk 11am at Blickling Hall Sunday July 17th . . . . . . . . . . South Norfolk open day Long Stratton A140 11-4 Sunday 31st July . . . . . . . . . . Wells Next the Sea Fete - All Day Sunday 14th August . . . . . . . . Summer Open Day at kennels Sunday 28th/Monday 29th August . All About Dogs Norfolk Showground - all day Sunday 25th September . . . . . . Autumn Walk 11am at Winterton Beach 11am Sunday 16th October . . . . . . . Autumn Open Day at kennels and Auction 11am to 3pm. Auction 12pm Sunday 20th November . . . . . . Winter Walk 11am Saxlingham Nethergate NR15 1TD Saturday 11th Dec . . . . . . . . Christmas Fayre Taverham Village Hall 1-3.30

GREYHOUND SHOW 2016 SCHEDULE JUNE 12TH AT 12PM - At the kenels

1. MOST DAPPER DOG

6. BLACK BEAUTIES

2. MOST GORGEOUS GIRL

7. BEST YOUNG HANDLER Must be their own family greyhound

3. PERFECT PUPPY under 4 years 8. DOG MOST LIKE THEIR OWNER 4. GOLDEN OLDIES For greyhounds over 9 years 9. BEST IN SHOW All 1st prize winners from each class 5. DOUBLE ACT For 2 or more greyhounds from same family Designed and Typeset by Michele of www.px2co.net Design for print and web Printed by www.blackwellprint.co.uk