Summer 2014 newsletter

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Homefinders

Newsletter

Newsletter

Publisher: Ros Swetman Issue Number: 29

Date: Summer 2014

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 Stunt Double/Guest Editor – Ros Swetman Hello, everyone! Jules is taking a break from editing this time round and Corinne asked me if I could be “Guest Editor” on this occasion! I am delighted to help out and thank Jules, Corinne and our other contributors for all the articles and news which has come my way.

I have included an article about our own Polly Dog, who became a Pets as Therapy dog just after Christmas. This charity, which has been going for some thirty years, is becoming more well-known and the value of animals as therapy is now widely recognised as being beneficial amongst healthcare professionals. If you feel that your own grey might just fit the bill, do visit their website: www.petsastherapy.org It is such a worthwhile cause and much appreciated by patients and families alike.

We were very proud to be invited to be the Norfolk representative for Pets as Therapy at a recent Pet Blessing Service at Ely Cathedral, where we processed up the aisle with a PAT dog from Cambs, two young Guide Dogs who were in training, a Hearing Dog and two rescued dogs from Wood Green Animal Charity. The Cathedral was full of every conceivable pet – the only distraction was when we sang the hymns and so many dogs joined in!

Anyway, normal newsletter service will no doubt be resumed next time; bye for now and let’s all hope for more lovely weather to enjoy summer dog walks!

Ros

Our Facebook group I have always fought shy of getting involved with Facebook. I have viewed is as the work of the devil, a substitute for true friendships, too much detail shared with the public (what happened to innermost thoughts kept privately in diaries?) and generally smacking too much of everyone needing to be the stars of their own soap operas.

Oh dear, what a convert I have turned out to be and all down to the Homefinders Facebook group! A typical example of its strength in networking is the popularity of local get-togethers which spring up and get suggested on FB. This photo shows just how successful this call for a Grey Fest can be when Andrew and Cathryn Spinks suggested a weekend caravan trip to Kelling in North Norfolk.

Such a happy time was had that Team Spinks are now plotting Photo: By permission of Andrew Spinks another one from 5-7 September at Beachview at Sizewell, Suffolk. So keep an eye out for more impromptu walkies and maybe start your own in your particular patch!

Great fun to keep in touch between the formal Homefinder events which we all enjoy.

To join search Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders, on Facebook or go to: www.facebook.com/groups/180772885697

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

CO-ORDINATOR’S BIT Hi Everyone, Well what a hectic three months! Is it really three months, time certainly flies by. Now I know why David needed a break, I don’t think anyone realises just how much time he dedicated to Homefinders unless they actually do the job. Thank you, David, you deserve a break but come back soon we all miss you.

British Greyhound Walk at Lowestoft. Becky Carr is organising the walk and we hope as many people will support it after her very generous donation to us after losing her dog David’s Best Mate. Details are on the web site. (Ed note: Below, presentations made at the Open Day – thanks to all so very much)

Susan Prince, Corinne, Becky and Allison Meadows

The past few months have been exceptionally busy, by the time this goes to press we will have rehomed more than 60 greyhounds. Unfortunately we have had several come back to us due to the death of their owners; this is always very traumatic for the dog and all of us. It is not suitable to place them in the kennels as most have been homed for many years. We are so grateful to all our foster carers who have been fantastic this year almost constantly fostering a dog. We would very much like to get more people who would be willing to foster, all vet bills are paid, and we can supply you with food and give you full support. All we ask are you give the dog lots of love in its temporary home and care for it as your own.

If you are interested please contact me.

We have started to have volunteers, who feel unable to walk the greyhounds, help us as Receptionists from 10-12 each day. This gives Molly, Joanne and Lisa the opportunity to walk the dogs with the volunteers to assess them before they are rehomed. It involves ‘Meeting and Greeting’ visitors, answering the telephone and sometimes preparing paperwork ready to rehome dogs and helping with volunteer mailings. If you feel able to help have a chat with me.

We are taking the stall out many weekends this year, we’d love to see you if you would like to join us with your dogs. See the events list.

Summer holidays are approaching which means extra nights collecting with your hounds at the Stadium if you can help out give Jill Dawson a ring on 07872932917.

We raise around £75 each night we collect.

Don’t forget the Open Day and Dog Show now on 29th June not 22nd as we are going to support The Great

Finally we send all our thoughts to David and Maureen on the loss of Seth. Seth was a marvellous ambassador for Homefimders. He regularly helped man the stall with David at all the events we attended and went out with him giving talks to clubs etc.

Thanks to all the volunteers for their help no matter how small, it is all of you who make Homefinders so successful.

Corinne My name is Maisie, it used to be Stonecliffe Lady and I have been with my Mum and Dad for three years and I am having a lovely life living in Potters Bar and Beccles. I have enclosed a photo of me relaxing in Beccles! I would like to wish David all the best in his retirement and good luck to Corinne for the future. Hope to see you all at the kennels soon.

Love Maisie and Angela and Mike (my Mum and Dad)xx

FUN GREYHOUND SHOW SUNDAY 29TH JUNE 2014 AT HAINFORD Classes: 1. Most handsome dog -12pm 2. Most beautiful bitch 3. Best looking veteran (9 and over) 4. Best young handler (Must be their own family pet) 5. Best football supporter 6. Most appealing eyes 7. Best six legs 8. Best in show

Prizes: 1st prize Trophy and rosette 2nd prize Rosette 3rd prize Rosette £1 Entry fee for every class (Pay at gate)

Take note, you crafty people!

I am just writing to let you know about the things I will be bringing to sell at the next Open Day. I have been having a major clear out of my craft room, and will be bringing loads of cardmaking stuff to sell. There are kits from Hunkydory, Kanban, Crafters Companion and Fiskars plus other ribbons, glitter glue and cardblanks with envelopes.

There is also a new scrapbook album with co-ordinating papers, a lovely way to keep precious memories safe. The Fiskars shapecutter kit is complete with patterns to cut, and spare blades and currently sells for over £30.

I will also bring to sell things for the home, including some lovely photos on canvas. I hope to bring strawberry jam made from local fruit, and some of my parchment butterfly baskets filled with sweets which make a nice gift.

So, all you cardmakers and crafters out there, come along and snap up some bargains, and don’t worry I am still buying kits, so there will be more to buy in the future, and I haven’t even started on the Christmas stuff !

Bye for now, Gill Duncombe and Jubbly xx

Thanks to Stephen Franklin for the images.

In Memorium My Best Friend – by David Jones Seth came into my family in June 2006 having been dog of the year at Yarmouth in 2004 and settled to the sofa straight away. He had a really good racing life and he always remembered his trainer with affection. He was a very laid back, easy dog and he quickly became my best friend.

He helped me in many of my duties as Homefinders Co-ordinator and proved an excellent ambassador for greyhounds. He was stubborn, deaf at times, loved digging holes, hogged the sofa at all times and generally did as he pleased. He was also kind hearted, loving, well mannered and quiet. He was my best friend and I loved him dearly.

He passed away at the age of 12 and a bit and has left me with so many happy memories for which I will always be in his debt.

To All at Homefinders.

It is with terrible regret that we inform you that our beautiful Tina had to be put to sleep today, She was taken ill 2 weeks ago and was diagnosed after X-Rays, and various tests, The results showed very aggressive lung & kidney tumours and nothing more could be done for her.

We will miss her so much after having had her for 4 years, Her friends King & Bobby are looking for her everywhere. It took a couple of years for her to really accept us, but then she became so lovable She enjoyed several holidays with us. We know she was happy with us. Last year she recovered well after a nasty accident in the garden; maybe that might have had a bearing on this illness.

We must thank David for bringing her to us; she sure brightened up our lives with her antics etc.

All the very best to you all for the wonderful work you are doing.

We hope to see you all with our King, on an Open Day. Regards, Mr & Mrs Dunlop.

Gizmo - Sharon Peberday Hi. Just a little note to let you know that our lovely greyhound Gizmo (Forget Me Not) passed away 3rd December 2013 at 9 years old. He had cancer of his hip and we had to do the kind thing and let him go.

We were so sad to lose him as he was a lovely kind dog and a gentle giant as they all are. We all loved him lots and still miss him so much.

As you can see from his photo he loved his home comforts!

Lots of love to all your lovely greyhounds, hoping they all find their forever homes.

From the Peberday family xxx

Crystal (Fuddlestown Style) – 2004-2014 My darling girl had been so brave and determined when her back leg was amputated in November 2013 because of a soft tissue carcinoma. Still happy to go for walks, still chasing a ball and even leaping in the air to catch one, despite the missing leg. However, after 6 really good and happy months the same thing happened with her remaining back leg and we sadly had to let her go. I’ll miss my cuddly girl so much and Blue will miss horsing around with her in the garden.

Linda Johnson

Crystal Sometimes I think I see you Out of the corner of my eye With all four legs again And a silly doggy smile

Dogs homed since last newsletter

Sometimes I see your pointy ears And your twitchy nose My darling girl’s no longer here But her memory never goes

North Star Boy (Pluto),Kentucky Dancer (Cassie), Rays Impact (Clint), Here’s Hoping( Rocket), Parkers Nemesis (Flash), Benkaat Boy (Hondo), That’s My Caz (Cassie), Ullid Captain (Kirk), Swift Cidona (Cid), Enchanting Moon (Mooney), Araglen Rob (Button), Melgin Ella (Ella), Rockview Fantasy (Suzie), Perfect Dream (Aimee), Rackethall Benny (Ben), Annie Laurie (Annie), Hugos Dancer (Hugo), Giff Gaff Girl (Gizzy), Canary Kewell ( Jude), Hello Christine (Christine), Linwood Tsunami (Seb), Moors Fleece (Fleece), Wilsham Girl (Skippy), Ashley Lucky (Lucky), Bodell Countess (Tess), Destiny (Des), Darian Marvel (Bart), Caister Carpets (Jerry), Moors Babe (Babe), Directors Wit (Dirk), Kellesboro Sal (Sal), Telford Topaz (Topaz), Dr Whizz (Whizzy).

Shamoyn

Plus any homed since this went to print. We hope to see them all soon.

Sometimes I think I feel your nose Nudge wet against my hand Just wanting to be close For cuddles on demand

There’s my boy, my gentle giant Once again ahead of the pack Head down, ears back Going for the front No more stiffness No more pain Running free as the wind For the thrill of the chase Poems written by Linda Johnson

Request for Volunteers Would you like to volunteer to help at Homefinders but can’t manage to walk the dogs? We are looking to having volunteers to act as receptionists from 10-12 each morning.

Molly, Joanne and Lisa need to be available to walk and assess the dogs each morning which means the office is unattended. It is important that visitors can be greeted and welcomed especially if it is their first time visiting the kennels. It is also vital that the telephone is answered promptly. We hope eventually to train volunteers to prepare the paperwork required for homing the greyhounds as well.

Interested? Speak to Corinne!

We will remember the following dogs who have passed over the rainbow bridge with great affection. Kays Buddy (Tootsie), David’s Best Mate (David), Hartshill Rudd (Koko), Whelpleys Wonder (Jake), Hartshill Ellie (Ellie), National Hat Day (Molly), Mellow Stan (Stan), Purple Haze Lad (Percy), Biltan Tinka (Tinka), Fuddlestown Style (Crystal), Jockeys Dan (Seth).

Could You Offer A Foster Home For A Greyhound?

Occasionally we are asked to rehome a much loved pet due to bereavement or ill health. It is very distressing for a dog that has lived in a home with all its comforts to be placed back in the kennels.

Could you foster one for a short while during which time we will try to find a suitable home?

We can offer food for the dog, all vets bills are covered and come straight to us; you will also get all the support you need from us.

If you think you can help us please see Corinne.

Pets as Therapy Polly is our 5 year old retired racing greyhound.

We have now owned her for just over two years and she has blossomed from a shy, slightly nervous dog, into a confident and happy hound. Just before Christmas, I read about the Pets as Therapy charity, which involves dogs (and cats!) visiting hospitals, care homes, and hospices as a therapy for those who love animals and are missing their own loved pets. Having been inspired by Kaye Marshall’s Reme and Tiger who are both PAT dogs and as Polly had grown so much in confidence but was still very quiet amongst people, I decided that it might be something that she would be rather good at and something that I would enjoy sharing with her.

So, I completed the application forms and waited for the call for assessment. This was conducted by the Norfolk Volunteer Area Coordinator in the surroundings of the ‘Pets at Home’ superstore, lasted about 45 minutes and involved Polly walking on a loose lead (despite bunnies and gerbils bouncing all around her!), being handled by strangers, taking treats gently and having sudden noises go off behind her! She behaved immaculately and we were thrilled to be told on Christmas Eve that she had passed the test, that my references had been accepted and that we could start as soon as we were able to organise a visit.

We were provided with a list of interested hospitals, etc. which had requested a visit, so we now regularly go to Caroline House, a neuro rehab unit in the grounds of the Colman Hospital in Norwich. The patients love being visited by Polly, most moving has been the interaction with a young man who just adores her and can now manage to tell her to sit and who likes to try and shake her paw – Polly has never had anyone try to shake her paw, her legs are so long, but she was very brave and did try for him!

Sponsorship News Henry 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.

EVENTS LIST 2014 - (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) 25th May: Greyhound Extravaganza, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket 22nd June: Great British Greyhound Walk at Lowestoft. See website 29th June: Late Spring Open Day and Dog Show at kennels, 11am-3pm.

6th July: Summer Walk 11am Holt Country Park 13th July: Discover South Norfolk, Long Stratton 11am- 4pm 19th July: Hellesdon Carnival, Community Centre all day 3rd August: Taverham Vets Dog Show, Costessey Recreation Ground, pm 6th August: Sheringham Carnival All day 17th August: summer Open Day at kennels. Stalls, BBQ, refreshments 24th and 25th August: All About Dogs Norfolk Showground. All day 28th September: Autumn walk 11am Winterton beach 12th October: Autumn Open Day at kennels and Auction 11am -3pm 23rd November: Winter walk Burgh Castle 11am 13th December: Christmas Fayre, Taverham Village Hall from 1pm-3pm.

Plus anything else we are invited to during the year

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