Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders Spring 2018 Newsletter

Newsletter

Kennels situated at 51 Cromer Road, Hainford, NR10 3AU (on A140) and are open from 10am until 2pm every day.

Note from the Editor I’m working on this “Spring:” newsletter in the midst of The Beast From The East, which brought with it the coldest first day of spring since records began, many people being snowed in and freezing rain predicted too. Here’s hoping that by the time it’s printed and posted spring will have started properly, and the bulbs and early flowers have all escaped from the snow, and the Easter Bunny is on his way!

I hope all your hounds have both equally enjoyed their time in the snow, and their recovery snooze afterwards. As our whippets are a lot shorter than greyhounds, I’ve been putting jumpers under their coats to help keep their tummies warm. They aren’t at all spoiled are they?

The cold spell has given us at least one positive though, we asked on the Facebook group for your snow dog photos, and you did not disappoint! If you look at the centre spread there is a greyhound version of “Where’s Wally”, see if you can spot your hound!

Please also take note of the competition we’ve announced on the back page, we are really looking forward to seeing what our supporters come up with for their Christmas Card competition entries.

Please keep sending me your photos and articles for the newsletters, if you have something you’d like write about then please feel free to submit it. If you have a favourite photo of your greyhound or a funny story to go with it, please send it to me.You can email me at michele_storer@hotmail.com - some emails do go to spam, so I do try and give a quick response to say I’ve received it. Can I also remind readers that any donations to Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders should be sent to the kennel address direct (it’s at the top of this page).

Issue: 43 - Spring 18

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Have a great Spring everyone, we’ll all be glad when winter is finally over!

Registered Charity No: 1172132

Co-ordinator’s bit As I sit at the computer writing this I can’t believe how much snow has fallen in South Norfolk in the past few days. With snow almost to the top of my wellies I felt quite sorry for my old boy, Marley, when he went out into the garden. I’m sure it didn’t help his arthritis in his back legs and he soon came back into the warm. Now Tanya was a different cup of tea! She wouldn’t stay in and was a nightmare going for her walks. How did your grey enjoy the weather?

Christmas seems far into the distance now but there are two events I must mention.

Thanks to all the helpers at the Christmas Fayre, it was our most successful yet. This year we are unable to hire the hall in December and we have booked it for November 24th.

Another event, our first, was the Christmas Social at Hainford Village Hall. The 40 people who attended had a most enjoyable evening and we hope to repeat it this year. There are some photos from the evening Elsewhere in the Newsletter you will find an Events list and a list of Greyhound Walks.

We are delighted to see any of you with your hounds at any of these. There will be extra events added as we progress through the year. Unfortunately some of the dates published in the winter newsletter have changed due to things clashing so check out the amended list.

At Easter we commence our gate collections at the Stadium. If you would like to be involved please give me a ring on 08454583797. Generally we collect on Saturdays and arrive with our dogs at about 6pm. Racing starts at 7.30pm and gates open at 6.30pm.

After the first few races you are free either to leave or stay for the racing. This is one of our major fundraisers collecting more than £100 each evening.

Have you signed up for Easy fundraising for us? I was most surprised when I paid for my holiday on line and raised almost £50 as my holiday company participated in the scheme.

It didn’t cost me anything and so far since last May we have raised £230 as a group.

Hopefully by the time this is published Spring will be well on the way and we can look forward to some longer evenings and warmer weather. Hope to see you all at the first Open Day on March 25th 11am.

Corinne

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www.yarmouth-greyhound-homefinders.co.uk

Hetty’s Helpers I have just bought myself a bright red collar, which goes with my red coat, from Amazon, as you can see in the photo. Romeo has a blue one which goes with his coat. In doing this I raised a little bit of money for Homefinders. All I did was register with easyfundraising and put Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders as my preferred charity. It was so easy. I see that 47 other people have registered as well and I thank them. So if you are not registered and you shop or book holidays etc. online then please join us as every time you shop through easyfundraising, for free, you are helping Homefinders. Easyfundraising.org.uk/registration The kennel sponsorship scheme is going well with all kennels being sponsored and some even have more than one sponsor. For just £50 a year you will have your name displayed in the kennel of your choice and be able to follow whichever dog is in that kennel. A £200 donation gets your name displayed for 5 years and a £400 donation gets your name displayed for life. If you are donating as a company your name also appears on the back wall of the kennels and there is a business card holder there where you may display your own cards. My very grateful thanks go to the 20 people already sponsoring a kennel.

Further details at the kennels or email jones432@btinternet.com When I am out and about in town or in the country or anywhere I try to talk to as many people as possible to see if they have a biscuit handy mainly but also to show them what great pets we greyhounds make and let them know about homefinders. I hope all my greyhound friends out there are doing the same as the more that put the word out the more likely Arty and friends are to get a lovely home. So keep fluttering those eyelids, showing those baleful “my friends need a home” eyes and nuzzling gently until you hear “Where do I go to see them all?”

Right that’s all for now I am exhausted

Hetty Telephone: 0845 458 3797

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Letters to the editor Dear Michele This is Snowy, she has been in our home now for two years January just gone. She joined our home with these two little Chihuahuas Rolo and Daisy, they have become best friends often sharing her bed.

We couldn’t be without her now she just perfect Joanne

Dear Michele Willow loves to help us make the bed every morning but I think her plan is to get in it!

Josephine Howes

Dear Michele, Hope all is well at Hainford. We miss coming to see the hounds with Dudley who we adopted in 2013. He is doing well, he has just turned 10.

Andy & Zoe

Dear Michele, I recently lost Sandy (Royal County) she was 15 years old in June. A sweet natured, friendly girl, missed

by P.O. customers - some of which would receive a gentle reminder if they had forgotten her treat!

During the past year age took it’s toll, but she enjoyed her summer snoozing in the sun, and landscape gardening too!. She was my greatly loved companion, and is greatly missed. Rest Peacefully Mary Snelling.

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Hi Michele and all my human and doggy friends at Homefinders Just a little thank you to you all for looking after me until my new family picked me as you can see from the pic I love my home. I am really happy and my new family are really chuffed that I have not done any whoopsies indoors.

I have been on lots of walks but not to keen on the snow but I am alright when we get going and I have met some pheasants but cant really be bothered with them and I have had lots of cuddles from other people I really like them though.

Well again just a little thank you I am now off for another adventure in the snow Love Blue (formally Pebble beach tom)

Spotted

Spotted in Washington DC, by Anne Isaacson (look at the close up in the circle!)

Greyhound at Madame Tussaud’s, spotted by Debbie Bush - Mum to Kiki (niblock keiana)

Telephone: 0845 458 3797

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Homefinders busy Boxing Day Morning at the Stadium The most eagerly awaited greyhound race meeting of the winter season, ‘the world and his wife’ seem to turn out for the traditional Boxing Day morning racing at the Stadium, brunch in the Restaurant having sold out months before.

Meeting and Greeting as the public arrive The gate volunteers with their pets were kept busy meeting and greeting the public as they entered the complex, spreading the word that racing greyhounds also ‘Make Great Pets’ plus on top of that they collected over £200 towards Homefinders costs.

Michelle and Carol’s Tombola Again another busy time for the Stadium staff, who now volunteer to sell the tombola tickets around the bars and restaurant, they also did well raising over £350 throughout the morning.

Veteran Race winners presentation is a family affair A long established feature on the thirteen race Boxing Day Morning greyhound race card is the Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders Veterans Race, this year won by Classy Blossom owned by Mrs Dora Turner trained by Irene Barnard.

The Photograph Shows: Neville Barnard receiving the Winners Trophy from Stadium Bookmaker representative Paul Jarvis. Holding the race winner, Classy Blossom, are Neville and Irene’s twin daughters, Megan and Louise.

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www.yarmouth-greyhound-homefinders.co.uk

Events 2018

Walks 2018

Sunday 25th March Kennel Open Day 11am-2pm

Sunday April 8th.Whitlingham Broad 11am Café on site. Car park charge

Sunday 20th May Stadium Track Walk.

11am to 2pm Sunday 27th May North Norfolk Country Fair - Weybourne (A149) 10-4

Sunday April 29th Earlham Park, Norwich 11am Meeting point TBA.Please be aware there may be loose dogs on walk. - Café at the end of walk

Sunday 3rd June Open Day Greyhound Show 11am-2pm

Sunday July 1st Buxton 11am Details to follow. Pub at the end of the walk.

Sunday10th June GB Greyhound Walk, various venues

Sunday August 19th 11am Felbrigg Hall

Sunday 24th June Caister Carnival Sunday 1st July Discover South Norfolk Long Stratton 11-4 Sunday 29th July Wells Next the Sea Fete All Day Sunday 5th August Summer Open Day at kennels 11am-2pm

Sunday September 16th 11am Beccles Quay October 28th Winterton on Sea beach walk. Meet 11am in Car Park. Café at the end of walk.

November 18th Blickling Hall 11am Café on site. Car park charge

Saturday 11th and Sunday12th August Starting Handle Club Show Marsham

Saturday 8th December Saxlingham Nethergate Church 11am followed by soup in the Church hall.

Sunday 26th Monday 27th August All About Dogs Norfolk Showground

ALL WALKS AND EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND ADDITIONS

Sunday 14th October Autumn Open Day 11-2 Auction. 12md Saturday 24th November Christmas Fayre Taverham Village Hall 1pm - 3.30pm

Dogs homed since last newsletter Prince (Glenavon Prince), Ed (Upagear), Gale (Blackrose Gale), Fred (Swift Freeze), Dandy (Lisnakill Dandy), Cassie (Kentucky Dancer), Bully (Beaming Bully), Maggie (Rock Maggie), April (Blackrose April), Droogle (Rondun Dot Barry), Deano (Hartmore Dean), Elvis (Winehouse), Henri (Beaming Senor), Garth (Magical Garth), Storm (Bit View Gorm), Gracie (Grancore Night), Rambo (Woodcocks Rambo), Floyd (De Only One), Payet (Blackrose Payet), Genie (Cloncunny Genie), Lilly (Ille Way), Tom (Pebble Beach Tom), Evie (View Forever)

Telephone: 0845 458 3797

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Can you spot your snow dog?

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www.yarmouth-greyhound-homefinders.co.uk

Telephone: 0845 458 3797

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Christmas Fayre and party night

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www.yarmouth-greyhound-homefinders.co.uk

The emotional hangover….

Can you relate to this story?

You are walking down the road and your dog is shouting and cursing at the other dog across the road, the other dog is walking on minding their own business along with owner.You wish the ground would swallow you, and you’re getting used to being told “Sort your dog out!”

After time you feel you have become a social outcast The whole world seems to judge you, and your dog is becoming more and more reactive to more minute things than ever before.You feel you are treading on egg shells.You have tried the treats the toys, verbal cues to stop the said reactivity but to no avail.

Did you know there are lots of people in the world who feel exactly the same? Even behavioural advisers and trainers can find these situations very difficult?

There is help and there is hope to help you and your dog manage things and cope much more than before. No cure but other options to enjoy life with your unique dog (who is also awesome in their own right).

There there are many different types of reactivity not just towards dogs or people.

You have for example dogs who react to noise, touch, things in the environment that trigger stress responses, a reactive stomach food sensitivity.

Try to think of the whole situation as a “heavy night out” in the bar and day after hangover after such a night. Every time you take your dog out and it reacts, it’s the same as going to the bar for one round

Telephone: 0845 458 3797

By Kathy Berner

after another, then more heavy drinking next day and the day after that.

When dogs or people get stressed hormones build in the body, and the brain chemistry is affected which controls moods and rational thinking, the immune system and so forth. The more “intoxicated” you or your dog is, the more the body is affected by moodiness and overreacting to the smallest of thing, which may not have worried you or dog before.

Each time the dog has a trigger that upsets them you are adding to the “cocktail” and you are unable to learn or to be rational. If a few things happen, one after the other in a short time that upset the dog, without a down time to unwind or recover then the reactivity becomes worse and worse. This term by trainers is called trigger stacking.

So how about you both take time to have a few days out to recuperate and look after yourselves? Close the “bar” and don’t drink any more.Your chances of being able to focus on tasks and think rationally are greatly improved.You will generally feel better and will be able to deal with the tasks bit by bit in you own time at your own pace.

Drink plenty of water, rest, have time for you and just look after your self. I’ve used alcohol as my example as its about giving your self a few days to get over it as you would your night out.

Your dog will be better for allowing them to go through their emotional hangover, to help them relax and for you to help them look after themselves better.

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Telephone: 0845 458 3797

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Long Stay Residents

If only all Committee Meetings ended this way.

Following a Thursday afternoon Committee Meeting, Homefinders Committee Members and Trustees, who were in attendance, were joined by the Hainford Kennel staff, plus available partners for dinner in the Stadium Restaurant.

Shown in the Photograph:- Committee Member David Jones, kennel hand Krista Scarll with her partner Rob Seago, Phil’s wife Barbara, Molly’s partner Luke Bartlett, Homefinding Co-ordinator Corinne Douglas, Homefinders Trustee Phil Pearce, Kennel Manager Molly Paul, Homefinders joint founder and still chairman, Stephen Franklin, with his wife Pamela.

Homefinders Committee Member Justin Franklin, was in attendance with his wife Kerry and son Aidan, but found a work related issue needed attention, just as the photo was being organised!

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www.yarmouth-greyhound-homefinders.co.uk

Fir Covert Road, Taverham, Norwich, Norfolk NR8 6HT Tel: 01603 861370 www.kenscornstores.co.uk with TD and S ean ining Tra

T.T.S

Our Reactive Rover classes will help you manage your dogs reactivity, give you the skills to enjoy your walks together.

• Classes are held over five weeks.

• ​​Small class sizes, with your own area.

• Full one to one support.

• Your dog will not see other dogs until they are ready.​ • £15.00 Per class.

Call today to book your place: 07927 391028 www.trainingwithtdandsean.com

Telephone: 0845 458 3797

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Christmas Card Competition Use your creative skills to help greyhounds in need by entering the Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders Christmas Card competition.

This year we will produce our Christmas cards featuring festive, hound-themed drawings, paintings, photos or designs submitted by our talented supporters.

We will choose 4 winners to be our 2018 Official Christmas Cards, and will sell packs of the cards to raise vital funds. Does your artwork deserve a place in there?

Your submission can be in any media, as long as it’s greyhound themed, and can be scanned if it’s not a digital file already.

As well as having your artwork published, the 4 lucky winners will also receive a prize.

Please send a photo of your entry to kennels@yarmouthgreyhoundhomefinders.co.uk - and make sure to keep the original, we will contact the winners to arrange getting it scanned if needed.

If your design is selected, it will be printed on high-quality card and sold in an assorted fundraising pack, with 100% of profits going directly to help meet the high costs of rescuing and rehoming greyhounds. The winners’ name will be included on the card.

Judging will be selected by a panel of volunteers, we will announce the winners in the Summer Newsletter.

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Closing date for entries is 1st June 2018. Good luck and get creative!

Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders

51 Cromer Road, Hainford, Norfolk NR10 3AU Tel: 0845 458 3797 Email: kennels@yarmouthgreyhoundhomefinders.co.uk www.yarmouth-greyhound-homefinders.co.uk Designed and edited by Michele Perrywww.yarmouth-greyhound-homefinders.co.uk of www.px2co.net Design for print and web Page 16 Printed by www.blackwellprint.co.uk