Yarmouth Greyhound Homefinders Summer 2020

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 Welcome to our slightly delayed summer newsletter. Wow, what a few months we have all had, in my note on the Spring issue I said “can’t wait to get back to “normal” with the dogs” - looks like we all might be waiting a LOT longer for anything to feel normal again.

I hope you all managed to stay safe and well during the initial lock down, how did your dogs cope? My husband was working for most of the harshest rule time, so Jack and Bella had to learn to get used to only one walk a day. Bella rose to the challenge really well, Jack not so much, but we coped! Then things were turned on their heads with us both off on furlough, so they had us with them 24 hours a day.

I’m wondering if anyone has experienced any seperation anxiety now that the world has started to open up again? I’m trying to leave them both for short times again, to get them used to being home alone when needed. Don’t forget, built up the time gradually, start with just 5 minutes maybe with a cup of tea outside, out of sight. If that goes OK, start staying out of the house a little longer each time. It might be a case of “back to basics” for many of us.

Bella has once again kept us on our toes in the last week, managing to escape from our garden she really damaged the pads of her feet from so much running. A trip to the vets later, she came home with pain killers, a “cone of shame” and instructions to take it easy for at least two weeks. Trouble is now she’s feeling a bit better it’s so difficult to give her a five minute walk, but also give Jack the longer walk he needs.

Issue: 52 - Summer 2020

Yarmo

Michele

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Keep sending me your updates and photos, they really help to put the newsletter together.

Email me: michele_storer@hotmail.com

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We are finally due to move to our new home in the next month, so we’ve been spending time making sure the large garden is “Bella proof”. Luckily we have just had her tracker replaced as it had problems connecting, it seems to work much better now. There’s always a drama where Bella is concerned!

Registered Charity No: 1172132

Co-ordinator’s bit .How have you all been coping in lockdown? I’m sure all those of you living alone, like me, have found having the dogs around an absolute blessing. How are they coping now you are not around all the time? I’ve been leaving mine more now just to get them used to not having me there they are most indignant when I go out without them.

It seems an age away when we all got together at the March Open Day and then put the kennels into lockdown on the 18th. We immediately fostered out six of our dogs to make it more manageable for Molly and Wallis as we rely so heavily on volunteers for walking and grooming. We cannot thank them enough for all their hard work in difficult circumstances.

We are gradually coming out of lockdown and from 20th July we have asked two volunteers to come and walk and exercise the dogs. Rehoming has continued throughout with video homechecks being carried out and visits for homing by appointment only. Incredibly we have rehomed ten more dogs than the same time last year. Most of the foster carers have ‘failed’ and kept their charges! We are now desperate for some new foster carers if you can help please contact us.

Thanks to the great generosity of our supporters we have managed to keep our head above water financially. A large donation of £7000 from Pets At Home to run the kennels has been a great help. Our very full programme of attendance at fetes, dog shows etc has, of course, been cancelled for this year also we are unable to collect at the Stadium. We have now started to have stalls at Car Boot sales so if you have any saleable goods, we welcome them, and they can be left in our Bric a Brac shop at the kennels. Don’t forget you can help us financially at no cost to you by joining Pets At Home VIP Club and adding us as your charity (we’re listed under Lowestoft), sign up for Easy Fundraising when you shop, Amazon Smile (I think that is listed as Saxlingham Nethergate as I registered us), or why not ask for money for your birthday instead of gifts on Facebook.

We are hoping by October to be able to have some events. At the moment we plan to have the Great Global Greyhound Walk on October 4th and the Auction Open Day on the 11th. I will try and reorganise the Track Walk for November.

Hopefully, we will still be able to have our Christmas Fayre on November 21st.

We look forward to seeing you all again in October.

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Corinne

www.yarmouth-greyhound-homefinders.co.uk

Hetty’s lockdown news What a time we have all had. I hope all my furry friends and their owners are safe and well. I have not managed lockdown very well as I have been rather poorly. I had swellings in my neck which Mr Grumpy informed me were infected lymph glands whatever that is. I have had lots of tablets wrapped in chicken pieces, Mr Grumpy thinks I don’t know but it is a great way of getting extra chicken! I am getting better now. The sofa has been well used and I have been able to catch up on a lot of beauty sleep, not that I need it. Mr Grumpy has still not won the lottery and I have a new friend called Blue who is staying with us because his owner sadly passed away. I have missed seeing all my friends, I have lost a tooth and am STILL waiting for the tooth fairy to visit. Best of all I am now going to be a movie star.

Before all this panda emic stuff, (does anyone know who this Panda called Emic is because he is causing a lot of trouble?) Kiki, Dexter, JJ, Summer, Romeo and I were asked if we would take part in a movie being filmed in Yarmouth with an award winning Two of us with Romeu the lead actor Late evening Scene 47 take 4 director called Marco Martins. We spent two very cold days and nights at an empty hotel with a lot of people from a place called Portugal. I expect that is somewhere near North Walsham. The leading actors were called Romeu Runa and Beatriz Batarda, they were very nice to us.

I don’t know what Diva means but apparently Kiki, Summer and I have become one of them. Kiki especially as she decided the film should be done her way and did a bit of walking off set and making sure they saw her best side. The film isn’t finished yet and we have more to do when the Panda has gone. The film is called Provisional Figures. I will let you all know what happens and when we get our Oscars. Apparently Oscar is a very handsome greyhound.

I would like to send a big, big THANK YOU to everyone who has supported my friends in the kennels during this difficult time. Foster carers, kennel sponsors, blanket washers, food deliverers, donators and many more of you have been great and your support has been much appreciated. I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Bye for now

Hetty

Telephone: 0845 458 3797

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Dogs homed since last newsletter Poppy (Hartwood Poppy), Tarzan (Titus Power), Joy (Mystical Joy), Wrighte (Mayas Boy), Pete (Profit Share), Monkey (Senior Status), Ella (Quarter To Three), Bonnie (Bonnie Rose), Frankie (Salems Frankie), Flo (Flo), Khloe (Dunham Khloe), Becky (Blackrose Becky), Fifi (Feora Kite), Linny (Lincoln City), Dingle (Our Boy Dingle), Oscar (Jura Oscar), Pine (Pinehurst Lad), Lily (Divas Lily), Micky (Mikey Ship), Chickey (Right So Chicken), Dale (Brave Caledonia), Cosy (Cosy Leader), Donny(Lakota Empire), Billy (Drive On Billy), Jasper (Mister Jay), Rootsy (Tagalong Rootsy), Brandy (Gottabe Lizzie), Liam, Harley (Crinkill Ace), Bracken (Brackenstone Boy), Ruby (Ratchies Cougar),Tulip (Chlomine Tulip), Finlay (Feora Kite), Josh (Donewith Mirrors).

Funding Update Homefinders have been fortunate enough to be awarded financial help from Support Adoption for Pets – we applied for their support with staff costs and our ongoing utility bills, like rent and poo disposal.You may know of them through Pets At Home.

So many charities are deserving of their help, especially at this time so we’re are delighted they have given us £7000.

Molly did a fabulous virtual tour of the kennels on Zoom for their Fundraising Manager.

And Jo, one of the volunteers, did the other stuff. We are very grateful for their hard work securing the grant.

Find out more about them on their website: https://www.supportadoptionforpets.co.uk/ or their Facebook Page.

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www.yarmouth-greyhound-homefinders.co.uk

Lockdown stories Blue’s Lockdown Tail Back at the end of February I received a call from a chap called Alan the owner of Blue, an 8 year old greyhound. Alan told me he was unwell and likely to go into hospital. He asked if I would look after Blue for a while. Alan lived alone and Blue was his best friend.

I collected Blue three days before lockdown began but telling Alan I would return Blue as soon as he was back home and well. Unfortunately a week later I was informed that Alan had passed away in hospital so Blue became homeless. As it was the lockdown period I decided that Hetty and Romeo would be good for him. He was quite a nervous boy and naturally a bit stressed. Since then Blue has settled very well and so we adopted him, with Hetty and Romeo’s permission of course. In our house he is now affectionately known as Boo. I hope Alan is smiling down on us knowing his Blue is safe and well.

David Asher and Gad Here’s a photo of Asher and Gad ‘busy’ helping me while I’ve been working from home during lockdown...

And another of them ‘helping’ me stretch after a run Sarah

Telephone: 0845 458 3797

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Roly and Sylvie Roly here. When Mum could only go out once a day because of that bug thing she made sure she played lots of games of ball with me (my favourite thing) to make up for missing a second walk. I made sure to remind her if she forgot. Here is me with my ball waiting for her to come out to play.

Sylvie couldn’t come on the walk cos she has a lump in her side which Mum says is a osteo sarcoma. It affects her breathing. She is ok in herself and hasn’t lost her appetite (I can vouch for that as she will pinch mine given half a chance). She didn’t seem to mind staying at home. Here is a pic of her doing what she does (she’s got a bandage on do a she hurt her leg. I think it was rushing out the patio doors to chase a pigeon).

Mum is looking forward to the fund raising committee getting going again and we are all looking forward to going to the kennels. Mum bought a buzzy thing to do our nails but we’d rather Molly cut them for us.

Cosy We adopted Cosy in June and wow what a month it has been. She has settled in really well, she’s a timid girl but has an heart of gold. Cosy has been enjoying sleeping on duvets and running around the garden with her peanut butter ball.

Walkies are great too and Cosy has loved sniffing all the countryside trees and had her first trip to the beach which she loved watching the sunset go down.

Cosy loves cuddles with her mummy and daddy too. Myself and Dan love the Facebook group which we have found very useful with lots of helpful tips. The staff at the centre have been amazing, Molly has helped us lots and we can’t thank her enough.

Gemma and Dan Page 6

www.yarmouth-greyhound-homefinders.co.uk

Daisy turns 14 We have had a wonderful day celebrating Daisydogs 14th birthday with her best chums on August 1st. We started at about 11 am and finished about 6 with fizz, tea and scrumptious cake. I am so blessed to share this special day with all friends….the girl is much loved and has a fabulous life. We treasure every day.

Jo Katie helps Nobby block out the news about the virus “Don’t look Nobby, we’re safe at home” Tina and Andrew Hobbs

Kiki and Dexter We made the most of Easter during lockdown, with Kiki and Dexter doing their best Easter bunny impressions!

Debbie

Telephone: 0845 458 3797

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Corinne is famous!!

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www.yarmouth-greyhound-homefinders.co.uk

Here she is as a double page spread in Women’s weekly - amazing publicity for Homefinders, and the great recognitions for everything she does.

Telephone: 0845 458 3797

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It’s in the family!

Corinne has found some photos of her grandparents’ racing kennels, she says “they’re not brilliant but I expect they were taken with a box Brownie in the 1930’s!”

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www.yarmouth-greyhound-homefinders.co.uk

Featured dogs Charlie – Sep ‘14

A lovely boy, Charlie is friendly with people and loves lots of fuss and attention from people he knows. He has a mischievous and happy character when he is settled. Charlie spent the lockdown period in a foster home and gradually adjusted to home life. He proved house trained and loved the comforts but he liked to have company as he gets a bit worried being left alone. The time he was left was built up very slowly and he did improve. Charlie can be a bit anxious on walks when there is a lot of activity and noise but is much happier and enjoys walks in quiet areas such as woodland or countryside. Charlie is a playful boy and would be happy in a home with older children that he can interact with.

He would prefer to be the only dog but will make a great family companion given time to settle and adjust.

Domino – Sep ‘15

Domino is a very handsome white and brindle tall boy with an excitable character. He loves to play ball or go for a long walk in the countryside. Domino can be strong on the lead when he sees something but is sure to settle down once he gets used to new things. He has an affectionate nature and will be a great friend for the right person.

He would prefer not to be left for too long and to be the only dog in the home as he loves all the attention.

Champ – August ‘15

Champ is a stunning tall boy with a shiny black coat and big expressive ears. He has a very affectionate and loving nature with people and will lean on you for a fuss.

Champ loves his walks and finds all the new sights and sounds so can be strong on the lead at times. Given time to settle, he will be a lovely companion, he is quiet natured and enjoys dozing in his bed.

Telephone: 0845 458 3797

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In Memorium THOR (PRIDE OF JURA) We are sorry to have to tell you that Thor passed over the Rainbow Bridge earlier this month, after a sudden illness. Thor was 11 years young, still with a “bit of puppy”, playful and curious.

When we were taken into the kennels at Hainford in the last week of 2016, looking for another greyhound to re-home, the dogs were coming to greet us, some barking, some jumping up, but there was Thor sitting on his bed just observing all the fuss. A walk round the paddock and we knew he had to come home with us.

We have had 3 and a half wonderful years with this endearing character, a gentle big boy, always calm and approachable by children and dogs large and small. He always loved a cuddle. Unlike the other greyhounds we have re-homed, Thor was quite vocal, whether singing down our hall in the mornings, or impatiently waiting for us to get a car park ticket before he could start his walk at his favourite destination of the Southwold dunes.

He always had to know where I was and would follow me round the house, always insisting on coming in the car with us.

The house feels quite empty and we can still hear him walking on our tiled floors, and catch glimpses of him on his bed or coming in the door. These feelings will pass, but he will always be with us.

We would like to make a donation in Thor’s memory and have transferred £100 to the Hainford kennels bank account.

Best Regards - Pam and David Hassam

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www.yarmouth-greyhound-homefinders.co.uk

In Memorium Harley Torres Honcho Harley recently passed over the rainbow bridge aged 13. I couldn’t find the right words to express our love for him so I looked through an old notebook and found this piece - with an update.

Tues 2nd September 2012.

Harley [Torres Honcho] arrived yesterday.

He is a 5 year old greyhound. He is sooo... big, very warm, gentle and calm, he stands still when you put on his coat and lead, he is very strong, you would struggle to do anything to him if he didn’t want you to.

No accidents so far, all wees and poos done outside, my husband says we will need bigger bags. The amount of food he has for tea amazes us, ‘retired greyhound’ biscuits and warm water, low protein as they no longer race.

He slept in the kitchen with quite a lot of nocturnal wanderings, but no whining or barking, it must be strange for him. I got up in the night, the smell in the kitchen was overpoweringly awful, Greyhounds have a lot of wind it seems, if the government is looking for a new weapon of mass destruction they should drop a few greyhounds behind enemy lines, that will sort the men from the boys! It is an evil smell, hopefully his stomach will soon settle down, He is already very attached to my husband , which is appropriate as they could both fart for England. www.greyhound-data.com/greyhound/1598997/117/Greyhound_Torres_Honcho-_2big.jpg

He crashed into a cupboard this morning hurting his leg, it seems size doesn’t matter, they are big babies squealing a lot, he also managed to cut his paw , walking blood spots all over the carpets. Hey Ho! Saturday 18th July 2020.

Harley died yesterday aged 13, eight years gone in the blink of an eye, a heartbeat Helen Bunn

Telephone: 0845 458 3797

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Greyhound Lottery Results 22/02 421 Heather Goodswen £60

Racing started again behind closed doors first Thursdays then Wednesdays.

29/02 356 Philip Pearce

£60

Date Nos. Winner

Prize

07/03 315 Elaine Catley

£60

11/06 532 Vicky Hardy

£60

14/03 312 Jean Brown

£60

18/06 423 Irela Paddy-Amis

£60

25/06 132 Caroline Berriman

£60

01/07 634 Peter Wood

£60

Date Nos. Winner

Prize

21/03 NO RESULT DUE TO CORONA VIRUS We then went 11 weeks with no racing due to lockdown so to keep it going did the draw myself with numbers 1-6 on golf balls in a bag. I decided to dress up as different characters each Saturday night to make it more fun ranging from Top Cat to Crocodile Dundee which hopefully everybody liked.

List of winners in lockdown.

Date Nos. Winner Prize 28/03 124 Stephen Crowe

£60

04/04 652 Emma Mickley

£60

11/04 153 Sandra Clayton

£60

18/04 214 Sarah Harvey

£60

25/04 514 Ray Seaman

£60

02/05 152 Irela Paddy-Amis

£60

09/05 345 Ian Afford

£60

16/05 513 Monty Norman

£60

23/05 253 Tracey Bartrum

£60

30/05 452 Jackie Mills

£60

06/06 261 Hilary Howells

£60

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08/07 614 Katherine Mortlock £60 15/07 652 Emma Mickley

£60

22/07 152 Irela Paddy-Amis

£60

29/07 532 Vicky Hardy

£60

There are still 8 number combinations left if anybody else would like to join contact Phil: pusspearce58@yahoo.co.uk

Some of Phils comical prize draws on Facebook!

www.yarmouth-greyhound-homefinders.co.uk

Thank You from Molly and Wallis A HUGE thank you to everyone that has supported us through the lockdown period, especially with the generous donations of food, treats and bedding.

A special thanks to Hilary Howells for washing and returning the bags of dog bedding at least twice a week.. And to Nicole for keeping us well fed with donuts..Yum! It was very quiet without the volunteers and visitors but the hounds are the best company and kept us fit!

Lots of love, Molly, Wallis and all the doggies Michele here - I’m sure we are all thankful to both Molly and Wallis for keeping the kennels going so well, and looking after the remaining dogs without the host of volunteers who are usually on hand to help out. We can’t thank you enough ladies!

Richard Skipworth created a series of cheerful lockdown sketches and posts, this is one of his recent ones called “Tee Time”.

See all of his greyhound posts at: www.facebook.com/pg/rich.skipworth. greyhounds

Telephone: 0845 458 3797

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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