Date: August 10th 2008

Dear Greyt Folks,

Hope you are still holding up under our long, hot summer......

DOG WASH

Yesterday, we held our 2nd and final dog wash of the summer at the Veterinary SPecialty Center Of Tucson. While attendance was half of last years and even the June dog wash, we had a spirited number of new volunteers and a whole host of greyhounds show up. All the new folks, got to see what absolutely wonderful dogs greyhounds are. We had media coverage form Az Daily Star, so look for some press this week, probably THursday in the special NW section.

Thanks to all the volunteers, who will be listed in more detail later. We had 2 awesome new groups. We had the YES network from Raytheon. This is a wonderful group of younger employees who seek out volunteer opportunities in the community Twenty six of them thought washing dogs to benefit AGR would be great. Then there was the youth group(27 strong including the adults with them) from St Alban's Episcopal Church on the NE side. As a result of these groups, many of our regular volunteers got to take a break.

It is always great to see some of our newly adopted dogs as well as those adopted several years ago. I've got to think the current state of the economy may have had an impact on our totals yesterday as even in the past 2 months the financial news has continued to get more dire in our country.

TOTALS: Wash and trim- 54, wash only- 22 and nails only 1 $1040
Raffle 43 tickets sold $215
Merchandise sales of $169
Donations 66.50

$1490.50 less expenses of $200- netted us $1290.50 That pays kennel expenses for a month.

Raffle winner was Raytheon volunteer, Jason Quay. After his volunteer shift, he brought by his 2 Shar-Peis for baths. I'm sure the dogs will enjoy the $100 worth of dog goodies and Jason the $40 Pastiche gift certificate.

Many thanks to Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson for the venue and Petsmart and Pastiche for the raffle items. We also wish to thank recent adopter of Flash(Tristan), Mindy Tenser, for the donation of the sodas and Gatorade. This was facilitated by adoption coordinator, Mike Smith.


OUTREACH

If would like to be involved with the outreach activities of AGR( presentations, meet and greet venues, etc), please contact Julia Summers at jes3940@msn.com. She is assembling a team of people to work on outreach.


TDP

Susan Via had a well written opinion in the TUcson Citizen this week about the tax breaks the race tracks(dog and horse) are getting in this state. Here is the link.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/opinion/92869.php

This has been going on since the 1990's when the AZ legislature opted to give the racetracks tax breaks other businesses do not enjoy. THis was in response to what the tracks felt were declining revenues when Indian gaming came on the scene.

VIDEOS

Here is a link to interesting videos about greyhound racing in the UK http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nSnQyxewwRM

Closer to home is the heart-warming video done by adopters Barbara and Geoff and their adoptee of a few years back, Oliver. Also shown in the video is greyhound-mastiff mix, Shamus, who passed away a few months ago. Oliver does have a new brother now though, recent adoptee, Garrett.
Here is the link for "When Daddy's Gone" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9TwS5H2RIU

TIPS ON DOG BEHAVIOR

THis is from the web radio Animal Radio Network and Russian dog trainer, Vladae.

10 Biggest Mistakes You Make With Your Dog Everyday

Vladae - The World Famous Russian Dog Wizard
1. Humanization – if you treat your dog as a human, your dog will treat you as a dog. Your dog is not your child or your relative and the wolf is still your dogs’ second cousin.

2. Democracy – Dogs and democracy don’t mix. There is no such thing as the bill of rights in the canine world. If you want your dog to become an acceptable member of the family, he must be last in the hierarchy of social order.

3. Allowing your dog to live on welfare – dogs in the wild hunt for food and other resources. When they live in your home they still acquire a need to work for their food and possessions in order to be happy. Give your dog physical and mental exercise. Physical exercise can be simply playing a game of fetch. Mental exercise can be practicing proper obedience training for 10-15 minutes per day. These games and exercises will make your dog tired. Remember, a tired dog is a good dog.

4. Afraid to say “no” – Don’t be afraid to say no to your dog and to set limits and enforce these limits with consequences. But remember, the human way of discipline will always create the opposite effect on the dog. Please visit our website at www.911dogwizard.com for information on the canine way of correcting and disciplining your dog.

5. Speaking English to your dog - Remember, the only language your dog understands is doglish. Examples of speaking doglish are praising your dog in a high pitch tone of voice. This means approval. Disciplining your dog in a low town of voice means disapproval.

6. Giving unconditional affection – Do dogs enjoy human affection? The answer is yes, of course they do. But dogs do not need human affection to become balanced and happy. In fact, many people are shocked to learn that dogs actually desire structure and discipline more than they desire human affection. Touch and affection are human needs and desires that we inflict upon our dogs. But our dogs look to us for signs of leadership and rules, not touch and affection. Please make sure to always balance love and discipline.

7. No demands for respect – Remember that no one will listen to you and give you respect out of gratitude. Do you think your dog is any different? No, dogs who obey the owner out of gratitude belong to the Hollywood movies and are not the reality. Start demanding respect. There are three simple tips to achieve this. #1 Never give a command which you cannot reinforce #2 If you give a command follow through by all means necessary #3 Don’t ever repeat a command.

8. Undeserved privileges – If your dog is currently being rehabilitated or is displaying any kind of behavioral problem, you will want to stay away from allowing your dog these privileges: 1. Sleeping with you in your bed and sharing the same furniture. This is giving your dog greater social status by physically raising himself above you or on the same level as you. 2. Free feeding. Alpha eats first. Make your dog wait for his food for one minute. 3. Enter hallways and entrance ways before your dog does - alphas always go first.

9. Allow the dog to lead on walks and bark in your house - Pulling on the leash in not just an inconvenience. It’s a sign that your dog believes he is in charge of you. Did you know that allowing your dog to lead on a walk and bark in your house is giving your dog permission to growl and bite whomever he chooses? It’s true. By doing this he is putting himself in a position of authority and putting you in a subordinate position. Pulling on the leash can also lead to damage to the neck and impaired vision. It’s okay if your dog barks one or two times when someone knocks on the door. But if the barking continues it can become a big problem. Dogs who constantly bark think they are in charge and they are the decision makers. They are becoming a police officer on duty.

10. Not allowing your dog to be a dog – dogs are much different than humans. Human psychology will never work with your dog. We love our dogs because they are different from us. When interacting with your dog you must use canine language and actions. This will serve the harmony in your relationship as nature intended.

Listen to Vladae on Animal Radio®

Thanks for all you do for our hounds

Mary