Rainbow Bridge - WVs Kamehameha

Wv's Kamehameha (Karma)
May 28, 2001 - May 15, 2010

We have lost yet another member of our FFGR, Inc. family. Karma was adopted in 2006 by Deanne McClintock. Deanne and Bill traveled the train to Washington, D.C. together and they shared many dog stories.

When Deanne retired (along with Rick), they submitted their application to our group to adopt a greyhound. Although Deanne had been a breeder and trainer for many years, she fell in love with the greyhounds we brought in and decided to adopt one.

Karma was her (and Rick's) best friend and retirement buddy for a very long time. He was greatly loved by Rick and the two would take walks together.

Karma started limping a few weeks ago and he was diagnosed by his vet with cancer. It was too far advanced to do much of an intervention so they chose to give Karma all the love and attention they could until they determined that we was not enjoying his life.

We are sad that Deanne and Rick lost their best friend, but we are gratified that Karma had such a wonderful and loving home. It's all any dog could hope for.

Godspeed Karma.

Greyhound Point of View

I can't figure out why everyone is so excited. It's just another truck, nothing unusual. In fact, it looks like only half a truck. It has ten compartments down each side of the body with little grates on each door - certainly nothing to excite someone of normal intelligence. It's dark outside. So! We've traveled in the dark before. The truck
traveled all night. Big deal. Lots of trucks travel all night. The driver looks and smells like all the other drivers. What is all the fuss about? Suddenly, a door opened. The sunlight shining on the steel door was so bright it was blinding. The driver reached in and lifted a tired body out of the cage. Holding on tightly to the collar, he asked, "Who wants this one? His name is Flash. “He's ours!” was the anxious cry. “He is so beautiful!” Gentle hands reached out tenderly to touch the quivering body. “It's okay fella, don't worry, you're safe now.” Slowly as gentle touches caressed the exhausted body, it began to relax. Soothing words are whispered into tense ears straining to catch every word spoken. Volunteers hurried to fulfill every need of the occupants. I still could not figure out what all the fuss was about. Then the door in front of me opened ,"This one is special," the driver said, "It's going to need extra TLC. It didn't fair too well on the trip. Who belongs to this one? A quiet voice from the back whispered, "Me, I think that one is meant for me." As the owner of the quiet voice came forward, my frightened eyes peered around the driver. Fear was evident yet, underneath there was something else. As our eyes met, something mystical happened! My frightened body grew as if touched by a magic wand. The small voice began quietly at first, then raised with each word until I could hear it over all the noise at the busy rest stop. “It's okay now, you're safe, you're home." it said. "You will never have to be afraid again. You are mine now. I will take care of you." said the voice. Gentle caresses touched taut muscles massaging away all the pain. Slowly, with each circle the fingers made, my body began to lean against the legs belonging to the voice. "It may be too weak or tired to walk" said the driver. "That's okay, I'll do the walking", said the voice. Confident arms reached down and scooped me up. I tensed; then, just as quickly, relaxed against the warm body holding me. My head hung over arms gently cradling my now limp body. Goodbyes were said. As the others headed back to their vehicles, the quiet voice spoke again. "Let's go, Magic, you have a new home waiting for you with all the love you can handle." Now I know what all the excitement was about. We've been adopted. WOW!

NOTE:
The above article was written after witnessing the arrival of a greyhound hauler from Florida. It is what the writer believes a greyhound's perspective would be if they could talk. Anyone who has ever witnessed this event is never the same again. It is an experience that touches the deepest part of your heart. Volunteer to help pick up the greyhounds when they arrive; it is well worth your time.

Helen Coleman

Event - FCHS Walk-n-Wag

Join FFGR, Inc. at the Frederick County Human Society's annual Walk-n-Wag! The event is held each year in Baker Park in Frederick. This year the festivities are planned for Saturday, May 22.

Our group has been present at this yearly event since we began in 2005. The FCHS invites rescue groups to help showcase the work they do. It's a way for us to get the word out to the public about greyhound adoption. This year, like past years, we will have lots of literature and information available for anyone who wants to learn about greyhounds. We will also have an available greyhound (or more) to meet.

There are lots of businesses and pet related vendors for browsing and lots of games and activities for humans and pets alike.

Please come out for the fun. Bring your hounds. For more information, click on the title of this post which will take you to the FCHS web site.

See you there!

Grapehounds Virginia

A wonderful time was had by all at the Grapehounds Virginia event. This was the first event of its kind in the area and we all are hoping that it will become a regular event. It was a lot of fun for people and hounds alike. For a first time event, it was very crowded and it ran perfectly! Thanks to Larry Bowersox for organizing the event and for having everything so well planned.

The weather was perfect and we heard no complaints from anyone! Our group vended and we did very well, much better than expected. We saw lots and lots of our adopters and dogs.

Thanks to all of the volunteers who came and helped out during the day. It made the entire day very easy because so many people pitched in to help. It was one of the easiest events we've ever done because of all the willing hands.

Let's hope we can mark our calendars for next year!~!!!

Rainbow Bridge - WV's Zagnut

WV's Zagnut June 2000 - May 2010

We are very sorry to report that one of our adopters has lost a wonderful greyhound. WV's Zagnut was the very first greyhound we placed when we started our group in April. We knew Lynne and George Yourick for many years. We met them when they were working for another group that we were working for and which eventually went out of business. We had fostered a dog named Ricky Martin for a very long time. It seemed to take a long time to find him the right home. Lynne and George came along and fell in love with Ricky and adopted him! They gave him such a wonderful home and, at age eleven, he is still going strong.

When we established FFGR, Inc. in April 2005, we started off by taking in three greyhounds to foster and find homes for. Zagnut was one of the dogs. We took Zagnut to the Frederick County Humane Society's Walk-n-Wag in May of 2005. Lynne and George came with Ricky to say hello. They stayed at our tent for awhile and spent some time with Zagnut. They decided to adopt him!

Zagnut certainly had the best home of all. Lynne and George are awesome people and loved loved loved their hounds. We always kept in contact with Lynne and George and a couple of months ago got word that Zagnut was not doing well. He was diagnosed with the dreaded osteo and it was only a matter of time. They decided to keep him comfortable and make sure he was doing all right. But recently he went downhill fast so they decided to let him go.

I know what a loss Zagnut is to Lynne and George. They are such great people. We've known them for over ten years and know that they are the type of people we hope to meet when we try to find homes for our hounds.

Godspeed dear boy.

Event - Community Days at Francis Scott Key Mall

Community Day is coming to Francis Scott Key Mall in Frederick, Maryland! Because this event was so successful last year, the mall is extending the event to run two days! Saturday and Sunday, May 8 and 9, are days set aside at the mall to allow non-profit organizations a free venue to showcase programs and services available to the community in this heavily trafficked mall environment. The event runs from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, and from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 9.

Our organzation will be on hand both days! We will be distributing information about our organization including programs offered, mission statement, contact information, and information about greyhound adoption and greyhounds looking for homes.

There will be a lot of literature and a display available to read. We will not always have volunteers available during this event, but anyone interested in learning more about greyhounds and how our organization works is welcome to stop by our display and take a free brochure.

Due to mall policy, no greyhounds will be at this event. However, there will be photos and descriptions of the hounds that we have available for adoption.

For more information, please click on the title of this post and it will take you to the mall's web site.