Articles from the GFNJ Newsletter -

(Volume 8, Issue 2- Fall, 2005)

At Somerset 4-H Building

Craft Show/Pet Expo fundraiser on schedule for December 3-4

Greyhound Friends of NJ, Inc. will hold its ninth annual Craft Show/Pet Expo on Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, returning to the same venue that proved so successful last year, the Somerset County 4-H Building on Milltown Road, Bridgewater, NJ.

Hours will be 9am to 4pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday.

Once again, this major fundraiser will feature a variety of crafters selling a wide variety of holiday gift items for people and their pets, a huge raffle offering an array of prizes ranging from greyhound statues to a posh night of dining.  Whatever your pleasure, you'll find it here!

Santa Claus will be on hand for photographs with pets and/or kids, and Greyhound Friends of NJ will have adoption information available as well as our usual display of greyhound clothing, jewelry, and many other articles for greyhound owners.

The hard-working committee, which has been planning this year's extravaganza for many months, once again is headed by Patty Comerford.  Terryl Jackson is in charge of the raffle, Chris Griffith, vendors, and Donna Patt, volunteers.  Other committee members are Rose Comerford, Mary and Trish O'Donnell, Yvonne LaChapelle, Lynn Heiler, Kathy Sidie, Bill Brouillard, Laura Mease, Janet Marshall and Maria Lutz.

How You Can Help

Lots of volunteers are needed to help make the 2005 Craft Show/Pet Expo a success.

Work will begin Friday evening, December 2, and will continue right through the weekend.

Help will be needed to set up, clean up, sell raffle tickets, prepare and serve food, staff the Greyhound Friends boutique table, assist Santa Claus, take admissions, give adoption information, etc, etc, etc.

To offer your badly needed services, contact Donna Patt at 908 654-5790 or e-mail dmpatt@gmail.com

GFNJ Cookbook... the perfect holiday gift

If you're wondering what to get that extra-special friend or relative as an "extra" gift, consider the Greyhound Friends very popular cookbook, now in its third printing, to fabulous reviews.

It contains almost 300 recipes for people and pets, contributed by many of you.  We want to thank those who donated their treasured recipes, contributed to the photo contest and submitted memories.  This really is a perfect book done by you and your friends.  And the best part :  when you purchase one, you're making a donation to GFNJ.  They sell for only $10.  "Greyt Food for Greyt Friends" also makes a great gift for your child's teacher.  Order your cookbooks now.  By mail, there is a $2 postage fee.  They also will be available at the GFNJ Craft Show/Pet Expo December 3-4.  Orders can be sent to Linda Lyman, 10 Hunters Drive, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 with a check payable to Greyhound Friends of NJ.

GFNJ to raise funds by wrapping gifts

Greyhound Friends of NJ will participate in the holiday gift wrap program instituted by Borders and Barnes & Noble book stores.

Marlton Borders, Rt 73 South, will host us on Sunday, November 27, from 9am to 9pm.  Volunteers are needed throughout the long day to wrap gifts and to dispense adoption information.  To help, contact Stephanie Marrero, 856 489-1450 or Linda Lyman 856 751-5134.

If there's a store in your area, try and set up a date for us.

Fall is the time to show off your greys

Fall is the perfect time of the year to bring your greyhound(s) out and how them off to the public.

Help is always needed at our many meet and greets, where those who have not yet met greyhounds become enamored of the breed and are converted into adopters.

The schedule of regular events appears on our web page.  Special events are also listed on our web page, www.greyhoundfriendsnj.org

With the holiday season coming, extra volunteers are needed at the various PETsMART stores where we'll be doing Santa photos which always yield a sizeable donation for our organization.  This promotion also requires additional helpers, to play Santa Claus, to take pictures and to be Santa's helpers.

There also are fund-raising opportunities at Borders and Barnes & Noble book stores, so check them out in your area and see if dates are available for GFNJ.

We're always looking for other events where we and our greys can meet the public, so let us know if something is coming up in your neighborhood.

Special Events:

Saturday & Sunday, November 19 & 20, Philadelphia Kennel Club dog show, 9am to 4pm,  Fort Washington Expo Center.  Contact Barbara Wicklund 732 356-4370

Saturday & Sunday, December 3 & 4, Greyhound Friends of NJ Craft Show/Pet Expo, Somerset County 4-H Building, Milltown Road, Bridgewater, NJ (see above for details)

Thanks to our dog show helpers

Many thanks to those hardy souls who came out in the cold, rainy weather October 21 and 22 to help with parking at the Gloucester County Kennel Club dog shows in Buena, NJ.

As always, Wood Tustin was there bright and early both days, along with Al Wicklund.  Our other invaluable volunteers were Patty Tustin, Amy Cohen, Pat LaManna and Robin and Marty Hecht.

Greyhound Friends of NJ gets a generous donation from the kennel club for helping with this task at its dog shows each year.  Our workers also get lunch and a big "thank you" from all involved.

Planet Day picnic a smashing success

Thanks to everyone who pitched in and made another successful Greyhound Planet Day picnic.

Perfect weather, a great potluck lunch, Karina Raymon's memorable blessing of the hounds, games and contests all added up to a fun day.  Teri Hyatt spoke with those needing behavioral advice.  Star-Ledger columnist Joan Lowell Smith could not attend because of illness, but we sent her a framed certificate of appreciation for her efforts on our behalf.

To all who helped at the food tables, raffle, audio, dog placement, contests and cleanup, a hearty thank you.

- Irene Ullmann

Planet Day Coordinator

This season's very special greyhounds...

As always, we have a group of "special" greys in need of special homes.

Some are a bit older, but anyone who has adopted a "senior" will tell you they're the best.  Others may have an "issue", such as not being compatible with cats or other small animals.

Whatever the reason they have not yet been adopted, they're all truly greyt greys who need nothing more than an understanding, loving home.   Take a look at the list and give us a call at 732 356-4370 if you want more information about any one of them.

And don't forget to check out our prison dogs on the web page.  For some testimonials about these dogs, see the article below.

 FLASHY DADDY is a beautiful 7 year old brindle gentleman who came to us from a breeding farm in Florida.  He needed extensive dental work, which has been done (he lost 17 teeth but hasn't missed a meal).  He's as active and friendly as a pup.  He thrives on attention and affection and would make a great addition to any family without small animals.

OLIVIA is a charming 5 1/2 year old black girl, who is dominant with other dogs but she loves people and enjoys lots of attention.  She has an eye condition called sclerosis which does not affect her vision and should not be a problem in the future according to our ophthalmologist.  Olivia is in foster care but would be thrilled with a home of her own.

 BLUE is a big, black fellow, very playful and loving.  His playfulness includes "mouthing" when he gets excited, which is what cost him his previous home.  No small animals, but an active family with older kids would be ideal for this 6 year old beauty.

 RICHIE is another handsome black greyhound, who loves lots of attention and affection.  He doesn't tolerate small animals and is heat sensitive so needs an air-conditioned home.  His only other negative: he doesn't like to be grabbed by the collar, but he's becoming more tolerant of that.  He's 5 years old and very anxious to leave the kennel.

 MARK is a stunning 3 year old brindle boy who will do well in an adult home.  He can be dominant with other male dogs and with kids.  He's also not small animal safe.  Currently in the prison program, he'll be the perfect companion for the right family.

 MONTANA is a charming 3 year old red fawn boy with no issues except an adversity to small animals.  He, too, is in a foster home, waiting for the right loving family to come along.

Some words about the prison graduates...

"You really did a super job with Ping", wrote one of our prison dog adopters to the inmate who trained this handsome brindle boy.

Ping's folks are typical of our prison dog adopters, who regularly find that their new companions are will adjusted and well trained.

Another recent adopter of a prison graduate wrote "We can tell that Sampson has been well trained... he has amazing eye contact.  The dog looks right into your eyes and does not look away.  He is very trusting.  We sincerely thank his trainers who prepared him so well that we can trust him with our other pets and especially with his new "sister".  We were impressed with the care you took in your journal.  We can tell that a lot of thought went into his care and that he managed to work his way into your hearts."

Adopting a prison dog is a very special experience.  Won't you consider it?

Old Bridge Fair short of helpers

GFNJ participated in the 11th annual Old Bridge Fair October 2, but more help is needed for this all-day event.

Everyone wants to pet a dog, and our greys need an occasional break.  The space assigned to us is on grass, surrounded by trees.  Next year, when the call goes out consider giving an hour or two to meet potential adopters.

Thanks to Rose and Patty Comerford, to my husband, Len, and to my daughter-in-law Michelle who came to help.  Special thanks to my greyt dogs, Brandy and John E. for working from 9:30am to 4pm.  They slept well for the next two days.

- Irene Ullmann