She's bulit like Daisy Duke

It's our lovely girl Daisy that gets featured this week! She's an easy-going girl who is extremely gentle and very affectionate. Daisy would probably make a great dog for a home with children because she's calm but confident. She was busily searching the field for cookie crumbs left by the dogs who were walked before her romp, I expect that should would love a careless toddler to clean up after. The only caveat is that Daisy isn't recommended for homes with small animals but otherwise she's an absolute angel!

Name: Daisy
Racing name: Lost in Miami
Color: Brindle
Weight: ~ 60 pounds
Born: March 27th, 2004

He's not a Dalmation!

Another new addition, named after one of the dogs in 101 Dalmations, Pongo is all greyhound!

Name: Pongo
Racing name: LPH Pongo
Color: Red
Weight: 64 pounds
Born: May 12th, 2004

More family!

This is Ada, she's Bo, Chyna, and Snoop's sister and the most successful runner in the litter. At 4 years old she's the perfect age, no more puppy energy but lots of youthful joy left!

Name: Ada
Racing name: LPH Grey Goose
Color: Brindle
Weight: 57 pounds
Born: December 4th, 2004

Another lovely lady

Time to welcome another little girl into the kennel. She's got the most stunning markings and will be sure to delight for years to come!

Name: Nicole
Racing name: LPH Miami Bandit
Color: Brindle
Weight: 60 pounds
Born: September 24th, 2005

It's Lucy without Desi

She's just as wacky and fun loving as Lucille Ball but without the big red hair. Another young girl that would fit well in almost any home and that lucky home could be yours!

Name: Lucy
Racing name: LPH Lucy
Color: Dark brindle
Weight: 58 pounds
Born: September 8th, 2006

Time for a sweet tomato

We have some new dogs available and we're starting with Roma! She's a funny little monkey and will be the source of a lot of laughs in whichever home is lucky enough to get her.

Name: Roma
Racing name: LPH Roma
Color: White and brindle
Weight: 56 pounds
Born: September 8th, 2006

Thanks for a great walk!

Thanks to the Greyhound Walking Club for a great time today! It stopped raining long enough to get out for a nice explore around Sellwood.

More pictures to follow :)

Get ready to make Whoopi!

This is our little cracker, Whoopi! She is a tiny little bundle of joy and she spreads it everywhere she goes. Although, it must be said that she's not the best behaved dog yet, we're all a little too indulgent when she jumps up to give kisses because she's so little and such a doll. Whoopi is the kind of girl that will be easy to spoil absolutely rotten, but be careful, she's already a princess and you don't want her to feel TOO entitled :) Oh, and she can learn to live with cats but whether they can learn to live with her exuberance is a whole different question.

Name: Whoopi
Racing name: JT's Whippet
Color: Black
Weight: 51 pounds
Born: July 6th, 2006

Greyhound Walking Club January Event

January's Greyhound Walking Club event has been announced! Just a reminder, this is not an Oregon Greyhound Adoption event, it is open to all greyhounds and their human servants. We are posting this event with the permission of the organizers :)

When: Sunday January 11th
Time: 11 am, rain or shine but it's a no go if there is snow
Where: Sellwood Park at SE Sellwood Blvd. and 7th Ave.
Inquiries: greyhoundwalkingclub at comcast dot net

Lessons on looking coy

Coco is now enrolling applicants for lessons on looking coy :)

Warm but wet weather

The snow and ice are gone and now we can all get back to walking our dogs. Walks are a very important part of dog care and if you aren't walking your dog you really should add it to your list of resolutions for 2009!

Walks are a great form of structured exercise. Many dogs settle into a routine at home because it is comforting and they often do the same with their yard, especially if they don't have a companion or one who engages them in playful behavior. While the yard is a convenient place for relieving themselves not all dogs will get sufficient exercise by being let out.

Another benefit of walking your dog is that it reinforces your position as the pack leader. You determine the pace, you decide when potty time is over and allow time to explore, and you determine the length of the walk (only in part, if you have an older dog don't push them too hard and if you have a younger dog put on comfortable shoes before you head out the door).

Walks also allow your dog to meet other dogs in the community. Socialization is important for dogs because they are pack animals. Isolation can lead to fear or aggression towards other dogs. Remember, use a short leash during introductions and correct inappropriate behavior.

Dogs are like humans in that they are diurnal which means they are most active during the day. That makes morning walks ideal because that's usually when they are brimming with energy. It's best if you can feed them after the walk so that they have earned their meal because, despite they lazy disposition, all dogs need some kind of a job. Don't forget to let them out to relieve themselves after their meal and before you leave the house!

Don't forget to enforce the pack order on the walk. You should be the first out the door and the first back in when you get home. During the walk your dog should walk beside or behind you. Allowing them to walk in front of you communicates that you're the follower which means, by default, that they are the leader.

Finally, carry enough bags on your walk to clean up after your dog. It's part of being a responsible dog owner and a responsible member of the community.

Get walking!

P.S. Flexi-leads are NOT appropriate for sighthounds. They do not allow for sufficient control and the plastic spool is relatively fragile. There is no substitute for a good traditional leash.

January's adoption event

We're pleased to announce our first adoption event of 2009!

Where: Healthy Pets Northwest
Address: 7642 SW Capitol Highway, Portland
When: January 24th
Time: 11am - 2pm

A great greyhound competition video

Car vs. Greyhound

Ty gets featured

Here's Ty! This great 4 year old boy is ready to come home, cuddle and go for puppyish romps with you. He's affectionate and sweet and would make an ideal companion for just about any home dynamic so long as he don't have to live with small animals. While it is believed he could learn to live with them in time it would take someone with a lot of dog savvy and patience to make it work so it's best to consider him incompatible with small fuzzies. Otherwise Ty is an absolutely ideal boy and he has those lovely golden eyes!

Name: Ty
Racing name: LPH Ty Law
Color: Light brindle
Weight: 71 pounds
Born: April 24th, 2005

Bye bye Bobby!

This week we wished farewell to Bob as he left to go into his forever home. It's always hard seeing our buddies leave but we know they're getting all the love and attention they deserve!

Another resolution

This year I resolve to help the canine community...

Did you know there are thirteen different canine blood types and that 60% of greyhounds are universal donors? In the Portland metropolitan area there are at least two clinics that have canine blood banks, Northwest Veterinary Specialists and Dove Lewis. Both require their donors to be healthy, never been pregnant or had a transfusion and up to date on their vaccinations. In addition to helping out dogs in need of transfusions your greyhound will receive a free yearly examination with complete blood panel and heartworm preventative for the year as well. They do ask that you make regular donations (between 4 and 6 each year) but what a great way to give back and help save the lives of other dogs!

A New Year's resolution

This year I have resolved to let my greyhound teach me how to relax...

Happy New Year!

It's time to ring in the New Year! Be safe and if you have noise-sensitive dogs don't forget that some folks like to greet the New Year by blowing off their fingers with firecrackers and fireworks.

We look forward to seeing you all next year!

Just for fun

Ahhh, we can't wait for the soggy ground to dry out a little so it's safe to go out and play like maniacs again!

Lil Bit is our dog of the week

Look out for Lil Bit! At 7 years old, Lil Bit is a spunky and sassy girl with her best years ahead of her. She enjoys playing but would prefer to be cuddling with you. Lil Bit would make a great companion for anyone with the exception of those who have small animals, her composure and good behavior disappears when she see them.

Name: Lil Bit
Racing name: Cmon Little Bit
Color: Brindle
Weight: 58 pounds
Born: October 5th, 2001

Icy conditions tip

Although it seems that the snow and ice has passed and the rain has returned we received a tip from the larger dog community. Due to the salt used to aid the melting of ice and snow it your dog's pads may become dry and uncomfortable. If you notice excessive licking of the paws give them a good rinse in luke-warm water and massage in a little bag balm or similar animal-safe moisturizer.

Thanks for the tip Debra!

Thawing!

While the snow is rapidly diminishing there are still many hazards. Not only is there ice in many places but the city and your neighbors may be using salt or chemicals to clear it away. In addition, the cold weather means that many people have been topping off their cars with antifreeze which is both extremely toxic and, because it is a strong base, strongly sweet to the taste. Be careful out there, greyhounds walk on stilts and the ground is slick where the plants have started to decompose and soft. Best play it safe and continue to walk your dogs and enjoy having a good excuse to stay inside and cuddle.

Some of our favorite girls

This is what we love, pictures of the pups in their new homes. Thank you for keeping us updated on Dreams and Misty, it's obvious that they are just as loved in the home as they were when we were taking care of them!

Time to relax

As the holidays draw to a close, don't forget to relax :)

Happy Holidays!

On behalf of the OGA and all of their volunteers we would like to wish you all a very happy holiday season!

Ice warning!

It's still cold out there! We had a few calls and emails from adopters who have had leg and foot abrasions due to ice concealed under the snow. Please be careful out there!

Check a queue from these pups, Pasha changed his mind and is headed back in while Ellen and Yaz wait patiently by the back door so they can thaw out.

He's not as scary as his name suggests

Killa sounds like an ominous name but this sweet boy is named after Kilauea, a volcano in Hawai'i (it is pronounced key-la-way-ah). The truth is, Killa is more like other Hawai'ian things like sugar cane and pineapples, he's a total sweetheart! Already a favorite in the kennel, Killa loves children and cuddling. He's sure to make some family VERY happy!

Name: Killa
Racing name: Cayenne Kilauea
Color: Red brindle
Weight: 73 pounds
Born: December 3rd, 2005

Make room for Greg's brother, Caesar!

This handsome hunk of a hound is Caesar and even though we haven't had him very long it's already abundantly clear that he's a lover! This nice boy would make a great shadow for anyone who think that theirs could use a little excitement. Look at those eyes, they're just gorgeous!

Name: Caesar
Racing name: WB Sea Star
Color: White and Red Fawn
Weight: ~65 pounds
Born: June 9th, 2007

Coats!

Staci is back modeling coats with her brother Trey made by their lovely and talented mother, Karen. We've mentioned Karen before and the coats that she makes and with all this cold weather her pups got to break in their wonderfully warm jackets. Don't they look great?

A new snow baby for adoption

We've had Hanh though our adoption program and now we have her sister, Haley! She is a little sweetheart of a girl who has a lot of her mom in her (also one of our placements) and we're sure that she got her mom's best trait, her personality.

Name: Haley
Racing name: Hotlicks Haley
Color: White and light fawn
Weight: ~60 pounds
Born: February 26th, 2007