Letter from the Editor

Happy 12th Birthday GAP!!!

That's right - this year we turn 12 years old, and to celebrate we will be holding a Big Birthday Bash on July 16th! I hope to see you there :) Full details are listed below.

We have another bumper issue, with more from my pal Clyde and a very heart warming story about Jasmine, that you may have heard about... she was a greyhound rescued by police in England.

Also, we have just received some sad news... and I would like to extend my sincere condolences to June and her family who sadly lost Milly on Thursday morning 28th May. Milly was the first greyhound adopted in South Australia and was 14 years age. A small memorial is included.

We also have part 2 of the Shaggy dog series and of course the usual puzzle and kiddy craft project.

Regards

Kylie Mancini
Website Manager/Newsletter Editor

PS - This newsletter features beautiful Clair - photo supplied by Sharon Aimenn. If you would like to have your dog featured in any headings of the newsletter or website - please supply a high quality crystal clear image similar to above with contrasting plain background. Face on headshots preferred.

Coming Events

PETWARES FUN DAY

Saturday June 13th

11am – 3pm.

Location: 16-18 Light Crescent Mt Barker,
South Australia
Telephone: 08 8391 4937

Come join us at the Petwares Fun Day at Mount Barker. There will be a sausage sizzle cooked by some of our greyt volunteers at GAPSA and much more! Come along, bring your hounds, stop in and say hi to the wonderful people at Petwares and GAP! Hope to see you there!

GAPSA BIG BIRTHDAY BASH

Thursday - July 16th

6.00pm

Angle Park Greyhound Track

GAP will be 12 yrs old!

Put on your party hats because this will be a GREYT nite out!...dont miss it!!!!

Raffle, and Door Prizes, birthday balloons, and cake..the whole birthday works!..So come join us and celebrate! Price and details of the dinner to be announced soon. bookings will be essential! dont miss out!

If you would like your greyhound to be in the GAP parade on the night please contact Angela. 8243 7124 by July 10th.

DINNER NIGHT INFO

This is a fundraising dinner for GAP. This special night allows GAP to raise some much needed funds to help with care, fostering and homing of retired racing greyhounds. proceeds from each dinner go to GAPSA.

Dinner prices: $35 per person. Children 13 and under $17.50 and children under 5 are free.

Bookings essential!!

Payment for all table bookings to be paid in full to GAPSA by July 10th.

Please make all checks or money orders to Greyhound Adoption Program SA. Cash can be dropped off to the GAPSA Office Mondays and Thursdays 2pm -9pm or GRSA Office Mondays – Fridays 8:30am – 4:30pm. (55 Cardigan St. Angle Park – Angle Road just off of South Road)

GAP does not have EFTPOS facilities.

Clydes Letter from the Donga

G'day Kylie,

Haven't seen yer round ther traps fer ages, 'ows yer bin? Orright?

Ut's bin bonza ut here. Our carpet grubs are getting arahnd now, we dun see so much uv James (he's up an runnin) but Alyssa comes up an crawls all over us, she reckons we're ther best toys arahnd an I reckon shes a real bobby dazzler.

Ut got a bit crook ut ther end uv April, we were dahn ter ther last Water tank an we're all hangin out fer ther season ter break. They ses up here thut it'll be a good season if ut breaks ut Anzac an blow me down ut does, bang on! Boy were we happy. "Send 'er down Hughie" we yells an he does an he keeps on doin it, buckets uv ut! Lots an lots uv luverly wet stuff ter fill ther tanks an' start stuff growin'.

So ther Boss gets his arse inter gear ter spray ther weeds out an ther Missus arthur Murrays arahnd ther seed merchants getting all ther seed an fertiliser an stuff organised an we're all set ter go an stone ther crows, ut goes an rains again an they can't get onter ther paddocks! Yer know uts just as well uts not ther farm thut pays fer our tucker, uts just fer a bit uv er lark. Ther Boss goes docterin' up ut Leigh Creek half ther time, ther farm just feeds ther horses.

So, there they are messin arahnd with ther tractor an ther spray unit an stuff an Heidi an me has ter deal with ther new foster hound on our own. Not thut ther Boss an Missus do much uv ther work anyway but they mostly give ut a bit uv er burl. We'd sorted out Cella an Bashy real good an they're happy little vegemites in their new homes so ther Missus goes an gets Tyson fer us ter work on. Ther Missus really likes him but Geeze yer should a' seen im when he first got here, he were rough as ther goats knees. He's all over ther place an a total lamb brain on doggy manners, no idea abaht bum sniffin just in yer face an tonkin us with his stupid long tail. (Do we detect a note of jealousy here perhaps, Clyde really doesn't like to be reminded what a beautiful long tail he used to have! J) Heidi an me tells him ter chuck ut in but he just carries on like a pork chop, barkin' like he were a bald Kelpie. In ther end Heidi gives him ther drum an tells him what for loud an clear, he wern't so full uv ut after thut.

Now he's got ther idea he's turnin out not a bad sort uv er bloke even if he does try ter steal all me best toys. Ther Missus ses he's smart as a two bob watch, an is real proud uv him. We've bin takin him up ter obedience an last week he passed Grade One, Most uv our foster dogs dun get out uv kindergarten even after four or six weeks with us, an he's only bin with us three weeks.

Talkin uv obedience, yer should see me mate Heidi, she did ther test fer Grade 4 on Sundy an she passed! She's ther first dog ut our club ter do thut! Yer'd think she'd really have tickets on herself after thut but she ses she'd rather be sleepin any day. Ut's a real hard test. She has ter do it without a lead an do lots uv hard stuff. I c'n do most uv ut but me tussles with Arthur Wright lets me dahn. Ther thing we loves best is when ther Missus walks us up ter ther top uv ther arena an tells us ter wait whilst she goes back ter the bottom. Then she tells us ter rattle our dags an we go steamin dahn ter her goin like ther clappers, trouble is we has ter stop when we gets there, sometimes we sort uv fergets.

Ther other good thing abaht last Sunday wus thut Heidi's litter sister Amber came an had a sleep over with us. Ut's ther second time she's stayed here an we all gets as silly as a hat full uv worms, Heidi an me has really got a guernsey fer Amber. In ther mornin she an her Missus, Janice come up ter obedience with us. Amber enjoys our little club, she gets to meet a real little runt uv a Greyhound an sum uv our other friends. She goes ter a big obedience club an ther's so many dogs yer can't make proper friends like we do.

I tell's yer what Kylie, if you think Heidi's a smart arse yer should see Amber, she started obedience in the parklands in March an she can sit an drop already. Ther Missus is jealous, Heidi dun sit an I dun do either uv those things. We reckons Amber's goin ter leave Heidi fer dead, Heidi ses she's a disgrace, she ses if Tyson was ther bald Kelpie uv ther Greyhound world with his barkin (he dun do ut much now so he's not anymore) then Amber is ther bald Border Collie wantin ter please Janice like thut. Where's her Greyhound pride? Yer can't make ut too easy fer ther hoomans!

So whut uv I bin doin up ut obedience? I've bin ther model fer lots uv pictures. Ther Missus is helpin do a school fer all ther foster hounds an we needed pictures uv whut they c'n do. I'm not ther big brass ut obedience but I'm not all piss an wind either. I knows me stuff an ther Missus ses I dun go berko when ut suits me like sum she could name. So we does lots uv bits uv stuff an we gets lots uv pictures an most uv them is me. We had ter get Amber ter do the sit though, smarty pants thut she is.

We're doin ther school on Sunday, I'm goin along ter help out, hope theres lots uv treats. I'll send yer a line when ut's finished ter tells yer how ut goes if yer likes.

Ooroo f'now,

Clyde.

Circulating Email - warning of Lethal Mulch.

While the following was passed via email - I have checked the link of Snopes.com which does not confirm this actual story but does state that certain ingredients in mulch can be dangerous to animals. It is unclear if the listed ingredients are in Australian garden mulches, however it does pay to be cautious therefore this is added as a precautionary warning for pet owners to be wary. Personal discretion is advised.

Please tell every dog or cat owner you know. Even if you don't have a pet, please pass this to those who do.

Over the weekend the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. They loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog Calypso decided that the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn ' t acting lethargic in any way. The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk . Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.

Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company ' s website, this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats.

Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey ' s, and they claim that ' It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won ' t eat it. '

This Snopes site gives the following information: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp

Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman ' s Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called ' Theobromine ' . It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker ' s chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.

KIDS CORNER

Tissue Paper Carnations

By: Amanda Formaro
Difficulty: Easy
Age: 6 and up

.What you'll need:

* Pink, green, and white tissue paper
* Chenille stems
* Scissors

How to make it:

(want to see a video how to make this?) visit http://crafts.kaboose.com/tissue-paper-carnations.html

1. Layer three to four sheets of pink tissue paper together then cut them into 4-5" wide strips that are 12" long.
2. Cut about 1.5" off the end of a chenille stem and set aside.
3. Take the remaining piece of the chenille stem and lay about 2" of it onto the tissue paper and roll up (starting at the short end) around the chenille.
4. Once completely rolled up, take the short piece of chenille that you cut off earlier and twist it around the bottom of the tissue paper to hold it in place.
5. Use scissors to cut 2-3" long slits down from the top of the rolled tissue paper. Continue around until all strips are cut.
6. Roll up a 6"x2" piece of green tissue paper and place at the top of the flower stem.
7. Grab the bottom of the stem and bring it up and over the green tissue paper and twist tight. These are the flower's leaves.
8. Repeat, making several different flowers, then combine the stems to make a bouquet.
9. Twist the stem of any one of the flowers around the rest of the stems to hold them all together.
10. Place them in a vase and use them as a table centerpiece.
    

Tips:

• Chenille stems can be sharp, so you may want to help children twist the small piece of stem around the flower.
• Try different colors to suit each holiday or occasion!
• Save tissue paper from birthday parties to use in craft projects such as these.

Milly was a beautiful 14 year old girl, who was the very first greyhound to be adopted in South Australia.

She sadly passed away on Thursday 28th May 2009.

Milly found a very loving forever home with June Martin, adopted at 2 years of age whom June states..

"She fitted in from the very first day and she was an absolute joy to have around and was indeed a lady until the end".

June has also adopted Bluey and our thoughts go to them on their loss of a long time friend, family and companion.

~* The Rainbow Bridge *~

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Bright eyes are intent and an eager body quivers. Suddenly running from the group, flying over the green grass, legs carrying faster and faster than ever before.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

The best things in life, aren't things!

If I Didn't Have a Dog...or Cat.....

.
I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.
My house could be carpeted instead of tiled & laminated.
All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture & cars would be free of hair.

When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel.
When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading
through fuzzy bodies who beat me there.
I could sit on the couch & my bed the way I wanted, without
taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies
would need to get comfortable.
I would have money & no guilt to go on a real vacation.

I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 vets, as I put their yet
unborn grand-kids through college.
The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit,
down, come, no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE.
My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby
gates or barriers.
I would not talk 'baby talk'. 'Eat your din din'. 'Yummy yummy
for the tummy'.
My house would not look like a day care centre, toys
everywhere.
My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and
an extra leash.

I wouldn’t have to spell the words B-A-L-L, F-R-I-S-B-E- E, W-A-L-K,
T-R-E-A-T, B-I-K-E, G-O, R-I-D-E?
I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.
I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE
dog/cat ties them down too much.
I'd look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of
dreading 'mud' season.

I would not have to answer the question 'Why do you have so
many animals?' from people who will never have the joy in their
lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as
close to an angel as they will ever get.
How EMPTY my life would be!!!

'Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened'