Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption Runs April Greyhound Blitz

The National Greyhound Adoption month morphed into the SA Greys Greyhound Blitz. It was quite an undertaking with back-to-back events during the month of April. The Greyhound Blitz goal was to tell the greyhound story to as many people as possible and to introduce SA Greys to the community.

Cindy Hall kicked off the community message by representing SA Greys in an outstanding story, "Greyhounds keep her running," in the Arizona Daily Star.

Mayor Jonathan Rothschild of the city of Tucson made the Blitz official by proclaiming a Tucson Adopt a Greyhound Day. Read the Proclamation on the SA Greys Blog

The Blitz kick off event was an invite to participate in Equine Voices fundraising event. Photos. Please view the photos of the events.

We attended our first Meet & Greet at the Farmers Market at the Loft Cinema. Across town, our greyhounds were a hit Walking on 4th Avenue, sponsored by Antigone Books. The greyhounds had a chance for a special treat at DQ while the humans lunched at dog-friendly Delectables and shopped at Silver Sea Jewelry. Photos.

The very next day, SA Greys hosted wine tasting, Greyt Vines at CataVinos. Over 50 greyhound supporters tasted the wine, talked, laughed and tasted the wine again. This was a rave review event. Photos.

Pima Air and Space Museum hosted the SA Greys "Fast Planes & Fast Dogs" Meet & Greet. Over 500 visitors to the Museum had the added perk of meeting and petting greyhounds. The facility was an amazing background for the event. Conversations flowed with Tucson folks as well as U.S. and International Visitors. Photos.

The Rainbow Remembrance was bitter sweet as we remembered the greyhounds who passed to the Bridge but there were chuckles over remembered doggie  antics. Darla Norrish of the Pet Cemetery officiated. Photos.

SA Greys greyhounds marched in the 19th Annual Tucson Earth Day Parade behind the sign, "Upcycled Retired Racing Greyhounds." The dogs met and greeted people who swamped the both looking to pet the greyhounds while seeking information. Photos.

Finally, we had a chance to sit down and relax with the Greyt Bites - California Pizza Kitchen. The manager told us what a great showing of support we had for the dogs. Thanks to you all who dined at CPK.

SA Greys members and dogs held a Meet & Greet at the Royal Kia Dealership. The dogs wanted to take the cars out for a test drive, but finally just greeted the folks that come to the dealership.

A hot Sunday, found SA Greys members enjoying ice cream and sharing the companionship of our greyhounds and each other's company. It was a time to celebrate our accomplishments and honor volunteers. Thanks to guest speakers, Phyllis Allen of Can Do Canines and Dr. Beth Neuman of Twin Peaks Veterinary Center. Photos.

A big thank you to the businesses who supported our efforts for the greyhounds: Antigone Books, CataVinos Wine Shoppe, Silver Sea Jewelry, Equine Voices, Pima Air and Space Museum, California Pizza Kitchen and Royal Kia Dealership.

The Blitz started with a phone call from Susan Glenn about a M&G at Pima Air Museum. This seed grew into the Greyhound Blitz with brain storming by Karyn Zoldan and Diana Hansen and backed by Mary Ann Neisz. It was supported by the communications team: Melissa Tibbals-Gribbin, Bill Rayl, Mark Muktoya, Kristina Dorome, Barbara Beck and Geoff Anderson.

Thanks to SA Greys Board for their help and support: John Clark, Gordon Bennett, Linda Begega, Cynthia David (official photographer) and Cindy Hall. Special thanks to Don Blascak who lugged equipment, helped us set up and tried to keep us organized. Thanks to Mary Freeman who used her speaking talent to help the greys with her interview on the radio, as well as helping with set up.

The biggest Thank You goes to all the volunteers and their dogs; lots who did more than one or two events. Truly, we couldn't have done this without you. You were a spiffy looking group and your fur-kids were outstanding.

Thanks to:  Marcelle and Doug Cox with River and Louie, Mary Freeman with Kasey, Karyn Zoldan with Jett and Girl Friend, Melissa Tibbals-Gribbin and Allison Tibbals with Artemis and Audrey, Jerry and Kathy Tucker with Mahalo and Annie, Stori White and Kennedy with Casey, Paul and Kristie with Star, Joan Athey with Declan, David Grasse with Winston, Cheryl Bennett with Herbie, Karen Webster with Bandit, Eric and Jennifer Haselby with Beau, Gordon and Renee Bennett with Gentry, Mary Ann and Jim Neisz with Kiowa and Winney, Don Blascak and Lionell, Mark Blascak with Sammie (honorary Grey), Lisa, Joe, Max and Sophie Vaskovic with Lacey, Paula Huter with Tulsa, Mary Gringeri with Beauty, Peggy Heath with Cody and Heidi, Dawn Gabrielson, Liz Troudt, Phyllis Schaefer, Jim Hoy, Dale Peters,Ginny Williams, Dana Leane, Michelle Calliet, Carol Mitchell and Mary Bahmer, Mike Rech with Jojo, Linda Morgan with Olivia and Gina, Cynthia Guldberg with Daniel, Nancy and Jim Garnett with Fancy, Julia Summers with Dylan and Oliver.  Sorry if any names were missed. 

Turquoise - The New Fashion Color for Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption

One year ago, the tan SA Greys shirts were introduced at the Ice Cream Social. Keeping with tradition, turquoise shirts were introduced this year at the Social. If turquoise is your favorite color, order your shirt now.

The shirts are preordered online until May 15. The shirts are not a stock item. Only PayPal orders are accepted because of the quick turnaround time. The shirts are of the same quality as the tan shirts. 

Shirt order pickups will be at the SA Greys Annual Meeting on June 9 at the Tucson Midtown Police Station at 22nd Street and Alvernon Way. If you can't make the meeting the shirts will be mailed, shipping charges ($6.25 per shirt) will apply.

The shirts come in two styles:

• Dressy polo with an embroidered logo on the front
  
• Tee-shirt with screened logo on the front of shirt and a screened greyhound adoption message on the back of the shirt. Remember, these shirts are 100% cotton and can shrink in washing.

Place your shirt order online by logging on to the SA Greys Website and click on the shop tab; pull down the menu to Special Shirt. Then, just follow the simple instructions. Or...just click here.

Join the fashion trend and and order an SA Greys shirt.

Hot Weather Causes Ice Cream Social Concerns

The hot weather is causing concerns about keeping our greyhounds safe at the Ice Cream Social to be held Sunday, April 17 at 2pm at the "Hay Barn" at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3482 East River Road in Tucson. For complete details, see the Ice Cream Blog.

A Constant Contact had gone out to all SA Greys members with precautions to be taken if anyone is planning to bring a greyhound to this event and have advised members to check the SA Greys Facebook account and Blog for the latest updates.

Members have been advised that the weather is going to be in the mid-90s and special caution has to be taken with the greyhounds, especially older dogs or dog who stress easily. Any dog that attends the event should wear a loose, wet t-shirt or cooling coat to help keep the dog cool through evaporation. Or, an ice pack on the back of a dog's neck helps to keep them cool. Spray bottles and a wading pool are available for the dogs. If a dog is brought to the park, they should be handed off to a SA Greys volunteer at the grassy area so the dogs don't have to walk on hot asphalt.

We are sorry the weather is not cooperating. We want to take every precaution to keep our hounds safe. The Blog and Facebook are to be used for updating the membership on this event.

Mr. Beau Greyhound - Perfect Gentleman

Greyhound Beau has settled in to his forever home and according to the adopters, he is perfect. In the adopters own words...

Beau has adapted well to his forever home. He is everything we could ask for in a dog, and so much more. Being new greyhound owners, the only knowledge of the breed we had was what we read in books. Beau has been a perfect gentleman, not exactly what we had prepared ourselves for. It isn't often you welcome a new dog into your home that is already leash, doggy-door, house and crate trained.

Beau spends his days lying around the house like most greyhounds. He has settled into a routine of early morning and afternoon 20 minute walks, and enjoys the many smells of the neighborhood. We spent a few hours "pool training" to ensure he is aware of the dangers (and that he cannot run across the water), and he has yet to show any interest in jumping in.

As with most other greys, his only vice is squeaky toys and will spend hours "dismantling" them. We have quickly learned to stick with Kong-like indestructible toys! Other than the toys, Beau has not chewed a single item in the house, nor has he ever attempted to snatch anything off the counter. In fact, he has yet to hop on the sofa!

We want to thank Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption for the service they provide. Without their services, Mr. Beau (aka Beauregard, Bocephus, Bo-Bo, Bodacious, etc.) would have never come into our lives.

Guest Bloggers: Eric, Jennifer, and Brooke Haselby - SA Greys Members

Let California Pizza Do the Cooking - Fundraiser

On Wednesday, April 24 from 11am until 9:30pm, relax and let California Pizza do the cooking. Enjoy some good food while helping the greyhounds; 20% of your check will be donated back to Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption.

You do need to present the "special flyer" to have your eats count towards the donation. Just go to the SA Greys Website and click on the California Pizza Kitchen Logo and print out the flyer. When you are presented with your bill at the restaurant, just hand the waitperson the "special flyer."

The menu offers a wide selection of food. You will find a dish to satisfy your taste buds from Asian to Southwestern. Do try their legendary pizzas

Let your friends, co-works and family know about the fundraiser. Or, just bring them along to enjoy dinner at California Pizza. You will see other SA Greys members dinning there also.

California Pizza Kitchen is located at the Tucson Mall at Oracle and Wetmore Roads.