Dear Friends

By Fatima |

Friday, November 30, 2012

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Me with my gorgeous greyhounds  

Today I was horribly upset to discover that someone has been spreading terrible rumours about me and Greyhounds as Pets (GAP).

Although up until now I have said nothing on this subject, since others are using my silence to make horrible allegations, I wanted to come and tell my side.

First of all, I love greyhounds. I fully support the racing industry. Many of my best and closest friends are trainers, and they have supported me through this hard time. I have planned, and still plan, to own my own racing dog soon, and maybe one day train my own dogs myself.

I love to watch the dogs race. I love going to the track, and I love the wonderful people in this industry.

Second of all, I have always been an ardent supporter of GAP - as a retirement programme for greyhounds, established and funded by the racing industry themselves. As many of you know, I have given both time and money in support of GAP, and together with my long suffering flatmate, have fostered nearly 200 GAP dogs on their way from racing into pet life.

I have NOT resigned from GAP.

Last Thursday, the Director of GAP, Jacqui Eyley, called me. With no warning, she informed me that GAP did not require my services any more.

Obviously I was completely flabbergasted, and extremely upset. I am still extremely upset. However, I did not resign from GAP. I did not walk away from the dogs. I would never walk away from the dogs.

According to Jacqui, GAP does not want or need me. (This has no bearing on individual staff or owners or volunteers, many of whom are my close personal friends and have stood by me throughout this terrible time. You know who you are and how much I value you!!) So despite how much I love GAP, and how much it hurts me to take a step back, I have been forced to send the Director the following email:

I was surpised to receive your phonecall this morning in which you informed me that my services were no longer required by GAP.
In accordance with your wishes, I will no longer:

Foster GAP greyhounds
Provide training and socialization for GAP dogs
Procure martingale collar supplies
Procure/donate/suggest items for sale in the GAP shop
Publicise GAP dogs available for adoption on my blog
Arrange transport for GAP dogs
Transport dogs myself
Assist at the Sanson kennels when Kennel Managers require help
Contact new GAP owners for dog updates
Respond to queries from new and old GAP owners
Take part in GAP promotional events with my greyhounds
Organize videos and photoshoots of dogs
Note that Rachel Rae will no longer assist with the website

(I forgot one more item in this email: I will no longer put up the GAP ads on Trademe and Pets On The Net. I have been doing this for 3 years for free and paid for all ads myself).

So this is the truth, my friends. Jacqui has effectively forced me to step back from GAP and from the dogs.

If you have also heard the horrible, upsetting rumours, I hope you will tell anyone spreading such things that they are not true. I'm very very sad at this outcome. But my love of the dogs has not diminshed, and I am still here to help in any way I can.

I hope that you will all still keep in touch, and keep on sending me photos and stories of your lovely dogs, which I will continue to post on this blog (my email: favdich@yahoo.co.nz ).

Thank you so much for being here for me at this time. It means more to me than you will ever know.
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UPDATE , August 2014: After lots of research I now know why Ms. Eyley fired me - she was scared of me exposing her own corruption. Please read my post from May 2014 , for all details and the proof:  http://greyhoundsnz.blogspot.co.nz/2014/05/a-long-avaited-blog-post-please-share.html
(this post is a bit long, but I prmise it is very interesting, if you are a retired/racing greyhound owner in New Zealand).

Update from Trip (Triplem Hand)

By Fatima |

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

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Gorgeous ex-racer Trip (Triplem Hand) went to live with Laura and Lee in Wellington in July this year - and here is their update on their life with the new addition:

With over-anxious first time parents poor Trip has to put up with a lot. We stood around staring at him awkwardly when he first came inside, on guard for the first signs of him making a mess. Quick to please, Trip delicately sat in the centre of the living room. We panicked- "Greyhounds don't sit, he must be about to do a poo on the carpet- outside, quick!".

 

There were grand plans of Trip being an outside dog during the day. Those plans lasted about 5 seconds. Recently retired gentlemen do not abide the outdoors. We have a shiny new kennel if anyone needs one?

Very friendly and overly enthusiastic to meet local dogs , Trip is starting to get a reputation around the neighbourhood- everyone is giving a wide berth to the small pony with the blue coat and muzzle. :)

Trip is an utterly independent hound, who is teaching us a lot. The value of an afternoon splayed on the floor, the simple joy in going for a drive, early mornings and jogging (/trying to keep up with him) at the beach.

Thanks to the GAP family for all your advice and support!

 

 

Update from Bart (Know Truth)

By Fatima |

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

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Little Bart (Know Truth) was a awesome racer. Bred by Rangiora trainer Gary Cleeve, Bart certainly made his mark at the track.
After retirement, he was adopted by the Lambert family from Waikanae recently. We just got an update from them:

Bart has settled in really well, he's lovely, cuddly and cheeky so fits in here well :) He loves going for walks, knows all the houses where dogs and cats live, but stays close to us and listens well.

Bart has adjusted well to living with three young boys, (although the drum kit took a a few days to get used to) and is now following the boys out to the garden much to their delight.

 

We love his mischievous ways, the standing on the back of the couch when we are not home to keep watch for our return, the brief attempt at trying to take over our 5 yr olds bed by jumping on and literally trying to push him out, the attempts to steal any food that takes his fancy - even while someone is eating it! Bart is a quick learner as to what is acceptable though, but he keeps us on our toes by trying something 'new' to see what he can get away with.

He's a perfect fit to our family and we love him to bits!

 

The photos attached are a typical day for Bart, from the playing outside with the boys, having a four year old determined to lay down like Bart, to the numerous sleeping styles...and of course the keeping watch for our return!
Thank you so much all at GAP, you do such an awesome job!!

Meet our foster boy Thys (Gold For Thys)

By Fatima |

Friday, November 9, 2012

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Our current foster boy Thys (Gold For Thys) is a beautiful dog who thinks he is a movie star! The first time you ask him to do something, he will smile and tell you "I have people for that....just contact them and they will sort it!".... :) He is very handsome, gorgeous light fawn color, tall and striking 35kg greyhound with a  huge smile :)

One from the portfolio :)

A loving friendly dog, Thys gets on great with our pack, and is so full of fun! He is bouncy and boisterous but quickly settles and calms in the house.  He loves to be around you, but also loves to be outdoors. He will happily play in the garden and sleep and sunbathe in the conservatory.

Thys really loves water and will spend hours playing in the paddling pool  and 'digging' in the water (you can click on photos to see full size) :

 

 

Like all our foster greyhounds, Thys has been attending Canine Good CItizen classes in our local dog training club and he really  enjoys them! He really loves to please (despite being a movie star!) and enjoys doing things right. I took this  picture of him during the class last week (he was handled by one of the lovely GAP volunteers):

Yup - of course I learned how to sit! :)

Thys would be awesome for a fun filled home, with maybe some teenagers around to have fun with! He loves kids but is probably a bit too boisterous for little ones. :)  He would be perfectly OK left at home while people go to work -he would spend the day relaxing and playing with his toys, and of course, digging in his paddling pool. This is why he is taking the paddling pool (from pictures above) to his new home -he has informed us that is was essential! :)

Yup -I am bringing my paddling pool with me!

With Benjamin The Corgi

 

Update from Morse (nee Horse -Whanganui)

By Fatima |

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

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Morse with his Dad Barry :)

Gorgeous Morse  (nee Horse, racing name Whanganui) went to his retirement home in Nelson a few weeks ago and has already settled in great. His new parents Sheila and Barry sent us this update and pictures:

From the Horse's mouth:

I am loving it here. My new mum and dad have changed my name slightly to Morse, like Inspector Morse on the TV programme, as they say I am such a clever and sophisticated chap. :)

I love the runs on the mud flats near home each day, but I trot along politely on the lead when I have to. I have met other hounds in Nelson, and even had my friend Jock the border collie come for a sleep over.

I am eating lots of good grub, always ask to go out to the garden for toilet stops, and have 2 lovely beds, one up and one down, to sleep on all day. I find the tiles in the lounge a bit slippery for my long legs, but hey!! I'll soon get the hang of them! 

Wherever we go people stop and ask about me, and I lean into them for a rub, and look into their eyes while mum and dad tell them about GAP and what a great way it is to get a lovely dog. All in all I think I have really fallen on my feet. Thanks GAP!!!

 

Meet cute Mickey (Mickey The Rat)

By Fatima |

Monday, November 5, 2012

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Mickey (Mickey The Rat) is in foster care in Upper Hutt, and we just received some pictures from him. Isn't he just the cutest? :)

Update from Sparky (Another Sparky)

By Fatima |

Thursday, November 1, 2012

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A very happy wee pup, having chased balls, run, chased birds, and sniffed all over the dog park :)
Sparky fit into our house overnight, and I remember saying to hubby "you know we're screwed right? This dog is smarter than both of us" - this was the morning after collecting Sparky, and finding that even with his muzzle on he'd managed to open and empty a plasticware container of biscuits!!!

He is just such a honey though. His sweet, gentle temperament makes him a favourite with kids, and his goofball sense of humour has me laughing in a rather undignified manner, several times a day.  I just love stroking his head when he gives me the puppy-dog eyes, and his ears are therapy themselves, and he knows just when to bring his special form of TLC.

I was amazed by the amount of personality contained within a relatively small animal, and how incredibly expressive his face is!!!  He looks so proud when we come home and find the collection of cutlery on his bed, almost as pleased as when he's running at the dog park.  And he loves doing his dog-dance with us, when he goes all silly and spins in circles.

We've discovered that cheese is his weak spot, and I laugh every time his teeth chatter for it. He also loves brushing his head through flowers, flaxes and soft shrubs... So cute to see him emerge covered in pollen!!  He has a real love of squeaky toys too!  He's great with our cats, it's just taking some time for his polite interest to be reciprocated - poor pup gets hissed at regularly!

Can't wait to discover more about this gorgeous boy as we grow to know each other better :)