Our amazing racing puppy Hannah (All The Milk)

By Fatima |

Monday, April 1, 2013

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Hannah flying :)

It has been the most amazing weekend for the Nightrave team: our racing greyhound puppy Hannah (All The Milk) won both her races  at Taranaki Easter race meet!!  Not only that - but she also posted the best time for puppy races for this weekend meet too! (dont ask me what the time was -I have no clue! :)
Hannah and her sister Stella were both broken in and are being trained by the lovely Mike Lozell in Tokoroa. Stella could not come to these races as she has come into season - but Hannah certainly had the best time! She won both her races, and she also posted the best time for the puppy races for the whole meeting! And, for one of those races -I was there! :)

On Saturday, our good friend Sue and myself drove to Hawera, the home of the Taranaki Greyhound Club, where the races were held. Sue took most of the pictures in this post (thank you so much Sue, for both coming with me and for taking these gorgeous shots of Hannah's big day!).

This was Hannah's very first race. First time she wore her racing rug! She was a very excited little dog. I was with her handler Mike and her before the race and she was raring to go!!! A little young dog who cannot wait for some action (you can click on photos for full size):

OMG I can hear the lure! I want it! :)

Yes, I know I look great in my designer racing collar and lead! But I can hear the lure! Get me on the track! 

OMG!!!!!! In the kennel block, I met my litter brother Isaac! I have not seen him for a while!
Despite desperately wanting to get out there to race , I took a  second to say hello :)

YES ! We are almost there! I cant wait!!!!!!

 The race was amazing. Hannah flew down that track -with a smile on her face:

Hannah is on the far right   - having the best time !

 

Hannah flying to the winning post, with a huge grin on her face

And yes, she won! Sue and me jumped and screamed  - and I have to admit, I had a few tears in my eyes :)  I was just stunned, and so happy for this little dog who was doing what she loves , and having the time of her life! I was also happy for her lovely trainers and handlers, Mike, Maxine, Max and another Mike. It was so humbling to see how supportive and sweet other trainers at the meeting were of us and Hannah -trainers whom I met through my volunteer work at GAP NZ (Greyhounds As Pets). They were as excited as I was, and kept congratulating us on our very first racing doggie doing so well. I was very touched. It was amazing.
It IS a dream come through - we have wanted a racing greyhound or two for a few years now. We at Nightrave are passionate about the breed and the sport which they love -and this very first racing greyhound of ours and her very first races are very emotional for us. I have to say - last Saturday, with Hannah and Sue and my friends at that track was very very special. And I will be honest and say I will never forget it, as long as I live. 
Sue took these amazing pictures after Hannah's win:

Hannah, Mike (Hannah's handler) and me :)

Hannah and me :) Hannah looks happy and  gorgeous, I look stunned !!! :)

A very special photo: Hannah being hosed after her race, by her handler Mike. Looking on are me and the lovely Max Mathews, who also handled Hannah. Max has been in greyhound racing for 30 years, and is an amazing man, a true gentleman. He was also our Yellow's (Gold For Thys) trainer!

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Hannah loved the water :)

We are very excited about Hannah's future  - it will be a pleasure to watch her enjoy her racing career in the years to come. And it is a priviledge being able to be guardians of such an incredible racing dog. We will keep you all posted about Hannah's exploits via this blog! 
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Congratulations to Blondie and Rebecca!

By Fatima |

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

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Go girls!!! Blondie (Fancy Kate) and her Mum Rebecca on the winning podium at Wairarapa Obedience Show

Here at Nightrave we are passionate about greyhounds and as well as jobs greyhounds love to do, be it racing, or obedience and agility work that comes after their professional racing careers.
As most of our readers know, we have achieved some great Canine Good Citizen, Rally O and obedience results, including many 'NZ greyhound firsts'. However, it is always a great treat when we hear from other ex-racing greyhound owners who compete their greyhounds in those disciplines.

And today, we received an amazing email from our friend Rebecca from Masterton, who is achieving great competition results with her retired racer Blondie (Fancy Kate).  Trained by the Schofield team, Blondie LOVED her racing career, she had 112 starts for over $20K stakes money. As many seasoned racers, upon retirement, she was keen to try other jobs too -and now, she is an Dog Obedience champion!
Rebecca wrote to us:
Hi Nightrave Team,

I thought I'd let you know that Blondie had a fabulous day on Sunday at the Wairarapa Obedience Club's show.
She won out of Elementary 1 with 68 out of 70 marks. We lost four 1/2 marks and three of them were my fault - bad handler!
In Elementary 2 she was awesome too, we only lost 3 marks in the heel work and 1/2 on the recall which again was my fault as I set her up crooked and didn't correct it!
Her sit stay was fab but we lost most of the possible marks in the down stay as she 'technically' broke. It was stinking hot and she wiggled 7 seconds in, then did a bigger wiggle and moved her front
legs forward a bit and the judge saw her belly come up a smidge. If she didn't have such a deep chest (wasn't a greyhound) it wouldn't have been faulted.
But I was stoked with her anyway as she didn't move after that and there was lots going on. Speaking to the judge afterwards I am going to try and get her to do down stays with her butt and legs sideways as their deep chests and butts off the ground aren't so obvious then.
We ended up with third place but as the judge said a blessing in disguise because otherwise she would have won on enough points to win out!!

Well done Blondie and Rebecca -we are looking forward to many posts like this one in the future!!

Proud as punch: Blondie with her ribbons :)

'Fancy Tip' wins Auckland Cup :)

By Fatima |

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

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Pam and Denis with Tommy (Fancy Tip)

On Thursday last week,  our dear friends Pam and Denis Schofield won the Auckland Cup with their gorgeous greyhound Tommy (Fancy Tip).
Pam and Denis were also my Louie's trainers - Louie came second in Auckland Cup 2006. :)

There is a great article on this race on TheDogs website, here : http://www.thedogs.co.nz/News.aspx?NewsID=756 
I particularly like this sentence: " In fact Denis hadn't fully realized that he also had trained the third placed runner Koko Whiz until he arrived at the presentation podium." :)

Denis sent me some full size pictures so I thought to post them here - enjoy!

Fancy Tip and his kennelmate Koko Whiz, who came third

And last but not the least -Denis with the Cup :)

Our Summer 2013 martingale collar collection on sale now!

By Fatima |

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

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We have been designing martingale collars for greyhounds for four years now and they have been a huge success.
This is our Summer 2013 collection  -  we have a dozens of new designs coming up, and have plans to release new collection every season.

Martingale collars and matching leads are made  in New Zealand by skilled craftspeople, and are superbly made and perfectly finished.
We have imported all the hardware -it is nickel plated, welded /cast hardware for martingale collars.
The canvas/jacquard ribbons and trims are imported from the USA too, and they wear perfectly -my Louie has had one of these collars for four years now, and it still looks like new! (this is his everyday collar).

We have imported the real stuff, specifically designed for martingales -we did not scrimp on the materials - after all our hounds deserve the best!
All collars are fully adjustable and triple stitched at stress points to prevent breaking and prolong durability.
We have 1.5inch wide collars and 1inch wide collars available. 1inch collars are perfect for smaller, more slender hounds. We also offer matching leashes for both.

Our online shop is only days away, in the meantime, you can look at the available collars and leads on our Facebook page:

Click here to see available martingale collars and leads available.

To order, just email us on nightravegreys@gmail.com or message us via our Facebook page above :)








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Bella and her Polo career!

By Fatima | comments

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We just got the cutest pictures from Susan from Auckland, who owns lovely Bella (Punk Scooter).

Apparently, this summer Bella has been very busy with days spent socialising at Polo! As always she’s a great hit with the English players & grooms, who are mad about greyhounds & lurchers!!

 

Bella will be very disappointed when the season comes to an end after the Final tomorrow. Meanwhile at the semi final at Clevedon today, she had her photo taken with the star of this season’s final...the International Player, 8 High Goaler, Ignatius du Plessis. She is related (through Susan) to the team player James Worker from Team Veuve Clicquot & her photo was taken with him & some of his horses, who were unwinding after winning the match.

Thanks you so much Susan for these photos! Bella, as always, looks gorgeous! :)

 

Postcards from Holly (Thrilling Holly) - Kyrewood run!

By Fatima |

Sunday, February 24, 2013

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Gorgeous Holly (Thrilling Holly) is staying with us for a few weeks, while her family are on the holiday overseas.
I thought to post some pictures of her here, so that her parents can see how their precious girl is doing :)
Today, we took Holly and some of our pack to Kyrewood for a run in the paddock and water jump -Holly loved it! She also got to meet some horses (you can click on photos to see full size):

Meeting the horses :)

Some more pictures:

Running with Ben The Corgi and Misha

Off to the water jump we go!
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Holly loved the water jump...

..and did not care the water was murky green :)

That was fun!

Happy Birthday to Jazz and Leo !

By Fatima |

Friday, February 15, 2013

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Gorgeous littermates Jazz (Homebush Squirt) and Leo (Our Cheetah) have just turned 8  -

Happy Birthday

from the Nightrave pack !

Our friend Kirsty sent us these lovely images of the birthday boy and girl (thanks a million Kirsty!)

Postcards from Princess Holly :)

By Fatima |

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

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Holly resting :)

Gorgeous Holly (Thrilling Holly) is staying with us for a few weeks, while her family are on the holiday overseas.
I thought to post some pictures of her here, so that her parents can see how their precious girl is doing :)
Holly is a true princess - she LOVES finer things in life. At first she was a bit fussy with food, but our venison stock and Purina Shredded blend quickly fixed that - she is eating like a horse now!
 She goes walkies with our pack, and also attends Canine Good Citizen classes with them  :) Holly is very very waggy, happy, clever doggie :) It is a pleasure to have her stay with our pack for a month .
(you can click on pictures to see full size)


Holly with her new friend Sam The Samoyed
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With Emma and the pack in our fully fenced dog club

Holly with Yellow (Gold For Thys)
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With our Cobby (Cawbourne Snowy)
 

Hanging out in the garden with Yellow and Sam
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A lovely video to share

By Fatima |

Thursday, February 7, 2013

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MovingOn2 from Nancy L. Hudson on Vimeo.

This video was forwarded to us by one of our greyhound friends. It was shot in the USA -but applies to all greyhound lovers. Please watch and share, it is beautiful.

"Dedicated to greyhound owners, trainers, kennel and track staff. 

Before our hounds were our pets, they were your racers. It can't be easy to let them go but you do.

As adopters and stewards of the retired racing greyhounds we are now honored to stand where you stood.

THANK YOU"