2016: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Goodbye, 2016. Most of us are quite happy to see you go. For many in the SHUG family this year has been especially rough. Personally, globally, no matter how you look at it a lot has happened this year. SHUG saved 100 dogs in 2016 and that's definitely the good. No matter what else this year has brought, that fact is enough to keep us going.
But the bad this year was really bad. We lost three dogs in foster care. SHUG has been around long enough that some of the dogs we've placed over the years have begun to pass away and that's bad enough. But to lose a dog while still in foster care--before they've found their Happily Ever After--is a blow to everyone.
This year we lost Ghost, Tonka, and Casanova.
Ghost bloated. Bloat is one of the dangers of deep-chested breeds but this was our first encounter with it. But his foster parents were sighthound savvy and recognized the signs right away. They got him to the vet quickly and he was in surgery before we knew it. The surgery went well, but as they were wrapping up he went into cardiac arrest. Ghost was gone before we could do anything.
Tonka died in transport. He'd been examined by a veterinarian before setting out but he was an older dog and severely overweight. He died suddenly. The only comfort was that they were less than an hour from the driver's home and she was able to take him to her own vet. We didn't have to leave him with strangers. The volunteer who was with Tonka when he passed adopted him posthumously.
Casanova had cancer. This one wasn't a surprise. Cass and his dad were both diagnosed with cancer within about a month of each other. When his dad passed suddenly this summer, we offered to take Cass and his sister April. Neither were originally SHUG dogs, but their dad had volunteered with the Reyna search and we'd come to know them all well. We were honored to be able to offer his dogs a foster home together after his death. Despite Casanova's illness, he was a handsome, sweet gentleman. Everyone who met him fell in love with him. Cass touched many lives before he joined his father over the Rainbow Bridge on November 19th.
Like Casanova's dad, many of SHUG's volunteers have been active with other groups. It is not uncommon for our foster parents to also volunteer and foster for other rescues--for sighthounds, other breeds, and even *gasp* cats! We try very hard not to judge. The reality is that no one group can do this alone. One of the common threads throughout our history has been the wonderful network of sister organizations we have worked with over the years, both at home and abroad.
And that brings me to the ugly of 2016. Let me say clearly and from the bottom of our hearts that we truly love the men and (mostly) women who make up this global support network. You guys have moved mountains. You are doing important work under difficult conditions and you are awesome. And sometimes you are also really, really bitchy. I know this job is stressful and everyone has an opinion and there are days you just want to throw in the towel and walk away. And I know that you don't. That you don't give up and you always have a soft touch and a kind word for the dogs in your care. But some of the words you use toward each other are not so kind. If there's one thing I would wish for my fellow rescuers in 2017 it is that they all know that we are in this together. We need to support each other. Our work is already hard. Trying to do it alone just makes it harder.
Together we have survived 2016. It was rough, but we made it. Together we will survive 2017.
Thank you.
Michael Owens, Director
The Sighthound Underground
The End of an Era
Johnny Jazz, August 30, 2002 - October 26, 2016
On Wednesday SHUG lost its founding member and the heart of SHUG HQ. You may recognize John from our logo and the pics we have posted of him over the years in his role as SHUG's official nanny.
Like the tortoise, John was in it for the long haul and not in any hurry to make it to the finish line. As a racer, John only ran three times before realizing his life's work was not at the track. Instead, John became an ambassador for sighthounds and attended many meet and greet and adoption events. For many people over the years, John was their first exposure to sighthounds as pets.
In his free time, John liked to conserve his energy with long naps and enjoyed many couch snuggles with human and furry companions of all sizes and shapes. From SHUG's first rescue, little galgo puppy Mariposa from Spain, to our most recent, vision-impaired Greyhound puppy Early Bird from Kansas, Nanny John provided them all with unconditional love and met each new dog with a truly remarkable tolerance.
Every dog is special, but John will always stand out for the number of lives he touched. His legac
y will live on in every dog who passes through SHUG's doors. They may not know it but each of them owe him a debt--and they repay it every day by continuing his work as ambassadors for sighthounds from around the world.
Thank you, John. Until we meet again.
Karma
Do you remember the story about bacon . . . um, I mean Reyna? Reyna was a very shy galga who was lost while her foster mom was on vacation. For three days Reyna camped out in the Spooky Woods, an abandoned Halloween exhibit that was ridiculously terrifying in the daylight. Once we had set up a trap for Reyna, our volunteers had to enter the Spooky Woods every couple of hours throughout the night to check the trap. Cue the scary music!
We were very, very lucky to have awesome volunteers in the area--and some nowhere near the area but willing to drive hours to help out! One of the locals who came to help out had Greyhounds of his own. He was a huge part of the search and after Reyna was found, kept in touch and came to our SHUG events with his beautiful hounds, Casanova and April.
This last week we were devastated to learn that this awesome man had passed away. While his friends and family were still dealing with his loss, no one was quite sure what to do with his hounds. These sweet seniors, one of which was recently diagnosed with Leukemia, needed to be kept together. They were from two different groups and neither had a foster home available that could accommodate both dogs. Under the circumstances, SHUG offered to take Cass and April and with the permission of both groups and the adopter's family, we were able to move them to a foster home this week.
Not only are these two extraordinarily beautiful and sweet in their own right, but they carry with them the good karma of their dad, who was an man willing to go the extra mile for a dog he'd never even met. He made the world a better place. We will honor his memory by finding Casanova and April a wonderful home where they will have the life he would have wanted for them.
From the Director: The Best Year Ever
I'm not going to lie. The first half of 2016 had been kind of rough in many ways. In fact, it has pretty much sucked. We've had some hard rescues and some difficult transports and we've had to make the hard decision to say no--and the even harder decision to say yes, when we're tired and cranky and just need a break. Sometimes there's another group that can step in. Sometimes the dogs that people bring to our attention are already "safe" in a no-kill shelter or a temporary foster home. We can say no. But sometimes there really isn't anyone else who can say yes, so we do. Even when it's hard.
On June 15th of last year we were asked to take three senior lurchers. Thelma and Dinah, 9 year old sisters, and Kelly, 10, had been hunting dogs and had lived out their lives with the same owner. They had never lived as house pets and with a history of hunting--quite successfully, according to their proud owner--there was a good chance they might not be small animal safe. We took these three beautiful seniors in knowing they might be hard to place.
Thelma and Dinah found a wonderful home together. Kelly ended up being adopted by her foster mom, where she proved that you can teach an old dog new tricks.
And Kelly lived happily ever after.
Today Kelly's story ended. Exactly one year later. But it was the best year ever. And we are so grateful to have been able to be a part of that.
Thank you, Kelly. We'll see you again soon at the Rainbow Bridge.
Ghost is Bloating
UPDATE: Despite his initial good prognosis, Ghost passed away during his surgery. The vet was able to untwist his stomach and left the bruising was minimal and there was no permanent damage. As they were finishing the surgery, Ghost went into cardiac arrest and they were unable to revive him. Like his father, Tonka, Ghost's heart just gave out.
Three weeks ago Ghost left New Mexico with his father Tonka, on the way to a new life. Halfway through the trip, Tonka passed. Now Ghost is in surgery for bloat. Thanks to the quick thinking of his awesome foster family, we believe Ghost's prognosis is good. But we still hope that everyone will keep Ghost in their thoughts tonight and over the next couple of days as he recovers from surgery. This beautiful boy has been through so many changes in the last three weeks and he has weathered them all with grace. Ghost is the kind of dog who has a tail wag and a head that needs pets for everyone he meets. We are all sending him our love.
So far, the estimate for his surgery is up to $3500. In the last month, SHUG has already had over $2500 in unexpected expenses. We keep a cushion in our account for just such emergencies, but this is one more blow than we were prepared for. If you're in a position to donate to Ghost's surgery, we would appreciate any help you can give. As a 501(c)3, all of the donations we receive are tax deductible.
Thank you,
The SHUG Team
In Loving Memory of Tonka
We don't know Tonka's whole story. In fact, we know less than a week of it. But what we do know is that he was sweet and handsome and deserved so much better. We can't change Tonka's ending, but we can make sure we never forget.
Last Thursday we found out about a Borzoi needing help in New Mexico. Since SHUG has a great group of volunteers in nearby Phoenix, we were prepared to lend a hand. After lots of text messages and phone calls, it turned out there were TEN Borzoi needing help--a little too much for our local people to handle comfortably--so we switched gears to set up a transport and bring the dogs back to our headquarters near Washington, DC.
Although we were willing to fly out there and drive them back, there were no appropriate vehicles available for one way rentals that could hold 10 dogs. The awesome ladies at the Alabama Greyhound Rescue and Adoption Center stepped up and offered to make the drive in their specially designed truck if SHUG paid their expenses. Having seen their fully enclosed and air conditioned dog transport, named Ellanore, in person, we knew the dogs would be traveling in comfort.
This past weekend, Ellanore and her crew traveled to New Mexico and picked up ten Borzoi--and two cats! At least one of the dogs, Tonka, was a senior and severely overweight. Everyone arrived back safely to their home base in Birmingham, AL late Monday evening and after a day of rest, set out for SHUG HQ early this morning.
Around 9am this morning, Tonka passed away suddenly. At this point, we believe he most likely suffered from a heart attack. This morning, Tonka showed no signs of distress and was affectionate and asking for loving--which he received. It is comforting to know that Tonka didn't suffer and seemed to be happy--but we wanted so much more for him.
Although we've lost dogs in fostercare at SHUG before, this is the first time in over 400 dogs we've lost one during transport. Luckily, Ellanore hadn't even gotten out of the city yet, so they were able to take Tonka to a known vet and didn't have to leave him with strangers. Tonka will be cremated and will have a permanent home at SHUG HQ where he will be in very good company.
Tomorrow we will tell you about the other dogs and be excited about the start of their new lives. But today is just for Tonka.
From the Director: Before and After
It's all in the ears. Those of us who know and love Podencos will tell you that one of the most unique and spectacular things about them are their ears. They're expressive. They're beautiful. And they're BIG! Podenco ears are unmistakable and we've definitely seen some fantastic ones here at SHUG. (Yes, I'm thinking of you, Baron. #PodencoSexy)
When Barbara Galloway of Alibar Dog Knits first introduced us to Nigel the Podenco, the most notable thing about him was his ears. Or rather, his lack of ears. Where were they? Knowing nothing else about him, we knew for his ears to be so low as to basically disappear, this had to be one really unhappy dog.
It turns out that Barbara had pulled this sweet boy from a local perrera. The perreras are the dog pounds of Spain and they are very different than your local shelter in the US. In Spain, these are often outdoors--literally 3 sided metal shacks--and very rarely have any kind of adoption program and very little community support. It's up to volunteers like Barbara to pull these dogs and give them a second chance at life.
And that's exactly what Nigel has--a second chance. Here is his after picture. Can you tell the difference? It isn't just his ears. His eyes, his coat, the way he holds his whole body is different now. On April 24th, Barbara will fly with Nigel to SHUG and we can't wait to meet him!
Help us continue Nigel's transformation and find him a forever home. He needs good food, unconditional love, and a couch to call his own. Please share Nigel's story and if you're interested in adopting him, please fill out our adoption application online here.
Snow Daze
The snow is coming! The snow is coming!
If you're on the east coast--or even the eastern half of the country--you're probably aware of the major blizzard making its way north over the next couple of days. Are you ready???
Many of the things you do to prepare yourself and your family work for your dog too. Just like the non-furry kids, your dogs will need water, food, and warmth. But here are some extra things you need to think about to prepare your dog for this weekend's historic blizzard:
As snow gets higher, fences get lower!!! They can also collapse under the force of winds and drifts. Always check your fences before letting your dogs out. If you have dogs that are special flight risks, use a long line. If you don't have one, attach multiple leashes together.
If it's cold enough for you to wear a coat, it's cold enough for you dog, too. This is especially true with Sighthounds, of course, but any dog will need a coat in these conditions!
Be prepared to dig out a "potty path" so that your dogs have a place to go. Whether you're walking your dog on leash or letting them into the backyard, make them a path. Those videos of dogs diving through the snow may be cute on facebook, but it's dangerous for your dog.
If you're dog does end up diving through the snow, please dry them off thoroughly when they come in. Pay special attention to their underbelly! Have dry towels ready by the door after every potty break.
Remember their feet!! Paws can freeze, so always dry them off when they come in. The danger to dogs' feet comes from the melted snow that refreezes when they go back outside before they've completely dried off from the last trip. DO NOT let your dogs run in and out in these conditions. Have regular potty breaks and dry their feet thoroughly each time they come in.
Be aware of where you and your dog are walking. You may use only safe ice melt, but your neighbors may not. There are other hidden dangers under the snow, too. Always avoid puddles!
And this last tip is for furry and non-furry family members--check your first aid kit! You aren't going to be able to run to the doctor or emergency room for stitches during a blizzard. They make fancy glue for medical use, but superglue works in a pinch, too! Add it to your toilet paper and milk list!
Stay safe and warm this weekend!
Party Like It’s 2016
Are you ready to ring in the New Year the Sighthound way? Yes, we do mean in bed.
From all of the awesome volunteers of the Sighthound Underground and the dogs that we love, have a safe and Happy New Year!
At home.
In Bed.
With your dog(s).
December’s Broken Puppies
As we approached the end of the year, the SHUG Team decided to take a break. We made the decision that we weren't going to bring in any new dogs in December. We'd come back in January refreshed and revitalized!
Yeah, right.
Not only have we had dogs come in, but the majority of those have been special needs dogs. And not just special needs dogs . . . special needs PUPPIES! Oh, my! Here's a look at our Broken Puppies that currently are awaiting surgery or other vet care here at SHUG. If you're feeling the holiday spirit and would like to make a donation towards their bills, click the big orange "donate" button to the right.
Jesse
This sweet little Greyhound boy is only 11 weeks old and the vet has told us he's definitely going to lose his eye. The worst news is that he may eventually lose the other. In addition to the surgery he needs now, Jesse is looking for an adopter experienced with glaucoma and sight issues in dogs who will be willing to commit to his care for the rest of his (very, very long and very, very happy) life.
Nina
Physically, Nina is in much better shape than Jesse! She is also a racing Greyhound, although she never made it to the track. Her front leg has healed crooked but strong. She's 6 months old and super sweet and cuddly. She's met kids and cats and so far gets along with everyone. Nina will need to be spayed before she goes home, but her leg will only need to be monitored and we don't think she'll have special health issues because of it as she gets older.
Derby
We're not sure what's going on with Derby the Lurcher puppy. As you can see, he came into rescue in very rough condition. Unfortunately there wasn't a foster home available for him so he went into a boarding situation--always rough for such a young dog. Now he's having house training issues that may be physical or signs of the stress he's been under. This poor little guy needs stability and love in his life most of all. We'll go from there.
Weezy
At two years old, Weezy may not technically be a puppy but his life is just beginning. His racing career ended abruptly on Friday evening when he badly broke his leg. A team of volunteers drove him to our vet in Maryland and he will have surgery today to repair the break and pin the bone in place. Please keep Weezy in your hearts and prayers!
Weezy is supported by Grateful Greyhounds in New York and once he has recovered, he'll be available for adoption through them.
If you'd like information on any of our dogs or are interested in learning more about SHUG (or making a donation!) please visit us at https://sighthoundunderground.com.