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| Newsletter Spring 2012 It wasn’t that Cha-Cha was anymore adorable or any less attractive than any of the other hounds we picked up late last year. She was just another diva in the making, red brindle from a breeder and kennel owner for whom I have placed hundreds of wonderful hounds over the years. We brought her home, did all the stuff we usually do, bathe, identify, record shot records, begin deworming, etc. But mostly we get to know them and cat test. We usually cat test our hounds at least twice, sometimes even 4 times given the length of time they’re here. I have to say we had to do more retests in 2011 than we ever had before….I really don’t know why; just an observation. The day arrived for Cha-Cha and 3 three others to head to the Vet for spays or neuters, dentals, vaccinations if needed, and a heartworm test. All arrived home that afternoon just fine. That was a Wednesday. Sunday evening, we noticed some swelling in one of Cha-Cha’s rear legs. It was hot to the touch, but not as hot as other cases of track rot I’ve felt. Anyone who works with or cares for animals knows that the big things always happen after hours, on a Sunday or a major holiday; also during blizzards and other storms! We made arrangements to get to a Clinic here in Indy known for their Rot protocol. It was rot, a mild case….…then it turned hot and nasty. Fluids, antitoxins and laser treatments and we seemed to regain our ground. (Many, many Vets mistake this for numerous other things… rule of thumb for a racing greyhound…if you have never seen it before…call it rot and get on it! Pull blood for the tick diseases, but go for Alabama Track Rot.) This is my personal opinion based on over 18 years of seeing numerous cases of Rot. I am not a medical professional… I’ve just seen this and it is unforgettable. Long story short, Cha-Cha is fine and recovered beautifully. She had the Diva thing nailed by the time she returned from the Clinic. She is a cutie. And very happy in her new home! What I just can’t shake is that this little girl raced at one track, came from one farm and a family I know takes good care of every aspect of their racers’ lives. Where did she get the Track Rot bug? Do your own research, talk to Vets around the country, find out as much as you can; but I have to go with my gut; the 4D meat so commonly used in the business. If the industry wants to clean up just one part of how they do things; stop feeding that germ-filled garbage. I’ll never forget the first time I saw it being used. The kennel worker at the track wore a heavy rubber apron and long, heavy rubber gloves; then fed that stuff raw to the racers! I have no doubt that many other racers in different surroundings would have died from this Rot experience. We noticed it so early and acted so quickly with experienced Vets, (Companion Animal Hospital in Carmel, IN) and it still sped up and became more aggressive….but medical science prevailed. $3000.00 later we have a happy, healthy, wonderful pet. We were lucky. The checkbook is pretty thin…but Cha-Cha is ready for the Red Carpet and any other attention she can garner in her new home. Alabama Track Rot….why hasn’t there been more industry research done on it? It seems to be awakened by stress; injury or surgery. We’ve had greyhounds present it years after leaving the track and living in a home. We’ve seen it in hounds that have come from filthy conditions and excellent conditions. Young. Older. Florida. Alabama. Iowa. W VA. Wisconsin. It doesn’t seem to matter. The only constant I can find is the 4D meat. (And personally, I suspect if funding can be found in time, research will show a dramatic link between 4D meat and the extremely high incidence of cancer in retired racing greyhounds!) Why isn’t the use of that 4D poison stopped? MacDonald’s isn’t using that pink slime anymore….that would be a huge improvement for the health and well being of the greyhounds! JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Join in the silly conversations, enjoy photos, questions and answers and all sorts of stories and have fun with other greyhound lovers. Keep up to date with what USA DOG is doing as well as other things going on in the world of adopted greyhounds. It is fun and easy…even I can do it! UP COMING EBAY AUCTIONS…. Facebook is a great way to make sure you don’t miss out on our INDY 500 Experience! May 27, 2012…. The Greatest Spectacle in Racing! Four primo tickets with pit and garage passes! All proceeds go to USA DOG so we can help more greyhounds find happy homes! Four Tickets for the August 19, 2012 Grand Prix. Three races: The MotoGP, the Moto2 and the 125cc. These motorcycle guys are nuts! This is a very exciting day; rain or shine! MAKE SURE NOW TO MARK YOUR IPAD, BLACKBERRY OR KINDLE FIRE!!!!!!!! Or YOUR USA DOG CALENDAR! Greyhounds, Glamour & Golf SEPTEMBER 22, 2012 The Brickyard Crossing @ the Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Fun for golfers, greyhound lovers and their greyhounds! Have a good time for a Greyt Cause! Be part of this year’s “Racers Helping Racers Celebration.” (See EVENTS) Check out the new USA DOG credit card! And please don’t overlook Good Search and I Give for your computer searching and shopping. And, if you have a fund raising idea, please let us know! We’re always looking for fun new ways to help the greyhounds. KUDOS and THANK YOUS!!!!! I must say “Thank you” to all of you who help us keep going. July 8, 2012 will mark the beginning of our 25th year! Not many all volunteer, self-funding organizations can say that! During that time many, many wonderful people have adopted retired racing hounds and given of their time and talents to help get others into their forever homes. It has to be the special spirit of these greyhounds; they bring out the best in us! They’ve brought together good friends, lead to marriages and children and even grandchildren over the years. They ask so little… but love us so much in spite of our faults and short comings. They make us smile! STORMS, STORMS AND MORE STORMS! Have you ordered your Thundershirt? These really help calm down nervous or anxious dogs. The greyhounds seem to enjoy wearing them! Please check them out in our PRODUCTS section. KEEPING IN TOUCH: If you have a new email address please let us know! Or if you move or change phone numbers, send us an email to help us help your info current. This is especially important in the event that your hound becomes lost. Remember those USA DOG tags, people DO CALL when they see those tags and we need current info to be able to contact you as quickly as possible! Please plan to be part of some of the exciting things we’re doing and make sure you... Hug those hounds, Sally Allen usadogpresident@aol.com Click here to read previous Newsletters |
Carmel, IN 46082