And So 2010 Comes To A Close

AND ON THAT NOTE, 

I WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

~ Be Safe and I'll see you in 2011 ~

American Greyhound Pickers

(click the pic to enlarge)

This charming Greyhound Butter Dish was a Christmas Gift! The history of a piece like this intrigues me, as you can't help but wonder what estate collection it came from, and whose table it graced. An Era gone by, where throwing a tub of Parkay on the dinner table just wouldn't do.
I absolutely LOVE it, and I'm so very lucky the giver "Picked" me to give it to!

Send a photo of your "Greyt" Picks to Iowagreyhounds@aol.com

For an explanation of how The American Greyhound Pickers series works, go here

Dancing Their Way Across The Country & Into Your Heart

Kathleen Gilley and The Gilley Girls

The Gilley Girls Dancing Greyhounds, all retired racers, and to which Bluffs Run and Dubuque Greyhound Park have both had the pleasure of hosting through the sponsorship of the Iowa Greyhound Association, will begin their 15th year of performances in 2011!
Word has it that the Gilley's, both Kathleen and Gill, are gearing towards retirement at the end of this season, and while their schedule does have a few appearances booked through 2011, it may be the last year to watch this gifted couple and their incredible Greyhounds perform.
Gill and Kathleen Gilley are devoted friends to Greyhound Adoption Awareness and they will truly be missed!
Check out their "Greyt" website!

From Our House to Yours

  ~ Merry Christmas to You and Yours ~

Countings Our Blesssings

Dear Santa, Please bring me a Barbie ~

2001 Barbie Collectibles – Society Hound Collection – Greyhound Barbie
Barbie® doll and her sleek greyhound step out into the cool day draped in their luxurious matching ensembles. Barbie® wears a charming 1920s-inspired blue grey faux fur trimmed dress with matching lined cape. Her four-footed companion also wears a blue grey cape with faux fur trim. A rhinestone leash adds showy sparkle to his sophisticated gait. Together they are a uniquely refined complement to any wind-swept season.

 P.S. Cuz I want to be just like Greyhound Barbie when I grow up. Thank You.

Like Raindrops on Roses

These are a few of my favorite things .....

 and the tree just wouldn't be the same without them ~

It's The 2nd Annual .....

 "Somehow We Made It Through Another Year

So Let's All Get Together 
For Some Christmas Cheer"

 I think that's what they're calling it :)

~ Foods on at 7:30 ~

tonight

THE LUBE

If you're here, be there :)

The "Pupsicles"

NMS SWEET THING

Anyone that knows me, knows that probably as a result of running The Adoption Program for 20 years, I love ALL Greyhounds .... whether it's the pup who just doesn't have the "right stuff" and finds a home at the age of two, or an accomplished veteran racer. In my world, I love them all equally, and know they are all "special".
I also know " Extra Special" when I see it.
Since the inception of this Blog, I have been wanting to shine a light on a Bluffs Run Iowa Bred Superstar,   NMS Sweet Thing and his retirement.  Because I was unsure as to whether he was actually "retired" or not, I hesitated to work up the post. Trainers tend to be a superstitious lot, whether they will admit it or not, and not only do I  recognize this, I understand and respect it. I didn't want to put together a post honoring this incredible athlete, NMS Sweet Thing, until I was sure he was retired.  It is now my understanding, that at the age of 4 years and 7 months old, NMS Sweet Thing has done just that, RETIRED. 
That he closed out his career in such "Sweet Style" is of no surprise!

On behalf of his many fan's and admirer's,  I want to post Honors to this very special Greyhound, and let everyone involved with him know that he will be missed.  NMS Sweet Thing is a beautiful and talented Greyhound, and one who surely leaves his legacy, not only at Bluffs Run, but also in what hopefully will be a very successful breeding career! It was a privilege to have raced in his company. If I'm reading the name on his collar correctly, his nickname was Hammer.  I cannot think of a better name for such a force!

 NMS SWEET THING

Click on the "continue" button to replay

2008 All American, Winner 2008 Bluffs Run Championship and 2010 Bluffs Run Open. 2nd 2008 & 2010 Bluffs Run Iowa Breeders Classic. 2008 Bluffs Run All-Star Feature & 2009 Horseshoe Challenge finalist. 2008 Bluffs Run track champ, 33 wins.

Track Champion 2008
2008 AGTOA All American Team Member
2009 Horseshoe Challenge Post Position 5
Bluffs Run Open 2010

NMS Sweet Thing is a fawn male, weighing in at 71 lbs, owned by Nicholas Meyer or Robert Hume, and was born on April 15th, 2006. (Noticing Sweet Things birth date - tax day.  How such a generally lousy day (tax day), can end up turning into a day that changes lives, is pretty ironic!


By competing in the 2010 Iowa Bred Classic, NMS Sweet Thing was chasing the all-time earnings record of $679,000. NMS Sweet Thing was over the $400,000 mark prior to this event, where he finished 2nd to RJ's Al. The second place finish pushes  NMS Sweet Thing career earning to around $550,000, according to Steve Sigafoose. 

NMS Sweet Thing  -Racing Lines on Greyhound Data - Solid Grade A/Stakes! Lines showing - 89 total -

While I'm sure NMS Sweet Thing's trainer, Randy Montgomery can probably point out a better race, this one stands out, at least in this fan's mind, as showing what NMS Sweet Thing was all about ..... incredible racing sense, determination, desire, and as is so very evident .... a huge heart!

Bluffs Run July 3rd Open Stakes Final 15th Race -  
Here's the field (note the Chart writer doesn't even have Sweet Thing hitting the board)
And here's the race!

OK ... I'm Open To Interpretations

(click to enlarge)

  Captioned by the photographer "Wierd Street Art"

                     This statue sits in the City of Bath England

While I'm sure to be fascinated by either it's rich historical depiction, meaning, or artistic statement, none of which I have an actual clue, I do think it is one way to get Hounds to like you. 

Maybe it's meaning is as simple as that? 

Could they be Egyptian Greyhound Trainers using some sort of reverse psychology, or better yet, getting their charges ready for a Stakes Race? Hmmmm

Like I said, I'm open to interpretations. 
If anyone knows something about it, I'd love to hear it!
source

The Greyhound Pub Crawl

We'll begin our Greyhound Pub Crawl in the UK. Who knows where we will end up!

THE THREE GREYHOUNDS (ALLOSTOCK)  

Even dogs are treated kindly here with free treats and bowls of water provided in the tap room!

THE THREE GREYHOUNDS PUBLIC HOUSE - (Great Asby)

THE GREYHOUND (Dover) - HOME OF THE WORLD MARBLE CHAMPIONSHIP -

Built in 1920, attempt to gain historical listed status fails

Fight to save pub is over, demolished 11/10

THE THREE GREYHOUNDS (Soho, London)

And when you're all through for the day, of course, this would be the place to stay ......

THE GREYHOUND COACHING INN (How cool is this place?)

Searching for the elusive DOG MAN

Searching for anything CLAUDETTE SUTHERLAND and the play DOG MAN, and I'm only coming up with her website. Not much on there about DOG MAN, and it definitely wasn't enough to quench my thirst to learn more ....

" As a writer she wrote and performed  DOG MAN, a personal history produced by Joe Stern at the Matrix Theatre in Los Angeles.  Her solo show was invited to the Dublin Theatre Festival in 1996. Daily Variety headlined the show as KANSAS DOG MAN BITES IRISH FESTIVAL—“…a truly original piece about the American Midwest, greyhound racing and her father…DOG MAN speaks both to the heartland and the heart.”

and then this reference ......

 "When I was a little girl probably five or six during WWII there were black-outs for certain businesses. Since my family raced greyhounds and the sporting events were held outside at night, the tracks were closed down so as not to present a brightly lit target.  It must have been difficult for my parents having their only source of income cut off, but we went to Kansas to my mother’s family’s farm to wait it out. "                             

 I'm finding no photo's, video's or additional websites, but if this is a sample of her writing, then I'm positive her play DOG MAN would be a treasure to have seen or read. Maybe if we all friend her on her Facebook page, we can convince her to publish :)
Thanks for the interesting comment, Ron, let us know if you find that stuff you were looking for!

UPDATE ***  Claudette Sutherland was kind enough to respond to Ron's email informing her of this post about the play she wrote and performed, Dog Man. You can find the comment she left here.  That's just Pretty Neat ...You never know who's stopping in at Iowagreyhounds! ~ Thank you Claudette and Ron ~

AND HERE COMES LUCKY ...

News from Bluffs Run indicates Congratulations are definitely in order to the Bean & Stout Kennel - Winners of The Kennel Championship year-long series! 
Also, special mention is made in Steve Sigafoose's above linked article that the Bean & Stout Kennel's phenomenal Greyhound, KC And ALL has recently retired.
KC And ALL is a class act, and he will be missed by his fans! We look forward to watching his off-spring in a couple of years!

KC AND ALL  
(click for his greyhound-data racing lines)

VINTAGE GREYHOUND

The vintage picture below this story holds a special fascination for me.
Of course the darling pup in the picture may not be a greyhound, but that's definitely an old dog truck behind the children. Back in the day, I'm told that greyhound tracks were all so seasonal that the lifestyle was much different for those greyhound families than of the greyhound families of today. Meets at  racetracks were short and seasonal, and when they ended, you moved on to the next. Some families decided to separate, the Trainer moving on and the family staying where the family home was until he returned.
If the decision was made to move the whole family, then the dogs, equipment, family, and possessions were all loaded in the dog truck, and off you went. If you were lucky, you owned your own car, so that the wife, children, and possessions could be loaded in the car. If not, everything, and everyone, went into the dog truck!  Money was tight, roads were poor, distances  great, and gas stations far and few between.  Underlying the whole trip was the need to make it in haste, because of the Greyhounds you were hauling,  timeliness  was vital.
This nomadic lifestyle could not have been easy.
It had to have been the passion within, for the Greyhounds they worked with, that drove the life.
On that regard, not much has changed after all, has it?
Oh, by the way ..... the little guy in the middle "training" that puppy .... is my husband, 3rd generation Trainer in a Greyhound family.
I guess this post makes him officially "Vintage" ~ lol

The Nurse, The Greyhound Trainer & The Political Attache'

Have a Vintage Greyhound family photo and story? We'd love to share it!
Email  IOWAGREYHOUNDS@AOL.COM

DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW .....

MORNING IN IOWA
(click to enlarge)

 THE KIOWA MON MANNY PUPS
(click to enlarge)

AMERICAN GREYHOUND PICKERS

This is "GREYT" piece .... even though I'm not exactly sure what it's for - lol.. It's a black cast iron firebox door or something along those lines. Those are brackets at the top  ~ Whatever it went on, it must have been nice ... that's a pretty sharp greyhound cast into it.. Haven't the slightest clue where I "picked" it from or how old it is, but the minute I spotted it, I knew it was a DEFINITE MUST HAVE!

click the pic to make it larger

 SHARE YOUR "GREYT" PICKS BY SENDING A PHOTO TO iowagreyhounds@aol.com

SLEEPING WITH GREYHOUNDS

THE IOWA BREDS - A CHRISTMAS STORY

Twas the night of the 11th, a quiet night on the farm,

Tatiana's in labor, but no cause for alarm;

The papers all shredded, the heat lamp is on,

In hopes that the puppies are soon to be born;

Tatiana is nestled all snug in her bed,

perhaps visions of racing days dance in her head;

I in my ball cap, and blue overalls,

cell phone in my pocket, should I need to make calls.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the house to see what was the matter.

Away to the fencing I flew like a flash,

Tore open the gate, and threw up the latch.

TATIANA'S "PUPSicles" HAVE ARRIVED!

Not having enough to do just coping with a blizzard (just watch this local video to get a taste of what it's been like around here for the past 48 hours!) , Tatiana was right on schedule with the arrival of her pups ... she began labor at the beginning of the blizzard, and whelped her last pup as the blizzard subsided. Henceforth, they will be known as The PUPSicle Litter. She has 3 girls and two boys, and Mama and babies are warm, cozy, and doing just great! I will share more in the days to come, but definitely wanted to give you a sneak peek of the new arrivals before I fall into bed.

3 of Tatiana's PUPSicles .... just hours old

UPDATE: Tatty had a surprise for me when I went to check on her for one last time before calling it a night ..... one more beautiful male!  That makes 6 total (3 girls and 3 boys). I think she just wanted to show me that she could do it all herself and that I taught her well ... 

hmmm, I guess I called it right ...

"I don't predict a big litter, perhaps just 6 or so"

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

The work of Elle J Wilson ~ Almost an Angel 66 ~
Sometimes an artist gets it so right, their work catches you, and won't let go. Painting, drawing, and capturing a Greyhound is said to be one of the most difficult subjects for an artist. Their irregular features can often be distorted to a point where sadly, you can barely recognize the breed.  A talented artist, on the other hand, can not only capture those irregular features, but emphasize them to the point that you immediately understand what it is about the breed that captivates the imagination, passion, and soul of anyone that is lucky enough to know a Greyhound well. Her pieces are not just paintings or drawings, they capture the very essence of a Greyhound's soul.

I am totally enchanted by this artists work.  Her work is much like a Greyhound itself .... so simple, yet so intricate. Her delicate technique in depicting the endearing nature of a Greyhound uniquely shines through,  speaking volumes as to why these gentle dogs enthrall us.  I can't wait to begin my new collection!

A Little Importance by Elle J Wilson

                                                                           click picture to enlarge

 To see more works of  ELLE J WILSON  "Almost An Angel 66", read about her, and visit her Etsy Shop,
 GO HERE

VINTAGE GREYHOUND

 A random collection of vintage photo's from across the web depicting the presence and spirit of Greyhounds from days gone by.

click on photo to enlarge
The Greyhound and his sleek, ghostly form have been dashing over the earth for millenniums, possessing speed only matched by Hermes, and grace only challenged by the wind. His lineage, characteristics, and training make the Greyhound unique in what he is today, yet he still runs in all the beauty that has carried over through the folds of past generations. A being more fit for his life could only spring from his roots, and will, undoubtedly, in the future world. 
  (written by Molly Shepard, a  Student at Council Bluff Abraham Lincoln High School in a report she did for communications class 5/2/96 and which I am still honored to have a copy of )

picture source                                                                     

GREYHOUND CHRISTMAS CARDS WE LIKE

This card is a print from the artists original oil painting. Looks like there's free shipping today too! You can check it out here Charlotte's Web Art on Zazzle. So Pretty!

HERE COMES SANTA PAWS - OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT

Flying Reindeer Flying Hydrogen's

(click on the picture to enlarge)

Over the last few weeks, and with the gift giving season approaching, I've been contemplating sharing with you, the reader, one of the most precious gifts I can offer. As someone that wears many hats, I'm about to change into another one ... it's the one I wear when I'm serving as my greyhound's "accoucheuse".  It's something that come's as second nature to me and that I've done for about 20 years. While it's not what some might call the most glamorous of roles, it is one of the most satisfying.  My female greyhound Tatiana is having puppies, and I've decided to share this experience with you through photo's and posts.  From start to finish, I'll try and document the birth of a litter of NGA racing greyhounds, and then share with you their growth in the days, weeks, and months to come. The puppies are due on December 11th.

WE ARE THE GREYHOUNDS AND COULDN'T BE PROUDER ....

AND IF YOU CAN'T HEAR US

WE'LL YELL A LITTLE LOUDER!!

PIERRE, Assumption College Greyhound Mascot & AMOS, Moravian College Greyhound Mascot

ACE, The University of Indianapolis Greyhound Mascot

How did the University of Indianapolis go from being the Warriors to The Greyhounds you might ask?
"A group of fans convened in Men’s Hall to “choose a name that would do justice to the scrapping Cardinal and Grey Warriors,” according to Downright Devotion to the Cause by Fredrick Hill. They agreed on the Greyhound because the Indiana Central athlete is “a long, lean animal renowned for its speed, jumping prowess and fighting heart.”
In less than a year, The Reflector again published an article in which the term “Greyhound varsity teams” was used, and soon enough the name was applied to every team, although women athletes were referred to as Whippets until around 1985.
Sue Willey, director of athletics and a UIndy alumna, remembers being a Whippet.
“I hated being a Whippet. I wanted to be a Greyhound,” she recalled."
source: evolution of the Greyhound - The Uindy Reflector

COVER SHOT !

How Awesome is this, to have one of our own Iowa Breeders and Kennel Operators, Bob Hardison, on the cover of this month's Greyhound Review! Having more than one main-stake champ in the Fall Meet Track Stakes at the Nationals in Abilene Kansas is quite an accomplishment! Pictured with Bob are his fabulous looking puppies, Jet Force, Moral Direction, and Ozuno.
Congratulations Bob ~ WTG!!!

STUFF I WISH SANTA WOULD LEAVE UNDER MY TREE

This might be the sweetest little toy greyhound I've ever seen!. Hand "needle felted", each piece is custom created based on a photo of your own pet. I can really appreciate the talent this artisan has, especially since I flunked out of pipe-cleaner-animal crafts in kindergarten.  Looks like they run about $200, but I imagine the hand work involved is pretty intense, and requires great patience and skill! Love Em' !!!

You can find them HERE

WONDER WHAT THE FINE WOULD BE FOR THIS WEIGHT SCRATCH?

A little "Greyhound" trivia .........

What "Greyhound" tipped the scales at 16,500 pounds ........ and it is NOT a bus.



Answer  ......  The M8 Greyhound Light Armored Vehicle
It might be fast, but how'd you like to see this bad boy try and hold the first turn?

HOW DO THEY DO THAT?

The American Greyhound Council has a series of videos from the birth of a greyhound, through training, and into retirement. In an effort to answer the question for those that have always wondered "How do they do that?", these videos give the viewer an idea of how breeders and trainers harness the natural abilities of a greyhound from "start" to "finish". It takes about 30 seconds for each video to download, and when complete, just hit your back button to click on and download the next in the series.
What would be really cool is if the AGC came to Iowa and videoed how it's done in 40 mph winds, with temperatures hovering around the 20 degree mark. Thank goodness we are a hardy lot ... the people and dogs here in Iowa ROCK!
Being an Iowa Bred is more than a title, that's for sure! Click the link below to get there .....

THE AGC's BIRTH TO RETIREMENT VIDEO SERIES

WHO SAID YOUR NEW DOG DIDN'T COME WITH OLD TRICKS

LOOKS LIKE WE'VE GOT A TEAM FOR YOU HERE, SANTA

It appears my six month old's, The 8 Fawns, have cooked up a plan. I think they just want a piece of that milk and cookie deal.

Because it just needed to be said........

AMERICAN GREYHOUND PICKERS

One of the more fun posts that I'd like to do on a regular basis on this blog is going to be mirrored after the TV show American Pickers .... except... we only pick .... you guessed it ..... GREYHOUND STUFF! Hence the name, American Greyhound Pickers.

Many of us have greyhound related antiques, wall art, china, nick-knacks,  porcelain pieces, or statues that we've picked up along the way. Whether it's been in an antique mall, or something found at a garage sale, when you find something old and unusual with a greyhound on it, you know you just have to own it!
When you're amongst greyhound lovers, sharing the piece is just as much fun as finding it, so, the purpose of these posts will be a chance to share in photo's the neat greyhound items that we've collected.
It occurred to me as I was preparing for this announcement that because some people are always interested in adding to their greyhound collections, and some folks may actually  be looking to decrease theirs,  as an added twist, I thought it might be fun that if it happens to be a piece that you no longer have an interest in owning and would like to sell, simply write "AVAILABLE FOR PICKING"  in the email that includes a photo of the item. Include a description of the item, anything you might know about it, and your contact information. I will then post the picture of the item (not your name) under the "American Greyhound Pickers" category. If another reader here at Iowagreyhounds happens to spot something they are interested in PICKING, they can email me, and I will then hook up the seller with the buyer.
If you just want to showcase your item and have no interest in selling it, just write in the email, "JUST SHARING, NOT FOR PICKING".
At some point, if a Picking does happen frequently enough, I'd like to arrange to have a small portion of the sale go to one of the Iowa Greyhound Adoption Programs. What better way to top off a great exchange!!  Remember, the more unique, unusual, or old the piece is, the better!
Sharing one of my "greyt" finds,  I thought I'd start off with a piece that I think is one of  my most unusual ... just a little greyhound trinket really, a genuine pewter cup with a greyhound silhouette handle.  I found it about 25 years ago, shortly after Bluffs Run opened, at the Kanesville Boulevard Antique Mall in Council Bluffs. I wish I knew how old it is, or where it was made, but I don't. It's not for picking, but if I was picking around in your stuff and I found it, I'd definitely want to own it!

Email photos of your Greyt Picks for sharing or picking to iowagreyhounds@aol.com -  (Future posts in this category won't have this long explanation, just a link to this post)

DECK THE HALLS

Heartland Greyhound Adoption has this pretty Red logo-embossed Christmas Ornament as a fundraising item for $10.00 on their website.....

What a great way to add to your ornament collection AND help out the retired greyhounds they currently have in their foster home program! You can find the order form here

LEARNING YOUR WAY AROUND

Sheba. an adopted BR Greyhound, who obviously knows her way around, would like to help you do the same...

An FYI for our visitors ....... Because user friendly is important ... and the internet is all about clicking.

The logo's on the left hand side of this page are all clickable links that will take you directly to the website of each business listed, all you have to do is left click on them.
Feel free to copy and use the Iowagreyhoundsblogspot logo with the puppy and the address to this website on it. It's a great way to link back to us. Let me know if you do link up to us so we can reciprocate.
            
Many of the stories and pictures that will be posted on this blog will include clickable links, and will be highlighted in YELLOW TEXT.  This yellow text indicates that all you have to do is left click on it, and it will redirect your browser to the site where a story source or picture source is located.
Take a few moments to click on and read the Mission Statement button at the top of this page. There is also a Contact Us button with our email address for your convenience. Our email can easily accept photo's as an attachment if you have something you would like to send.

The Reader Reaction Option of check-marking a post as "interesting", "funny", or "cool" is a fun way to get readers to participate, so please don't hesitate to click on one. You will find this at the bottom of each individual  post. Reader Reaction Options do not require registration.
Leaving a  written comment does require registering an account with Google, which can be easily done by clicking on the "Sign Up" link located on the left hand side of the page.  All comments are welcome, but will be screened for offensive language and content.

With those explanations out of the way, I do believe we're ready to roll ~
Enjoy!