We all get busy. Summer whips by in the blink of an eye and soon fall will be in the air. It won't be long before we are scratching our heads and wondering where 2008 went. One thing I really love about dogs is their ability to live in the the moment. No whining about what happened to them in the past and not a lot of worrying about how things will work out. If they have trust in a good owner then they are happy. I love sharing my life with them. I love when my old girl, Izzy, bumps my hand during the night for a gentle caress. I see it as love but it may be her way of telling me to roll over and stop snoring. I love when my dogs jump up to greet me and I even love it when they lay there and watch me knowing they are secure enough not to have to greet me. Dogs are wonderful....and our retired racers are some of the best. Not only are greyhounds wonderful soulful companions they are like living with art. Those sculptured muscles and flowing lines....breath taking! Although I am not technically a placement rep this last week or so I have been able to help out in that respect. It is so rewarding to hear the stories of how a new dog is settling in. Talking to that first time adopter is really magic. Where those magic moments start is at places like Pet Fest and the other public events we participate in. This important link in the chain of making a placement happen is really weak...weak to the point of breaking. Public appearances seem to fall onto the shoulders of the same 4-6 families. Some of those families have invested years in these events and need a break from it to recharge their batteries. If you have thought you would like to get more involved even if it is just once a year please do. We have a lot of fun when we get together. It is a rare opportunity to share ideas and stories. For example at PetFest we talked a lot about the new dog food we are trying out at the foster kennels. You find out the best place to buy new collars and beds and sometimes tricks for making life with dogs easier. We share laughs and can talk openly about how much we love our dogs without feeling the least bit strange. These public moments are some sort of therapy. But one of the best things that happens is watching someone meet a greyhound for the first time. You can see the light in the new person's eyes as they swoop down to their knees to get a closer look and maybe a hug. Sharing your beautiful loved greyhound in this fashion is incredible. When that person ends up adopting a greyhound of their own you will feel the satisfaction of knowing YOU helped that happen by taking the time to sharing your greyhound. People always remember the first greyhound they meet. Let it be yours.

Right now there are many opportunities to help. We are in desperate need of fresh faces and ideas. One of the things that is coming up is the U of M home coming parade. Unless we get people committed to making it happen it may go by the way side. We are open to ideas and new ways to do it. If you are willing to be on a committee to please contact us immediately. Elaine is also anxious to get more going on in the Kalispell area but needs help. It doesn't mean you have to tackle a giant task....if everyone does a small bit we can have the best group ever....and the real winners will be the greyhounds!!!

In Missoula contact Laura at lhenning@RMEF.ORG or
Judy at jpfaff@bresnan.net
In Kalispell contact Elaine at elaine@travelguidebook.com