#galtx

[galtx]

GALTx eNews: Summer Is A Greyt Time To Adopt!

Thanks to our hard working volunteers and generous foster families, we successfully moved all of the hounds at Houn House to foster homes. In our Dallas program, we now have nearly 30 hounds in foster care waiting for their forever families to find them and more with adoptions in the works. Two of our Dallas hounds remain on Injured Reserve recovering from heartworm and tick borne diseases. They will be adoptable as soon as they are well. We can't wait to see them all move on to forever homes as soon as they are ready! 

If you’ve been thinking about adopting a dog, Summer can be a great time! But please make sure this is the right time for you before you go racing out the gate. First, consider some circumstances that indicate you might want to wait and carefully review all of our adoption requirements and policies here. If this is the time for you, be sure to submit an on-line application so that we can start working with you to find your new best friend. The process can take a little while because it is thorough and managed entirely by volunteers in their available time. So please be patient with us. If you are seeking a cat safe hound, they remain in short supply and you can expect a longer wait. Click here to see who is currently available for adoption and here to see who soon will be.  

Moving our hounds out of the kennel and into foster homes helped us reduce our near term expenses, but it certainly doesn't eliminate them. Keeping this many hounds current on their veterinary needs and preparing them for adoption is expensive. We are still critically short on funds needed to welcome additional hounds to the GALT family. Please continue to support us and the hounds with a gift to our Nitsche Medical Fund today!

6/6/24

[post-hummus]

It's National Couch Potato Day, according to @galtx !

Greyhounds are often referred to as "The World's Fastest Couch Potatoes". 🥔💕

This design was intended as a t-shirt logo, though I might create stickers with proceeds going to GPA Houston, a local greyhound rescue in Houston.

Sighthounds have been my most recent subject of hyper-fixation lately; particularly retired racing Greyhounds & Silken Windhounds!

While Greyhound racing has mostly stopped in the US (I believe WV still practices), many rescues have started to accept greyhounds from overseas, where racing is still prevalent.

GPA- Houston was on a semi-hiatus until this year, opening back up in order to help place these retired racers from Australia into loving homes. 

[twobitcathedral]

@galtx

doggo brings a deer friend home (via)

[ginamarie135]

New foster pop Deputy (with Norah’s paw in the foreground)!!

[galtx]

GALTx eNews: October Is Greyhound Awareness Month!

October is Greyhound Awareness Month! We imagine most of our readers are fairly aware of Greyhounds and their quirky idiosyncrasies. But, do you ever have someone ask you about your Greyhounds and fumble for a quick response? We know we sometimes do, so here are some suggestions to help spread awareness this month:

When they aren’t sleeping, they are the fastest dog breed, reaching speeds of 45 miles per hour;

Most Greyhounds come with ear tattoos that provide information about their litter and birth date;

Greyhounds registered with the National Greyhound Association can trace their pedigree back generations to the 1800s in England;

They are the only dog breed mentioned in the Bible;

Greyhounds have a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, longer than most large breeds;

Greyhounds come in 18 recognized colors and many variations of those colors, but gray is one of the rarest;

Greyhounds can see clearly for up to a kilometer (.6 of a mile), but might not notice a close by rabbit that isn’t moving;

Greyhounds’ blood chemistry is significantly different from other dog breeds; and

Most Greyhounds make great blood donors for other injured or sick dogs because they have a universal blood type.

Last but not least, Greyhounds still need to find forever homes. Visit our Available Greyhounds page today to see if your next best friend is waiting for you.

10/12/23

[galtx]

Greyhound Maizy didn't start it , but she is.gonna finish it.

[galtx]

GALTx eNews: 2024 Holiday For The Hounds Auction

We need you to make our 2024 Holiday for Hounds Auction a huge success for the hounds! Bidding opens November 1 and runs through November 10, 2024. Proceeds will help us cover the expenses related to veterinary care for our new arrivals, especially for those hounds that come to us with injuries, tick-borne diseases, heartworm, and other parasites.

Please consider shopping for some of your holiday gifts here to help our Injured Reserve hounds, like Millie, Mick, Nollie, Ruby and Charlie. Mick, Nollie, Ruby and Charlie all have heartworm and need to complete their medical treatments before finding a forever home. Millie is receiving chemotherapy for cancer. If you don't need more treasures, you can still help by making one or more $25 donations to our Mick & Friends Holiday FAN (Fund-A-Need) Club.

In addition to stunning greyhound-themed art, jewelry, accessories, and home goods, this auction also offers several gift cards and other “non-dog" items that might make great gifts for some of your friends and family. Bidding on these 46 wonderful auction lots is a gift to the hounds, whether you place the winning bid or a bid that inspires someone to bid higher!

Many thanks to all of the donors, bidders and volunteers who have participated in all of GALT's online auctions this year. Let's make this last 2024 auction the best ever!

Bid Here!

10/31/24

[galtx]

GALTx eNews: Keep Halloween All Treat, No Trick

Halloween has become one of the most popular holidays and is celebrated more widely than ever! Keep these safety tips in mind to make sure your hounds' Halloween is all treat, no tricks:

1. Staying In for Trick or Treating: One of the greatest risks for hounds on Halloween is escape through repeatedly opened doors. The best safety precaution will depend on your hound’s propensity to escape. Some hounds do well on a leash until the trick or treating stops. Other hounds are ok with a baby gate or ex pen at the front door. Shy dogs might need to be kept away from the door entirely, either confined to another room by a closed door or in a crate.

2. Going Out for Trick or Treating: The safest course is to walk your dogs before dark and to keep them indoors for the rest of the night. If you can’t resist trick or treating with your hounds, remember they will be exposed to unusual commotion and noises. Even dogs that are usually brave may become fearful. Keep an extra tight hold on the leash and cross the street to avoid startling decorations or boisterous kids. Watch traffic closely and consider reflective safety leg bands or headlamps to increase visibility.

3. Keep Pets Safe Inside: Because of the association of black with Halloween and the use of animals in some rituals, black pets are at risk for being teased, stolen, injured and even killed. Check your fence, gates, doors, and windows to ensure your pets are safely enclosed and keep them inside with you as much as possible for Halloween.

4. Check Tags and Microchip Info: Take a moment now to make sure your dogs’ identification tags are secure and current and that the contact information associated with your pet’s microchip is up to date. Click here to read more about what to do if your hound gets lost. 

5. Think Twice About Costumes: Pet costumes are often more fun for humans than hounds. If your dog looks uncomfortable in a costume, he probably is. Go with a simple bandanna instead. If your pup loves to dress up, make sure the costume does not restrict movement, breathing, barking, panting, hearing, or seeing. Remove any objects that might be chewed off and become a choking hazard. Don’t use elastic or rubber bands as they can cut off circulation. Always supervise pets in costume and monitor for overheating. 

6. Keep Candy Out of Reach: Dogs shouldn’t have any candy, but chocolate and candies sweetened with Xylitol are especially dangerous. Keep all of the sweets out of reach and watch young children with candy to ensure they don’t inappropriately share. If you think your pup ingested something harmful, contact your vet or call the 24-hour ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline at 888-426-4435. Remember, candy and wrappers will likely be on sidewalks and in yards for days. Take care that your pup doesn’t pick anything up to eat on walks.

7. Decorate Safely: Consider how your hound will interact with Halloween decorations in your yard and house. Keep candles well out of reach and away from spaces your greyhounds plays. Remember that eating raw pumpkins can cause stomach upset in dogs. Electric cords can be tripping and chewing hazards. Electronic screams, moans, and other Halloween noises can be frightening, especially to sensitive hounds.

We hope you have a “greyt” holiday full of fun for everyone!

10/17/24

[galtx]

GALTx eNews: We Made It - Who Needs A Hug?

The second quarter of 2024 felt a bit like a roller coaster. In April, we enjoyed getting together for our 23rd birthday celebration. Then, in June, we made the difficult decision to close our kennel to conserve funds and worked together to transfer all of the kennel hounds to foster homes on short notice.

We also welcomed 16 incoming hounds, including seven hounds from Australia, four hounds returning from GALT adopters, and five hounds coming from other adopters. Xander, Millie, Nash, and Vivian came to us as seniors with significant health issues. Sadly, we discovered Nash had bone cancer. He recently crossed the rainbow bridge in the care of his loving foster family. We thank them for making his last chapter the best!

Our Dallas and New Mexico adoption teams found forever homes for 25 hounds, including sweet little Twyla who stayed forever with her foster family. Six hounds transferred to foster homes with GALT Arizona where they will start their search for forever homes. As of the end of June, we had 31 hounds in foster homes: two Injured Reserve hounds (Charlie and Millie); five hounds with an adoption pending; and 24 hounds either available for adoption or in Training Camp.

Without an operating kennel, adequate foster homes are crucial to enable us to welcome hounds displaced by emergencies, to provide a safe space for foster hounds when their families vacation, and to ensure hounds that need a different foster environment have another option. If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth or Albuquerque areas, please consider fostering. Email fostering@galtx.org with any questions.

Thanks to all who helped raise much needed funds with GALT's "Ready Set Spring Auction," and to all who donated to our "Toss Us A Lifeline" fundraiser! We raised enough funds to make it through the quarter, but our reserves remain dangerously low. We look forward to welcoming more hounds to the GALT family in the future. We won't be able to do it without your financial support! Please consider giving today to help us continue to help the hounds!

7/4/24

[galtx]

GALTx eNews: Xylitol By Any Other Name

No matter what you call it, Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is deadly for dogs. It has long been used in chewing gums and sugar free foods. It is now ubiquitous, turning up in everything from clothing to medications to peanut butter to cosmetics. To make matters worse, it now goes by a number of other names, making it harder for dog parents to spot it and keep their dogs safe. These names include:

wood sugar

birch sugar

birch bark extract

sucre de bouleau

European code E967 or just 967

Meso-Xylitol

Xlitol

Xylite

Xylo-pentane-1,2,3,4,5

Sugar Alcohols

XyloSweet

Lite&Sweet

Xyla

Global Sweet 

Xylitol, by any of these names, will sometimes be listed under “other ingredients,” “inactive ingredients,” or “supplemental facts” and is often referred to as a “natural flavor.” Please be sure you are carefully reviewing all of the ingredients and labeling for anything not made for dogs that you give your dog or that your dog might be able to get into. Your dog’s well being depends on your diligence.   

6/22/23

[galtx]

GALTx eNews: Let's Turn Luther's Luck Around!

Born around 2020, Luther hunted coyotes for a while and, at some point, ended up with a broken leg. He was turned into a Wichita Falls vet to be euthanized. The doctor would not put down a healthy dog and contacted a Good Samaritan who stepped in to take him. Due to their health issues, they could not keep Luther for long. Luther is now with us and we want to turn his luck around by finding his perfect forever home!

Luther's DNA test revealed that he is 76% greyhound, 10% Polish greyhound, 6% borzoi, 3% Scottish deerhound, 2% whippet, 2% Magyar Agár, and 1% Irish wolfhound. He is a big boy, weighing 75 pounds. Luther doesn’t let his old injury stop him. He chases squirrels with his foster brother and leaps through the dog door when he hears something outside. He loves to go for short walks, enjoys meeting the neighbors, and loves investigating new things. He also has fun at a park where he walks through a simple agility course.

Luther's favorite thing to do is collapse into your arms on the couch and sleep through a movie. He is loving and affectionate and thinks all humans are wonderful. Your bad day is officially over when he climbs into your lap or lays his big ol’ head on your shoulder. An Airbnb guest nicknamed Luther "Mr. Smooshy Face" because of his distinctive facial expression when he falls head over heels for a new human. His eyes go from round and alert to a soft dissolving happiness. His "look of love" is one of his most endearing and distinctive qualities. Luther is playful and goofy. He loves squeaky toys and other small things he can pick up and carry. He also loves to help workers, such as plumbers and landscapers, and joins right in the fun. He’s unafraid of thunder, fireworks, and holiday gunfire. He likes to have his meals in a social setting with other dogs and respects their space with little correction.

Luther's stress comes from being left alone. He would prefer to live in a home with other dogs of any size and will do best with people who are home a lot. He likes children, though, because of his size, weight, and playfulness, kids 14 years old and up would be the best fit for him. We don't yet know whether he can live with cats.

If he sounds just perfect to you, please let your adoption coordinator know or visit our website to read our adoption policies and procedures and to complete an application.

8/29/24

[galtx]

GALTx eNews: Welcome To Our 8 New Aussies!

We are thrilled to introduce our latest eight arrivals from Australia! On October 26, Naz and Buddy arrived in New Mexico where they will stay in foster homes until they find their forever homes. Neither of them raced and both will turn three years old later this month. Buddy is an adorable brindle boy and Naz is a sweet black gal.

On Halloween, we welcomed the remaining six hounds in Dallas: Art, Charm, Connor, Sandy, Skylar, and Tyler. Art, Connor, and Tyler are boys and Charm, Sandy, and Skylar are girls. Tyler, who is black, is the oldest, turning six in January. White and brindle Skylar is the youngest. She will turn three in February. All are retired racers, except for three year old Art. We are still working on getting photos together for their bios. Watch a slide show of them all here.

These eight new arrivals will all be adoptable as soon as we get them check-ups, vaccinations, and any other medical care they need and also get to know them a little better in foster homes. You can help with their expenses by making a gift to our Nitsche Medical Fund. Remember we adopt nationwide to experienced adopters who can come pick up their hound. If you've been hoping you could adopt again, please put in your adoption application now so that we can get started working on it. More Aussies are expected in December!

11/7/24

[galtx]

GALTx eNews: Lambophobia - It's A Real Thing

It’s a real thing, but also rare. You and your Greyhounds might never experience lambophobia, but we want to let you know more as it can be quite dramatic and alarming. 

Long time Greyhound parents and GALT supporters are currently caring for a friend’s Greyhound, bringing their pack to a total of four. These hound parents don’t eat a lot of meat but have been known to cook an occasional lamb burger for dinner. Recently, they started cooking their lamb burgers and noticed that their visiting Greyhound had his nose way up sniffing the air earnestly. They momentarily smiled thinking this was his first lamb experience and that maybe he wanted some. The moment quickly became alarming though, as his sniffing turned to frantic pacing, even trotting around, in circles, back and forth, inside and outside. The visitor started to look up at the sky and duck as though a pterodactyl was about to sweep him away. Potted plants became scary monsters that made him jump. He really worked himself up into a frenzy of panting and panicking. The other three hounds in the house acted un-phased and completely normal.

The foster parents contemplated a visit to the ER vet for a neurological workup. But, his foster mom vaguely remembered reading something somewhere years ago in a chatroom about lambophobia and the cooking of lamb causing panic attacks in a small number of  Greyhounds. Some quick Googling found the discussion in GreyTalk describing the symptoms of lambophobia and they were a match. We wish we could share more information and an explanation, but not much is known. Some speculate that the cooking releases a compound that causes this reaction in a small segment of the Greyhound population. Nobody really knows. 

The foster parents quickly finished up the cooking, aired out the house, and the lambophobic Greyhound returned to his normal self. He thoroughly enjoyed a small bite of the cooked lamb and had no issue with the cooked meat at all. We always recommend taking your hound to the vet anytime you think vet care is needed, but maybe keep this little quirk filed away just in case you someday cook lamb and a hound seems to lose its mind.

7/11/24

[galtx]

GALTx eNews: Kristina Is Running For The Hounds!

Kristina dreamed of adopting a Greyhound for years. Last summer, she and her partner, Doug, finally agreed the time was right. They submitted their application to the local adoption group, GALT New Mexico. Their family already included a rescue dog, Grete, and a rescue cat, Tommy, so they prepared for a long wait for a cat safe hound to come their way. 

To help pass the time, Kristina decided to help the hounds by running a marathon as a fundraiser for GALT. She has been training hard and will run in the Eugene marathon on Sunday, April 28, 2024. She has run several shorter races, but this will only be her fifth marathon! Kristina says she isn’t all that fast at 62 years young, but she still loves running! It’s a shared love in the family, and Doug will join her for the half marathon. 

Meanwhile, long-time Greyhound adoption volunteers in Arizona came together to launch GALT Arizona. As luck would have it, one of the group’s first deliveries from Australia included a cat safe hound, Oisin. Oisin wasn’t originally scheduled to make the flight from Australia at all. He was a last minute substitute for another hound. But that little bit of luck was all he needed. GALT Arizona and GALT New Mexico worked together to bring Oisin to his new family. Kristina and Doug picked him up on March 30th! 

Oisin will now be known as Pre, named after legendary American runner Steve Prefontaine. Pre is adjusting well to his new home and is already much loved. Please help us cheer Kristina on as she races to help the hounds and help us welcome Pre to his new forever home with a gift to Kristina’s Facebook fundraiser. If you prefer not to give on Facebook, you can give on our website. Just mention it is in support of Kristina’s marathon in your comments. Thanks to Kristina and all who give!

4/4/24

[galtx]

GALTx eNews: Looking Back At Third Quarter 2024

In the third quarter of 2024, our Dallas and Albuquerque teams found forever homes for 24 hounds! Congratulations to the new hound parents and thanks to our adoption teams for their hard work!

We also welcomed 13 hounds to the GALT family. Three of these hounds came from the closing of the Aqua Caliente Racetrack in Mexico; one came from the closing of Hemopet in California; two came to us as strays; five were surrendered by their owners for various reasons; and two returned from GALT adopters. Mick, Ruby, and Nollie came to us with heartworm and remain on Injured Reserve with Charlie, who is also receiving heartworm treatment, and Millie, who has cancer. Currently, we have approximately 15 hounds who are in Training Camp, available for adoption, or in the process of finalizing their adoptions.

We enjoyed seeing you at our in person events, including our Dog Wash Day in Dallas and the Great Global Greyhound Walk last Sunday (read more about the walk below). As always, we deeply appreciate your continued support for our on-line fundraisers. With your help and our North Texas Giving Day Matching Fund Heroes, we raised over $30,000 this year for North Texas Giving Day. Thanks to our bidders and auction lot donors, GALT New Mexico's Labor (of Love) Day Auction also helped raise much needed funds for the New Mexico hounds.

We have an exciting final quarter of the year coming up with eight Aussies expected in a few weeks and several upcoming events. Please stay tuned and remember that we can't do it without you! Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!

10/3/24