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GFNJ THE IN NEWS
APRIL, 2013
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| Dr. Voynick, Maria Lutz and Lemondrop Lutz on News12's Pet Stop |
Linda Lyman, Hank, Queenie and Blue waiting to go on NBC Philadelphia News Please click here for the interview |
Sullivan Comerford and Lemondrop Lutz waiting in the News12 Lobby |
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~ BARBARA WICKLUND ~
Barbara Wicklund, founder of Greyhound Friends of New Jersey, passed away at age 81 following a long illness on August 22, 2012. An experienced breeder and exhibitor of champion Basset Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds and Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs (PBGV), Barbara adopted her first Greyhound ex-racer in 1987 from Louise Coleman, founder of Greyhound Friends in Hopkinton, MA. Volunteering to help Louise, Barbara was responsible for introducing rescued greyhounds to the New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and metropolitan New York areas. As she placed more and more greyhounds in the region, GFNJ was incorporated as a separate entity, and Barbara remained president of GFNJ until her retirement in 2006.
During her long tenure, she began a number of GFNJ rescue initiatives, including their innovative Prison Foster Program, which provides rehabilitative benefits for incarcerated youth at the Mountain View Correctional Facility in Annandale, NJ as well as needed socialization and obedience training for rescued dogs. GFNJ remains New Jersey’s oldest and largest greyhound rescue organization, placing about 300 ex-racers each year.
In addition to greyhound rescue, Barbara helped introduce the PBGV breed to the United States in 1984. During her 40-year involvement with the American Kennel Club, she served as founding member and former secretary of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Club of America, founding member and past president of the Irish Wolfhound Association of the Delaware Valley, past president of the Plainfield Kennel Club and member of the Somerset Hills Kennel Club.
Barbara was also the founder and past president of the Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue League, founding member and former secretary of the Berkshire Valley Basset Hound Club and served as the AKC delegate from the Basset Hound Club of America beginning in 1978. She was a delegate from the Berkshire Valley Basset Hound Club to the N.J. Federation of Dog Clubs, Inc., serving as Federation president for three years.
A journalist for 35 years, Barbara worked as a reporter for several daily newspapers in New Jersey and as editor/publisher/owner of a weekly newspaper in South Plainfield for 10 years along with her husband. She is survived by her husband, Al, who was her partner in life and in rescue.
A memorial tribute for Barbara was observed on September 23rd at the Greyhound Friends of New Jersey Annual Fall Picnic, Duke Island Park, Old York Road, Bridgewater, NJ.
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GFNJ on TV!
GFNJ will be featured on News 12 NJ's Pet Stop segment as part of National Adopt A Greyhound Month. It will air this Saturday and Sunday, 4/28 & 29, at 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, and 4pm!
Maria Lutz will be on with her dog, Bob, as well as Balisi (below), one of our available greys (Sara Weyman's foster).
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Maria Lutz with Dr Voynick, host of News 12 Pet Spot. The wonderful greys are Maria's fawn boy Bob and Sara Weyman's foster girl, Balisi. |
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 Click here for the video!
Watch Linda Lyman, Craigie Dice and Lizzie...
Reading with Rudy
Darla Novick and her therapy greyhound Rudy get ready to read with Abbey Constantino, 7, and Amanda Costantino, 6
Held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the children's book section, the program featured Rudy, a therapy greyhound who loves to listen.
Rudy, a former race dog, is now helping children at the Barnegat Library in addition to visiting retirement homes and local schools, according to Darla Novick, Rudy’s mom.
The "Tail Waggin’ Tutor" program is a regular year-round event, which usually features Taffy, a Brittany spaniel, who happened to be on vacation in Florida this week.
But that didn’t keep Rudy from fulfilling his mission of giving children a chance to "read for fun," according to children’s librarian and program coordinator Lisa Taylor.
The event is very small, usually with five or six children, and runs the last Friday of every month andis held at other county library’s with single dog and multiple dog attendance, she said.
“The children choose from a variety of stories then sit and read to our guest," Taylor said. "The program has even branched out to younger children, some who have not learned to read yet, but have picturebooks… All we want is for kids to enjoy books and the dog seems to help that," she said, and as it turns out, Rudy helped in a big way Friday afternoon.
Registered attendees got a chance to show off their reading skills to Rudy, calling on his patient ears and still having fun. Attendee Abbey Constantino, 7, of Barnegat, was first to get Rudy to show off his skills: listening and having fun.
Rudy, a brindle Greyhound, was adopted from Greyhound Friends of New Jersey, an organization aimed at rescuing former Greyhound racing dogs from the Florida area andadopting them into stable loving homes.
"He’s a wonderful addition to our home; in fact he’s not like the hyper race dog everyone would expect," said Novick. "He’s a bit of a couch potato."
"When we adopted him he had ran in over one hundred twenty races at three race tracks, and had abroken foot," she said.
According to the Greyhound Friends of New Jersey website, who specialize in rescuing the dogs, most have ailments that need special attention or are victims of abuse.
For further information on adopting, donating or general inquires please visit: http://www.greyhoundfriendsnj.org.
For further information and registration deadlines on the "Tail Waggin’ Tutor" program andother children’s programs held at the Barnegat Library, visit http://engagedpatrons.org/Events.cfm?SiteID=2161
Thanks to Kevin Scholla and KYW radio Philadelphia for sharing news of our event (the Craft Show) and our group.
An audio link will appear when this page is opened to allow you to listen to the interview
Links to FIOS1 GFNJ Videos
Broken legs, cancer, pannus...and more. These problems, and other afflictions being suffered by Greyhounds in need, did not deter Greyhound Friends of NJ from doing what they do best: rescue and rehabilitate! This is a look back at some of the needy dogs that were helped in 2010.
Many Greyhounds sustain broken limbs from racing. If a responsible group does not step in and assume medical care, the dog is sure to be euthanized. GFNJ cared for at least 7 dogs this year with fractures and soft tissue injuries. Their bones were healed and their lives were changed when they found their forever homes.
Greyhounds are known for their bad teeth. A 9 year old male named Blaze had to have 15 teeth removed due to progressive dental disease. He is much happier now and you can be sure his mouth is feeling better. The only thing left that would make his life perfect is someone to adopt him.
Someone has to breed all those racers. Brood moms are usually older females, who have had many litters. GFNJ took in at least 4 this year and spayed them, so their life as a puppy factory would be curtailed. Needless to say, these girls are very happy to finally be "retired"!
Deafness is usually rare among Greyhounds. However, a 3 year old named Joyce, who suffers from complete hearing loss, needed a home. GFNJ placed her in a home over the summer, and she is thriving with the companionship of another retired racer.
Imagine being homeless, wandering the streets in search of food and love. GFNJ acquired 2 of these dogs, one from South Jersey and one from Florida this year. Their medical needs were many, as they needed dental work, deworming and treatment for heartworms. This story has a happy ending: these dogs are safe in their adoptive homes now.
Pannus is an eye disease that is not painful, but it may lead to blindness and requires daily eye drops to be given for the rest of the dog's life. GFNJ rescued 2 dogs with this disease, and after they were medically cleared, one dog was adopted out. At the time of this article, Stimulus Drive, a handsome 3 year old male, is still looking for a home.
Cancer is no stranger to any of us. GFNJ absorbed the cost of Echo's 19 radiation treatments and his chemotherapy. His prognosis is good and he is doing well in his foster home.
This adoption group was able to rescue and care for these dogs through money, services and supplies generously donated to them. 2011 will have more needy Greyhounds looking for care...and you can be sure that Greyhound Friends of NJ will be there for them.
Posted on Mon, Aug. 16, 2010
Greyhound Gala adopts logo created by Haddon Heights man
By Megan Doherty Editor
Greyhound Friends of New Jersey decided to do something different for the organization’s Aug. 21 Greyhound Gala at the Somerset Elks Club. The greyhound rescue adopted a logo just for this gala, and it was created by Jeremiah Linton, 23, of Haddon Heights. “
We think it’s so typical of a greyhound,” said Linda Lyman, the president of Greyhound Friends of New Jersey. She added that the design, a greyhound peeking at a rabbit coming out of a top hat, is whimsical, like the dogs themselves can be.
“He’s a great artist,” said Greyhound Friends of New Jersey volunteer Lynn Heiler, of Linton. Heiler requested a design from Linton, who is her great-nephew. The logo will appear on T-shirts and mugs for sale at the event, along with the tag line “Magical. Musical. Greyhounds.”
The gala will also feature music from Dan DelSignore and the Kick Back Band. DelSignore recently adopted a greyhound from the organization. Mike Spade, a magician and comedian, will return to perform at the annual event, which also features a buffet, raffles and a silent auction.
The money raised will go toward finding permanent homes for retired greyhounds. Lyman said the group received 13 dogs in the first week of August. “They come from racetracks all over,” said Lyman, but added that many come from Florida and Alabama. The dogs are housed in a rented space in Tabernacle Bed and Biscuit or sent to foster homes. “Most of the dogs we get are 2 to 3 years old,” said Lyman. Lyman said most greyhounds start racing at 18 months, and those that don’t win can retire at 2 years old. The winning dogs retire at 4 or 5 years old, Lyman said. The greyhounds are acclimated to life outside of the racetrack once they reach Greyhound Friends of New Jersey.
“It’s our responsibility to teach them as much as we can,” said Heiler, who currently has three greyhounds of her own and one foster dog. How are the greyhounds prepared for their new lives? “We ‘cat-test’ them,” said Lyman. The cat-test is really just the first step, determining whether or not the greyhound would fit in a home with a cat or other small dogs, since greyhounds are taught to race after small, furry things like the track guide. Tig, Greyhound Friends of New Jersey’s resident cat, who was rescued from the streets, has the dubious distinction of being the tester cat. Lyman said volunteers will bring Tig in a harness and a muzzled, leashed greyhound into the same room and observe how the dog reacts. Heiler said it is helpful to watch Tig react, too. “Tig knows right away,” said Heiler. Lyman said many of the dogs are compatible with small animals.
Heiler said the dogs are then house-broken if they aren’t already. “We want to make all the matches right,” said Heiler. “It’s amazing to me how they come from the racetrack and adjust to their home,” said Lyman. Greyhounds, Lyman said, can reach 35 mph, and the cheetah is the only faster animal on land. “You can never leave a greyhound off a leash outside a fenced-in area,” said Lyman. If a greyhound takes off, you are not catching it until it wants to be caught. “But they are couch potatoes,” said Lyman, who said her greyhounds love to lounge around the house. “As a breed, they are anxious to make you happy,” said Heiler.
Lyman said that greyhounds are generally a healthy breed because illnesses have been bred out of the working dogs. “Actually, because they have been very active, they have very good hearts,” said Lyman. Sometimes, the organization will get a dog with a broken leg. Lyman said it takes about $2,000 and three months to heal a broken leg. “We do a lot of fundraising,” said Lyman. The gala will raise these needed funds.
The gala will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Maria Lutz at flutz11331@aol.com or 732-521-8330. Other greyhound meet-and-greet and adoption events can be found at www.greyhoundfriendsnj.org.
“I had dogs all my life, and I don’t think I would have anything but a greyhound now,” said Heiler.
August 6, 2010
by njlhealthandbeauty
By Brianne Harrison
What better time than the dog days of summer to throw a Greyhound Gala to raise funds for Greyhound Friends of New Jersey? On August 21, animal lovers and Greyhound Friends supporters will gather at the Somerset Elks Club for an evening that will feature a buffet dinner, raffle, silent auction, musical entertainment by Don DelSignore & the Kick Back Band, and a performance by magician/comedian Mike Spade.
This year, there’s been a little extra support from one community member: a young up-and-coming artist, Jeremiah Linton of Haddon Heights, has designed a logo for the event that pays homage to the dogs and the entertainment at the heart of the evening. The drawing will grace the event’s programs, as well as T-shirts and mugs available for sale.
The Gala will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by contacting Maria Lutz at flutz11331@aol.com or 732.521.8330.
If you can’t make it to the Gala but still want to help out GFNJ, the shelter is holding its 5th Annual Scotch Bowl at the Holiday Bowl Bowling Alley in Oakland this Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets include the Scotch Bowl and a buffet dinner. There’ll also be tricky tray prizes, a 50/50 and a grand prize raffle. Tickets are $60 per team or $25 for non-bowlers and can be purchased at Rusty’s Pet Place Supply in Ringwood.
A race to save lives
By: JULIE PEAK
Burlington County Times
Greyhound Friends of New Jersey look for loving homes for canines.
TABERNACLE - When a broken-legged male dog from Alabama arrived at the Greyhound Friends of New Jersey in need of orthopedic surgery and physical rehabilitation costing $2,000, the nonprofit organization welcomed him with open arms.
The rescue group, which finds homes for more than 250 healthy, ex-racing greyhounds each year, has a "turn no greyhound away" policy.
Since January the organization has rescued 69 dogs from West Virginia, Rhode Island and Alabama; 65 from Florida; and is expected to take in many more after 14 Florida racetracks close for the season. When the organization accepts dogs with broken legs or special medical needs, they are nursed back to health and found a loving home.
On Saturday about 10 greyhounds from Florida are expected to arrive at the Tabernacle Bed and Biscuit Kennel on Carranza Road.
Dogs that come from the track usually travel 28 hours in a long, low trailer, but this time six volunteers from the Greyhound Friends of New Jersey will travel in SUVs to meet the hauler on the New Jersey Turnpike on Saturday afternoon and collect the animals, according to Lynn Heiler, spokeswoman for the Greyhound Friends of New Jersey.
"Once we get them to our kennel in Tabernacle, we give them a chance to rest, take them out and walk them, give them food and water, and bathe them," Heiler said. "Then we cat-test them to see if they can live with small animals. We actually take the dog into a room, muzzled, and let the dog go near the cat. If the dog seems too interested, we say it's not good to live with cats or other small dogs."
Anyone interested in adopting a greyhound is invited to come Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to a special Adoption Day at the kennel. Interested dog lovers will have a chance to meet the greyhounds, walk them and ask questions. 
"We do it about once a month this time of year," Heiler said. "People who are interested in adopting a dog have to be preapproved and fill out an application online. If they've had a pet before, we call the vet to check them out and then they can take the dog home that day. We have lots of volunteers to give them advice and teach them things they might not already know about owning a greyhound."
According to Heiler, 15 dogs will be available for adoption Sunday. Almost all the dogs that do not get adopted will go into foster homes.
"We have a huge network of volunteers. Greyhound Friends of New Jersey is about 24 years old and we have about 30 or 40 people who foster," Heiler said. "Greyhounds are like huge puppies - they've never been around other breeds, seen a TV or heard a microwave beep. They have lived in a big kennel their whole lives, but they're really smart, and they're dying to make you happy."
The minimum donation to adopt a greyhound is $235, which includes spaying or neutering, cleaning, worming, all inoculations, a leash and a collar.
For more information about the greyhounds and adoption details, or to become preapproved to adopt one Sunday, visit www.greyhoundfriendsnj.org. To foster a greyhound, call Linda Lyman, president of the Greyhound Friends of New Jersey, at 732-356-4370.
Concering Animals: Hound Gets A Happy Home
by Joan Lowell Smith/For The Star-Ledger
Monday January 12, 2009, 1:11 PM
Luke Tobin, a rescued greyhound, enjoys his retirement.
Sometimes it pays to be a stowaway.
A racetrack reject just found that out when he was "accidentally" included in a shipment of retired greyhounds from Florida tracks.
"There were supposed to be 20 greys in the haul," said Cathy Martinson of Leonia, who has been adopting retired greyhounds for several years with her partner Susan Tobin. Ten of the sleek dogs were slated for Greyhound Friends of New Jersey(greyhoundfriendsnj.org) and the other ten were going to a greyhound friends organization in Connecticut.
Lucky 21
There was an extra dog. Ten of the dogs came with birth dates, racing records, health data and tattoos in their ears. The unlisted extra had the tattoos and an old piece of adhesive tape attached with the name Winky. "We couldn't find any racing records on the database," she said. Why? Because he had only one eye. Providentially, Martinson and Tobin were waiting at the end of the ride since the word was out that they had adopted Breakaway, a one-eyed wonder who lost a hind leg and, inevitably, his life to cancer.
"He handled it all beautifully," Tobin said. "Treatment gave him nine more months."
One-eyed Luke
"Winky had been in a kennel for almost a year. Our hearts went out to him," said Martinson of the newcomer, quickly renamed Luke. He settled in instantly with Simon, who had been with the women for almost eight years. Simon had been lonely for another companion since Breakaway's death. At tracks, dogs are surrounded by other racers, one reason many people wind up adopting two greyhounds.
Breakaway's passing set the stage for Luke's entry as Simon's new pal. "Luke has a heck of a personality so he must have had a guardian angel because he was in good shape," said Martinson. Yesterday was Simon's eleventh birthday and Luke turned six on November 23. "They're two peas in a pod," said Tobin who, along with Martinson, would like to see greyhound racing cease entirely.
They're getting their wish in Massachusetts, which has two tracks. "In 2007, legislation passed banning dog racing, effective in 2010. That's one less state where it's allowed," Tobin reported. "Nationally, sixteen tracks have closed, 35 tracks are still in operation in 14 or 15 states and over 300 greyhound rescue groups save as many retired dogs as possible."
Great pets
Extolling the merits of greyhound adoption, Martinson said, "They're about 95 percent housebroken. At the track, the dogs are in kennels all the time unless they're training or racing and dogs don't soil their own kennels. When you bring them home, they're like puppies because everything is new to them. They've never seen stairs." Tobin piped in: "... or swimming pools," which generated mutual fits of laughter as they recalled the day Simon blithely walked into a swimming pool. Tobin jumped in to lead Simon to safety. "He had no idea what water was unless it was in a bowl."
Greyhounds are very graceful and curl up like cats. "They don't take up much space," said Martinson. "All you need is half a couch per grey." Tobin summed up: "Having a greyhound is a simple love affair."
Concerning Animals appears every other week in Abode.Contact Joan Lowell Smith at P.O. Box 302, Garwood,N.J 07027 or e-mail her at jsmith@starledger.com.
Dogs demonstrate their charms in Chester
Pet shop marks grand opening with animal expo
BY JAKE REMALY DAILY RECORD September 14, 2008
The adopted dogs can still run like the wind, but one greyhound owner said they typically are content relaxing.
Some people call the dogs "45 mph couch potatoes," said Kris Lambrix of Califon. We just bring them so people can see what good dogs they are."
The greyhounds were on a patch of grass in front of the parking lot for the Well Bred pet store, site of the Healthy Pet Expo. Well Bred sponsored the event with 12 commercial and nonprofit vendors to mark its move to its new location. Greyhound Friends of New Jersey arranged for greyhound owners to bring their dogs, as it regularly does for outreach opportunities across the state.
The Healthy Pet Expo also was attended by AniMeals, which provides pet food to low- and fixed-income pet owners in Hunterdon County, and Canine Companions for Independence, which provides free trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities other than blindness. The dogs can pull wheel chairs and open and close doors.
Steve Smith represented the year-old Long Valley Dog Park. The park has a $10 membership fee for maintenance and currently has 247 members, Smith said.
Trainers, groomers and a holistic veterinarian also attended.
"It's such a wonderful thing right here in Chester," said Catherine Newsom, a dog breeder from Chester Township. "It brings all the dog people out."
Well Bred customers, area dog owners and passersby visited the expo throughout the day.
Well Bred's bookkeeper, Wendy Eld of Long Valley, brought her dogs, Breck and Brighton, both Bernese Mountain dogs. Breck, who weighs close to 97 pounds, gave demonstrations of pulling a cart and gathering items. They took breaks under a tent.
"I just moved into the building in April," Well Bred owner Patti Storms said. "We wanted to have a grand reopening."
She arranged a photography contest to see who would submit the best photo of a sleeping pet. Expo visitors voted on the more than 100 entries, Storms said. The winning entry was to win a photo session with Pooch Smooch Pet Photography.
Well Bred has been located in Chester for five years.
July 9, 2008
Freeholder Visits Greyhound Friends Of New Jersey
OCEAN COUNTY - Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari recently visited with some of the members of Greyhound Friends of New Jersey, Inc. during Pet Day, sponsored by the Barnegat Township Chamber of Commerce. With the theme of "Make a Fast Friend - Adopt a Greyhound," the group has helped in getting 3,000 dogs adopted during its 20 years as a rescue group. Pictured from left to right are friends volunteers Alice A. Brown and Kathy Nardin, both of Stafford Township, with Freeholder Vicari, along with Greyhound's Hanna, Stihl, Orville and Wilber.
They No Longer Race, But They Like to Hike
By Aimee Henkel
Published: August 14, 2008
West Milford - Tyler Harrington didn't know that retired racing greyhounds liked to hike, even though he spent much of his time building animal hospitals. Then he got involved with Hiking Greyhounds, an offshoot of the non-profit organization Greyhound Friends of New Jersey, and he soon learned just how much the greyhound enjoys a good trail.
Harrington said, I started hiking with Hiking Greyhounds after I got my first rescued greyhound, Chester, in October. People always stop to look at them when we go out hiking because they are so beautiful, and no one expects them to be out hiking. They are breed animals, and they like to be together, so this hike is a great outlet for them.
According to Jim and Dawn Thompson, who started Hiking Greyhounds, a group of 20 or more greyhounds and their owners will hike three miles or more, depending on the weather. Said Jim Thompson, "No one thinks a greyhound would love to walk the trails or that they can handle the heat because they look so delicate, but they are great out here. This is a lot of exercise for them, so after this they will sleep all day."
Hiking Greyhounds have been hitting the trails every Sunday morning at Wawayanda State Park in Hewitt for more than a year, and most of the members of Hiking Greyhounds have adopted rescued racing dogs from Greyhound Friends, although a Labrador or two will come along for the fun.
Cliff and Pat Field of Upper Greenwood Lake have owned several breeds of dog, but their hiking greyhounds are their clear favorites. They have been regular hikers and both their dogs enjoy the company. Said Cliff, “We've had 12 dogs, all different breeds, but the greyhound is the best by far. They are well-mannered, great with people, and believe it or not, our Red loves the water.
While many people find owning a rescued greyhound or two very rewarding, Tyler Harrington enjoys helping a racing dog become a pet. He has been fostering a hiking greyhound named Sol Kinde since late June and he is progressing very nicely in his training. Sol Kinde is so gentle and affectionate. He will lean into me like he's trying to give me a hug. Once I got my first greyhound, I knew I wanted to be a foster parent to a new greyhound, just from the track.
Harrington got Sol Kinde from Greyhound Friends of New Jersey, which rescues greyhounds from tracks around the United States and places them in permanent and foster homes throughout New Jersey.
Nancy Bowden, a member of Hiking Greyhounds who is on the board of directors of Greyhound Friends, says the organization has placed more than 100 dogs since January, but interest in adoption is waning, while the numbers of rescued dogs is not. "The racing career of a greyhound is only five years long, at most, so we get lots of new dogs every two weeks. We take dogs from tracks all over the country - that's how much we love these dogs. Once a dog stops winning, he goes into rescue and we take him."
According to Bowden, once a dog comes into the rescue program it will spend time with a foster owner like Harrington who will teach the dog how to climb stairs, housebreak it, and get it used to people and society. Says Bowden, "Fostering a rescued greyhound is a lot like raising a big naive puppy. But once they get used to our lifestyle, they make the most wonderful pets. They are so loving, gentle and well-behaved. Most people who adopt one greyhound soon get another because they are so easy to take care of."
Harrington agrees that greyhounds are easy to love, and to train. I started fostering because I love these dogs. When they first come home from the track, they are like 2-year-old puppies. They've never seen another breed, or cars, or stairs so I teach them. It's so easy to train a greyhound because they listen, they want to please you and they are really smart. They learn manners very easily.
In addition to Hiking Greyhounds, Greyhounds Friends of NJ has several other meet and greet events throughout New Jersey in August. To learn more about adopting a rescued greyhound go to http://www.greyhoundfriendsnj.org/.
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