Tag Archives: Greyhound

Comet’s Tale – book review

Comet's TaleThis book will make you want to go out and adopt a Greyhound!  Mr Wolf tells the story of Comet, a Greyhound who comes into his life as his health and well-being are seriously under threat.

The author never had any experience with Greyhounds until he is drawn to a charitable group promoting Greyhound adoption at his local supermarket.

A Greyhound who suffered abuse at the track, Comet is withdrawn around most people but decides that Mr Wolf (affectionately called “Wolfie” by his wife) is for her.  She literally sits down next to him and lets him know – take me home.

As Steven’s health deteriorates, he lives on pain killers and can barely walk or do simple household tasks.  This is when he decides that Comet has all of the qualities of a service dog and only needs training.  He looks for trainers to assist him and all scoff at the suggestion that a Greyhound could be a service dog.  So, he trains her himself.

I particularly liked the stories of Comet as she learns to pull Steven’s wheelchair through the airport.  Aided by the photo on the cover of the book (the only photo in this book, which perhaps is its only shortcoming), you can understand when Steven describes Comet’s doe eyes and the looks she would give him to communicate her very articulate thoughts!

I recommend this book for summer reading (if you are currently in the Northern Hemisphere) or curl up with it in front of the fire for winter entertainment (if you are in the Southern Hemisphere).

Happy reading!

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

 

 

Risk factors for bone cancer in dogs

Bone cancer in dogs is affected by a variety of genetic risk factors, researchers from Uppsala University and the Broad Institute have found.  They’ve published their results in the journal Genome Biology.
Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, is similar in humans and dogs – although in dogs it is more common.  In the current study, the researchers compared the genome of sick and healthy dogs from three different breeds to find inherited risk factors for the disease.

“The key is that we find many different risk factors within each breed. We already knew that Greyhounds, Rottweilers and Irish wolfhounds are at increased risk of developing bone cancer and our results explain much of the increased risk”, said Emma Ivansson, scientist at SciLifeLab and Uppsala University.

Irish Wolfhound

The study demonstrated that each breed has its own risk genes, but these genes converge in common disease mechanisms.

“Our results show that the pathways involved in bone formation and growth are important for the disease. Because of the great similarities between bone cancer in dogs and humans, we believe that our findings may contribute to an increased understanding of how bone cancer develops in humans”, said Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, professor at Uppsala University and Co-Director of the SciLifeLab and Director of Vertebrate Genome Biology at the Broad Institute.
The researchers are continuing to study the identified risk factors to understand more about how they affect tumor development and to see whether different risk factors respond to different types of treatment.
The researchers are continuing to study the identified risk factors to understand more about how they affect tumor development and to see whether different risk factors respond to different types of treatment. – See more at: http://www.uu.se/en/media/news/article/?id=3103&area=2,10,16&typ=artikel&na=&lang=en#sthash.H1aUoBA8.dpuf

Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, is a rare but very aggressive form of cancer that primarily affects teenagers. Among some large-sized dog breeds the disease is much more common, but otherwise osteosarcoma in humans and dogs is very similar. In the current study, the researchers compared the genome of sick and healthy dogs from three different breeds to find inherited risk factors for the disease.

“The key is that we find many different risk factors within each breed. We already knew that greyhounds, Rottweilers and Irish wolfhounds are at increased risk of developing bone cancer and our results explain much of the increased risk”, said Emma Ivansson, scientist at SciLifeLab and Uppsala University.

The study demonstrated that each breed has its own risk genes, but these genes converge in common disease mechanisms

– See more at: http://www.uu.se/en/media/news/article/?id=3103&area=2,10,16&typ=artikel&na=&lang=en#sthash.H1aUoBA8.dpuf

Bone cancer in dogs is affected by a variety of genetic risk factors. Researchers from Uppsala University and the Broad Institute show this in a new study published in Genome Biology. – See more at: http://www.uu.se/en/media/news/article/?id=3103&area=2,10,16&typ=artikel&na=&lang=en#sthash.H1aUoBA8.dpuf
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Wordless Wednesday, part 8

Greyhound with pumpkin

Dog-inspired cocktails for Memorial Day

It’s a big holiday weekend in the United States since Monday is Memorial Day.

As spring turns into summer, more people are outside entertaining and using the barbeque.  Here are some dog-inspired cocktails that you might like to make for your next party…

Bloodhound Cocktail 1/3 cup Gin 1/3 cup French Vermouth 1/3 cup Italian Vermouth 2 or 3 Strawberries

Bloodhound Cocktail
1/3 cup Gin
1/3 cup French Vermouth
1/3 cup Italian Vermouth
2 or 3 Strawberries

Salty Chihuahua Coarse salt, (optional) - wet rim of 4 glasses and dip in salt 4 ounces tequila, divided  2 ounces orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau, divided  3 cups grapefruit juice, divided  Mix the tequila, liqueur and grapefruit choose in each glass and then add a grapefruit slice for garnish

Salty Chihuahua
Coarse salt, (optional) – wet rim of 4 glasses and dip in salt
4 ounces tequila, divided
2 ounces orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau, divided
3 cups grapefruit juice, divided
Mix the tequila, liqueur and grapefruit choose in each glass and then add a grapefruit slice for garnish

The Greyhound     2 oz vodka     4 oz grapefruit juice     Mix and then add a lemon or lime wedge for garnish

The Greyhound
2 oz vodka
4 oz grapefruit juice
Mix and then add a lemon or lime wedge for garnish

The Great Dane 2 oz. gin 1 oz. cherry brandy 1/2 oz. dry vermouth 1 tsp. kirsch Mix and garnish with a lemon peel

The Great Dane
2 oz. gin
1 oz. cherry brandy
1/2 oz. dry vermouth
1 tsp. kirsch
Mix and garnish with a lemon peel

The Regal Beagle 1/3 shot Canadian whiskey 1/3 shot peach schnapps 1/3 shot sweet and sour mix Mix over ice and pour into a shot glass

The Regal Beagle
1/3 shot Canadian whiskey
1/3 shot peach schnapps
1/3 shot sweet and sour mix
Mix over ice and pour into a shot glass

There are probably other cocktail recipes with dog-inspired themes.  If you know of others, why not add a comment with your favourite?

National Greyhound Adoption Month

April is National Greyhound Adoption Month in the USA.

Although Greyhound racing is increasingly banned in many parts of the country, breeders continue to produce large numbers of the dogs for the racing industry.  And when these dogs are too old to race, or not good earners at the track, their days are numbered…

Murray is a Greyhound currently up for adoption through Greyhounds as Pets

Murray is a Greyhound currently up for adoption through Greyhounds as Pets

Greyhound rescue groups around the globe need more adoptive homes for retired racing Greyhounds.  And they are prepared to get creative in their promotions.  Here’s a great ad from The Greyhound Project:

In New Zealand, a petition has been presented to the Green Party in Parliament to investigate the Greyhound industry.  Read about that initiative in my earlier (January 2013) posting.

If you are interested in adopting a Greyhound, please do some homework about whether this breed is for you.  Rescue groups are interested in finding forever homes for these beautiful dogs and have lots of information to help you make a decision.

SOME GREYHOUND TRIVIA

  • The greyhound is the only dog mentioned by name in the Bible. King James Version, Proverbs, 30:29-31
  • Greyhounds can reach speeds of 45 miles(72km) per hour
  • Greyhounds became the first European dog in the New World when they accompanied Christopher Columbus on his second expedition, which set sail from Spain in September 1493

Investigating the NZ Greyhound racing industry

Greyhound

The Greyhound Protection League in New Zealand claims that there are over 10,000 greyhounds unaccounted for in the country at present, with a further one thousand unaccounted for annually.   You can sign a petition that requests that the relevant Ministers use their statutory powers to conduct an independent investigation into New Zealand’s greyhound racing industry, and that this information be made publicly available.

By signing this petition, you ask for an independent investigation that makes public:

  • The number of greyhounds bred and imported annually for the racing industry
  • The number of greyhounds retired annually through the Greyhounds as Pets scheme, other agencies or privately*
  • The number of injuries which occur annually in all racing-related activities (such as training, trialing, and competing)
  • The number of greyhounds euthanased annually due to race-related injuries
  • The number of greyhounds euthanased annually for other reasons (and what these reasons are).

*Private rehoming can typically fall into two categories: household pets or breeding stock for pig hunting. As the welfare implications of greyhounds as pig hunting stock may be significantly different than those of a household pet, it would be prudent to define whether a “private adoption” is for the purpose of hunting stock or pet.

Interested?  SIGN HERE.