Forward by Moira Corrigan
Pictures and captions by Jack Richardson
You're most probably asking yourself, why should I care about the number 5000.
I'm always excited to bring in a new load of dogs, but
I'm extra excited because tomorrow we will bring in greyhound number 5000. We'll actually
get to 5011. So since John Hern founded our organization in 1985 as of tomorrow we will
have brought in 5011 greyhounds. WOW!!!
#5000 will be a beautiful white and brindle, 9.5 year old
brood mom by the name of Yosemite!!
February 2011 Update: As of
February 19, 2011 we have brought in 5,208 dogs!!! Thank you to all our wonderful
volunteers, adopters and part-time employees that work so hard to find these pups their
forever homes. August 23, 2009: Yosie finds her forever home
with Lynda in Canada. May 20, 2012 Update - Today, sweet, brave Yosie
(Pat C Yosemite), GPI's celebratory rescue hound No. 5000, slipped off to
Rainbow Ridge at the tender age of 12 years plus.
Four months ago
she had an intestinal cancer operation. In her remaining days she
demonstrated how wonderful life was meant to be - frolicking in the
Arizona sun, hounding all humans for ear scratches, smacking up her peanut
butter treats (with hidden meds), enjoying her morning massages, bounding
down the hall for walk-walks or visits to her adopted cousins next door.
And, during that final period she even charmed two people into wanting to
adopt a greyhound!
Yosie was a true champion in every way - 69
races, 2 litters of puppies - adopted at almost 10. She won many hearts
and Her Worship will be missed by many.
Goodbye Sweet Girl.
Lynda B
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| August 15, 2009
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GPI prepares for the arrival of
Retired Racer number 5000 at Hern Greyt Works kennel along with 20 other new arrivals.
Leashes are ready in the lobby and waiting for the arrival. |
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| The Long-Long Trailer arrives at Hern
Greyt Works at the end of the trip from Colorado. |
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| Moira and Dr. Weir coordinate an unload
procedures plan. |
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| The usual suspects and several other
participants are in place as the Welcoming Committee. |
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| Moira is ready to receive honored arrival
number 5000. |
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| Dr. Weir opens the door to a new life for
GPI Retired Racer number 5000 as the hound takes a first tentative look toward a new
future. |
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| Dr. Weir carries lucky number 5000 down
the trailer isle for delivery to the anxiously waiting GPI volunteers. |
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| Retired Racer Number 5000,
"Yosemite", takes her first look at her new surroundings as she is received by
GPI's President, Moira Corrigan. |
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| "Yosemite" is impressed with
what she sees and looks up at Moira and asks, "Can I stay?". |
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| Moira replies, "Join us as the
5000th Ex-Racer who will forever be a GPI Greyhound as you find your Forever Home and
adopted family." |
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| Yosemite is handed off to Mary Gibbons'
Escort Service, adorned in pearls, who has the honor of introducing Yosemite to the first
chapter of her new life. |
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| Mary Gibbons, The Lady in Pearls,
presents Yosemite with her very own brand new leash and makes adjustments to fit. |
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| Mary and her pearls escort
"Yosemite" through this portal to the lobby of Hern Greyt Works. |
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| Upon entry into the lobby, Yosemite makes
note of the prominently displayed name of GPI's haven for hounds, Hern Greyt Works, made
possible by the generosity of John A. Hern Jr. who began rescuing ex-racers in 1985. |
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| Yosemite, a demure brood mom 9 years
young, surveys the rest of the lobby and exclaims "Okayyyy". |
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| Hmmm, Check In,.... I wonder if being
number 5000 gives me any clout with the concierge (Marchet)? |
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| Really! Runs not crates! After a life of
me and the pups, would it be too much to ask for a private run with run service? |
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| Marchet says: "Yosemite dear, every
hound here at GPI gets a private VIP run suite with full run service and attended by the
best volunteers and employees an ex-racer could ever hope for. Welcome to Hern Greyt
Works." |
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| Wow Mary! This run is huge! Look at that
comforter too. |
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| Run 19, I'll take it with much thanks! |
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| Mary, Greyt kibble here, would you please
cover me for a gratuity for the run service staff? Maybe some pearls or something? |
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| Mary, Thank you so much. Please do not
hold my calls or take messages, send visitors to me directly. I can't wait. |
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| And so GPI receives ex-racer
number 5000 into its care. The number grows with the generous warmth and commitment of
countless volunteers, adopters and donors whose gifts of time and treasure preserve the
gentle spirit, grace and affection of our retired racers. Yosemite and 4999 others say
"THANK YOU!".
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