#sighthounds

heckin-good-memes:

GALTx eNews: Special Foster Homes Needed For Special Hounds!

Our foster team works hard to move our newly arriving hounds out of boarding and into foster homes quickly so that they can move on to finding forever families. Some of our hounds have special needs though, and the wait for the right foster home can take longer than we would like.

For example, Pumpkin (pictured) needs to move to a quiet foster home so that he can start his heartworm treatment. He is a bit of an alpha dog and will do best in a foster home without other dogs or with only female dogs. Pumpkin loves people and longs for cuddles. He will blossom with confidence once he is in a stable home environment. As you can probably imagine, foster homes without other dogs or with only female dogs that can also manage heartworm treatments are hard to find. Tripod Shyanne and Iris are in a similar situations, both needing foster homes without cats or small dogs until their forever families come along.

If you’re in the Dallas or Fort Worth areas and sometimes wonder if fostering would work for you, please reach out to our foster team at fostering@galtx.org with any questions. Fostering doesn’t have to be a long term commitment. You can start out offering your home to a foster dog whose foster family will be away on a short summer vacation. Dogs needing a vacation foster home will be with you for a short, defined period of time and have already lived in a home. If you find the experience rewarding (and we think you will), you can move on to offering a place to stay for a hound like Pumpkin or Shyanne that needs a special place until their forever families find them. Read more about our foster program and complete an on-line application here. Thank you!

6/9/2022

GALTx eNews: Meet The Hounds Of DFW International Airport!

Many are itching to get out and travel again and we have one more reason you’re going to want to fly! If you’re visiting Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, you might just get to meet GALT alumni, Truffle and Pogo, on duty and ready to be petted!

Pogo and Truffle are registered therapy dogs who volunteer in the airport’s K9 Ambassador Crew program. To participate, Pogo and Truffle were evaluated at the airport to be sure the crowds and noises did not bother them, and their handler went through ambassador training. Now, at their handlers’ convenience, they sign up for short, two-hour shifts at any of the terminals. Just like other travelers, they check in through the TSA lines but their “chauffeur” gets free parking while volunteering.

Travelers experiencing anxiety or delays, bored or energetic children, stressed humans traveling for difficult situations, and folks missing their own pets all appreciate the opportunity to interact with hounds. So the program can know how many people they see, they count each encounter. Sometimes, in a two hour shift, Truffle and Pogo might be loved on by as many as 100 to 200 people! It’s a rewarding experience for all!

You can learn more about the program by contacting the ambassador office at 972-973-7010 or volunteer@dfwairport.com. We hope you see Truffle or Pogo on your next trip!

6/3/2022

GALTx eNews: A Moment Of Reflection For Memorial Day

Time continues to fly by and here we are at Memorial Day again. Many of us are celebrating our first “normal” Memorial Day in a few years and we hope everyone enjoys shopping at sales, beach lounging, and BBQ festivities!

While enjoying the long weekend, take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day. It’s a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s wars and began in the days of the American Civil War. Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday became known as Memorial Day and began recognizing those who died in all United States wars after World War I. We have observed Memorial Day on the last Monday of May since 1971. We wish all who have lost a loved one in a war, peace and comfort this weekend and always.

If you would like to take a moment to honor a loved one who has passed, whether hound or human, please consider donating a memorial brick for GALT’s Memorial Garden located at our kennel near Dallas. If you follow us on social media, you will have seen many photos of our beautiful memorial garden in our adoption announcements. Read more about our memorial garden project and how to be a part of it here.

5/27/22

GALTx eNews: Let’s Make It Official! What Color Is Your Hound?

We hear a lot of colorful Greyhound descriptions, but the American Greyhound Track Operators officially recognize only 18 greyhound colors in the Official Greyhound Color Chart.

About 37% of greyhounds sport stripes, making brindle the most common color. The many shades of brindle can be more precisely described by including the base color. For instance, a dog who is fawn under the stripes is a “fawn brindle." A dog who is red under the stripes is a "red brindle.” Additionally, a brindle with few stripes is “light brindle” whereas brindles with many stripes are “dark brindle.”

About 20% of greyhounds are white with colored spots or have significant white spots, making “spotted" the next most common color. A dog is considered "black and white” if it is predominantly black with white spots and “white and black” if it is predominantly white with black spots, and the same goes for white and brindle spots.

Just over 40% of hounds are considered “solid” colors: about 18% are black, 16% are red, 6% are fawn, and only 3% are blue (what most people call grey). One of the rarest colors of all is all white.

If you have a different name for your hound’s color, it’s ok. We will know what you mean when you call your white and black hound as a “cow dog,” your light fawn brindle a “lemon brindle,” or your red fawn a “tiger.” And maybe it is more fun anyway!

5/19/2022

GALTx eNews: Be Heat Wise And Hound Smart!

It’s a big deal for our pups when the weather gets hot and we need to look out for them. In fact, it’s gotten so hot so quickly in Dallas that our delivery of Greyhounds from Ireland is on hold. The airline won’t let them fly when the destination temperature is expected to be over 85 degrees! Here are some things you should keep in mind when your weather is hot:

1. Only exercise your greyhound when the temperature is under 80 degrees. Shoot for the cooler morning or evening hours. Keep your walks short and walk where there is plenty of shade. 

2. Make sure your pup always has access to plenty of fresh, clean water at home and on the go. Always take a bowl and a spare bottle of water with you. Cool water is best. Ice water can shock a dog’s system causing vomiting or other health concerns.

3. Pavement reaches dangerous temperatures quickly. If the air temperature is 77 degrees, expect the pavement to be 125 degrees in the sun, which is a temperature that can burn skin or paws in under a minute. At 87 degrees, the pavement reaches 143 in the sun! Before you make your dog walk on a paved surface, feel it with your hand for at least ten seconds. If it is uncomfortable for you, it will be uncomfortable for your dog.

4. Never leave your dog in a parked car! Cars heat up to about 100 degrees within 10 minutes when it is only 80 degrees outside. Leaving the windows cracked has surprisingly little effect on the temperature inside. You can test this yourself by sitting in your car on a sunny day with the windows cracked. It won’t be long until you want out.

5. When your hound is home alone, make sure they are inside with the air conditioning on. Fans are less effective for dogs than humans because dogs cool primarily by panting rather than sweating.

6. Always be diligent in watching for heatstroke. Signs include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, and a deep red/purple tongue. If you see any of these signs, seek veterinarian assistance immediately.

We hope you all have a safe and fun summer!

5/12/2022

GALTx eNews: Seven Strays Safe and Sound!

Our intake team has been busy lately helping us welcome seven hounds with histories as strays! Bob Barker, a five year old (estimated) fawn male from Amarillo led the way! He had been living in a family’s backyard for almost a year after they found him eating out of a dumpster in Tulia. A Good Samaritan helped get him neutered and vaccinated and, when the family couldn’t keep him any longer, helped Bob Barker get to GALT. Bob Barker is a bit shy, enjoys outdoor activities, and gets on well with the children he has met.

On April 29th, Martin and Reba joined us from Ft. Worth Animal Care and Control (FWACC). We don’t know much about their lives before FWACC other than that they were strays. Martin came to us with a would on the back of his neck that we will have our vets look at.

The next day, Valor (pictured), Bernie, and Lilly joined the GALT family. They were found together near a ranch in the Waco area. Astro, who has impaired vision in one eye, also joined us that day. He looks like a Saluki/Greyhound mix. A family near Alvarado found Astro stray in December and hoped to keep him. As it turned out, a senior dog in their family needed quiet in the house due to medical issues and they thought it best for Astro to find another home.

We can’t wait to get to know them all better and share many more photos. Watch for them to be adoptable as soon as we address any medical needs they have and they spend some time in foster homes. You can make a donation to our Dr. E. Kelly Ntische Veterinary Fund to help with their expenses and get them on their way home forever! Thank you!

5/6/22

GALTx eNews: It’s GALT’s 21st Birthday!

We can’t believe 21 years have gone by since a small group of us got together and made big plans to form GALT! But here we are, turning 21 this May. Please help us celebrate by joining us on May 1st, 2022, from 12:00 to 3:00 pm at Doubletree Ranch Park for our birthday party! Tickets are only $10 and include all the bottled water you can drink, birthday cake for both humans and hounds, and free beer with the purchase of a $10 beer cup. Proceeds from ticket sales will also go to help the hounds so be sure to get a ticket for you and a friend here today. You are also welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the park.

Our birthday party entertainment includes:

• Charcoal portraits by long time GALT artist, Mary Beth Gibson, one dog for $25 and two dogs for $35 within the same portrait;
• Greyhound Spa Nail Trims for $10 on a first come, first served basis;
• Reiki by certified Reiki master Suzanne Burke for $10 for 10 minutes by appointment;
• Animal communicator sessions, 15 minutes for $25, walk ups welcome or email [email protected] for an appointment in advance;
• Shopping new merchandise including collars and t-shirts at the GreytStore and LePope Designs;
• Volunteer Recognition;
• Fun contests including a hound costume contest (held at the end so they don’t have to be dressed up all day);
• Great raffle drawings and prizes, raffle tickets are $5 for three tickets; and
• Live Auction!

You can purchase your entry tickets, beer cups, Reiki sessions, portraits, nail trims, and raffle tickets in the GreytStore. If you would like to volunteer to help make this party spectacular, please sign up here. We hope to see you all there!

4/21/22

GALTx eNews: GALT’s 2022 Help The Hounds Auction

Bidding is already open in GALT’s 2022 Help the Hounds Auction and runs through April 28, 2022, at 9:00 pm central time! Our wonderful volunteers, fosters, donors and auction bidders keep stepping up to the plate to help us meet the challenges that come our way. Recently, we incurred significant, unexpected medical expenses for our Injured Reserve (IR) hounds. This auction places the spotlight on three of these hounds: Poppy, Maggie, and Iris. Our fourth IR hound, Jill, is already the beneficiary of our Blazer’s Guardian Angels program.

Poppy, who arrived at GALT as an owner surrender, developed a host of medical issues. Earlier this year, she was diagnosed with an unidentified swelling on her left thorax that ruptured during an overnight vet stay, with the result of requiring several days of care at MedVet Dallas, an emergency clinic. Upon her discharge, she was diagnosed with a dislocated right hip. She had extensive surgery to put the hip back in place. Maggie has been receiving heartworm treatments for almost eight months and Iris will soon start her heartworm regimen. We just need to find a long term foster home for her first. In total, GALT has already spent over $30,000 on these three hounds and Iris’s treatments are expected to add another $2,000, for a grand total of about $32,000.

GALT is committed to covering all of the medical expenses for these three Injured Reserve hounds until they are healthy and ready for their loving, forever homes! With your continued help and generous bids, GALT can cover all of these medical costs. This auction includes an exciting and unique array of jewelry, art, gift card packages, and more! If you don’t want or need any “stuff” right now but want to help, consider a donation of $25 or more to Poppy, Iris, or Maggie’s Fan Clubs (Auction Lots 38 through 40)! Your continued support is “greytly” appreciated!

Bid Here!

4/14/2022

GALTx eNews: A Quick Look Back At First Quarter 2022!

Spring is here and we are already taking a look back at winter and First Quarter 2022! As always, our volunteers really pulled together to make it all happen for the hounds:

Our Dallas and New Mexico teams found homes for 44 hounds and our intake team welcomed 11 hounds, one of which came from a shelter, three came to us as strays, and seven were surrendered to us by their adopters because they could no longer care for them. We currently have about 11 hounds in boarding and 45 hounds in foster homes getting ready for adoption. Our expenses related to caring for the hounds in the first quarter totaled over $80,000.

We have settled on a plan to install propane heaters at our boarding facility. The tank and gas lines are installed, but we will await colder weather to install the heaters. Within the next seven days, we will return the rented diesel heating system (which has been replaced due to mechanical failures four times). We have already installed an electric water heater at a cost of $2,250 so that we can bathe the hounds and wash their bowls. You can help us pay these bills with donations to our House A Hound Fund!

On February 6th, Henry went missing near Red Rock State Park in New Mexico. Our volunteers searched, posted flyers, worked with professional trackers, and reached out to everyone in the area they could reach. We are broken-hearted to report that Henry was found deceased on April 6th. We appreciate all of the donations and volunteers who gave of their resources to help try to bring him home safely.

On a happier note, we enjoyed getting out in person at the North Texas Irish Festival and also hosted our first on-line auction of the year! Our next on-line auction, GALT’s 2022 Help The Hounds Auction, opens on April 20th, so mark your calendars and get ready to bid!

We can’t thank you enough for staying with us on our journey and couldn’t do it all without you!

4/7/22

Some days, all you need is a cheap bathmat to send you into oblivion.

GALTx eNews: Do You Know Your Greyhound Lingo?

We thought it would be fun to share some of the Greyhound lingo familiar to many but new to so many others. Some of the most frequent inquiries we get on social media are to clarify what people mean when they use these terms!

Bed Fail: No one has ever made a bed big enough for a greyhound and Invariably, part of the greyhound ends up hanging off on the floor. It’s a “bed fail” because they failed to use the bed as intended.

Bounce: A greyhound is a bounce if he goes to a forever home and comes back for another try at it. Usually, the first home doesn’t work out for no fault of the greyhound and bounces are often said to make the best companions for their second (or third or fourth) adopters.

Chattering: When Greyhounds are excited or sublimely content, some rattle their teeth similar to shivering. Not to worry, they probably aren’t cold at all. Some hounds chatter silently, while others can be quite loud.

Cow Dog: White greyhounds with black spots are often called Cow Dogs because their coloring resembles a dairy cow.

Derp: Greyhound tongues seem to be unconfined by teeth and gums. Derp refers to that silly tongue out look greyhounds often have as demonstrated in the photo by Avery.

ETS: ETS stands for Escaped Tongue Syndrome. ETS is closely related to derp and refers to a long greyhound tongue that has escaped the greyhound mouth to loll about on the floor, bed, or couch.

Greyhound Pattern Baldness: Many Greyhounds have exceptionally thin, or no hair at all, over their bums and bellies. It’s a familiar bald pattern many of us know and love.

GSoD: You know that scream that sounds like a mortal wound but results from something completely trivial like a stray blanket thread stuck between toes? That’s the Greyhound Scream of Death.

Pancaking: Greyhounds love to lie in the sun, as flat as a pancake!

Potato Chipping: Greyhounds are just like chips. Many adopters think one will be enough, but within a short time, they end up adopting a second, and a third and a fourth. It’s like eating potato chips. You can’t stop with just one.

Roaching: Greyhounds love to flip on their backs with their legs in the air when they sleep. It’s called roaching because it resembles the position of a deceased cockroach.

Rooing: Greyhounds don’t bark (much), but they love to howl in a sweet siren like “roo” for all to hear. Often times, greyhound festivals will conclude with a group “final roo” to send everyone off.

#TOT: #TOT is a common hashtag used in social media to accompany a picture of a greyhound with derp or ETS on Tuesdays. It stands for “Tongue Out Tuesday.”

Velcro dog: Velcro dogs stick close to their human’s side and often lean against them to stay in contact. They are stuck to you like Velcro.

We most likely missed a few Greyhound terms. Be sure to drop us a line at [email protected] to let us know your favorite or share a photo of an excellent demonstration!

4/1/2022

Begging your pardon, but you seem to have a deer in your backyard…

GALTx eNews: Six Signs It’s Not The Right Time

Deciding when to adopt a dog is a deeply personal decision requiring the evaluation of all relevant factors. None of us can ever predict how our lives will unfold, however, some circumstances suggest waiting to adopt is best:

1) If you are planning a move, research the costs of dog ownership in your target market and find your new housing first. Urban areas often lack affordable housing with yards such that dog walkers are essential and quiet, small-dog safe hounds that can manage stairs and elevators tend to be a better fit. In some markets, you can expect to pay extra “pet rent” if you can find a rental that will accept dogs at all. Additionally, many apartments and condos only allow one or maybe two dogs under a certain weight, which usually isn’t as much as a typical Greyhound weighs.

2) If you rely on having a roommate to make financial ends meet, this might not be the right time to adopt. Roommates usually are not as committed to you as family and are more likely to move out or fail to pay bills than most spouses. Additionally, a roommate might not be as concerned about providing a safe home for your hound as you would hope, increasing the risk of escape or other injury.

3) Working in a job or an industry that is not stable is clearly a red flag for adoption as your income may be devastated by a job loss or you might have to make a significant relocation to remain employed. We often fail to consider, though, how much change can come with a successful career. If you are the company’s up-and-comer, promotions might lead to longer work hours and relocations that make caring for a dog harder. You might want to get where you are going with your career before making a commitment.

4) Consider how changes related to the people closest to you will affect whether dog ownership is right for you. If you are dating to find someone special, that person might turn out to love travel more than dogs, to be dog phobic, or to have a dog allergy. Weddings typically come with expenses, distractions, and a honeymoon that can make integrating a new dog into your home challenging. Likewise, adding a human baby to the family is expensive, exhausting, and potentially overwhelming. We recommend waiting to adopt until all children are over six years old. And when an elderly parent moves in with you, you might find small dogs or cats a better family fit.

5) When we lose someone close to us, whether from death or divorce, it’s natural to want to fill the void by adopting. However, most of us need time to grieve and to consider whether additional life changes will flow from the loss such as moving closer to family or down sizing the home. These changes almost always impact the type of dog that fits best in your life as you find your way forward. Give yourself some time to adjust.

6) Finally, if you have no idea how you could ever pay an unexpected vet bill of $3,000 to $8,000, you should wait to adopt. We are not saying everyone who adopts needs several thousand dollars set aside that will not be used for anything else. We are saying you need to acknowledge the possibility of a big, unexpected vet bill and have a plan for addressing it. That plan might include a combination of savings, easily accessible credit, or support from trusted friends and family.

We know how irresistible hounds are and how strong the urge to adopt can be, but, surrendering your hound for re-adoption because you adopted when the time just wasn’t right is one of the hardest things ever. Waiting a little while can be the best gift you give your new pet.

3/24/2022

GALTx eNews: Six Tips For Spring Storm Safety!

Every year, severe spring storms seem to start earlier and last longer. They present complicated safety planning scenarios for families with pets that warrant preparation in advance. Here are some key tips to consider when making your plans:

1) If you work away from home and can’t always return quickly, talk with neighbors about how they might help your pets in your absence. Exchange phone numbers and maybe even house keys.

2) If you don’t have a basement, know where your nearest tornado shelter is and be familiar with their pet policy. Prepare a bag in advance including all the things you’ll need to take with you for both you and your dogs. Make sure your dogs can navigate any stairs and floor surfaces presented by practicing before a storm arrives.

3) Make repairs to your fence now to make it more likely to withstand strong winds. Put a clip on your gate latch to make sure it cannot blow open. And if you experience strong winds, be sure to check the fence before letting your hounds out. Keep leashes with you while you shelter in case you can’t safely let your dogs out unleashed after the storm.

4) Take a moment now to review the contact information on your hounds’ tags, associated with their microchips, and, if you’re a GALT adopter, on file with GALT. If your hound escapes in bad weather, you want everyone to be able to help get them home.

5) If noise from thunder, wind, or hail causes your hound anxiety, make sure your safe place and storm kit includes any medications prescribed by your vet and anything else needed to comfort your pup such as Rescue Remedy, a Thunder Shirt, blankets, soft music, and maybe a crate. Stressed dogs in small spaces might also need muzzles for everyone’s safety.

6) Prepare your safe place for possible indoor potty breaks with puppy pads and poop bags as nervous dogs might not be able to wait the storm out.

For more tips on how to prepare for emergencies, visit the American Red Cross’s website. Always consider your pets in your plans and stay safe!

3/17/22

GALTx eNews: Leashes Are Life Saving!

Everyone has probably already heard that all sighthounds, including Greyhounds, need to be kept on a leash at all times when they are not in a safely enclosed space. Yet, we keep hearing stories and seeing photos and videos of Greyhounds off leash in spaces that are not fully enclosed.

It’s perplexing because we know you all love your hounds. So please, let us say it again: All sighthounds, including Greyhounds, must be kept on a leash at all times when they are not in an enclosed space. This rule doesn’t have exceptions. It applies to you and your dog, not just everyone else. It applies even if you have trained recall and your dog is a really good dog. It applies in spaces that are partly enclosed, mostly enclosed or almost enclosed, such as dog parks that rely on natural barriers like water rather than fences. It even applies when a door is closed, but could be unexpectedly opened by someone else. Leashing your dog (except in designated enclosed spaces) is also the law, in all jurisdictions with which we are familiar.

While we support training recall for all dogs, Greyhounds are simply too likely to ignore you despite their training if they are startled or give chase. And it happens in a heartbeat when you least expect it. In a matter of seconds, sometimes quicker than you can attempt to call them back, a Greyhound can be at too great a distance from you, in traffic, or in some other dangerous, potentially life taking, circumstance.

We have launched too many searches for Greyhounds who never came home. Please don’t let yours be next. Just use a leash. If it helps, think of leashes as safety lanyards.

3/10/22

GALTx eNews: Local Boy Streaks To Fame In California!

Avery joined the GALT family at just over a year old, directly from a Greyhound farm, without ever racing. In September 2021, Avery traveled to San Diego, California, where he quickly settled into his forever home with Greyhound siblings MaizyandCarter. Avery and Maizy are fast friends, running and playing with abandon daily, while Carter demonstrates his extensive good boy skills.

In February, the family celebrated Avery’s second and Carter’s ninth birthdays with a big car ride to Hounds of the WorldinSolvang, California. While Carter is familiar with Solvang, Avery and Maizy experienced many new things on this trip, including a hotel stay, gregarious wine bar patrons, the scent of an ostrich farm, and sampling at the local cheese shop.

Avery’s parents weren’t initially sure Avery would enjoy participating in the Solvang Streak, where hounds individually run in a short enclosed area and have their time checked by radar. At best, they expected Avery to stop to get petted a few times and not find the finish line. But as Avery watched other hounds streak, he made his interest clear. And did he ever streak! Avery ran exuberantly, throwing in giant leaps and zig zags all the way to the finish line, then turned around and ran back to the start, just to turn around again and run to the finish line again! He clocked his best time on his second lap at 17 miles per hour.

Avery didn’t think much more about his performance until the awards ceremony (which he and Maizy disrupted with an out of control game of bitey face) and final roo. To his family’s surprise, Avery won the 2022 Solvang Streak award for “most laps!” Those who saw his streak suspect this is a polite way of saying that he won for “most ridiculous.” Avery’s prize package included a plush bunny that he promptly gave a big shake. Our congratulations to Avery! See a few family photos from the trip here.

3/3/22

GALTx eNews: It’s Always Christmas For Sakura!

Sakura, a five year old whippet, recently joined the GALT family with three other whippets (Annie, Chloe, and Desi) because their owner became too ill to care for them and wanted GALT to find them new homes. As soon as Sakura became available for adoption, we got right to work reviewing our approved applications for a good match. We quickly found a match that filled us with joy, Santa Vern and Mrs. Claus (Lenore)!

Santa Vern and Mrs. Claus have been GALT’s official Santa family since 2014 and have posed for Christmas photos with countless GALT families at the GreytStore Boutique. Santa Vern is one of the best Santas around and you might also see him at the Kerrville Folk Festival, which happens to be celebrating its 50th festival this year. Although Santa Vern and Mrs. Claus had not previously adopted from GALT, the time had come to add a special reindeer to their family!

Over their 35 years together, Santa Vern and Lenore always included cats and dogs in their family; most found their way to them or came from shelters. Their most recent dog, Alley Dog, came to them as a foster when a friend couldn’t provide a home for her due to changed life circumstances. Although Alley’s family came back to visit, it soon became clear that Alley belonged with Santa permanently. Alley Dog lived a long, happy life but crossed the rainbow bridge at around 16 years of age a few years back. When Santa Vern and Lenore were ready to welcome another dog home, they decided to share their love with the beautiful and gentle creatures they knew hounds to be from all the time they have spent with GALT families.

Sakura will share Santa Vern and Mrs. Claus with an 8 year old male long hair cat named Knibbles D. Kat! We are thrilled to welcome Santa Vern and Mrs. Claus to the GALT family on an additional level! Congratulations to all!

2/24/2022

GALTx eNews: Have A Happy Hound During Hotel Stays!

Some of us are itching to go exploring and maybe you’re thinking about a road trip with your hound. Before you arrive at your dog friendly hotel, think about these tips:

1. Ask the hotel in advance about their pet fees and pet rules. Even pet friendly lodging usually charges a fee per pet per night and will have rules about where dogs can go. Many do not allow dogs on the human beds.
2. If your dog struggles with slick floors, ask the hotel how much of the room is carpeted and about areas your dog will have to walk through to access the room, like the lobby. In a pinch, car floor mats can work as rugs, but you want to plan ahead more than that.
3. If your room will not be on the ground floor, get familiar with the stairs so you can assess whether your dog will likely be ok with them. Many dogs comfortable with carpeted stairs at home will refuse smooth, outdoor floating stairs that lead to a place they have never been. Practicing an elevator ride in advance might be a good idea if that will be your best option.
4. Plan to bring everything you need as dog amenities are rare, even at pet friendly hotels. Things you might need include dog beds, dog blankets, food, food and water bowls, medications, first aide, snacks that don’t make a mess or have a strong odor, squeakerless toys, belly bands, coats, and boots.
5. These days, many homes do not have full length mirrors, but almost all hotels do. You might want to let your pup see the hound in the mirror at home so that he doesn’t get overly excited about it at the hotel.
6. If you have room, bring with you paper towels and some cleaning solution so that you can clean up minor spills or messes rather than leaving them for the cleaning crew.
7. Do not leave your dog alone in the hotel room. Waiting alone in a small, strange place isn’t fun for anyone. Plus, you are not in control of the access to the room and hence, access to your dog. Well intended hotel employees might allow your dog to escape and you will be responsible for all of the damages your lonely dog might cause.

And one parting thought: Before you take your hounds on a trip, have a mechanic look over your car to make sure it is not likely to breakdown on the way. Wishing you all safe and fun travels!

2/16/2022

❄️❄️ Uno says that there is a chance of flurries!

GALTx eNews: Bidding Is Open!

Bidding is open in GALT’s 2022 Art & Accessories Auction and runs through February 13th at 9:00 pm central! This is our first auction of the new year and a great opportunity to help keep the GALT hounds in boarding warm!

Over the last two years, our on-line auctions have made a big difference in helping us cover routine medical and boarding expenses, plus a number of unexpected capital expenditures at our boarding facility. This Art & Accessories Auction is the first of several planned for 2022, and it’s just in time to help with the expenses related to restoring gas service at Houn House! Read more about the leak and ongoing efforts to keep the hounds warm here. We are currently awaiting quotes on laying about 300 feet of new gas line or, alternatively, switching to propane.

You can be a part of the solution by bidding generously in this auction. This auction features many unique artworks, jewelry, and other accessories from wonderful donors and offers you a great source for gifts for you or your family and friends! And if you don’t need more things right now, you can still help in the auction by clicking on the green donate button on the auction page. We truly need your help in raising funds to keep our kennel hounds warm and cozy! Many thanks to all, and now warm up those bidding fingers for some amazing deals!

Bid Here!

February 3, 2022