USA, AZ: Fundraiser will be for '45-mph couch potatoes'

[filou007de]

Fundraiser will be for '45-mph couch potatoes'

Description: Fundraiser will be for '45-mph couch potatoes'

COURTESY OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA GREYHOUND ADOPTION

"Greyt Tales" storytellers will include Jim Hoyt, holding Fiona, left; Karyn
Zoldan; Mary Freeman; Dale Peters; and Lori Riegel, holding Rebel Reba.

Loni Nannini Special To The Arizona Daily Star
<http://azstarnet.com/search/?l=50&sd=de ... ine=Loni%2
0Nannini%20Special%20To%20The%20Arizona%20Daily%20Star>

Lori Riegel and more than 100 other volunteers with Southern Arizona
Greyhound Adoption have great expectations for "Greyt Tales," the first
fundraiser for the new local nonprofit dedicated to rehabilitating and
finding homes for retired racing greyhounds.

"They have been working dogs their whole lives, and when they come off the
track everything is brand-new to them - being in a house, having toys,
having a home. They appreciate it so much, and it is like nothing I have
ever seen in another breed," said Riegel, who began volunteering with the
dogs more than 14 years ago and recently adopted her fourth greyhound.

"They are just so sweet and docile and mellow, and that is why people who
get one all of a sudden have seven and never get any other dogs. They are
like potato chips. You can't have just one."

Riegel is coordinating the upcoming benefit and is the fund-development
director for Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption, which is currently caring
for about 10 dogs. The organization accepts lost or abandoned greyhounds as
well as dogs from Tucson Greyhound Park.

Animals are usually placed in the organization's kennel where they receive
medical and dental care, and are neutered or spayed. They also receive
microchips and home training and socialization through foster homes before
adoption.

Though many of the dogs have been racers, they do not require a great deal
of exercise.

"We always say, 'Adopt a greyhound and lose a couch.' They are
45-mile-per-hour couch potatoes," Riegel said.

Mary Freeman, chairman of the advisory board with Southern Arizona Greyhound
Adoption, emphasized that the rescued greyhounds, which are typically
between three and four years old, are nonaggressive and often shy.

"People think they have to have lots of exercise, but they are sprinters by
nature. They go short distances very fast, and then they are done. At the
track they run every three or four days, not every day. They will curl up on
your bed or couch and be your companion. They are little love sponges. They
just want to be loved," Freeman said.

A self-proclaimed "cat person," she and her partner, Diana Hansen, changed
their mantra from "no dogs" to "maybe a greyhound" after meeting up with a
rescued hound in 2000. Since then, they have rescued three dogs, fostered
many others and spent countless hours helping rescue organizations.

Now Freeman will try another hat: storyteller. At "Greyt Tales," she will
tell "Domino's Story," a selection of funny short stories about their first
dog, whom they have since lost to lung cancer.

She will be one of eight storytellers to share personal experiences about
greyhounds in the form of five-minute stories. Riegel developed the idea for
the event through her involvement with StoryArts Group Inc., a nonprofit
dedicated to preserving storytelling as a form of art.

The organization features a monthly project, Odyssey Storytelling. There,
storytellers gather to share stories and personal narratives based on a
different theme.

Riegel is gratified that her two favorite passions will be highlighted at
the fundraiser and hopes to bring awareness to both causes during the
process. She also welcomes the opportunity to share the gift of greyhounds
with the public.

"The work we do takes money, and we are limited by our resources, so we hope
we will raise enough funds to take in more greyhounds," she said. "We will
also have foster dogs at the event, and people will have the chance to see
them and interact with greyhounds looking for a home."

If you go

What: "Greyt Tales" to benefit Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption

When: 4 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 26

Where: Fluxx Studio, 414 E. Ninth St.

Cost: $20 per person if purchased online at http://sagreyhoundadoption.org
by Tuesday or $25 at the door

Etc.: Festivities include a wine tasting featuring two red wines and two
white wines, with nonalcoholic options available, along with appetizers and
desserts as well as a merchant fair and storytelling by volunteers in
conjunction with Odyssey Storytelling. The event is greyhound- and
large-dog-friendly (canines over 50 pounds).

For tickets or more information: Go to sagreyhoundadoption.org or call
955-7421

Contact Loni Nannini at ninch2@comcast.net