Hounds Rest

Hounds Rest is a kennel facility on a farm near the Sandy River between Gresham and Sandy.  It is where the newly acquired greyhounds come to stay for a while after being picked up from greyhound breeders.  The are about 20 breeders near Abilene, Kansas.  So the group I volunteer with, Greyhound Pet Adoption Northwest, drive the 1700 miles to get retired dogs several times a year.
   When they arrive from a pick up run, they arrive at Hounds Rest.  Volunteers are there waiting to unload them from the special trailer, check to see that they are alright, feed them and put them in a assigned kennel.  That kennel will be their temporary home until they can be put in a home.  It's not fancy, but it works well for it's purpose.  During their stay the dogs are visited by volunteers in the morning and the afternoon to feed, scoop, and exercise then every day.  This time is used to get the dogs used to more human contact, assess their health, get shots and spayed or neutered.
    I love going there to be with the dogs.  They are so happy to see people, to be petted, to romp in the run area with other greyhounds.  But it is also very sad to leave them after a couple of hours knowing that they will not see anybody until the next shift.
   These dogs can be anywhere from 2 to over 5 years old depending on whether they raced and how successful their performance was.  They are generally healthy, but may have injuries usually caused by racing incidents.  Both sexes are raced.  The males run 65- 80 pounds, females, 50 - 60.  That being said they are all sleek and lean with not a pound of fat on them.  They truly are athletes.  They come with Kennel names which can be retained or not.

This is HR.  On the left is one of the "runs".  The kennels are on the right side of the building.  You can see one of the the hounds in the dog run looking at us.

Carmel has a previously broken right hind leg which he favors but it is fused and strong. 

Basher is a sweet boy that seems to have a calm disposition.

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One yellow leaf

On my walk I found a very pretty yellow leaf.  Here it is against three different backgrounds.  Notice how each one gives a different look.

on a moss covered stone step

against a tree trunk

in the grass

Dreaming

   With the turn in the weather here in Oregon, I am dreaming of warmer climates.  Of Arizona, especially.  Several friends are down there right now.  Enjoying the warm sunshine.  I think I remember warm sunshine.  A warm day here won't happen for 6 months.
   We could be ready to go in a few days.  The rig is ready.  Not loaded with food or clothes but ready otherwise.  And it is already facing south.   The only thing that really prevents our departure is Randa's recovery which is coming along.  We have an appointment with the plastic surgeon today to check.  She will still be on light duty for 1-2 months ( limited movement, lifting, no bowling, hang gliding, pole vaulting.) the usual stuff.  I assume there will be some PT involved in the future too.
    Until then I putter around the house, doing all the house work, working on a couple of projects and volunteering.  Still going out to Hounds Rest to feed and take care of the greyhounds that are there until they are adopted, which I hope is soon.  I also am signing up with the American Red Cross to be a Blood Transportation Volunteer, either picking up blood from blood drives and taking them the  ARC office or transporting blood from the office to various hospitals in the area.  Pretty important stuff and a pretty important responsibility.

This is before the last few days of rain and wind.

Signs

   Took Randa to the plastic surgeon yesterday.  Her stitches were removed and the doctor checked her out.  I am happy to say that she is coming along well.  Next visit in two weeks.  Meanwhile she can start limited movement and limited walking next week.
    The doctor's office is in a wing of the hospital and before we left for home I visited the restroom.  This sign was posted over position that one of the urinals usually was.  I believe you might call it a statement of the obvious.

Good thing the sign was there or I might have used it.

Yellow

Fall continued

As you can see the fall colors are rapidly advancing through the school yard.

Sedum

Our Sedum is loving the fall temps.  This one is aptly named Autumn Joy Sedum