News from Sian …. I start this page with some news of Rosie – I mentioned in the last newsletter that Rosie had come over from Ireland to her new home with Peter and Pauline in Wyllie. Peter had been busy before her arrival building her a special bed of her own. I saw the bed when Audrey and I delivered Rosie – it was wonderful – a bed any dog would be really happy with – any dog except Rosie that is! As you can see from the photo she has decided that the settee is a much better place to have a nap – so Pauline has now bought her a fleecy sheet to lie on. Sorry Peter but I think the bed idea has had it. In October I collected Paddy, a handsome male greyhound, as his owner was having to move into a flat and couldn’t take Paddy with him. Sheila in Llantwit Major had already contacted me looking for a female greyhound after sadly losing Jazzy to cancer. I mentioned Paddy to her and she decided she would like to foster him. Now renamed Solo he obviously made an impression on Sheila as she decided to keep him. In November Gypsy and Madison were also taken under Greyhounds In Need’s wing when their owner contacted me. He was unable to devote enough time to their welfare and decided that they deserved to find new homes. Madison was adopted by Tanya and her family in Blackwood. There were a few initial teething problems as Madison decided she was higher in rank than Tanya’s youngest daughter Tia, but, after some advice and then some hard work from Tanya, Madison has now learned her place within the family. Gypsy didn’t have a home lined up immediately so she was fostered by Ian and Vicky (and Lola and Dizzy!) until, in February, she was adopted by Alison and her son Owen in Pontypool. This brings me to Pipa who is currently being fostered by Ian and Vicky and would like to find a forever home. Pipa arrived from Ireland less than a week after Gypsy moved out! She was apparently too slow for racing. At 18 months old Pipa is still young and playful. Due to her age and inexperience she would benefit from an owner who is firm but patient. Pipa gets on well with other dogs but is probably not cat friendly – although she hasn’t been properly cat tested. She is confident and outgoing and loves to be cuddled. Molly the lurcher is also in need of a new home as her last owner has cancer and could no longer care for her. She is a pretty, brindle girl – approximately 7 years old. She is very confident and loves having a fuss. Although she is friendly we feel she would probably be best suited to a home with no young children as she can be food posses- sive. She is presently in a foster home with Colin and Kirsty in Fleur de Lis, South Wales. We have also been asked to look for a home for Pancho. He is a large 4 yr old black male greyhound. He has been retired from racing but is still in racing kennels near Swindon. Pancho has only really met other greyhounds so we don't know how he reacts with other dogs or animals, but he is apparently very friendly with people. Having only known kennel life he is now looking for someone who could help him adjust to home life and offer him a comfortable retirement. We have a few events booked already for the Summer – the South Wales Police Open Day at Bridgend on 29^th June, Machen Show on 5^th July and the Vale Show at Fonmon, near Rhoose on 20^th August. Any newcomers wanting to come along to lend a hand, and brave the lovely Welsh weather, would be most welcome. Please contact me if you want to know more – 01443 224386 or e-mail me at greyfriendly@hotmail.co.uk. As normal, we also have our monthly walks on the last Sunday of every month (except December) at 2pm at Cos- meston Lakes, Penarth.                             Until next time,                    Siân If you feel you can offer a home to Pipa, Molly or Pancho please give me a ring on 01443 224386       8 Rosie Molly Pancho Pipa