GPA Indy Message Lost Hounds

[dlilly at comcast.net]

To all of our GPA Family,

Since January we have had three hounds get loose, two in the past two weeks.  While it is heart-warming to see the GPA family pull together to search for the lost hounds, I feel that this is a warning that we all must heed. 

One hound escaped through a gate that was left open by a utility worker.  If your meters are inside your fenced in areas, add a self closing spring or bungee to your gate so that a meter reader's carelessness does not put your hound in danger.  Add signs to your gates to keep them closed - Greyhounds inside.  This also applied for lawn services.  Make sure they know about the hounds and must close gates.  If you see the lawn treatment flag, check your gates prior to letting out the hounds when you get home from work.

Another hound escaped due to a gate left open while doing yard work.  It is spring so lots of yard work is going on.  We are are outside more often mowing or gardening and need to take care to make sure that our gates are kept closed.  When we are bringing lawn mowers or wheelbarrows through gates be aware of what the Greyhounds are doing.  They can squeak through an open gate quickly when you are struggling with a mower or heavy load.  

Kids that have been cooped up all winter are now coming and going again.  Remind them and their friends how important it is to keep the gates closed.  Padlocks on gates may force the kids to go through the house, but muddy footprints in the house are better than searching for a lost hound.

The third hound escaped due to a backing out of a harness.  It is extremely important that harnesses and collars are sized properly.  Adjust them to fit snugly - a loose collar or harness may work well when your Greyhound is pulling forward, but if they buck and back up on you they can pull free of both of them.  If you feel that a snug collar or harness will chafe or wear on your hound, use them when on walks and when they are indoors take them off and just have a tag collar.  Always have a collar with a tag on your Hound.  

Finally, a reminder never to trust your Hound not to bolt & run away.  Do not allow your Greyhound to run from the car to the house off lead.  Do not drop your lead when outside a fenced in area because "my Hound won't run away.  She'll just sit there all day long".  Keep them on lead at all times when they are outside fenced in areas.  They may not run away dozens of times you trust them not to, but it will only take one time to lose your best friend forever.  Why take that risk?

Thank you for listening.  Please hug your hounds and work to 'escape-proof' your home.

David Lilly
Vice President
GPA Indianapolis
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