ART Auction Fundraiser

Since SAGA's creation, education and the well being of the adopted greyhound in its new home have been its prime concern. With those two cornerstones, adoption has been easier and more rewarding. Our adoption policies are such that we do turn down people and have turned down potential adopters. Each greyhound we bring up is precious and deserves nothing but the best in an adoptive home with a happy and healthy retired life. Prior to the greyhounds leaving the USA, all are spayed/neutered, given a full physical, all shots, rabies vaccination, a full dental, a fecal exam and treatment if required along with a heartworm test. We want the greyhounds in perfect shape for their new lives. We do not profit from the adoption fee and only remake our medical costs. All greyhounds receive a bevy of things required for their new life at adoption, including 6 weeks of free Pet Insurance, all at no charge. Nor does SAGA charge for transportation. Our adoption fee is currently $200 USD. After the adoption SAGA's care for the greyhound does not cease. We are there to advise, help and guide adopters should there be any concerns or questions and are available 24 hours a day with SAGA's emergency number. It is found on the unique bronze SAGA tag on each greyhound’s tag collar. Each greyhound is assigned its own tag number, to repatriate it home if they become lost. SAGA has interceded and aided in post adoption medical issues too. Recently some of our greyhounds have required life saving surgeries. These as we all know are expensive and in some cases adopters may not be able to afford these. SAGA's mission has evolved to say that no SAGA greyhound will go without life saving surgery if money is the only issue. With this philosophy in place, we have taken adoption of a greyhound to the next level and we stand ready to aid any SAGA greyhound that requires it because of financial constraints.

Osiris’s Story Sy had come in one day after being in the backyard and was limping. My first assumption was that he had burned too fast up our stairs and had banged himself, as they tend to do racing each other to get attention from Ryan and I. I checked his leg out didn't see anything or feel anything and he didn't seem like he was in a lot of pain because he allowed me to touch it without coercion. We decided that it was just that a bail on the stairs and would keep an eye on it. After a few days it seemed to get worse so I took him into the Airdrie clinic to get him checked out. The Dr. there advised that we would have to put him under to take x-rays. Quite upset by this I called Mark who advised I come in to the Alpine Vet Hospital and they would try and manipulate him into a position where they could take x-rays. So in he goes with Mark and the Vet to attempt the x-rays, key word was attempt in the meantime I'm hardly containing the tears as I can hear him crying. This was unsuccessful so they had made an appointment to put him under to get the x-rays. The x-ray came in and I was a sobbing mess, they advised me that they think he has Osteosarcoma, that it may have moved to his lungs and if that is the case that there will not be anything that they can do at that point. Definitely, the second worst day of my life, I could barely see the road to drive home. To find out exactly they need to do a biopsy on a sample to confirm the bone cancer which was done a few days after that, then they put him on medication. The Vet at Alpine Pet Hospital advised me that he wanted to discuss with the specialist in Calgary to confirm the progression of the cancer and if it had moved to the lungs. The lungs were x-rayed and were clean. I got a call a couple days after with the news that he has a chance if we amputate his leg so immediately no question in our mind about it or cost involved, we wanted to go ahead if we have to beg, borrow and steal. (Mark- this is where Sheri had contacted me and explained the situation. SAGA’s position was simple money would not be a complicating factor. Given the fact the lungs were clean gave us hope that we could in fact extend his life with the surgery.) Sadly Osisris made it through the surgery only to pass away the following day from cardiac arrest.

The auction that we have created will raise money for this medical account, which goes to life saving surgeries for SAGA greyhounds in need because of financial constraints. We hope to raise at least $10,000.00 for this noble cause. With the generous help of Cindy and Dan Green, we have acquired 20 signed and numbered lithographs of "Taters" and "Shades of Grey". www.artofdetail.com/CGHTML/CMain.htm We have had them beautifully matted and framed. These are outstanding objects and will grace any location they are hung. For a minimum donation of $500.00, you will receive your choice of picture, based on available supply and a tax receipt for $400.00. The same would apply if you donated $700.00, you would get your choice of picture, based on available supply and a $600.00 Tax Receipt. These tax receipts are usable only in Canada and should be of special to interest all greyhound enthusiasts throughout Canada. All shipping costs will be added if required and paid for by donator. Please remember we only have a total of 20 prints, 10 of each available. SAGA must thank Cindy Green for her beautiful artwork. Also Dan and Cindy Green for allowing us to use these lithographs for our fundraiser. A special Thanks to Traptow Photography of Red Deer Alberta for their work in framing these prints and the efforts of Cathy Nelson in getting the material ordered and the lithographs framed.

Email Mark

August 6 , 2007 12:00 P.M.