"Merry Christmas!
My new name is Snowflake. If you give me a good home, I will be your loyal friend forever."

Florida's Retired Racing Greyhounds will always remember Governor Lawton Chiles!

The un-told story of Gov. Lawton Chiles and his roll as a "Greyhound Caretaker."

Death Row Victim, Box Socialite, although not smiling, is happy today. Scheduled to be executed December 20th, 1998, she was granted a reprieve of life at the last hour. Without RIGHTS, without FRIENDS, alone in the world, Box Socialite awaited her fate. Prison warden, Miss Vicki, had tried in vain to get someone to answer her calls to save Box Socialite. No one answered. No one heard her plea. A Guardian Angel "up there" heard and answered her plea. Miss Vicki got the wrong number by mistake, with the right person on the other end of the line and Box Socialite got a reprieve and help was on the way! Miss Vicki was guaranteed that Box Socialite would be rescued. When she was picked up in Lakeland, Box Socialite was neglected, miserable, half starved to death weighing only 40 lbs. (her normal weight should be 62-65 lbs.) and roaming the streets. This pitiful 3 year old is just a baby ... a Retired Racing Greyhound Baby! Miss Vicki was so thankful when we agreed to take Box Socialite. She told me, "I just hate to kill babies like this, but sometimes I just don't have a choice. This greyhound is just a victim of the system. Someone needs to do something about it."

Someone is doing something about it. Most people know how much Gov. Lawton Chiles loved Florida, but few people have ever heard of the love he had for one of Florida's most important assets, the RACING GREYHOUND. He was a loyal friend forever to many people. In 1995, Rep. Helen Spivey gave him my proposal for a Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Alliance and he was so impressed he declared the first FLORIDA GREYHOUND ADOPTION DAY on Nov. 18th. Because of his declaration, he helped me and my fledgling greyhound rescue organization, the National Greyhound Foundation, Inc., save more than 300 of Florida's Retired Racing Greyhounds from being put down on the same day. This Rescue was the beginning of my dream for a much needed greyhound sanctuary which would provide a place of refuge for all of Florida's Retiring Greyhounds until they could be adopted into homes of their own.

Now, three years later, The National Greyhound Foundation Inc., a non-profit Christian organization, has been rescuing, adopting and working to get the support of the Florida Legislature to help change the system from RESCUE to RETIREMENT. This year, we have opened a subsidiary of the Foundation appropriately called, A Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Alliance. The call about Box Socialite is the first rescue of the fledgling Sanctuary. Isn't it co-incidental that A Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Alliance, through a series of accidental happenings, rescued our first adoptee, Box Socialite, from the Polk County Animal Services in Lakeland (the hometown of Gov. Chiles) on December 12, 1998 (the day of Gov. Chiles death).

I don't think it's coincidence. Every time I'm discouraged and am on the verge of quitting the work of trying to create a refuge for these greyhounds, the Lord taps me on the shoulder and quietly reminds me that he is my partner and "All things are possible for those that love the Lord".

When the call came about the greyhound came from Miss Vicki at the Polk County Animal Services in Lakeland,I knew Box Socialite needed URGENT help. Although it was a couple of weeks earlier than planned, I knew it was time to put the Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Alliance network in motion. Confident of the plan's success and the goal of "getting everyone in the State working together to change RESCUE to RETIREMENT, for Florida's greyhounds", the wheels started turning.

A posting went up on the Internet to the GHRESCUE-L group and the Florida based, PRO-GREY ALLIANCE message board with the headline "Urgent: Greyhound in animal shelter desperately seeking help". And the e-mails started flying. Within a few minutes, the FGSA office had offers of help from Dan Ward's staff at the Pro-Grey Alliance, and Peg, Glenna, and Robin in the Lakeland area.

Simultaneously I was on the phone to the shelter trying to get the dog released before the euthanization deadline for Box Socialite. I knew from past experience that time was of the essence if we were to save this greyhound's life. I went to work making things happen!

The first priority was to GET THE DOG RELEASED TO THE FGSA. I contacted Cal Holland, President of the Florida Greyhound Owners Association and told him the situation. Within the hour, the registered owner of the dog called the shelter, and a signed release was faxed to the shelter. Box Socialite had taken her first step toward her new home at the Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Alliance.

The next priority was to get her out of the shelter and into our care as quickly as possible. According to Florida Law the dog had to be sprayed before she could be released to anyone. Paperwork and a fee had to be paid in advance and surgery scheduled. Dr. Nichols, the County Vet, scheduled Box Socialite for surgery. The dog would be available for pickup on Saturday providing the paperwork and fee could be at the shelter by pickup time. The e-mails continued flying across the superhighway. The paperwork took longer than expected and it was too late for the check to get in the overnight mail on Thursday. Early Friday morning, I was on the phone again. Hours of time had been spent scheduling Box Socialite's pickup with Peg and Glenna in Sarasota. I wasn't about to let the weekend go by without getting that dog in our hands. This time the phone call went to Miss Shirley, the supervisor at the shelter, another lady with a heart of gold. She made arrangements to release the dog on Saturday to the FGSA (Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Alliance) representative. Even though she had only received the faxed copy of the signed release forms and had no money in her hand, she believed my "check's in the mail" promise and signed the release order.

Although initiated and co-ordinated by Beverly and her staff at the Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Alliance in Homosassa, many hours were spent by many people during the 3 days covering the rescue. This was indeed the joint effort of "Greyhound Caretakers" at work! It was the mission of the FGSA which myself and Gov. Chiles had envisioned three years ago. People who care enough about God's creatures in distress to take a little time out of their busy days and save these little greyhounds' lives. "Greyhound Caretakers" like Peg who would drive over a hundred miles to pick up Box Socialite and deliver her to a place of refuge while the dog heals from the ravages of the system. Caring people just like Gov. Chiles who encouraged its formation three years ago and started the ball rolling; Floridians like Vicki, Dr. Nichols & Shirley at the Polk County Animal Services shelter who cut through the red tape at the shelter; Peg and Glenna from Racing Dog Rescue in Sarasota who volunteered to pick up the dog and foster care her; Dan and his staff at Pro-Grey Alliance who co-ordinate other greyhound caretakers on theirgreat Internet site; Cal at the Florida Greyhound Owners Association who located the owner and secured the dog's release; Maureen from Florida, Rosa from Virginia and James from Alabama, who made the first donations to the Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Fund; Dr. K.C. Nayfield, the vet who has volunteered his services to helping bring health back to Snowflake; Gerry Mulligan, that great friend of greyhounds in the News media who's always there when I ask his help; and last but not least, that unknown person that will call 352-628-2281 and adopt this beautiful lady. She or he will be the recipient of all those wonderful kisses waiting to be given by Box Socialite to her new owner and "Greyhound Caretaker".

After church on Sunday, my husband and I drove over 270 miles across the state to Sarasota and the foster home she's living in, to meet our new "baby" as I call all my greyhounds. And there we met GLENNA the new foster mama and Box Socialite in person. My heart ached as I looked at this once magnificent greyhound, now standing with her head hung down and her pitiful ribs protruding. The strong odor from her body that not even her first bath would get rid of, her lackluster coat, the worm away skin and oozing sores didn't stop me from gathering her small body in my arms and giving her a great big hug. When I looked into the thankful eyes of her sad little face cautiously looking into my eyes, my soul was filled with love for these beautiful little creatures God created and some men so brutally abuse. And when I held her little face in my hands and ask her to give me a "kiss-kiss", her thankful little lick was all the thanks I'll ever need for all the time and effort spent by myself and all the wonderful "Greyhound Caretakers" who took time out of their busy lives and gave the gift of life to this little lady. That kiss was all the thanks any of us will ever need.

For three years, we have attempted to get funding from the Florida Legislature for a retirement center for Retired Racing Greyhounds. This endeavor though not yet fruitful, is now getting their attention. We have acquired promises of support from at least 5 legislators to help get this funding. Even without State money, the dream of a Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Alliance has became a reality. When adoptee Box Socialite, was rescued in Gov. Chiles hometown of Lakeland, she became the first greyhound to fall under the new Sanctuary program.

Although he will be here in spirit only, the Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Alliance is being dedicated to Gov. Chiles as a memorial to his concern for Florida and its residents both human and animal.

In 1995, Gov. Chiles signed into law the "Charity Day's" bill that allows the Greyhound Track Owners to give tax free revenues, earned by the greyhounds to various charitable organizations. In 1999, with the launching of the Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Alliance and with it's Greyhound Caretakers, we're requesting revenue from the Florida Greyhound Track Operators to help fund The Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Alliance for all of Florida's Retired Racing Greyhounds.

We believe as did Gov. Chiles, that charity begins at home. The Racing Greyhounds earned this money. They deserve their share. Gov. Chiles signed the bill into law, the Legislature passed the bill, now we're anticipating working with the Greyhound Track Operators and the Florida Legislature in showing the world that Florida does take care of their own. We are asking the Track Operators to become a part of the Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Alliance by donating a kennel at each of the 17 Florida Greyhound Tracks for an Alliance shelter. The requested revenues from the "Charity Day" bill, will insure that the Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Alliance will create a sanctuary for all of Florida's Retired Racing Greyhounds.

Five days after her arrival at Glenna's home, Box Socialite has gained 4 lbs. on her new diet of hamburger, rice, pumpkin and premium dog food. She's acquired a new name Snowflake, so dubbed by Glenna's husband Malcolm (because of so much dry skin flaking when he brushes her) and Dan (because of his great sense of humor). Snowflake is a sold black greyhound from head to foot. And next week, from Glenna who's fallen in love already, she'll be moved to the headquarters of the FGSA located on Florida's nature coast where she'll be loved, cuddled and thoroughly spoiled while she's recuperating.

An investigation into the abuse of Snowflake is underway by the National Greyhound Association. In an effort to control the abuse of these retiring greyhounds, stringent new rules have been implemented by the Association against all owners of greyhounds. The person responsible for Snowflake's condition will be found and punished by the Association according to their findings.

The Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Alliance will provide a much needed retirement center for all of Florida's retiring greyhounds. When I first met Cal Holland in Tallahassee early this year, he asked me if we Greyhound Rescuers could consider changing RESCUE to RETIREMENT. I told him "yes, with your and the greyhound industry's help, Greyhound Rescuers could be changed to Greyhound Caretakers, and Rescue could be changed to Retirement." He assured me of his and his organization's help. Snowflake represents the first adoption by the Alliance. Her rescue shows the concern of everyone in the industry, working together to care for their own. By the beginning of the 21st century, it is our goal at the Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Alliance that we have indeed changed the words RESCUE to RETIREMENT and GREYHOUND RESCURER to GREYHOUND CARETAKER.

In a parting word, Snowflake says,

"Woof, Woof, Woooooof, Wooffff, Woff"

Translated into human language below:

"Merry Christmas!
My new name is Snowflake. Thank you for saving my life. If you'll give me a home, I'll be your loyal friend forever."
and
Happy New Year from the Florida Greyhound Sanctuary Alliance and Retired Racing Greyhounds everywhere.
and especially from
Bevery Sebastian and her Greyhound Friends, Pumpkin Pie, Sunbutter and Jackie

Ho Ho Ho!

Back to the NGF Relief and Rescue Page

Back to the NGF Projects Page