The dog days of summer arrive late (Greyhound Festival)

[bijou]

DEWEY BEACH -- Wagging tails and wet paws are the order of the day when it comes to Greyhounds Reach the Beach, held annually in Dewey and Rehoboth beaches.
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Thousand of dogs and their owners will converge on the shore from Oct. 9 through 13 for the 14th annual event. And business owners are waiting with open arms, and special events. The Atlantic Oceanside Motel, which makes a habit of offering special treats to their four-legged friends, is no exception.

"I'd say about 4,000 dogs will be in town," owner Rob Marshall said. "We have played a part in this thing since year one. It's gotten so busy that we ask people when they check in if they want to reserve a room for next year, and most do."

The Greyhound Project Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes and helps support the adoption of retired racing Greyhounds, is the main sponsor of the event. The group helps organize an array of activities for visiting pets, and their owners.

The event began about 15 years ago when three women -- all Greyhound owners -- chatted on the Internet and decided to meet in person. Coming from different states, the only hotel they could find at the time that would welcome their dogs was the Atlantic Oceanside Motel on Route 1. Ever since, the Dewey-Rehoboth area has been home to the event that has drawn national attention.

Michael McCann, vice president of the Greyhound Project, explained that many pet owners participate in the event because of stereotypes placed on the breed.

"People used to watch these dogs race with muzzels on and they would get the impression that they were viscous animals," said McCann , who owns three Greyhounds and has three foster dogs. "It wasn't until 20 to 25 years ago that people started to overcome the images in their mind."

Some of the more interesting activities during the five-day event include seminars for Greyhound owners -- such as how to care for the dogs -- a number of Greyhound inspired art shows and a Mardi Greys Costume Ball. ...

http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081008/DW10/810080322

So SLW, will you be going to any of this? If you dress your dogs up for 'Mardi Grey' I want to see pics. 

[SaintLouieWoman]

Lots of people from the STL area go to Dewey Beach. I have a sweatshirt that says "Dewey" with a cute sketch of a greyhound with an old fashioned swimming suit on. But sadly, I've never been to Dewey. Almost every year it seems to rain. Some of my friends go to Dewey and sell all sorts of greyhound paraphalia (like cool shirts and everything greyhound).I've got greyhound socks, shirts, fanny packs, lunch thingie with a grey on it), etc. Then there's all the greyhound jewelry, greyhound Christmas ornaments, you name it, I've got it.

But I have gone 3x to the big West Coast greyhound event in Kenab, Utah. I loved going there. Those red rocks in the canyons are so beautiful. It's between Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park. Folks flying vs driving fly to Vegas and drive to Kenab.

It's cool, even an old fashioned theater where the dogs are allowed to go in and watch greyhound movies. The dogs get to go to all the banquets with their owners, there's a hike through the canyons for the greys and their owners, a visit to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary where there'a a picnic in Angel Canyon for the greys and owners. It's supposed to be one of those healing sites.

Sigh, haven't been to one for over 3 years and really want to return to Kenab. I love that place.

[Chris_]

Then there's all the greyhound jewelry, greyhound Christmas ornaments, you name it, I've got it.

Yep, that's all true! 

[bijou]

Lots of people from the STL area go to Dewey Beach. I have a sweatshirt that says "Dewey" with a cute sketch of a greyhound with an old fashioned swimming suit on. But sadly, I've never been to Dewey. Almost every year it seems to rain. Some of my friends go to Dewey and sell all sorts of greyhound paraphalia (like cool shirts and everything greyhound).I've got greyhound socks, shirts, fanny packs, lunch thingie with a grey on it), etc. Then there's all the greyhound jewelry, greyhound Christmas ornaments, you name it, I've got it.

But I have gone 3x to the big West Coast greyhound event in Kenab, Utah. I loved going there. Those red rocks in the canyons are so beautiful. It's between Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park. Folks flying vs driving fly to Vegas and drive to Kenab.

It's cool, even an old fashioned theater where the dogs are allowed to go in and watch greyhound movies. The dogs get to go to all the banquets with their owners, there's a hike through the canyons for the greys and their owners, a visit to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary where there'a a picnic in Angel Canyon for the greys and owners. It's supposed to be one of those healing sites.

Sigh, haven't been to one for over 3 years and really want to return to Kenab. I love that place.

Sounds like a great way to meet other owners and have fun. I hope you are able to go back again soon.

[SaintLouieWoman]

Sounds like a great way to meet other owners and have fun. I hope you are able to go back again soon.

I suspect the only way I'll get there again is if we fly out to Las Vegas and drive from there. SR doesn't like to drive that far, as it's 1600 miles each way. The dogs love the long trip, but I have to admit it's pretty exhausting.

Maybe we'll make it to the greyhoung gathering in Abilene, Ks next year. It's nice, with the pups having a chance to run on the training track. They put the dogs in the starting gate, and they get to chase that mechanical rabbit. Darlene and Xena could run together. They won't let epileptic pooches race, but Blue isn't all that interested anyway. They have a breakfast bunch at the Greyhound Hall of Fame, which is across the street from the Eisenhower Presidential Library.

Abilene is a cool little town with some beautiful old Victorian buildings. It's very relaxing, plus a great place for chocaholics. There's a chocolate candy outlet there for those who have bought way too many greyhound items and need a change of pace.