Inside The Greyhound Track

September 21, 2011

A quick update post because Grey2KUSA just sent us this video, it’s a lil sad; but it is how I lived while racing and I really didn’t now any different or what I was missing.  :) Do now!  Kinda like what you don’t know ….. Anyway, every day I meet our customers and they are so unaware of how me and my friends live at the tracks; or how uncertain and scary our lives are when we don’t race anymore.   So take a peek into our world (or how mine was)  I am so glad to be a diva florist now; you have no idea.

Video Dog racing kennels at the track  

And don’t forget!  Go to my flower arrangement  because…….

My Basket

Yay- for every one ordered 20 % goes to Grey2KUSA

Visit the site-for me.  :)

 

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Willow On The Web

July 4, 2011

Me & My Ted

Today I don’t have to go to work-yay!  Lynn & I get to stay home, working on our writings and lay like broccoli.

 This day is about freedom; and it is a very precious thing-believe me I know.  I bet  you didn’t know that Lynn renamed me Willow  because in the Language of Flowers it means ‘freedom’.  I really had no freedom as a youngster; I like to run now and again but dog racing is not just running-we had no freedoms execpt out to the track for that couple minutes.    When you’re contained all day- that racetrack was our few minutes of freedom so we almost looked forward to it and ran like the wind.  But it is a shortlived high as the track is round and just brings you back to where you started.

We understand what your human Sigmund Frued said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result”  Hmmm   We racers kinda understand this quote, but we never gave up on our dreams that some time maybe the racetack would not be round that day.

So today I understand all the fanfare, and I celebrate too because there is nothing more important than being free to choose how you live, and how you play.  I am free to play, explore, sniff,  and lay like broccoli.  Among other things I now  have  5 beds, 3 baskets of stuffies, yummy organic food, salon appointments, couture clothes,  my own blog, an email, and a teddy bear!     Hip Hip Hooray for Independence!!      I love it.

Watch for my Willow Says Facebook Page soon, until then email me  Willow@goodolddaysflorist.com    My own email-so very cool.

  Happy 4th       Always dreaming, Willow

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Flowers, Chocolates, and Dogs For A “Greyt” Valentine

February 7, 2011

Valentine’s Day is the day to recognize all of our loveys with flowers, candy…and bones.  There are many kinds of loveys; young ones, old ones, distant ones, human to butterfly to greyhound.    Each Holiday because we see so many people, we promote awareness to something we think everyone should know.   And this time; it’s my promotion and it’s all about me and my friends!  I just love “all about me”; and I am so excited this Valentine’s Day to be supporting  Grey2K USA ; the nationwide greyhound rescue and advocacy organization.

So, as a really cool idea for Valentine’s Day we have yummy, handmade, vegan too-chocolates in the shape of me.  I am really flying high flattered;   I mean have you ever had a chocolate of you? 

They come all wrapped up with a free Puppy Power button and greyhound card for only $15.00 as a donation to Grey2K.    These are very exclusive with only so many available so please be sure to get yours reserved when you order your bouquets.

As always, we have those beautiful, US  grown , flowers coming in for those “take your breath away” bouquets we make for you.    Add a chocolate dog to our “One Rose Says it All”  special, download our free Victorian Valentine;  and you have just the perfect gift!   See  my other  post about the Rose travel & personalities, and Lynn’s Rose meanings .

I will be greeting  everyone at the store with a big red ribbon on my collar, so please stop by and help me make this the best promotion ever for me and my friends who are still waiting for their own lovey.   I actually have a promise from Lynn that if I sell all the chocolates I will get an entire day just her and I to the mountains-and that is the best present because she is my lovey.

Click here to see our Valentine Specials & Favorites or above at Shop The Store

p.s. I have a benefit  arrangement available year round in our Flowers For A Cause shop

Love and Leans to everyone on Valentine’s Day!

Willow

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Crates for Me and Turkeys

November 16, 2010

As a professional, racing greyhound (or rather a now happy “reposing” greyhound), I had a different upbringing than most of my friends.  As a puppy I quickly saw that most of my days would be spent in a carrier and a crate.  Kennel to track and back again. I of course wasn’t aware that this was not the normal life of all animals; I thought everyone lived like that!   Who knew?  So when Lynn told me about the animals raised for our food, I immediately identified. Crates,crates, and more crates.   Being the Thanksgiving holiday affair is coming; I started wondering about turkeys…

I went to our “Flowers For A Cause” in the Eco Shop because I knew we had an arrangement benefitting the Farm Sanctuary in upstate NY.  I thought this just was like a retirement home for grandparent cows and chickens that grew too old to graze and peck-kind of like a happy, rest home.   I am really not into farms and farm things being a racer from West Palm Beach;  so Iwondered- where do the farm animals there come from, and why are they being rescued?  And what about these turkeys?

Seems the 46 million turkeys served every November for these Thanksgiving affairs have had a similar life to me- but alot worse.  They live in a warehouse in crates only 3 ft. square their entire life; sort of like I did-but with no racing!  I thought farm animals ran free in fields in the sunshine and fresh air-isn’t that what we all think?  You know; like that happy cow television commercial?  I love that one.  At least I got out to run a few minutes on the track every day-they never do!  And then I read they over feed them so they get really, really fat and then they can’t stand up… and then they go a little crazy. Geez, I would too.

I felt really guilty for thinking of my early life compared to theirs so I decided to try to help.  Well, the Farm Sanctuary is doing something really cool through November 25 by having an “Adopt-A-Turkey Project”  where you can sponsor  a turkey and you will receive a certificate to proudly show your friends.  Since 1986 they’ve rescued and educated on how all farm animals are really raised-and all for us.   After reading about them- I really don’t think I can eat turkey again (or any cow or chicken or pig) unless Lynn assures me they are truly from a free roaming farm (it will say free range on the package) because if I do…hmmm then in my mind it seems to mean I am ok with how they live and are treated.  I may just go vegetarian to a gorilla diet!  So, I am going on board for my first ever Thanksgiving turkey adoption because I know how lucky I was to be rescued and get a family of my own-I’m  going to pay it forward.    I am choosing Daphne-because she reminds me of myself -a little bit thin, and a lotta bit lovable.

     DAPHNE

 

 It’s kinda like the dog racing; if people knew how we greys really spent our lives to entertain everyone; I just know humans would speak out for us.

Lynn made a sign that says   “ I strive to be the person my dog thinks I am”

                                                                                                                                                   So visit their site-I know you will speak out too.
*watch for our upcoming greyhound benefit at the store-I will let you know when.    xo Willow

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ASPCA Anniversary-Yippee!

April 18, 2010

           This month is the 140th anniversary of the ASPCA; the first organization for animal welfare.

 

I am one of the lucky ones, and all because one man 140 years ago had a conscience.  So for me, this month is cause for hoorays and yippees.  Many don’t know or understand how my life was or could have ended up before I was let go from racing.   It was exciting, and I love to run, but read this from the ASPCA to see what I did and how I lived.    West Palm Beach society is not all it is cracked up to be; I looove riding in cars so race them not dogs!
History says, in 1866 a New York City cart driver was whipping his poor, withered horse when an elegant man stepped in and defended the horse.  A Mr. Henry Bergh was this gallant man who then went on to petition NY for a charter to protect all animals in the state naming it the American Society of Prevention and Cruelty to Animals.   And on April 10, 1866 the law passed, along with the right to enforce it.   It was begun for working animals but soon graduated to help us all, in any area where animals live and work.  There are no real federal laws regarding us; I think there should be.Their logo was created about Mr. Bergh’s meddling, showing a guardian angel helping a cart horse.  I think that is the best.   April licensing of pets today even stems from their mantra of responsible pet ownership.
Just so you know….the ASPCA today works to:

- Fight tirelessly on state and national levels to pass laws that protect animals.  Or rather, doggedly!
- Provide the latest medical care at the ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital.
- Offer a 24/7 resource for animal poison-related emergencies through their Animal Poison Control Center.
- Operate an 8,000-square-foot state-of-the-art adoption facility.  Wow-that is big!
- Help at-risk horses with the ASPCA Equine Fund.
- Offer expert advice on common dog, cat and horse behavior issues.  I got over that, but so many of my friends are  confused still.
- Send out the ASPCA Disaster Response Team to help animals in times of emergency.  We get so lost in emergencies-especially when we lose our parents and home.
- Employ a Humane Law Enforcement department to uphold New York City’s animal cruelty laws.  These people rock!
- Provide a fleet of ASPCA mobile spay/neuter clinics to serve low-income communities throughout New York City.  There are sooo many puppies in the streets.
Cruelty is when an animal is intentionally harmed or not given food, water, and medical care.  Unfortunately we speak a different language and can’t really call for help when we need it-but you can.  Always keep an eye out for all animals in the human world-check out my friend’s video.  I told him the English language was tougher than rawhide!
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The main headquarters are still in New York City and operate entirely on donations and private funding from people just like my Lynn.    So please, please call your local ASPCA or police department if you ever see anything mean spirited.     For all my friends, xxoo Willow
Visit their website at www.aspca.org

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