Another Graduating Class

Next Thursday, October 14, we will have another class of Greyhounds graduate from the prison training program. I believe this is our sixth group to graduate and the second group of ten!! And I'm proud and happy to say that nine of the ten are adopted and have families waiting to meet them. Whoo hoo! I expect we may even have the tenth adopted by then as he is a handsome and sweet boy who will most certainly catch someone's eye soon! We also have a boy, Crenshaw Rayford nka Coby, who is very deserving of a home. He is not tolerant of cats or small dogs but is great with children and loves his people! I know his family will come along shortly!!

As in the past, when one class graduates, another goes into the program. Actually this usually occurs within an hour or so of each other. Those who graduate leave the prison and the next batch is usually waiting to enter the prison. It is planned this way so that the prisoners have little time to dwell on the one they have, most often, fallen in love with and can immediately focus on their next charge.

The first day is usually spent determining which inmate will get which Greyhound. They then name their new friend and spend the next week getting to know each other. The next eight weeks are dedicated to training the Greyhound to perform many different commands. Then the entire process repeats!!

It's quite busy when one class is coming out and one is going in as there is much to be done to prepare both groups for both scenarios. Adoptive families have been chosen and prepped, meeting places to pick up their Greyhound have been determined, vetting for the new group is in process and their travel bags (complete with everything they might need for the duration) are in process.

This time next week, two vehicles will head out to gather the ten coming home. One will meet another volunteer in Perry to pick up five and the other will drive to the prison to pick up the other five. A hauler will take the new group down from Birmingham that same morning, arriving just in time to see the current class exit. It's all very well orchestrated. Luckily for us there have been very few snafus along the way. It just takes ALOT of planning to make sure all goes well.

With all that is going on, our group will take a breather from all the "work" activities to enjoy an afternoon at Nancy G's Cafe located at 4920 Roswell Road in Atlanta this coming Sunday, October 10th from 1-3 p.m. with our Greyhounds in tow!! We'll be on the patio, yes, so if you are in the area, come out and join us. Bring your Greyhound! Everyone is welcome.

And lastly, I'll leave you with this quick recipe for some mini-muffins for your Greyhound. He or she will thank you profusely for taking a moment to make these. They will love them!!

Cheddar Bacon Mini-Muffins

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
4 strips bacon, crumbled
½ cup cheddar cheese
½ cup milk
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp bacon drippings

Combine all dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. In a smaller bowl, beat the egg and stir in the milk and bacon drippings. Pour egg mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Spoon into mini-muffin tin and bake at 375° oven for about 10 minutes. Cool completely before serving. Makes 24 mini-muffins.