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Dear Whippet Lovers,

Our two Fun Days in March and May were a resounding success.  Our next day is next Sunday July 5th.  We will have plenty of warm winter coats for sale along with our lovely collars and lead sets.  We also stock Black Dog Wear whippet collars too which are perfect for everyday wear.  Don’t forget to spread the word amongst your whippet friends or people you meet in the park about our days.  They are held especially for our “pet” people to have some “FUN” with their dogs.  No winners, no losers at our days, just a lot of “FUN”.  Everyone who is owned by a whippet or wishes to find out more info about the breed is very welcome.  These Fun days, unlike dog shows, are very informal and there are many registered breeders and owners present.  These people have a great deal of knowledge about the breed and are only too happy to share their expertise with you.  Read more about the days and future dates elsewhere on our website. 

Winter has arrived!!!  Yes, it’s half way through 2009 already.  Where does time go?  We have plenty of lovely warm polar fleece coats in stock.  These are priced from $35- so no excuses for any whippets to go cold this winter.  As you all well know, whippets just HATE to be cold.  I quite often get questioned as to why “my puppy/whippet is crying during the night” and I say:  “If the temperature falls below 20 degrees your whippet will be feeling the cold.  Even if you give him piles of lovely warm bedding he will still be cold on his back”.  A warm pair of PJ’s usually does the trick.  We have sizes for puppies right up to ones for some of those BIGGER boys!!!!  All I need is the back length of your whippet measured from the top of his shoulder blades to the base of his tail and I can either post one out to you (cost of postage is $5- for most places in Aust) or you can pick one up at one of our Fun Days.     

It angers me to hear about whippet puppies being sold through Pet Shops.  Contrary to what some people think these puppies are not from registered breeders.  A “Pet Shop” is not a “registered breeder”.  There are “puppy farmers” out there “supplying” these establishments with puppies.  The cost of a puppy through a Pet Shop is no cheaper than buying from a reputable registered breeder.  Pet Shops should not be allowed to sell any live animals.  This is impulse buying and unlike buying a toaster or TV you cannot return “it” after 7 days because it’s pooing on the carpet!!! Sometimes I pass Pet Shops and see in the puppy or kitten window, “Sale, price reduced” which means that the poor creatures are “growing” so to some people no longer “tiny and cute”.  I shudder to think what happens to these in the end.  The majority of whippets that end up in pounds and shelters come from these sources and “puppy farmers”.  If you are considering buying a puppy please go through the correct channels.  If there are no litters available on our website at the time of your search please contact me or another of our members as there is bound to be litters being planned so please be a little patient.  It will pay off in the long run.  You may see puppies advertised “cheaply” in the Trading Post or other newspaper but it’s generally a matter of “what you pay for is what you get”!!!!  Check out all the pages on our most informative website.  There is interesting stuff there for all to read, reinforcing the importance of what I have just said.

Times are getting tough with people losing their jobs or having their hours cut back.  You don’t need to spend a lot to feed your whippet.  Whippets really don’t need a lot of food to keep them looking trim taut and terrific.  There are reputable brands of dry food available at supermarkets, some Aust owned and made.  Wet food!!  What about chicken necks?  Chicken shops sell these very cheaply.  Or for red meat, buy from a reputable pet supplies.  NOT one that sells live animals!!!  I know Vet bills can be very expensive but shop around, make some phone calls.  You will be surprised at the difference.   Speaking to various people I am shocked by the cost some folk pay just for vaccinations and neutering operations.  Don’t forget that some dog shelters have Vet services available for a very reasonable price and, at the same time you are helping to support the shelters.   

As I have said before if you are finding it hard to contact me during the week it’s because I work very strange shifts but try the weekends as I am home most times then.  If the phone is engaged I just might be catching up with sleep so please keep trying.  Otherwise send me an email and I will endeavour to get back to you as soon as I can.  At least with email it might be the middled of the night but at least it won’t disturb YOUR sleep.  Thank you for your patience lovely people, cuddles to all your whippets and until next time “HAPPY WHIPPETING”.
RCM

Meeting Dates

The next meeting date is Wednesday 17th June at 2/38 Clendon Road, Toorak at 8pm.   Please bring a plate of something to share for supper. 

These meetings are open to all current members of the Association. Please come along and support your club. Future dates and venues will be announced on this web page.

We look forward to your continued support and hope to see you all there on the day. Future dates & venues will be announced on this web page.

ATTENTION!!!
A reminder to all members

Our financial year now ends on December 31 st of each year. Memberships are due and payable by January 31 st . This should be easy to remember now. Put a note on the final day of your calendar. If you miss out on the first newsletter of the year (or any newsletter for that matter) please check you membership status with me, preferably by email: raemitch@hotkey.net.au or else call 03 9725 0486.

Dual - $35-, Single - $25-, Junior (up to age 13) $7-

Please make cheques payable to The Whippet Association of Vic. Inc and post to: Secretary, Rae Mitchelson , 44/79 Bayswater Road , Croydon, 3136.

We thank you sincerely for your continued support!!!!! Without you, the members, our Club could not continue!!!!!