Make Peace With Animals

08/15/2024

MEET FAITH

What's black and white and speckled all over?
Faith!
Her racing name, Faith Hope N Luv, kind of says it all about her. She has Faith and Hope that, after completing 108 races, she'll be rewarded with the right home. And she is full of the Luv she's just waiting to give to the right people.
Faith was born on December 30th, 2019 and weighs about 65 pounds.
She's an ever-so-slightly timid girl, but warms up quickly.
In her foster home she settled in immediately. She loves to sleep on her back in an open door crate, or just relax on a soft rug.
She eats well, is very clean, and enjoys the company of the resident Greyhound. She also enjoys sniffing around the fenced back yard and sunbathing.
Faith is NOT cat friendly, but is an otherwise sociable girl.
Faith has very soulful eyes that seem to be asking "Is this my home?"
It isn't quite yet; but we, too, have Faith that her forever home is just around the corner.

08/15/2024

MEET FERGIE

We're hoping to pull at your heartstrings with this little sweetheart.
Fergie (racing name AMF Flyover) is a darling, dark brindle girl who is very unsure of life beyond her accustomed surroundings. She was born on October 5th, 2020 and weighs about 65 pounds.
In her foster home, she is the perfect houseguest: clean, eats well, and goes in and out to a fenced yard with her foster 'sister' who is kindly showing Fergie the ropes.
Fergie has caught on quickly to playing with toys, sleeping on big fluffy dog beds, and enjoying endless petting.
Outside of her known environment, Fergie freezes and wants nothing more than to get back inside the house as fast as possible.
We tested her with two different cats and she was afraid of both.
The ideal home for Fergie is a quiet one--no loud noises, no people coming and going constantly, no children or grandchildren.
She needs a fenced yard so she can trot around, even race a little, and do her business in peace.
Fergie also needs the company of another dog, preferably a Greyhound or two. She really looks to the resident Greyhound girl for guidance, and we want to be sure she has the same arrangement going forward.
In the right home, Fergie could easily become your heart dog--a tender, loving girl who sees you as her protector and friend.

08/10/2024

YESSS!

Thanks to the expert hauling skills of our two volunteers, Vinny and Tim, we took in two more Greyhounds yesterday.
Tomorrow, thanks to the kindness of Jan, who volunteers her cats for testing the dogs, we will perform those tests plus get some photos and personality profiles.
Stay tuned!

08/07/2024

ADOPTED!!!!

A LION UPDATE
from Cynthia Branigan

In case you missed the last post about our lovable Greyhound, Oshkosh Lion, here's an update from his foster mom:
"Lion loves a good pillow pet and is not destructive at all with toys.
He now self crates when we get ready to leave the house. That's huge for him considering that he did not want to go in the crate when he first got here. He is one of the most chill dogs I have met. Nothing really bothers him."
And here's a reminder from his original description:
Four-year old Lion is the quintessential gentle giant. His racing weight was 92 pounds and, of course, he'll gain a few more once he's adopted and living the soft life.
He's tall, too, with his head reaching kitchen counter height. But fear not: According to his foster mom, Lion looks at what's on the counter, but doesn't touch.
Here's what else his foster mom has to say about him, "Lion is super sweet. He is very quiet and laid back. He's not bothered by the vacuum cleaner. I just vacuum around him! We only crate him at night to sleep or when we leave. He has the run of the house otherwise. He has not shown any interest in our 32-pound dog. He has no interest in toys. He usually lays on the floor, but sometimes will lay on a dog bed."
As if those accolades aren't enough, his foster mom added, "Lion loves attention. You can pet and snuggle with him all day!"
Lion did not pass our cat test and was quite keen. We also would not trust him with small dogs.
Lion is a well-mannered gentleman, calm and dignified. And what beautiful markings--light brindle with soft, black, velvety ears and a broad white chest.

07/29/2024

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMIE
from Cynthia Branigan

Jamie hits the big #8 today. Here he is, celebrating with his little 13 1/2-year-old mama, Wanda. No matter where they are, he always sticks close to his mum. I'm not sure if he is protecting her, or seeking comfort.
Either way, Happy Birthday big guy!

07/27/2024

SEE YOU ON THE BOARDWALK!
from Cynthia Branigan

On Wednesday, August 31st, from 7-9 p.m. I’ll be conducting a book signing at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, NJ. This, as you may know, is where the iconic diving horse act took place for nearly 50 years and is the subject of my memoir THE LAST DIVING HORSE IN AMERICA. While the act was shuttered in 1978, I had the privilege of keeping the last horse, Gamal, for the rest of his days.

2024 marks the 126th anniversary of the Steel Pier. To celebrate the occasion, a special tent will be set up in front of the pier’s entrance for me and the Jim Craine All-Star Band (who will be playing). Jim, known as The Singing Lifeguard, took care of the diving horses in the 1960s and 70s.

It’s shaping up to be a fun evening. Many of the gang who appeared on the pier back in the day will also be there: the Tony Grant Kids, the Ed Hurst Dancers, and even some of the girls who rode the diving horses!

I will donate 100% of the proceeds from my book sales to benefit Make Peace With Animals.

Cash, checks, and PayPal enthusiastically accepted.
The Steel Pier juts out into the Atlantic Ocean from the world-famous Boardwalk, opposite the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Hope to see you there!

07/19/2024

MEET LION!
from Cynthia Branigan

I can sum up my post about Oshkosh Lion in just three words: What a man!
Four-year old Lion is the quintessential gentle giant. His racing weight was 92 pounds and, of course, he'll gain a few more once he's adopted and living the soft life.
He's tall, too, with his head reaching kitchen counter height. But fear not: According to his foster mom, Lion looks at what's on the counter, but doesn't touch.
Here's what else his foster mom has to say about him, "Lion is super sweet. He is very quiet and laid back. He's not bothered by the vacuum cleaner. I just vacuum around him! We only crate him at night to sleep or when we leave. He has the run of the house otherwise. He has not shown any interest in our 32-pound dog. He has no interest in toys. He usually lays on the floor, but sometimes will lay on a dog bed."
As if those accolades aren't enough, his foster mom added, "Lion loves attention. You can pet and snuggle with him all day!"
Lion did not pass our cat test and was quite keen. We also would not trust him with small dogs.
Lion is a well-mannered gentleman, calm and dignified. And what beautiful markings--light brindle with black, velvety soft ears and a broad white chest.
Get your application in now for this imposing fellow!

07/13/2024

A van full of brindles, two girls and a boy, headed our way! More details coming soon!!

07/06/2024

THE GREYHOUND DROUGHT HAS BROKEN!
from Cynthia Branigan

We may be experiencing a rainfall drought in this part of the world, but our Greyhound drought is about to end.
Next weekend, we’ll be taking in three dogs, one huge male and two females.

Assuming one of the females is as described, she has a home anxiously awaiting her arrival.

But that will leave two other dogs available—maybe for you?

At first, all three will go into foster care so we can access their personalities and decide things like whether or not they need (rather than prefer) a fenced yard or need the company of other dogs and we'll get them used to home living.

Later, they will be tested for their safety with cats and we’ll get some glamour shots of the trio.

Do submit your application now so that if a dog seems like a suitable match, you’ll be the first to know!

07/04/2024

A THREE DOG AFTERNOON
from Cynthia Branigan

Here's how three of our crew spent a few minutes before the heat really set in. Top to bottom, Queenie, Yvette, and Ukulele.
Truth be told, they would have stayed out longer if we'd let them--which we didn't.
Grinch that I am, I'm hoping for rain tonight so the fireworks are cancelled. July 4th is The Worst Day for all animals.
Nonetheless, Happy Independence Day everyone!

06/08/2024

TUNE IN TONIGHT!
from Cynthia Branigan

I'll be interviewed this evening from 8:30-9:00 on the Jim Craine Show, WOND talk radio 1400 AM.
Jim, known as The Singing Lifeguard, worked on the Steel Pier back in the 1960s and 70s and we'll be chatting about my book The Last Diving Horse in America.

Programming - WOND

05/11/2024

HAPPY BROODS' DAY!
from Cynthia Branigan

8-year-old Ukulele (left, mother of three pups) and 13-year-old Wanda (right, mother of 18) wish all the Greyhound broods out there the happiest of days.
If you have, or had, one of these unsung heroines of the Greyhound world, share a photo!

04/27/2024

UP AND RUNNING
from Cynthia Branigan

After a months-long layoff while the Wheeling track was being renovated, the Greyhounds have returned to racing. Two back-to-back storms in March battered the track, making it un-useable. Now, however, the refurbishment work is complete and the dogs are up and running.
What that means is that some dogs will soon be ending their careers while others may just not have 'the right stuff' to be viable contenders.
That's where we come in: taking in ex-racers and finding loving homes for them.
Do submit your no obligation application now to get on the waiting list! Adoption Application

We only adopt Greyhounds to homes in the following areas: all of New Jersey; and the Pennsylvania counties of Northampton, Lehigh, Berks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Bucks. 2.

04/07/2024

THEY COME AND THEY GO
from Cynthia Branigan

On Thursday, our last available Greyhound, CET Coal, was snapped up by veteran adopters Betty and Joe. He is already well-loved and is settling in to his new routine. When Betty saw him posted she knew right away that he was destined to be her boy and she wasted no time making it happen. Atta girl, Betty!
Right now, we are getting ready to 'order' more Greyhounds. If you want to get a jump on things even before the dogs arrive, do submit your no obligation application now so that if the right dog for you is in the next load, you'll be ready to go.
A word about all upcoming loads:
1/ All we can request is the number of dogs we want. The maximum number our volunteer Tim can haul is four.
2/ Typically, we ask for an equal number of males and females. However, what we request does not always match up with who is available. For example, if we ask for 2 girls and 2 boys, there may only be 3 girls and 1 boy available. Or only one dog total. Such are today's realities in Greyhound adoptions.
3/ Long gone are the days when you could ask for a particular color (something I never encouraged anyway--a personality match is paramount!).
4/ Cat friendly Greyhounds of either gender are exceedingly rare and we take what we get. It is not possible to have the dogs tested in advance. Even if it was, we'd re-test with several different cats here before we determined their status. We take the safety of cats very seriously! The bottom line is be prepared to wait for a cat-friendly Greyhound. If we do get one, and it happens not to be the gender you requested, do consider dropping the gender request. Again, a personality match is what's most important.
We'll keep you posted!

03/30/2024

HOPPY HOLIDAYS
from Cynthia Branigan

The Golden Girls, 13-year-old Wanda (left) and 12-year-old Vandella, finally meet the rabbit of all rabbits: the Easter Bunny. It's far more imposing than any they'd ever seen before, either the fake one on the track or the live ones in their fenced yard, and they were quite impressed.
Both girls promised the Easter Bunny to adopt a Be Kind to Rabbits attitude from now on. We'll see just how long that vow lasts...

03/24/2024

COAL IS SOLID GOLD
from Cynthia Branigan

We have a hard time believing that no one has snapped up Coal (CET Coal).
He is a dog without flaws: kind-hearted, clean, enthusiastic, and affectionate.
Coal, who just turned two in November, only raced twice; but apparently he didn't have the right stuff to continue. Guess that means he was made to be someone's companion.
While he did not pass our cat test, he gets along well with dogs his own size.
And I'm obsessed with his white goatee--aren't you?
Here's his full description on Petfinder: https://www.petfinder.com/dog/coal-70703616/pa/new-hope/make-peace-with-animals-inc-pa274/
Let's get this boy into an adoptive home!

03/17/2024

ERIN GO BRAGH!
from Cynthia Branigan

Worthy (Kelsos Romulus) wishes everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day.
He extends special greetings to his littermate brother, Remus, and his littermate sister, Poppy.

03/03/2024

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TWO
from Cynthia Branigan

Since Vandella's (left) and Wanda's birthdays are only two days apart, we decided on a joint celebration.
Vandella (Kelsos Dab Hand) turned 12 on March 1st, while Wanda (Kelsos Wanda) turned 13 on the 3rd.
The pair had a leisurely walk followed by organic beef jerky (made for dogs).
Needless to say, their pack mates joined in, too.
Happy Birthday to our Golden Girls!

02/21/2024

COAL IS WAITING...MAYBE FOR YOU?

Coal is an adoptable Dog - Greyhound searching for a forever family near New Hope, PA. Use Petfinder to find adoptable pets in your area.

02/16/2024

MEET QUEENIE!

Who's white with red and speckled all over?
It's AMF LivnasaQueen, known as Queenie!
This 56-pound beauty, who just turned five, possesses the rarest of traits: she seems cat friendly! Yes, you read that right.
We tested her twice, two weeks apart and with two different cats, and she wanted to get as far away from them as possible. Of course, she needs to be introduced properly to cats in her adoptive home (muzzled and on-lead in the beginning); but we have every expectation that Queenie is a cat avoider, not a cat attacker.
Despite her impressive racing career, Queenie has taken to living in a home as if to the manner born. Roaching on her back or flipping toys in the air is all part of her repertoire. Frisking in a fenced yard is another favorite pastime. Queenie can be a bit unsure when taken outside to an unfamiliar area, but she may adjust over time. For now, Queenie is a dedicated homebody who prefers a calm environment.
She is an affectionate girl who seems to gravitate a bit more toward women than men, but she is plenty friendly with both.
Queenie would do fine as an only dog but also gets along with other dogs once she has established her boundaries and her status as Queen.
Preference will be given to applicants with cats.
Just a reminder, we adopt Greyhounds to homes in the following areas: All of New Jersey; and the Pennsylvania counties of Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, and Philadelphia.
Our insurance policy prevents us from adopting to families with children under the age of seven.
Our adoption fee, which does not cover all of our expenses, is $675 and includes a spay or neuter; dental cleaning; up-to-date shots; the book Adopting the Racing Greyhound, safety collar and leash, i.d. tag, and more. For full details, see our website, Make Peace with Animals
www.mpwa.org

02/13/2024

MEET RAY!

74-pound FGF Raylan, known as Ray, is both red and ready!
He's an everybody's-best-friend kind of a boy who can pivot with ease from sleeping on his back, to running at top speed in a fenced yard.
He's already onto the routine that the crate is for eating and for sleeping overnight and complies without complaint.
Ray's foster mom is teaching him how to do stairs and is also instructing him in the finer points of walking calmly on lead as he tends towards charging ahead. There's just so much of the world to explore! He will soon be equipped with a no-pull harness which will aid his education.
Because Ray can be keen, we have deemed him to be not good with cats.
However, Ray gets along very well with the resident female greyhound in his foster home. She is a passive girl who takes her lead from Ray's take charge personality. Her appetite has even improved since Ray arrived! A similar adoptive match would be great for him.
Here's what Ray's foster mom says about him, "Ray is a TOTAL sweetheart. He is being a perfect boy:
Eating better, is accustomed to crate, sleeps through the night, has good stools, responds to a simple no (which is rarely needed) and is Happy! He LOVES friends who stop over and is very intelligent."
Ray missed out on celebrating his 4th birthday, on January 31st, in an adoptive home, but we hope he can have a belated one very soon. Ray is red and ready!
Just a reminder, we adopt Greyhounds to homes in the following areas: All of New Jersey; and the Pennsylvania counties of Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, and Philadelphia.
Our insurance policy prevents us from adopting to families with children under the age of seven.
Our adoption fee, which does not cover all of our expenses, is $675 and includes a spay or neuter; dental cleaning; up-to-date shots; the book Adopting the Racing Greyhound, safety collar and leash, i.d. tag, and more. For full details, see our website, www.MPWA.org.

02/12/2024

MEET COAL!

CET Coal, who just turned two in November, is a big (75 pounds) bundle of lovable black fur. He only raced twice, perhaps preferring unregulated exercise in a fenced yard to the regulated kind on a race track.
Coal is always ready for a pick up game of fetch and keeps a tennis ball close by in case an opportunity arises. He's a happy-go-lucky boy who is both gentle and playful.
Well, not so gentle in the cat department. Our test of him with two cats showed that he saw them as just too tempting to resist by trying to pounce and chase. But with his foster people, and with the permanent Greyhound residents in his foster home, Coal is fabulous.
Don't you just love his white goatee? Or the little snippet of white on the bridge of his muzzle just made for kissing?
As his foster mom said, "Somebody needs this dog. He's the best!!!"
Just a reminder, we adopt Greyhounds to homes in the following areas: All of New Jersey; and the Pennsylvania counties of Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, and Philadelphia.
Our insurance policy prevents us from adopting to families with children under the age of seven.
Our adoption fee, which does not cover all of our expenses, is $675 and includes a spay or neuter; dental cleaning; up-to-date shots; the book Adopting the Racing Greyhound, safety collar and leash, i.d. tag, and more. For full details, see our website, www.MPWA.org.

01/25/2024

RED, WHITE, AND BLACK
from Cynthia Branigan

Those are the colors of the three Greyhounds we'll be taking in this coming Saturday, January 27th.
The girl is almost all white, while one boy is red, the other black.
We'll be cat testing, personality profiling, and photographing them on Sunday, at which point they'll be ready for adoption.
Get your no obligation application in now if you think you might be interested in expanding your family.
More details coming soon!

01/23/2024

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME GREYHOUNDS?

We're working on it! Stay tuned!

12/31/2023

GOOD-BYES AND HELLOS
from Cynthia Branigan

Funny how the good-byes always seem more vivid in memory than do the hellos.
In fact, 2023 was pretty equally balanced between the two.
A couple of dogs we had placed years earlier made their way back to us; but we, as their safety net, re-homed them in what we have every expectation will be their permanent homes.
Make Peace took in several dozen Greyhounds from the track this year and helped get them started on their new lives as cherished companions.
Charles and I said good-bye to two of our own cherished companions this past year, and I know some of you faced losses as well.
Just before late September's homecoming, Eugene, the unofficial King of Lambertville's Shad Fest, was finally felled by multiple disorders. He had outlived by ten years the lifespan predicted by many veterinarians but couldn't dodge the inevitable. Still, it was a devastating loss for us. We saw him through those years of triumph and, to the end, hoped for just one more miracle.
Then, just before Thanksgiving, there was the sudden departure of our Golden Star. He was a robust boy, seemingly in perfect health during his nine years with us. To have him collapse suddenly, and die within hours of the first sign of distress, was a blow. An easier passing for him, I suppose; but quite shocking for us.
But not to be overshadowed by loss was good old Landon. His was not a good-bye story, but rather an extended hello as he celebrated his 13th birthday on December 27th. May he enjoy many more years!
And so they come and they go, they come and they go...
While this time of year can be a sad, sentimental time, just think: your next Greyhound may be being born right now.
Or your next Greyhound's career on the track may be winding down and soon he or she will be seeking a home (more dogs will be headed our way in January).
We wish you and your hounds all the best in 2024.

12/24/2023

GREETINGS OF THE SEASON!
from Cynthia Branigan

Harry and Henge wish you and your hounds the merriest of holidays and the happiest new year!

12/16/2023

Can you relate? 😆

12/12/2023

SEEKING A LAST-MINUTE HOLIDAY GIFT?

Look no further than The Last Diving Horse in America! This award-winning book is a fascinating read for any animal lover PLUS the proceeds from any books sold through our website, wwww.mpwa.org, benefit Make Peace With Animals. Win-Win! The books can be signed, or signed and inscribed to the recipient of your choice.

11/28/2023

IT'S GIVING TUESDAY AND MAKE PEACE IS OPEN FOR DONATIONS!
from Cynthia Branigan

If Make Peace With Animals was a racing Greyhound, we'd be rated Grade AA as we have a 'track' record second to none.
Since 1988, we've found homes for over 5,500 Greyhounds and we're still at it. Our labor of love is non-profit (EIN # 23-2612411) and totally volunteer. We receive no government aid and are solely dependent on private contributions to do what we do.
Please help us continue to find homes for ex-racers like our most recent adoptee, Moses.
Just go to our website, MPWA.org and click on the Donate button.
Thanking you in advance, Cynthia

11/23/2023

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE

The things I'm thankful for aren't things.
How about you? Care to share?