Featured Hound: Drew lends a paw in many areas

Drew has proven to be a very versatile hound in the Greyhound adoption promotion and community service categories. In addition, he has done well in his training. So Drew can claim three different Versatile Greyhounds categories. Most importantly, the multiple activities this team takes part in on a regular basis shows a nice variety of ways to enjoy your hounds talents. I will let Drew's teammate, Lisa, tell you more about him and their many activities below. You can also read more about him on his READ'ing Paws Page here: Drew on Reading Paws More information on R.E.A.D. is available here: READing Paws
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Drew, fka L's Main Event, former racing greyhound in Iowa, Alabama and Florida, is a READing Paws Champion now!  Drew is a registered R.E.A.D member (Reading Education Assistance Dog) at the Powder Springs Library every other Saturday afternoon.  Regular young library visitors make appointments to read to Drew.  Most of his readers are between 6 and 9 years old, K-3rd grades.

Drew poses with one of his readers.

 Drew knows the show is on when we suit up to go READ.  He has a special vest and bandana that he wears to the library.  He knows it's his special trip to meet and help the children in his community.  He 'gets his wiggle on' when the automatic doors at the library open.  He turns on his special charm with a big smile and a wag of his short tail as he prances through the library to the special reading room for the children.  He has a special fan group of 3 sisters that are always present when he comes to the library.  They don't always read to him, but are always ready with extra hands to put down his reading blanket, book and brochures about the reading program, as well as his special signs that announce his presence at the library.

Drew settles in with his friends.

As a team, I've experienced the marked improvements on his first grade readers this year.  Some readers have even shared their report cards with Drew to celebrate the improvements they've achieved this last year since his reading sessions started at the library.  As you can see by some of the photos of his reading sessions, he really enjoys his time with the kids (and he gets extra treats and scritches from them as well).

"Excuse me, lady, but I'm working here."

In addition to READing Paws, Drew visits Arbor Terrace Assisted Living in Austell.  He enjoys visiting the retired residents in the home, especially the ones who keep extra dog treats in their rooms for the special greyhound visits.  He has participated in the Children's Christmas Parade dressed as an elf with long striped stockings that begged many comments of "Mom, look at the dog with this long johns on!"  I know his heart smiled every time he heard the children talk about his striped socks!  He's also made several appearances at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to visit the children that cannot visit their pets at home during their chemo and dialysis treatments.  He is so gentle with the children, as if he knows they are limited in their abilities, but not their emotions.  He'll stand over a small child in a wagon so they can reach up and pet his chin.

Drew is also the perennial Meet and Greet hound at SEGA's M&G Events.  He makes his appearance, and then lays down so all of the kids can gather around and lay with him and snuggle.  His beautiful deer-like appearance with large brown eyes and soft fur draw the children like a magnet.  You could call Drew the "Ultimate Kid Magnet", and he really loves that honor!  Drew makes regular appearances as one of SEGA's Mascots for the Pope High School Football Team, the Greyhounds.

Drew schmoozes with a cheerleader.

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Thanks go to Lisa Poole for honoring my request by graciously writing this post and including pictures. Looks like Drew is having a great time participating in all life has to offer. I would love to feature your hound doing one or more activities. Please send submissions to: versatilegreyhounds@kudzublossom.com