Dyno-Mutt's Mimbari

Mimbar

Mimbar & Sondri - Two of the Boot Hill Brindles

To talk about Mimbar is to talk about how A Place for Us Greyhounds (APFUGA) came into being.  Mimbar was one of 8 little, 6 wk old reasons, that was the start of APFUGA.  Mimbar was one of the Boot Hill Brindles, those were the pups that got us started doing greyhound adoptions & rescue, that were the push to start APFUGA. 

Mimbar - He was named after a fictional, alien race of people from the TV series, Babylon 5, the Mimbari.  The Mimbari were also known as "Boneheads" because of a prominent feature of their skulls, a bony ridge.  Well, Mimbar was our "bonehead."

Mim was a really cool hound that loved to agitate & torment the "girls."  He would walk up to them and "boink" them in the side with his nose in an effort to get them to play.  Usually, they turned around and chased him with all their teeth.  I'm not sure how many times Mim needed stitches from his tormenting.  Mim loved to play.

Mimbar, Chillin'

Mim was especially fond of children.  One year, our adoption group participated in the Children's Parade held in Santa Fe.  There were thousands of children in attendance along the parade route.  We arrived at the staging area and had to wait.  Mim hated waiting and he was dreadfully bored.  He'd already been nipped by one of the girl hounds for being a PITA and I really didn't want him nipped again so we stood off to the side, away from them.  Anyway, after a bit, we took our spot and stepped out onto the street.  Mimbar stopped dead in his tracks.  He looked around and everywhere he looked, he saw kids.  He slowly turned his head upwards and looked at me as if to say, "So many kids....  so little time."  He promptly drug me over to the nearest batch of kids and just stood there, leaning into them, basking in their love, hugs and kisses.   Our group was getting far ahead and we had to go...

"C'mon Mim....  gotta go...."

Nuh uh....  he wasn't budging.

"Mim!  Let's go!"  

He leaned into the kids even more.  Finally, as our group was getting ready to go around the corner onto another street.  I lifted this big boy up into my arms and started running down the street to catch them.  Gosh he was a heavy 70 lbs!  I set him down and he again drug me over to the nearest group of kids.  LOL...  I sure did get my exercise that day...

Mimbar (Dyno-Mutt's Mimbari)  at the 2000 ASFA I.I.

Mim was a very fast greyhound.  He was probably our fastest dog.  Because of his speed, we were selective in which lure coursing events he attended.  Those with a lot of turns, zigs & zags were not very good for him.  The boy could not turn.  

At a GCA Specialty lure course held in CA at a local school that had ballfields. When it was his turn to run. I had Rob slip him as I was chatting with Penny Bolt. Mim was off like a shot at the start, which had a fairly long run up, ending in a left turn. I said to Penny, "Watch...  He'll be at the bleachers on the next field over before he even begins to turn."

Sure enough the turn came and went and Mimbar was still going straight.  He was slowing, gradually, trying to get to 'turning speed'.  And, just before the bleachers, he attained 'turning speed' and started playing catch up with the other dogs.  He caught up before the end...  but it was in a straight line.  

Mim being 'hand slipped' 

Another time he showed his lack of turning ability was on the Abilene Greyhound Park track, in either 1998 or 1999. We were there for a greyhound get together and had the opportunity to run the dogs on the track. I stuffed him into the 5/16's starting box, a brand new experience for him, and as the lure zipped by...  he was off and immediately dropping down to the inside rail.  At the first turn, he drifted all the way out to the outer rail and at the top of the backstretch, he dropped back down to the inside.  Next turn....  All the way to the outer rail....  At the top of the homestretch, back to the inside....  

This dog had incredible acceleration and blistering speed.  As he crossed the finish line, the timer stopped and read....  30.33.  The only dog to better his speed that year was a Greymeadows dog, don't remember which one. There was a man there wearing a Kiowa kennels cap. As I gathered up Mimbar, he came over and emphatically said, "Who is this dog???  What's his name???  You've GOT TO GET HIM INTO TRAINING NOW!"  He was most disappointed when I told him he was not registered.

Mimbar bounced out of two homes, prior to coming here.  We told him he'd never have to worry about losing his home again and we kept him the last bounce as a 6 month old greyhound puppy.  

I am so happy he stayed.  I sure do miss him.

Feather

Ch El-Aur Summer Breeze FCh

Feather had several nicknames but the two by which she was called the most were Featherlette & Featherkins.  Feather, by any other name, was still our Feather...  a sweet, sweet dog.  She was our "White Witch."  We dearly loved our Feather girl.  Feather stole our hearts.

How we acquired Feather is a story in itself. Laurel Drew, her breeder, sent her to our home to be conditioned for the upcoming lure coursing season.  When she came to us, she was soft & in "show weight".  "Show weight" is not conducive to outstanding coursing and it needed to be converted to hard muscle. We got her into shape and planned to make her coming out party the ASFA Region 3 up in Colorado Springs.

Ch El-Aur Summer Breeze SC FCh

Feather had never been on a road trip with us. She was used to travelling, but she always went with Laurel. On the drive up to the Springs, we stopped at the Ft. Union rest area to potty the dogs.  We had 2 of ours, Lindsay & Jato, and Feather.  Lindsay voided...  Jato voided...  Feather didn't.  Well, maybe she doesn't have to go.  Back into the pickup truck and back onto the road.  Next stop...  the Springs!

We get there and met up with Lisa Thompson and her Irish Wolfhound, MacGregor. We were staying at the same hotel. As we were walking all the dogs, we found a lovely little cafe with sidewalk seating. They were enthralled by the dogs, especially MacGregor, and invited us to bring the dogs back for dinner at a sidewalk table. It was a date!

During our walk, Feather still hadn't gone.  Hmmm...  No cause for panic - yet.  She just doesn't have to go...

We met up and ate dinner and, again, took the dogs for a long walk in the area.  Feather still had not produced.  Maybe she has a special word?  We're walking her...  "C'mon Feather...  go pee!  Feather...  take a dump....  Feather, go ka ka...  Feather...."  I'm sure you get the picture.  By now, it's going on 10 pm and it's time for a call to Laurel.

One ringy dingy...  Two ringy dingies...

A sleepy Laurel answers, "Hello"?

"Hey Laurel?  How do you get Feather to go to the bathroom?  We've been walking her & walking her & walking her.  We've said, "go pee...  go ka ka...  go poo" and NOTHING!"

Laurel laughed and said, "Tell her to 'Hurry up!'".

Back outside and at the first dogwalk area...  "Feather!  HURRY UP!"  She immediately squatted and had this total look of relief on her face.  Then, she looked at us as if to say, "What took you so long????"

Argh......  That was our Feather.  She was so blonde that she was white.

At the lure course, Feather had a most successful coming out party.  She ran away with a placement and points towards her ASFA field championship. It was a joyous ride home.