Our Rainbow Bridge Page

Jefferson 4/25/08

It is with great sadness that I report the loss of our Friend, Jefferson.  He wasn’t a great racer, but he was so special in so many other ways.  You didn’t have to be with him but a short time before you began to love him and his unusual antics. 

He was very distinctive, as Greyhounds go.  His ears were very large, and, unlike other greys, they were either all the way up, or all the way down, there was no in-between.  His jaw line was not straight, but rather crooked.  But his face was beautiful, and his eyes were so intense you’d feel mesmerized if you looked into them for long.

He loved people, especially young people.  He wanted to please everyone, and all he asked in return was a little love and attention. Whenever there was a youngster around, he’d dance and bark to get their attention and try to get them to come near him so he could love up to them.  He would also do the same dance for Mini-Coopers, although we have no idea why.

In the three weeks following his thirteenth birthday, he deteriorated rapidly.  Old age, arthritis, and a debilitating bone condition took their toll.  The Veterinarian gave him a prescription for morphine, but I don’t believe that even that helped him much.  In his last days, his legs would collapse under him and he generally needed help to get back to his feet.  Normally quite quiet when no one was around, he began little crying “yips”, and would continue for long periods of time, breaking everyone’s heart when they realized he needed something but not knowing what. 

On his last day, it was as if he had a premonition, because he begged to go out many times more than normal.  He would get outside and turn his nose into the breeze and close his eyes, then prance up and down the sidewalk as best he could.

He finally lost the battle, leaving Sandra and me devastated.  We only had him with us a little over three years, but it was as if he’d been with us his whole life.  He brought joy to our lives and love to our hearts.

He is sadly missed by Nick and Sandi, Mini-Dasher, Wix Jonah, Homer (Flying Home), Becca Walker, and his three cats.

Goodbye, old Friend, we hope you are better, now.  If there is a special place in Heaven for Good Dogs, we know you are there, and have made it a better place, just as you made life on earth better. 

Robbie 4/1/08

I just wanted to pass on a little bit of sad news. Roundabout “Robbie” one of my pedigree Greyhounds lost his fight against a brain tumor Monday evening 3/31/08 @ 6:30 pm.  He was euthanized at home under sedation in the comfort of his favorite chair.  This has been one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make.

Robbie was whelped on February 16^th, 1999 in Flagler Beach Florida where he trained to race in Pari-mutuel racing. He raced 104 races between July 15^th, 2000 and December 23^rd, 2001. Of those races, 79 of them were at Flagler Dog Park, and 25 at the Mardi Gras Dog Track. He placed to Show (1^st – 4^th) in 49 races, 13 first place, 14 second place, 14 third place, and 8 to show. He was retired on Christmas day 2001 and place in the adoption program. At the time, I was a volunteer with Star City Greyhound Adoption. It was love at first sight. When he pranced up and leaned solidly against my leg, I had no choice but to permanently “foster” him. J He has been my co-pilot ever since.  He was always bright lively, and loved to play with my other 2 Greyhounds. Not to mention with a core temperature of 102º, he kept me warm in the winter, and drove me out of bed in the summer. I had my little Hierarchy, Jazzmine the Queen, Robbie the Prince, and Tasha the Court Jester. (Funny Story about that)  In August 2007, prematurely, he fell ill and was later diagnosed with a brain tumor.  This is terminal in Greyhounds.

No amount of preparation makes the passing of a companion any easier.  My greatest regret is that I didn’t spend more time than I did with him. He will forever be in my heart and I miss him so. My advice to anyone who asks is to spend each day with the creatures we have accepted responsibility for as if it were going to be the last day you will ever see them. Because that day will come, and although you can never prepare for it, you can at least look back and smile at all of the great times. But most of all don’t let them suffer. Allowing them to pass with dignity and comfort is one of the greatest blessings we can give these amazing animals. Remember, they love us unconditionally.