Blue
(MG Blue Angle)
6/1/04 - 10/4/08

I met Blue on a haul that I transported from Dubuque to Emerald in WI. There were 3 males and one female all in the back of my car. Of course, things don't always go easily - the girl was in heat and boys will be boys. Two of the boys started to fight each other over the girl and Blue pushed her to the back of the van and guarded her while the argument was going on. I had never seen a more human-like act from a Greyhound in my life. He clearly was protecting her from the other two boys. Blue already had a home lined up for him once we arrived to Illinois. I knew this - but made the comment, after that harrowing trip was over, if his placement didn't work out, I would take him. That first impression he made was enough - I knew what an incredible dog he was. A few weeks later I got the call that he was available - and he was mine from that day on.

Blue and his sister, Charlotte, on their 4th birthday

Blue was a 2 year old that flunked on the track, so he was a bit of a wild child. After failing obedience several times, things got a bit better and he was given more freedom in the house. He was always a goofball, and he put a smile on my face every time I came home - no matter how long I had been gone.

Time is a funny thing, we always think we will have a long time with our hounds and that nothing bad will ever take them away from us prematurely. My beautiful 4 year old boy Blue escaped our completely fenced yard thru a fence door that didn't properly latch one day. He and his sister Annie ran to a neighbors garage where they were hit by some boxes to shoo them away. They both ran for the street, and Blue, not being quite as fast or nimble as my Annie, was hit by a car.

We immediately rushed him to VCA Aurora where he was diagnosed with a shattered scapula and multiple internal injuries. We weren't sure if he'd survive, but he seemed to want to live, so we treated and repaired all of the medical issues as they came up. He has treated by top veterinarians around the clock in the intensive care unit for a week. He survived the scapula repair surgery and seemed to be doing better. A miracle, by all accounts, that he survived.

We got to bring Blue home on a Friday night, and I took many photos of us together so I could document his recovery. Unbeknownst to me, I have many, many friends thru GO that had made donations to help with his expenses, and I wanted to let them see what they had helped to save. The following morning Mark carried him outside to relieve himself. In Mark's arms at 7:30 am Blue looked up at him, took one last big breath, and then he was gone. The vet said it was probably a blood clot, but we really will never know. We know that he died surrounded by his family that loved him and with the Greyhounds he had know all of his post-retirement life. My four children, Mark and I are still grieving this loss as if I happened yesterday.

Blue had trained more than 100 foster dogs how to behave in our home and corrected them when they needed it. He was young, happy, and gave all Greyhound people that came over endless love and affection. He just couldn't stand to not be the center of attention. He rubbed on everyone until they were forced to pet him. In my dreams he is still snuggling and kissing me. He runs with many friends with no pain across the rainbow bridge. Someday we will play together again and I will again feel his sloppy kisses and get pushed over by his affection and love.

Mark and Sue Purdom
Avery, Alexis, Khadija, and Iain
Elmo, Annie, and Gem

Blue with Alexis, Khadija, Sue and Avery (he's in the back, with the ruffle on).

Elmo, Gracie, Annie, Doc, Blue (lying down) and Gem with Grandma Barb.

Billy Harris
(12/22/04 - 10/9/08)

Forever in our Hearts

December 22nd would have been Billy's 4th birthday.

He was only with us for 1 year 1 week and 5 days but he changed our lives forever. He opened our hearts to the world of greyhounds and I am thankful every day for all that having him in our lives has brought to us. He was a true ambassadog for the hounds, winning the hearts of everyone that he had the pleasure to meet.

We miss him every day and he will never be forgotten.

I would love nothing more than for anyone reading this to stop what you are doing and take a moment to hug your hound(s) and REALLY enjoy your time with them every day, because you never know how long you will have them with you. If you are not among those of us who have been blessed with the company of greyhounds, I wish you Peace and Love this day and every day in whatever completes you.

-- Lori Harris, 12/08

Slammer
(Little Slammer)
5/27/00 - 10/28/08

We opened our home to Slammer in March of 2005. We readily admit to having passed her over on the "dogs for adoption" portion of the site. But photos would never do her justice. Only in meeting her could one understand her relentless, infectious happiness.

Slammer was (we were told) a kennel favorite and it immediately became clear why. She was a beautiful, sweet dog that really looked at you and seemed to care about you. She was the one who you wanted to meet at a party, the one who could always make you laugh, and the one who would always come drop her head in your lap when you felt down. She made you feel like you were a long lost friend the first time you met her.

She never met a person, dog or bed she didn't love. She loved to sleep. She loved to ride in the car (so she could sleep). She loved to go to work with us (so she could sleep). She loved anything we did, particularly if she could sleep when we were all done.

We are saddened that we won't get to give her treats, see her steal ice cream containers from the garbage, or even just see her tail turn like a propeller. She won't attack her bear when we come home, grunt when we scratch her ears or sit to have her teeth brushed. She won't be there to break into the bathroom while we shower or sleep on her grass patch in the yard.

We will miss her dearly, but have many stories of her hilarity to keep us warm and smiling.

Goodbye, Slammer. We love you.

~ Mike and Erika Reisenleiter

Sierra Betts & Hammer Betts
(10/94 - 9/08) & (3/96 - 11/04)

 

This is our little angel, Sierra. She came to us 12 years ago through GO, Inc and by the great intuition of Linda LaFoone.

She was very special in many ways and a little‘spooky’. Linda knew that our quiet home was the right place for her and she couldn’t have been more right!

As time went on, she opened up with the help of a new little kitty, Chico. After that it was Popeye’s chicken, skunks and eventually another hound, Hammer (also by Linda). Needless to say, she turned into a complete goofball and was sure to let Hammer and the kitties know who was boss. Talking about an Alpha! All she had to do was show her “alien face” and the whole room cleared! (I know you’ve seen it!)

We lost our sweet boy Hammer to osteosarcoma right before Thanksgiving in 2004, but on New Year’s Day, 2005, Mr. Khan (Rory) joined our family. As all of you hound owners know, each one of them couldn’t be sweeter or bring such pure love into your lives as they do. Guess there will always be room for more even though our hearts ache.

~ John & Fran Betts
2008

Hammer Betts

Juliet
(Abita Juliet)
(October 7, 1998 – July 23, 2008)

Adopted in February of ’05. Our Juliet, the pretty girl. Aloof and a loner is how she came to us. A return dog we were going to foster. Well that did not last long. She stole our hearts immediately. She was very needy (although would never admit it). She had so many traumas in her life, when we got her, her suit of armor was so hardened, she thought she was not deserving of anything. We had to force our love on her. Sadly it took more than a year for her to accept us and our home as her own. She always put herself last to our other hounds. Never defended her place for anything. She was just the sweetest pretty girl you could ever meet. Strangers would fall in love with her and make her their favorite. She had something special that only certain folks could feel. Over the years we had the pleasure of watching her armor get softer and softer, she was forever changing. She learned how to love and receive love. The older she got, the more childish she became. She danced to her own drummer for sure. Juliet was our second hound and we loved her every bit as much as our first. The courage she taught us is unexplainable. She will always be in our hearts and souls. In her memory, we will keep all the courage and grace she has given us and apply in our own lives, always. Juliet was a Trooper!

Unfortunately she started limping in early July and was diagnosed with Osteo Sarcoma in Mid-July. Within the week of her diagnosis she said good-bye. I truly think she overheard the doctors talking and understood her prognosis was not good. She made her decision the night I picked her up from the hospital. We were shocked we walked her into the hospital and 12 hours later had to carry her out. Her pain was excruciating. She had given up. We let her go with grace and dignity as that is how she wanted to leave….the very same way she lived. She is now with her hound mate Max who we lost earlier in April.
I guess that is how it was meant to be. They are together again. Neither one of them made it to their 10th Birthday. Well Juliet, we will be celebrating you B’day with you in our hearts and know you will be celebrating too!

Run pain free pretty girl and celebrate your entry to the Rainbow Bridge. There will be no-more storms for you to fear, only the sunshine that you love so much. We miss you every day and will never forget you, for you have left us with so much more than we could ever give.

Love,
Lauren, Alexis, Frilly, Dino, Charlie Sicherman, and Dave Whiteleather

P.S. Please visit her arrival story on the Greyhounds Only website under Past events 2004/2003 From Oklahoma to Illinois.

Caesar
(11/27/95 - 8/16/2008)

My Buddy. When you first came home to us you were cast off from several families, through no fault of yours. You walked into the house and never looked back. You were space aggressive and a bit of a loner. But you didn't stay that way for long. You needed a family to love you, we needed someone to help and show our love to. Rama needed someone to show her the ropes, and you and your strength were able to come in and help giver her the confidence she needed. You saved me--You came to us just as another member of our family left us in a violent end. I would never have been able to make it through the rough time if I didn't have you to help through your transition and help through your medical problems.

My Prince. You've had so many medical issues and you came through everything with the heart of a lion. You loved life while you could. You inspired me more than anyone could imagine. Your spark and zest for life have been a constant inspiration to me in my life.

My Caesar. We had to say goodbye today, and it was the most difficult thing I have had to do. We would never make you suffer, and you fell quietly asleep with your Mom and Dad holding you. Know that you will always be right in our hearts. Thank-you, Caesar, for everything you have given us. Thank-you for sharing your life with us. Four years of learning, frustration, laughing, snuggling, LIVING. We will always love you.

~ Jayme E. Hudgins and Dennis Jenkins

Oliver
(3/1/2001 - 6/5/2008)

I welcomed Oliver into my home on June 9th, 2004. From the start he was a wonderful addition to my family. He loved all his babies (stuffed animals) that were given to him by my friends and family. He knew exactly how many he had even though he had over 30 of them to keep track of. When visitors came over he would take them into another room as if to make sure no one would take them. When dinner time came he would throw them up in the air in anticipation of what was to come. Oliver was a remarkable boy and very smart…it didn’t take him long to figure out that at the same time everyday my mother would give him a “special treat”. Oliver was diagnosed with a form of Leukemia. Even though we only had 4 years together, they were the best 4 years of my life. He was loved very much and will be deeply missed. I think about my boy everyday. I wish Oliver the best at the Rainbow Bridge.

Sincerely,
Ethel Peters

Ashley
(Dog Gone Ash)
(8/23/95-5/5/2008)

Our first, our Ashley, left us for the Rainbow Bridge on Sunday night. We held her in our arms to kiss her and say goodbye. She was the great beauty in our lives, who taught us so much, and came so far with us.

We called her Ashley Fawn Fancy Dancer. She was our exqusitely elegant girl, with all the long legged grace and luminous eyes of a fawn, and she came to be our Fancy Dancer - for her elaborate dances, when she was happy, when she wanted attention, and when she just wanted to be the boss.

Ashley was 17 months old when her life was saved by the late Connie Meurette, a trainer at the Sanford race track in Florida. Connie literally stole her from another kennel one night, the night before Ashley was to be euthanized. Connie called and asked the group to take her on her haul coming north that next day, and so she began her journey to us.

Ashley's darkest brindle beauty was breathtaking, and her fear was absolutely heartbreaking. My heart literally skipped, and the world stood still, the first time I saw her face. In a room full of happy and friendly foster pups, all clamoring for attention, she came out of a back room on a leash, and stood shaking so badly I thought she would fall. We knew nothing at all about greyhounds, and even less about scaredy dogs, and she was by far the worst the group had ever seen, a vet had even said she should be euthanized, that she would never be able to live in a home as a pet. But for all her fear she looked into my eyes, and I clearly heard her say, "please pick me", and so we did, there was never a question, and we never dreamed where that choice would lead us.

Ashley brought us our twins Magic and Macbeth, our Anastasia, and our Nico, who were waiting at the Bridge for her. She brought us our Charlie, our Velvet, our Allie, and Indigo. She led us as a family to dedicate ourselves to loving and being loved by greyhounds. She brought more than 200 fosters into our home and hearts over the years, she was the reason for our commitment to the plight of the Florida hounds, and to doing what we can every day for the hounds, all in her name.

She was loved and lived through so much with us over our years together, and her gentle spirit will be always be with us, for she will live in our hearts, forever... our first, our beauty.

Missing our girl,

Linda, Ed & Lauren
Charlie, Velvet, Allie and Indigo
Anastasia, Magic, Macbeth and Nico running with Ashley now

Max
(Call Me Max)
aka The Doodler
(8/21/98 - 4/17/08)

Max was my first hound, he brought to light my love, addiction and dedication to Greyhounds. Because of Max I was invited into a new world and a family of folks and hounds that have changed my life. He taught me the true meaning of life, to enjoy every minute and all the simple things life has to offer.

I adopted Max sight unseen on July 7, 2004. When Max first jumped out of the Van in my driveway on the day of the adoption, my jaw dropped, he was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. He came inside and sat on a pillow on the floor next to my daughter Alexis who was 12 at the time, he turned and smiled at her. His foster Mom, Sue Gaiser, Dennis Orozen, along with adoption rep. Kathy Urzedowski were astounded that he was a smiler. Everyone started yelling “He’s a smiler, he’s a smiler”…..I will never forget that moment.

The next day I swore I would never need an alarm clock again, and sure enough I did not.

Max’s first favorite thing to do was go for a walk and get a snack afterwards of course! When the leash came out he lit up and started running like a rocket with joy. I loved the walks too, it was so nice to see him light up like that. When he walked it was like he was walking on air and bouncing all the way, that is where he got the Doodler name. I often thought that he did not like his Max name, because when we called him to come with the Doodler name he lit up with exuberance and started wagging his tail and smiling.

Max’s second favorite thing was jumping in my bed and sleeping with me. He would always beat me to the bed-no surprise to anyone who is owned by a grey I am sure. He was a hog too, I spent many a night sleeping with his cute butt on the pillow next to me. When I woke up in the morning his head would be on the pillow next to me and he would have the blanket all balled up and I would have none. It was never a problem. It just the way it was.

Max developed a cancerous Sarcoma in June of ’07 he was given 6 months at most. Because it was located in his rear hind muscle, I opted not to try to remove it and to make him as comfortable as possible. He was a trooper, an athlete and loved life. His aura was huge along with his spirit. He woke up everyday like it was his first. For 9 months he was on every medicine we could find, holistic, western, you name it. He was doing great. Then on April 17, 2008 he would not eat his breakfast, when I came home for lunch that day he would not get up. His feet were cold and he looked lost, he laid there peaceful and his eyes told me he wanted to leave. I came home from work that night and he would not eat dinner. He just laid down again. I knew he needed help, he wanted to go, it was his time. I gathered up my hound family of 4 and off we went to the vet. He hated going there and would skirt that door in anyway possible on a normal day. This day he walked right in and laid down-he was ready. It was at that moment, we accepted that we had to let him go.

It is our hope that Max will find another hound to host his spirit and that hound will find us someday……

In the meantime, it is so long Max, my Doodler, be happy and pain free now and run without fear my big boy.

Missing you and loving you forever Max.

~ Lauren, Alexis, Juliet, Frilly, Dino and Charlie Sicherman

Luke
(Luxemboury Drive)
(3/21/94 - 2/18/08)

Luke was adopted by the Hanson family at the ripe old age of 9 years. Having been returned, he found his "forever family", and tried to spend as much time with them as he could. He crossed over the Rainbow Bridge February 18th, kidney disease having taken its toll.

We are thankful he was a return dog at the age 9. We weren’t even looking for another greyhound until we saw his photo on the Greyhound Only website. His eyes captured our hearts instantly! We prayed that our alpha male greyhound would choose Luke when we went to visit the kennel. Kathy first brought out about 6 dogs and our alpha didn’t like any of them! When she brought out Luke our alpha was sweet to him and they ran in the fenced area together. It was as if our family and our greyhound saw something special about this boy Luke. It took some time before his cute personality began to shine, but we were patient. We are proud to say we gave him nothing but love, good nutrition and vet care and he deserved every bit of it. We are grateful that he lived to a few weeks shy of the age 14. He will be missed so much.

-- Nancy Hanson, 2008