Froggie (Fast Froggie): 1997-2010.  Deb, Vin and Christine Bosco of Methuen, MA are deeply saddened to report that Froggie passed away peacefully on June 2 from a heart attack at the end of her afternoon walk. Vin writes, "We are comforted in that she left us while enjoying one of her favorite pastimes.  Froggie came to us from GAS 9 years ago as a bounce from another home. I can't believe another family would have let her go.  She quickly became the "queen" of the family and enjoyed the run of the house with beds and resting spots on all three floors.  She was a perfect, gentle soul in our home and provided us with 9 years of uncompromising love, joy and loyalty. Froggie was perfect for us and was a well known celebrity in the neighborhood known for her frequent walks and stylish apparel.  We had a wonderful 9 years with Froggie and miss her presence, personality and love dearly. "

Lake (Aaron Stampler "Stampy"): 2001-2010.  The Crowe family of Danbury, CT is saddened by the death of their handsome boy, Lake.  Christina writes,  "Lake (Aaron Stampler "Stampy") was a noble, beautiful, faithful friend and loving member of our family.  He was my constant companion and protector.  He was my husband's playmate and fellow outdoorsman.  He was my daughter's best friend, and now he is her guardian angel.  All who met him, up to his final hours, would say how handsome and well-mannered he was.  When my daughter, who is 4 years old, was asked what kind of dog he was, she would say, 'Lake is a greathound.'  He certainly was.  We miss him and remember him every day."

Missy (Moonlight Missile): 1997-2010.  Susan and Kevin O'Hara of Boxford, Ma are saddened to report the death of their beloved Missy.  Susan writes, "Missy died peacefully  March 9th, 2010, a few short weeks from her 13th birthday, lying in the sun on her blanket, with the help of our wonderful vet Amy Richardson who helped Missy through her congestive heart failure.We first met Moonlight Missile when we were looking for a companion for our first Greyhound Iowa Birkie. We were then inexperienced Greyhound owners but when Missy came out of her cage all she wanted to do was snuggle against us and be petted. It was love at first sight for all of us. Even Birkie. We always said if Birkie and Missy were people, he would be a fine quiet gentleman dressed in a tuxedo and Missy would have on a red dress with high heels. She was very out going and loved everyone of all ages. We had a 3 year old neighbor girl who loved dogs and wanted one very badly. She would call us and ask if Missy could come over to her house to play. So Missy would go on her play dates with Caroline. Caroline eventually got her own dog when she was older, but I know that Missy will always be special to her.  She had a great life with us and outlived Birkie and also our next male Decker (Dealer at GAS). When Decker passed from liver cancer Missy seemed lost and depressed so we adopted Pound who became in time, a nice companion for her in her last years. We all miss Missy very much but know she led a full and happy life."

Cutie (Aerobic Judy): 1998-2009.  The Audette family of Ayer, MA are filled with sadness at the loss of their adored Cutie.  Becky writes, "We adopted Cutie before we had kids, in spring 2001.  She was so easy and gentle, she impacted the lives of everyone she came in contact with.  At almost 12 years old, she began to show her age and had 2 major injuries within a few months of each other.  In her last days with us we went camping, and took her with us, for the first time.  She had a ball.  Enjoyed laying on her bed next to the camp fire, and sat in the back of the car with the trunk open and enjoyed watching the kids play with their friends, and going for walks with them through the campground.  The day after the camping trip, she broke her jaw and would require a tremendous amount of repair and surgery, and be muzzled for over 2 months to recover, in pain. With all of us by her side we said our goodbyes and sent her over the bridge to be with our Angel Nephew on his 10th birthday.  She had a great life with
us and we were so honored to have such a gentle loving pet in our presence each and every day.  We have wonderful memories of her, stealing bread off the counter, table surfing under my son's chair at dinner, sneaking into their bedrooms during the day to lay in the sunny windows, escaping from the house to run through the yard to visit the neighbor's pug.   Cutie was 3 when we adopted her, and nearly 12 when we let her go.  It was a wonderful 8 1/2 years, and our house is not the same without her."

Calvin Bleu (Colleen My Buddy): 1998-2009.  It is with great sadness that the Mitchell family of Ipswich, MA announce the loss of their handsome boy, Calvin Bleu.  Catherine writes, "Silly and goofy in youth, sweet and docile in old age, Calvin was a gentle soul, ever respectful of the children and a consummate diplomat with all creatures great and small.
His happy & joyful presence will reside in our hearts, always."

Peanut (Badger Tracy): 2000-2009. Sophie Rapaport of Worcester, MA is sadden by the loss of her beautiful Peanut. Sophie writes, " My beloved Peanut died of acute leukemia this month. I had only 7 years of her company. She was the gentlest, sweetest dog imaginable and  the  best friend to my elderly Vizsla  and to my cat . Just recently her picture showing her sharing the bowl of water with the cat was published in the NEADY Cats shelter bulletin. She was somewhat of the escape artist in her youth, but in her her mature years she just loved going for the walks, being petted and sleeping on my bed. I miss her terribly."

Wonder: 2002 - 2009.   Wendy, Treigh, and Bevan Worell of Gloucester, MA were devastated by the loss of their beloved Wonder.  They write, "We lost Wonder today and we really miss her alot already.  Our hearts and home are very sad.  She had a very tough life for such a young dog, and cancer ravaged her body at only 7 years old.  We treasure  the love  my two boys and I gave her, and the love that she gave us in the short year and a half that we had her.   We love you Wonder.."

Mikey (Okie Michael): 1997 - 2009.  Elaine Barriss of Saugus, MA is filled with great sadness at the loss of her beloved Mikey.  "Mikey aka Mikey Moo, My Moo, my fourth greyhound and my heart, I helped him cross  over the bridge with his head in my lap, my heart broken as I said goodbye to this beautiful, gentle giant of a greyhound. He was regal and warm and trusting, my companion through two hip replacement surgeries and months of home confinement.  He started with a swollen left right paw which we hoped was an infection and treated with antibiotics, then a stronger one.  Unfortunately a needle biopsy revealed a malignant tumor, and he quickly went downhill from there until it was clear the  time  had come to say goodbye; I miss him terribly."

Stella: 1997-2009.  Stella "adopted us" in 1999. We had come to the rescue kennel to look at specific greyhound, but the handlers suggested we go for a walk with (what was her original name) Sneaky. Well, that was all it took and she decided we were the people for her.
Her name was changed to Stella, though Sneaky was a good middle name! She was a brindle ex-racer. We had read up on challenges to overcome: stairs, potty training, etc. and Stella learned quickly. She was deemed "cat friendly" and bonded extremely closely with our white cat, ZuZu. They became best friends, known to play and sleep together. It wouldn't be unusual to find them spooning on Stella's bed! In early July, 2009, Stella slipped on the kitchen floor and broke her back leg. Unfortunately, other complications set in along what the vets thought was Alabama Rot. After a week in intensive care, and a valiant effort on Stella's part, we had to make the difficult decision to end her suffering. My husband and I continue to mourn.
The house is too quiet and we all miss Our Girl. She was a loving dog...mischievious at times, but a cuddler and a real favorite in the neighborhood. One little girl would call out, "Tall dog!" when she saw Stella. Despite our heartache at losing such a wonderful dog, we are comforted by thinking of all the fun and goofy times we had together. She was a one-of-a-kind. Stella was 12 years old.  (Anonymous.)

Sierra (JNB’s Poinsettia): 1997-2009.  Charlotte Brahm of Melbourne Beach grieves the loss of her beloved Sierra who was euthanized on June 8, 2009.  Charlotte writes, "Sierra suffered a stroke during the night and although she could stand she couldn’t walk.  Sierra went peacefully with me at her side.  Putting Sierra down was the hardest thing I have ever done.  She was a warm, loving, perfect companion since I adopted her July 8, 2000.  Sierra died in Melbourne Beach, Florida, where she lived the past 2 years.  I didn’t drive north this summer since I recognized that she was aging and I thought the trip would have been too much for her.  Apparently I was right.  Thank you to GAS for the service you perform to help these kindly animals find homes.  It’s difficult work but you persist.  I wish you well."

Matty (Daring Grandlass): 1999 - 2009.  Carol Yurgalevitch and Ryan Moore of Roseville, CA (formerly of MA) had to say goodbye to their beautiful brindle girl, Matty, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in April.  Carol writes, "Matty never slowed down until the end, and that's how we knew it was time.  Ryan and I will forever miss her bunny soft fur, her happy Matty dance when the leashes would come out for walks and when she would meet her many fans on those walks, and her "all bark no bite" attitude around the other hounds.  We'll miss her determined whining each morning to wake us up and force us to face each day with the energy she faced each of her days.  We'll miss her love of life and play and of us. I thought I'd have so many years with her, we ended up with less than 7, and I miss her every day."

Maggie Mac: 1997-2009.   Gina Rogers of Vernon, CT mourns the loss of her beautiful Maggie who died on April 8. Gina writes, "Maggie loved to run, even running in her sleep, and anything furry was fair game, even that last day she ran in the morning, we think that was the final straw, her back simply couldn't withstand it and broke. We never realized how much our lives revolved around her till she was no longer here, even her cat sisters look around for her. She was a beautiful and gentle soul who is greatly missed. Our begining was a bumpy one, it took her a couple of years to train her human, but she truely was a life saver, a friend and a comfort. She gained attention wherever we went with her beautiful fawn brindle coat, curiousity and gentle nature. Small dogs especially liked her. People always stopped to ask about her history and how they could rescue one as well. Rest peacefully Maggie Bones, you'll always be a piece of our hearts."

Ernie (Twilight Omar): 1998-2009.   It is with a heavy heart that Judi and Bob Rocheleau of Bradford, MA grieve the loss of their beloved Ernie.  Judi writes, "For the 10 years we had him,  he was, without a doubt, the most loving and gentle dog we have known.  He was the greatest ambassador for greyhounds always friendly and gentle with everyone.  Wherever he went, he represented the breed well and with class.  Every walk we went on with him, he always carried a stick/plastic bottles/log/branches dragging on the ground to our home.  He was quite well known in the Salem Street area of Bradford.  He adored our grandchildren and loved eating cheese puffs with them.   He loved to smell the flowers and always threw a body block into you so you could pat him. He had a regenerative spine issue and arthritis mostly in his hind quarter - he had gotten to the point that his back legs were quite weak and he was on daily medication for the arthritis.  He ended up getting a neurological disorder that would take several weeks in the hospital to possibly get over.  So knowing that - we decided that it was better for him to end it.   He went peacefully with Bob and I patting him and  telling him want a wonderful boy he was.   Rosie (Reiki) our other greyhound misses him - still searching for him, but seems so be getting better.  Ernie will always be forever in our hearts."

Dart (OSS Looksharp): 1996-2008.  Linda and Jay Johnston of Groveland, Ma lost their beloved Dart. Linda writes, "December 29 has been one of the saddest days for Jay and me. Dart's degenerative neuropathy advanced to the point where he became unable to walk or stand. We said our goodbyes to our sweet and much loved friend and family member of 10 years. He brought us great joy, love and laughter. This greyhound had a 'greyt' sense of humor, and he loved to dive and swim. Quite the athlete! But he had a gentler side. He loved to stop and smell the flowers. He could not pass up a beautiful bloom without sinking his nose into it. He would get the most serene look as he enjoyed the wonderful smells. He loved when I sang to him. He would close his eyes and look so peaceful when I sang just to him. I made up a special song for him. I called it "Beautiful Greyhound."  He always leaned against me when I sang that song. On the day of his passing I sang that song to him. He could no longer lean against me, but could only look at me with such love that I was able to finish singing it for him. As he closed his eyes and drew his last breath, I knew he understood the words and the love behind those words and his life with us.  I can't even begin to tell you how heavy our hearts are. We miss his quiet presence and that beautiful expressive face. Our other dog, Gryphon is at a loss tonight. He is surely missing his big brother. Even the cats are quieter than usual. Such sadness, but we know that a new star shines in the sky tonight. Greyhound owners, sing to your greyhounds and celebrate their lives and love."

Tally: 1997-2008.  The Marsden family of Potomac, MD lost their beautiful fawn greyhound Tally to dilated cardiomyopathy.   Bonnie writes, "She was only sick a few days and we were not ready to part with her. There is much emptiness around our house and our neighborhood without her. She had the best manners of any dog I've ever met. I never thought I was a dog person, but Tally captured my heart from the start. I had never heard of the Rainbow Bridge until this week when we held her as she eased over it.  We are better people because of Tally. We will miss you forever. Thank you Tally for giving us so much.

Dharma (OSS Pre-approved): 1994-2008.  It is with great sadness that the Simon Family of Tewksbury, MA grieve the loss of their beautiful Dharma.  Kim writes, "I can't even begin to tell you the sadness and loss that we feel.  She was14 1/2 and had a great life.  When I adopted Dharma and Bob in 1997, it was a difficult time in my life.
I had them both home for only days when I realized they had saved me instead of me saving them.  I had no idea how much love, companionship andjoy a greyhound could bring.   When I meet my husband in 2001, he was not a dog person himself, but Bob and Dharma melted his heart and convinced him that a greyhound as a pet was the best.  Dharma was compassionate, loving, sweet, very independent and a wonderful companion.  She would follow you from room to room just wanting to be with you, she'd lay for hours looking out the window "people watching" and, couldn't go for a walk to save her life, but would bolt across the room for a cookie or a piece of cheese.  Dharma's death was quick and sudden, but she had been experiencing old age for a while now.  I know she's in a better place and with her buddy, Bob.  She was a family member and will be missed beyonds words can express.

Pop Pop (Jiffy Pop Pop): 1996-2008.  Gary Schroeder of Long Island, NY mourns the loss of his best friend Pop Pop.  Gary writes, "Pop Pop lived a long, happy life with me for ten years. He was the most gentle dog that one could imagine. He liked a good game of 'bite the stuffy', loved to bark at passers by (whoever said that greyhounds aren't good watchdogs never met 'Pop), loved a long car ride, and was always fooled by door bells on the television. Pop Pop  was an inveterate sniffer: even if it didn't smell to us, there was  something nasally interesting in everything for him. Most of all, he  was a devoted companion who knew how to listen well and how to get the most out of a quiet evening. It has been so hard to say goodbye to him. My eyes well with tears. Thank you, GAS, for connecting the two of us. You've brought joy into the lives of so many."

Kokomo Goodbar: 1996-2008.  Tica & Tony Lopreato of Stratford, CT mourn the loss of their beloved Kokomo.  Tica writes, "Our lovely sweet boy crossed the rainbow bridge on 8/11/08. He had lymphoma. He gave us so much; joy, laughter, companionship, and love and devotion. He was proud, regal, but afraid of thunder, vacuums and vets. He climbed Cadillac Mountain with us and enjoyed popovers at Jordon pond. There will never be another like him. He stopped traffic - he was so handsome. We are so thankful to have had 9 wonderful years with him."

Marin: 1997-2008.  Deborah Holt of Boston, MA is saddened to report the loss of the lovely Marin.  She writes, "Beacon Hill has lost one of its most gracious and well-behaved residents.  Marin passed away peacefully on June 19 with her human companion at her side.  She was eleven years old.  Marin is sadly missed by her family and neighborhood friends."

Mimosa (BBs Big Mamoo):1998 - 2008.  Law & Michael Hamilton of Rockport, MA are saddened to report that Mimosa passed away peacefully on June 22 with her family by her side, her battle with bone cancer over.  Law writes, "From the moment she shot out of the GAS kennel on three legs limping with orthopedic pins holding her broken leg together, she unconditionally loved us.  She sat licking Michael's fingers and our greyhound Murphy’s face even as Michael shoo-ed her away to see the other couple who were looking for a greyhound.  We had been chosen.  She loved Michael and would sulk when he left for work in the morning, going to the laundry for a t-shirt or sock, something that smelled like him.  She would take the purloined object to her bed, bury her nose in it, and cover her nose with her paws.  A few hours later she could come and find me, to let me know that I was OK too.  Her antics were charming and she was quite the huntress.  Catching birds out of mid air and chipmunk while still on lead, attached to her human."

Krier (Joel's Krybaby): 1995-2008.  The Trottier family of Billerica MA mourns the loss of their beloved Krier.  Carla writes, "Krier started having nosebleeds in January 2008. They were intermittent and always from the right nostril.   Krier was at the vet's many times in the following months to see if they could figure out what was causing the bloody noses. Then in March, Krier had a massive nosebleed and we rushed him to the vet. They kept him for the day to make sure he was okay.  Krier was sent home with a medication to see if that would help to constrict the blood vessels and stop the bleeding. It didn't.  A blood pressure medication stabilized Krier for a while.  But early in May 2008, the bloody discharge was still happening. Krier was fussy about eating. He ate very little even with special foods added to his kibble.  We decided Krier was tired and made the final trip to the vet on May 16, 2008. The last thing Krier heard was us telling him that he was a good boy and how much we loved him.
Krier was adopted on December 30, 1999. He was at the kennel for sixteen months before finding his forever home with us. Krier did not do cats, so he was constantly passed over. Krier adjusted to pet life very easily – he adored having his neck and ears rubbed. Krier was truly a sweet, laid back guy. He was extremely mellow and one of the most dignified dogs I've known. We miss him beyond words. We know Krier will always be with us in spirit and he has taken a greyt big piece of our hearts with him."

Mari (Powder Puff): 1998-2008.  The Porter Hamanns are saddened to report that their beloved Mari passed away quickly and unexpectedly at the beginning of March.  Kent writes, “It is only now that we can write a tribute to this brave, spirited, and silly blue dog who was the focus of attention for the 7years she lived with us. Marilyn warned us that Mari would be a little bit of a project at the start because she was so very shy.  After 3 weeks, she would let us come to her and pat her.  Then it was all upside! We never imagined that greyhounds actually have a well-developed sense of humor, but Mari was a true comic.  Wherever she went and whatever she did, there was a twinkle in her eyes and a beguiling raising of her ears that said "let's have fun."  One of our favorite memories is Mari fully compressed in our cat's bed (like a souffle that's expanded out of its pan) with our cat looking on disparagingly. Every morning Mari would come up and lick my face and then engage in what my husband, Jim, referred to as ‘girl talk’  - a series of vocal exchanges.  With a little training, she taught me to speak ‘greyhound’ fluently. She loved to race around her track in our fenced yard in pursuit of squirrels and her squeaky toy or to field tennis balls with agility.  She also loved to help Jim with his gardening by ‘aerating the soil’ (i.e., digging up a newly planted flower) and scratching her back under the forsythia branches.  She knew her place at the dining room table and would plead for a little bit and then another little bit . . . and another . . . and another.  We've gotten a message from Mari to come up in search of a new friend to love in June.”