
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.”
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