Sydney

(Iruska Sydney)
3/23/01 - 6/4/09

Sydney was scheduled to join us in May but was not able to travel when the time came because of a mysterious weight loss.  She stayed at Halfway Home for Hounds the next few weeks where Teddy fed her wonderful things and loved her.  Meanwhile, here in Montana, we held her place and waited for word she was ready to travel.  We had fallen victim to her long face and doe eyes while we were in Kansas and were excited to learn she was available for adoption.  Sydney had a full race career and then went on to motherhood.  It was clearly her turn to be spoiled. 

She got the spoiling she deserved but it wasn't meant to be in Montana.  Sydney was diagnosed with cancer today (6/4/09).  She had fluid in her chest which was making her cough so, safe in the arms of the woman who got the opportunity to pamper her in her final weeks, she crossed the rainbow bridge.

Thank you, Teddy for loving her all the way to the end.  She was so lucky to have you.

Rain  

HH Pretty Woman
9/16/98 - 2/21/09

Rain gave her all as a racer.  She ran 215 races over a four year period in Arizona.  Each of the following three years she had litters of pups - 12 of whom became registered racers.  She came to GPA-RM with a bobbed tail and a fairly serious outlook on life. 

In spite of her enduring health challenges, Rain was a sweet old girl with a sparkle in her eyes, a playful spirit and trust that she was loved. Indeed, she was.

God speed, sweet girl.

Ash

I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for bringing Ash into our life.  I know that we were not the prototypical adoption situation when Ash was available, since our daughter Campbell was only a few months old (and 3 ½ months premature at that.)  We fell in love with Ash right away as he brought a ray of sunshine into our life.  His quiet disposition was a perfect fit.  He was always ready to go anywhere we were going, and especially looked forward to heading out to the dog park to play with his greyhound friends.  When it was time for us to move from Montana to Kansas, we were happy that we had Ash with us.  It helped make our transition to Kansas complete and like we were not leaving anything behind.  In the end, Ash had as many happy days here in Kansas as he had in Montana 

Cancer forced us to put Ash down on Wednesday [10/8/08].  We made the most of our final weeks with Ash and included him on lots of walks, a number of outings in downtown Lawrence, and some time at the park with our family.  Cassandra and I took some pictures of Campbell and Paige with Ash which I am including.  It was difficult to put him down, although we know that we made the right decision.  He will always be remembered as a gentle and humble part of our family. 

Thanks again for taking a chance on us.  We would do it again in a heartbeat. 

Matt Elwell 

Willow

Her name was a perfect reflection of her beauty and gracefulness – Willow. She captured our hearts the first moment she came to visit us more than six years ago, and she never let go of our heart strings. When she wanted attention and love – every hour of every day – she would put her nose under your elbow and jostle you until you paid heed to her needs.

She loved the outdoors, no matter what the season. When it snowed, she would run circles around the yard and roll happily through the snow piles. Rain posed no challenge – she adored it.

In spring, Willow would walk through the flower beds and munch on fresh, green grass. In summer, she would lay, sound asleep, in the sun, moving only occasionally to cool off under the shade of a maple tree. Then she would trot back into her place in the sun.

But perhaps her favorite time of the year was the fall when she would wait patiently while I raked up a pile of leaves – in the sun, of course – then lie down for an afternoon snooze.

Willow reached the autumn of her years last fall and passed over the Rainbow Bridge in April 2008. She left behind the emotionally devastated family she adopted six years earlier, and a sister named Callie who still can’t understand where her closest, dearest companion has gone.                

                                                   - Dick Wesnick

Falcon

Falcon went home to to the Wright family in Circle, Montana in April 2007.  From day one he knew  Lindy, Bruce and little Caroline were the family he'd been waiting for and he settled in as if he'd always lived there.  In the course of the next several months, he graciously welcomed and shared his family with GH sisters Lilly, Betty and Tessa.

On October 11, 2007, Falcon was gently released from his bone cancer pain while wrapped in the arms of the family who loved him so well.

Run free, beautiful boy, until we meet again.

Belle

Sweet Belle was deserted by her family when she needed them the most. Judy called and asked if I would consider fostering an old dog. She was in tears when she pulled into my drive. She got out of the car shaking her head and said, "She is in rough shape". Belle and I locked eyes through the car window. It only took a instant for me to be completely in love. She was thin, her coat rough and dirty. Her mouth smelled like a jungle and she had a raging bladder infection. But I could not resist her velvet white face and eyes like deep pools.

Even though Belle was in serious renal failure she was bright and curious. She loved to be touched. For two precious weeks I was privileged to tend to her needs. She learned to eat and enjoy soft foods that wouldn't hurt her mouth. Tuna, eggs, baby food and Vienna sausages. But her favorite was KFC chicken strips which we shared in the cool grass. Belle waded in the pool and loved be included in everything. "Forever and Always" by Shania Twain was popular and that soon became my song to Belle. 

She basked in the love she was given and returned it.  Belle knew she was worth something again.  There were frequent vet trips and at home she received IV fluid treatments several times a day but nothing could turn the tide. When her body gave out it happened quickly. Judy and I escorted our Belle to the gate of the rainbow bridge and tenderly set her free.

Belle's legacy has become the Belle Toll which was started to make money for Belle's urgent care.  Belle became much more than just a old sick dog.  All of the Montana Greyhound community responded to her plea for help. She got stacks of cards and generous donations. She touched all of us deeply and was a strong reminder of our common goal.... to find quality homes for deserving greyhounds. When she left us so quickly we knew the fund must continue to help other greyhounds in need. This would be how we would let Belle live on in our hearts. Belle, rest now sweet sweet angel your work is done.

Joni & Darrin Muir
Bridge date 8-11-03

Noah

I asked for a small brindle female, what I got instead was the perfect dog. Noah was big, blonde and lifted his leg on the desk when we first met.  A friend encouraged me to start doing competitive obedience with him.  He was always a willing partner, anything to be with me and eat cookies.  He earned a couple of obedience titles and even some nice ribbons.  When I began to teach obedience, Noah was my demo dog.  He always did it right.  But the best times were the  times we just hung out being friends.  With Noah I was never lonely.  He had been a great racer but he was a even better bed warmer.  Save me a spot next to you in the sun, Honey Boy.

Joni and Darrin Muir

Sam  (Baja Beach)
8/22/01-7/20/07

Sam came to us from Florida in June 2007.  We noticed his limp immediately - always a bad sign with a greyhound. His pain seemed chronic and may have been the cause of him lashing out at some of the other foster dogs. Although the x-rays were not absolutely conclusive, it was safe to assume that he had the beginnings of an bone tumor. Whatever he had seemed to be moving fast as he seemed more uncomfortable each day. The heart wrenching decision was reached to release Sam from his pain. 

We are blessed to have known him.

Cissie (Cavatelli)
8/30/91 - 4/3/05

Beloved friend of Judy Pfaff & Brent Schlappy.  Retired from motherhood at 10 y/o in Florida.  Thanks to many wonderful GUR volunteers, Cissie made her way to Montana (story in spring 2002 issue of CG magazine) to claim her spot as lap dog and blues singer of our household.  A spunky spirit, a dear teacher, and a dynamite soccer player! 

See you on the other side, my sweet little "farm dog"!

Inken Red Blazer

Blazer, beloved greyhound member of the Christine & Sean Hardy family crossed the Rainbow Bridge on June 12, 2007.

Blazer was welcomed into the Hardy family as a youngster, from the Coeur d'Alene track, and shared many wonderful years with them.  Blazer would have been 14 years old in July. 

Run free, beautiful boy.  Thanks for all the wonderful memories.

~ MY GRIEF ~

- written by Barb Hicks in memory of her beloved greyhound, Lancey

My grief, it overwhelms me
My tears, they never end
I cannot breathe, I cannot talk
I’ve just lost my best friend

We used to walk in early morn
But now I walk alone
My footsteps silently they tread
Across the dewy lawn

I bend down from my well-worn chair
To scratch your furry head
But my fingers fall on empty space
I see my feet instead

The leash and collar hang upon
A hook inside the hall
Your empty bowls upon the floor
Your toys against the wall

I cannot bear to hide them
In my mind’s eye I still see you play
I can see your face in every room
In the spots you used to lay

I wonder how the world goes on
Without my best friend near
How can it keep its orbit
When the center is not here 

I think the hardest thing of all
Is coming home at night
No wagging tail to greet me
Your face is not in sight

Sometimes in the dead of night
As I lay in quiet sleep
I can feel soft fur upon my arm
And wet kisses on my cheek

 Although I grieve, I will go on
There are others to be saved
It was you who made me realize
That a difference can be made 

When my grief it overwhelms me
I still see your gentle face
I know that we will meet someday
In the designated place

I know the bonds of love we shared
Will transcend all time and space,
But my anguished heart cries out in pain
For the void that takes your place

When my grief it overwhelms me
I can find no peace at night
Without your warm breath sounds and sighs
I lie awake until the light

I used to sleep a baby’s sleep
Your needle-nose tucked beneath my hair
Your long front legs tucked beneath my back
We slumbered as a pair

How blessed we were, How lucky
That our paths crossed in this Life
That some higher power, more than fate
Let us bond one fateful night

And so Best Friend, til we meet again
I’ll find solace in my dreams
I will see you in the gentle rain,
I will feel you in the wind

I will close my eyes in a quiet place
When my grief’s too much to bear
And pretend if only for a time
That your presence is still there

The Rescuers Bridge

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before.

But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch. It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.

He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again.  As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be.  But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge.

With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge.  And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting. One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for awhile to explain it to him.

"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge."  The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?"

As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person, and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life. "Watch, and see," said the second animal.  A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed her towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.

"What happened?" "That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of her work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes.  When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge." "I think I like rescuers", said the first animal. "So does GOD", was the reply.