Remembering Our Departed Greyt Family Members
Do you have a special departed greyhound or other pet you'd like to celebrate? Send a short tribute, and one picture if desired, to deardet@comcast.net . We may need to edit for space.
The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals that had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Just this side of heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals that had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
-Author Unknown
d. 02/07/2013
We lost a loyal family member, King, on February 7, 2013. King joined our family 6 years ago from WV. He was an excellent racer, but even a better companion. King was the best greeter. He always wanted to please. He loved his family dearly and adored his greyhound sister, Ivory. Ivory misses him terribly. They were a perfect match for one another and they were a perfect fit for our family. However, when King recently became ill, we knew he did not deserve to suffer.
Goodbye Kingy...your family loves you and misses you more than you will ever know. You will always be in our hearts!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy (Phil and Sara Gillette) , Cora, Phillip, Lily, Ivory and Kitty
Picture: King (fawn) and Ivory (brindle)
d. 01/19/2013
Shelby came to us from Ireland via First State Greyhound nearly 10 years ago. With the exception of her "rather British" smile, she was a beautiful girl. She was always sweet and gentle. There were two things she could not get enough of - food and lovin'. Her favorite food was pizza crust; she would drool at the smell of it. If you stopped petting her, she would nuzzle you to begin again, and again, and again. She never understood dog toys, but she loved to "steal" gloves and wallets (all of which were eventually returned to their former owners in their original condition more or less). In her younger days, she would get the "zoomies" and in a show of speed gleefully sprint circles around the yard. She always thought herself to be smaller than she actually was; she would squeeze herself onto chairs that were too small for her, leaving one end or the other, hanging off the edge. When she was healthy, she would meet us at the door with a wagging tail and a happy "Roo".
She leaves us with aching hearts, but we are thankful for the experience of having had her in our lives.
Chris and Courtnay Handley
d. 01/17/2013
Frac came to us 11 years ago through first state by way of a Christmas Tree trade a First State Member made with a rescue group in Kansas. He was traded for 6 Christmas trees and brought to the east coast via riding in the cab of a tractor trailer. He came into our lives after a meet and greet at pet smart. He was large hound with a broken tail, over bite and the cutest fortune cookie ears. He adapted quickly to life after the track and began enjoying his new forever home. For the next 11 years he provided our family with unimaginable happiness. His recent passing will leave a void in our hearts forever. Run free my puppy, we will meet again.
Pete and Michele Farrand
d. 07/06/2012
Our Lilli passed on July 6, 2012 at the age of 13 1/2. She was the sweetest girl anyone can imagine and taught us all how to age with dignity. She was in a lot pain at the end but was always stoic and greeted us every morning with a smile even as she struggled to move -yet if she could get her speed up and run - she would again appear young for however brief her race around the property. Our vet came to our home on that July day and we sat in our little grove while Lilli calmly laid down in her favorite shady place as she seemed ready to go to a place without pain. She lives on in our hearts forever and we have a memorial garden for her now with a river stone which reads, "Lilli, The Fastest Girl in Town" :)
Kate Chupein
04/1997 – 07/2011
How does one go on without your closest friend? One day at a time, I guess. I lost my heart-boy Buddy on July 12, 2011, he was a few months over 14 yrs old. I knew he would continue to struggle to live, as all he lived for was to be with me. Buddy was my first grey, he saw me thru the loss of both my parents and the loss of my marriage after 32 yrs. But he also came to live with me here at Terry's farm, which was his favorite place in the whole world. It is peaceful, quiet and calm here. We all enjoy living here and hope to be with Terry til the end of our days here on earth. Buddy will be here forever, buried where he loved to be he will always live on in my heart & soul.I miss him daily, as do his sisters and little brother!!! Farewell Bud, til we meet again!!!!
Jennifer Esterly
d. 8/12/2012
He was the most gentle soul I have ever known. We shared his life for 8 1/2 years and our house is not the same without him. I miss him bounding to the door to say hello when we came in and sharing the sofa while watching a movie. He was loved deeply and is missed beyond measure.
Peter and Diane Halpine
I wanted to let First State now about the passing of our 11 (almost 12) year old greyhound. We adopted Baby Doll from First State in June 2004 and had 7 and 1/2 wonderful years with her. She suffered a neurological or vestibular episode the Saturday after Thanksgiving and after 24 hours of emergency treatment, her condition (loss of right side function) did not improve and we humanely let her pass. We miss her terribly and the house doesn't feel the same without her. She was a great companion, following me everywhere, including waiting outside the bathroom door like a toddler. Luckily I can see her picture everytime I get on First State's website since her photo is on the left side - the one on the bottom - the dark brindle in front of the beach fence at Rehoboth.
Thanks again for matching our family with BabyDoll!
Jennifer, Scott and Hannah Schwartz
JayCee was our very first foster greyhound. Obviously we failed fostering 101. He passed on October 26,2011. He has brought a lot of joy to our lives and he was a greyt companion. He loved to go for long walks at the campground we belong to. That was his favorite place on Earth! He loved all the attention he got from the kids there. I have since returned to fostering in memory of JayCee, but I don't think I will ever find one quite like him ever again. He is missed greatly by us and his companion "Partner", in the pink coat. We will see you in Heaven some day buddy
The Greens
The Selman family mourns the passage of Thomas, "Teddy Thomas," age 11 1/2.
Thom was our first failed foster. While we had no intention of keeping him, Bill Weinberg knew all along...at the Faire he kept pointing out how Thom's eyes followed us. When he was "adopted" for a week, I cried & cried...until Susan Martin called to say that he was bouncing, and then brought him home to us.
Thom was our stoic boy. He never made a noise when he hurt, even when he broke his tail, although he grumbled enough if someone got in his space. We still find spots in our house from his episodes of happy tail. He never tired of trying to catch birds on the wire above our yard. Nothing ever kept Thom from his food, up until his last meal of canned sardines. Even without most of his teeth, he managed to chatter what he had left when he was pleased and relaxed, which was often.
The house is very quiet without the chattering of teeth, and choir practice will be missing his voice.
Run free, handsome boy.
The Selmans
Prophet brought so much joy to my life. I was blessed everyday we had together. I will love and miss my handsome boy forever.
Jen Shermer
d. 10/29/11
Our sweet Roxie left us on Sat. Oct. 29. She was over 14 years old.
Roxie came into my life when she was almost 5. I asked FSGR for a small brindle grey. When Susan brought her into my house I was taken aback at how beautiful she was.
We loved her unconditionally. Even when she couldn't help herself to resist food. After us, it was her most important passion.
She was a true counter surfer. The first week she joined us we learned that putting food towards the back of the counter was useless. Within her first 8 months with us she enjoyed lemon meringue pie, green peas, peanut butter, chocolate chip cookies and more.
Eventually her humans (us) learned how to keep food away from her.
She brought me comfort, love, and joy throughout the years and my children, Ari and Matt and I will forever be grateful.
Roxie, I hope you are enjoying more food than you can imagine. We love you.
Wendy Merron
4/4/00-5/7/11
Shortly after I adopted my first greyhound I casually mentioned that I was thinking about adopting a companion for him. Within a day I received an email from the First State adoption coordinator asking me if I would consider adopting a small, black female who needed a quiet home. I didn't really want a female dog, didn't want a black dog, and sure didn't want one with issues. Nevertheless, I agreed to take her, hoping for the best. Rosie turned out to be the dream greyhound. She had the most beautiful, sleek black coat, with the softest fur imaginable. She was quiet and undemanding, yet was playful and affectionate.
At times Rosie was a contradiction. While she was a confident alpha dog at home with the other hounds, so many things in the outside world made her tremble with fear. Loud noises, any sudden motion, and especially things with wheels, were her nemeses. Yet, as a certified therapy dog, when she visited the nursing home she was always the first of my hounds to approach someone in a wheelchair. Children also gravitated to Rosie, probably because she was so gentle and quiet.
Rosie was in good health until late March, when she started to favor her left rear leg. Initial x-rays revealed nothing, and several trips to the vet resulted in a diagnosis of a strained muscle in the hip area or possibly a slipped disc in the back. Pain medicines brought no relief for her. A month later, on her last day with me, she came to me and stood looking into my face, as if to ask for a pardon from the pain. I made a vet appointment for that morning and insisted on new x-rays, which revealed extensive osteosarcoma in the pelvic area and a fractured pelvis. There was no treatment or remedy that would help her, and I could only imagine the pain she had been enduring. The only thing I could do was let her go and give her peace.
Rosie was a beautiful, elegant, sweet, loving greyhound. I couldn't have asked for a better companion and my heart hurts without her. I know she is at peace now, and I'm sure she was excited to be greeted by Lily at the Bridge, where the two will relax contentedly until it's time for us to be reunited.
Janine Kressler
July 2000 October 31, 2010
Gigi came into my home back in the winter of 2001/2002 after being rescued by FSGR from Ireland. Everyday when I would get home from work she would greet me by bouncing up and down, running in circles, and giving out what I called her wookie yell. She was such a sweet and innocent girl but very shy and timid. Only those that she trusted were lucky enough to see her true spirit. Through the good times and the roughest of times, she was always there for me so I tried to do the same for her.
In July of 2009, Gigi was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. For 15 months under the care of Dr. Couto and staff of the Ohio State Veterinary Hospital, she showed how big of a fighter she was. On October 31, 2010 it was time to say goodbye. A hemagiosarcoma was found a week earlier and took her away from me way too early. I miss her so terribly, but I would never trade the 9 years that she was with me for anything in this world. I look forward to seeing you again one day my baby girl.
I would like to thank FSGR for introducing me to such a sweet girl and such a magnificent breed.
Brian Boyd
Miney Minee Jo known simply as "Jo" to us came into our lives in 2003 through First State. Jo was fostered by Jen & Bob Esterly and were very fond of him also. Over the last 8 years Jo became a integral member of our family and we loved him dearly. Jo was always one to steal a shoe or find the most comfortable spot in the house. We will miss his out of toon rooing, his sleepy bugs (we said he had them because he was so easy to sleep with), and how he stalked our other greyhound Frac. Jo would have been 10 in April 2011 and is survived by his 11 year old brother frac. Jo's passing was due to Osteosarcoma. Rest in peace my little Jo-Bunny. Love Mom and Dad.
Peter and Michele Farrand
First State Greyhound Rescue mourns the loss of foster Trooper (Kid's Anson).
Trooper came to us last summer at age 7 after his people developed severe health problems. He had developed a seizure disorder, but this was well controlled with medications, and he was in good health until he developed a fast-growing, cancerous tumor of the neck in February.
Trooper was a sweet boy who was cuddly and affectionate.
He will be missed by all of us, including former foster families Joan Fish, and the Selmans, and most especially Matt & Jenn Rader, who fostered him since September, and their grey Monty.
M's Calliope, aka, Tina entered into rest on Valentine's Day (2011) at home surrounded by her family. M's Calliope raced in Massachusettes until she was three. She was adopted in Massechusettes and renamed "Tina". She soon was returned to the adoption group and made her way to PA, where she was adopted into her permanent home. She was affectionately nicknamed "Weenie" as she was adopted on Halloween. Tina enjoyed helping out FSGR by working at the PA Ren Faire, taking walks thru Manor Community Park, camping and eating. She was 14.
Thank you for being Tina's friend,
Sean & Robin