Racing Home Greyhound Adoption - Never to be Forgotten

Never to be Forgotten

As strong as you were
Tender you go
I'm watching you breathing
For the last time
A song for your heart
But when it is quiet
I know what it means
And I'll carry you home
I'll carry you home

-- James Blunt

The Spirit of a Greyhound Author Unknown

	I was standing on a Hillside In a field of blowing wheat And the spirit of a Greyhound Was lying at my feet.	He looked at me with kind dark eyes An ancient wisdom shining through And in the essence of his being I saw love there too.	His mind did lock upon my heart As I stood there on that day And he told me of this story About a place so far away

	I stood upon that Hillside In a field of blowing wheat And in a twinkling of a second His spirit left my feet.	His tale did put my heart at ease My fears did fade away About what lay ahead of me On another distant day.	"I live among God's creatures now In the heavens of your mind So do not grieve for me, my friend As I am with my kind.

	My collar is a rainbow's hue My leash a shooting star My boundaries are the Milky Way Where I sparkle from afar.	There are no pens or kennels here For I am not confined But free to roam God's heavens Among the Greyhound kind.	I nap the day on a snowy cloud Gentle breezes rocking me And dream the dreams of earthlings And how it used to be.

	The trees are full of liver treats And tennis balls abound And milkbones line the walkways Just waiting to be found	There even is a ring set up The grass all lush and green And everyone who gaits around Becomes the Best of Breed.	For we're all winners in this place We have no faults, you see And God passes out those ribbons To each one, even me.

	I drink from waters laced with gold My world a beauty to behold And wise old dogs do form my pride To amble at my very side.	At night I sleep in an angel's arms Her wings protecting me And moonbeams dance about us As stardust falls on thee.	So when your life on earth is spent And you stand at Heaven's gate Have no fear of loneliness For here, you know I wait."

Jasper the Ghost

12 years old
Cherished by Jody Brown
Journeyed to the Bridge on January 15, 2004

Thank you for sharing your heart and soul with me - I will never forget you. Knowing you once again are healthy and strong brings me peace, and knowing you are waiting for me at The Bridge helps to relieve the sadness I feel when I look around and you're not here. Run fast and free, my sweet boy - until we meet again.

Gls Latearrival

2 years old
God Speed, Sweet Rival
from the RHGA Board
Journeyed to the Bridge on November 16, 2004 as the result of an unknown illness

Rival had only been in our program for slightly longer than a week and she touched the hearts of many of us. She is now in a better place where there is no pain or illness - God speed, Sweet Rival - til we meet again.

Winston

11 years old
Cherished by Holly
Journeyed to the Bridge on March 23, 2005

Winston.....Windstar was his racing name..... and I met about 7 years ago. His new owner called and asked if I could look in on him while he was vacationing. I had never met a greyhound before. I was instantly smitten with his soulful amber eyes and gentle disposition.He was frightened of me at first, but we became the best of friends....Winston has stayed with me for these last 7 years when his owners would travel and always greeted me with that famous greyhound GRIN. It was wonderful watching him blossom into the amazing dog he became. Goodbye, sweet friend, and thank you for showing me how wonderful greyhounds are. If not for you.....my first.....I would have never known.
Holly, your petsitter & #1 fan

Hotmustardnhoney

4 years old
God Speed, Sweet Honey
from the RHGA Board
Journeyed to the Bridge on July 21, 2005 as the result of an unknown cause

"Big Dog" Holwegner

Cherished and Missed by Barry, Lori, Amber, Josh, Jay, and Jazmyne

He brought more life, love, and happiness into our family than can even be measured. We love and miss you very much old friend. Go with God. Run free .We will meet again.

Xeno

13 years old
God Speed, Sweet Xeno
Cherished and loved by Jody and Tiffany Brown
Journeyed to the Bridge on May 2, 2006

It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce that our beloved Xeno has gone to the bridge. He was 13 years old and had spent his last 4 years in our home. He stole my Mom's heart as soon as she saw him. He was a very gentle soul and helped us cope a little bit better when we had to let a few of our other "Angels in Waiting" to the Bridge. He now joins Jasper, Casper, Sadie, Mishka, Mayson, and Chewy.He was our first Greyhound and came to us after a few incidents with a couple of our cats and he came into our house knowing he had to earn my trust, (it was my cats). I fell in love with him and feel like a piece of my heart was taken with him. I cannot express how my Mom is feeling, he was her "Heart" dog. And he took her heart with him to the Bridge. Please say a prayer for him and tell your "Angels" to watch out for the most handsome boy to join them.RIP Xeno!! We miss you already but know that you are in a much better place now and you can run free with your new wings.

The Hounds

I am your race's finest achievement,
Monument to humanity's creative power.

Immerse into mine eyes
That I may reflect there the best in you;

Envelop me with kind, loving gentleness
That I may fuse with your shadow;

Feed me, shelter me, keep me,
That I may surrender into co-dependence;

Love me with all your soul and heart
That I may gift to you my life's very own breath

As my last sigh dissipates into the infinite,
To merge into the air sustaining your lament

I will take with me a rib from your side
To be forever joined unto my kind.

I am the true chart of a human soul's depths:

Coursing the abysses of its sorrows,
Spanning the himalayas of its joys,

I resurrect in another hound' devotion.

I am a human soul's deliverance from its own image,
A bitter-sweet memory of paradise lost.

In Memoriam Xeno
Vera F. Heminger

Rocky

We'll miss you, Rocky
from Scott & George
Journeyed to the Bridge on May 15, 2006

Robin (Wigwam Robin)

Cherished and loved by Jody and Tiffany
Journeyed to the Bridge on Aug 7, 2006

Robin was a retired brood - she came to us three and a half years ago after having eight litters of pups (that we know of). We made it our goal to make her last years the best she'd ever had, and I like to think we succeeded. Last night she had a couple of bites of one of her favorites - cotton candy - it was such a delight to watch her face as the treat dissolved in her mouth - she'd look around on the floor as though she thought she had dropped it. I know cotton candy isn't an ideal treat for Greys, but the motto at our house was "Whatever Robin wants, Robin gets." And we lived by that motto religiously.Robin was a pure joy for our household - always ready to yell at one of the younger Greys or the fosters to make sure they understood the rules of the house. And she was respected and loved unconditionally by all of the Greys who have passed through our home. In spite of still having 11 dogs here, our house is very quiet and subdued today - I think each of the Greys are mourning the loss of their "mommy". We will miss Robin - and we look forward to the day that we can all be together again.Run fast and free with your new angel wings my sweet girl - and tell Jasper and Xeno we love them

Cuba (Ole Havana Club)

(Robin's grandson)

Cherished and loved by Abby, Dennis, Shannon, and Daniel
Journeyed to the Bridge October 2, 2006

(From "Who Knew", by Pink)

That last kiss
I'll cherish
Until we meet again
And time makes
It harder
I wish I could remember
But I keep
Your memory
You visit me in my sleep
My darling
Who knew

Figs Shofa

2 years old
God Speed, Sweet Shofa
from the RHGA Board
Journeyed to the Bridge on November 26, 2006 as the result of a spider bite the vet could not cure.

Luke

We'll miss you, Luke
Loved and Cherished by Jody and Tiffany Brown
Journeyed to the Bridge on Jan. 3, 2007

Luke had been feeling poorly for a couple of days, and x-rays showed his heart to be more than twice its normal size with large amounts of blood and other fluids around it. Because Luke was in such discomfort, and because the prognosis was grim, we chose to end his suffering and let him go with dignity.Luke came to Racing Home in June of 2005. He was a big goofy boy with a love for marking his territory. He was placed in several potential adoptive homes, but was always returned because he couldn't keep his leg down. I finally realized that what everyone was saying was true, and that Luke was, in fact, my soul mate so I adopted him. Everyone who met him immediately fell in love with his gentle soul and overpowering need for love. He's with Jasper, Xeno and Robin now, running pain-free, waiting for the day we will all be together again.Fly my sweet angel God Speed.Jody and Tiffany Brown, proudly owned by Greyhounds Sarah, Alex, Griffin, and Cody, Basset Hounds Kimmie and Carmen, and watched over by our angels Jasper the Ghost, Xeno, Wigwam Robin and Luke at the Bridge.

Luke's Love

Lifted my leg to every door,
Marked my spot on every floor,
Thus I returned to whom I adore.
In her arms I reached The Shore,
Where I now rest forever more.

In Memoriam Luke
Vera F. Heminger

Class (Chianti Classico)

Loved and Cherished by Candace and Ken Rodeman
Journeyed to the Bridge all too soon

Julie (G's Julie)

Loved and Cherished by The Mahler Family
Journeyed to the Bridge February 2007
God Speed, Julie, from your Auntie Jody - fly free, sweet Angel.

In Memory of Julie

On Sunday afternoon, our beloved Julie crossed the bridge.

It happened very suddenly. Phil was taking Annie, Julie and Missy home from the dog park. They did not play especially hard or too long. Close to home, Julie laid down and never got up again. When they arrived, I came running out and was able to be with her when she took her last breaths as we frantically rushed her to the hospital. The entire incident was less then 5 minutes and she was gone. The vet thinks it to be some sort of cardiovascular defect. Fortunately, we believe she went painlessly. We are shocked and so brokenhearted.

Julie put a balance into our family of loud, crazy New Yorkers. Terrified of so much and very timid, she was the Omega to Annie’s Alpha. She asked for nothing and took nothing, except for the occasional shoe, hat or scarf, and then never damaging, merely collecting. She gave us so much, watching her personality unfold. She tolerated our hugs and kisses. In time she trusted us, learning how to take treats, stick up for herself, demand belly rubs and play with squeaky toys. We like to think she came into her own “dogginess” with our encouragement and love..

Silent, shy and regal, my peaceful, beautiful Zen doggy, rest in peace. There was never a kinder or gentler soul than yours. Companion and dear friend, thank you for showing us what really matters in life. We’ll love you forever. Trish

Wiz (Wizard of Wag)

Cherished and loved by the Rubach Family.
Journeyed to the Bridge Feb. 2007

Dee's Christine

Cherished and loved by the Bradford Family.
Journeyed to the Bridge on Mar. 26, 2007
Chrissy, you will be dearly missed. We know someday we will see you on the other side. We love you with all of our hearts.

To My Best Friend
-----------------
The day they laid you down to sleep
I prayed to the Lord; your soul he'll keep
Until the appointed day and time
when together we'll meet; and all will be fine

With all God's; creatures great and small
go run and play now, have a ball
No more aches; and no more pain
just bright sunshine; no more rain

Rest in peace; for now best friend
cradled in God's arms; to the end
Dream of that special; day and time
when we'll meet at the Bridge; one last time

Although we'll be separated; for a long time
we'll be together then; and all will be fine
We'll cross Rainbow Bridge; side by side
with a soft warm feeling; deep down inside

Once again then; all will be fine
we're together forever; till the end of time -- John Quealy

Open Drifter

3 years old
God Speed, Sweet Drifter! her loving foster parents
(who adopted her before she crossed over the bridge, they loved her so!)
and the RHGA Board
Journeyed to the Bridge on June 10, 2008, as the result of an unknown blood illness

Drifter was a sweet girl who had finally found a forever home with one of our foster families. She is now running free, where there is no pain or illness. She is greatly missed!

JADED CATHY

God Speed, Sweet Cathy,
mom to our Jaded Eagle and Jaded Juliac
from the Pascale family (Rick, Cher and children) and the RHGA Board
Journeyed to the Bridge on June 12, 2008

Hounds’ Haunt

Under filigree skies of lightning,

In the approaching storm of the night,

Amidst virga drifting on the air

And gently rolling thunder in the distance

I hear your movements on the wind.

To the riotous tunes of the wind chimes,

I hear your steps amongst the seedpods

Dancing on before the gusts.

In the swirling shadows of the mesquite

Cast upon the wall by quickened sensor lights

I see your fleeting shapes blend away

Into the silhouettes of the nocturnal yard.

Your sniffs rise from swaying sagebrush,

Your presence rears from the pasture.

The cat claw mimics your paws scraping the wall,

Raindrops catching light reflect the glint in your eyes.

The yard’s pulsating, alive with you.

Under filigree skies of lightning

In the approaching storm of the night,

Amidst virga drifting on the air

And gently rolling thunder in the distance

I remember images of faithful hounds,

Vibrant, rippling bodies brushing up to me,

Into my caressing fingers, I remember

Their passionately burning devotion.

Under filigree skies of lightning

In the approaching storm of the night,

Amidst virga drifting on the air

And gently rolling thunder in the distance

I mourn.

Remember, mourner, as the thunder rolls on,

Remember, mourner, as the moon waxes and wanes,

In the cycle of life, every new beginning is an end,

And every new end a beginning.

In Remembrance of

Eric, Alex, Figs Dixie, Jaded Cathy, Open Drifter

And also

Willow and Sahara
who died a year ago

In Love we are all ONE.

VFH

LNB La Toni

Not even 2 years old
God Speed, Sweet Latoni
from the RHGA Board
Journeyed to the Bridge on June 28, 2008

Latoni was a sweet girl who really liked "people food". She had not been with us long when she Crossed the Bridge very suddenly.

Rubeus Hagrid
(C'mon Ali Jan)
(Keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts)

I had never really seen greyhounds before- except for the picture on the outside of the bus.

I was at the Renaissance Faire and they brought him off the track- a great beautiful black dog with sweet brown eyes. It was love at first sight. He looked at me and told me his name was Hagrid- the gentle giant from the Harry Potter tales.

We became inseparable- it had been soo long since I’d had a canine companion. The first week we spent at my house, I slept next to him on the floor. I had my arms around him so we would bond and he’d get used to my scent. As Jody later said- we were soulmates- just meant to be together.

Hagrid being the male dog- would often mark his territory - as males are wont to do.

He once peed in my purse and he even peed in his own water. Always the ladies’ man, he was also known to pee on human males that he did not like
In search of chocolate- he once ate glass! I dodged a real bullet- he passed it and was unharmed. The children here in my neighborhood were very fond of him. I would take him outside nearly daily to play games and spend time with the local kids.

Hagrid and I went to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade each year in Phoenix together. I remember we were in front of Dancing with the Stars- and I told them they’d have to change their name to “Dancing with the Greyhounds!” At the end of the parade, I asked a man dressed in robed as a bishop or pope to please bless Hagrid. I shall never forger his reply,”Your dog is already blessed- you’ve given him a good home.” One year the parade was cancelled- and as Jody suggested- Hagrid and I had our own parade and we proudly marched around the neighborhood. wearing our green. Speaking of pride- after I had returned from the gay Pride festival two years ago I guess- I found Hagrid prancing about the house wearing a pink foam visor around his neck that said “Jesus loves Gays’ or something like that. I couldn’t believe it- took a picture and had it made into a mug entitled,” Greyhounds for Pride” (Hagrid). Of course we also attended a Harry Potter greyhound event and he was the hit of the party!

Hagrid loved to lounge in the pool I bought for him and loved going ‘walkies’. He was always there, by my side loving me and I can hardly believe that he is gone. In early July of 2008, he died of heat exhaustion or something similar and my neighbors (whose dog’s name is Dobby) and I were all devastated.

I was away on vacation when I got the dreaded call. I will never be the same.

I do find comfort in knowing that Hagrid was among people who loved him when he passed on. I also like to think that my grandmother’s black standard poodle Alouette was right there to greet him on the other side. Hagrid you’ve got a long wait but we’ll see each other again.

SUSANNA IRIS ASTARTE