The Spirit Of A Greyhound

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour; 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 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. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away 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.

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, ancient wisdom shining through.
in the essence of his being, I saw the 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.
As I stood upon that hillside in a field of blowing wheat,
in a twinkling of a second his spirit left my feet.
His tale did put my heart at ease, all 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 I'm 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 milk bones 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 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."

Dallas (Rainier Redjam)

* 29 Oct 1992 - 12 Jan 2004*

Dallas was a Brood Mama at the Sullivan Farm in Iowa. We opened our hearts and home to her when the Sullivan's closed, so she could be with one of her pups, Zeke (Rainier Revenge) who spends most of his time on our couch!

She adapted to home life very quickly and made up for the short time she was with us with an extra helping of love.

We miss you Mama D...........Jim & Billie Bell.......Emma, Zeke & Zoe.......

Blazin Big Mack

* 10/14/98-5/31/06*

Our big sweet "Keeper of the peace" boy Mack was taken from us today. He was our "gentle giant" and kept everyone in line. Osteo has won another fight just 351 days after losing our other TEAM Greyhound pup Bella to the same d**n cancer.
Both taken in the prime of their lives and way to young to leave us. Our hearts are once again broken.
It is said "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."
Anyone that has lost a beloved faithful friend knows this is true. We have faith that they are all pain free, happily running and playing on the other side of the rainbow bridge until we meet again.
We love you our beautiful boy and wait for the day we are together again.
Godspeed sweet "Biggie".

Sadie

* Oct 1990 - May 2006*

Sadie was my soul dog who I thought would live forever. She would have been 16 years old in October. She was truly my heart and soul and I thanked her every day for coming into my life for the 8 years I had her. Everyone should adopt a senior if they want fulfillment in their life. ~Nancy Schmidt

Andy (Rainier Rebel)

* 12 Aug 1997 - 10 July 2006*

"Andy, I love you, I did from day one. I never wanted to become too attached to you for fear of losing you, but instead I have become inextricably intertwined with you." Andy has been a true gift from God. And it's true, Andy chose me. I lost him to the pain of Osteo last night. Thankfully, no pathologic fractures. He was so damn stoic that the occasional limp over the past six months was mistaken for arthritis, until this Friday when the limp suddenly got bad. And the vocalizations..., which he never ever does. Of course the x-ray was a no-brainer. He didn't respond too well to maximum pain management, and before the scales tipped for the worse, and both he and I were to lose our dignity to human selfishness, I helped him cross over last night. It took me three days to consider the options, and I just prayed it wasn't too long. But God let me know this was the right path, even though He had been so quiet in letting me make the decision. God has brought Peace. There is a profound sense of spirit now. Truly a gift from God, and truly Andy's choice to be with me. Andy's biggest lesson to me was to live in the moment, live for the day.
This photo is of him earlier that day. His spirit wasn't down enough to have him not respond to his favorite things like "munchies" "going for a walk" "do you wanna eat?" and "goin' for a ride". That picture is truly his strong spirit fighting through when I said "do you wanna munchie?" even though at that point he was sometimes taking them and sometimes not. And, this journey is not over, because I turned to the vet last night and surprised myself by saying, "Andy's my buddy and my first, but there'll be others", "Andy I love you. I’ll say it to the heavens, to the stars, to the world. I am proud and not ashamed in the least to have given my best to you for the time we were together on this world. And I’ll say it again. Andy, I love you." 08/12/97 - 07/10/06

Now I understand why greyhound owners are all unto themselves. I have to admit, I’ve become one too. I’ll get in touch with team greyhound in the future when Andy "paw picks” someone my way.
Thank you, and God Bless,
Scott Martin

Buddy and Quincy...
Run Free Sweet Buddy!

A few words from Buddy's family:
"Buddy was an awesome dog, indeed. He welcomed all 4 legged friends into his home without hesitation and was happy to share his family with them. We are missing him so much, but Maizie Grace [fka Barbara Jo] is helping us cope.
She is therapy on 4 legs right now. We were blessed to have him..."

J. Sox Freedom "Boe"

6/13/2000 ~ 9/2006

As long as forever

I will stand by your side.

I'll be your companion,

your friend and your guide.

As long as I live

and as long as you care -

I'll do anything for you,

I'll go anywhere.

I'll bring you the sunshine,

I'll comfort your fears,

I'll gather up rainbows

to chase all your tears.

As long as forever

My heart will be true.

As long as forever

I'll always love you.

Love Always,

Tony & Mary Miskow

Run Free Sweet Boe


Twinkle ~"Sweet Pea", "Niki" 1990-2006

Run Free Sweet Baby Girl

Dano (Kid Kool Dude) 1997 – 2007

You were our love: beautiful, soft and elegant. Yes, you had some quirky ways – and ripped up more newspaper than we cared to clean up when you got playful. How will we ever keep our watches & wrists clean again after the thorough licking you gave them most every day? We miss you running to greet us when we arrive home, bouncing like a kangaroo and roo-ing at us as if to say, “shame on you for being gone” or maybe you meant “so happy you are home’'. We don’t know, but those are just some of the things we loved about you. Run free sweet prince, with your greyhound friends. We’ll see you at the bridge someday. Donna & Stu Bossert

Tad (Tad Taddeo) 2007

Love Always, Aunt Nanci Okiowa Scotch " Blitzen" 1998 - 2007 Raze Rosalee " Maddie" 4/1/1999 - 3/5/2008 J's Six Shooter "Nole" 6/2/2003-3/16/2008 Thunder 2002- 2008

This page is dedicated to our beloved companions

who have so deeply touched our lives.

The Rainbow Bridge