Houndmom

We don't know exactly what happened. He has been very healthy with no signs of illness of any sort. They didn't have the heart to do an autopsy. Thank you all for your kind thoughts. The family appreciates all the kind words during this tough time.

In memory of Dublin and in support of our group's Asst Director and his wife (the Adoption Coordinator), I wanted to post this message. Dublin came to our group over a year ago with several behavioral issues. This couple took him in as a foster and over time grew to love him as one of their own (they have 7 greyhounds). Because he had some behavioral quirks he was often overlooked for adoption. As time passed it was evident that Dublin (Dubbie or Dub Dub) was probably never going to leave his foster home and the bond between dog and the AD was noticeably strong. This past weekend they gave notice that Dublin was going to officially become part of their family. We removed him from the available dogs on our website and placed him in the adopted section. On 3/27, Linda came home after work and walked into her house to greet the dogs as usual. When she approached Dublin he collapsed to the floor and died immediately. They are both devestated at this loss. Dublin was one of those special guys you just can't help but finding a place in your heart for. His sudden and mysterious passing is a great loss to them and those of us close to this family. He was only 3 1/2. Through the tears and heartache the work will continue. May Dublin run happy and free with all of our Bridge kids. I'll miss you to Dubbie.

I am sorry about Casper.

Oh my gosh....I am so sorry. We never expect to lose our prescious babies when they go to the vet's for routine care and surgery. I'm sure the vet and tech feel you pain with their own. Hugs to you all for your loss.

I just read Michael's post on the "L" about Abby (through tears) and I am so sorry that she met her fate this way. Bless all those who prayed for her safe return and spent countless hours searching for her. My heart goes out to her family who I am sure are grieving terribly.

I read this somewhere else a couple months ago. Bawled like a baby reading it. Very touching

I am very sorry for your loss. Times such as this are never easy.

I am sorry for your loss. Penny brought joy to your life and you brought kindess and love to hers.

I am very sorry for your loss. It is never an easy time but smiles can be found as we remember all the love our beloved companions brought to our lives. May Spade run free across the Bridge. Hugs to you.

Molly...I am very sorry for your loss. There may be a lot of days that bring a lot of tears but that is ok. We each need to grieve for our losses in the way we find best for ourselves. I'm glad you came here to Greytalk and I can only hope that you can find some peace among friends who share your pain and understand your loss. Regardless of when you choose to adopt again please remember that it is never a replacement for the one you lose...only a step in a new direction and a new life to share your heart with. The special love you have with one companion will never leave you and will stay in your heart and live on in your memories forever. I hope you are able to find your peace...here's a hug to help you along the way.

Nan...I am so sorry. I know it is a difficult time. You will be in my thoughts.

Sorry for your loss Clare.

Nancy...I am sorry for your loss. It is a painful time but we must remember all the wonderful things our beloved 4-legged companions brought to our lives. Bear (and he is adorable) will live on in your hearts and memories forever. Hugs to everyone.

I know how you feel. My Darwin always had something to say and followed me everywhere. Hugs to make you feel better.

I am very sorry for Belle's passing. You tried your best and she fought bravely. Sometimes there is little more we can do but offer them a safe haven and love from our hearts. Hugs to you all.

My co-worker adopted a 12 year old last year. Prior to the adoption she went through the same run of feelings on her ability to cope with the loss of the dog so soon after adoption. The only answer I could give was that there are never any guarantees for a long life regardless of the age or breed. A 10 year old could easily see 5 more years or a 5 year old could only see 1. ALL the dogs need a safe and loving home regardless of their age and there is no doubt that they will return this devotion tenfold. I also told her that regardless of whether she had the dog for 1 year or 10 years her grief would be the same. Love of a companion is just that. She understood the message and adopted Surfer. He will be 13 next month and although he is a bit rickety from arthritis, he is going strong and very happy. I did note that this dog changed her life and their bond is amazing to see. She no longer fears the inevitiable but lives and enjoys him for the time they have. He is a wonderful ambassadog for our adoption group and she is proud to be his mom. Please do not let the age of a dog deter you from adding a wonderful companion to your family. Best wishes.

Millie's Mom - Everyone grieves in their own way and for some recovery is a much longer road to travel. Even when we come to terms with the loss of a beloved companion the pain still lingers whether we have had this pet for one year or 10 years. It would be easier (maybe) if we could all be assured that our 4-legged companions would simply pass quietly when their time comes...at an old age. Our 1st greyhound died of mesenteric twist, not related to bloat, just the twisting of the mesenteric artery. My poor husband was still in VA when this happened and I was here in NH. Ginger all of a sudden started showing signs of being dizzy and a little out of it. He called me and we both figured she might have an ear infection as she was prone to ear problems. Later that night he called the vet and after providing the limited symptoms she came to the same conclusion. The next morning my husband let Ginger into the yard to do her business and on her way back in she collapsed, almost comatose. He carried her to the car, rushed her to the vets and within 10 minutes was told she must be euthanized. Ginger's mesenteric artery had twisted blocking the flow of blood. When this happens the artery ruptures quickly and bleed out into the abdomen occurs. She had been bleeding so badly there was nothing the vets could do but ease her suffering. There were no real signs of this and the vet said that when you finally discover that there is an emergency with twist, it is too late. There is no treatment and they still do not know what actually causes this to occur. My husband still feels the pain of guilt for not having know Ginger was suffering for so long. He also understands that no matter how long we have these beloved creatures with us that the pain of a loss will be the same. We did adopt another within a month to help him with his grief...plus we offered another greyhound a forever home. We have found ourselves worrying continuously about the welfare of our current pack after the losses of last year. I don't that this story will ease your feelings in any way but we all need to find a way to come to terms with a loss and know that we provided love and comfort for a much deserving creature. We have learned to overcome the fear of the pain of grief by understanding the need for love. This past year and a half has been a tough road to travel but we have found a way...and never forgotten our 4-legged angels. Only my cat died peacefully last year. Don't look for the fear of pain just look for the love.

I am very sorry for your loss. Our 4-legged companions bring to much to our lives it's hard to cope with their loss. April can now run free across the bridge but you will always have her with you in your heart and memories.

Same here.... Darwin Ginger Brannigan Fantasia

Your feelings are perfectly understandable. I lost Darwin and Ginger over a year ago and I still miss them terribly. In fact I was thinking about them this morning and how much fun they always had tearing the wrapping paper off their toys at Xmas. I love the furkids I have now and wouldn't trade them for anything....but I wish I could have the others back as well. It's funny how a time that should bring all the happiness out often brings the pain along with it. You could always do what I do when I'm feeling down about their loss (although I don't do it as much as when they first died). I'm not crazy...but it makes me feel better....I go out and stare at the stars. When I find the brightest one I talk to it hoping that Darwin and Ginger can hear me. Then I go in and hug my babies. Willow is so much like Darwin it is very creepy sometimes...and he wasn't a greyhound.

I am very sorry for your loss. We lost our beloved sheltie, Darwin, to kidney disease last year. We also lost our 15 year old kittie last year as well. Losing your 4-legged companions is very difficult but you will never lose their memories. Hugs to you all.

I am very sorry for your loss. May Maggie run free across the bridge with the rest of our kids who await us. Hugs to you all.....

Jennifer, You are so right when you say that you didn't go looking for another dog after a loss, but just knew when one came along and it was right. Merlin was a very spooky, shy guy who had been in a foster home for 10 months. I had met him before Ginger died but didn't really make the connection because he was kind of kept away from everyone. After Ginger passed away, Merlin's foster parents said they needed to move him out of the house and did I want to come meet him. Reluctantly I did and it was funny that I made the connection with him immediately. They said he was very shy and wouldn't come up to me but he did. We adopted him a week later and he is my husband's beloved little boy. When Darwin passed 6 weeks later I didn't know what to do and wasn't thinking about another dog. Less than a month later I was at the track kennel selecting dogs and this little black female came up to the front of the crate as I walked by. I felt something strange and walked back to her. When I did she tried to give me licks through the wire. She watched me constantly while I was there and when I came near her crate she did the same thing. If someone else walked by she did not react. A half hour later she was tagged to go to the vet's with my adoption following that. She has been my baby ever since and in many ways she is like Darwin. It is strange how these things happen and how they change your life. After the loss of 3 dogs and the cat last year and the new adoptions, I truly believe in the special connection we have with our pets.

I don't know about others but when we lost our dogs and cat last year both my husband and I grieved terribly and didn't know where to go for support and answers. When a co-woker lost her cat this year I found a website that offered information regarding pet loss, including a memorial page and e-cards. She also did not know where to go for support and found the link to be a great help. Could we start and pin a post where people could add a few links for support and memorial sites? Last year I was not in the frame of mind to research the web for sites but if a listing had been available in one place I probably would have used it. Here are a couple links: Pet Loss Support (state listings for support, question and answers, support topics) Heaven's Playground (Memorial, support, links, e-cards)

I am very sorry for your loss. If this brings any comfort to you and your words of wisdom, one thing I always do is make sure I tell all prospective foster parents and adopters about the dangers of glass doors and windows. Hugs always...