queenwinniesmom

I can't imagine the sadness you are feeling with such a sudden loss. I'm so, so sorry, Janet. What a dear little soul he was.

How you loved that gorgeous girl! I'm so sorry you had to say goodbye.

So, so glad it's not osteo! Now we need more good news!

Irene, I'm so sorry. It's doubly sad for your family to lose her after the surgery, when your hopes were up for her recovery.

I'm so sorry you lost your sweet little Peanut. She was adorable!

What a lovely, complex, funny little lady she was---and how you loved her. I'm so sorry you lost your precious Shanti.

Oh, Judy, I think everyone here can understand that fear. Osteo rears it's ugly head all too often with our precious Greys, but it could be something else as well. You and Chase will be in my thoughts and prayers all day. Please let us know what you find out at the appointment.

Your two gorgeous boys are together now. I'm so sorry you lost your precious Toby.

I'm so sorry that you are in such pain, and so sorry you lost your beautiful Sammi. She was such a unique and lovely lady.

Oh, Meri, he was so stunning. And clearly, unconditionally loved. I"m so sorry you lost your precious Nico.

I'm so sorry this precious girl had to leave. Sending much sympathy to her extended family.

I've been wondering the best way too---and how much to give. Evangelina came to us with dry, flaky skin, and a pretty dull coat, so we've been giving some to her and Calvin (he's shedding a lot too). When it's not hot out, they like to just like the coconut oil when it's solid, but when it's hot, we've got liquid. Doug's adding the liquid to their food. But how much is good? She's only about 45 pounds, and Calvin is about 70.

Glad to see a positive update! We'll keep the good thoughts coming so your sweet boy can be home with you soon!

Oh, my gosh, she was truly exceptional. And she must have left a huge empty space in your heart. I'm so sorry you lost your precious Emma.

Ducky, I'm so sorry. You were an angel to welcome him into your home and heart, knowing your time would be limited. Of course, he brought you as much joy and love as you brought to him, and it was those stupid people's loss. He was clearly so happy and contented and safe with you---I just wish he could have stayed longer. Run free, precious Mikey. Your true forever family loved you so.

He was so incredibly beautiful. I know how heartbreaking it is to lose your precious boy, doubly so because it was so sudden.

That is wonderful news---you must be so relieved.

Thanks to everyone for their kind thoughts. A few weeks ago, everything was so different, and it's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that I've lost both of my girls. It really does help to know that so many understand. Judy, I did give Lydia a hug and a kiss from you and from Nadir. I know there was a special bond between you and her, as there was with me and your precious boy. Evangelina is amazing. She is fitting in perfectly, learning everything really fast, and making us smile! I'll introduce her in her own thread soon.

Oh, Cody, sweet boy, I so hoped you would have much longer with the people who loved you.

What a stunningly beautiful boy. I'm so very sorry.

Oh, Wendy, I loved your tribute and beautiful pictures. A good tribute, like a good dog, brings smiles as well as tears, because that's what they brought to our lives. Especially poignant to me was your description of how he laid down on the bed. So much like Lydia. In retrospect, I think it helps a bit that they haven't been able to make it onto the bed for a while. Otherwise, the pain would be much too great now, as we ache to touch them just one more time. How you loved that boy, and how he returned your love tenfold. I'm so sorry you lost your precious Disco.

I realized I have too many pictures of me, and I couldn't find some of my favorites. Just a few more? My very favorite So many people to smooze, not enough time. Even at the Viet Nam memorial This young girl at the Ithaca Farmer's Market fell in love. Modeling her hat for the Hope For Hounds auction The silliest pic of all.

A tribute to Lydia is something I've thought about for quite a while. When a dog is 14 1/2, can't do steps anymore, and seems to be gradually slipping away, it's something that you think about, even though you try not to. Over the last few months, I could see her growing older and more frail. It was harder to remember when she was young and vital, and though I loved her just as much, if not more, it made me sad. I knew the day would come when I'd have to find the words to describe a dog who was my true heart dog, I just didn't know that it would be now. I posted about this sadness, the loss of Tess just a little over 2 weeks ago, and Evangelina joining our family. It's in Everything Else Greyhound---Evangelina and Lydia, happiness and heartbreak. That's the sad back story. So this is the story that Lydia deserves. I remember the day we met almost 10 years ago so clearly. On the Fourth of July, a group of us from Going Home Greyhounds went to the kennels at Wheeling to pick up foster dogs. Someone pointed out my new foster in the distance, a good sized brindle with a white face, so thrilled to see us that she was literally jumping up and putting her feet on people's shoulders. Great, I thought, an old dog, and not very well behaved. I was wrong about the age---she was only 4---but she WAS pretty darn exuberant. She came home with us, and it was clear from the very first day that she was staying. She walked into my house and my heart as if I had known her in another life. I'd had a dream about a dog named Lydia, and that's exactly who she was. She seemed to love me beyond reason, something I'd always hoped for in a dog. Little did I know that Lydia loved EVERYONE beyond reason. I was just the lucky person who got to share her life. And it was a very good life. She traveled all over, and elevated smoozing to an art form, leaning against total strangers and looking at them adoringly. "Aw, this one really likes me," so many people said to me, and I didn't have the heart to tell them that that was the way she looked at everybody. She never discriminated. Lydia adored people who were loud, ignorant, stinky, stuck up, and obviously intoxicated. But she somehow managed to strike a chord within them, and when they walked away, they were smiling. I'll never know exactly how her magic worked, but I never doubted that it was real. The only thing I feel a little guilty about is that I didn't put her in the position to make even more people happy. We should have been out there every weekend, rocking Meet and Greets, and spreading the Greyhound love. I do know she was responsible for many Greyhound adoptions. Never modest, shy, and retiring, she knew how good she was. Honestly, it was all about Lydia. We didn't mind that she was a bit of a prima donna and drama queen. Nail trims involved a few GSODs, and she was not above trying to bite you if she didn't like something you were doing. And she would NOT be taken down those evil steps, no matter how we tried to do it. But those were just a few facets of her multi-faceted personality. She was happy ALWAYS, lying close to me on the couch with her head on my lap, or on a road trip (a road trip is a chance to smooze), and especially when she was the center of attention. But she deserved it, and she was worth it. She was also so effortlessly elegant, and incredibly beautiful, especially so as she grew older, and her face turned almost totally silver. She was uncannily intuitive, not only with people she'd just met, but especially with me, knowing exactly when I needed her comfort the most. I miss that so deeply. I would give anything just to feel her soft fur again, to have her roll right up next to me in bed and ease the pain of whatever sadness I might be feeling. The ache in my heart is huge, but we knew for certain that it was time to let her go. We had the vet come to the house, and she was able to lay on her bed and slip away in my arms, without pain or fear, doing it her way, right till the last moment. It's the end of an era, and she's running with her sisters, happy and healthy and young. I'll love you and miss you forever, my one in a million dog. These are some of my favorite pictures. Most of them I've posted before, but I love them so much, and they capture her spirit. ETA---I found more special pics. Added in post #13. The day we met at the kennel Shortly after she decided to stay My 3 angel girls So many smoozing pics. This was where she really existed, what she loved to do. With Dave and Brooke at Dewey With Steve at Gettysburg Sorry, Doug, but this is a classic. It always was all about Lydia. This has been my profile picture on Facebook since I joined, but it's one that I love. That's Lydia and me at dawn on Dewey Beach, Polly and Tess looking on. All 3 of my girls, angels now.

How you loved him. Tears for you and your precious Declan. I'm so sorry.

When the bond is so deep, the pain of their loss and the emptiness from their absence is profound. I can't imagine how much you will miss your special boy. I'm so sorry you lost your precious Niles.