winnie

I'm so sorry that you had to say goodbye to your Diana. It never gets any easier, but she had a wonderful life.

Our greyhound Bonny had ZERO prey drive. Our cats would routinely walk underneath her and she tried to pretend that they didn't exist. However, she was bounced because of snapping at kids. I'm sure the kids were the issue. Bonny always did well with our young nieces who were never left unsupervised and were drilled on how to treat dogs.

Our Darcy was one of those dogs that would *never* let you know. We finally had to make the decision for her. With that fighting spirit of hers, we decided it was better to let her go on a good day with dignity. She had a large soft tissue sarcoma on her side that kept growing. She hated needing any assistance. We didn't want to be in the position where an emergency dictated her time. When to let a dog go is a very personal decision. Wishing you strength.

Celeste is our first greyhound. We've had her for nearly 10 years now. She is an amazing meet & greet dog. Everyone *loves* Celeste. Her biggest problem? Cotton ears. She doesn't listen to me... At All. She is DH's heart hound. He is the only person she'll listen to. It's a good thing that she rarely misbehaves. Well, other than stealing her sister's spots. Beatrix is our first galgo. We've had her for just over 2 years now. Her biggest problem? She doesn't realize she is a galgo. Aren't galgos supposed to sleep in piles, scale tall fences, and be more active than greyhounds? Yeah, no. Beatrix is just a loving lump. She has *her* spot on the couch and *her* bed in our bedroom. She *loves* to sleep. All those years in Spain must have been exhausting. The only time we know she is alive is in the mornings. She hops in our bed happy to greet another day.

What a truly beautiful tribute to a wonderful hound. I'm so sorry you and Burke had to say goodbye to your boy Murray. You were so lucky to have each other. So many wonderful hounds in our circle lost this year. I hope they're all hanging out together over the bridge - with plenty of space between them, of course.

Oh Tricia and Burke, my heart just dropped reading this. Regan and I send our deepest condolences to you both.

Go Twiggy! Go Twiggy! She is such an inspiration! I hope you continue to have good days ahead.

We've been giving Dasuquin with MSM soft chews to our hounds for a couple of years now. Seems to help and haven't had any negative side affects. We do have to chop up the chews and mix with food or else they won't eat them.

We're pretty sure our Bonny was killed by wandering over to Darcy and hanging over her bed. Looking back now, I do believe Bonny had CCD. I don't believe Darcy had CCD, but she did get more irritable about her space when losing her vision. I would recommend to anyone with multiple dogs to consider separating your dogs as they get older. Our pack had lived together for many years and had always gotten along well. Two super seniors with age related issues is not a good mix.

Although never diagnosed, we believe Bonny had CCD. She'd randomly stare. She'd also bark at air. Barking was pretty constant. We'd make light of it by asking if Timmy fell down the well, where was Timmy, etc. (Lassie references). She was also restless and would wander. Still as sweet as could be though. Darcy had always been good about giving warnings to the other dogs when they got in her space. Bonny no longer seemed to heed those warnings. We're pretty sure she accidentally stepped on Darcy when she got bit. Bonny was 13 years 7 months when she left us on 5/8/15. Symptoms probably started about a year earlier.

I'm so sorry you had to say goodbye to your beautiful Shelby. She lived a long life filled with love.

Hoping for continued progress for Twiggy. I love the determined ladies.

Thinking of you and Twiggy today.

Our dogs all like and do well on the BJ's brand (BerkleyJensen) organic chicken - kibble and cans. We've been feeding it for years. If you have a BJ's nearby, consider a membership. Our dogs never liked the Costco Kirkland brand dog foods, but I do keep a membership there for the dog beds.

Welcome Back Carol and Shelby! We recently lost our Darcy who lived until 14 years 10 months. She was a tough old dog and preferred the term super senior. Darcy was still going up/down stairs, enjoying daily walks, and a (mostly) healthy appetite right up until her final days. A rapid growing soft tissue sarcoma on her side is what got her in the end. Wishing you many good days ahead with your girl!

Unfortunately, I think it's just luck of the draw. We lost one of our greyhounds to osteo at 11.5 y/o. Yet, we had two others live to 13 years 7 months and 14 years 10 months - neither died from osteo. Enjoy your hounds and try not to obsess over things you can't control.

What worked best with our super senior Darcy when she was 14.5+ was mixing in can food with kibble and water. We had her seperated from the other dogs while we were at work. She didn't eat well when other dogs or people were around. So, we just loaded up her bowl at breakfast time. It would often take her all day to finish it, but we almost always came home to an empty bowl.

I'm so sorry for so many losses this year. We lost Bonny in May and Darcy last week. It's tough.

We lost two hounds this year too. It's tough. I'm so sorry for your loss. Hope your girls are enjoying their reunion over the bridge.

That photo of Darcy in the pink pool was from this year's Grapehounds too. Darcy had an amazing trip. She was going to the wineries with us, running in the tennis court at the Seneca Lodge, etc. Heck, right up until she passed, she was still going up/down stairs with minimal assistance, still going walks with her sisters (albeit slowly), etc. Darcy was truly an amazing dog for her advanced age. Cancer sucks. Thank you all for your kind words. It means a lot.

I'd like to be under the sea In an octopus's garden in the shade He'd let us in, knows where we've been In his octopus's garden in the shade I'd ask my friends to come and see An octopus's garden with me I'd like to be under the sea In an octopus's garden in the shade We would be warm below the storm In our little hideaway beneath the waves Resting our head on the sea bed In an octopus's garden near a cave We would sing and dance around Because we know we can't be found I'd like to be under the sea In an octopus's garden in the shade We would shout and swim about The coral that lies beneath the waves (Lies beneath the ocean waves) Oh what joy for every girl and boy Knowing they're happy and they're safe (Happy and they're safe) We would be so happy you and me No one there to tell us what to do I'd like to be under the sea In an octopus's garden with you In an octopus's garden with you In an octopus's garden with you - The Beatles, Abbey Road On December 8, we helped our girl Darcy cross the bridge to the octopus's garden. Octopuses were her favorite toys. We always requested them from our GreyTalk Secret Santas. Darcy was 14 years and 10 months old, exceptional for a greyhound, but she was always a determined lady. She was with us one day short of nine years (December 9 was her Gotcha Day). Darcy developed a soft tissue sarcoma in late-October, which was progressing quickly. She was incredibly stoic and fiercely independent. She deserved to leave us with dignity. So, we let her go while she had more good days than bad. After a long race career (154 races), Darcy spent over a year at the Wheeling kennel waiting for a home. She was older, and black, but we thought she was perfect. Darcy was a legendary hoarder. Whether it was toys or carpet runners, they all wound up in her bed. Darcy never met a kiddie pool she didn't like. Being the stoic dog she was, Darcy rarely let her guard down. It took us a year to catch her roaching. I wish more people got to see her loving, playful side. We'll miss Darcy dearly and hope she is surrounded by all the octopuses. Goodbye Beautiful Girl!

Thank you. Patsy, that comment made me smile. This morning, Darcy peed over Celeste's pee on their walk. Typical Darcy.

Calling vet this morning to have Darcy PTS. She is stoic, fiercly independent and hates needing assistance. The sarcoma has gotten huge and it's hard sometimes for her to rest comfortably. We don't want it to rupture and then face an emergency situation. We want Darcy to leave us on a good day so as to preserve her dignity. It still doesn't make it any easier. She is 14 years 10 months.

Our tall supermodel Bonny used to get called a boy all the time, even though we intentionally used pink collars and leads for her.

Wolf's much older half-sister, Celeste, says CONGRATULATIONS!!! (Back in her younger days with the dark mask and radar ears.)