I don't feel I possess the skill needed to pay a proper tribute to this extraordinary being. I can't really call her a dog, because she never thought of herself as a dog. She was people and that was just the way it was. Three days ago I helped the her to The Bridge. She was almost 14 and over the past year had gotten progressively weaker in her back end. Acupuncture had been our friend for the past year and had kept her mobile and comfortable, that is until this past week when she began to fall and was unable to get up. To say my heart is broken is an understatement. I was, however, so blessed to have her share my life for the past decade. She was truly a princess and a gift that arrived just when I needed one. Everyone who ever met her and looked into her big, beautiful, intelligent eyes was smitten and commented that there was something very special about her. She was the ultimate Meet and Greet dog and ambassador for greyhound adoption. When she wore the donation vest at events would catch the eye of passing strangers and literally will them to come over to pet her and reach into their wallets. My grief is intense, but underneath is eternal gratitude. She wasn't supposed to have been mine originally but came to me to foster when the original adopter opted out. It didn't take me long to know she wasn't going anywhere as she had already taken residence in my heart. And there she still resides, always and forever.
Run free, Lofty Princess. I'll catch you later.