greyhndz

Bummer alert: This is potentially very exciting news, but it's going to be a while before it will be available outside of the designated study group: As required by USDA to progress from conditional licensure to full licensure, Aratana plans to conduct an extended field study in a clinical setting and anticipates initiating the study in early 2018. Initially, the therapeutic will be made available for purchase at approximately two dozen veterinary oncology practice groups across the United States who participate in the study. So, it's been conditionally licensed for the purpose of conducting a more extensive clinical study. If you'd like to find out where they will be recruiting participants, here's a place to start: http://vetcancersociety.org/pet-owners/clinical-trials/ The new clinical study for 2018 is not yet listed. The previous field study, however, is, and though recruitment ended 2/2017, contact info for the trial investigator is supplied. The study to search for is AAHSD000419. Hopefully they can provide specifics for the next phase of testing. Realistically, the vaccine may still be a long time from full licensure, and will depend on the results of the clinical study once completed. Jordan Tim and Tessa (galgos) & Jesse and Buddy (iggies) Missing lots of angels, most recently: Galgos Dandi, Teo, Mafi & Gigi

Thank you, everyone, for your kindess and understanding. Gigi wasted no time is sending us a special gift: Malta, a beautiful black galga, is arriving on 8/26, and Margot, the little galga who was going to be coming in Sept. or October, may be arriving a day later.

The blueberry.... that is a powerful trigger, but doesn't it just capture her essence? My deep condolences on Suki's crossing. What a fantastic mum you've been to her, both during her life and when making your very unselfish decision to respect her dignity. Suki was a very wise lady to have picked you as her mum. Perhaps she and Gigi met up along the path to the Bridge....

I'm so terribly sorry for you... and send a virtual hug sharing your loss.

Wow, that is so strange, Irene. I think it's the connection that longtime greyhound people have.... we may go months or years without speaking but there's enough of a bond that we just "know" sometimes. Your kindness always means so much to me.

Thank you, sweet Ducky..

Gigi -- Giselle, Baby G, whatever you called her, she was delighed to answer to. I lost her today to an apparent adrenal tumor. She had a rough few weeks into June, and a great surge over the past 6 weeks, but it came to an end, and it would not have been right to put her through the extreme stress of critical care again when it almost certainly would happen again. Her eyes told me she was ready, and everybody understands "the eyes". No turning away from them. My vet came, it was quick and peaceful, not even a movement. And now she's on her way to be with Mafi and Teo and Dandi and we're here feeling the pain and emptiness. I do believe it's true that the greatest way to honor a dog is to rescue another, and we do have another galga coming to us in the next month or two. I may not be able to wait, though, and am giving serious thought to adopting locally (a GH female) while we wait for our galga to arrive. Tim is so sad, and was so attached to Gigi that I'd like him to have a companion now. But since the dogs we choose are always chosen for us, we'll go with the flow and see what sails our way. Je t'adore, Giselle.....

Ducky, I thought you'd like to know that she was wearing Niña's jammies to keep her warm on her journey. (Taken a few weeks ago) Thank you, everyone for your kind thoughts and words. Actually, Mafi was with me for 13.5 years! Probably one of the first crazy Mafi stories was getting to Dewey, and trying desperately to find Anna Clements of SOS Galgos, who had brought Mafi over with her from Barcelona. I'd been waiting 4 months for Mafi, so I was desperate to finally meet the two of them. After hours of missing each other, I finally got the message that Carla Trottier had her, and they were over at the "Secret Pals" party a few blocks away. (I'm sure there are still some SPs floating around out there who could describe what these parties were like...) I walked in to find a large group of people hanging out, a waft of alcohol and smoke hitting you in the face when you opened the door. People were pointing to the centre of the room, and there, in a small clearing from the smoke, was Carla holding the tiniest little brindle girl I'd ever seen. I could't get to her, so someone picked her up and passed her along until she got to me. (I would kill to have photos of that night if anyone had any.) That's when I knew life with Mafi was going to be very interesting... Taken at Dewey the day after we were united: A friend made her a "senorita" outfit. In the photo below, Mafi is standing with Anna Clements, probably begging to be taken back to Barcelona so she wouldn't have to wear stupid outfits. You can see how tiny she was - 45 lbs at her heaviest. Anna was giving a talk on Galgo rescue, and Mafi decided to offer her input.

It hit this morning, when I awakened, and the first thing I did was look toward her bed to be sure she was sleeping and safe. She wasn't there, and without thinking, I started to rise, thinking she might have gone downstairs to potty. She was very frail and unsteady, after having had several strokes and a very unsteady hind end which crumpled easily. But dignified and independent as she was, she insisted on doing it by herself. I'd built a new ramp for her last fall in preparation for another rough winter. She was much more secure, and liked going up and down to the yard by herself. Thankfully it was the winter that never was, so, with mom running out to shovel snow as it accumulated, and sanding it when it got slippery, the ramp was her lifeline. How ironic it was, that the onset of spring brought on tougher times for her body, which just could not keep up with her spirit. Mafi was not in her bed this morning, nor was she navigating downstairs or down the deck. She was transitioning from the Queen to Angel after her journey began last night with the help of our beloved vet, lying on the bed from which she reigned. Today was a very quiet day, her absence both silent and overbearing. She was an enigma in many ways, and one day I'll be able to share thousands of amazing, funny and touching stories. Right now is time for contemplation and acceptance. But it's also time to relive the celebration of 10 years with Mafi. Adopted 10/8/2002 - 3/16/2016. Please celebrate her life and her radiance. More of her story is on her video page. Thank you all. Jordan