FountainLady

Rainy - Peach Rain 3/13/00 - 10/05/11 Her career: 144 races, Lifetime earnings $5387. retired June 20th 2004. Adopted into the Sayen family on May 7th, 2006 Rainy loved boating, and we spent many hours on the water together. Rainy and her Aunt Margaret standing by our boat our GIG vacation in 2007 was the best vacation we ever took! I tested with Rainy and she passed her AKC Canine Good Citizen test at the Battlefield Holiday Inn ... this led her to a future career as a TDI therapy dog. The highlight of our Gettysburg visit was sitting at the top of Devils Den at dusk with Rainy, looking up toward Little Round Top ... waiting to see if we could connect with some ghosts of the fallen soldiers. It was an amazing experience, and I swear that Rainy COULD see them, as she laid there on top of the boulders of Devils Den so serene and watchful. While we didn't "see" any ghosts ourselves at the time, when we came home and downloaded the photos I took up there after dark, there WERE spirit orbs all around Mike and Rainy!! On top of Devils Den TDI Therapy dog certified Sept 12th, 2007. having a Greyhound therapy dog is the best PR you can have for the breed, and it seemed like each assignment we went on would become a meet and greet event. People always ask about greyhounds. Where we live it is rare to see a greyhound out and about. Our Rainy had been TDI certified for the past 4 years. We did all sorts of activities with her, the children's reading programs at area libraries, nursing home and hospice visits, stress relief at the Special Olympics, and we had also been known to go into the freshmen dorms at Central Michigan University for some stress relief before final exams. June 4th at the Michigan Special Olympics State Championships. We went to a Dog Tales fund raiser event in April for the group & Rainy wore her "donation dog" vest that we also use for meet and greet events for her greyhound activities - she raised over $50.00 that day for the children's reading program for Dog Tales. Miss Rainy had an amazing ability to get people to donate money for a cause. Doc and Rainy Crystal Motor Speedway – MEET & GREET event for Compassion for Greyhounds Rainy had a truly beautiful soul, and people were naturally drawn to her gentle spirit. She left a lasting impression on all that met her. She was a good girl. Our home feels so empty with out her here. The coming holidays will not be as bright, but we will hold fast on to our memories of christmas’s past. I hope her gentle spirit is at peace, and we await the day we can be reunited together. We miss her snuggles at night. Waking up to find her spooning with myself or Mike. We will miss her ability to read our minds when she knew that she was going somewhere with us that day. There are a hundred and one little things that made Rainy the beautiful and unique creature that she was. She was a dog that made me a better person. How can I ever thank her for that? Rest in peace Miss Rainy ……

I am beyond devistated - Rainy is full of lung cancer. We will be sending her to the bridge at 9 tomorrow morning. Please send us your hugs and wishes for a peaceful passing. After losing Doc in May to Osteo, I don't know how much more pain we can take.

Yes, be sure to file a report. The Pit in question needs to have this attack on his/her record. You also need documentation should the owner of the attacking dog not promptly pay the vet bills for you. You may have to file a liability claim against their homeowner's or renters insurance to recover your damages. Many times people promise to pay, then they don't when they find out how much the vet charges actually are. I'm sending a gentle hug to Olivia and to you too .

Welcome from Michigan! How exciting that Joe is in training for therapy dog work. We love doing the children's reading programs at the area libraries with Rainy - our program here is called "Dog Tales". We hope to get our new guy (we adopted over Memorial Day weekend) - Cap't Gus - also TDI certified in Oct. There is so much fun and such a rewarding feeling beiing able to share the gentle nature and love of your grey with others! We are so glad to "meet" you and look forward to hearing all about Joe's future adventures. Welcome to the cult club!

We had a prblem with Rainy shredding comforters and also licking wet spots through them We purchased this covelret from Orvis DOG PROOF COVERLET It is dog proof! It will not let any moisture through, it will not rip from dog nails, and it is nesting resistant, too! The top layer of the coverllet is not attached to the bottom layer, if the dog pulls on the coverlet, it goes right back in place when they lift thie paw off of it. It was pricy to buy (they are on SALE now!) - but it has been the best investment and totally protects our bed. We put it over a heavy comforter in the winter months, and use it by itself over a light blanket in the summer months. It won't keep your dog off of your bed .... but it will protect your bed from accidents, licking, drool, hair and shredding. Rainy gave up trying to nest on our king-sized bed when she found out that the coverlet always returns back into place, and will not allow her to bunch it up, They don't come in any fancy prints, just basic solid colors.

Hi and welcome from Mid-Michigan .... we are glad to meet you!

I'm so sorry to hear that it was cancer. Run free Nikki.

Oh No .... not Frank! I'm so very sorry he was taken from you so suddenly.

Sending a gentle hug your way today - may Grace run free and swift toward the bridge. You are doing the right thing, it is the ultimate gift you can give to someone you love.

Hi from Michigan!

Hi & Welcome from Michigan! You got to meet my two hounds on the thread you started on Greyhound Therapy Dogs. It's so nice you want to adopt and are thinking about doing therapy dog work too. It is so rewarding for both hound and human. Greyhounds LOVE to go places and do things, and you'll find that when you take one out in public, people will be naturally drawn to them. Welcome to the cult ... I mean club!

Hi & Welcome from Michigan!

There are a lot of people here that have greyhound Therapy dogs. My Rainy as been TDI certified for the past 4 years. We do all sorts of activities with her, the children's reading programs at area libraries, nursing home and hospice visits, stress relief at the Special Olympics, and also go into the dorms at Central Michigan University for some stress relief for the freshmen before final exams. My newly adopted hound, Gus (adopted over Memorial day weekend) is currently in training and should also have his certification this fall. Here is a photo from an area library with Rainy: Therapy dogs CAN sit! And a couple pictures from the Special Olympics last month .... this was Gus's first time out doing therapy dog work - He's a natural! And one of Rainy there:

I just go around and suck them up with my vacuum cleaner - we go on "bug patrol" once a week in the summer. I don't like using chemicals unless I absolutely have to. We pay close attention to all the corners in rooms, from floor to ceiling, and any nooks and crannies where they may be.

We are working on the "leave it" command with Gus right now - trying to get him ready for his Therapy dog testing this fall. Gus is VERY food motivated - so it takes an incredible amount of self control to hold himself back from any food / treats that is within his easy reach. I have been practicing with dog biscuits - putting one on the floor well in front of him and telling him to LEAVE IT - and when he goes for it, blocking the treat with my hand. When he leaves it alone - and takes his attention OFF OF THE TREAT and looks at ME .... then a shove a little piece of cheese in his mouth! He gets a loud "YES!" and a "GOOD BOY". Rainy is the expert at the Leave it command, she lays next to us when I practice with Gus (she thinks all this training with the new kid is entertaining ) .... she totally ignores the treats on the floor. She knows if she waits she'll get cheese and she doesn't even have to do anything! This shows you how good Rainy is at this exercise:

Riley had every right to give the Lurcher an attitude adjustment. I think many greyhounds have little patience for rude behavior in other dogs. My sweet Rainy - who loves everything and everybody - once turned into Cujo when a foster dog hopped on her and tried to hump her. I now know she can take care of herself if need be.

Hi & Welcome - from the middle of the mitt in Michigan! You need to upload your photos on a photo hosting site - I use Photobucket (because I'm cheap & it's free ). Then you can put your photos in a post. I'm sure that I can speak for most of us and say that we would love to hear about how life is at the kennels for these dogs in Australia - and since it is a rearing kennel, we all adore puppies! We would love to hear some stories and learn about your job. Thank you for helping re-home the hounds that do not make the grade in training or at the track. These guys are truly kind souls - and I'm glad that your love of the breed has brought you here!

Oh my- Diane .... Words fail me right now, this is just too much heartbreak for any one person to have to face. Thank you for being there for Tony & Dot.

I'm so very sorry. I was with the others praying for him and hoping for a different outcome. I hope Cash was there to help him cross the bridge. Godspeed Minny & Hugs to you ..........

Those look really nice - good job!

For the toilet paper one ... close the bathroom door and not let him in there with you when you are on "the throne" ... LOL. As for him kicking you when he wants dinner, make him go and lay down in his bed. Wait 5 minutes and then feed him (if it is actually feeding time). Give him another command and make him do something different than what he is asking you to do. These guys are SO smart, they will try to train you.

:confetti:confetti:confetti You go girl !!! Yay - Gracie!

Checking for an update on Minny (and Cash) I sincerely hope that no news is good news. I've thought of you and your pups all weekend.

Congratulations to you Nancy! She's a beauty. She has the best ears! I'm glad that Harry has a new "sister". She'll liven up the place, that's for sure.

There are MANY places on the internet that allow you to leave ratings/feedback for businesses - Angie's list coimes to mind, you can rate and leave comments even through the yellow pages and google - you have the opportunity to leave feedback about the terrible service and lack of compassion that you received there. I would most certainly warn others. I'm so glad that your boy is home with you. That e-vet facility is no place to try to get well in - there is no love there.