GreyPoopon

I'm so very sorry. Godspeed Gladys.

I'm so sorry. I hope the medications help Fuzzy. Laura and the rest of the family have endured far too much loss lately.

Hope Tessa is feeling better.

I'm so very sorry. He was a gorgeous boy. Godspeed Truffles.

I'm so very sorry. Godspeed Blue.

I'm so sorry. Godspeed Groucho.

I'm so very sorry. What a great tribute to a special boy. Godspeed Memphis.

How incredibly heartbreaking. I'm so very sorry. Godspeed Carolina.

for Joe T.

I'm so sorry. What a wonderful tribute to a special boy. Godspeed Chester.

I'm so very sorry. Thank you for a wonderful tribute to your handsome boy. Godspeed Bear.

Poor guy. I hope his appetite is returning.

Glad to hear she's making progress. Hope she feels 100% soon.

I'm so sorry. Godspeed Sunscreen Man.

I'm so very sorry. She was a lovely girl. Godspeed Abby.

What a handsome boy! Welcome home Fort!

:yay

that the pred buys relief, and that the food change does the trick.

Meet Back Already, "Backer", here in one of her adoption pics from GRA Canada's Adoptables page: As usual, I have a short story and a long story, and lots of pics. The Short Story: Backer is red, 10 1/2, and has been a racer and a broodie. She arrived at GRA Canada in mid-July. I managed to resist for a month and then I caved. I brought her home just over a week ago. I've renamed her Cal. The Long Story: According to greyhound-data, Backer ran 31 races at Wheeling. It looks like she raced before and possibly after that, so she probably logged a lot more races. In 2005 she had two litters (8 pups listed). I don't know if there were other litters, but she has not had pups recently. I don't know what she's been doing--perhaps hanging out on a farm somewhere--but she ended up travelling to Canada with a load of dogs from Birmingham. She arrived at GRA Canada on July 17. On the 18th, I went to a greyhound event. Heather of GRA told me that two older broodies had just arrived. I was at my limit, so I asked her to tell Bill not to call me. When the new dogs were added to the Adoptables page, I looked up the broodies. One was almost 8. She was soon adopted. The other--Backer--was 10 1/2 (DOB December 7/99). I lost three 10 1/2 year olds--all of them '99 models and two of them broodies--between October and March, so I thought Backer needed to find her home fast. Of course, it didn't have to be my home--Bill has a remarkable record of placing older dogs--but I hoped she'd be adopted soon. Every week I checked the updated page. Every week she was still there. On Monday August 16, Backer borrowed Heather's computer and sent me an email. She told me that she was enjoying her time at GRA, but had been promised that there would be an even better place for her in the future. She said she'd been to the vet for her spay and dental (she lost 22 teeth), and she was starting to feel better; she also said she'd put on some weight and her coat was getting shiny. She included a number of pics of herself in the turnout yard: some of her wandering and sniffing, one of her fuzzy butt (one of my weaknesses), one of her now gap-tooth grin, and this one, which pretty much did me in: I sent her a reply which did not open the door. But I then spent several days trying to figure out how I could cram another crate into the house, and whether I could possibly find the time and strength for still more walking. By Friday the 20th, I was trying to decide whether to call, or wait another week to see if someone adopted her. I called. I left a message for Backer, saying that if she had not yet found a home, I would come and get her. When she returned the call--using Bill's phone and voice--she told me I could pick her up Saturday the 21st. I arrived during morning chores. She happened to be in the turnout area, and she was interested. I didn't think much of it: some dogs notice visitors and some don't. By the time I got organized and went into the kennel, she was back in her crate. I went and visited her for a bit, and she was very friendly. While the volunteer--GTer DorasMom--took care of the remaining dogs, I was in the front area talking to Bill. As she finished, DorasMom pointed out that Backer had not taken her eyes off the door to the front area. I thought Backer was just waiting for the breakfast that should have been served when she was returned to her crate. Once turnout was completed, DorasMom let Backer out, and she joined the three of us in the front area. She was very interested in me. Even when she was saying goodbye to Bill and DorasMom, she kept glancing at me. I went out for a few minutes, and she tried to follow. Released to the turnout area, she followed me along, and I could hear her whining when I was out of sight. When it was time to leave, she came with me quite happily and hopped right into the car. After the long drive home, she went for walks with my existing crew. She was great with the other greys. She did, however, seem to think that Perry was a giant stuffie. She darted at her a few times. Once she realized that Perry is actually a woolly dog, she lost interest. She had the opposite reaction to the cats. As is her wont, Harriet the Spy sat on the stairs and stared at the newcomer. Backer looked away, looked back, and looked away again. I thought, "Bonus, this one's going to be easy." Turns out she lied. She's actually fascinated. We're working on that. I can't call her Backer because I'm forever telling some dog or other to "back up", so I've renamed her Cal after a Great Aunt (actual name Carol) who was a wonderful woman--one of those relatives whom all the kids adored. After 4 1/2 days, she chomped one of the stuffies (not Perry) that she'd previously only sniffed, and, while playing, finally settled on a dog bed. She's still pretty tense, but she's enjoying her walks and meals and scritches. I'm sure that once she figures out all the new stuff, she'll relax and enjoy her retirement. The Pics: Saying goodbye to Bill (DorasMom to the left) while keeping an eye on me: Totally stressed the first night (her remaining teeth are clean, but they're a weird yellow-orange): With Graham (left, red fawn). Not a great shot, but it gives you an idea how much smaller and redder she is. (Jessie in the background.) The goofy look on his face is because I'm scratching one of his many itchy spots. It's been a bad summer for those with seasonal itchies: "You aren't going to take this away just to brush my teeth, are you?" Enjoying a walk: Demonstrating that she has stuffies figured out. (Edie in the background): On Friday, looking much calmer: She loves to stand at the front window and watch the world go by: "I know you're up there, kitteh. Come down and say hello." Yeehaw! She could stand to put on a couple more pounds (I'm glad I didn't see her when she was even thinner). Note the black on her tail: Finally, on Saturday night, she flopped down on a bed when she wasn't actually playing with a stuffie. Surrounded by them, yes, but not actually playing. She got restless when I got up to get the camera, but I did manage to catch one pic (Sunday night she was briefly bum-to-bum with Graham): On Sunday morning after breakfast, watching me straighten the living room. It's hard to believe that her nose is comfortable: Sunday afternoon, proving that she's not shy about selecting another toy: Bill said she's a very happy dog. I think she's going to have fun here. Welcome Home Cal!

I'm so very sorry. I wish he could have stayed longer. Godspeed Duke.

I hope Mittens is feeling better today and the vet visit goes well.

that the lumps are nothing, and that Elsie feels better soon.

:yay

I'm so very sorry. Thank you for telling us about your precious and handsome boy. Godspeed Donner.