queenwinniesmom Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 I know many of you had met Winnie, or knew of her, or read her story on the Hope For Hounds website. I will post the poem I wrote for her in Remembrance, but I just wanted to say that we let our precious girl go last night. She would have been 12 years old on Nov. 23, and she survived 3 years and 2 months after her amputation for osteo. I think that is something of a record, and I think the Queen would want to make sure that she was remembered for that. And she would want you to know that she beat the monster. Through love and luck and stubbornness, doing the amputation, and keeping her on the artemisinin and other immune system boosters, it wasn't the cancer that took her from us. For weeks, she had been slowing down, not eating as well, not eager to go for car rides or walks---all of these things had been VERY important to Winnie. Last week, the vet put her on antibiotics for her teeth, which were really bad again, even after 2 dentals, and the meds seemed to perk her up. On Friday, she was zooming in the yard, and I could only shake my head in amazement and admiration. We thought we'd be facing another dental after we got back from Dewey. But on Saturday, she couldn't do our steps. These are the 23 outside steps to get into our big old house. We rent the first floor, and live on the second and third. And for 3 years, 4 or 5 times a day, Winnie has gone up and down those steps like a trooper. On Saturday night, I had to carry her, and it almost did both of us in. And on Sunday, my husband brought her up and down using the sling. But it scared her, and I know it hurt her. She didn't want to go outside because she knew she would have to brave those steps. We don't really know how long it had hurt or had been more difficult for her because she was never one to let us know. She just did what she had to do because that's the way she was. But on Sunday, she stopped eating even the steak and chicken and hamburger that I'd been hand feeding her. Yesterday, her bloodwork showed that she was in kidney failure, and the vet could not give us a positive prognosis. The timing was the pits---we leave for Dewey tomorrow. She could have stayed in the hospital on IV fluids while we were gone (or even if we stayed home), but we just felt that it would be unbearable for all of us if she was by herself in the hospital during her last time with us. She got a whole bag of fluids, and we went home to wait for her Dad, and to make our decision. Laying in the grass on a beautiful day, she looked at me and told me she was so very tired, and that she was ready to go. Last year at Dewey, she had pulled me down the street, across the beach, and into every doorway. And this year, I think she knew she just couldn't do that. Being the true royalty that she was, she wouldn't have wanted to appear less than Queenly to her many friends and admirers. So, even though it will be hard, we'll go and celebrate her brave spirit, in a place where she was so happy, with 3,000 other Greyhounds. As I read of so many other precious Greys dealing with cancer, I can only say that my heart aches for you, and to do what you know in your heart is best for your dog. Winnie chose to fight, and we chose to join and support that battle. And she won. Quote Nancy, Mom to Evangelina and Kiva Missing Lacey, Patsy, Buster, my heart dog Nick, Winnie, Pollyanna, Tess, my precious Lydia, Calvin Lee, my angel butterfly Laila, and kitties Lily, Sam and Simon My Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Catsburgandhoundtown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Oh, Nancy, I am so sorry....Winnie was truly a trooper, and how amazing for her to have survived osteo for so long....my heart aches for you and Doug. Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bevd Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 I'm so sorry to hear your news 3 years and 2 months post amp is truly amazing and very inspirational. I'm glad you had that extra time with your girl. Quote Deerhounds Darcy, Duffy, Grace & Wellington, Mutts Sprout & Buddy, Lurchers Ned & Jake plus Ella the Westie + cats. Remembering Del, Jessie, Maddison, Flo, Sally, Stanley, Wallace, Radar, Mokka, Oki cat, Tetley, Poppy & Striker. Please visit our web store at http://www.dogsndubs.com for our own range of Greyhound related clothing for humans! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greybookends Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest whatahound Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 I'm so very sorry. Godspeed Winnie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Oh Sweetheart...You are such an inspiration to all of us here facing that dreaded monster cancer. I can see you running and playing and I know that you have made many friends at the Bridge. Enjoy all the beaches at the Bridge and send Mom and Dad special Rainbows until you meet again. Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greyhound1 Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiffer Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Farewell Sweet Winnie! Run free and whole again! Quote Jennifer and Beamish (an unnamed Irish-born Racer) DOB: October 30, 2011 Forever and always missing my "Vowels", Icarus, Atlas, Orion, Uber, and Miss Echo, and Mojito. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MomofSweetPotatoes Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 (edited) Nancy and Doug, I am so sorry. She was such a brave girl and put up a valiant fight. Our thoughts are with you. Run free pretty girl Edited October 2, 2007 by MomofSweetPotatoes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Sending condolences on your enormous loss. Godspeed, gallant girl. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gottaluvgreysindy Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Oh my....I'm speechless. The bridge is certainly getting a treat today. Winnie is the poster child regarding beating this monster in my opinion. Deuce has learned so much from her. Thank God, they got to meet at GIG. I am honored to have known and met her. Run free sweet sweet girl. Give mommy a sign that you made it safe. to you Nancy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jettcricket Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 ....She was your miracle girl for sure....I'm sad to hear of her passing but I'm happy that she beat that ugly monster cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Quote Michelle...forever missing her girls, Holly 5/22/99-9/13/10 and Bailey 8/1/93-7/11/05 Religion is the smile on a dog...Edie Brickell Wag more, bark less :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 I'm so sorry. Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundlov Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 You are so blessed to have had that extra time with her. Thank you for going the extra mile for her. She is pain free. Sharing your tears and heartbreak....... Quote Mary in Houston Everyone has a photographic memory, but not everyone has film. LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest boondog Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Run free, Queen Winnie. You were so special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BlackandBrindle Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Winnie was certainly a special and brave pup. I'm so sorry for your loss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvgreys Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 I'm so sorry you lost your brave girl. She was an inspiration to us all. Godspeed, sweet Winnie... Quote Jeanne with Remington & Scooter the cat....and Beloved Bridge Angels Sandee, Shari, Wells, Derby, Phoenix, Jerry Lee and Finnian.....If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heavenand bring you home again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bowiebears Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 My prayers, thoughts & condolences on your loss of such a brave girl. Your posting was truly inspirational and a wonderful tribute. My heart aches for you....but I know her spirit will be truly celebrated at Dewey. One day we will all be reunited at The Bridge. --isaac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauCarden Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 I am so sorry for your loss. Quote Missing my sweet girl Scout. My snuggler, my chow-hound, my kissy girl. It never thunders at the Bridge, and your food bowl is ALWAYS filled. So strange not living in Atty World. I was a love struck handmaiden to your every whim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rycezmom Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 What a wonderfully brave girl. She is a bright star for us all. Quote The more I see of man, the more I like dogs. ~Mme. de Staël Missing my Bridge Angels Ryce, Bo, Jim, Miss Millie, Miss Rose, Gustopher P Jones (Pimpmaster G), Miss Isabella and Miss Star Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PiagetsMom Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 I'm so sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tallgreydogmom Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 I am so sorry for your loss. I know Dennis ( the menace ) and Zinger were there to meet her. Run free Queen Winnie and keep the boys in line. Quote Then God sent the Greyhound to live among man and remember. And when the Day comes, God will call the Greyhound to give Testament, and God will pass judgment on man. (Persian Proverb) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greytlady94 Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 What a wonderful tribute to a very brave soul. I am so sorry for your loss. Godspeed Queen Winnie, do zoomies with all the other angels. Quote Greyhound angels at the bridge- Casey, Charlie, Maggie, Molly, Renie, Lucy & Teddy. Beagle angels Peanut and Charlie. And to all the 4 legged Bridge souls who have touched my heart, thank you. When a greyhound looks into you eyes it seems they touch your very soul. "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more then he loves himself". Josh Billings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PetersMom Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 I'm so very sorry. I am fairly new to this board but reading Winnie's story is inspiring, as is your devotion and love for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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