Guest gotgr8hnds Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 On March 3rd, I wrote a special tribute in this Remembrance forum for my greyhound, Jack, who died last year from hemangiosarcoma. Today, March 28th, I am writing another special tribute for my greyhound, Gracie, who died last year from lymphoma. I'm including photos of both of them, because I didn't know how to upload them when I wrote about Jack (he's my white greyhound). My remembrance includes some favorite photos, 2 poems that I love (unfortunately, I don't know the titles or authors), the release of a balloon bouquet and a portion of the message that I sent out after Gracie died. In my signature line at the bottom of this message, you'll see the link to a Rainbow Bridge Movie that I found a while back. . . it's really beautiful and provides a lot of comfort. I hope the movie and poems and what I've written can possibly help someone else who is grieving. My heart goes out to all of you who have lost your greyhounds. . . . The tide recedes, but leaves behind Bright seashells on the sand. The sun goes down, but gentle warmth Still echoes on the land. The music stops, and yet It echoes on in sweet refrain. For every joy that passes Something beautiful remains. . . One of my favorite photos. . . made into a Christmas card. This morning I bought a beautiful bouquet of brightly colored balloons and attached the message I'd written to Gracie. I released the balloons in the park where I used to walk her and Jack and watched them until they disappeared. Our weather's a bit overcast here and the colors really looked pretty and brightened up the sky. Gracie's balloons flew so high that I think they made it to heaven. My family enjoyed my dogs' birthday parties as much as I did. (My parents and sister and her husband are in this picture) Part of the fun was taking a 'family photo' and we'd each wear a dog snout or Scooby mask. Gracie and Jack loved having cake and opening presents and we all had such a greyt time! Gracie's sofa . . . . She looked so regal in this picture. Jack's sofa. When I was working in the front yard, I'd see his head resting on the top of it. He always wanted to know where I was. ] For Gracie to allow Jack to do this. . . . a special moment. Jack at Dewey Beach. He was such a sweet and loving boy. At home he would jump up beside me on the chaise & then he'd sit down and fall back across my chest and I'd cover us with a blanket. He was my TV buddy and he followed me everywhere. Before coming to me he'd been in 2 homes (my greyhound group removed him from the last one), 2 foster homes and a dog pound. I was so thankful that we found each other. Gracie at Dewey Beach. She and Jack loved the ocean! She was my little independent spirit & she could be so funny and ornery. She was my 1st greyhound......and she taught me so much and she loved me so much. Adopting her introduced me to the world of greyhounds and I've met so many wonderful friends and fellow greyhound-lovers and greys because of her. Gracie changed my life, forever, in the best possible way. ~~~~~~~~ The 2 paragraphs below are part of the message I sent out when Gracie died & they tell about the two special gifts that I received that day. I'd had to remove one of her eyes, due to lymphoma ( 4 days after Gracie's surgery Jack suddenly had a seizure and I rushed him to the emergency vet hospital - he was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma - and I had to euthanize him 2 days later). One morning, a few weeks after her surgery, Gracie went blind in her remaining eye and was in pain. My vet wasn't open that day, but I was able to get pain meds for her and schedule an appointment for early the next morning. I knew that I'd have to euthanize her then. . . . . . "Thursday night I slept on the floor beside Gracie's bed so I could pet and comfort her. I told her how full she'd made my heart, how much she'd meant to me all of these 8 1/2 years we'd been together and how happy Jack was going to be when he ran to greet her. It was hard when she had to get up, because she was afraid to take a step and I'd have to hold her and guide her outside and around the house. It made my heart ache. In the morning, I left her sleeping soundly while I quickly went back to my bathroom to get dressed and comb my hair. All of a sudden I heard a little noise and, there she was, standing beside me! I reached over and hugged her and told her what a good girl she was and how happy I was to see her. What a wonderful gift she gave me......She had managed to quietly find her way from the living room through the kitchen and hallway and bedroom to where I was. As scared as she was to take a step alone, that was an act of courage and it was a gift of love she gave to me. A little while later my sister, Jan, arrived and it was time to go to the vet. I put on Gracie's coat and told her we'd be 'going outside and for a ride' and her tail started wagging a little bit. I hadn't seen that happen in a week and it made my eyes cry. Her euthanasia was quiet and peaceful and she drifted off with me talking to her and holding her in my arms. . . . . .A little while later, when Jan and I were sitting in the kitchen in front of my fireplace having a cup of tea, she noticed that something very special had happened......There was the reflection of a tiny rainbow on the painted wood on my fireplace. We looked over and could see that it was there because the sun was shining through a crystal that was hanging in my window. Jan had given it to me as a gift a while back. Since I hadn't been looking up at the fireplace, I would've missed the rainbow if Jan hadn't been with me. She said, 'Susan, this has to be a message from Gracie....it's just too unbelievable that it's happening now'.......and she was right. You know, I often sit in front of that fireplace and I've never seen any kind of reflection on it. I think that Gracie wanted me to know that she's able to see and run again and she doesn't hurt anymore." May you rest in peace, in fulfillment, in love May you run straight home in God's embrace Into the freedom of the wind and sunshine We let you go Into the dance of the stars and the planets We let you go Into the wind's breath and the hands of the star maker We let you go We love you, we miss you, we want you to be happy Go safely, go dancing, go running home. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CDNgreys Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I love that first picture. What a lovely tribute to 2 very special and much loved dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 A very beautiful and loving tribute. They both have left quite a legacy of love. The pictures are all beautiful, but the one with the rainbow really brings a tear. Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoomDoggy Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Jack and Gracie are just breathtakingly beautiful. I'm so sorry they had to pass so soon. Thank you for sharing them with us. Quote ~Aimee, with Flower, Alan, Queenie, & Spodee Odee! And forever in my heart: Tipper, Sissy, Chancy, Marla, Dazzle, Alimony, and Boo. This list is too damned long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pipi5 Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 That's so sweet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gingergrey Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 What a beautiful tribute! Your two greys are angels now. You have beautiful pictures and memories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WarmheartedPups Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 What a wonderful post....the poem is so touching and so is your story. I love the pictures...Your pups are beautiful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandysMom Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 What a beautiful tribute. Quote Beverly. Missing my happy toy-flinging boy Sammy (Where's Mandrill), (8/12/2009-9/30-2021) Desperately missing my angel Mandy (BB's Luv) [7/1/2000 - 9/18/2012]. Always missing Meg the Dalmatian and Ralph Malph the Pekeapoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GreytMuse Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Thank you for sharing your two very specials pups with me through this tribute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 :grouphug 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...
Guest ss556 Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Very beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4greyhounds Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Beautiful Tribute... Quote Darlene Mom to: Aladdin, Sophie ,Pongo, Jasmine, Relic Forever in our Hearts Champ at the Rainbow Bridge. Let a greyhound race into your heart Adopt Bay Area Greyhound Adoptions INC. Naples/ Fort Myers Chapter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygang Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Beautiful, beautiful tribute to your babies...........their pain ends but ours continues, being without them. Until all we meet again at the bridge. Quote Run free our beloved Sir Snowy, Pip, Queenie, Sadie, Tess & Rosie until we meet again......I would rather feel the thorn than to never see the rose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Flysmom Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 What a beautiful Tribute! Sitting here, writing and crying! Heaven must be full of awesome and loving Greyhounds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BoogieDown Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Boy, did that ever make me tear up. What a beautiful tribute to your beautiful pups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 That is a gorgeous tribute to two truly loved angels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Becki Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan41 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 .............stunning. Absolutely stunning. Quote Linda, Mom to Fuzz, Barkley, and the felines Miss Kitty, Simon and Joseph.Waiting at The Bridge: Alex, Josh, Harley, Nikki, Beemer, Anna, Frank, Rachel, my heart & soul, Suze and the best boy ever, Dalton.<p> ....for all those hounds that are sick, hurt, lost or waiting for their forever homes. SENIORS ROCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KyGrey Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 The pics of Jack and Gracie are just precious. I am so sorry they had to leave. We never have enough time with them. That is one of the most beautiful tributes I have ever read. They were both truly loved and very special hounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytdog_5 Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Susan my dear friend, Your tribute to Jack and Gracie clearly shows the depth of love you had for them. I was honored to have know them and taken care of them for you. I was also hononred to be with you and Jack and Gracie during theirs and your difficult time. I will always be thankful to them for bringing you, such a dear friend, into my life. Any greyhound could not ask for a more loving home than with you. Take care, and know they will always be with you. All my love, your friend, Kathe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fatesrelease Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I am so sorry What a lovely tribute. She passed away on my birthday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scullysmum Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Quote <p>"One day I hope to be the person my dog thinks I am"Sadi's Pet Pages Sadi's Greyhound Data PageMulder1/9/95-21/3/04 Scully1/9/95-16/2/05Sadi 7/4/99 - 23/6/13 CroftviewRGT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gotgr8hnds Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Thank you all for taking the time to read my tribute and for writing such kind words. They mean a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Annie Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Such a beautiful tribute. Thank you so much for sharing your memories. I was deeply moved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sighthound Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 What a wonderful tribute. It truly brought tears to my eyes as I read it. Thank you for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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