Guest Energy11 Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 When I had to send my Bold Energy to The Bridge, I had no one to share his loss with. I didn't know about Greytalk, and I knew no one in my area, except my husband. I spent the entire day, online, or lying on the back porch, crying. THIS article is THE FIRST THING I found, shortly after Energy left this earth. I have shared it the many, and I wanted to share it with all of you ... I have tried to find Steve Zimmerman to thank him for this article, but his newpaper doesn't know where he moved to. Hope you all love this as much as I did ... Dee February 18, 2004 Zimmy Sez Wonderful life for a greyhound Steve Zimmerman I just love when today comes each year. For today is my birthday. My name is Dottie and I turned 10 years old today. Now you might be asking yourself how a greyhound would know it is her birthday. I know because of the cake and ice cream I had today. Every year on the same day for the past six years since I came to live with my humans, I have gotten cake and ice cream. And today was the day. The funny thing is, I turned 10 (that is 70 in dog years) but these two humans still talk to me like I was a puppy down on the farm. Oh well, you know what they say. A human is only as smart as his greyhound lets them be. When I raced, my human Steve watched me every time. He watched me run into the six dog one time and then run into the four dog the next time. Needless to say, I was not the best racer. My late sister Genie was the runner in this family. When I came into the human's home, she was already there and was queen of the house. Or sometimes she was the evil stepsister to my Cinderella. She was a strange dog. She had to be fed first and always had to be the first to choose where she would sleep for the night. She usually got to sleep with the female human Karen in her bed, which relegated my other male human Steve to another bed in the house. That meant I had the choice of either the couch or the loveseat. And as I am kind of tall for a girl, I usually chose the couch. I came into a house where the humans were already greyhound trained. They knew that if they were on the couch and Genie or I wanted to get on there to sleep, they had to move. All we have to do is give them the evil eye and they get up and move. I must admit though that I am not as worldly as Genie was and that got me into trouble once. Steve had bought a big bag of these little triangular candies they called kisses. Well, he left them on the counter in the kitchen when they went out and I decided to taste them. I took the bag off the counter and took each kiss from its wrapper and ate every last one of them. Even though Genie was there with me in the house, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. When my humans came home, they discovered the empty bag and the wrappers and became very concerned. I heard them call my doctor and ask him if I was okay. They could have just asked me. Other than walking and talking a little faster, I felt great. When Steve got off the phone with my doctor, he told Karen that if I wasn't dead in an hour, I would be okay. Dead, hah! That day was the only day I ever beat Genie in a race around our big back yard. On that day, I could have beat Secretariat in a race. Well, things have been changing around the house lately. Genie, who was 14, went to sleep a few months ago. I knew something was wrong when she started to forget my name during our talks. Steve said she had doggie Alzheimer's disease. My doctor told me, and the humans, that actually can happen in dogs. When Genie left us, some great people showed up at our door unannounced and left a male greyhound named Mike for me and my other brother Caper. Caper came to us a couple of years ago after being abused by a mean trainer in Massachusetts. That trainer beat Caper and his four brothers with a bullwhip. Steve saw Caper in his new Florida kennel acting very scared and asked the trainer, who had taken Caper from the mean trainer, what was wrong. After hearing the story, he told the trainer to bring Caper to our house. It took two years of leaving him alone for him to find his way to the humans. But now he is playing with us, walking the humans on their leash and acting like a real greyhound. Lately, my leg has been hurting me real bad. So last week the humans took me to see my doctor Bruce. I don't think he or the humans have figured out we greyhounds understand English. But we do. I heard Doctor Bruce say I have cancer and they could take my leg to stop the disease from spreading. Now I don't know about you, but I think a three-legged greyhound must look awfully funny. Luckily, Steve said to keep me whole and they brought me home. My leg has been getting worse every day but I knew it was about time for that cake and ice cream so I wanted to stay around for one last taste. Now that my birthday is over, I guess it is time for me to join Genie at the big racetrack in the sky. Before she left me, she told me that if there was lightning outside, that meant that she had won a race. I have been counting and Genie has won six times already. I hope I am better at racing this time around so I can light up the sky for Mike and Caper. Well, I am going to go tell the humans it is time for me to make room for another deserving retired racer in their home. But before I go, I need to tell them that they should not be sad for me. I have had a great life and can't wait to swap stories of life as an adoptee with all the other former racers in doggie heaven. Greyhound adoption has been the greatest invention since the couch or loveseat (or maybe cake and ice cream). I can't thank my trainers, Kirk and Julie Freis, and my humans, Steve and Karen, for giving me such a great opportunity to live a royal life. People who adopt greyhounds are the best. So let me say in closing to everyone who has adopted or is about to adopt a fellow greyhound, thank you very much. Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeForHounds Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Wow! Thank you for posting this. Quote Casual Bling & Hope for HoundsJanet & the hounds Maggie and Allen Missing my baby girl Peanut, old soul Jake, quirky Jet, Mama Grandy and my old Diva Miz Foxy; my angel, my inspiration. You all brought so much into my light, and taught me so much about the power of love, you are with me always.If you get the chance to sit it out or dance.......... I hope you dance! Missing our littlest girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 You are welcome! EVERYTIME I read it, it makes me cry, but ... it makes soooo much sense! Hugs! Dee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LoveMyJoseyBean Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 I love it. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 That made me cry, but it was beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vinnie Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Thank you for sharing - we lost our Angel Vinnie to osteo so this hits home even more so. Beautifully written and I cried my eyes out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 you made me cry Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygang Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 *gulp* thankyou for posting this.... 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 BradyzMommy Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 .....Brady left us just after his birthday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 We can dedicate this posting to Claudia's Misty, and Anne's Kylie ... The piece is sooo wonderful, and sees "the world, and passing to The Bridge, ... through Dottie's eyes. SENDING LOVE TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE LOST MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY, ... D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourofem Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Thank you for sharing...it made me cry thinking about Lewis but it was a good cry. I still have those every so often. Quote Blair, Stella (DND Heather), Lizzie (M's Deadra), Hitch (Hallo Dominant) and House (Mac's Dr. House) Missing my handsome men Lewis (Vs Lowrider) - 11/11/01 - 3/11/09, Kevin (Dakota's Hi Five) - 1/1/06 - 4/18/11 and my cat, Sparkle Baby - ??/??/96 - 4/23/11 "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is, in fact, the most precious and valuable possession of mankind." (Theodorus Gaza) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jerrybird Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Thank you. The author shows great compassion and empathy for all of us who have loved and lost a greyhound. I hope that he can be found eventually and receive the recognition that many of us owe him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BellesDad Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Thank You I cried my eyes out, such a wonderful piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryz Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Crying here too. What a nice story about a special breed of dog. Thank you for posting it. Quote Mary, mom to kitty Rebel.Always missing Sherri (SO DELICIOUS) (12/6/2005-8/29/2018) kitties Marley (4/2000-12/3/2015) and Beady (4/1998-2/24/2006) and Dalmatian Daisy (7/25/1984-5/13/1999). The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not - Thomas Jefferson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcR Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Thank you for sharing that. Quote Marc and Myun plus Starbuck (the cat)Pinky my AWOL girl, wherever you are, I miss you.Angels Honey (6/30/99-11/3/11) Nadia (5/11/99-6/4/12) Kara (6/5/99-7/17/12) Cleo (4/13/2000-4/19/2014) Antnee (12/1/2002=2/20/17) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greybookends Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizjaye Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 What a lovely article. Thank you for sharing it. I hope it helped you after your loss! Many Condolences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiona3 Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Beautiful thoughts! Quote Hobbes - April 2, 1994 to April 9, 2008-----Tasha - May 23, 2000 to March 31, 2013 Fiona - Aug 29, 2001 to May 5, 2014-----Bailey - March 22, 2001 to Jan 20, 2015 Zeke - June 1, 2004 - Jan 26, 2016----Callie - July 14, 2006 to July 27, 2019 Forever in my heart: Chooch, Molly, Dylan & Lucy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddiesmom Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Thank you for sharing this. Quote Amy Human Mommy to fur baby Maddie (Doobiesaurus) TDI certified. May 5, 2002-September 12, 2014 and Mille (Mac's Bayou Baby)CGC, TDI certified. http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj93/Chillyhorse/siggies/maddie.jpg"]http://i270. photobucket.com/albums/jj93/Chillyhorse/siggies/maddie.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mmehs Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 thank you. i don't know what i was expecting. so very lovely and touching - i'm kinda misty right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippin Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 you made me cry me, too I'll be sharing this one, for sure Quote Mary Semper Fi, Dad - I miss you. Remembering Carla Benoist, a Greyhound/Pibble's bestest friend, Princess Zoe Brick-Butt, the little IG with the huge impact on hearts around the world - Miz Foxy - Greyhound Trish - Batman, the Roman-nosed Gentleman - Profile, the Handsome Man - Hunky the Hunkalicious - Jeany the Beautiful Lady- Zema, the most beautiful girl in the world - Jessie, the lovable nuisance - and my 3 Greys: my Angie-girl, my Casey-girl, and The Majestic Pippin, running forever in my heart. (I will always love you and miss you,my friends) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandimom Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 WOW! I have never read that article before. Thank you for sharing. Something I will always keep! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Thank you so much for posting this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EmbersDad Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 wow, great story. thank u Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jettcricket Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 you made me cry ...me too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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