Dapper Don, The Deal Dog

[GreyTzu]

The Last of the First'est Four

 

 

 

Today our 13+ year old went to the bridge to join our other beloved pets. We made the heartbreaking decision to let Donner run free and without pain again. He has had raising liver and kidney values for over a year now. We have kept things in check with supplements and meds., however his hindquarters gave out this morning. We struggled with the decision, but in our hearts we know it was time. Sometimes the signals are not very clear. He let us know it was time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donner was the last of the first four greyhounds we adopted. We went to a rescuer in Davie Florida, about a 2 hour drive south of us. We went to adopt another girl as we felt that Dylan would not accept a male. We also felt 3 was a good number.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we walked around the kennel, the gal was pointing out girls and telling us about them. I asked about the black dog and she said it a male, that if we adopted a girl today, we could have him, and then she continued showing us the girls. So we picked out two girls we wanted to look at and she took them out into the yard. We settled on Dixie and I wrote a check.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After, I asked about the black dog again. She said he was hyper and wouldn't settle down, and that she had stopped taking him to M&G's because she considered him unadoptable. When I asked about small animals she thought he would be ok and she said that he crated well. So we walked him, introduced him to the 'Tzus, noticed that he responded well to the leash and seemed to settle right down. I noticed that he had one nut and asked her about that. No problem getting neutered she said. I wrote out the check for our Deal Dog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We tossed around names and came up with another "D" reindeer, Donner. He was a rather dapper black tuxie and was a deal, so it evolved into Dapper Don The Deal Dog. His ears tattoos were never very clear and for a while I thought he was WigWam Diamond. The only thing I could ever tell from them for sure was that he was the C pup in a litter born on May of 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for the deal, he rode home fine and peed in the front yard without a problem. He came inside and promptly peed blood on the wall, a raging bladder infection. 2 courses of antibiotics and $150.00 later, he was ready for the big zip. Of course, because of the missing nut, he needed more than just a snip and zip. $250.00 and two surgeries later, still no nut, BUT we got a DEAL!! He was a sweetheart and I am glad we got him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donner settled into our home seamlessly. He was such a love, never pushy and was always a gentleman. We came home one afternoon to the aftermath of an altercation between the boys. Donner got the brunt of it. We decided to doggy gate him and Dixie into the hall and bathroom. He very quickly learned to be a "hallway puppy" and loved running into the hall waiting for his treat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red was his color and he wore it well. Donner enjoyed flashing his collars to Dad when I changed them. He loved attention, but was never demanding. I would be playing on the computer or watching TV and suddenly I would feel gentle hot breath on my elbow as he sidled up to me, wanting lovies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donner welcomed a couple of cats into our home, was with us when we lost Dixie, Dylan, Dancer, JD and Xena. I took Donner with me to Jax. when I picked up Disco and I can tell you he was not impressed with this young upstart being in his van. And I really think Donner was trying to send me the message to turn around and take him back on the 4 hour drive home. :lol And in '08, after Sandy Paw, when we loaded Danger into the van, he just sighed, rolled his eyes and went to sleep. He welcomed Dessie a few months later with in his accepting gentlemanly manner. He simply had an open and loving heart of gold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Space was his biggest issue and he was prone to grumbling and grousing when one of the younger dogs laid next to him or touched him. The younger dogs learned to ignore it. However, he was very common to see Rocky or one of the cats crash next to Donner and Donner would never so much as glance at him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to our pet sitter, Donner's vice was the one trick I taught him. I personally thought it was awesome! I taught him to walk between my legs and stand there, waiting for butt rubbies. It took a few weeks, but since Donner loved to have his butt rubbed, he learned it quickly. And I found it hysterical the first time he did it to Kevin, who is not a very tall guy. I would explain to everyone that he was not sniffing "parts" he simply wanted loving. And Donner never sniffed, he dove between legs and stood there, excitedly waiting for rubs. He would get so happy, he would bounce on his hind feet. Again, Kevin never found much humor in his trick!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More in a few minutes...

[greysandmollie]

Sorry for your loss Wendy....

 

What a beautiful boy!

[GreyTzu]

Donner loved to go on walks. I started walking Dylan after his surgery and Donner quickly joined the stroll to the lake. Of course, we lost Dylan and I stopped walking. Disco came home and we started up again, and added Danger when he came home and settled in. And Donner continued to look forward to our walks. But I was plagued with some foot issues and had to stop walking again. I started the morning walks a few months again, age was catching up to Donner and he was not able to go the distance and speed at which we walk. Kevin started taking him out for a stroll after I left and Donner loved it. You could tell that Donner was thrilled when he came home by his manner and attitude to the young dogs. Sort of a "Dad took ME for a walk!!" attitude. This morning, Kevin and Donner went on their last walk together. A few hours later, Donner, in his gentle subtle way, let us know it was simply time. He was a goofy, loving, gentle, patient loving companion who left pawprints in our hearts forever. We will always miss you Donner. We take solace in knowing that our "first'est four" greyhounds are reunited at the bridge and running free now. We know someday we will see them and cross the bridge together.

[Houndtime]

Oh, Wendy. I am so sorry for the loss of such a handsome boy.

[Guest Mollysmom10]

What a wonderful tribute to an amazing companion, RIP Donner, run free.

[gazehund]

Rest well Donner the deal dog. I am so sorry for your loss Wendy.

[maggiespet]

I'm so very sorry Wendy. GodSpeed Donner.

[BootsyCollins]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Wendy. What a nice tribute.

[Guest jade1046]

One of the most beautiful tributes I've read. I'm so very sorry for the loss of this special boy. Godspeed sweet Donner.

[4greyhounds]

Wendy, I am so Very Sorry!

 

 

Run Free Donner!

 

 

Beautiful Tribute!

[Trudy]

Our condolences to you and Kevin.

[Hollis]

I'm so sorry Wendy. So very sorry.

[dante2zoe]

He was the real deal, wasn't he. What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful dog. I am sorry for your loss.

[HopeForHounds]

Wendy and Kevin, I am so very sorry. I met Donner my very first Sandy Paws, he was a beautiful boy. I so enjoyed reading your tribute to him Wendy. Oh how he must have groaned everytime you headed north to Jax.

 

Godspeed Donner run with your original pack, but don't forget to send Mom and Dad a sign.

[Guest GreysAndMoreGreys]

Thank you Wendy for sharing your very special boy with us.

When the last of the "originals" pass it's just seems harder.

to you and Kevin

[Remolacha]

I am so sorry

 

 

[Guest wmlcml6]

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry, Wendy and Kevin. What a handsome boy. I bet he did come to dread those trips to north Florida and Georgia! What? Another one?

 

All your dogs are awesome, and I know Donner will be missed. I know you aren't into PDA, but I'm giving you a cyber hug anyway. {{{{{HUG}}}}}}

[Guest PiagetsMom]

Beautiful pics and tribute for a very special boy......I'm so very sorry

[Cully]

Run free sweet baby. He looked and sounds like my Cobra. I know that he will be greeted by many hounds.

[BertnLil]

I'm so sorry, Wendy. What a handsome fellow.

[Rickiesmom]

Wendy, your tribute and photos made me feel like I got to know Donner a little, and what a good boy he was. I am so sorry for your loss of the last of the extra special originals.

[Wonder]

Oh Y, I'm so so sorry. I teared up reading this and I could hear your voice in my head as I read it. Wish I could hug you and Kevin.

 

 

[luvhounds2]

What fantastic pictures, and a wonderful tribute. He was a truly distinguished-looking fellow!!

[greylyn]

I'm so sorry, Wendy! He had a good life with you and Kevin.

[ZoomDoggy]

Oh Wendy, I am so very sorry for your loss.