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Prajna 9/14/1998 - 10/17/2011


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Though we both loved him deeply, Prajna was really "Ken's dog." To say they were BFFs 4eva was an understatement. They had an incredibly deep bond. He's tried for hours to write this post and he just can't do it. This is what I posted on my blog. My tribute to a great dog.

 

There are all kinds of reasons I love my dogs. But few and far between are the dogs who actually change me. Prajna was one of those dogs. His resume is pretty interesting - really solid racer who went on to graduate from GPA-SC's prison dog program. He then proceeded to run away from his first home twice, covering over 40 miles and crossing state lines the second time. When he was found, he was rehomed via GPA-Richmond. Well, actually he spent 6 months in a crate because he was 'uncontrollable.' They feared his behavior problems made him unadoptable. And then they found Ken.

 

Because Ken worked from home, they thought Ken would be a good candidate to adopt and work with Prajna (this was a few months before we even met). And so, Ken brought him into his pack...the third dog added to what would ultimately become a four dog pack. Ken didn't have too many issues with Prajna, but after we got married and we merged our two packs into one 6-pack of greyhounds, he started acting out again. Mostly it was marking in the house. If you turned your back for a second, that leg would hike. Sometimes you didn't even have to turn your back! If you tried to crate him, he would bust out of the crate, even hurting himself in the process...he actually destroyed a couple. He would steal food - even with a muzzle on. He had separation anxiety like nobody's business.

 

My breaking point came one day when I walked into the living room, my eyes locked with Prajna's and he hiked his leg and took a whizz on my piano. I yelled to Ken "YOU BETTER FIX THIS DOG ASAP OR HE'S GOING BACK!" And I meant it (though Ken would never have let it happen). Yep, Prajna was the first - and only - greyhound I've threatened to return to the adoption group. In reality, he was the first greyhound who challenged me. Ken and I took a deep breath and decided to go back to Dog Training 101. We got some belly bands, a new crate and started at square one.

 

And, maybe Prajna sensed that he'd crossed a line, because for the first time he seemed to be working with us instead of against us. And over the next few months, our difficult dog transformed into the most amazing companion. Ken's best friend, for sure. With me, he became my protector. If Ken was out of the house, Prajna never left my side. And our friendship with him deepened and enriched over time. He was a natural pack leader with a calm confidence that helped soothe incoming troubled dogs. He was our "go to dog" to help teach and test other greyhounds because he was so predictable and even tempered. He was even celebrated as GPA's 60,000th greyhound adoption.

 

The last several months had really taken their toll on him. His age was really beginning to show and then one morning Ken found a large, hard lump on Prajna's ribs that put a lump in both of our throats. After a referral to Upstate Veterinary Specialists, the lump was determined to be either chondrosarcoma or osteosarcoma...and in the worst possible place. Because it had invaded two body cavities, the surgery to remove it would have been incredibly invasive, with long recovery. They would have had to remove a "rack of ribs," and completely restructure how the diaphragm attached....it's actually the first time I've had a surgeon there tell me they *could* do it, but....well, you know. He didn't recommend it. So, we knew it was just a matter of time. As the tumor and the pain grew, it became more difficult for him to get around or even just lay down for a good nap, Ken knew it was time to say goodbye. The night before we let him go, he had two short seizures and there was no question. We would not let this magnificent creature languish in pain.

 

So, with crushed hearts, we released Prajna from this life. He was always a wanderer at heart and I'm sure his spirit is out there, somewhere. And he'll eventually find us again.

 

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Run fast and free, my friend. I miss you so much, my heart doesn't know how it goes on without you here. Thank you so much for the time we shared, the lessons you taught, the laughter and love.

 

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We are so sorry for your loss.

 

Run pain-free Prajna.

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Camp Broodie. The current home of Mark Kay Mark Jack and Gracie Kiowa Safe Joan.  Always missing my boy Rocket Hi Noon Rocket,  Allie  Phoenix Dynamite, Kate Miss Kate, Starz Under Da Starz, Petunia MW Neptunia, Diva Astar Dashindiva, and LaVida I've Got Life

 

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Heather and Ken, I'm so very sorry for your loss. He was definitely a very special boy. Run pain free Prajna.

Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel

Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee

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Heather, I am so sorry. Thank you for sharing Prajna's wonderful story with us.

Godspeed, handsome boy.

:grouphug:f_red

Rita, mom to Dakota (Dakotas Dream) & Wish (Kiowa Wish Wish) and my angels

Toby (Sol Marcus) and Robin (Greys Robin Hood)

Forever missing our beloved Robin and Toby

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Anatole France

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what a beautiful tribute...I'm so sorry for your loss.

Jan with precious pups Emmy (Stormin J Flag) and Simon (Nitro Si) and Abbey Field.  Missing my angels: Bailey Buffetbobleclair 11/11/98-17/12/09; Ben Task Rapid Wave 5/5/02-2/11/15; Brooke Glo's Destroyer 7/09/06-21/06/16 and Katie Crazykatiebug 12/11/06 -21/08/21. My blog about grief The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

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I'm so so sorry.......

My sweet angel Tanner-"Showoffs Magic" 79D-82695. DOB 7/22/99. Gotcha Day 6/20/05. Bridge Day 3/11/10. Big Beautiful Brave Angel Norm-"Showoffs Storm" 89B-83263. DOB 8/16/99. Gotcha Day 3/24/06. Bridge Day 4/20/13. Angel Girl Bree-"Breezy Betty" 201A-93631. DOB 2/05/01. Gotcha Day 5/11/10. Bridge Day 10/07/11. She reached the beach.... Maci-"CF's Owhatanite" 44H-29320. DOB 10/05/04. Gotcha Day 10/11/11. Greta-"Greta's Milam" 90B-54582. DOB 9/17/10. Gotcha Day 11/30/12. Bridge Day 03/30/17. Ben-"P Kay Key Train" 63A-61271. DOB 6/2/13. Gotcha Day 12/26/15.

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I'm so very sorry to you both. I remember him from back in the day when Ken still lived up here. What a lovely tribute to an outstanding dog.

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Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart

"The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong."

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I'm very sad for your loss. I had the honor of meeting Prajna when Ken lived up here. He was a really cool pup. He and Turbo marched in a little local parade together. I always loved his prick ears :) Please pass along my condolences to Ken - it was clear from seeing them together how much he loved him. :grouphug


Meredith with Heyokha (HUS Me Teddy) and Crow (Mike Milbury). Missing Turbo (Sendahl Boss), Pancho, JoJo, and "Fat Stacks" Juana, the psycho kitty. Canku wakan kin manipi.

"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." - Voltaire

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Guest PiagetsMom

My pet sitter always told me that Piaget was a huge flirt with all of the new pups she met at his place.......I hope that Piaget greeted your beautiful boy Prajna with a big play bow and bark :paw

 

I know he'll be missed - I'm sorry.

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