ZoomDoggy Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 (edited) Hi everyone. I want to introduce the newest member of our family, Boo, formerly known as WWs Kool Show. How she came to us is a sad story, but with as happy an ending as we can muster. In December of 2011, my friend Michael co-piloted my hound haul for GPA-MN. We brought seven hounds into our group for adoption that day. Michael had recently lost his last greyhound and in the back of his mind, he was contemplating adopting again. As soon as Kool Show hopped out of the hauler, and we saw her stunningly unique face, we both fell in love with her. This is the photo I took that day for her online adoption listing: I knew she wouldn't last long as a foster with her sweet broodie temperament and her beautiful coloring. I was overjoyed when my friend Michael decided that he would adopt her. It was the next best thing to keeping her for myself (which was not an option-- our inn is full), since I'd be able to see her regularly with my friend. Michael renamed her Boo, after the song that is this thread's title. Over the next few months, my friend Michael's cancer, which he'd been diagnosed with two years ago, started to ravage his body despite the aggressive chemo treatments he'd been undergoing. He had a couple of long stints in the hospital, during which I took care of Boo. She fit in perfectly with my girls, as though she'd been part of my pack all along. A gratuitous car ride with my girls: Sand pit shenanigans with Dazzle and Flower: Dazzle is queen of the hill: Boo and Alimony seem to have a secret broodie bond. Sadly, as my friend's health rapidly declined, he finally asked me if I would keep Boo if/when the time came that he'd no longer be able to. His girlfriend and family adore Boo, but none of them were in a position to keep her, and she was so happy in our home with our girls. Of course I said yes. I told him it would be my honor and joy to keep Boo for him. Especially since he knew I had coveted Boo since I first laid eyes on her. The timing was/is not great, as we are also carefully monitoring Alimony with her OS leg. Alimony is very fragile and requires extra care and vigilance so she stays as comfortable as possible for as long as possible. But Boo is so easy and sweet, she just fits in seamlessly. The two pointy-eared mamas: The final week of Michael's life, he had requested that I bring Boo to visit him at the hospital. I brought her into the ICU with the family and oncologist's blessing, and hoisted her up onto Michael's hospital bed so he could weakly pet her. The next day, he was transferred to a hospice facility. The next morning I got an urgent request from Michael's brother to please bring Boo for a visit as soon as possible. I was there with Boo within the hour. When Boo walked into Michael's hospice room, I saw his eyes lock on her, and his hand reached out to her. I believe that was his final conscious gesture. I hoisted Boo up onto his bed again, and there she stayed, gently placing her paw in his hand and her head on his leg, for the final three hours of Michael's life. My friend Michael passed away on June 10, at 12:20pm. He was surrounded by loving family and friends, and his beautiful sweet dog. So now Boo is a part of our family. She will forever be Michael's dog, but I love her and will spoil her as one of my own for the rest of her days. Michael's family has requested "visitation rights" which I am of course happy to provide. My door will always be open to them. And I will forever be grateful to my friend and his family for allowing me to have Boo. Welcome to your new home, beautiful Boo-berry. I am torn between being filled with joyous love, and being soul-crushingly sad. But each day is a gift, and we shall do our best to not squander any of them. If you've read this far, thank you for looking. Edited June 23, 2012 by ZoomDoggy 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...
Batmom Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I'm glad you were able to take her to your friend when he needed her most. Godspeed, Michael. And welcome home, precious pretty 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...
kamsmom Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Boo is just as sweet as she is gorgeous. I loved getting to know her. Michael cherished her and he knew you would too. Quote ~Beth, with a crazy mixed crew of misfits.~ Forever and Always missing and loving Steak, Carmen, Ivy, Isis, and Madi.Don't cry because it's ended, Smile because it happened.Before you judge me, try to keep an open mind, not everyone likes your taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnzaFerrari Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 **stupid allergies** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvgreys Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 OMG. What a heartbreaking story. Very sorry for the loss of your dear friend. I'm so very glad that Boo is now in your loving care for the rest of her days. 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 PiagetsMom Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Beautiful girl.......so sad that she lost Michael, and yet so wonderful for Boo that her transition to your home was so easy for her. I wish her many years of happiness with you and your girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallyp Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 So amazingly sad. And amazingly awesome. From such a tragic situation I don't think it could have ended any better. Quote Lima Bean (formerly Cold B Hi Fi) and her enabler, Rally. ☜We're moving West! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Such a sweet, touching story. She is beautiful girl. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest barkdogs Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Yeah, stupid eye watering allergies! Wow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauCarden Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Boo is beautiful! A very lucky boy going to a home that loves him so much. Those sand pit pics are hysterical! 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...
Guest jettcricket Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Bittersweet...I'm so sorry in the loss of your friend, but so happy that Boo has a wonderful home. I'm sure her Daddy is smiling down from the heavens and so happy and grateful that she will be loved and well taken care of. Congrats.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest june Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Allergies are terrible today. Although I know it is a joy for you to take Boo Thank you so much. Having gone through chemo and radiation with my Jazzy girl by my side she was the biggest comfort to me, but also what I worried about most if things turned bad. They didn't and I am fine, but I know how much your taking Boo means to Michael. God Bless You! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Bawling all over again. :cry2 I hope that having Boo, and therefore a piece of Michael there with you helps to heal your heart from the loss. Quote 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." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 She is gorgeous! I hope when my time comes I have a friend who will do the same for me..... Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTFSTHNDS Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Eyes were leaking as I read this intro and listened to the song. Welcome to your new home Boo. She looks so happy with Ali. Quote Adrienne - with the kitties Tippy & Tyler Too Missing my bridge angels Boo Zsee, Java Bean (Nitro Kristen), Zeeba and Baer the not-so-miniature schnauzer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feisty49 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I am so sorry about your friend Michael. Boo was so good for him. And now Boo is good for you. She is totally **gorgeous** and she is one lucky momma to go from the love of Michael to the love of your household seamlessly. Greyhounds are loved by so many people. In February the husband of my friend was dying of cancer. Annie Bella and I visited him 3 days before he passed, at home. When we walked into his bedroom, it took all his strength, but Gary lifted his hand to touch her soft ears and smiled. Barbara said it the first smile he'd had in a month. We stood there, his hand on her head, until he fell asleep, and he had the smile on his face the entire time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrAlexTheDog Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 i'm sad that you lost a dear friend, but glad that you could honor his wish to take boo in. i hope to meet her one day (yeah, i know...a quick flight to minneapolis would solve that pretty quick, wouldn't it?). Quote Steve, owner/photographer Crackerdog Photography, writer of ShutterHounds. Follow me on Instagram.Alex (Sanja Black Eyes [1989-2003] - Sanja Superfrank x TH's Fandango), Nikki (Ein's Ardonis [1995-2008] - Farmer Wilson x Legs Polly),Sadie (Carla Tar [2002-2014] - Coldwater Guv x Canatar), Katie (Leading Home [2003-2013] - Iruska Excalibur x Impress Me Much),Bean ([2013-] - DJays Octane x O Ya Cranberry), and Billy Bob (O Ya Billy Bob [2011-2020] Dodgem By Design x O Ya Cranberry) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinyMityMo Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Beautiful sad story. Glad she was able to visit Michael and glad she has a safe resting place with you. Allergies here too. Quote Maureen, Sean, Molly (Garnett Madonna) and Sully (Starz Top Style) Visit LongDog Leather Works for adjustable leather martingales, wrap around leather tag bags, breakaway tag necklaces and cool leather people gear. Check out our Etsy store! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cristaron Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Oh sweet Aimee, Such a heartbreaking story. I am so very sorry to hear of Michael's passing. I believe I met Michael during one of our runs to the farm one time. Such a dear man. Such a tragic loss for you and everyone that knew him. Your new mama is beautiful. There's nothing like a mama dog. So many of us had avoided even thinking about taking in an older one for fear of them leaving so soon, but I'm here to tell you that if I had the room and the means, after adopting our broodie Frannie, I'd take another in a heartbeat. She is the most wonderful greyhound I have ever seen. Truly, I have loved them all but this one is very, very special. I remember the day years back when you said you could only have one....yup, me too... Look at us now!!!! Again, so very sorry for your heartbreaking loss and bless you for being there for Michael and Boo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoomDoggy Posted June 23, 2012 Author Share Posted June 23, 2012 (edited) Aw, Marcy, yes you did meet Michael on that Farm run a few winters ago. He adopted his second-to-last GH on that haul. That was Kiowa BossHodges, whom he renamed Kaia. Another sweeeeet mamadog. Sadly Kaia had some sudden-onset health issues and tragically passed away last summer. And I sort of always wanted two greys. Never imagined I'd be up to four. Sadly, that won't last though, with Alimony's OS. Hubby made it clear that four dogs is *not* the new normal for our household. Thank you so much for your kind words, everyone. Edited June 23, 2012 by ZoomDoggy 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...
greysandmollie Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 What a heartbreaking story....still brought tears to my eyes even though it was not the first time I have heard it.... I am sure that Boo will have a fabulous life with you and Michael will take peace in that fact.... Quote Donna and...Lucy and Chubb Rascal H 10/1/91-5/22/04 My best friend and Bounty Boon 1/23/99-6/25/07 My boy with the biggest heart Cody 7/28/99-8/1/13 My boy that always made me laugh and Dylan 5/12/04-12/29/2017 The sweetest boy ever Miss Mollie 1/1/99-1/30/15 and Pixie -10/10/2017 Lincoln -2/14/2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex95lucy Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I read this right after you posted it, then listened to the song which took me to memories WAY back in time. And I cried and cried so hard I couldn't post. What an honor that you could provide for your friend's dying wish. Don't many of us who live alone pray that our fur kids will be well taken care of when we leave this earth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrAlexTheDog Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 ... Hubby made it clear that four dogs is *not* the new normal for our household. ... one can get used to the "new normal" sometimes. Quote Steve, owner/photographer Crackerdog Photography, writer of ShutterHounds. Follow me on Instagram.Alex (Sanja Black Eyes [1989-2003] - Sanja Superfrank x TH's Fandango), Nikki (Ein's Ardonis [1995-2008] - Farmer Wilson x Legs Polly),Sadie (Carla Tar [2002-2014] - Coldwater Guv x Canatar), Katie (Leading Home [2003-2013] - Iruska Excalibur x Impress Me Much),Bean ([2013-] - DJays Octane x O Ya Cranberry), and Billy Bob (O Ya Billy Bob [2011-2020] Dodgem By Design x O Ya Cranberry) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 What a bittersweet story. Welcome to your new home Boo, what could be better than to live with people who love you and who loved your dad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 What a wonderful gift you gave to Michael, Aimee. He was able to pass peacefully knowing that Boo would be well cared for and loved. I know exactly what you mean when you say Boo will forever be Michaels. That's exactly how we feel about Bebe. She is forever Trish's but we love her dearly. Bless you for being there when he needed you most. Quote 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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