Mohican January 16, 2001 – September 12, 2014

[Guest Prematurelygrey]

This is the obituary I sent out to all of our friends & family, after we released our boy from his pain. I thought I would share it here.
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Dear Family & Friends,
It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of the passing of our beloved greyhound, Mohican. He passed away in the comfort of his own home on Friday, September 12.

Mohican (formerly Mohican Scrub) was born on January 16, 2001. We don’t know much about Mohican’s puppy days, other than his parents’ names, and that he had one littermate, a sister named Mohican Scrabble. His racing career is documented online: he raced 228 times in his career (more than almost any other greyhound we’ve since met). He broke his maiden in May of 2002 in West Virginia (the same track where his adoptive brother would one day spend most of his racing career), and then regularly raced at Daytona Beach until 2005. He ran his final “professional” race on May 5, 2005.

Mohican’s “Gotcha’ Day” - the day he came into our lives - was August 13, 2005, the hottest day of that summer. We had to pick him up at the home of one of the rescue group’s volunteers. He was one of two dogs being re-homed that evening, both similar-looking brindles. One was whining and pacing incessantly. “We hope we don’t get the one that’s whining,” we whispered to each other. The whining dog finally settled down on the volunteers’ back deck, at the top of a ramp leading to their patio, that they had in place for a disabled dog they had. Over the course of the 15 minutes or so that it took to finish the adoption paperwork, we watched as that dog slowly slid, head first and lying on his side, from the top of the ramp, all the way to the bottom: and that was our first real introduction to the dog who would become our goofy boy.

Although he came to us straight from the track, with no fostering in-between, he adapted very quickly to life as a pet. He learned how to go up and down stairs, although he never did learn how to take them any slower than a sprint. And he determined straight away that every couch, bed and soft surface in the house was his. It did, however, take him a while to figure out that not all walks are done in a circle. He would insist on walking and walking down the road, refusing to turn around. When we finally could get him turned back towards home in those early days, he’d worn himself out so much that we often had to try to carry him. Even when he learned that he had to about-face, he would always take a few steps more when we’d say, “Time to turn around?” He always wanted to keep going. His indomitable spirit stayed with him to the end. Even on his last days, when he would go outside, he would look longingly at the distances he no longer had the ability to reach, before turning for home and his couch.

If Mohican were to be cast in an 80’s brat-pack movie, he’d be the affable jock, who was perhaps a bit dim, but who didn’t have a mean bone in his body. He loved everybody and assumed that everybody would love him. He would run to the door to enthusiastically greet any and all who came to visit, then dance to the kitchen counter, pointing to the treat jars with his nose, as if to say, “See, human friend, here’s the good stuff! Now give me one!” never doubting for a second that he would be obliged. He barked like a mad-man the first time he saw snow, and after a few attempts at running in it, he decided he most definitely did not like the feel of snow on his belly. He loved new stuffy toys and would try to set new personal best records for biting the squeakers until they couldn’t squeak anymore.

Mohican was ours – and we were his – for 9 years. Without him, we never would come to love the greyhound breed. Without him, we never would’ve discovered greyhound travel. Without him we never would’ve adopted the Finger Lakes as our summer vacation spot, and we never would’ve discovered our love of NY Riesling

Mohican is survived by his adoptive brother, Matawan (formerly, WV’s Matewan), his grieving owners, and all of you who are reading this who made room for our boy in your heart.

“One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: ‘Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved.’ No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.”
- Eugene O’Neill

[Batmom]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your perfect boy.

 

Godspeed, Mohican.

[dostacos]

thanks for the leaky eyes just before I take my sweet boy out for our morning romp.

Run free Mohican

[Houndtime]

I am so very sorry for your loss.

[Time4ANap]

Beautiful tribute for your boy..

 

Run free, Mohican.

[schultzlc]

I am so sorry for your loss.

[msnikkerdoodle]

So sorry for your loss. Sounds like Mohican was a wonderful boy, Run free Mohican

[Guest AimeeBee]

I'm so very sorry. What a lovely obituary. Run fast and free Mohican

[GreyPoopon]

I'm so very sorry. He was the perfect match for you.

 

Godspeed Mohican.

[Guest normaandburrell]

What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful boy. Run free, Mohican.

[robinw]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[galgrey]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[brindlehound]

Run Free Mohican.

 

If I remember correctly, you adopted Mohican the same evening I adopted Magic. I remember being greeted at the gate by two handsome brindle greyhounds.

 

from Magic and I

[greytpups]

it's such a beautiful tribute, no doubt you loved each other very much. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[duncan41]

He really was the perfect first Greyhound and he blossomed under the light of your love. I am very sorry for your loss.

[macoduck]

I have added Mohican's name to the list of September Bridge Angels.

Edited November 17, 2014 by macoduck

[sabrina]

What a great fellow Mohican was/is . I am sorry it was time for him to cross the bridge

 

 

Edited November 17, 2014 by sabrina

[Hawthorn]

Leaky eyes here too. So sorry you had to say goodbye to Mohican, but what a wonderful nine years you had together.

[Guest patgam]

Run free Mohican!

 

I am so sorry he had to leave.

[Tracey]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[BatterseaBrindl]

So very sorry for the loss of your Mohican.

Remember all the good times....

[Charlies_Dad]

I am so very sorry for the loss of your sweet boy. He was the perfect Greyhound.

 

Run free Mohican, run free sweetie...

[MP_the4pack]

Beautifully written. So much of her personality showed through the words. I can see how loved he was.

 

[queenwinniesmom]

What a lovely, quirky, big hearted character he was. How you loved him and how well you understood him. I can't imagine how empty your home must feel.

I'm so sorry you lost your precious boy.

[Cully]

Run free sweet baby.