Bea (Miss Design) 07/07/07-07/06/20

[FiveRoooooers]

One day shy of her 13th birthday, but really, that counts, amirite? We celebrated all weekend, knowing that Bea was not going to see those 13 candles. When the spirit is strong but the body betrays …

 Five and a half years ago, we had lost (Foster)Sweet just a month before when the call came asking if we could emergency foster another broodie. At that point it was My Three Sons (Paddy Mayhem, Aiden, Andy) with whom I needed to consult …. arrangements were made …

 

Miss Design ran all 73 of her recorded races, including A and AA, at Tri State. She was a good little runner until the devastating break of her right hind leg. The break was repaired, and Miss Design was retired to life as a brood mom. One litter of eight is recorded and all but one of her babies went on to either so-so or fabulous racing careers. More later about those babies.

 

A local adoption group had received a request from a family looking for a very special dog. Mom, dad, and three small girls wanted a sweet, first dog they could love. The group did a thorough vetting and matched the family with Miss Design, who by now was 7.5 years old and had been languishing on the farm in West Virginia. The hauler brought the old girl to Connecticut and after her extreme makeover she was delivered to her new family who had promised to take care of her and love her forever. Ten days later they announced that they didn’t really want a dog after all and Miss Design had to leave that very day. It was January and Connecticut was in the midst of a nasty ice storm. I had agreed to foster but the roads were awful and we said lets wait until morning. The family was adamant that the dog had to go and they somehow got her to a veterinary clinic and dumped her. The next morning, the group’s rep picked up Miss Design from the clinic and we met to make the exchange. I was relieved that there was no immediate connection with the dog, just nothing really, she was so confused and shut down, as well as the fact that she was too young to apply for camp enrollment. I figured that foster failing wasn’t going to be an issue. https://forum.greytalk.com/topic/311699-looking-for-my-forever-home-no-srsly/?tab=comments#comment-5792294

 

Less than two hours after arriving at Camp Greyhound CT, the hound fka “Abbey” now “Bea” was in her element. It was as if she walked in, took stock, and said “Oh thank goodness, you have greyhounds here!” She worked her broodie magic on me and thanks to Sweet, who had been Broodie Baptism by Fire, I had some clue! But I did not want another dog and talked up Bea at every possible opportunity. Meanwhile, she was quietly doing a number on me and two months after our initial “Gotcha” I was toast we made it official and welcomed home Broodie #2/Camper #13. https://forum.greytalk.com/topic/312741-oh-fish-ually-toast-and-jam/#entry5816307

 

Bea was lame on that repaired leg and x-rays showed the impressive hardware in her hock. There was also a nasty corn on that foot. She would often blast around the yard on three legs and I remember commenting that she was either not in real pain or extremely stoic. As we would later learn, Bea was one incredibly stoic old brood. We started her on a medical cocktail that would continue throughout her life, as well as periodic x-rays to monitor the hardware. The corn continued to harass her up until the last two or so months of her life when it stopped growing; we suspect that may have been due to her altered gait as she grew older and other parts of her body began to compensate.

 

Our vet still cannot get over how stoic Bea has been. Was it just Bea herself, or having been a brood? One of our most memorable accounts is the time Bea ran from the far end of the front yard up to the front door where I was standing. And broke her toe. A sound I will never forget. Bea! Barely a limp, never a gasp nor the GSOD, nothing. If I hadn’t been standing there to witness it, I wouldn’t have known. The x-ray, however, was remarkable. Bea would have nothing to do with any idea of splinting, we made it worse by trying and gave up to let her deal with it. And she did. Stoic Bea.

 

A few years ago, an email arrived from strangers who wondered if I was the owner of “Miss Design” because they had adopted one of her babies! Thus began a wonderful friendship between families when we reconnected momma Bea and daughter Polly. There didn’t seem to be much recognition between them, just two dogs who liked each other and were content in each other’s company. Polly, and then their second hound, Crunch, stayed with us a few times when the family traveled and we had the best times! Bea did like to yell sometimes, we can’t forget that  Must have been that broodie thing.

 

Some favorite Bea-isms are her talent with a water jug, her finesse with landskraping, and her Gold Medal “10” roach efforts: https://forum.greytalk.com/topic/313468-bea-is-on-it/

 

Bea was a ferocious nester: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFgznESztkU , and catcher of berds: https://forum.greytalk.com/topic/314758-not-really-c-f-but-the-door-was-open/?tab=comments#comment-5862039

 

But she may best be remembered from her favorite season: Autumn. Autumn meant apples (spoiler: just under 4 minutes to destroy all evidence) … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIvOTyzLWJY  and pumpkins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGXM8baHZ-Y  Oh how she loved both decorating with and eating a mini-jack! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJslnmYiFpE

 

Our dear friend Bea . Her passing was quick, without fuss, stoic right to the end. Five years and six months. No matter the amount of time with which we are blessed, it is never enough. We just want them to stay forever. Momma Bea, broodie #2, camper #13, born 07/07/07. How lucky were we to have been your caregiver, thank you for that. Godspeed sweet girl.

 

On my way home from the clinic, this was playing and it's the first time I'd heard it. Bea's song.

 

 

Edited September 27, 2021 by FiveRoooooers

[palmettobug]

Bea, you were truly one of a kind. That family has no idea what they missed. I can't pass a Jack-Be(a)-Little pumpkin and not think of you and smile. Run free and fast, sweet Momma.

Jan and the campers, we hold you in our hearts.

[ramonaghan]

On 1/20/2015 at 6:35 AM, FiveRoooooers said:

This little girl is going to make someone's home so bright  

And so she did.  Rest well, beautiful Bea. 

[Remolacha]

Bea was the quintessential broodie  How lucky you were that she worked her magic on you! Run wild Bea, no limp, no corn, no pain.

Jan 

[macoduck]

What a great story.  She was right where she Bea-longed. 

[Beachbum1]

So very sorry for the loss of your sweet girl 

[Time4ANap]

There is no magic like Broodie Magic.  Once you've experienced it, you just know that it's with you forever. 

Run-free Miss Bea. When you run into Rocket up there, tell him that you are his sister from another mother (they are both Dodgem By Design kids)  and that I said to show you where the pumpkin fields are.  Love you sweetie.  

to Miss Jan and the Campers. 

 

[Fiona3]

When Bea arrived at Camp Greyhound she knew she was home.  You have given her such a wonderful life.  So many memories of a very special broodie as she slipped into becoming a permanent Camper.  When the Fall comes I'll picture Bea munching on her favorite apples and mini-pumpkins.  Rest well sweet Bea.  My thoughts are with you and the Campers. 

[Houndtime]

I am so sad and sorry to read this.  Maybe Miss Bea can keep our little Shine company.  I am sure that they could be greyt friends.

[MarcR]

I'm sad to read this beautiful tribute to Miss Bea, but also found a few smiles.  She had a wonderful life as a camper.  True to a broodie, she knew she was home before you did. 

Run with the angels Miss Bea.

[BatterseaBrindl]

One of my favourite Mary Oliver poems ...in memory of your sweet Bea...

 

The Little Dog's Rhapsody In The Night

 

He puts his his cheek against mine

and makes small, expressive sounds.

And when I'm awake, or awake enough

he turns upside down, his four paws

   in the air

and his eyes dark and fervent.

"Tell me you love me," he says.

"Tell me again."

Could there be a sweeter arrangement? Over and over

he gets to ask.

I get to tell.

 

 

[MP_the4pack]

What a beautiful soul. 

[DocsDoctor]

I am so sorry for your loss - but what a wonderful life you gave her. Run free, sweet Bea!

[racindog]

My deepest sympathy. The broodies find their way so deep into our hearts! She will be with you always . Her love will always emanate from  your own heart now-where she left a little piece of her soul.

Until we meet again..
You say that all you have left are memories but this is not so.
You see, when I took leave of my earthly body I left a little something behind for you.
You can't touch it, hold it or examine it, for what I left behind is far too uninhibited for confinement.
I left in your tender care a piece of my soul.
I placed it right next to your own which is quite fitting as we were always side by side in our earthly life together.
I love you too much to have left you with nothing but memories that tend to fade and grow cloudy as the years go by.
I love you too much to have vanished without a trace. How selfish it would be of me to remove love and light from your life.
I understand your tears, each one you shed is testament to your love for me and I am honored and humbled.
But don't forget the good things we shared - remember and smile. This is an honor for me as well.
When you need me I will be here.
Close your eyes, relax, take slow, deep breaths and picture me in your mind.
Shut off the world and your notions of what you think death is and give me a chance.
Look for the subtle signs I send you.
Don't stop being proud of me, I am a friend to be proud of, I am still your friend and soul mate.
Don't memorialize the death of my body but instead honor and celebrate my never-ending life for it is eternal
and forever as is my love for you.
Until we meet again...
(Only part of a very long heart felt poem by Terri Oronato)

 

[JaimeL]

Sweet Bea, you gave so much joy and love. You will never be forgotten.

So very sorry for your loss of this fine girl.

[dante2zoe]

BEAutiful Bea was probably why it took you so long to figure out what she already knew - My Three Sons needed a mother figure and she was ON IT.  I am so very sorry that it was her time to go.  We have an apple thief here - I wonder if pumpkins will be safe.

Rest well, Sweet Bea.  Send your mom a sign as I am sure she could use one right now.

Hugs to you, Jan, and your campers who are probably lost without their Boss Momma. 

[JohnF]

So sorry to read that your beautiful Bea had to leave you. Thank you for sharing that wonderful story of how you brought her home and of the happy life she shared.    Run free and full of health Bea in the new life that's yet to come.

 

[45MPHK9]

How lucky Bea was to find herself at Camp Greyhound for the best years of her life. She was one of a kind.
 

Hugs to you, Miss Jan, as you mourn her loss.  

[Banjoman]

Miss. Jan we ar sending Likky kissis to awl ov yu att da Camp.
 

Chancey and Nutmeg Xx

and luv frum Mum.

[DesiRayMom]

Happy Trails, Sweet Bea..........you figured out riteawayquik that your later years were gonna be the best ever. Brothers,sisters,apples,punkins, oh my!!!!!

[AnneGTS]

Jan, I'm so sorry  

[MerseyGrey]

Such a beautiful tribute for a special girl who gave you lots of happy memories. I’m sorry for your loss 😢

[RaineysMom]

I'm so very sorry your beautiful Bea had to leave you   but what a wonderful life she shared with you for 5 years. 

[misspiggy]

So sorry Bea had to leave you  Hugs

[FiveRoooooers]

The poems  the puns   the support  , I am truly grateful. That anyone takes time to read and respond means more to me than you could ever know. Thank you all so much.