How do I say goodbye to my big man. How do I say goodbye to this big white cow upholstered manhound who has so dominated my life with his gentle presence for so long and won the love of all he met. I don't know how.....

He came to us on the wings of loss and sadness, hand picked, or should I say paw picked, by my hearthound Ryce. The loss of Ryces' two companion hounds, Bo and Jim, within four weeks had devastated Ryce. He needed another hound with him so we let him pick his own new couchmate immediately. He chose the biggest hound in the kennel, a big beautiful marathon racer who was known by everyone at the track. Gustopher P and Ryce were joined at the hip from the beginning. They always seemed to have each others back from the moment the met. He came home with us that very day and settled into his new home like he had always been here and quietly took over the duties of "man of the house", sharing the responsibility with Ryce.

He became the protector of his area of operation and guardian of his girlie hounds. He welcomed the new hounds into the house without even a twitch of the tail and made room for the newcomer with the poise and grace of a diplomat. He protected his home and territory from intruders with his intensly fierce and powerful growling bark. In the dead of night, he hunted for interlopers in his "hood" and took them to task, verbally and physically, dispatching them from his presence without a second look back. We knew that we were completely safe from the neighborhood cats, dogs, door to door people, bugs, leaves, miscreants and terrorists that lurked nearby. He protected us all, his women, who were not to be molested in any way, shape or form on his watch.
He was completely at ease with his feminine side, playfully teasing the girlie hounds and tolerating their antics in the backyard. He allowed them first choice of cookies and treats and let them be their pushy little selves in any group activity, with his big goofy smile and an overly happy tail. He loved them all in his quiet protective way.

But most of all, he loved me. His smile and laugh were a gift to me every time I walked into the house. He had a silly toothy grin that never failed to make me laugh out loud. He loved to put his head in my lap, nose buried, sitting quietly like that for the longest time. He loved to be scratched, anywhere, any time and any way that he could get it. He would stare at me with his big beautiful eyes and my heart would melt into a warm puddle of love. He has always asked for so little and given so much in return.

Osteo has taken so many of our precious hounds from all of us and it has taken one more. With this theft it has robbed me of my heart, shattering it during the taking, leaving me with the many pieces to put back where they belong.

So how do I say goodbye to my good man? My telling you all of him and his ways has shown me how. One day at a time, one piece of my heart put back at a time. I have given myself permission to think and to breath and to remember and to talk about him with those who love him too, with those who understand. I have given myself permission to have my good days about it and my bad days and to cry whenever I feel like it. I have given myself permission to be human and wait for the sadness of loss to change slowly into the fondness of memory that makes my heart laugh with all the love he gave me. It will happen as it is suppose to. I have said my goodbyes to his physical self. I will never say goodbye to Gus and his life with me because he will always be here in my heart where he belongs. He is forever intricately woven into the fabric of my heart, my memories and my life with my hounds.

I miss my good man, my big man, my Gustopher P Jones (Pimpmaster G)
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I've sometimes wondered whether it would be better if greyhounds outlived humans. After all, most dogs live in the present and seem to have an easier time transferring their affection and loyalty to a new caregiver. But no - on balance - I wouldn't have it any other way than things are now. Having a pet greyhound and caring for its needs in the best way we know how is a very special blessing given to people. So treasure the memories of Bo and Jim and Gustopher and any other of your dogs who have gone on before, but I hope you're prepared to bring new greyhounds into your life. There are greyhounds yet unmet who need you.

L.

I'm sad to see a name i recognise, he was such a big character and style icon and i will miss seeing the handsome Pimpmaster G in all his bling on GT. So sorry for your loss Leslie