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Two years ago Jan 14th I walked into the kenell at GRA Canada to do morning turnout. There sat this beautiful 9 year old boy who'd just been returned by his adoptive family of 5 years. They were retired now and no longer had time for him. (people piss me off so bad!!) I went home after turnout and kept thinking of his pretty face. By 3pm I was back on the road to take him to his real home. Stopped to buy him some fleece jammies on the way there. After all, his new brothers and sister had some and I had to make sure he felt like he belonged. He walked in the house, looked around, promptly walked over to the lazy boy chair, jumped up, let out a big sigh and settled in for the night, lol. He made me laugh so much with his antics! He danced beautifully whenever it was time to eat or play outside. He made the loudest most silly groans when you pet his ears. Upon waking up this morning it was obvious that he was in severe pain. Went straight to the vets where xrays revealed something pressing very hard against his spine. Vet said it was either a tumor or a prolapsed disc, neither of which was a good diagnosis. I decided I couldn't be selfish and it was best to let my Joe Belly cross the bridge. He passed peacefully with his head in my lap. I'm going to miss you my big boy.
Gary Smith Australia (Verified User) Posts 3320 Dogs 6 / Races 14 21 Jun 2011 00:08
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So sorry for your loss Denise but think of the good times.
Rip Joe run free
Douglas Campbell United Kingdom (Verified User) Posts 3940 Dogs 0 / Races 0 21 Jun 2011 15:36
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I much admire those people that choose to take in the older dogs that can often be overlooked by people looking to rehome ; and although you had just a couple of years with Joe I'm sure they are filled with wonderfull memories. It's never easy when the dogs are suffering and I'm sure you made the right decision in letting him be free from pain - your hurting will pass in time also. R.I.P Joe.
Thank you so much for your kind words everyone, they mean alot. It was so hard last night and this morning to fill only four bowls instead of five. The knowledge that he's running pain free with all the other hounds that were there to greet him is what's keeping me going. That and knowing that it will get better as the days go by.
Thomas Bambury Ireland (Verified User) Posts 757 Dogs 3 / Races 0 23 Jun 2011 05:02
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Denise sorry about your friend life must go on on this site there is only one Joe i thought for a minute that someone had hastened his demise was even going to organise a bus from Kerry to the funeral to show we had no hard feelings unfortunately he is still around even though he has not been seen for a few days
So sorry Denise, always so sad and hard to accept.
R.I.P. Joe
Mary Crotty Ireland (Verified User) Posts 1116 Dogs 0 / Races 0 23 Jun 2011 13:51
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Denise Capton wrote:
Two years ago Jan 14th I walked into the kenell at GRA Canada to do morning turnout. There sat this beautiful 9 year old boy who'd just been returned by his adoptive family of 5 years. They were retired now and no longer had time for him. (people piss me off so bad!!) I went home after turnout and kept thinking of his pretty face. By 3pm I was back on the road to take him to his real home. Stopped to buy him some fleece jammies on the way there. After all, his new brothers and sister had some and I had to make sure he felt like he belonged. He walked in the house, looked around, promptly walked over to the lazy boy chair, jumped up, let out a big sigh and settled in for the night, lol. He made me laugh so much with his antics! He danced beautifully whenever it was time to eat or play outside. He made the loudest most silly groans when you pet his ears. Upon waking up this morning it was obvious that he was in severe pain. Went straight to the vets where xrays revealed something pressing very hard against his spine. Vet said it was either a tumor or a prolapsed disc, neither of which was a good diagnosis. I decided I couldn't be selfish and it was best to let my Joe Belly cross the bridge. He passed peacefully with his head in my lap. I'm going to miss you my big boy.
i am delighted he enjoyed his few years with you ,lovely story ,feel good i am sure he cared as much about you as you did about him.
Wayne Larson USA (Verified User) Posts 2666 Dogs 0 / Races 0 18 Jul 2011 16:30
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Belated condolences, Denise - I just spotted this thread. Last summer we adopted Gary, our second greyhound, at the age of eight. He was our first older dog and, like Joe Belly, has been a total delight since becoming part of our household.
If there's anything we've learned from adopting Gary is that - young or old - a greyhound's life is not to be taken lightly. We must appreciate them day-by-day, whether they are with us a long time or not. Life is never certain and there are no guarantees. Last Christmas, just three months after Gary came to us, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. His right rear leg was amputated in early January. The surgery and followup chemotherapy have stemmed the disease to this point. He has no pain and his current quality of life is excellent. For the time being, at least, we've given a longer lease on life to a fantastic, personable animal.
The point I want to make is that adopting an older greyhound is still worthwhile and rewarding, and I hope that none of us holds back on taking in great dogs simply because of their age. Perhaps it becomes easier if we take the view that being a greyhound caregiver is a great privilege and role in life for humans to assume.
Bless you for everything you did to make Joe Belly's later years so full and happy, and for having the courage to make a decision to end the suffering - a decision that he could not make for himself.
If you need help or advice about a dog you are retiring then this is the place for you.
