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Greyhound Moments of Memories

In Memory of our Beloved Greyhound Paulie

Paulie (track name: Paul Bossie)

Born: January, 1988

Rescued: December 5, 1992 from Greyhounds For Pets, Colorado Springs, CO

Died: February 25, 1998, Denver, CO

Paulie was a very special Greyhound, (all Greyhounds are special), weighing 85 lbs., light fawn and white, racing speed 43 mph and a disposition as sweet as angels are.

Paulie was a welcome addition to our family. In general "track Greyhounds" are well cared for, they have to be if they are going to be "winners." Rescuing an x-track Greyhound is a wonderful experience. If you are looking for a dog that has been trained to walk or run with you, an x-track Greyhound is it. Never let them off lead, you'll never catch them. They've been handled by many different people so they are people friendly, not really much of a guard dog. They do have to be taught how to go up and down stairs and come in and out a doggie door. When it comes to eating it really helps to have an elevated feeder, their legs are so long, see Paulie's feeder at http://www.dogstuffco.com/

There are so many wonderful things to remember about Paulie. When we first brought him home he found his special crate area, right behind the loveseat. This was his area to collect a silver sugar bowl, a porcelain teacup and saucer and several other shiny items. He didn't break a thing and no teeth marks. He soon replaced them with a collection of pig ears, a small squeaky rabbit and an assortment of fuzzy animals. Of course he took over the waterbed and one of the couches in the family room. He had such big soft brown eyes when he looked at you your heart would melt so anything he did was all right.

Watching Paulie run was a joy. He would make a circle, his track, in the back yard, jumping over the pond, rounding corners at a speed we thought he would tumble, he never tumbled. Greyhounds are pretty surefooted. After 4 or 5 times around his track he would come for a pat on the head and a cookie. Naptime for me was just as long as Paulie wanted me to nap. Then he would bark and wake me up. When I awoke he would stop barking, get up onto his couch and take his next nap. He was always ready for a walk or a ride in the car. He could hear when I got his leash from the closet and be at the front door, barking, telling me he was ready for a walk.

Paulie was the only dog of all the dogs we've had that I chose and he chose me. He was very special to me. Paulie was an old soul and taught me more patience. After all these years and all the dogs our family has had I finally figured out why dogs are so special. Dogs give their love so completely. The love Paulie gave me changed my life. When I came home from work Paulie would greet me with his "glad to see you and how was your day bark." He changed my circle of friends. If a person didn't like dogs I didn't want them as a friend. Dogs have a keen sense about humans. Paulie taught me to reevaluate my priorities in life. If I couldn't take Paulie with me I didn't need to go.

I'll never forget the evening of February 24, 1998 Paulie didn't come upstairs to greet me at the door, he only barked. Something was wrong. Paulie tried to get up off his pillow bed but he couldn't stand. The night was long and I spent the night on the couch next to Paulie, trying to comfort him. He was always near me when I was ill. The next morning my daughter came to carry Paulie up the stairs. He weighed 85 lbs and I couldn't lift him. There was nothing the vet could do for Paulie. I wasn't ready to let Paulie go, this was so sudden. Paulie was such a part of my life but I couldn't let him suffer. The Vet gave Paulie the sleeping serum and I tried not to cry as he crossed the river. I kept telling him how much I loved him. When Paulie's heart stopped my heart broke. As Paulie's spirit slipped to the heavens I hugged his beautiful soft-shell and sobbed like I have never cried before.

When I returned home without Paulie I felt so lost and my house seemed empty. Paulie had been an inspiration to change my life from a drinking party to a time of enjoying gardening, creating stained glass and a new business of woodworking. Paulie helped make my life complete and satisfying. He could never be replaced. If only I could turn back time and make Paulie well again. That night as my heart ached and I cried continually I knew that I must be thankful for the time we spent together. I've never been without a dog in my life and felt another dog would help heal the loss of Paulie. Luckily the Dog Saints were looking after me because Paulie had told them I would be needing another friend.

The Whippet Rescue, here in Denver, Colorado had called my daughter 3 days before Paulie fell ill. The Whippet Saint, Sally, said there were several Whippets available for adoption, would she like one. This was so strange, right when I needed another dog one became available. There are not many Whippets to be rescued here in Denver and the waiting list is long. My daughter called her friend, Sally and told her about Paulie leaving us. Sally said I could pick up one of the Whippet males, Friday, that was 2 days after Paulie died.

The day after Paulie died, I tried to prepare for the arrival of the new Whippet. My heart was heavy and my eyes would fill with tears every time I thought of Paulie. How would my life ever be so happy again. Then a peculiar thing happened, an x-friend called me and invited me to dinner. Certainly this was the work of the Cat Devil. Paulie's earth mission was to show me a better and happier life and he did. I knew that friend or any other old x-friend, whom Paulie didn't like, would not fill the emptiness I was feeling. Would I pass up the chance to rescue a Whippet from the Whippet Saints and go back to my "old life." Paulie had taught me well. Paulie must have smiled sweetly and said to the other Greyhound Gods "my human learned." I told this x-friend that although my heart felt broken without Paulie I didn't want to change my life and would be picking up Bogie, my new Whippet friend this Friday, February 25, 1998 from the Whippet Saints.

This x-friend said the cruelest thing about me getting another dog "why do you want to get another dog you'll get your heart broken again when he dies." Why? Because every moment of love a dog gives me is worth a thousand tears of sadness when they must leave. . . this is a small price to pay for such wonderful gifts from the Dog Gods. Paulie, my friend and my teacher is always in my heart. His ashes are buried under the garden bench in the yard he loved to play in.

You never replace your loved friend; you gain another friend to teach you other things about yourself and life. Each dog is different; they have such a power of love to give to humans. Dogs don't want their humans they loved to mourn and suffer when they have to leave. I would encourage anyone who loses their friend to rescue another dog as soon as you can, there are so many dogs waiting for a good home and a human to love and lessons to teach. Aren't we lucky to have dogs on this earth.

If you would like information on adopting a racing greyhound check out the Adpot A Greyhound Site.

There are a number of good books about adopting a greyhound. One we recommend is "Adopting a Racing Greyhound" by Cynthia Branigan.

Greyhounds as Pets, Fast Friends Quarterly, July 1998, printed a poem, they would like to share.

They will not go quietly the dogs who've shared our lives.

In subtle ways they let us know their spirit still survives.

Old habits still make us think we hear a barking at the door.

Or step back when we drop a tasty morsel on the floor.

Our feet still go around the place the food dish used to be.

And, sometimes, coming home at night we miss them terribly.

And although time may bring new friends and a new food

dish to fill.

The one place in our hearts belongs to them . . .

And always will.

author unknown

A dog is the only thing on Earth that loves you more than he loves himself.

--Josh Billings

Old age means realizing you will never own all the dogs you wanted to.

--Joe Gores

You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us.

--Robert Louis Stevenson

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Thank you barry taylor for the midi.
Picture swiping without asking is punishable by a dog (gods) Gilbert, Bogie, Cini, Tai & Paulie

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