Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow Bridge

Please send us your rememberance and a digital photo (if you have one).

We would be honored to display the memorial for your loved one.

Information can be sent to Pac173@aol.com

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;

those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,

just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing;

they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.

His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers.

Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet,

you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.

The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head,

and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown

These Greyhounds have crossed the Rainbow Bridge and will be remembered fondly by their families...

Dennis

Dennis was a beautiful, sweet-natured greyhound whose untimely death can serve as a reminder to all of our adopters and, we hope, prevent future needless tragedies. Dennis' adopter - who claims to be a "dog trainer" - refused to heed the advice of Greyhound Friends and allowed his two greys to run in the yard unmuzzled. Even after an initial incident in which his other grey was bitten, the dogs continued running together while muzzles were in the mail to him. It's not clear if it was the other greyhound or another dog who attacked Dennis but he was badly - not fatally - bitten. The bill to repair the damage at the Arco Veterinary Hospital was estimated at $500. The adopter, without consulting GFNJ, decided this was more than Dennis' life was worth and he instructed the vet to kill this excellent dog less than a month after adopting him.

So that the unnecessary and cruel death of this 4-year-old greyhound should not be in vain, we are reminding our adopters that our interest in the greyhounds does not end with their adoption. In many instances we have loaned adopters money - interest free - to help with exorbitant veterinary bills. In too many cases we have taken dogs back in need of routine, sometimes extraordinary, veterinary care which we then have provided at our expense prior to re-homing the dog. In Dennis' case we would have taken care of his medical needs and reclaimed him since this adopter was either too negligent or too stubborn to admit that we are more familiar with greyhound behavior than he is.

We mourn the unnecessary loss of Dennis, but we hope his death can save the lives of other greyhounds whose adopters are unwilling or unable to provide the needed care they committed to when they signed their adoption contracts.

Shelly N Leah "Shelly"

When I picked up Shelly to bring her home as a foster, it was the beginning of a very special relationship with the epitome of a "love-bug". She curled up sweetly and quietly for the 90 minute ride..and when she arrived at our home, the bonding with our six hounds was amazing and immediate--and it remained that way--even though the ration was now 5 females, 2 males; there was never a growl or a shadow of confrontation.

She just fit in as if she had always been part of the family. I knew she was a foster; that she might someday go to her forever home, but in my heart, she was already there (in spite of my husband saying that 7 was one too many; he too thought she was special and just accepted her.)

This little brood mom was petite but as far as affectionate and playful and loving, she was a giant. The almost 8 months that she was with us, she was truly an angel on earth; even at the end, when she was declining in health and she was kept at the veterinary hospital to be monitored, she was "the official greeter" when clients came in; the head veterinarian and her staff all said that she was the most special, unusual greyhound that they had ever had known because of her amazing love to all who were lucky enough to meet her.

We miss her so--but I know she is now the official greeter to all dogs crossing the Rainbow Bridge, doing her very special work with her unique qualities of love.

Keep on healing, greeting, and loving, dear little Shelly. You will always be in my heart.

Zronia "Amanda"

On Monday, December 28th, Zronia aka Amanda crossed her "Rainbow Bridge." I cannot be sad for her or me as it was her time, we both agreed. She began her journey surrounded in the spirit of loving kindness and I believe was received into a caring presence running free. When sadness wants to stalk my thoughts I must push them aside with the memories and laughter from her milestones of joy during her thirteenth and final year. Amanda experienced the Atlantic Ocean finding the salty sea a playful thing. The shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay became an instant source of relaxing pleasure. Amanda lunched with the ladies at Abington House of Foulkeways feasting on tidbits exclusively purloined while her ladies experienced the joys from hands-on with her. She is being remember by me, my family and the "ladies who lunch."

Margo

Margo

We adopted Margo February 18th of 2003. On that day we had quite a bit of snow, so we decided to call her Margo Blizzard. She crossed the Rainbow Bridge February 5th 2010, it was also the day of a snowstorm.

Margo was our first Greyhound, it was through her that we learned about the calm grace and spirit of retired racers. We met wonderful volunteers and dedicated Greyhound people within Greyhound Friends. It was such a special time for us to experience Dewey and Gettysburg for the first time with Margo.

She adjusted to our children beautifully. Everyday she would endure our children trying to lay on her bed, give her doctor exams, and trying to feed her various toys. Not once did Margo lose patience with them.

Margo leaves behind her adopted brother Monty, and her human family, Heather, John, Neve and Jude Fraunberger.
We miss her so very much.

Blaze 9/9/2000-7/21/2009

Blaze came into our lives with in May 2003. He had been returned twice and was wary of a new home, but over time he came to love and trust us. He loved going on trips with us, and was always happiest in the car. Well-traveled as a racer, he went many places with us as well, from Georgia to Nova Scotia.

In April 2009 he began limping, and a trip to the vet confirmed he had bone cancer. He bore his illness without complaining, still going for his daily walks in the park until the end. Only eight years old, he succumbed on July 21, 2009.

Blaze, we wish we had had more time with you.