Memorials & Poems

*TINY TIM was found wandering the streets on Christmas Day in 2001. He spent the next 7 years with his mom and dad who adored him. He was such an expressive italian greyhound,that everybody loved. Tim's body gave out before the rest of him, and now leaves a giant hole in his family's heart and household. Tim is now healthy and happy and waits patiently until he is reunited with his family. Tim we love you and miss you....7-12-08

*DAISY-MAE passed Friday 10/14/05 @ 10yrs of age. I'm very Thankful for the three years we had together. I would have liked more, but I know how lucky we were, because most of her life had been with the abusive racing industry.
From the first day I opened the crate to feed her, she pushed by me to get out, she claimed me and my home as hers. Daisy was my little shadow, and she kept track of my every move.
Your strong Spirit is greatly missed. I don't have to worry about turning too quickly and stepping on you, or closing doors to fast, because your right behind, or trying to keep your head out of the dog food bin, or watching the kitchen counter and you, because right from the first you showed me how smart and clever you could be. I don't have to reach down and steer or push on your little behind, to guide you out of my way.
Thank you, Daisy-Mae for all the Joy and Love you brought to my life. You were my first Greyhound, you have changed me forever. Till we meet again my sweet baby girl! Love Mom

*BOY was a warm, gentle soul wrapped in a brindle package. He was his earth mom's "first"boy. Boy loved people especially when he got to visit nursing homes, assisted living facilities, schools and at meet and greets. He also loved his camping trips. Boy will be greatly missed by his earth mom and his housemates. May your earth mom have comfort knowing you are safe and healthy in the Lords care until you meet again at the Bridge. 8-20-05

*SAM got to be with her earth family for 13yrs. She went to be with the Lord at the tender age of 17. For her earth family we hope you find peace knowing that she now runs the streets of gold and is happy and healthy again. Sweet girl, your family misses you very much. Run free until you're reunited again. 5-25-05

*PUPPY was the first 7 mo old greyhound puppy to be brought to Boise. He endured a broken elbow from the tender age of 3 mos until the ripe young age of 11. Puppy had those "puppy eyes" and so lived up to his name. A handsome brindle perpetual puppy. He is now with the Lord and still being the perpetual puppy only in perfect health, chasing all of his sisters that went before him. Pup-Pup will be greatly missed by his earth family and everybody who knew him. 3-21-05

*THIEF was a tiny black greyhound that enriched her adoptive family's life for 6 short yrs. She leaves a big hole in her family and their hearts. She now runs the street of gold with the countless other greys that have left this earth. Our condolences to her family during this time of grief. She is safe and free from pain as she waits for you by the Bridge.

*SUGAR-It is with great sadness to let everyone know that the co-mascot of Greyhound Rescue of Idaho passed away today to be with her sister Sweet Baby. Sugar helped GRI get off the ground by being at adoption booths to let the public know what a greyhound was all about. Sugar leaves a very big hole in her household and her mom and dad's hearts. Today she runs the streets of gold with her sister and Our Heavenly Father. Thanks Sugar for being such an inspiration to GRI and the countless ex-racers that you helped adjust to home life. Our condolences to your family. You will be greatly missed. 7-12-04

*JAY and his best buddy TONY, are together again running the streets of gold in perfect health. Sweet boys, you have left a big hole in your family's hearts. Rest in peace until you're re-united with your earth family.

*FRIAR It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that my beloved black beauty,Friar,has gone to the Bridge. My happy, goofy, pogo jumping, barking, stick to melike glue boy has joined his brother Percy, waiting for Mom at the Bridge. Friar fought a strong battle against osteosarcoma lasting twenty-six months post diagnosis, without any treatment, when he was given only three months to live in September of 2001. He will live in my heart forever. May he be running free and whole again, and may he be surrounded by angels' wings. Friar (aka Abagail's Rainbow) July 4, 1994 - November 10, 2003

*GALLANT DIXIE was a 3 yr. old female greyhound that died on September 26,2003 from injuries sustained at the Mobile Greyhound Park in Alabama. She was bumped into the the rail and was shocked by the electricity. The power was turned off, but the lure was still moving, and it severed her right hind leg off. She died from blood loss and shock. Run and play with Jesus little girl, you are safe now. You will be remembered.

*QUEEN OF THE RING was a small female that was electrocuted at the Idaho dog track. Hers was the case that blew apart the dog racing industry in Idaho and started an investigation which led to the closure of the track in 1996. Her case and all of the other unknown cases are here as a reminder that not all racing dogs ever make it to a safe haven. May her and all of the other "unforgotten" dogs world wide rest in peace.

*LETA'S PRINCESS was a 3 year old female that was hit by the lure and had to be euthanized on the track in front of thousands of people. Even though the lure was turned off, it still hit her with over 200lbs of force. Leta is now at a safe haven where other greys are free to run and play. Run the streets of gold little girl, we will remember you.

*SWEET BABY-It is with great sadness to let everyone know that the mascot of Greyhound Rescue of Idaho, and best friend to her family passed to the Bridge today. She was the reason that GRI started and got the general public interested in adopting greyhounds. She touched a lot of lives during her short 11yrs on earth and she will be greatly missed. Idaho CAGE extends to her earth family our deepest condolances and may you take comfort knowing that she is now with the Lord and running the streets of gold until you're reunited again. Sweet, you precious girl, we will all miss you very much.1/29/03

*EDGAR-Precious boy who only wanted to be loved and find a forever home. This was not meant to be and Edgar was murdered by an adoptive owner who only had revenge on his mind. May you now rest in peace surrounded by God's Love until you and your rescuers are reunited.

*SAMMY was one of the first greyhounds adopted out in Boise. He was a big beautiful gentle soul. Sammy was a much loved boy and will leave an empty spot in his household. Sammy is now at the bridge with his brothers and sisters running the streets of gold until they all reunite with their earth angels. Rest well little man for you are now safe under the Lord's care. We'll miss you.

*HAROLD was an old baby that never got to be in a home. He died sometime in June-July at the track in Rome Italy. May he now know kindness,warmth, and love. Run the streets of gold little man you deserve it.

*ZOOM, all ten pounds of him, was the most headstrong, high-spirited, dominant, carefree and demanding little dust devil that we may ever know. One hundred and ten percent Italian Greyhound. "Quit" was a word that was never in his vocabulary. The whole world was his for the taking and he left few stones unturned, He kept every Greyhound foster who has graced our home in line by sheer force of will. And we will be forever in his debt for tolerating the never ending line of strange giants even after his sight had permanently left him. Zoom gave us a lifetime of laughs and affection that will be with us forever. He is now at rest with his big brothers Dobbs, who he truly adored, and Donnie at Rainbow's Bridge. Rest well little man, your Mom and Dad will be with you again someday to begin life anew."

*BRUTUS was a gentle,loving pit bull who spent his short years with greyhounds. He enjoyed their company and they enjoyed him. His presence will be greatly missed at his household.

*GROVER was on this earth for such a short time. He was a gentle soul that should have lived to old age, but fate didn't allow that to happen. May he now rest in peace surrounded by God's Love.

*DUTCH was wonderful boy who got to be in a forever home after moving in and out of several adoptive and foster homes. He leaves a big empty spot in his mom and dad's house and hearts. He now waits for his earth angels at the bridge healthy and happy til they meet again.

*SNOBALL and HOLLY were much adored little girls. Both girls died 2yrs.& 5 mos.of each other and leave a very big empty spot in their mom and dad's household. May their earth angels know that both girls are now running the streets of gold happy and healthy until they are all reunited again for they are now under God's protection and Love.

*SYLENA was the beloved companion of Joan and Howard (founder of the Greyhound Network News) for 14 years. She now rests in peace with the Lord until they meet again at the Bridge.

*JAY also known as Jeremiah, was a big beautiful brindle boy who was the entertainer of his family. He leaves a big empty spot in his household and his mom and dad's hearts. May his earth family take comfort knowing he is free from his pain and healthy until they finally are together again. Sleep well little boy for you are now protected and loved until you are reunited with your earth angels.

*DONNIE was a kind and gentle soul who lived his first nine years in a kennel before he found brief happiness in our home. We had hoped to have at least a few wonderful years together which we had planned to be the best of his life, but it just wasn't meant to be. What we wouldn't give to have him back, but Donnie drew the short straw in this lifetime and there is no turning back. He is now with his brother Dobbs at Rainbow's Bridge where they will remain in our hearts until that joyful day when we meet up again, to embrace and begin our lives anew. For now, may they know that their legacy lives on to serve every Greyhound in need of the chance to live the life that they truly deserve!

*DOBBS was truly a great friend, the best friend we ever had. He was a real "junkyard" greyhound, Alpha to the bone, stubborn and deliberate to a fault, a fierce protector of his little "kingdom" and the scourge of the neighborhood. But he was also a very gentle soul who offered comfort and guidance to countless fosters who have passed through our doors and a tireless trooper who spent many hours educating the public as to the true nature of Greyhounds. Most who met him will not forget him. We miss him terribly but take solace in knowing that he is at peace now at Rainbow's Bridge where he awaits our arrival someday when we will begin our eternal walk together. Dobbs will be greatly missed by his earth family.

*BELLE was a rescued greyhound at the tender age of 8 weeks old. She was a product of a backyard breeder, and belonged to a litter of 8 pups. Belle was a happy girl and lived with one of her sisters in a loving and caring home. Belle died suddenly from hemmoragiac anemia at the age of 4 1/2 yrs old. May her earth family know that she is with the Lord and safe until they all can be together again.

*PRECIOUS was a sweet, shy little girl who loved her Daddy. She leaves a giant hole in her Daddy's heart until the time when she is reunited with her Dad and family. She is now at peace and with the Lord until then.

*MISTY was not an ex-racer, but was used to run coyotes on a farm in Wyoming. Somebody found she was being given away for free on the internet and within an hour, a network of volunteers was arranged to pick her up. Her new foster mom saw she was limping and took her to the vet. Shy of 24 hours with her new mom, Misty was put to sleep due to bone cancer that had eaten away 4" of her leg. It was a miracle that she could even walk. May all of the volunteers who helped save her and her foster Mom know that she is now protected and living in perfect health until they are reunited. Sleep well little girl, you are safe with God.

*RUBY was a rescued older girl that got to know earthly love for a short time. She got to spend her last years with her daughter Sweet Baby and her earth family. She is now surrounded by God's love until the rest of her family can join her.

*SASSY was a sweet loving little girl and adored by her Earth Mom. She now is safe and free of pain with the Lord until she can be reunited with her Mom again.

*ABBY'S ANGEL Anonymous and unloved in life, her only value to them was her speed. How greatly she suffered for their greed. Precious baby please know that the hands that held you as you drew your final breath belonged to someone who will hold you tightly in her heart until you meet again. Please wait for us at the Bridge. Angel was only 20 months old.

*SARAH was a cute, happy, stoic little girl who was much loved by her Earth Family. She is now free from pain and safe and happy with her sister Sadie and the Lord until she can be reunited with her Earth Angels again. She will be greatly missed.

*MARK YOUNG was a kennel mate to Mask of Courage, Haberfield, Tiebreak Winner, and Positive Thought. He was also left in the heat for several hours, however he died several days later from a stroke after he was raced. May he now rest in peace and comfort with the Lord.

*OUTLAW MUSIC was a 4 yr old male enroute to Michigan from the St. Croix track. He died Aug.11 from extreme stress. He is now safe and happy under God's protection and love.

*FARRARI was a 3 year old rescued from the racing industry with a back injury. He got to be with his new mom for 8 days before he went to the bridge. Farrari got to know what being loved was all about in that short time. He now joins his brother RC's Bumper Blue and waits with him until they can be reunited with their Earth Mom again.

*LUCY was a 7yr old greyhound wannabe that was dumped at the local shelter. One of the volunteers there took her home so that she wouldn't be put down just yet. Lucy had systemic cancer and got to live with her foster parents two months before she died. In that short time, she got to know what being part of family was really all about, instead of being left in the backyard. She now lives free of pain and waits for her foster parents, surrounded by God's love until they can be reunited.

*SADIE was a happy talkative little girl. She got to be the love of her earth angel Anna, for 7 short years. She is now under God's protection until her and Anna meet again.

*BANDIT,MAX,BEAR were mixed breed brothers and greyhound wannabes. They wait patiently at the bridge for their moms and dads who miss them dearly.

*FAITH was rescued from Colorado State University and was to be a terminal lab experiment. Hours before she was supposed to be destroyed, she was rescued with the help of a network of adoption workers. She was then transported to a wonderful, loving home where she got to know happiness for 3 short years. Faith died from bone cancer and will be greatly missed by her family and the adoption groups that rescued her. She is now safe and happy with the Lord until her Earth Angels can join her.

*ALY SHEBA was a very special greyhound to her family. She was a happy, undemanding and much loved little girl. She now awaits for her adoring earth angels by the bridge, under God's protection and love until they can be together again. She will be greatly missed.

*TUNE ME IN was a 4 yr old racing greyhound who was severely injured during a race at the Naples-Fort Meyer racetrack. She had collided with another racer and ended up running into the mechanical lure, breaking both of her front legs and severely cutting herself.

*MINDI THE MOOCH,MY ROAD DOG,MEZMERIZED,GUSSIE'S GARTER,BOBBY LEO and GUESS MY GAME all died enroute to the Sanford-Orlando Racetrack,while being transported from Oregon in the back of a Penske rental truck.

*RANDAD died at the Birmingham Race Course after he got caught in the mechanical lure and was electrocuted

*MIDGET died at a Massachusetts race track June 24, 2000 after being trampled to death during a race.

*MASK OF COURAGE,POSITIVE THOUGHT,HABERFIELD,TIEBREAK WINNER all died Aug 5, 2000 at the Palm Beach Kennel Club, West Palm Beach Florida due to being left outside in 90 degree heat for over 3 hours.

*RD'S RATTLER died March 14, 2000 at the Tucson Greyhound Park in Arizona after he crossed the finish line. Cause of death is unknown.

The racing greyhounds that are listed here, are on this page, so that we may remember them, even though they didn't have the chance to know a loving family. Their deaths are not meaningless because we will remember their courage and strength that it took to endure the hard life of racing. May they rest in peace knowing that someone will remember them.

The Gift

My friend, how I miss you. I wish I could once again touch your sleek body and hold your adoring face in my hands. Feel your warm kisses on my face and the soft velvet coat under my fingertips. Never again will I see the mischievous smile in your eyes and watch as you romp in the grass or the snow.

Such a far cry you had become from the sad, uncertain one we first met not so long ago. We gave you comfort, security, and a love you had never imagined possible. In return you accepted us, first as friends then as family. You shone in our lives with the joy of living, of getting a second chance. You shared with all your wonder of what the world had to show.

We watched in sadness as your body grew frail from sickness or age and your sight went dim. We cared for you as true friends do and saw the love and gratefulness that still lit your eyes. You comforted us with your presence and strength of character. You seemed to speak volumes with just an adoring gaze.

"Do not be sad", you would say, "it isn't really the end". You lay down your weary head and closed your eyes one last time. The one, true Master has called you home with the promise that we will all be together again. It is a promise not given lightly, but one sealed with the exchange of gifts.

Nothing as fleeting as material possessions of this world, but a precious gift of the heart. A piece of our hearts goes with you into the beyond, and a piece of your heart remains with us. Our heartache is a reminder of that piece gifted to you, as your memories and mark on our souls is your gift to us.

So when you awaken, strong and full of youthful energy with your new body, you will feel that missing part of your heart and remember. You will wait for us as we await our calling from the Master. So we can meet once again, exchange our gifts, and go home to the Master together.
Mark A. Hope ©
2003
(For my boys Shadow, Sinbad, Saber, and their friend Sweet Baby.)

A Message From Heaven
Although I could not speak to you, one look into my eyes should have told you how much I loved you.
I understood and was thankful for everything you did to keep me with you but it was time for me to go on.
To those who say animals have no soul, I tell you this is not so. There exists a very special place for us in Heaven.
We were created to share with you our love and knowledge, Unconditionally.
The reason you miss me so is because of that Love.
I never judged you but was always there to love you when you needed me.
I hope I have taught you well.
If you search, you will understand just how much you have learned about yourself from me.
Thank you for your love and for your home.
Please, don't cry, but know I am with you Always, in your heart.
(used by permission from the artist Kevin Z. This was written by Kevin as a Memorial to his beloved rescued whippet Scottie when he went to the Bridge in 1997. Please visit Kevin on ebay where he sells his wonderful artwork of Greyhounds and Whippets.)

My Grief
(used by permission and written by Barbara Darling in memory of her beloved boy Friar)

My grief it overwhelms me
My tears, they never end
I cannot breathe, I cannot talk
I've just lost my best friend

We used to walk in early morn,
But now I walk alone
My footsteps silently they tread
Across the dewy lawn

I bend down from my well-worn chair
To scratch your furry head
But my fingers fall on empty space
I see my feet instead

The leash and collar hang upon
A hook inside the hall
Your empty bowls upon the floor
Your toys against the wall

I cannot bear to hide them
In my mind's eye you still play
I can see your face in every room
In the spots you used to lay

I wonder how the world goes on
Without my best friend near
How can it keep its orbit
When the center is not here

I think the hardest thing of all
Is coming home at night
No wagging tail to greet me
Your face is not in sight

Sometimes in the dead of night
As I lay in quiet sleep
I can feel soft fur upon my arm
And wet kisses on my cheek

Although I grieve, I will go on
There are others to be saved
It was you who made me realize
That a difference can be made

When my grief it overwhelms me
I still see your gentle face
I know that we will meet again
In the designated place

I know the bonds of love we shared
Will transcend all time and space
But my anguished heart cries out in pain
For the void that takes your place

When my grief it overwhelms me
I can find no peace at night
Without your warm breath sounds and sighs
I lie awake until the light

I used to sleep a baby's sleep
Your needle-nose tucked beneath my hair
Your long front legs tucked neath my back
We slumbered as a pair

How blessed we were, How lucky
That our paths crossed in this life
That some higher power, more than fate
Let us bond that fateful night

And so Best Friend, til we meet again
I'll find solace in my dreams
I will see you in the gentle rain
I will feel you in the wind

I will close my eyes in a quiet place
When my grief's too much to bear
And pretend if only for a time
That your presence is still there

updated 07/12/2008