Welcome to Dug's Rainbow Residency

Memories of Dug

Dug was always meant to be my dog. I first saw him at the kennel at MGA. I was working as a volunteer there after the loss of my first greyhound Brett. I did not plan on getting another greyhound, I just wanted to be around them and help. After several months of working with all the dogs when Dug came in, there was something about him, I sat in his run with him and hugged him and told him, you will be my dog I am going to give you a home. Dug was then "Cat tested" and came back as a NFW, and I had 2 small dogs at home and did not want to take the chance. Dug was then adopted out to another family. Sometime after this I adopted Simon, who was my second greyhound. Some time later, Kari told me that Dug was returned to the kennel by the family that adopted him, he didn't work out for them. I told Kari I would see if Dug would get along with Simon, and planned on taking Dug home when I had my first 3 day weekend. I had major problems at home that developed into months of work, and was not able to think about bringing a 4th dog into the house at that time. Months went by my problems at home became resolved. I was at a MGA reunion and had Simon with me, and Kari informed me - guess who was returned and is in the adoptable's tent - Dug. I put Simon and Dug together and they hit it off, I brought Dug home that day. I was then a 4 dog household. I remained that way for many happy years. On the 3rd of September 2010, Dug was the last of those 4 dogs I had to say good-bye to. We are always sick with wondering if we should have waited longer or maybe given them more time. Even tho those thoughts creep up on me in the middle of the night when I am especially missing him, I know that he did tell me it was the right time. He wanted to go with some dignity and not wait until he was completely crippled in those poor back legs that didn't want to work for him anymore. 09/15/10 Dear Dug, For so long, you seemed to be the "spare dog" the "companion for the other dog", and you always took that position without a complaint. You didn't push your way to the front of the pack, you were happy to hold back and let the others be first to get attention, first to get a goodies, first to lick the bowl after Mom was baking. Dug how long did it take me to realize you were the most special of all? It didn't take all that long really - look how I kissed all the color off your face, you use to be a brindle. How I long for the older dog now. The dog that has the knowledge, that lays back, takes it easy. You were so smart you always made me come to you with those darn pain pills you hated taking. I tried every trick in the book to get those pills down you. You could sniff them out of the middle of a steak. We made it with the soft blueberry bread wadded up in a little bread ball that was able to make its way down your throat with the whole bunch of pills you had to take twice a day. I know I will never be able to smell blueberry bread again, without having thoughts of you tug at my heart and some tears in my eyes. So far I have had many dogs come through my life that have left me. I miss them all. Amego, Gwen, Heidi, Mia, Sadie, Brett, Craig, Dinky, and Simon. Some left me way to early and had many years of life robbed from them, but the majority of my group lived long full lives and left me with many deep rich memories. Dug, I hope all of them are there at the bridge to meet you and be with you until the day I can join all of you Right now Dug, I am missing you so badly. Your Daddy misses you, he will not be able to replace his companion on the front swing. Your brothers Tiny Tim and Father Frank miss you. Well, I know Tim is missing you, he is gloomy and down. Its hard to tell with Frank, he is very young and has always been kind of goofy. He realizes there is something different in the house, maybe he isn't sure exactly what. When I look at Frank, who came into our lives a year ago, I realize it was for the this time. We didn't intend to be a 3 dog household. Your years were really starting to show, Tim tried so hard to get you to play with him, you had no desire. I wanted to bring a young dog in to be with you and learn from you and hopefully pick up some of your wonderful calm personality and traits. You had a year to work with him, I hope he picked up some knowledge from you. I know he didn't learn how to chew off the ends of my living room table from you. You would never do anything like that. Stealing a shoe or slipper or any other personal article that happened to hit the floor, you may have mentioned to him was something you did in your younger days. Now its Frank who is trying to get Tim to play with him, and Tim isn't interested. Maybe with some time he will heal. I know with time, we will all heal. I'll heal, and be able to come to this site and read your story and write to you without crying. I will someday be able to only remember the good times and what a wonderful soul you were, without tearing up - I'll think of memories of you and smile. :} 10/20/10, Dug, all the leaves have changed color or have fallen. Fall is in its most spectacular right now. We have had a few fire's out in the pit. It's hard to sit on the swing, I know it was your most favorite spot in the whole world to sit and watch the day go by. I sit there and think of you. When I'm in that special place with you in my mind I don't want any other noise or thoughts to bother me. I can still close my eyes and think of you and I can feel my hands running over your soft fur. You were the softest on the head, and the ears. Its been over a month and I can still feel your softness. 11/20/10 On the 18th of this month we brought home Cleo. She is a "senior" at 9 yrs old. She has been a brood bitch since she was retired from racing at the age of 4. The kennel she came from was closing down (Yeah!), but that was going to displace may hounds that would be in need of forever homes. The younger dogs are the first on everyone list. Everybody wants a younger dog, they are prettier, the new owner will have them longer and have a longer time before they have to face this inevitable loss. Kari was able to rescue 25 seniors from this kennel. I felt it was my time to pay it forward. Dug you had so much to do with this decision, you taught me how much the senior dog has to offer. The quiet strength,the wisdom that comes with age, and I don't care what anyone says - those white faces and white eyelashes get me everytime. Cleo, who for reasons unknown is now Khloe, has never been in a home, she has never had a family who loved her as part of the family, she is not had free reign out of a cage. All of this is new to her and she is taking it quite well. Thank you Dug, thank you for loving me so unconditionally and teaching me to love back the same way. She is using your raised dog feeder, and I feel that is a nice tribute to you, to have it used. I know you are looking over all of us and watching us heal a little more each day. You will always be in my heart, so you are never far from my thoughts. 12/28/10 Dug, I hope you were waiting on the bridge for Tim when he crossed over. He didn't expect to make the trip so soon, so he wasn't as prepared as you were. I felt that you would be there for him, as he slipped away in my arms I was whispering in his ear, that you were waiting on the bridge for him and everything was going to be alright, as my heart broke. 9/3/12 2 years - how much has changed. It seems like only yesterday you were on that swing in the front yard with your Dad. He sure enjoyed his time sitting out there with you. So much has changed here. Of course we have a whole new crew. Because of you, we adopted a senior. That white on the face and the white eyelashes just gets me."Although the face may be white - the heart is pure gold". I truly believe that. We adoped Khloe (our first girl) sight unseen. MGA was making a trip to the farms and bringing back senior "breeders", but only if they had homes already committed to taking them. They were already on the road when I saw the posting. I thought it was probably too late, but I went ahead -without asking the daddy dude - and typed in a message - I'll take one. I was really surprised when I got the call. We had a little 10 yr old black girl waiting for us. She was an amazing racer, I saw some of her races on line. She was so fast - that's what she got for being so good, she got to stay on the farm so much longer and produce babies. She was sure ready to finally have a place to call home. You would really like her. She is a little black girl, with a white face. Sweetest personality and loves everyone - but she sure keeps those boys in-line, she just turned 11. I know you will be sad to hear that Father Frank has chronic kidney disease. You remember the little scrapper - scrawny black - scared of his own shadow. Yeah - he still is. He has matured (some) but that goofy little guy, - well - he's 5 now, and in stage 4 of renal failure. He has surprised even the Doctors at OSU, with his BUN and CREA numbers - they say he should be in - like in intensive care, And as of this time, he has shown no clinical signs at all. But I know - he shows no signs of renal failure - until he does - and when he does - well - he's at stage 4 now. I'm a realist, and I know that he could be on borrowed time now, but his Doctors say he could live several years. I sure would be happy if he could get white in the face like you, but I take everyday I have with him as a blessing. What makes it easier for me - is knowing that when the time comes, I'll know he had the best life possible, and I'll know that Brett, Simon, you and Tim, will be there waiting for him, I trust in that. And last, but certainly not least - is our baby boy, Adam Ant. He was 18 months old when we got him, and he had already torn his Achilles tendon. Thus a very early end to his racing career and an early start to the couch. He is a handful. Certainly not like any of our other greyhounds. Maybe because we got him so young, maybe because he is just so bull headed, maybe I'm just getting older and more of a push-over. Miss you - always will. Your loving soul will always be a part of my heart - and a part of this family's history. 03/22/13 On the 19th - this past Tuesday, Father Frank crossed the bridge - just a few days shy of what would have been his 6th birthday..You and Tim - his original pack, have him now. Show him the ropes - like you always did. All of you - all of my fur-babies over the bridge, I know that some day we will all be together agais I have found a poem on another rainbow bridge residence site, which applies so much to you - those before you and after you - all gifts from God. I will lend to you for a while, a Greyhound, God said For you to love him while he lives and mourn him when he's dead. Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe two or three. But will you, 'till I call him back, take care of him for me? he'll bring his charms to gladden you, and should his stay be brief, You'll always have his memories as solace for your grief. I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return, But there are lessons taught below I want this grey to learn. I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true, And from the folk that crowds life's land, I have chosen you. Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain, Nor hate me when I come to take my greyhound back again. I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done", For all the joys this dog will bring, the risk of grief we'll run. We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may, And for the happiness we have known, forever grateful stay. But should you call him back much sooner than we've planned We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand. If, by our love, we've managed, your wishes to achieve, The memory of him and his love, will help us while we grieve. When our faithful bundle departs this world of strife We'll have yet another greyhound and love it, all it's life. Author: Unknown Please also visit Father Frank and Tim.

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