In Memory
| Bailey |
| 2004 - December 2008 |
| Smart, funny cheerful bounding Bailey arrived at OGS in late May 2006. He had been found near a highway construction site in a plastic bag, a skeleton of a dog. One of the construction workers took him home for about 2 weeks and fed and housed him, and then, unable to keep him, gave him over to the county pound, assuming someone would adopt him. In December 2006 Bailey went to a home in the UK which, after a few days, was clearly not working out through no fault of his own, and I insisted he was to be sent back here immediately. But one very real angel on earth, my friend Ann who had already adopted two dogs from me (Maxi and then Sophie), got wind of this failed homing and immediately came to the rescue, picking Bailey up from his people on December 27th and bringing him to her own home, ostensibly for temporary fostering. However, Bailey blended so beautifully with her own dogs - 2 greyhounds and a largish terrier - that there was no chance of him needing to come back here. Bailey was there to stay with Ann and Ray. Any dog adopted by Ann has a charmed life - lots of love, motherly chiding when necessary, daily off-leash runs on the nearby heath, and no end to comfort and care in general. Clever Bailey was the thief of the group, stealing food whenever he could, no doubt a behaviour leftover from his less fortunate days. He even became so skilled at theft that he learned how to open the kitchen cabinets! When Ann adopted a 4th dog from me, tiny Aoife, Bailey blended with and accepted her right away. Bailey always had a smile on his face, and was so full of life that he never really walked, but bounced and bounded. A smashing looking boy with a smashing personality. In December 2008 Bailey began to show odd swellings and discolouring on his underside, and he ended up in the Royal Veterinary College in Hatfield. He was there for several days, as they tried in vain to stop the onslaught of what could only be described as an unidentified auto-immune disease. They knew what it wasn't, but they just could not determine what it was. After several days of tests and conjecture, the symptoms completely unstoppable, the decision was made to let Bailey go. Even in his last days, however, his sunny personality shined through to all who handled him, and on December 23rd, just a few days short of his 2-year mark with Ann, even the vet who put him to sleep cried. And all of us who knew this cheerful character cried. For all he had been through in life, he just could not ever have ended up with a finer family and home than the one provided for him by Ann and Ray. He is still there somehow, in spirit, licking his chops and strategizing at the sight of that roast just removed from the oven......... |
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| Libby |
| March 2007 - February 2009 |
| Beautiful Libby had to be put to sleep due to unexpected medical reasons. She had been booked to go to a wonderful home and it is so sad that she never experienced having a home of her own. She was developing into a biddable but fun loving girl and in the recent bad weather loved to wade in deep water up to her chest. She is buried here at the Orchard Greyhound Sanctuary where she will always be missed. |
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| Maeve |
| April 4 1998 - August 29 2008 |
| Today one of my very best friends and constant companions was laid to rest, marking the end of an era. I adopted Maeve from Avalon Greyhound Sanctuary in June 2004, a lively and beautiful girl who blossomed into nothing less than a model pet greyhound. She always had a sort of knowing look in those eyes, one that said "we understand each other". She slept by my desk for all the long hours I spend on the computer, accompanied me on errands, warmly welcomed all the visitors (both human and canine), accepted the presence of each and every adoption and rescue greyhound, and in general was a constant source of company and love. She was one of my "great girls", a one in a million lady, and she will be missed unendingly. Gentle, intelligent, biddable, affectionate and so much more. Maeve suddenly deteriorated in a space of 36 hours, and was found to have a large, aggressive tumour on her adrenal gland, pressing on her aorta and other organs. It had been silently growing all along, but finally reached a size that interfered with breathing, lying down, standing up, and walking. I thank John and Stuart at Brittas Veterinary Clinic in Thurles for their quick diagnosis as well as their great patience with me and all my questions. Even my last ditch efforts to pick Stuart's brain for some alternatives was met with calm explanation and professional patience. She was given strong painkiller, and then brought home, to be put to sleep and buried here, where she has lived a wonderful and happy life. Most of all, I thank Jim Fuller, my "local" vet in Roscrea, who came here at noon to finally let Maeve go. Unbeknownst to me, even he had made phone calls to other vets to discuss how her life might be prolonged, but to no avail. And after we chatted, he picked her up in his arms and carried her to the little field in back of the mill, where a grave had kindly been arranged by my neighbour Reid. Laid down on a duvet cover from my bed, Jim put her to sleep, and she slipped away, breathing in the scent of home and me and my 3 other dogs. Then, shovel in hand, Jim covered my best greyhound girl as I tossed a bouquet of roses and other flowers from around the property, my real queen who was as much a part of the property as the flowers themselves. |
| I miss you, my great, beautiful, intelligent, wonderful friend. |
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| Adele |
| - December 2007 |
| Tiny little Adele died in December 2007, the victim of what appeared to be a growing brain lesion. Within a very short period of days it affected her sight, appetite and motor control, and she was euthanized by a vet and laid to rest in the garden she ran and played in. It was believed the initial brain damage might have been meningitis, though the cause of it would be anyone's guess. Adele arrived here from another rescue on April 1, 2007. She was failing badly, losing weight to the point of being emaciated and weak. Somewhat disoriented and emotionless, almost appearing to be suffering from dementia, it did not take long to realise she was brain damaged, though at the time, the cause of it was unclear. She was adopted only a few days later by a very warm and gentle couple, who took to her immediately and wanted to give her a real home. Adele surprised us all sometimes, and could show striking energy and clarity, and positive improvement. She stayed here twice when her owners had to travel, and showed remarkable awareness and coordination. Seeming to be in a world of her own most of the time, I still recall Stan phoning me to tell me she actually came to him when he called her one day, and also when he told me how she figured out to run around to the front door if he did not soon enough open the back door for her. Using their crankiest cat for a pillow, and here often following the wolfhound, little Adele was a tiny little fairy of a greyhound who bothered no one and was respected by everyone - human, canine, or feline! No couple could have given her more love, comfort, safety and understanding than Stan and Carol. If Adele could talk to them now, I am certain she would say "thank you for being so good to me even though I could not wag my tail for you.... for the constant hugs, for letting me sleep with you every night, for being patient, for giving me a home and dog friends and cat friends and letting me have - even for a short time - the sort of home that so many other dogs can only dream about. I loved you in my own way, and I will always, always be with you." Thank you, Carol and Stan, for taking in this tiny angel and loving her as you did. |
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| The day Adele went home with Carol and Stan. Carol just wrapped herself around her and knew within moments this was the dog she wanted. |
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| Daisy |
| - 11 January 2008 |
| Lovely, gentle Daisy died unexpectedly this morning, most likely from a blood clot. She had been bitten by an outside dog 3 days earlier, and had been healing fine. She had come so far since the time she arrived here, and so enjoyed life and people and all the dogs here, and had 2 or 3 possible homes in line for her. Daisy's passing has caused a lot of tears, and she will be so very much missed. My little companion who liked to stay by my side when we walked the property. Here she is with friend Wendy, being her usual happy, cheerful self. Sleep peacefully, my little beauty. |
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| Sergeant |
| Sergeant, a very large black greyhound, was left at a county pound showing signs of extensive long-term neglect. A local rescue took him in, not realizing how serious his condition was. Inadequate care for him at the rescue resulted in his health further deteriorating, and Orchard Greyhound Sanctuary was asked to take him in, though the sad extent of his condition was not known until he was actually picked up at the rescue. Sergeant arrived here in a state of high distress, both physically and mentally, and after some initial aid, painkiller and comfort was given to him, he died shortly after arriving. He was only 9 years old. Sergeant had a place in waiting for him at the exceptional sanctuary for poorly aged greyhounds, Tailends, in the UK. We imagine he is nevertheless there in spirit, unseen by us, but running along the beach with the others. |
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| As a result of this very sad event, OGS and friends as well as 2 veterinarians are putting together a booklet to be distributed free of charge to as many rescues as possible to decrease the likelihood of this happening again. Entitled "Guide to Urgent Care for Rescued Greyhounds", the book will provide some basic care information for when a greyhound-experienced veterinarian cannot be found. The printing of the booklet has received some support from Roscrea SPCA. Sergeant's death was avoidable, and we hope this will never, ever take place again. The ISPCA and the Irish Greyhound Board are both investigating this case. |
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