The Spirit Of A Greyhound
I was standing on a hillside in a field of blowing wheat,
and the spirit of a Greyhound was lying at my feet.
He looked at me with kind dark eyes, ancient wisdom shining through.
in the essence of his being, I saw the love there too.
His mind did lock upon my heart as I stood there on that day,
and he told me of this story about a place so far away.
As I stood upon that hillside in a field of blowing wheat,
in a twinkling of a second his spirit left my feet.
His tale did put my heart at ease, all my fears did fade away
about what lay ahead of me on another distant day.
"I live among God's creatures now in the heavens of your mind,
so do not grieve for me, my friend as I am with my kind.
My collar is a rainbow's hue, my leash a shooting star.
my boundaries are the Milky Way where I sparkle from afar.
There are no pens or kennels here for I am not confined,
but I'm free to roam God's heavens among the Greyhound kind.
I nap the day on a snowy cloud gentle breezes rocking me,
and dream the dreams of earthlings, and how it used to be.
The trees are full of liver treats, and tennis balls abound,
and milk bones line the walkways just waiting to be found.
There even is a ring set up, the grass all lush and green;
and everyone who gaits around becomes the Best of Breed.
For we're all winners in this place; we have no faults, you see.
and God passes out those ribbons to each one, even me.
I drink from waters laced with gold, my world a beauty to behold;
and wise old dogs do form my pride to amble at my very side.
At night I sleep in angel's arms, her wings protecting me,
and moonbeams dance about us as stardust falls on thee.
So when your life on earth is spent and you stand at Heaven's gate,
have no fear of loneliness-- for here, you know, I wait."
-Author Unknown

found this while browsing and did send to Milly's mom and to Darby's (she was a member of GHG) mom and dad

http://www.wtv-zone.com/nywoman/PAGES/page3.html

Dedicated to all who adopted the Seniors - doG Bless each and every one of you

ONE BY ONE

One by one, they file past my cage
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way
Way past his time, he can't run and play
Then they shake their heads slowly
and go on their way

A little old man, arthritic and sore
It seems I am not wanted anymore
I once had a home, I once had a bed
A place that was warm, and where I was fed

Now my muzzle is gray, and my eyes slowly fail
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn't belong
I got in their way; my attitude was wrong

Whatever excuse they made in their head
Can't justify how they left me for dead
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day
The younger dogs all get adopted away

When I had almost come to the end of my rope
You saw my face, and I finally had hope
You saw through the gray
and the legs bent with age
And felt that I still had life beyond this cage

You took me home, gave me food and a bed
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head
We snuggle and play and you talk to me low
You love me so dearly, you want me to know

I may have lived most of my life with another
But you outshine them with a love
so much stronger
And I promise to return all the love I can give
To you, my dear person, as long as I live

I may be with you for a week or for years
We will share many smiles,
you will no doubt shed tears
And when the time comes
that God deems I must leave
I know you will cry and your heart it will grieve

And when I arrive at the Bridge all brand new
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you
And I will brag to all that will hear
Of the person who made my last days oh, so dear

Author Unknown

If it is I grow frail and weak
And pain should wake me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done
For this last battle can't be won.
You will be sad, I understand,
Don't let your grief stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest
Your love and friendship stand the test.
We've had so many happy years,
What is to come holds no fears.
You'll not want me to suffer, so,
When the time comes please let me go.
I know in time you too will see
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Do not grieve that it should be you
Who has to decide the thing to do.
We've been so close, us two these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears

Thanks for those Beryl.

i have more will have to find them and then I will post

Just received this one

The Journey

When you bring a greyhound into your life, you begin a journey - a journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet also test your strength and courage.

If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark. Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures - jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears. If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information. Your pace may be slower - except when heading home to the food dish - but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field.

Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the details - the colorful mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig. Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows: that nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an essence all its own.

Even from indoors you will find yourself more attuned to the world around you. You will find yourself watching summer insects collecting on a screen. (How bizarre they are! How many kinds there are!), or noting the flick and flash of fireflies through the dark. You will stop to observe the swirling dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after a rain. It does not matter that there is no objective in this; the point is in the doing, in not letting life's most important details slip by. You will find yourself doing silly things that your dog-less friends might not understand: spending thirty minutes in the pet store aisle looking for the dog food brand your greyhound must have, buying dog birthday treats, or driving around the block an extra time because your greyhound enjoys the ride. You will roll in the snow, wrestle with chewie toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross, and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie - with a greyhound in hot pursuit - all in the name of love. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that old plastic shopping bags are conveniently positioned by every house entrance for pick-up duty in the yard.

You will learn the true measure of love - the steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together." Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race. And you will learn humility. The look in my greyhound's eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.

If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your greyhound always knew you to be - the one they were proud to call beloved friend.

I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear greyhound companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down. And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go. A pet's time on earth is far too short - especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for a while, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left. The greyhound that only yesterday was a racer is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun, waking up stiff and lame, the muzzle now gray. Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must, for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead - young and whole once more. "Godspeed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.

Author Unknown

Just found this one on GALT

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, you tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.

Author unknown

That last one was absolutely beautiful.

I have my darlings here, itll crush me when they leave... but i do warn them that when i pass on im bringing a lead and collar... there will be a lot of walking to make up for!!

RIP Princess aka *She's So Hot*

Your hock gave way, but your heart never did!

Have more but will post later