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 Patty at patty.comerford@gmail.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 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.

Lilly (Wanda Whirl)

Lilly (Wanda Whirl) born on May 15, 2008, adopted December 5, 2010, crossed the rainbow bridge May 16, 2022.

On May 16, one day after her 14th birthday, we said goodbye to our precious little Lilly. Logically, I know that it was the right thing to do but I’ve been an emotional mess for the past few weeks, anticipating the dreaded scheduled date. I still can’t stop crying…. .

We are so lucky to have had sweet, sweet Lilly be part of our family for 12 years. Lilly came fresh from the Birmingham, Alabama race track to GFNJ adoption weekend, a scared and anxious little bag of bones with fur that felt like hay……to see her blossom in every way throughout the years has been an absolute pleasure!!

Lilly helped us foster several greyhounds when we volunteered with Make Peace with Animals in Pennsylvania. She flew across the country when we made the unexpected move to Vancouver, Canada and the great Pacific Northwest in July of 2014. Lilly loved to go on hikes in the many beautiful parks and trails here in British Columbia and earned her nickname of “mountain goat”. She loved, loved being in the car and traveling……safely perched on her memory foam doggie bed in the back of our Prius V and looking out at the world. There was always a smile on the face of drivers and passengers that were behind us. One of the “perks” of not having dark tinted windows Lilly accompanied us on long road trips to Mt. Baker, Banff and Jasper, Tofino in Vancouver Island and south to California via the scenic Pacific Coast Highway. She loved having her own queen size bed at every hotel that we stayed in:)

This little girl was one in a million and will be greatly missed. Lilly was our second Greyhound adopted from Greyhound Friends of NJ and hopefully not the last.

Run free with no more pain pretty girl!

Bob and Bea Gomez

Chigger

Chigger crossed the Rainbow Bridge on November 6th. He had cancer in his shoulder joint.

I loved him. He was my best friend.

Chigger was the happiest dog, Whenever someone came to the house he would prance around smiling, teeth chattering away. You couldn't help but smile back.

He loved to run. He made himself his very own race circuit in the back yard, stopping only to say hello to the next door neighbor. He hated getting wet. He would avoid the rain if at all possible and only go in the lake up to his ankles. Chiggers best friend is my parents beagle named Ollie. When we went to their house, Chigger and Ollie liked to go for walks together and nap in the sun. His favorite extra special treats included cheese and roast beef. He made me laugh almost every day. He would rest his forehead on the door when waiting to go through it... unfortunately it was always on the hinge side of the door. If Ollie went to bark at something, Chigger never knew what the fuss was about... but was always running around behind him, tail wagging, supporting his friend.

Chigger loved attention and hugs. He gave lots of kisses, especially when you weren't expecting it.

I miss him so much. I wanted to thank you for letting me adopt him, he was the best.

Sophie

July 2007- November 2021 Sophie

We lost our sweet Sophie this past November. She was the ruler of the family and always got what she wanted. She was stubborn beyond belief, but that's what made her special and undeniably lovable. She enjoyed spending her summers in Maine and loved taking walks in the cooler weather. She was absolutely in love with her Daddy (he jokingly called her his girlfriend). Every day is hard without her, but I do find some solace knowing that in her retirement she lived her best life and was surrounded by an outpouring of love from myself and my family. She will always have a piece of my heart.

I will see you at the Rainbow Bridge.

All our love,

Christine, Craig, Charlene, and Katie Curry

DENNIS

Freda

Lilly (Wanda Whirl)

Chigger

Sophie