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.

Mark Burke "MB" Carmelitano

Mark Burke "MB" Carmelitano March 17, 2012 - September 3, 2024

And just like that, he's gone. Nine and a half years passing in what at times seemed like forever and lately, the blink of an eye. It took a while to understand that his intensity wasn't necessarily characteristic of the breed and what "returned through no fault if his own" really meant.

He was pushy and demanding. He had space aggression issues, hated small children and most other dogs. At the same time he was gentle, sweet, loving and well-mannered when you respected his boundaries and earned his trust. He loved to give kisses and smiles were pure bliss.

He loved to run and was lightning fast. Looping around the yard and all it's obstacles at break neck speed.

He loved to walk and would do so with you for hours. Strangers would stop their cars to say "what a beautiful dog". He charmed them all.

He was a master at finding "street food," the random meatball, chicken wing, bagel or other tasty morsel that had gone astray and found its way into the grass, a bush or some pachysandra. Sniffing, peeing and barking at passing dogs were his favorite pastimes. There were some dogs he liked, and a few he loved, but not many. Mostly other greyhounds. He was a breedist.

His Sunday walks at Van Saun Park with the greyhound pack were the highlight of his week. He'd carry on in the truck the minute he figured out where we were headed, barking like a fiend out the window as we drove to and through the park.

Even his naps were intense. Running, barking and growling in his sleep. He'd get restless each night around 9pm throwing toys around with wild abandon or needing to be let out five times to blow off some steam in the yard. He'd collect us for bed promptly at 10:15. If you didn't join, he'd put himself to bed but come back every 15 minutes to remind you it was bedtime.

Not sure if it was getting older, a sister or nearly all of his teeth finally removed, but he settled into middle age and became a sweeter, slightly less intense version of himself. Still energetic, and quite pushy at times, but without the edge. More tolerant of people in his space, less reactive and less growly. Even more loving.

The years came and went. Some eventful, some not. He aged and slowed becoming a stately, older gentleman. Only his escaping tongue carelessly betraying that image. No more running in the yard. Long walks became short strolls. Getting in and out of the car more challenging. The expanse of his world contracted. Still, he followed you room to room in the house, a constant companion. And he'd always be at the door barking like crazy, wagging his tail and looking for hugs when you came home. He discovered the couch was better when shared and that letting someone pet you while relaxing on it was actually quite enjoyable. He discovered a love for strawberries.

There's never enough time. The end came sooner then we hoped. He was our first. He was loved. And will be missed beyond measure. Run free sweet boy and see you on the other side.

Brody Michaelson

My sweet Brody (Milton Friedman) crossed the rainbow bridge on July 13 with my arms around him and my hand on his heart. Brody was one week short of his 12th birthday. Brody was a seizure dog – he had his first seizure in 2018, 3 weeks after his sister crossed the rainbow bridge after a brief illness. Brody had wonderful doctors and with their care his seizures were under control and the frequency decreased. Brody was just a happy, happy boy and found joy in life. His first week here he jumped on the kitchen island twice looking for cheese. One day I came out of the shower to find him jumping on the sofa and throwing the pillows on the floor while his sister looked on in disbelief. I could barely reprimand him I was laughing so hard. My husband was diagnosed with a rare cancer in 2018 and passed away in early 2020. Throughout his illness and hospitalizations Brody was my lifeline. It has been a privilege to have been able to live with and care for such a wonderful boy. I will be missing him for the rest of my life.

Wolfie

We wanted to let Greyhounds Friends know that today we lost our best friend Wolfie (Arroyo Swift Wolf). He was the most shy greyhound when we picked him from the bunch almost 5 years ago. He was stiff as a board not walking on leash or making eye contact but we knew all that boy could be and took a chance on him. That day, we took home two greyhounds, Wolfie and Izzy to keep him company (Natalia Isabel Camille). He blossomed over the years we had the privilege to love him. He became this larger than life boy, everyone who met him fell in love with his quiet polite demeanor. He taught us patience and showed us the joys of adopting, every day becoming more and more affectionate. We are broken, having found out he had an incurable autoimmune disease that decided to target his brain. While our time with him was cut short, we are so grateful to Greyhound Friends for putting him in our lives. We hope we were able to fill his 6 short years on this earth with as much joy and love as he provided to us. Our sweet boy has found peace.

-Makenzie and Alfredo

Bugsy

We said goodbye to our beloved Bugsy as she crossed the bridge in late April. She was just a few months short of her 13th birthday. She was such a love and we miss her so very much. Her arthritis caught up with her and we made the difficult decision that all animal parents have to make sometimes.

We so enjoyed having her with us wherever we would go. She was a fabulous traveler and loved everyone that she met. Her favorite treat was grilled nuggets from Chick Fil A and she had plenty of them in her last days with us. Our hearts are broken and I had to wait until now to write this. I have attached photos of her. She was a marvelous companion and when we moved she was my constant companion when I did not have friends yet.

She was exactly what her description said about her when my son found her on your website.

"Bugs is an affectionate girl - she seeks the warmth and touch of the people and hounds in her foster home. She is a dainty lady with deep brown eyes that reach right into one's heart. Her future adopter will be charmed by her loyalty and generous soul and will have a friend who will give love and adoration for all of her life."

We were totally charmed by her and she is deeply missed every hour.

Trisha Moller