Eternal Sleep
by Terri Onorato

It wasn't all that long ago
I ran the dusty track for show,
devoted and driven, my face pierced the wind
as race after race I fought to contend.
Slow at the turn and lacking in grace
I did what I could but I never placed.

I loved to run hard and hear the crowd roar
yet those cheers turned to boos when I didn't score.
Folks lost their money when they bet on me
they tagged me a loser, said "Retire number three!"
I had no idea what I was likely to find
as I walked from the track for the very last time. 

My person was waiting, eyes teared and face so long
I sensed inside the sadness that this time I'd not go home.
I tried to change my person's mind and wagged my mighty tail
but I knew deep down without a doubt, like racing I had failed.
We drove along the country roads till we came upon a town
where erected off the main drag was a place known as the pound. 

A pretty woman came outside and took me from my crate
my person signed the papers and with one look at my face said,
"I'm sorry that I have to go and leave you here to sleep
but you're not as fast as others, you no longer earn your keep
I felt my heart break into bits and walked with head bent low
I knew that it was over and I had no place to go.

Inside the dingy building I was checked and tagged and weighed,
a voice said, "We will put him down, tomorrow if not today."
I heard the pretty woman state, "Don't look him in the eye,
he has that greyhound gaze that says, "I do not want to die."
They put me in a kennel with the others on death row,
I lay down on the concrete and moaned so soft and low.

Morning filtered through the glass, I stretched my weary bones
The pretty woman came to me and said, "It's time to go."
The hall was long and stark and cold, I did not cry or weep.
I used my eyes and face and soul to halt eternal sleep.
She tried her best to use defense and look away from me,
she seemed to know how wrong it was to do this deadly deed.

She bent down close and held my face against her silken cheek,
the needle entered my front leg and quickly I felt weak
I heard the pretty woman sob as she lay me on the floor,
I saw a last glimpse of her face and then I saw no more.
I may not have been the fastest dog to ever run the track
I just wish someone had loved me so I could have loved them back.

(Please do not distribute this poem - we have the special privilege to post this on our site.)

Copyright(c) by Terri Onorato. All Rights Reserved. Please visit her beautiful website to enjoy many of her wonderful creations: http://www.angelbluemist.com

My Greyhound Sister

Having a second greyhound has made our life complete!
Here is an additional testimony from our first greyhound, Elliott, who says it best.

 Thanks so much for giving me "Sarah";
Never have I seen a girl any fairer!
I thought my life was perfect before,
but Sarah has given me SO much more!
It’s really a joy, the life of a hound,
But greys do enjoy having "buddies" around;
Now, having a home is BETTER than great,
Still, I believe, a hound needs a mate!
Having a friend who’s just like me,
We’re as happy as two greyhounds can be.
She’s beauty & grace, my wonderful sister,
When she’s out of the room, I truly miss her!
When it’s time for a walk, together we go,
Prancing along, my, we DO love it so!
Walking is much more fun at her side,
Keeping in step with brotherly pride!
Rides in the car?? Well, away we go!
We nestle up closely, from head to toe.
It’s always a thrill, going here, going there,
But just more FUN going out as a pair!
Now, running is one of our favorite things,
Together we FLY, and how our hearts sing!
Romping like pups, or "racing" to play,
We like to do this ‘most every day!
We two are so happy, with OUR mom & dad,
Basking in love, nevermore to be sad.
Me and my Sarah, we’ll always be friends,
Retired and free, our fun never ends!
So, if you’re into "greyhound fun",
And just ADORE your own precious one,
If you’ve got room enough for two,
Then TWICE the love is waiting for you!

Elliott Wladyka, & Nancy

I’ll Remember You 

                                              
They brought me up when I was young to win them wealth and fame.
But when I lost a race or two they soon forgot my name.
My life was full of loneliness, I’d spent hours in my crate.
I had a few good friends, but loosing sealed their fate.
They whaled them out, one by one, because loosing was such a sin.
I watched their sad eyes when they walked by, never to see them again.
One day they walked me on the track, I heard the starting gun.
I ran as fast as I could run, but another dog had won.
They pulled me by my collar and dragged me back inside.
They screamed and yelled and cursed at me, even though I really tried.
Suddenly it was over, the cheers had finally died.
They came and got me late at night and took me for a ride.
My face began to tremble, my heart began to race.
I knew my turn had finally come, but then I saw your face…
I was so scared, I closed my eyes, I thought this was the end.
I didn’t know that you had come because you are my friend.
I know you really love me, I’m having so much fun.
You feed me really well each day and take me for a run.
And when I’m old and feeble and must be put to sleep-Don’t be sad and please-
Don’t weep, because of you my life was sweet. I’m going home to see my friends,
those who had a tragic end. And when they see me coming in and say to me:
"Where have you been?" I’ll turn and say: "In Heaven…It’s true!"

And I’ll remember you……

Author Unknown

Upon entering a little country store, a stranger noticed a sign reading, "Danger! Beware of Dog" posted on the glass door. Inside, he noticed a harmless greyhound asleep on the floor besides the cash register.
He asked the store manager, "Is that the dog folks are supposed to beware of?"
"Yep, that's him," he replied.
The stranger couldn't help but be amused. "That certainly doesn't look like a dangerous dog to me. Why in the world would you post that sign?"
"Because," the owner replied, "before I posted that sign, people kept tripping over him."

To a Black Greyhound

by Julian Grenfell

See him lie when day is dead,
Black curves curled on the boarded floor,
Sleepy eyes, my sleepy-head—
Eyes that were aflame before.
Gentle now, they burn no more;
Gentle now and softly warm,
With the fire that made them bright
Hidden--as when after storm
Softly falls the night.

HEAVEN

A man was riding his horse down a road, his greyhound padding along by their side. The man was enjoying the scenery when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.  He remembered dying and that his horse and greyhound had been dead for years.  He wondered where the road was leading them.  After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road.  It looked like fine marble.  At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he finally stood before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother of pearl and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold.  He nudged the horse toward the gate and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.  When the rider was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"

"This is heaven, sir," the man answered.

"Wow!  Would you happen to have some water?" the rider asked.

"Of course, sir.  Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up."  The man gestured and the gate began to open.

"Can my friends," gesturing downward towards his horse and greyhound, "come in, too?" the traveler asked.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept animals." The traveler thought a moment and then turned his horse back toward the road and continued on his way.  After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed.  There was no fence.  As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

"Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?"

"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there." The man pointed to a  place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in."

"How about my friends here?" the traveler asked.

"There should be a bowl and a bucket by the pump."

They went through the gate, and, sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl and a bucket beside it. The traveler filled the bowl and took a long drink, then gave some to his greyhound while he filled the bucket for his horse.  When they all were satisfied, he led his horse back toward the man who was standing by the tree waiting for them, the greyhound following faithfully behind.

"What do you call this place?" he asked.

"This is heaven," the man replied.

"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was heaven, too."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell."

"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"No. I can see how you might think so, but we're just happy that they screen out the folks who'd leave their best friends behind."

RACETRACK RESCUE
By Alyssa Craig
8 Years Old

My greyhound, Jenna, used to race.
Her best was only second place.
When her racing days were at an end,
She was sent to Greyhound Friends

My dad took us there.
He likes dogs with hardly any hair!
Who did we meet?
A dog named Jenna who was very sweet.

My dad secretly adopted her.
He loved her brown, gold and white fur.
After school it was such a surprise,
To see Jenna with her big, beautiful,brown eyes.

I hugged her very tight.
She sniffed me, but did not bite.
Now her favorite thing to do
Is lie on the couch and barely move.

She will come only for food
And cuddle when she is in the mood.
I love my rescued greyhound very much
And I will never, ever give her up.