'It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart
with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of
their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be
dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.' (unknown)
Phoenix (America Strong)
February 2000 - January 2012
At first, I must admit I had my heart set on another greyhound, but I trusted Linda when she told me "Strong" is the one. He came home in October of 2002 and after some rough patches and training classes (for me, really), we built an inseparable bond. Phoenix was my first greyhound. But soon, others, like his best friend Mokie, followed.
He was a kind, gentle soul with a stubborn streak that made me smile. Every single day, until a few weeks from the end, whether sun, snow, rain, he enjoyed a walk at The Whetstone Park of Roses. His favorite bit was to meditate in the brook.
No story of his life would be complete without the mention of his favorite thing in the universe: toast! I miss him tap dancing the kitchen each morning, angling for my breakfast. I love him, always, and miss him terribly. He brought such peace, joy, and beauty to my life and I am forever grateful.
Remember him as he was: happy, surrounded by love. Gracie Lakshmanan
Missy (unregistered)
200? - January 20, 2012
If Missy had a tombstone, it would say "I never met a couch I didn't like."
She will be deeply missed by the Brobeck family and her greyhound sister, Sarah.
Moe (Movin Avenue)
3/14/03 - 1/20/12
Moe was a wonderful girl who gave a lot of love to Betty & Jack Pullium.
She will be dearly missed.
Huey (Coyote Ridge aka Guru)
2/13/01 - 1/10/12
It is with a heavy heart that I write to tell you that Carl and I said goodbye to our beloved Huey (Guru/Coyote Ridge) yesterday afternoon. We were so very fortunately to have him in our lives and will cherish his memory. We miss him dearly. His last day was a good one. He had two good meals, lots of treats, a walk with Hudson and Chloe as well as a walk with just Carl and me, a long car ride with the windows unrolled (his favorite), and he ate the cream cheese frosting from two red velvet cupcakes. Our time with Huey was too short, but I would feel that way if he had lived to be 101. He was such a wonderful companion.
Jennifer Potter and Carl Zimring
Firefly (Switzler's Firefly)
April 2002 - December 2011
ONE OF HARDEST DAYS OF OUR LIFE. HAD PUT OUR BABY FIREFLY DOWN DUE TO A LEG BREAK BROUGHT ON BY BONE CANCER. RIP BABY LOVE YOU
Vince & Suzanne Anello, Ajax and Firefly's daughters Solo and Nasdaq.
Vinny (Dr. Vinnyboombah aka Shrek)
April 2007 - December 2011
We adopted Vinny in October 2010 a three year old silly, playful, energetic youngster that loved to play and run. You knew how he loved you because when you pet him especially under his chin his teeth chattered something fierce and he looked at you like hearts were beaming out of his big brown eyes. Sadly after only 14 months with us we lost our Vinny to bone cancer. Our hearts are heavy as he was only 4 years old and we didn’t nearly get enough time to love on him as we all had wanted. I know he is with Mr. Biff in heaven and they are both together running and playing and he will be missed by his family. We love you Vin Vin! Kevin, Diana, Sebastian and Passion.
Norm (Hey Bird Dog) July 19, 2000 - November 15, 2011
We lost our Norm to Osteosarcoma in November. He was a wonderful companion who brought happiness to our days. He now joins his brother, Buster, in the journey over the Rainbow Bridge. We miss him dearly.
- Bryon, Trish, Kyle & Zachary Callahan
Willow (Susan)
6/15/01 - 11/18/11
"We wanted to share with you all that willow crossed over the rainbow bridge on friday.
She was a greyt racer and mom, and we feel lucky to have had her in our lives.
This pic was taken the day before we had to put her down.
it was our last walk to one of her favorite spots."
Eddie Ostrander and Rachel Thomas
OZ (Grey's Finnegan)
February 2000 - November 2011
"With a heavy heart I must say goodbye to my longtime
friend and companion, OZ. He passed away yesterday.
May he rest in peace." Jeff & Suzie Burroughs
Kirby (2000-2011)
Kirby was adopted at 5 months old by Kelley & Rick Norris.
"Rick and I lost the Kirbysaurus today. In the end, he beat the osteosarcoma and had no mets in his lungs, but lost the chronic renal failure battle. Thanks for all the good thoughts. Dr. Couto and Dr. Dyce were there with the three of us at the end. He was loved his whole life."
Shane Who (July 1999 - November 2011)
I adopted Shane Who in June 2003 (I think the year is correct). He had just come in on the hauler from Kansas.
Shane passed away today, November 1, 2011. He was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his right shoulder. He had if for about two months and that was all.
He was my hero and my fine boy. He was simply the best! I don't know what I will do without him. Mary Ann Congrove
Kimmie
1998-2010
Kimmie lived with us for 8 wonderful years. We loved her to the ends of the earth and back, but in the end, love couldn't save her from the dreaded cancer.
Rest in peace, Kimmie, and play at the Rainbow Bridge with your big brother Buckeye. You will live in our hearts forever.
Laurie, Dave, Becky, Cory, and Raymond, and
Blue, Samantha, and Scout
Gator (Kc Tator Tot)
9/17/99 - 11/1/11
Gator was deeply loved by Ed Offord who adopted Gator in August 2005 until his death in August 2009. Linda Perko, Director of GAO always held a special place in her heart for Gator so she
kept him for her own when he was returned. Gator was lucky to have such wonderful people in
his life and will be missed by the many volunteers at GAO as well as Linda.
Ribbon (November 2000 - October 2011)
Leonard Sopata lost his beloved Ribbon to bone cancer 2 months after her amputation
surgery at Ohio State. She will be deeply missed.
Eddie Girl (2006? - October 2011)
"She was truly a very special greyhound, not just because of being trans gender, but she was not one of our typical greyhounds. She was a great watch dog and we always felt safe with her around. I feel as though I lost part of me, she was always with me, sleeping on me to walking with me as I mowed the grass, at times I thought I had the back end of a dog as part of me, I turn my head and there she was."
Eddie Girl was loved by the Trettel family.
Babe (Minnow Magic) - no picture
7/16/02 - 10/18/11
Babe bloomed into a beautiful loving family dog. She greeted all the grandchildren when they came to visit. She new another walk was coming her way along with her neck scratched. Babe was a best friend to all of us. She was so proud that she learned to bark and growl like the 2 labs that she lived with. She learned to run and they all chased each other around the yard. I feel blessed we had her in our family and we could give her years of good times.
Charlotte Kwiat
Crystal (Crystal Chrysler aka Chrissy)
6/21/02 - 10/25/11
Jennifer and Jeff Buchanan adopted Crystal in January 2011. She was one of
the 3 Crystal sisters at the kennel. She lived with Archie and Honey Pot the
greyhounds (see Honey Pot further down this page) and had a wonderful 9 months before she ran to the Rainbow Bridge.
Cosmo (Crystal B Cosmic)
5/28/01 - 10/2011
Meg & Bruce Chrislip adopted Cosmo in 2005. They had his mom, Daisy, as well. He will be dearly missed by his family
and greyhound brother and sister, Trip and Hope.
Honey Pot (1996 - 2011)
Honey Pot was a spinner and a talker; she did each in brief bursts. She was never any one thing for long. Most often, she was boss, pointing where she wanted to go. But even then, after a while, she'd retreat to her crate, preferring it seemed to be alone, wanting you to go on with your life, as she had trained you to do. She was always an "elder" dog, wise and generous. A gift.
Honey Pot is fondly remembered and sorely missed by her mom and dad (Jennifer and Jeff) and her "brother" and "sister" (Archie and Crystal
Sophie Easter Strayer (Sugarloaf Sofie)
Sophie was a wonderful addition to our family. Her happy go lucky spirit was infectious, and even our two cats loved her. She will be greatly missed.
Charlie (Rooftop Dexter)
8/20/06 - 4/16/11
On 4/4/09 our family brought home our first greyhound. Our lives were forever changed!! Charlie (Rooftop Dexter) was a happy, sweet, kissable, energetic boy who loved to play, squirrel watch under his favorite tree, and snuggle with everyone!
Early Saturday morning April 16, 2011 our sweet boy suddenly crossed the Rainbow Bridge leaving a huge void in our lives. His lust for life will truly be missed by his greyhound brother Finnegan (JC's Powerful D), Scout and Abby (his non-greyhound buddies), as well as his human family- Jim, Jeanine, Jimmy, Rachel, and Amy D'Alessandro.
WE LOVE YOU OUR SWEET BOY!!!
Scooby Doo Jedlicka will be dearly missed by his dad, Doug. He went
to the Rainbow Bridge on April 18, 2011 after being diagnosed with cancer.
Walter (JD RayGun)
7/26/00 - 3/14/11
Walter will be dearly missed by his mom, Michelle Rodriguez and Boston Terrier brother, Gomez.
Moose (WJS Night Snow aka Fabian aka Jack)
7/29/2004 - 2/24/2011
Moose was that greyhound who was just a happy boy. He loved to go for rides in the car,
loved to go for walks and loved to lay on the couch and let you pet him. You'd never know he
was almost completely blind.
Shortly after finding a mass on his spinal cord, we let Moose go to the Rainbow Bridge where he was met by Comet and Frankie (both on this page). He will be truly missed
by everyone who knew him.
Mike & Susan Anderson, Nup, Harrison and Chick
Russell Stevens
November 1999 - January 2011
Well, 9 1/2 years ago we made our first visit to GAO. The kennel still had the old earthen floor. This was the place where Russell found us, his forever home. He walked over to us and stayed, only interested in what we were doing. He was TRULY a special boy! He will be GREATLY missed. Russell was a therapy dog at the Cleveland Clinic. He received the HIGHEST grade on his therapy dog test and served his community for almost 2 years.
He was reunited with his litter mate Rawhide, who passed 6 months ago (see lower on this page). During his last visit to "camp" he met Baby, and brought her home with him. Now she must carry the torch!
Buzz
2/24/00 - 1/26/11
"If it wasn't for GAO we would never have known how much a greyhound could bring to our lives. We loved that boy so much and he touched SO many people. He had this thing for people in wheelchairs, which was one of the things that made me fall in love with him 8 years ago. He was simple but strong, lovable but mischievious and so so smart. I can't tell you how much of an outpouring of sympathy we've already gotten from friends and family. He could not have loved or gotten more love than any dog or human could ever imagine. I thank you for bringing him into our lives!" Denise
Daisy Gudat (Hazard County)
5/1/96-11/6/10
Daisy will be dearly missed by Sandy Gudat and Grant, her greyhound brother.
Here she is in her favorite spot.
Matt came to us April 22-2004 and left us on December 10-2010. He was a fantastic dog, and as anyone knows who have lost a Greyhound, a particular one cannot be replaced. This was Matt! He left with a piece of our hearts. He would have been 12 on Dec.29th. We will miss him terribly.
Daryl Humpal, Marilyn Evans and Herb Balogh and his sister Patches
(greyhound) aka D's Firefly.
Zulu (Shata Betsy)
February 17, 2004 - December 14, 2010
Zulu was a strong and beautiful girl who recently welcomed Bali (now Sherman) into her home. She will be greytly missed by her family, Katie Maher & Chris Smith.
Sugar Sugar
August 12, 1997 - October 23, 2010
Beloved by two families, Sugar was just as sweet as her name. Her last day was spent cuddling with
her mom. She had a lifetime full of love, treats, soft beds and greyhound companionship.
Roo (1997 - 2010)
Our hearts are heavy, the best dog we have ever known has passed on, RIP Roo, you will be missed, our house is not the same, nor will it ever be. All we can do is remember you for the happy joyful boy you were until the end, you lived a long healthy life of 13 1/2 years, I hope you were as happy with us as we were with you. Rick Parker & Lisa Gillen
Coach (aka Guy aka CM Disguise)
September 2000 - August 2010
Guy and Annie came back to the kennel in the summer of 2008. Mark and Lily Hopp came to the kennel that summer too. Lo and behold they fell in love with two beautiful dogs who wanted to stay together. So, as first time greyhound owners, they adopted both Guy and Annie. They picked them up at Canine Fun Days and renamed them Coach and Prada. Coach loved walks and his stuffies and his sister loved him.
During Canine Fun Days weekend two years later, Coach began having seizures, was diagnosed with a brain tumor and the difficult decision was made to let him run to the Rainbow Bridge. He will be greytly missed by his entire family.
Biff (WJX Plexico)
April 2001 - August 2010
Biff came into our lives in March of 2005. He showered us with so much love and joy each and every day. He was a smart boy who knew that, to us, he was so much more than a dog, but a member of our family and part of our pack. He was the King in our castle. There are so many wonderful memories and stories to tell but the picture I decided to place here tells it all. That was taken during the lure coursing event at CFD in 2008, it is hard to believe that two years later we would lose him to cancer. Biff LOVED to run, he was a magnificent site, graceful, agile and passionate about every step. We know he is saving a place up there for us, until we meet again my best friend and beloved companion Mr. Biff!
Kevin, Diana and Sebastian DiRienzo
(Biff also served as our model for the Canine Fun Days page - we all mourn his loss)
Buster (Crime Buster) 8/1/99 - 8/9/2010
Buster came into our lives in May 2002 and was a silly boy who loved to play, be loved, and give love in return. We lost him to a cancer yesterday just a few days after his 11th birthday. It's amazing how much his sweet face
and disposition changed our lives. He'll be greatly missed, but forever in our hearts. Bryon, Trish, Kyle & Zachary Callahan
Rawhide Stevens (1999 - August 2010)
About a year ago, we found Rawhide, awaiting adoption in St. Louis. Rawhide was the brother of our 10-year-old greyhound, Russell. Rawhide was with an adoption group that was trying to find a home for him. The adoption representative from St. Louis drove Rawhide to Cleveland, the next weekend. He has been a wonderful addition to our family!!! What a sweetheart. :) He and Russell have been very happy being reunited. Rawhide had a stroke Friday night (8-6-10), and it progressed rapidly. We took him to the vet. Saturday (8-7-10), and we made the difficult decision to put him down. He was deeply loved, and will be GREATLY missed. It has been an honor and a privilege to have Rawhide. Eric & Mary Stevens
Bella (Flying Taco Time), October 1, 1998 - July 10, 2010
Bella came to us several months after we lost our first greyhound to bone cancer. She was just what we needed - a sweet, beautiful, gentle senior girl with a very motherly heart. When our little dog, Lady, ran around the yard like crazy, Bella would chase her and bark at her to make her settle down, just like the little mommy she was (Bella had over 30 puppies in her lifetime). She would get so excited to go for walks around the neighborhood and she loved to give big sloppy kisses and chin nibbles. We lost our sweet Bella far too soon to cancer after not quite three years with her. We miss her dearly and hope she is resting peacefully in heaven, free of pain. Amy, Bill, and William Feeman
Jolene
6/18/98 - 7/12/10
After Jolene's first owner passed away, Cherie Damron welcomed this wonderful
girl into her home. She was a sweetheart who will be dearly missed.
Cool Rebel (7/22/05 - 6/21/10)
Our beloved Cool Rebel (known as George to his trainer) never made it to his
forever home. His neurological problem was too great to overcome after only
being at the kennel for 2 months. After sharing a milkshake with his favorite volunteer, Carli, he gently ran to the Rainbow Bridge to meet the rest of the GAO greyhounds who have gone before him. We'll miss you, Rebel.
Annie (Argon Annie)
9/30/97 - 3/10/10
My sweet , sweet baby girl was with us for only 4 short years but I will never miss her big grin. She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in December of 09 and managed to stay with us until 3-10-10. RIP sweet baby girl .
Rook/Robinette family
Northern Carter
May 3, 2003 - May 7, 2010
Beloved and forever remembered by his family
Karen, Mike, Brendan and Winnie Sanders
Darcy
2001 - 2010
I am sorry to say that Darcy was put down very suddenly yesterday (Thursday) afternoon due to a brain tumor. She was fine in the morning when I saw her before I went to school, but when I got home my Mom (Kathy) was in the driveway with Darcy panting and unable to stand in the back of her car. She couldn't move her back legs, and when we said our tearful good byes at the vets she could barely move at all. She was only eight years old, and we had only had her for five years, which was far too short. Darcy left behind a mom (Kathy), a dad(Jeff), a sister(Me), a little brother(Sam), and three cats (Bindy, Gus, and Sally). But of course, the cats only thought of her as a smelly addition to the household.
We are missing Darcy greatly, and still can't get our heads around the fact that she is gone. We were glad she got to see you and all those other dogs on the walk on Sunday, and that we had so many nice days for her to be outside.
Duane
1997 - 4/15/10
He will be greytly missed by his family, Rhonda and Jerry Harrison
Bailey 10/12/97 – 2/28/10
Bailey came to us after five years of racing. He was very anxious and fearful of many things. Bailey became my sweet love, my protector and the most affectionate dog I ever owned. When he joined my family in 2002, I wrote this about him: “Compassion and caring makes hearts smile so big that the fear and loneliness seem to disappear”. When we were together we were never scared or lonely.
Bailey and his litter mate sister, Katie, who left me in 2006, will forever be loved.
Linda Tesar
Monarch ~ "Monarch Ruckus"
May 13, 2001 - February 19, 2010
Where to start about our precious Monarch? She was a strong girl who wasn't afraid of anything. While other healthy four legged dogs quivered at the site of stairs or slippery floors, she would just barrel on through. She was dealt a bad hand when it came to her health (lost a leg, had mutant corns, and laryngeal paralysis), but that never stopped her from being one of the happiest dogs we've ever met. We will miss her smiling face every time we walk into the room and her chattering teeth when you went to give her love or play with her. She was such a happy girl that during the holidays her happy tail would knock multiple Christmas ornaments off the tree. Even up until the end when her leg injury prevented her from walking, she was in great spirits. She was eating heartily, loving the extra treats from friends (Yummy McDonald's Hamburger from Mike & Susan Anderson), and happily wagging her tail when you came in the room. Our house will never be the same without her. She will be missed but NEVER forgotten. We love you baby girl! --John & Sydney McFarland
Lena ~ "Pearlene Walker"
April 24, 1999 - January 31, 2010
Lena was an amazing dog! While she was only with our family for 5 months she made a huge impression on our lives. She was always patient and good about learning new things. She was a trooper learning how to go up and down stairs at the age of 10! She was also one treat crazy girl! We always had to be on the defensive for the other girls when we gave out treats, especially pig ears. If we weren't watching she would skillfully steal the other dogs' delicious treats. She will always be missed and never forgotten. --John & Sydney McFarland
