Today Gigi galloped across the rainbow bridge. Leaving behind a loving home and a warm spot for her sister. Because Gigi was the kind of dog she was it seems almost inappropriate to shed tears of sorrow. In hope of a fitting tribute I offer this....

Gigi's song

I dreamt of green grass under my feet and a soft spot to sun myself.

I dreamt of no demands....no racing, no puppies and no fleas.

I dreamt of a magical place of kind hands, warm beds and I dared to hope for home cookin'

I dreamt of a place where I would be seen for who I am.

To be cherished and to be told I am beautiful.

I dreamt of a family of my own

I dreamt of you.

Lynn you made Gigi's dreams come true. Our hearts go out to Lynn for her loss but also rejoice in the fact that Gigi got to really retire in her last year.

Man what a day....By 7 Pm I finally slowed down enough to clean the little dog nose prints and bath water splatterings off my glasses. The phone rang before 7 A.M. it was Carol telling me the drivers for the haul just called and were leaving Butte. I raced out to do a quick turn out of my crew and the boarding dogs. Then picked up Lynn and headed into Missoula. We arrived just in time to see the first dogs hop out of the trailer but ironically they were not our dogs....oops the driver opened the wrong door. Still the two boys who hopped out and into our arms at least got to stretch their legs and got to water a bush. Then came our dogs. First out was Robbie and Howie. Their leads handed off to eager walkers, the girls came out. I think all three came out at once. Our two lovely black 9 year old retired moms Sweet Cheeks and the long awaited HH Pretty Woman. And of course little darling Connie. After a quick walk everyone was loaded up and we headed to the bath house. By 10:00 everyone was bathed and ready to head for home. Big thanks to those who made the time to come out and scrub dogs. I had planned to load up BOTH black girls but Sweet Cheeks was intercepted by Jennifer, a bather turned eager foster home! Watching them come off the truck and then bathing can be really nurturing and potent bonding time. There are 4 dogs in this load of 5 that are tentatively spoken for...we will see how things pan out.

After we left the bath house we had another appointment... 2 more Italian Greyhounds from Great Falls. A tiny delicate little female and a handsome boy. Both of these will head to our sister GPA group in Idaho. Whew it has been a long dog day and at 10:30 I am ready to head out and do my last turn out and then hit the shower...and of course the old dog is barking at me because she NEEDS something. I think all she needs is to see my little face. For all her years of being quiet and laid back she sure is making up for it now.

This week end we will be welcoming the last greyhounds of the year. We will keep you posted on the details but as always if you can help bathe dogs contact Judy so you can be on the "call" list. The Holidays are coming just a little early this year for some. Here is a miracle unfolding right before our eyes....at least for one little greyhound girl.

As some of you may remember Gigi (HH Real Live Girl) is in the final stages of bone cancer. She continues to maintain a quality of life with meds but it is becoming even more apparent that the final days are here. About a week ago her half sister (same mother) appeared on the web site as "available" but she was in KS and the load we are to receive is coming from OK. We requested her and were told since the KS dogs were not slated for a haul until April she could not be held for us. Gigi just celebrated her 10th birthday on Sunday it seemed so hopeless...knowing this was Gigi's last birthday and that her sister was stuck in KS with no ride to a waiting rescue group. Then on Monday things started to shift. Emails were flying back and forth and the phone lines were burning. The end result is that somehow HH Pretty Woman will make the OK haul and arrive in Missoula this week end to spend the holidays among family.

At 13 years + 1 Month + 1 week...we lost Chester beloved greyhound friend of Trish in Billings. I never ran my hands over his white and brindle coat. I never fondled his pointed velvet ears...and yet I felt as though I knew him well. Trish's stories and adoration made me familiar with his soft spirit. I hope that now those memories will serve to comfort Trish. When one of our seniors is let go...you can't help but look at the senior sharing your home with worried eyes. Are they feeling OK? Are they happy enough? Do they need a extra blanket or cookie? Are their golden years golden enough? Chester was so fortunate to be truly cherished. We should all be so blessed in our lives to have a love so true. Chester will b e missed even by us across the state who only knew him in stories.

Schist is doing what schist's do....he is splitting....separating from his tail. I expect he will lose about half of it. Maybe Schist really should be his name after all. I suspect you would get dirty looks from people if you opened up your back door and called for him..."Schist!!! Oh Schist!!!" It really is a name that sounds like something you don't want to step in. I guess we should stick to Schultz. Little Jewel was cat tested last night and again this morning. She just isn't interested in that CAT....who can blame her Sigh is a tough guy. Tonight Jewel will head to her new family. I guess I will go on record now as saying....if for some reason she doesn't work out she can come back here. What a sweet little girl!! And almost a matched set with my Iris. Speaking of my dogs....Tava turns 3 today!! There will be an extra goodie for her tonight.

So there we were me Judy and 5 greyhounds heading to Three Forks. Judy was compiling the adoption books as we bombed down the road. The books looked great by the time we arrived to meet up with Brian and his son Steven. The wind was blowing like crazy!! In fact a muzzle fell out of the van and I had to chase it down....Spark, smart girl, helped by stepping on it. The dogs traveled well and were quiet. Although Herc pottied when we were at the meeting place (twice) Brian reported that he messed in his crate before they got to Billings. Poor Herc has had enough fun for this week. Fortunately Herc is now in his home. Bek said it took him less than 5 minutes to find his big new fluffy bed and claim it as his own. Hannah is in her home and seems like a perfect fit. Trish reports that when she left, Hannah was sprawled out like she owned the place. Sweet little Elsie charmed her family and had kisses for EVERYONE including the cat!! 5 dogs hauled and 3 already home! Great work!! Both Bek and Trish used the same word to describe today's placements..."AMAZING!!!".

Tripps brought Run and Jewel home from the vet and they are now resting. Run got sick on the table and threw up while she was under. She is still feeling yuck tonight....we will watch her very carefully for a few days. Hot Shot travels with Tripps to Billings tomorrow...there is possibility that Jewel will tag along. I double checked Jewel with Sigh our test cat and she again passed with flying colors. No interest after the first curious sniff. Schultz is being treated for happy tail and will stay here at least a few more days. Hopefully it will heal up quickly. He has a long skinny elegant tail...I hope he can heal it up so he can keep it.

PS....I did help Judy walk dogs...really I did....I just handed them off to get a picture.