PJ
Grey Puppy
Waiting for Ref to come home!
Posts: 62
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Post by PJ on Feb 11, 2015 19:40:00 GMT -5
It is long overdue to post an up-date on Rory. We are fast approaching our six month anniversary of the day he adopted me. How lucky for me that he made the choice! When I went to GRA he made it clear he was coming home with me, and the rest as they say is history. He has been a wonderful addition to our life here. A brief note though on my life with the ever wonderful Bob, is that when we married 8 years ago (he in his 50’s) he was not an animal person. He never grew up with animals, and in his previous marriage he relented, and for a time there was a Bishon Frise in his life which proved to be a totally negative experience for him. The adult dog arrived with notorious housebreaking difficulties, separation anxiety, shyness, and a propensity for excessive barking. I on the other hand have always been an animal lover, always had dogs, horses, and even had injured and orphaned wildlife in the house when I used to do some work for the DNR some years back as I was a certified veterinary tech. and I guess still am though I have not practiced in that field for some time. So animals were part of the ebb and flow of my world, and living without them was completely out of the question. And Bob, bless his heart, married me anyway!
I had gone back to university so I could help Bob in his business, and it was in celebration of me passing my contract law exams that Coco Matilda arrived as a gift from Bob...a wonderful chocolate brown Persian kitten. I think he thought a proactive leap into animal ownership would nip in the bud any chance of acquiring the dog I often whispered about wanting. We owned a little vacation place in Florida, and spent the month of December in the south, packing up the cat and all and heading off for 5 or 6 weeks of sun. While there in Sarasota, we saw a greyhound adoption drive, and I was all set to bring one home. Bob was in sheer panic mode as the size alone horrified him, and it was clear we both needed to be on the same page, so we came home without one. When I got home I started looking into Greyhound adoption though with hope I could bring Bob over to the “Light”. Two things happened simultaneously, that spring Bob called a friend of mine who had scottish terriers to make a few quite inquiries about the breed in general. As she was not a breeder just an enthusiast, he thought it was safe. She had been diagnosed with cancer and her prognosis was not good, but had contracted for a puppy from a breeder friend of hers, which would be arriving in about 10 weeks hence. Her hope was I would take the Scottie, and she could still enjoy her vicariously through visits, photos and constant up-dates...though her cancer treatment would prevent her from taking on a puppy at this time or perhaps ever again. It was one last chance to enjoy the exuberance and rambunctious nature that is a terrier in puppiedom. Of course I took her in, so Piper MacKenzie came into our world around 5 years ago. With no regrets I look at puppy pictures pinned to my desk, in the arms of her Aunty Paulette with picc line and chemo in place. My most bitter sweet memory is Paulette’s last Christmas on planet earth spent in the sunshine in Florida; Kenzie and myself soaking in the sweetness of this dear person we would soon loose to cancer, but oh so glad to have that final holiday with her and her husband. Christmas day photos taken with Kenzie on her lap are the last pictures I have of her. What a gift...her friendship and my Scottie!
Fast forward to this past summer, the wonderful Bob and I and Coco and Kenzie are out traveling in our motor home and we find ourselves in Woodstock Ontario. I mention to Bob I was sure we were close to the place where the retired Greyhounds were. To my shock he says well lets go check it out if we are in the area. So I called the number I found on line and made arrangements to stop in for a lookielou thinking perhaps with 6 months to a year of gentle persuasion Bob might be open to adding a greyhound to our home. When we got there; perhaps I had not been clear that this was very much a preliminary visit, but Heather just answered some questions and asked if I was partial to any colour, I loved them all, but red/fawn was a favorite. We had already established that a male would be advisable since Kenzie was a female. I could see Bob looking at the smaller females, and watched his face cloud over as the first dog let out was an extremely large fawn male called “Ref”. I looked at two smaller males, but Ref was it. He was in love with me and I with him, and Bob leaned over and whispered “that’s your Greyhound”. He passed the ferret test, and took to Kenzie like a duck to water...and a few minutes later we returned from the bank and Ref, who is now lovingly known as Rory was mine.
It is hard to believe that was six months ago. Since then some of you know Rory has turned out to be a real gift to me in more ways than anticipated. I suffer from debilitating intractable cluster migraine. The kind of headaches that have often hospitalized me, and require me to take IM injections myself just to deal with the nausea and vomiting associated with the extreme pain. The headaches leave me unable to see, and at times even unable to communicate as language becomes garbled and confused. Rory anticipates the onset of one of these terrible headaches. He has stopped me 4 or 5 times now from getting in my car prior to the onset, and twice now he had abruptly stopped our morning walk and turned for home, getting me back to the safety of the house minutes before an attach. I have learned to listen to him. He is such a special boy! I guess I believe in fate, and Rory and I were meant to find each other. We are two souls profoundly connected. Both of us needed to take the journeys we were on prior to uniting...or we would have missed that fateful day...when we looked at each other and knew...YOU ARE MINE. Love ya Rory Boy! Thanks for sharing the journey!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2015 20:21:59 GMT -5
Petra, what can I say except as I have said before..."I so get it" Your connection with Rory is what I experienced with my first greyhound Balue and am now having the same thing with Salem Pete. While I have not personally experienced the pain you personally have, I most certainly have been down a very painful path with the one I love and it weren't for these pups of ours, I would be lost. I think it is absolutely exceptional that Rory is in tune with you when you are not well, is by your side and has helped to open Bob's heart to the world of these beautiful dogs. Your life is blessed in many, many ways...and so it should be. Thank you for who you are...M
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PJ
Grey Puppy
Waiting for Ref to come home!
Posts: 62
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Post by PJ on Feb 11, 2015 21:18:12 GMT -5
Martha, Glad you get it. I know my non dog friends think I'm nuts...even people who love dogs don't fully understand how close Rory and I are. I know in the first days and weeks he was here I spent all my time with him, watching carefully trying to anticipate his needs before he asked...so when he did ask, I was on it. I got good advice from Stephanie Brooke Elrod, and you. It made all the difference. And knowing I could pick up the phone and give you a call anytime was a godsend. Thanks for being a great mentor, and there when I need!
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troysmom
Hound Nut
Troy & Leopold
Posts: 1,717
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Post by troysmom on Feb 11, 2015 21:24:15 GMT -5
What an amazing story! You two where meant to be and Rory is there for you when you need him the most which could be a potentially bad situation. Such a gift he has and an incredible connection with you! Rory is such a handsome boy and you can clearly see in your lovely pictures how much he enjoys his sister. I think you showed Bob the light and the gifts that animals can give. It's sad when one bad experience can turn people off to pets. Luckly Bob changed his mind and took you to GRA the wonderful day, once you go to that kennel you can't leave without one!
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lanlove
Junior Grey Lover
Posts: 179
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Post by lanlove on Feb 11, 2015 23:34:52 GMT -5
Thank you for the Rory update. He is a beautiful boy and your furry family is lovely. Your story is so touching, and I totally get it, my dogs have seen me through some tough times too. Dogs are amazing creatures and we are all so fortunate when we make a connection like you have with Rory. My husband was mis-diagnosed with cluster headaches as his symptoms indicated that was what he had, I would not wish that on anyone and I am so glad Rory found you and can keep you safe during your episodes. In my husbands case it turned out to be an egg sized benign tumor in his neck that caused his headaches, and following surgery to remove it he has done much better...that was 5 years ago. If only surgery could be done to cure you of your pain, I hope medicine will advance and sufferers of cluster headaches will have better means to manage the pain. The pictures of Rory, Coco and Kenzie are beautiful. Thanks for sharing your story with us, I'm glad Bob has now experienced how amazing dogs can be...I guess you were all just meant to be together
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Post by deboosh on Feb 12, 2015 8:54:34 GMT -5
Such a beautiful tribute! I choked up when hubby whispered that Rory was yours. And how awesome that he steers you from harm's way. Meant to be!
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jason
Hound Nut
Posts: 1,708
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Post by jason on Feb 12, 2015 13:45:04 GMT -5
I am always eager for Rory (Ref) updates because when we went to the kennel JUST over six months ago we were deciding who to bring home and it was between Speed (now known as Finn in our house) and Ref (now known as Rory in yours). Ref was such a gorgeous boy but he clearly wasn't ours to take home. He was waiting for you and his special purpose in life. I'm so happy that you two found each other and that it was truly and obviously meant to be. It's amazing what these pups bring into our lives. Ref is certaily a very special boy. And your post reminds me that I kinda slacked on a six month post for Finn. Oops. I guess I won't let him on the forum for a few days.
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daylight
Hound Nut
what's so funny Light?....Joker!
Posts: 1,275
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Post by daylight on Feb 12, 2015 23:32:40 GMT -5
... "Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies" (Aristotle)... Your story is a shining example of this ancient yet ever present truth. It takes my breath away. Thank you for sharing.
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Post by Sally Blossom on Feb 13, 2015 12:51:28 GMT -5
Rory - you are stunning and a belated 6th month Gotcha Day to you. What a beautiful story that was written about you - "the greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return" and that is exactly the bond between your owner and you, Rory - just heartwarming
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Post by greyandred on Feb 13, 2015 17:40:01 GMT -5
What a beautiful and feel-good story. Dogs are such amazing creatures and are so in tune with their people. But your bond sounds incredible. Thank you for sharing this with everyone.
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Post by angelollie on Feb 14, 2015 20:07:07 GMT -5
What a beautiful and heart-warming tribute about your sweet Rory. He is a stunning boy and has been gifted with a special purpose in life which is to keep you safe. What an incredible bond you and Rory have together. I loved your photos of Rory with his little sister, Kenzie, and your beautiful kitty, Coco. I too thank you for sharing your story .....
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Post by twentythree on Feb 15, 2015 21:50:11 GMT -5
I enjoyed reading your update on Rory. I completely understand how you feel about your boy - all of us here on the forum get it. Greyhounds are a most amazing breed.
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greysrgreat
Junior Grey Lover
Bently (racing name Dreckly) & Holly (racing name Ears Comer)
Posts: 160
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Post by greysrgreat on Feb 28, 2015 18:53:57 GMT -5
What a beautiful and heartwarming tribute to your heart dog...these greys are truly special and it's so great to hear other stories about their connection with others...
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Post by lovinfroggy on Mar 1, 2015 21:46:55 GMT -5
Best update ever! I even have tears in my eyes reading this touching story. Thank you for sharing it. Rory is absolutely beautiful. May you all continue your journey building great memories.
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