Good bye to a friend

If you follow my blog, you know that I am involved in Greyhound adoption. Our group has been in existence since 2003 and I am the proud owner of the first adoptee of our group. It seems hard to believe that it has been 5 years. We are not a big group, but we do a small part to get these wonderful dogs into homes. A couple of years ago, I finally decided to try and be a foster mom. It is a very rewarding job. It seems most of my fosters have turned out to be long term, which can be very difficult, especially when it is time for them to go to their forever homes.

This special dog, was not my foster, but she had been in foster care for a really long time. Her name was Mama. She was so shy when she arrived. Feared men especially. After a couple of months here, she became a candidate for the prison program. This program pairs inmates up with retired greyhounds. These dogs live with the inmates 24/7 and it is their responsibility to teach them basic obedience and to learn to care for them. They volunteer for this program and by doing so, give up space in their cells or dorms for the dogs. These men love these dogs and it is so rewarding to see the transformation in both dogs and the inmates.

A couple of days ago Mama was diagnosed with osteacarcoma. Bone Cancer. These dogs are in general pretty healthy. But they are prone to bone cancer. The labs came back today and confirmed the diagnosis. Tonight, feeling pretty good as a result of the pain meds, she was running and playing with the other dogs in her foster home. She broke the bone up in her shoulder. This is where the cancer originated. While she was not my personal foster, I am saddened by her loss. God speed Mama! You and my Big Brett run free!