If you'd like to share memories of your pointy, or indeed any other of your canine companions, we can publish them here.  Send your photos and your testimony to your pet to:  admin@coventrygreyhound.org.uk

BEN   (our ‘Bookey’ or ‘Wurma’ – don’t ask its Dutch!) 01/01/1995 – 13/04/2010
 
Ben came into our lives when we were least expecting it.  We went to the Dogs Trust to donate some goodies and decided to ‘have a look around’!!  We had always thought of a greyhound or whippet.  After a long chat with one of the staff members she came up with ‘Sunday’ as was his kennel name.  Sunday she said has come to us at the trust for the second time.  His first visit he was left tethered to the gate (shocking) and his return visit was due to his elderly owner passing and nobody in the family could take him on.  We found Ben at the back of the pound curled up in his bed and with no hope.  An old dog and black – for some reason some people don’t take a shine to black dogs/animals which I have never understood.  We took Ben out and the rest is history – we just fell in love and visa versa.
 
Within two weeks Ben had settled into his new home, was attacked by the resident cat which he took all in his stride and amazingly they became best mates!!  It didn’t take long before my bed was his as well as the sofa!!  I can’t remember a time really when Ben needed to go on a lead, he was just there at your side all the time unless he was told he could ‘take off’!!  He was just a role model to other dogs and loved by all the neighbours and those that knew him.  Ben was a pleasure to take anywhere and just did us proud.  He loved his holidays and particularly his time in Cornwall on the beach….so much space to run and the waves!!  But mostly on returning from work there was always that smiling face and wagging tail to greet me!!
 
For three years he was my best friend and always there for me.  Oddly one Sunday morning as he went into a sprint his back legs gave in and as much as he tried he couldn’t reach me.  For three weeks we went through a series of x-rays, MRI’s and various examinations.  On the third anaesthetic it was established that he had bone cancer and the only possible cure was amputation – we already knew that the cancer had spread to his adrenal gland on the kidneys.  Whilst still under the anaesthetic the surgeon called me to tell me of his findings and ultimately the kindest thing for Ben was to let him go to sleep.  This has been the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my life and I feel so awful that I was not there to say goodbye.
 
I like to think that we gave Ben the fullest and happiest three years of his life and it is always so painful for those of us that are left behind.  But Ben taught me to be a better person, to be giving and loving as he had done for me – that unconditional love that can’t be found anywhere.
 
Whilst the pain is unbearable we know that there are so many other dogs looking for homes…I know that it would be difficult for another dog to fill his paws but we are hoping to offer the same love to another four legs that needs lots of hugs and cuddles xxx
 
In fondest memory of our darling Ben xxx R.I.P. my baby and forever run free……
 
Erica and Dan x

                                   Mindy (our lulu)  

                      8th January 1995 - 16th February 2009

                                     Aged 14 years. 

I myself first met mindy in august 2001 when i worked at coventry RSPCA. she came in along with 2 other greyhounds, tommy and benny. it was love at first sight and i wanted to take her home there and then but i had one hurdle to get over............. convincing darrin that a second dog was a good idea! Thankfully he agreed and home she came!  

Over the years Mindy gave us both so much pleasure and also quite a few scares! she was very accident prone and after one particular slip in the garden back in 2004 we thought we were going to lose her. She had alot of nerve and muscle damage to her back and legs but no broken bones as first feared but the damage proved to have great bearing on her as she grew older. 

We lost rosie in april 2006 and mindy helped us through that awful time, she also welcomed Floydy boy into the house and was always so accepting of everything life threw at her. She was so affectionate and also a big barker who would bark her head off at you to let you know it was dinner or treat time!!  

Mindys legs grew very weak during her last year of life and she also began to have liver problems and stones in her gall bladder. she was on all manner of medication but she plodded on even when our wonderful vet connor said that her liver problems should be making her very ill, but they weren't! She continued to eat and potter about. she was a tough old girl! 

Finally though after a good while of battling on and things getting progressively worse, we had to make the decision to say goodbye to our sweet baby girl. her legs had got so bad and walking was so hard for her, she would have little falls here and there but it eventually all became too much for her and we had to make the hardest decision. we let her go on monday 16th february 2009. she fell asleep at home with all her family around her and she once again ran free with her sister rosie.  

We miss you mindy lulu, you will always be with us, now and forever. sleep tight sweetheart love always, mum, dad and floydy

                                                Claybrook Lucy

                                       2nd July 1999 - 17th July 2008

                                                    AGED 9

Lucy (sister to Heather's Issy) was a lucky greyhound.  She was bred and raced by a trainer who genuinely cares for his dogs.  She retired just before her 5th birthday and moved only a couple of hundred yards, so she was able to see him, her mother and her kennel mates frequently. 

During her retirement Lucy became a Pets as Therapy visitor, bringing pleasure to lots of people.  Lucy also (along with her small fluffy terrier "brother") took part in sessions to help a little boy overcome his fear of dogs.

Lucy had to have 2 toes amputated when she was 7, but that did not slow her down or end her love of running around with whichever dogs were available for her to play with.

Lucy loved everyone and everything, and will be remembered fondly by a great number of people around the UK.

                                                    ROSIE

                              22nd September 1994 - 16th April 2006

                                                   Aged 11

When we saw you there. We knew you were the one. We loved from the start. A cheeky monkey through and through.You really warmed our hearts.

You were so happy and full of life.You'd grin from ear to ear. A well known character around our way.Greeting anyone who came near.

You were the sun that rose in the morning. And the moon that shone at night.You then grew oh so poorly Rosie.Giving all of us a fright! 

We thought that you'd be home once more. For us to love and cherish. But as the time went on my sweet.Our fades would fade then perish.

We said goodbye, we let you go. In pain you were no more. The loss we felt, the grief we bore.Had cut us to the core.

Your long at peace now dear Rosie. Running free along the shore. Mum and dad will always love you babe. For now and ever more.

Till we meet again "Funky Monkey" You were the most wonderful greyhound, look after your sister!  Lots of love now and forever  Mum and Dad xxxx

We rescued Snowy from the Coventry RSPCA in October 2004, aged 12. In the two and quarter years we had him he brought immeasurable pleasure to mine and Jeanette’s lives.  Snowy passed away 20th January 2007 after a short and sudden illness.  Snowy had the most fantastic character, like none I’ve ever seen in a dog before, we will miss him greatly.  Snowy went everywhere and did everything with us, he came on all of our holidays and weekends away and even went to work with Jeanette. In the short time we had him we hope that we gave him enough love and cuddles to make up for the previous 12 years and we will never forget his unforgettable method of climbing stairs – backwards.

Please take a look at the following link - hope it makes you smile:

Videolink

Jeanette & Martin

Issy died in February 2005 following a very short illness with Lymphoma.  She was five and a half when she died and we miss her dearly.

GYSPY and FLEUR:

"OUR BEAUTIFUL GIRLS WE ONLY HAD YOU BOTH A SHORT TIME IN OUR LIVES. LOVED YOU BOTH DEARLY. SLEEP TIGHT GIRLS. ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS LOVE YOU BOTH LOTS FROM JUNE"

HUGO

"This is our boy Hugo!  Re-homed 3 times before we rescued him from the NCDL (now know as the Dogs Trust) in '97.  Unfortunately, he made the journey to Heaven last Nov, but the memories are still alive.

Enjoy the picture.


Joely Fray"