Farewell Scratchy
November 12th 2011 05:07
I bring sad news: Scratchy Greyhound is no longer with us. Our big, gentle, lazy, clumsy boy developed a sore shoulder which just two weeks later was found to be cancer. A raging, vicious, aggressive bone cancer.
An hour after the vet told us his suspicions, and half an hour after an x-ray confirmed them, we said goodbye to our lovely friend.
He was only seven.
They were, however, an eventful seven years.
Scratchy more or less began the journey of life in a test tube in Ireland, cryogenically sealed, stamped and dispatched to a land far away.
In Australia, he was introduced to his mother, so to speak, and was duly born with a satisfyingly large number of siblings. Great things were expected of them – their Irish dad and their Australian mother had both been champion racers.
Scratchy grew quickly into a handsome brindle, but was less than elegant and less than successful on the racetrack, possibly because of the nascent epilepsy which would later come in many ways to define his life and life with him.
He had medication before breakfast and medication before dinner. He stoically opened his mouth wide and swallowed seven or more pills a day.
It is strange how it is those meal times when I miss him most.
Life is much quieter without him. No medication, no 3am epileptic seizure dramas, no 6am bedroom door whining. He was a high-maintenance dog, but that of course is why we loved him so much.
He returned the love in many unique ways, and it’s impossible to walk around the house without bumping into memories of his habits.
Scratchy, I miss you.
| 49 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Comment by INDIOSDAD
Tho seperated by half a world we feel your pain. We never actualy met the great Scratch in person we knew him well thru his posts.
Never enough food Never enough head pats Never enough time to take over the couch Never enough toast in the morning.
We don't know if you in Australia have heard of or beleive in THE RAINBOW BRIDGE but most of us involved in GREYHOUND rescue here in the States do (google it) That would include us in the beleivers.
If so Scratch is now happy , healthy , and free of all ailments. He is chasen bunnies cats and all other little critters (my red neck comeing out) but never quite catching them but having a blast trying. He sniffing flowers and rolling in the green grass till he gets his aroma just right. He has joined our Indio, Fury, Suzie , Lucky , Honda and Rust and wait for the day they can cross the bridge with us.
I know that the choice to send him along his way was hard but you made the decission based on his needs and for his comfort . That makes you a good and loving pet owner (or do they own us) You gave him a happy and loving home and made the right choice for him you will always be his HERO.Time alone will heal your heart. The silly words we write we hope will be of some comfort to you all.
Thinking of you and Scratch
From California
Jerry, Marlene Naboo Happy Snoopy( the Greys) and the cats
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
The Rainbow Bridge is a great term and, yes, has caught on in Australia.
Give that wonderful tribe of yours a hug from us here.
Thanks again,
Chris
Comment by Heidiclyde
What a terrible shock, we have lost a great friend through your generous sharing of your hounds lives through your blog. We have counted Scratchy and Daisy amongst our favourite hounds as if they had been fostered here. It is so very hard losing a dog in this way but thank goodness we can make this terrible decision for them.
How is Daisy managing without him? I confess that if we were to loose Clyde I suspect that Heidi would cope quite well, Clyde on the other hand would be a mess without her here, for Daisy's and your sake I hope she is a coper like Heidi.
We will be thinking of you, Little Boss and Daisy,
Jennie.
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Comment by Queenie
Quirky Folk
Quirky Queenie
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Yes, it was a shock, one of those moments when you wonder why you have pets in the first place. To paraphrase a sporting adage, if you dare to love, you must dare to lose.
And it was difficult, some few days after the event, to post about it here. There's a not-so-little Zoomies community, some known to me and many who are friends anonymously, who have come to know Scratchy well. It was hard telling everyone he's gone.
Every pet, of course, has personal characteristics, but few are epileptic, accident-prone, tall, handsome, dumb and happy to be bottom of the pack pecking order in just the way Scratchy was. I like to think it was testament to his personality that he had so many friends here.
It certainly made him easy to write about.
Best wishes to Clyde, Heidi and their humans,
Chris
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Many thanks for your comments. They are very much appreciated.
I know you've both been periodic visitors to Zoomies for years, as I have to your blogs, so in honour of that long friendship, I'll use this comment as an opportunity to MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT (drum roll please
My wife and I agreed with Scratchy's passing that we would like to get another greyhound, but that we would like to wait a while. Well, we got that wrong. It only took a day or two before we were both drawn to the Greyhound Adoption Program web site, and just a few days later we welcomed into our home a new dog.
We think Daisy is pleased, possibly because the new chap is her doppelganger. My wife and I are in trouble though: we now have two black greyhounds of similar build and we can't tell them apart!
Anyway, I shall write more about the new guy soon.
Thanks again for your kind words,
Chris
Comment by TanyaMary
I was also saddened by the news of Scratchy's passing. Before I was a dog owner I never understood the effect that these magnificent creatures have on us. I now understand fully. They are family members as much as if they were born into the family.
We have all enjoyed the saga's, stories and adventures that Scratchy has provided for us, alway looking forward to the next installment. Comparing my doofus of a dog with yours and seeing who could be the biggest glutton. He will be sadly missed here, but not forgotten.
We all look forward to hearing about your new family member but in the meantime, I dream of Scratchy, running free in fields of green (without potholes), eating as much toast as he can handle and wall to wall couches to just kick back.
Love and licks from Tanya, Mike, Beyleigh, Lynx, Anjanette and Jessica.
Comment by Jessiesmum
The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Best wishes,
Chris
PS Who is Anjanette? Have we heard of her before?
Comment by Jessiesmum
I just checked my messages when Tanya and her greys were here for a play date and a cuppa..I saw your post and was blown over!!! Tanya and I shed a few tears for your loss..
Regards,
Anjanette
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Very pleased to discover your identity. I thought "Beyleigh", "Heidi", "Naboo" and "Little Boss" were the best names floating around the Zoomies comment corridors, but "Anjanette" may have just blown past the lot of them (except Little Boss, of course).
Best wishes,
Chris
Comment by grapecat
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Thank you so much, and it's great to connect with another friend. United through greyhounds.
Best wishes,
Chris
Comment by Jessiesmum
You are most welcome... many a doggie wash day we (Tanya, Kevin and I) would crowd around the laptop and laugh hysterically at the antics of your family...
posting the Rainbow Bridge poem was the least I could do...
As to my name... Its the one i was brought into this world with...I couldn't be bothered with a pseudonym...
Now... to the next thing....do you have a name for your new addition to the family?
Regards,
Anjanette
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
If I had a name like Anjanette, I wouldn't want a pseudonym either.
Yes, we have a name for our newcomer. But it's a name we've given him - a change from the pet name he came with - so I'm going to keep his new ID under wraps for a while until I can write up the whole rationale for the new ID.
This way, anyone reading who knew him and loved him by the old name may - just may - forgive us our presumption.
Bestest,
Chris
Comment by Bronwyn
I am so sorry to hear about Scratchy and the difficult decision you had to make to help Scratchy have a comfortable end. I hope the new hound provides a wonderful new dynamic to your household, that helps you deal with the heartache of your many memories of a crazy, friendly, one of a kind dog.
B
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
That's lovely, thank you. I can report that the new hound is, so far, despite being a racer until just a few weeks ago, the most low-maintenance dog possible. He's a delight. His only fault is he's a little too fond of pats, and can get a little demanding on that score.
Warm good wishes,
Chris
Comment by INDIOSDAD
I can identify with the problem of having 2 Greys of similar looks. Happy and Naboo are both a beautyful black Untill the last year and Naboo started to go white in the face the only way you could tell who was who was to look at their bums. Naboo lost his tail after he managed to get a huge cut in it (like almost half the length) so he only has a stub. Now we have to look at the grey speckeled face or or the the bum for a stub. It can be.......
OK this is Snoopy cuttin in here> You hoomans make such a fuss over nutin.I am blind and I kin tell who is who. You gets so confused ya dont need to look at no color (American spelling) just follow your nose. Look just ask Daisy I am sure that she will be happy to show ya how to tell the diff...
OK Snoopy stop it we all know what you are talking about and stop trying to cut in where you arent invited. As I was saying It sure can be confusing with 2 dogs that look alike.
Worst is late at night or early morning with the 2 black pups Of course part could be that I am getting a bit older and the eyes ....Well you know.
Any way so glad to hear about the new pup i look forward to posts from him here.
Sorry about Snoopy butting in where she isnt wanted.
Jerry
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
You can cut in any time you like
C
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
A week into his tenancy, it's getting easier to tell the new guy apart from Daisy. He's the one that moves as soon as anyone moves. We might have to rename him Shadow. The reason seems to be an addiction to pats. He's worked out that moving people must sit down somewhere sometime, and immediately after seating themselves they are vulnerable to a tail wag and a loving look. The result is a good scratch. He's not stoopid, this one.
Bestest,
Chris
Comment by TanyaMary
Tanya
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Comment by INDIOSDAD
Remember dogs especially greyhounds will live up to the names we give them. When Snoopy came to live here some 4yrs ago her name was Tee Tee now what kinda name is that for a dog?
She as soon as she got here (even tho blind ) had her nose into everything had to be involved in any thing that was going on. So came the name Snoopy because nosey just did not have a ring to it. She is now 5 and the snooping has if nothing else gotten wose.
To TanyaMary you are not alone in the little room thing. Sometimes if I am home alone I forget to close the door I will end up with 3 dogs and 2 cats trying to help me in there. Dogs there is no secret exit in there and we do not keep the good treats there and I do not need your HELP The other day Stinkey (you do not want to know the reason for that name) fell off the edge of the tub while my wife was taking a shower, well at least he is clean now.
Jerry
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
It's a big world, Snoopy is saying. One should never stop sniffing out new experiences.
Comment by INDIOSDAD
Funny thing about Snoopy is that most people unless they look close at her eyes they have no idea that she has an issue with her eyes. If she is in the house or our yard she just rushes around with the other fur kids never runs into anything. She can be difficult to walk on lead. You have to keep her on short lead or she is like walking a worm. She is every where trying to follow her nose. If I keep her on short lead she is the perfect dog. When we meet folks out on walks or camping or a Greyhound event she just walks up to all and wants a pet. I do have to warn that she will walk right into someone since she cant see them. Always amazes me how dogs adapt. She just thinks this is what everyone sees. We could learn much from our doggie friends about acceptance.
Stinkey is by the way a cat and a rather large one. He is a bit overly friendly and trys to compeet with the dogs for pets and treats.
Keep safe
Jerry
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
And I like the sound of Stinkey. He probably rules the place.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by INDIOSDAD
What was his nameand how long was he with you. We here all know about loss of a loved dog. Sorry to hear about your loss.
Jerry
Comment by Greyhoundzoom addict
I'm sincerely sorry to hear that Scratchy has passed on. I'll miss reading your posts on Scratchy's funny antics.
It is lovely to hear you have a new GAP doggy in your life and a companion for your Daisy.
J x.
Comment by INDIOSDAD
Thank you all for being there I have enjoyed being in contact with you all and the stories you have shared about your fur kids.
From Sunny (sometimes winter is here now) California
Jerry Marlene Naboo (the talless) Happy (I walk funny) and Snoopy (the redneck)
Comment by Queenie
Quirky Folk
Quirky Queenie
I saw a brindle a few days after I read this post. I thought of you straight away. I then saw two lovely cream coloured greyhounds in Paddington yesterday. I did not flinch. Nice to know I have finally gotten over my greyhound phobia and have learned to appreciate them for the gentle dogs that they are.
Comment by Heidiclyde
So Chris, frustrated as you get at times with Orble, perhaps you'd better not let the blog die, too many of us rely on it for our regular fix of Greyhound chatter.
Jennie
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Hi, thanks for stopping by, and best wishes with the recovery. It's such a big loss, but time - and a new dog - help us
Chris
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Happy Thanksgiving! Belatedly.
Did you eat too much? Both the Spirit of Scratchy and I insist that people should eat too much on these occasions.
My wife Cindy and I are having both our families at our place for Christmas this year - 22 people. My plan is to cook enough for 44 people.
Best wishes,
Chris
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
I told my wife about your comment. We were so happy we felt like opening a bottle of bubbly and celebrating. How many blogs can boast a hand in a great achievement like this?
Warm wishes,
Chris
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Which was no doubt your intention
We have some pictures of the new chap now, and all that's needed is a spurt of literary energy from me.
Big cuddle to Clyde and Heidi and any current fosters.
C