Dale came into our life in October 2002 at the age of 7 ½.  While visiting a Greyhound center I saw Dale lying in a crate.  I couldn’t resist taking a peek.  He was such a big boy, all curled up in a ball.  His blue coloring was beautiful.  I asked if they would please let me see him and as soon as he came out of the crate, I fell in love with him.  I know he would become part of our family. 

 

I found out that Dale broke his right front leg in November 1997 during a race.  His leg was never surgically repaired, just splinted.  Dale was adopted into his first home and quickly returned because of his leg.  They didn’t want any extra medical bills.  Same thing happened again with his second adoption.  He lived in his third home for several years, sharing his living space with Dashounds and cats.  When this family broke up, the woman didn’t take care of the animals and yet again, Dale was returned.  This time however, he was so underweight you could see practically every bone in his body and several teeth had been pulled. 

 

On October 8, 2002 we brought Dale into his new home.  A home that would love him unconditionally, broken leg and almost toothless!  Dale’s a big boy, almost 31” tall with really big ears that just stand straight up!  He’s got the longest legs, sometimes I wonder if he’s not part giraffe!  He just sort of clopitty clops around the house, long legs and big ears!  He learned quickly in our house, the other four Greyhounds go out the door first and back in first.  He stands in the background, holding his right leg up, always protecting himself from the mad dash.  He’s the only one who walks the stairs one at a time, up and down, very gentlemanly.  He’s always accepting of every new Grey we bring in the house.  Dale has three sisters and four brothers now and too many foster’s to count.

 

On September 19, 2004 Dale had an accident in the house.  We were out and when we came home and he walked up to us he was missing all the skin on his ear, and there was blood everywhere.  Off to the ER we went and poor Dale came out wearing a red bandage around his head.  He looked like a Christmas ornament.  We don’t know what happened but we do know that he shook his head from pain all over the house; we are still finding blood to this day.  Only now instead of cleaning it, I leave it there.  He went back and forth to Dr. Moyer for bandage changes for four weeks.  He was such a trooper through it all.  Two days after the bandages came off though, Dale started limping and not putting any weight on his back right leg.  We gave him Rimadyl for his discomfort.  That’s what we give him when his front leg is bothering him.  It seemed to get better during the week but by Friday evening, he was crying every time he tried to lie down or get up.  We scheduled an appointment with Dr. Moyer for Monday, October 25^th.  Doc couldn’t feel any lumps or bumps but could see Dale was favoring the leg.  So on Tuesday, he went back in for x-rays. 

 

October 26^th:

Dale has Osteosarcoma. The x-rays show a tumor high up on Dale’s hip, near his pelvic bone.  Too high for amputation.  Dales prognosis:  a few weeks to a few months.  Dale’s been put on Feldene, in some cases it’s reduced the size of tumors so we’re hoping that will be the case.  Ray took Dale to McDonalds for two double cheeseburgers!  He loved them.  We’ve set him up in the dining room because right now, there are too many (11) dogs in the house.  He has his bed and pillow and his blankey.  I lay with him and keep him company when I get home from work.  He loves his belly rubbed and if I stop, he swats me with his front leg!  I can’t believe I’m going to lose my boy; I will miss him so much.

 

I joined a support group, Circle of Grey and I'm doing as much reading on OS as I possibly can.  I need to educate myself on this horrible disease.

 

October 31st :

We took Dale to Petco with us and he had a greyt time!  As soon as he saw the leash come off the hook, he was so happy.  He stood there barking at us.   He got all dressed up as a clown and he looked greyt.  Everyone was so happy to see him. 

We've actually seen some improvement since he started his meds.  He's not limping as much.  Wishful thinking or a miracle?  I'd like to think it's a miracle; maybe he's getting better. 

Dale has been having so much discomfort the last few days.  He just stares into space.  We decided this morning that he should not have to suffer any more.  I called Dr. Moyer and set up a time for us to come to the office, 7:30 pm.  Ray broke down when I told him. I tried not to think about it all day at work.  Driving home I finally broke down.  How is this fair?  He’s such a good boy.  He’s had so many bad things happen to him in his life, he didn’t deserve any of it. 

 

What a blessing for us that he came into our life.  I keep reminding myself of this.

 

We left the house at 7:00.  Dale wouldn’t sit in the van so I kneeled on the floor and held him tight so he wouldn’t fall.  He finally sat on my lap.  Waiting for us in the lot as we pulled into the vets were our dear friends Ellen and Barry.  They came to say good-bye to our baby.  Into the back door we went and into a room.  On the floor was a blanket for Dale to lie on.  But, he wouldn’t lie down.  Dr. Moyer had to give him a shot to relax him and you could tell it was starting to work.  He finally laid on the floor and I laid right next to him and Ellen was at his head.  We were both telling him how much he was loved and would never be forgotten.  I don’t even remember Dr. Moyer coming in, I just remember him asking us if we were ready.  NO, I’ll never be ready I thought.  Then my baby crossed over the Rainbow Bridge as I held him tightly in my arms.  I wrapped him in his “Circle of Grey” healing blanket, I didn’t want him to be cold. He is in a better place now, no more pain and suffering.  I’m picturing him running in a field of sunflowers with his friends Homer and Birdie.  Two double cheeseburgers and a big glass of cold milk waiting for him when he’s done running. 

 

The special things Ray & I will always remember about Dale:

how he walked the steps one at a time

his really long legs and really big ears

how he stood there and barked while all the others ran around the house like lunatics

the way he bathed your face with kisses

how he always gave you his right front paw

how he pranced around the house on those extra long legs

how he always waited patiently at the end of the line to go out or come into the house

he liked soft treats, not hard

he loved milk

how proud we were that he is on the cover of Celebrating Greyhounds 2004 calendar

 

God bless you Dale.  Mommy and Daddy will remember you forever.  Thank you for choosing us.

 

Dale “Galoopie” Vona

March 1, 01995 to December 6, 2004

December 15th

It’s been really rough going in our house since Dale's been gone.  I couldn't sleep for several nights and then I picked up his Healing Blanket from the vet and that night was the first night I was able to sleep.  I don't think I let go of that blanket all night. 

Today Dr. Moyer's office called and Dales ashes are there for us.  I just couldn't pick them up.  Ray went and when I walked in from work, Ray handed me a box.  My baby was home again.  The crematory sent a beautiful card and the crying started all over again.

 

December 20th

It’s getting easier day-by-day.  I still go to sleep each night clutching his blanket and holding his picture.  I don't cry as easily any more.  Today at work, my friend Patti read this diary for the first time and she cried and I comforted her but I didn't cry.  I told her he was in a better place, no more pain.  Just remember the good times you had with him, feeding him Slim Jim's when he would spend the day at the office with us.

 

Someday, we'll be together again.  I lover you and miss you Galoopie.