In Loving Memory

If your beloved hound has gone to the Rainbow Bridge,
please send us a photo so that we can remember him or her here.
Photos may be sent to jarkomatsu@earthlink.net. Thank you.

Crisco

Crisco, 1-4-1996 to 9-28-2009
We lost our beautiful Crisco Roo (Nore Express) to spinal cancer. The connection I had with this boy was once-in-a-lifetime, and I am grateful to have known him. He was confident, intelligent; and until his last weeks he walked with a sure, prancing step, ears perked and eyes bright, watching everything. In public, he graciously allowed everyone to compliment and worship him. I picture him riding at the head of our parade float, wearing his crown. Always there to share my snacks, he had a special sweet tooth for cookies and DQ. He arrived certain that our bed was his, and slept there next to me, legs everywhere, utterly relaxed. I miss his knowing expression, his coarse curly coat, the wag of his tail, his extraordinary attitude. He was one of the six Founding Hounds of Minnesota Greyhound Rescue (see CG Fall 2007), and MNGR truly exists because of my love for Crisco. He was my heart and soul, my best friend for 7 years. Nothing will ever be the same without him.

Crisco 's Mama, Jen Komatsu

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Sly

Sly, 8-22-1998 to 9-21-2009
Our sweet Sly (Si Slider) left us unexpectedly from a pulmonary embolism, just 6 months after we adopted him. He was my happy, healthy boy until the last. We saw Sly on the Michigan REGAP site right after we lost our 13-year-old Tanner, and knew he was meant for us. We adored him. In his brief time with us, he was a constant source of joy and comfort. It was impossible to be near Sly and be sad. We are grateful for his tooth chattering, which made everyone at Meet n Greets hug him and fawn over him, but was really happiness. We loved his nose-pokes, insistent that we pet him immediately. He shredded paper with abandon and exuberance. He ran sideways like a freight train, without regard for where he was headed, and walked with a butt wiggle that made us laugh. Sly was pure silly goodness, and we will always treasure our time together. I only hope he understood that, at 11 years old, he was finally home forever.

Sly's Mama, Jen Komatsu

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Annie

Annie, 9-?-1997 to 4-16-2009
Our little Annie girl (M’s Annie Roonie) was diagnosed with osteosarcoma days after her brother Tanner’s death, and we lost her two months to the day later. With such a spunky disposition, we thought she would live forever. Annie came to us accidentally: a “failed” mission to deliver her from a relinquishing family to the adoption group. She was our third greyhound, and the one who put us over the line into “crazy greyhound people.” Annie was one of the six Founding Hounds of Minnesota Greyhound Rescue (see CG Fall 2007), and traveled across the country with our family. She even walked the runway of a drag show! She was one of the smallest greyhounds we’ve ever seen, but she had a huge personality. Bouncing around, barking, jumping up…Annie brought liveliness into our lazy house of big boys. She would dearly have loved to be the boss of them, but had to settle for being the best buddy of our miniature schnauzer. She was our little Squirrel, our Annie Bananie.

Annie's Mama, Jen Komatsu

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Tanner

Tanner, 1-3-1996 to 2-16-2009
We lost our beloved Tanner (Mustbe Fiftyways) to osteosarcoma. We were only given 3.5 years with this beautiful boy, but each second was a gift. At the saddest times, just looking at his face could make me smile. He was sheer goodness, from nose to tail. We miss his air snaps, his love of Thai food, the little dance he would do in the yard, his hopeful ears and puffy tail, his hoarse throaty bark that he only used in defense of his Mommy, his constant calming presence. Although he left behind 7 siblings, our home feels empty. He was one of the six Founding Hounds of Minnesota Greyhound Rescue (see CG Fall 2007), and worked a Meet n Greet almost every weekend, right up until his death. Passers-by would marvel at his soft fur, expressive eyes and gentle nature. Countless greyhounds in Minnesota and Georgia have homes because of Tanner. He was my moon and stars and sky, and I am grateful to have been his Mommy. We miss you, little Fuzzy.

Tanner's Mama, Jen Komatsu

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Mujibur

With a heavy heart I have to let the greyhound community know of the loss of a special dog. Mujibur was put to sleep on September 17. He was a good dog and will be missed in our house.

We got Muji about 11 years ago to "train" because he jumped on everything and everybody. We fell in love with his independent stubborn streak and decided to keep him. (I think Marcia knew he would be perfect for us.) He did all the things a greyhound wanted to do -- sleep on the couch, take over the bed, and even eat the trash. We never could get him to stay out the trash. He even learned to remove the child's lock from the cabinet after we had a child to get to the trash. He learned to sit and lay down on command and even wait for food. He was a good protector of the house -- no one could enter if we weren't home in which he earned the nickname "fur-covered razor blade."

Dr. Bruce Bordelon of Kasson was his first and last vet. With his guidance and gentle hands, Muji crossed over the Rainbow Bridge to join the other hounds running happily in the sun. He will be greatly missed.

Sincerely, Paul and Deb Blomberg
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Eagle

Eagle (Eagle's Flight) took her final flight home beyond the rainbow
today, June 2, 2006. She lived with us in Hutchinson, Minnesota for 10
years. We adopted her at the age of 5 with Marcia's help and we have
enjoyed her very much. She will be greatly missed by our family and
friends. We enjoyed many long walks together and it was especially fun
to watch her "race" around our house with our other little "poodle" dog,
Daisy. We feel very blessed to have found REGAP and our special Eagle.
She would have been 15 years old in September.
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Special Edna
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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...