Native American Prayer

My first, and oh so special, Greyhound, Gator, died over 2 years ago. The grief and sadness I feel has not lessened with time. That is just the way it is.

Some of you have experienced a similar situation. It's good that we can understand each other's feelings. One doesn't feel quite so alone in their grief.

I try very hard to feel Gator is near me. It's very important that I do so, it's necessary in order for me to continue my important work at STGD!

The following passage has helped me. We hope that those who grieve for their lost greyhounds will find some pray and solace in these gentle and inspiring words.

Native American Prayer I give you this one thought to keep --- I am with you still --- I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle mountain rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not think of me as gone --- I am with you still --- in each new dawn.

Jake I didn’t really want you, I wasn’t really sure and I’ll admit I had my doubts, when you came through that door Not small or cute or fluffy with big soft puppy eyes, But tall and thin and bony with bald pink bulging thighs. You weren’t the kind I had in mind, not in any way, Perhaps it would be better if I took you back today, Before we know each other, it really won’t be kind To keep you here for 1 more day & then to change my mind. But against my better judgment I decided you could stay, and quickly I discovered you were kind in every way. Your gentleness and patience really stole the show. Why these dogs are wonderful, I must let others know!" You’re my gentle giant, who just needed the chance, To show us all what you could be, to wipe away that history, dispel our preconceptions, that put us all to shame, And so we come to know & love what lies beneath that frame. And now I’ve come to understand, What I missed at the start, That Greyhounds need that great deep chest, To house their great big hearts. (Originally printed in newsletter of "Greyhounds in Need", UK)

Making a Difference A small boy lived by the ocean. He loved the creatures of the sea, especially the starfish, and spent much of his time exploring the seashore. One day he learned there would be a minus tide that would leave the starfish stranded on the sand. The day of the tide he went down to the beach and began picking up the stranded starfish and tossing them back into the sea. An elderly man who lived next door came down to the beach to see what he was doing. "I'm saving the starfish," the boy proudly declared. When the neighbor saw all of the stranded starfish, he shook his head and said, "I'm sorry to disappoint you young man, but if you look down the beach one way, there are stranded starfish as far as the eye can see. And if you look down the beach the other way, it's the same. One little boy like you is not going to make a difference." The little boy thought about this for a moment. Then he reached his small hand down the sand, picked up a starfish, tossed it into the ocean and said, "I sure made a difference to that one."

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