Within a year of bringing Drive home, I lost my job and my ability to work. I lost most of my contact with the outside world. For a while there, it was me and my dog. He listened to me. We worked through some stuff.
I fell in love with everything about greyhounds, so I joined a forum. I wanted Drive to have doggie friends so I went to a few outings. Being able to talk about Drive helped me focus and get over my terror of other people enough to have a conversation. When anxiety started to crowd my brain, I could just look at Drive and curl my fingers into the soft fur at his neck. There are so many pictures of me with my fingers like that. Every single one is a picture of my dog comforting me.
He was beside me. He kept me steady. He engaged me.
Drive made me so happy it seemed obvious to share him. I promise, he was every bit the sweet old gentleman I portrayed him as. He was so patient with me.
I started to meet people, good and wonderful people who know the true value of a dog. I went on trips!
I sought Drive because I needed a friend. Because of Drive, I am surrounded by friends as I grieve him.
Sounds like you guys had a wonderful bond. Most days, I prefer the company of my greyhounds to the outside world. I don't think that's normal, but it's my normal. However, there is nothing like greyhound people. They understand you. You have some wonderful memories of your Drive. Thanks for sharing him.
ReplyDeleteAlisha, you can't imagine how glad all of us are that Drive gave that to you. Yes, we are here for you in anyway you will allow us. We care for you because we so clearly identify that you are the voice of Drive and we are grateful for the gift you gave us by sharing.
ReplyDeleteAlisha, What you did not mention is what YOU gave to Drive. You gave him a home, unconditional love, play time and a voice. You shared his sweet personality with all of us. You were his Hero. Never forget that. And someday, you will do just that for another special hound, when it is time.
ReplyDeleteWhat you have just said so beautifully is that greyhounds are the best companion dogs ever! I believe in my heart there is no closer bond than that we share with our hounds. They bring out the best in us. I am right there with you remembering the loss of my Feather and Jewel. Sending hugs daily.
ReplyDeleteI thought I would never find a more loving dog than a lab. When Troopoer passed on we still had his mutt friend Brownie. When Brownie died several years later, Colleen and I said, "no dogs for while" That didn;t last long. A friend was thinking of adopting a grethounde and said we should look into it. We did and went to a meet-and-greet. The first dog I saw came up to me so I put my hand down to sniff. She rested her head in it!!! When I scratched behind her ears, she closed her eyes and sighed. I WAS HOOKED!! Since then we have shared our home with 6 of them plus fosters and have never regretted it. They are all special. I am glad you had Drive, when he needed you most you were there.
ReplyDeleteI think people who adopt Greyhounds share such a love for their hounds that they quickly become family with other Greyhound owners. We have a bond and also a need to share our dogs with others. In sharing our dogs other people also share our grief when we lose them because we know the enormity of the loss and it's like losing one of our own. Drive bought so much to our lives too. Thank you for sharing him with us.
ReplyDeleteSometimes a dog can help in ways people can't. So sorry to hear about Drive.
ReplyDeleteMy social fears may not have been as deep as yours, but because of Chester, I am much more relaxed and comfortable with strangers than I used to be. And as you know, I took a big "out of my comfort zone" trip a year ago and met some truly greyt dog loving people such as yourself.
ReplyDeleteSo I can somewhat understand how it must feel like the floor has dropped out from under you without Drive beside you. But he only helped you find that comfortable place within your skin, and now that you know you have it, you would do him proud to continue to put yourself out there in his memory.
I'm sure you will find another furry friend to love (beside stoopid Lanie) and maybe he won't be Drive, but you'll find a new "personality" to love again.
Meesh ♥
I am so glad that Drive came into your life, and through him, that we came into yours. Drive was a wonderful companion to you, but he left a huge legacy of a united group of friends who share a love of canines.
ReplyDeleteI know that I came out of myself a lot due to my dogs. I am just a generally shy person, but darned if I can't talk about my dogs and other people's endlessly!
I hope that one day, you'll find another Greyhound companion who can help you as much as Drive did, and I know that I'll enjoy the heck out of getting to know him or her, too!
He sounds a wonderful dog. When Mum lost Flynn she thought the world had ended but she also knew she'd be doing him a diservice if she didn't take in another greyhound in need. I'll never replace Flynn - thats not possible, but I've brought a smile to Mum's face again. Deccy x
ReplyDeleteI've not been on the blogs a lot lately, so missed this. I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Drive was good for you, and you for him. Please wrap yourself in our thoughts and concern and let it carry you through this time. It's hard to grieve, but you are not alone.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift he gave you. You also gave him a wonderful life. The second best thing about loving a dog is all of the great friends you make. I'm glad your with friends who understand what it's like to grieve for a very loved boy.
ReplyDeleteAlisha it is because of people like you and Susan with your wonderful dogs Drive and George that I have found myself over the past year considering adopting a greyhound in the future. At the moment I have 2 furry family members and cannot afford another but one day. That is just one more positive thing that has come from you sharing Drive with us. Not to mention all of the smiles. His purpose still lives on in this way. I still find myself going to Drives FB wall for a smile and a lift. :o)
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful you had Drive and that he had you.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you lost him, still messes me up.
If you'd like someone to talk to, I'm am here for you.
Please take care of yourself.
Thank you for sharing, so courageous of you...it will help a lot of people with the same problem. Drive really was a blessing from the Lord for you, he must have a special place in heaven for all the wonderful things he did. My doggies took away most of my loneliness and boredom. The Lord must've said, look so-and-so is having this problem, we'll send him/her a special doggie...
ReplyDeleteI've said this countless times, "There's something truly special about greyhounds, and there's something truly special about "greyhound people." I guess that could be said of all dogs though. Just look at Chester, Rory, and many others. I guess if it weren't for dogs, so many of us never would have met, and I'm so glad we did. That first trip to Vermont was WAY out of my comfort zone too, as a self-proclaimed introvert, but I was too excited to pass it up, until about a week ahead of time when I was thinking, "What on earth am I doing?" I'm so glad I had the courage, and you did too. Drive's memory will live on in the hearts of so many. I can only imagine how difficult this has been for you. Just take it a day at a time, and lean on your friends. Thank you for sharing your sweet boy with us!
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way when I lost my Gigi. When I saw her eyes close I just didn't know how I'd go on without her.
ReplyDeleteSome days will be harder than others, and for a long time you'll hesitate before walking in the door. My Lizzie will never replace what Gigi was, but she's her own personality and I love her for it.
"Dogs lives are short, too short, but you know that going in," writes Dean Koontz (via Nadia).
ReplyDelete"You know the pain is coming, you're going to lose your pet, and there's going to be great anguish, so you live fully in the moment with her, never fail to share her joy or delight in her innocence, because you can't support the illusion that a dog can be your life long friend.
"There's such beauty in the hard honesty of that, in accepting and giving love while always aware it come with an unbearable price. Maybe loving a dog is a way we do penance for all the other illusions we allow ourselves and for the mistakes we make because of those illusions."