With a very heavy heart, I post the passing of Abby (racing name I Want Candy), my father's greyhound whom we fostered about five years ago. She was an amazing, beautiful dog, and he made the decision to let her go to the rainbow bridge at 9 1/2 years of age after a sudden break in her front leg revealed osteosarcoma.
Needless to say, I've been crying all weekend (and as I type this), and the entire family is devastated. We're especially worried for my father who spent every waking second of his retirement caring for this dog - she was the reason he got up in the morning, and without her in his life, we don't know what will happen to him. He has already decided that he'd like another greyhound in his life, which is difficult with the tracks being shut down in FL and COVID issues, but I am trying my hardest to use contacts and friends within the racing and adoption industry to find him a suitable dog, even if I have to travel half way across the country to get it.
Just to show just how much my parents cared for Abby, they literally had their brand new furniture cut down and the cushions altered, just so the back of the sofa wouldn't obstruct her view from her favorite window. She was religiously given two walks a day, and when my father blew his knee out taking her for a walk, the neighbors loved her so much that they took turns walking her when he couldn't.
Abby passed away peacefully on a blanket in the grass, with the last beam of light before sundown shining on her face, surrounded by my father, my sister, and my brother in law. Run free, Abby, I hope I get to give you belly rubs again some day.
