It all started as a feeling of trying to do the "right" thing and ended up being a love story.  One day in March a friend called to tell me of two greyhound boys who needed homes.  Their family had ran into some life crisis that forced them to find new homes for their greyhound boys.  As she told me about the boys I realized I knew one of these dogs.  In fact I personally had pulled him from the track and placed him some 9 or more years ago.  I felt deeply responsible for him as I have always believed a rescue person, like a good breeder is responsible for the dogs they place.  I called the woman who had the dogs and asked if she would separate the boys...she hesitated and expressed her worry that the old guy would not be able to find a place.  When I announced I was only interested in the older greyhound she went quiet.  Finally she said "Really?  Why?"  I went on to explain my reasons. When she realized I already had a connection to this dog she agreed to meet me and let me meet Nick.  I had a little leg work to do with my husband.  He really didn't understand why we were going to add this dog or any other dog to our existing pack of 6 dogs.  I assured him Nick was probably going to die soon as he was 11 years old and both of our other greyhounds died during that year.  He finally consented and Nick came home. 

Nick walked in and it was like he had always been here.  The transition was so easy. Nick had some health things to be worked out.  He had a neck and back problem that had gone untreated for years.  We found a wonderful vet here in Missoula who started doing acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments on Nick.  We made some changes to his diet and did some massage.  The change in him was dramatic.  When he first came home it was hard for him to bend his neck.  If he moved suddenly he would often cry out.  His fastest movement was a lumbering side to side trot that looked like it hurt.  Now he bends, runs full speed and even spins circles.  Acupuncture literally took years off Nick's age.  While this was going on something even bigger happened.  Nick and I started to bond.  Our hearts completely opened to one another in a way that was very unexpected. It is not until now that I realize how deep the roots of this bond goes.

This fall I became sick.  It was hard to catch my breath and my lungs hurt.  It  was a lingering problem that wore me down a little at a time.  It was so gradual I could almost ignore it.  When it came to a head and I was very very sick.  One day as I was getting ready to leave for work Nick began to act up.  I wasn't feeling well but was pushing on.  He got very vocal and barked until spit was flying and he was near hysteria.  I called in late for work and spent a few minutes with him.  Each time I tried to leave he would demand I return.  I ended up calling in sick.  Since I was home sick, I made a afternoon doctor appointment and spent the day sleeping.  Nick stayed near keeping a eye on me.  Strangely when I got up to go to the doctor, Nick was perfectly content to let me leave the house.  My doctor appointment revealed something unexpected.  A chest x-ray showed an extremely enlarged heart.  An emergency echocardiogram was scheduled for the next day and I was started on a whole bag full of pills to help the fluid diminish. 

The echocardiogram and consult with a cardiologist the next day showed that I had a very severe case of pericarditis, which is fluid in the sack that surrounds the heart.  I was put on more meds and ordered to rest.  I started to rally but then went back down hill in a few days.  During these days Nick was ever my attendant.  Every trip to the bathroom he would follow.  I was going 6 times a hour and he never missed a trip.  He stayed where he could see me at all times.  The final crash came on Friday.  I got up and felt yucky but assured my husband that once the meds kicked in I would be fine.  Darrin left for work but Nick seemed to cling closer than ever.  As the next couple of hours passed my condition became extreme.  Any movement sent me in to fits of wheezing and fighting for air.  I was drenched in sweat and could find no comfortable position.  Nick stood beside the bed and watched me writhing in pain.  I realized that I was in serious trouble.  I tried to get up to get to a phone but it was a struggle.  Nick was at my side offering his back for balance.  He crowded me against the wall so that I could lean on it.  When I would feel about to pass out...his cold nose would touch my skin and encourage me to keep going.  The eight or so feet to the phone was a painful ordeal.  Nick took every step with me.  Offering not only emotional support but his body if I needed it.  He put himself in position to take my fall.  I was able to call for help and when the help arrived Nick started barking and running to the door to herald their arrival.  Then he came and stood by me until someone could take over. 

I was hospitalized and had an emergency "tap" done on my heart.  During my 3-4 day stay at the hospital Nick watched the door for my return.  At night he would stand at the door and softly whine sometimes for over a hour.  There was no way to send a message that I was going to recover to my sweet boy.  I was released on Christmas Eve.  Nick was overjoyed at my return.  He followed my every move, play bowing at every turn and whining in delight.  He would not go outside unless I was with him.  It was not until later that evening that I grasped what an important part Nick had played during my crisis.  I sat on the couch watching Nick in the light of the Christmas tree.  As I began to tell my husband the story, tears of gratitude flowed.  I feel that our Savior sent Nick to me to comfort me.  He sent me comfort in a way I could accept freely.  Had Nick not been my attendant I am not sure what the out come of that morning may have been.  Greyhounds are not among the heroes of the dog world every often.  But that day Nick helped me in ways no person could.  He kept me moving and offered me hope.  Late Christmas Eve I was at the computer unwinding and Nick came to my side.  I wrapped a casual arm around him.  I was only paying partial attention to him until he started to pee.  Nick was having a seizure.  I helped Nick lay down and comforted him.  Fortunately he recovered within a few moments  and now seems back to normal.  I feel so blessed to share my life with Nick.  I am not sure God could have made a more perfect soul.  I am very humbled when I realize that this dog who only came here to spend his last days and die in his 11th year has given me everything he has.  I never really expected to bond with him in this way...he was only temporary.  To think that I may have missed this blessing by passing on a old dog.  Little did I know when I signed that adoption paper from Greyhound Pets of America that I was really adopting an angel. 

Now less than a week after the whole ordeal Nick gets more cookies than ever and I am saving for one of those really neat orthopedic beds for him.  He has been a little bossy with me.  In the yard he barks at me when he has decided I should go back inside.  But I clearly need a little direction.  As a fellow dog lover I just wanted to share our story.  Our dogs make our lives rich and colorful in ways we don't even realize.  All we have to do is be open and let the love flow. 

Respectfully,