Clare Greyhound Sanctuary

Goodbye Diana

This morning we had to let Diana go. Tests showed high markers for cancer, and an x-ray showed a mass in her lung. It was time, even if it felt far too early. We are still reeling with how fast it all happened. It is too quiet here without her barking.
Diana arrived here at only 19 months old, no good for coursing. She was a beautiful bundle of nerves and fears. Some of her fears never fully went away, others she conquered. She had the softest, silkiest coat, and she was stunningly beautiful. She was also very loud and sometimes destructive. But she would wedge hear head against my shoulder and just breathe at times and give some precious moments of stillness and comfort. She got stressed by being around the other dogs, but luckily, she found two trusted friends in Phoebe and later Tobias. With them she could be silly, playful and a little bossy. She will be very missed.
Fly high, Diana 💔🌈
Diana/ Kilara Merida 08/04/2017 – 05/09/2025

Finn

Yesterday evening we got the news that Finn had collapsed during his journey home with his new family, and was on his way to a vet clinic. He died on his way there. We are still processing these devastating news. We are heartbroken for his adoptive family who had to go through this trauma. For everyone at Greyhound Forever e.V. who had welcomed Finn earlier the same day. And for Finn, our silly, goofy, loving boy who right now should be settling into his new life as a beloved pet. Instead we are grieving him, and we are trying to get our heads around how life can be so randomly unfair and cruel.

Bear, Alvin, Morrigan, Honor and Finn

It’s been an emotional day today, because tomorrow these five, Bear, Alvin, Morrigan, Honor and Finn, leave for their new lives in Germany and Switzerland. It will be empty and strange without them. But they will go to loving homes and become treasured family members. Just as they deserve. Still, it is always bittersweet sending them off.

Today, Dora stopped dancing

 For the last few weeks, her light and joy grew dimmer and dimmer. In spite of painkillers, her limp became more pronunced. The x-ray was inconclusive, but it was clear this was a battle we could not win.
When Dora came here, she already had wonky back legs, due to breaking both of them as a puppy. An x-ray also showed lesions and a tumour in one of her legs. I thought that we might have a year together. We got six and a half, and that makes me the luckiest person ever. Dora was pure joy and happiness. She danced, she wanted parmesan on her breakfast, she spread happiness, and she charmed everyone. Life without her will be so much poorer and less light. She slipped away quietly and gently at home, and there is a big hole in the house now. I don’t think it will meet another one like her again.
Dance at the bridge, my love. 🌈
Dora/Up Maggie 08/04/2014 – 07//07/2025