Rainbow Bridge - M's Free Power (Irish)

June 26, 2004 - December 19, 2011

We sadly report the loss of another beloved greyhound. We received notice from Danielle and Keith Duggan that M's Free Power (Irish) lost a battle with an undiagnosed illness. She was only seven years old. Here is the report we received:

Just wanted to give you word that Irish (M's Free Power) passed away this morning. We had to put her down because of an explained, continuous high fever (104). It was a difficult decision because they couldn't find the source of it, no tick bourne illness, no cancer, no pnuemonia. Her white blood cells and platelets were extremely low on Tuesday, but she seemed to be on the mend by Saturday. Overall, she got weaker and thinner in the past two weeks, and stopped eating... I am of course, heartbroken, because she was so young, only seven and the fact that it made the decision harder because they couldn't find the cause.

Danielle and Keith adopted Irish several years ago after she had been returned to our group with a host of behavior problems (reported by her previous adopter). Dan fostered Irish for awhile and none of us could detect any kind of problem whatsoever. She was a happy and well adjusted dog that got caught up in her human's problems.

Danielle and her family visited Irish at a meet and greet and it only took that one meeting to decide that they wanted to adopt her. They already had adopted a greyhound from us so they added Irish to their pack. Irish fit in perfectly with this young family. She was fine with the kids and never had any problems.

We know that losing a greyhound is difficult but the loss of Irish during the holiday season and from an undiagnosed illness makes it that much more difficult. We know that Irish had the very best home where she was greatly loved and appreciated. We thank the Duggans for giving Irish the chance she deserved.

Run free sweet girl.

Grant Received

A special thank you to The Pedigree Foundation for the generous grant given to Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue, Inc. to help dogs find loving homes. Our grant will be used to help our Craiger's List greyhounds find the homes they deserve.

To learn more about the Pedigree Foundation Grants, click on the title of this post.

A Dog's Last Will and Testament

Before humans die, they write their last will and testament and give their home and all they have to those they leave behind. If, with my paws I could do the same, this is what I’d give:

To a poor and lonely stray I’d give my happy home, my bowl, my cozy bed, my soft pillows and all my toys;

The lap, which I loved so much, and the tender loving hands;

The hand that stroked my fur and the sweet voice which called my name.

I’d will to the sad and scared shelter dog the place I had in my human’s loving heart of which there seemed no bounds.

So when I die, please do not say, “I will never have a pet again for the loss and pain is more than I can stand.” Instead, go find an unloved dog. One whose life has held no joy or hope and give my place to him.

This is the only thing I can give – the love I left behind.

This is my inheritance; my Last Will and Testament.


We hope that you will consider giving another deserving greyhound a special home this holiday season!

Behavior and Training - Outdoor Cat Warning

For those who have cats, nothing is more gratifying than to watch our hounds and cats get along so well together in the house. But, in spite of how well greyhounds and cats can and do get along together in a home, there is one exception to that rule - that is when a cat and a dog are outside together. We tell people that even the most cat friendly dog can be totally different with a cat outdoors. Here is a warning from one of our adopters who recently had a tragic experience. Although this is hard to read, it illustrates what we say. Please take this as a warning not to allow your cats and dogs outside together. You do not want to experience what Mindy experienced:

I got the following sad email from one of our long time adopters yesterday. She asked me to make sure to warn people about their cats. I will also add this to our news blog. I've copied the email as she wrote it:

I just wanted to let you know that my greyhound, Wylie, killed my cat this morning. Wylie and the cat have been living together now for years-with no apparent problem... Until this morning.

This morning, I let three of the dogs out, as usual-and the cat must have slipped out the door at the same time. She was never an outdoor cat, but has, in the last few days, been venturing outside for about five minutes, and then coming back in.
When I opened the door, I didn't stand where I normally do, and was behind the door- and didn't see that the cat had gotten out too. About ten seconds later, I heard an awful fight - the cat was screaming. I ran outside, and watched her take her last breath on this earth. It was devastating. There was only blood coming from her mouth, so I'm hoping it was a quick neck break. I can only wish peace to her... She was almost 14. Not exactly how I wanted her to "go", but at least it was quick.

Please tell the people in the group to make sure they aren't leaving their outside cats in the yard when their greys are out.

Wylie lived comfortably with this cat for years...inside - with no issues. Outside though, all bets are off, and the prey instinct kicks in. Wylie didn't mean it, I am not mad at him. I just wanted to see if you would pass this info along to the group members, so they can be diligent in seeing that their cats are indoors, safe - before they let the dogs out.

I am heartbroken. I have lost one cat to kidney failure, one snuck out and ran away, and now this. All in two months! I don't want anybody to see what I witnessed today. Make sure they know that, even though greys and cats can live in harmony in the house, does not mean they will be the same outside. Once that prey drive kicks in, there's no stopping it!

I am so thankful he "finished" the job, and it wasn't too bloody. I would have lost it if I would've had to see her suffer further, because she suffered a horrible death and I feel like its my fault for not watching more closely. Wylie was only doing what Greta have been bred to do for thousands of years... It was HUMAN error that cost me the life of my cat.

I just wanted to let you know.

Mindy Dicken