VANCOUVER HERO

2001 to 2015

No dog could have been more appropriately named. She was a true hero in every sense of the word. During her racing days she ran in the Irish Greyhound Derby. No mean achievement. After retirement she had two litters of puppies. Apparently she was a devoted Mother.

We don’t know exactly what happened after that but it can’t have been pleasant. I think we all know what happens when they have served their purpose. The consensus of opinion was that she had been tied up with a wire round her neck. Hence her reluctance to have her neck stroked. The first time I tried to stroke her she didn’t yelp, she screamed. It was most distressing.

She arrived at Fenbank in a state of shock and wouldn’t have any contact with anybody. Jenny took her as her own and she lived in the house for four years lying in a corner ignoring everyone.

We used to see Hero on our regular visits to Fenbank and sadly when Jenny left she couldn’t take Hero with her. Jenny asked us if we would look after her. It only took a few minutes to agree. Hero was very quiet at first and found herself a corner to curl up in. We decided to let her come to us on her own terms.

She got on well with Kylie our other greyhound from day one. And it wasn’t long before she was giving us eye contact and soon after she would come for a stroke and eventually a cuddle.

After a year we went to the Celebrate Surfleet Day and we were so proud of our girls. Kylie got second in best black Bitch, Hero got first in best veteran and together they got first in best brace. I haven’t been so excited since I learned to tie my own shoelaces.

We were privileged to share our home with Hero for just over four years, during which time she survived an operation for Cancer. She made friends with other local dogs particularly puppies and would go to strangers for a bit of fuss.

She was particularly fond of cheese and would go to the fridge and ask for some. If anything tasty was under the grill she would come to investigate. If Kylie was lying on the carpet Hero would drag both beds together and curl up on them. Kylie would look bemused but was never nasty.

Eventually Hero was reluctant to get off her bed and was walking with great difficulty. We had to make the decision that none of us want to make but know is inevitable and the kindest thing to do. On the second of December 2015 Hero went over Rainbow Bridge to join Prince, Chiara, Lucia and Gino our other loved rescue family. She is in good company and will be well looked after. Rest in peace all of you. Kylie is coping well with the loss of her friend.

Best wishes, Jeff and Yvonne Jackson.