Dar

Dar, you were an outstanding greyhound who was grand in size and in spirit. Wisdom filled your eyes and you led a life for 9 years that was unknown except to you. But the life you led when you came into Greyhound Guardian was one filled with love -- the love given you and the unbelievable love you gave to those who were honored to share your life.

And then when you came to me in September of 2000 you brought to me a the rarest of all relationships, one in which I felt we were truly united at once and for all time. You were and continue to be my anchor and will always give me strength in the face of fear and guide me through all my life as I feel God gave you to me to be my side at all times.

I suffered, probably more than you did, as I watched you stoically go through bone cancer, amputation of your hind leg, chemo and all the weakening of your body as the tumors advanced. I knew you were ready to go and when I had to admit I would never be ready to let you go I had to do what was right and loving and let that happen. I stayed with you to the end, through the time at the pet crematorium to pet your head in the beginning and receive you at the end.

I wear some of your ashes in a small star around my neck and the rest are at home in Michigan where when my time comes we will be together there in that special spiritual way.

We lived together less than a year but God brought us together to truly live together forever and I feel your presence as a living part of me always and I thank God for this.

Gretchen Ochs