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Scooter
October 16, 1985 - January 23, 1997

Scooter was the most expensive rescued greyhound that we had, but he was worth every penny. When we first discovered greyhounds, and after our first adopted hound, Carl thought it would be neat to have one that was currently racing. That's how we found Scooter. When we first met him, he was about 11 months old. We went down to the farm in Florida to see him. He had a brindle ripple along the top of his nose that looked like fudge ripple ice cream and he was the happiest goof you ever saw. All the way home from that first trip, we tried to think of the perfect name. What he ended up with was HotDogWithRelish.

We visited him whenever we could and he progressed with his training until he finally made it to the Big Time. He placed first in his maiden race and the next one too. After that, if he started on the inside, he would break outside, bumping anyone in his way. You can imagine how well that strategy was received. He ended up in rehab on a farm in Alabama and that's where he picked up his new name, Scooter. It just seemed to fit. It wasn't long before we realized that Scooter was much happier off the track, so we gave it all up and brought him home. He was a major factor in our growing involvement in greyhound rescue, one of the Original's. You know how special your dog is when you feel his absence even though you have a dozen more.

To Scooter: Thank you for being part of our lives, we'll remember you always with love.
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Soho
October 1985 - March 18, 1997

Soho was a white greyhound with one large brindle spot along her starboard flank. It was in Alabama that she spent her first three years racing under the inauspicious name of "So So". In 1988, circumstances brought her together with a woman named Stephanie Miller who had never had a big dog, but was entirely willing. Thus, starting a new identity including a fresh name, Soho spent the next eight and a half years of a loving and creative life.

Artistically, Soho bloomed in her new environment, learning how to be pampered and discovering herself after a repressive life on the track scene. Stephanie encouraged Soho's flair for theater and entered her in three costume contests. The first was a parade where Soho and Stephanie's other little dogs Wazo and Maybelle together dressed in jockey shorts as the "Fruit of the Loom Gang", and they won second place. Soho, being of an open mind, did not hesitate when Stephanie and the rest of her dogs (which by now included another rescued greyhound, Moo Moo), me and my collie Colleene were invited to perform at the 1989 women's erotic art show, Silence is Burning. Wearing a black lace bra, Soho displayed her repertoire of tricks, and along with the rest of the family, put on a show that will never be forgotten.

Then, in 1994, Stephanie, all our dogs, and I entered the annual Atlanta Dog Jog costume contest with a theme piece entitled "Cleopatra and her Entoourage". It was quite an affair, featuring Soho and Moo Moo as the horses for Cleopatra's chariot, but the performance stunned the crowd and the judges, winning first place honors.

Last spring, in 1996, again we made an assault on the costume crown and succeeded with an even more bizarre performance. Stephanie and I bought a number of yards of Astroturf and artificial greenery and dressed all the dogs up like Chia pets. During the construction of the costumes, Soho was a tremendous help as she volunteered to be the model for the first experimental costume. She calmly stood while we did the dozens of fittings because Soho was such a helpful girl.

Soho's face was no stranger in print. She and her greyhound sister Moo Moo and Stephanie had their picture in Atlanta Sports and Fitness Magazine for participating in the Atlanta Dog Jog in 1993. Then, in the winter of 1994, one cold day when the three of them were walking, a photographer with the Atlanta Journal Constitution took their picture. The next day a big color picture of them was displayed on the first page of the local news section. Soho and Moo Moo had on fake fur dog coats and Stephanie was wearing a fake fur hat designed to look like the head of a raccoon. Twice Soho and Moo Moo have been dogs of the month in the Atlanta Dog Jog calendar, and they are even featured in hardback in Chip Simone's pictorial book on Atlanta's Piedmont Park, On Common Ground.

Around the house, Soho had a few special chores. One was delivering items from the kitchen to the dining room. Magazines, Kleenex boxes, mail, Soho would take them in here mouth and prance promptly into the dining room depositing them on the floor or chewing them to shreds depending on the request. A companion to the elderly, Soho would lie very still while the the little old dog Maybelle, would lick endlessly Soho's ears, and Soho would never rush Maybelle as she lay sweetly by while Maybelle groomed her. Soho was a very shy dog and especially so in those first couple of years off the track. It was obvious through various healed inuries that she had an abusive experience in her track life.

One of the unique things about Soho was a strange hobby she had. We called it hunting, and she would walk in the fashion that a tall water bird hunts fish, moving at a snail's pace through the large patch of bamboo in the back yard. She would only do this in areas where something, branches, leaves, or even a tablecloth on a table, would drape over her body as she crept doing her ancient ritual. Through time, her transition to a dog who trusted and felt safe produced a good domino effect to the people around her. I know that it made me a better person to see the happiness bloom in that dog, and know that it was occurring because of the love we gave her.

One way she manifested her joy of life was to clack her jaws when she was excited. Especially when you picked up a leash or collar, she would stand by clacking like a Morse Code machine anxiously awaiting her walk. She was the sweetest dog of all, and we will never forget our Sohoho.

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Alto Pass Bjas "Aldo"
January 1988 - March 1997

In the beginning there was Aldo, an old racer -- 4 1/2 years old. A black dog with the most expressive white-tipped tail. When you watched it wag, it would make you dizzy.

He brought the love that only a rescued racer can give. He brought into our hearts the love and dedication to trying to help all the throwaway dogs.

A rescued dog knows - he will give you love without question - trust that knows no bounds.

He was a clown, and he loved everyone. He could fluff a pillow or blanket better than anyone. He was the perfect ambassador - he loved meeting people.

He never objected to any of the rescues we brought in - not the Afghans, the Whippets, the Husky, or even the grandson.

He loved to run, and even after he lost a leg to cancer, he ran again. He didn't give up, so we did not...and will not give up!

We owe him so much! He will be with us always because his legacy is one we will continue...to help the rescue effort for all that have been thrown away.

He now has all four legs again and runs like the wind across fields that are always sunlit and green ... and has the cushiest pillow and blanket for his place of rest.
He is not where he used to be, but is now wherever we are.

We love you Aldo,
Chelle Vinson

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Jamie
Taken from us June 1997

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge
When Greyhounds die that have been especially close to someone here, they go to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the Greyhounds who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The Greyhounds are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.

Author unknown (reprinted from Greyhound Chatter)
In memory of Jeff and Mitzi Candless' Greyhound Jamie

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Rico
July 1989 - July 1997

Rico came into our lives in November of 1992. For Britt and I, not only was adopting Rico confirming our commitment to each other, but also a commitment to help continue a life well deserved. Rico grew with us as we grew with him. He touched our hearts like no other. Rico loved to run and flop around in the grass. He loved people - we would always kid that he wasn't much of a guard dog because he invited everyone into his house and heart

During the five years that Rico was with us, his life was definitely filled with excitement as was ours. Britt and I married and later we all had to adjust to a new addition in the family. Rico was great...he accepted Chase pulling on his ears, falling on his feet and giving him lots of hugs and kisses. I can't forget to mention Rico's favorite pal, our cat Cecil. Cecil was with us 1 year before Rico and they took right to each other. I know Cecil will miss his rubbing partner.

There is not a day that goes by that I do not have thoughts of Rico. I know when my time comes, we will be together again and it makes me smile to think of that day. There will definitely be other greyhounds that will fulfill our lives and us them. Rico will always be the reason for that happiness.

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Frisco
1991 - March 4, 1998

We adopted Frisco from a Greyhound organization in Florida. When he first came home, he was very shy. The first thing he did was jump up on our table in our living room, thinking he had won something.

Through the years he opened up and learned how to be a dog. He would play with other dogs, and sometimes cats. He learned how to bark and beg from the table. He became a family member through the years and was treated as good, if not better than some of us. He will be missed and we love him forever.