[BrentCrude]

I got Clem from The now defunct St.Croix Meadows track in Wisconsin near the twin cities in June of 99.He was about 1 1/2 at the time and bombed out as a racer.The day I picked him up he was kind of thin and scraggly because 2 weeks before he had been fixed as part of the adoption agreement and all.I made the 3 hour trip home with him and I thought to myself,this dog is a headcase.He was afraid,lonesome and jittery because he fell in love with everyone at the adoption kennel.He was their mascot and they used him in parades as recruiting PR for people to adopt greyhounds.All his life he had a strut and prance sort of like a cross between a trotter,pacer and Tennessee walking horse.So after about 2 days at home,he was still acting distant and afraid so I called the people at the adoption agency saying that this might not work.I'm glad I took their advice and waited 2 more days because he really came out of his shell.My sister had an adopted greyhound named Cisco she brought over and Cisco showed Clem the ropes of homelife. Clem just didn't have the competitive spirit as I later found out as a racer.The dog wouldn't hurt a fly and loved everything from children,small dogs 1/10th his size to stray cats,chimunks,deer and scavenger birds that would land on his dog dish at my cabin and steal his food.Speaking of food,Clem thought of himself as a human best friend and after the first bag of certified Bil Jak greyhound food grew stale from Clem thinking he now liked people food better,he was spoiled rotten being fed the best of people food.On many occassions the small recreational gambling checks I cashed at the bank were half spent by the time I got home on 10 pound boxes of black angus burgers and such for Clem.Mostly,Clem ate alot of home cooked meat and potatoes food my late mom made for everyone.I'm sure my mom in heaven today is so happy because she has Clem back to cook for and hand feed on Clem's quilts. On a trip to the nearby Jack Link beef jerkey plant near where I live,I would pick up a 20 pound bulk sacks for $59 of Clemmies favorite terryaki beef jerkey.Clem was into dairy products too.Cottage cheese,sour cream,ice cream.etc.Right to the end he still had his appetite.His racing weight was 78# but the vet never scolded me for him being a consistent 93 pounds.Including me and others,there always were available people around to walk and exercize Clem.All the neighborhood people liked him and if I was ever seen alone without him in tow,they would get worried and say,what happened to Clem!

So from time to time over the course of the last year or two when he was slowing down gradually I probably got on here and acted jerkey from time to time.Last fall at my hunting cabin my dad said,you better put him to sleep because he's having a tough time.I almost did but thought,no way,I'm giving him an extended chance to enjoy a few more months of life.As luck would have it,we had a rare mild winter and in the winter when the yard had snow,Clem could go out on his own and walk the fence line to watch the people and dogs go by.etc.From November to mid March he was back to his old self.Since then he went into decline until the last 2 months whjere I had to lift him up and down a small staircase to get him in and out of the house to take him to do his thing.The once longer walks were a distant memory and he just wanted to get as far as the back alley where he relieved himself quickly and needed to get back in the house.

So yesterday all my siblings were over for the 4th and Clem greeted everyone for the last time and at nightfall he passed away peacefully.He went on his own terms and I didn't have to bring him in for the needle.This morning I buried him out in the forest outside of town that a friend has land and he's next to an adopted greyhound I had when I wasyounger.

I strongly suggest people here look into greyhound adoption.Find one that you think matches your prsonality.Harrah's-Bluff's Run dog track-casino near Omaha in Council Bluffs,Iowa has an adoption website.You just might adopt the best friend you ever had.

Not saying that you would get a dog with the same personality but it would be neat to be able to get a clone.Clem's racing name was Pazzo Pointy and now I'm on a mission seeking out possible siblings,nephews and close lineage dogs.

[shari91]

That is a really lovely tribute to an obviously great friend.

Thank you so much for sharing this with us and may Clem enjoy all of your Mom's treats up in the sky.

[MadTiger]

At this link

http://www.nlga-mn.org/greyhound-memorials

is another Pazzo dog that passed away. It was from the same track, and, more than likely, from the same breeder/kennel. You could look up the owners and see where it leads.

[wtt0315]

Sorry to hear that brent. I have a 8 year old name George Strait from the Birmingham,Al track adopted from sega out of Atlanta. I will die when that day comes.

[PASS IT ON]

greyhounds make great pets, very loyal and loving

[DennisT]

Bless you brother!!

[JohnM]

That's a great tribute.
My greyhound, Smarty died yesterday. I'm going to try to write down something like this for her.

[FazzersGirl]

I have heard many times that greyhounds are awesome pets and companions. So sorry about your loss...It's amazing that pets become so much a part of our family....