Elvis came into our lives 2 years ago. I was forwarded an email from a good greyhound friend about two seniors looking for a home because they were retiring from blood donor duties at a vet in Alabama. The group (all breed) placing them was being very particular about where they went. They had never been pets. They had never lived in a home. At 10 and 12, they were finally retiring. Ken and I immediately knew they had to come live with us. We were approved to adopt both of them and I went to pick Elvis and Casino up Sept 12, 2006. They had lived in a large concrete run and their ‘yard’ was a large concrete pen. In a fairly urban area, there was no grass to be found. They both rode home nervously but melded in with the pack instantly once they were home.

Elvis and Cas on their second day home…

It was clear that Elvis and Casino had a special relationship. They lived in the run at the vet office and over the years, Elvis had become Casino’s guardian and protector. He lovingly watched over her until she went to the Bridge due to Osteo 4 months after coming home…just a couple weeks after turning 13. After Casino passed, Elvis mourned for several weeks. And then, he started relaxing. He started doing things a dog should do. Sniff the breeze. Roll in the grass. Doze in the sunshine. His favorite spot was just in front of the kennel building that gets full sun all morning long. He would lay out there as long as we’d let him. He also loved to watch the goats and the donkeys in the pasture just beyond our back fence or wander among the trees sniffing squirrel trails in the natural area. His favorite game was to hang out down by the kennel building and turn a deaf ear to my calls…I’d walk all the way down there from the house and as soon as I’d reach him, he’d take off running toward the house. He’d slow down until I almost caught up with him and then take off running again, making sure he always won the race. He’d stand at the stairs with the most tickled expression on his face as if to say “What took you so long? I’ve been waiting.” It was a game he played with Ken and I almost daily.

We ran our last race together yesterday. It wasn’t fast, but he still won.

Such a sweet, gentle soul. He sacrified his youth so that countless pets could receive his life-giving blood and go home to their families. And when he finally had his chance to be a pet, he took nothing for granted and seemed forever grateful. I only hope I was able to give him enough in his last couple years. He deserved so much and asked for so little.

The simple things in life gave him the greatest pleasure. A ray of sunshine. A soft bed. A face rub.

We miss our boy.

Godspeed, Elvis. You earned your angel wings here on earth. I hope you are racing the wind with Casino by your side…

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