Casino started out life much like other greyhounds…getting to chase the bunny around the big oval. When her racing career was over she started a second career as a brood mama. She gave life to 12 puppies in two litters. And after she had raised her last pup, she still had another career ahead of her….not on a couch (yet), but as a blood donor at an Alabama vet clinic…continuing to give the precious gift of life to other beloved pets. While she was there, a very special angel took her under her wing. Her name was Kate and she was determined to find Casino a home when her blood donor days were over and she could start her final career as a pampered pet….truly retired!

Fast forward to last September when an email popped into my inbox from a friend  asking if I knew a group who could take in two senior blood donors in Alabama (Elvis was her kennelmate at the clinic and was also retiring from blood donor duty). When I opened the attached pictures, I knew that these precious greys didn’t need an adoption group. They already had a home…with us. We applied and were approved…oh happy day! We quickly made arrangements to pick them up in Alabama.

Elvis and Casino came home and blended in with the pack like they had always been here. I still have a hard time imagining them not being here. Casino, at 12 years old, was a spunky brood mama! Making sure the fun never got out of control in the house. She enjoyed meandering around the yard and sunning herself by the front gate so she could watch the cars drive by. She decided that sofas and beds weren’t her ‘thing,’ but she picked out two favorite spots in the house: in front of the TV and in front of my closet doors.  We celebrated her 13th birthday just a few weeks ago.

She had corns on three of her four feet…most we were able to get rid of, but a few just wouldn’t go away. When she started limping again a couple weeks ago, I took her to the vet to have the corns hulled. She had three on that one foot. When the corns were gone, but the limp got worse DH and I were feared the worst….and it was the worst. Osteo had invaded our sweet Cas’ shoulder.

We spent the last week spoiling her, loving her, cherishing every moment. In the last four days we watched as a knot grew on her shoulder…and we knew our time with her would be short. Our brave Cas was so strong…that broodie spirit shining through…

Sweet Cas…I’m so sorry that your final career…the one you worked so hard for…was so short. You deserved years to enjoy being a pet. My heart breaks that we had to squeeze all of that time into 4 way too short months. You taught me so much…I just can’t believe you are gone You gave so much of yourself to so many people and animals…I hope we gave you the retirement you dreamed of. I know we certainly tried. Godspeed, my sweet baby Cas….

When I read their names I was taken aback: Elvis and Casino. Since Ken and I were married in Las Vegas their names seemed to be a sign! So I read further…Elvis was 9 and Casino was 13. Both were retired racers who’d left the track and started a second career living at a vet office and saving the lives of other dogs by donating their blood. When I saw their pictures my heart skipped a couple beats and I knew they were meant to be a part of our family. So I emailed the adoption rep that was placing them and started the process. It seems that there had been a few inquiries on Elvis and Casino, but their adoption angel was holding out for a very special home. A home that would appreciate them and love them…and she decided that that home was with us.

A short time later, I was driving to Alabama to pick up our new babies Elvis and Casino. As it turns out, Casino’s racing name was Rapido Casino. And donating blood wasn’t her second career, it was actually her third! She’d also been a brood momma at some point and whelped two litters. By learning her racing name, I also learned that she was a whole year younger than we’d though…a spry 12 years old! I can’t imagine the life this old gal has lead and all the people she has met along the way. On the way home, I told her that her long-deserved retirement had begun. And all she had to do from now on was be happy and loved.

Casino and Elvis' Adoption Day

Casion explores her new yard