The day we met...

March 6, 2000 – October 5, 2009

Owned and loved by Sue Hopper

It is extremely difficult to think of Gracie in the past tense. She was not just my first whippet – she was my first dog. I researched breeds and went to dog shows for about 2 years before I decided the whippet might be the right one.

I was at a dog show so went over to DogWise to check out books and when I turned around there were two 10 week old puppies kissing on anyone who came within their reach. I went over and talked to their owners and ended up at Ron Waggoner’s van holding puppies for about an hour.

I listened to reason and realized an adult would be my best shot and a month or two later I found out there was a 2 year old female I could go take a look at to see if I liked her. She had me at hello! The moment I saw her face peeking out a window I was hooked. She had already been in 4 or 5 homes so was very cautious.

Happy happy Gracie

My landlord (my little brother) said “No Dogs!” so I had to move. She had to go back to her breeder for a few months so I could find a new place to live. Finally I was ready and went to Eastern Washington to get her.

It took a long while to realize she was in her forever home and I would never let her go. I learned all about whippets and met lots of new people through her. We tried out lure coursing which she absolutely loved. She raced because I asked her to, but she didn’t like it as much as lure coursing.

I retired her from competition at 4.5 years of age due to heart disease, but never stopped letting her run in the yard. She loved it so much. There were days when she would literally scream (with a squeaky toy in her mouth) trying to catch Taz. But she loved it.

For the last year or so I noticed a weird spot on her side that looked like a little fluid pocket. I had it checked and it came back inconclusive, so decided to just watch it until it started to bug her. Well…bug her it did after a while so I took her in for a biopsy.

Gracie at the NAWRA National Fun Match 9/18/09

She had surgery to remove the mass on 07-27-09, and seemed to be back to her old self after a few weeks. She healed extremely well and was back to stealing food, opening the pantry and raiding anything she could get to, and basically being the Gracie I loved for 7.5 years.

We went to the NAWRA National in September 2009, and she showed in the “unbroken spirit” class in her new fancy pink collar and necklace. (Thank You Debbey Bartos!) This was actually her last good day, and I am thankful to Beth Levine that she was able to find a picture for me.

In the end I knew it was time when she wouldn’t eat – and as everyone who has followed her stories over the years knows – she did so LOVE to eat. I will always miss her, but we had so many fantastic and fun times together that those will eventually come to the front and I will be able to smile and laugh when I think of her.

Good Bye My Gracie Girl. I will miss you so.

-submitted by Sue Hopper

Resting in a patch of sunshine

January 6, 1995 – August 23, 2009

Owned and loved by David Cassell and Shirley Konizeski

Spot was David’s first whippet.  He died peacefully at home on Sunday. His dignified and gentlemanly presence will be missed by his human and whippet family and friends.

-submitted by Shirley Konizeski

Doc outsmarting the bunny

April 2, 1996  -  June 30, 2009

Chris and I lost our beloved “Lost Creek Doctor Marten, JC” on June 30, 2009.  He was out of Ch Ole Sol de Sud, JC x Can Ch.  Lost Creek.Dreamcatcher.   He was more like a Saluki than a whippet and more than a wonderful companion and friend.  He was a big cheater on the field always figuring out which way the lure was going and he took the short cut.  He was ASFA pointed but never got his FCH because he cheated too much.  He was shown for a very short time. He hated being on a lead in the show ring.  He had show points in Canada.  It is hard to think he is gone as he was so much a part of our life and a very special dog.  I think it’s putting away his collar, dog dish, and other items really starts one into a hysterical crying jag.  Thank you Helen for this wonderful dog that we loved so much.

Doc’s Story of how he came to live with us.– I first saw Doc when I went with Nancy De Chant to Helen and Sara’s house to see the litter of pups in late April of 1996.  Helen had decided to do a “shoe theme for the litter”.  I loved Doc Marten ( and loved the shoes) the moment I saw him.  He was a watermarked black masked fawn with the blackest eyes I had ever seen.  I played with him the whole time I was there and barely interacted with the other pups.  Doc was sold and went to Oregon to live.  He was returned to Helen for some stupid reason I cannot remember now.  Barbara Riley got him from the owners and kept him until our Club Specialty and brought him with her.  I saw him again and my heart went clunk -A youngster now  about 4 mos old and very sweet and outgoing even with all the shuffling in his life.  Well, I ended up taking him home that day.   But you see I was afraid to tell Chris about it.  So when Chris came to the Specialty dinner and auction at the restaurant I told him we had to get a crate from Helen’s car.  So we went to Helen’s car and got the crate and along came Doc.  Chris said,” Who is this?”.  I said Doc.  We need to take him home and keep him for Helen until she finds him a new home.  So away we went.  I kept him, which I had always intended to do and registered him in Chris’s name.  He just came in and sat on the couch with Eddy and Ms. Vicki and it was as if he had always been there.  He had 13 great years with us.  It seems we have lost an old dog each year now for 3 years.  And it gets harder to say good by.

-submitted by Susie Manthou

Lost my old boy Hunter, Fairfax Royal Hunt, on 2/2/09, from pneumonia that might have been related to heart failure. Hunter was a Bonnie x Ambrose son, born January 1996, making him 13 years old. He will be so missed for his gentle kindness.

Val

Am. Can. Ch. Whimsy’s Val d’Isere Allerei
May, 1995 ~ January, 2009

Owned and loved by Steve, Takako, Andrew & Kyle Downing
Bred by Chris & Mary Downing
Dam & grand-dam of champions.

-submitted by Mary Downing

Miss Vicki at 4 months in March 1996

Alcyon Victoria’s Secret, JC
(Ch. Allerei’s Tax Refund, FCH x Ch. Windspiel Ryal Call Girl, FCH)
Breeder and co-owner Christine Hopperstad
November 6, 1995 to May 25, 2008

Vicki was such a devoted friend and companion.  She was always in charge, the fun police, designated barker, the one who led the pack each day and had her place on the couch to make sure everyone did what they were supposed to do.  She was very keen on the lure earning over 200 points but never getting that final 1st to finish her ASFA CH.  She coursed the lure from the sidelines running actually much farther than the rest of the dogs.  She would go way out following the lure along the perimeters of the field and then cut across the front of the lure to get the bunny.  She loved chasing a ball with endless vigor.  She was the first dog to greet us when we came home and made over us like we had been gone for years. .  The dogs miss her as so do her humans.  Thanks Christine for a wonderful gift.

- submitted by Susie Manthou

Miss Vicki looking for squirrels around 1997