Hello
We have just woken up and realised our dog is no longer here. We have had to rehome her after four lovely years because she had become too strong to handle. As carer to my wife and myself I could no longer take the risk of being pulled to the ground as she tried to follow her natural greyhound  instinct to chase squirrels and cats . Lovely dog, she has felled me three or four times over the years but I thought I was getting to grips with it. but Thursday was just too much. She suddenly took off after a cat which I had not seen, usually if I see the thing she wants to chase I can be prepared and hang on ! Down I went grazes all over my face , smashed spectacles, pulled wrist from the lead and a  bruised leg.... not good for a 72 years old! I have just finished  two months radiotherapy for prostate cancer and at the same time caring for my wife following bowel cancer surgery at the same time. Kindly relatives took her back to the sanctuary we had her from. Bess has been a loving and loyal friend but we had to take the decision that there could be no more risks of injury to me.
Just woke up with the instinct of many years dog ownership and prepared to take her out for first walk of the day but no little face waiting at the foot of the stairs to welcome me. no rush to the biscuit tin as I prepared an early cuppa....and no walk for me either this morning as my Wife and I  comfort each other.
Not looking for answers , just needing to share with like minded owners who have probably shared the shock and the tears.
Thanks so much for listening.

You must have had to make a really tough decision but you know you have done what is right for you both & Bess in the long run.

So sorry you had to make this very upsetting decision.  It must have been hard but you have done the right thing to keep you and your wife safe, and Bess too, in the longer term

I hope you recover soon from from your latest fall.  All the best to both of you.

I'm so sorry.  Making decisions like that, the best for all of you, sound good in your head but the heart often does not agree.  Take care.

I´m so terribly sorry to hear your upsetting news but you really had no choice.  Everyone will agree that you did the right thing but that will not make it any easier for you.  I do hope both you and your wife continue to make good progress with your health. 

I have tears in my eyes knowing how hard it would be for me to make that sort of decision.  I have a great deal of sympathy for you.

I am a dog person through and through, but know that I would need a pet of some kind.  I would probably contact all my cat friends and try to clue myself up about them, and buy books to learn about cats.  I just think it would be a need in me to care for something.

I hope that you soon get better after your horrible fall.  My very best wishes to you both.

So very sorry you have been faced with making such a heart-rending decision on top of all the other worries you must have to deal with day to day Bessesmates--life sometimes really does hit us hard.

I guess all of us dread the day when we have to concede that the breed and number of dogs we have just can't be managed any more. If and when that day comes for me I hope I will have your courage and selflessness to make the right decision.

So sorry you had to do this but like the others as tough as it is you have done what was best. I hope your and your wife's health improves so things are happier again soon

Thanks so much to you all for the encouragement...we knew action had to be taked urgently but just a week after it still seems so odd. Anyway so heartwarming to know we are not alone . bless you all from us both.

I too read your post with tears in my eyes.    You've had to make such a hard decision - you know it was the right and only decision you could make at this point in time.    Is there any chance that in the near future, you might be able to go to a breed rescue and give an older (8 or 9 year old) dog a home?

Regards

>Is there any chance that in the near future, you might be able to go to a breed rescue and give an older (8 or 9 year old) dog a home?

That sounds like a very good idea Loki's Mum. Maybe worth further investigations if it is an option Bessesmates? What I wanted to say was my parents took on an ex-racing greyhound from the breed rescue with a little trepidation I must say. She turned out to be one of the gentlest and kindest dogs I have ever known. She had no interest in chasing anything (hence why she ended up in rescue - no good for racing). The only time I ever saw her 'chase' anything was when my own elderly GSD bitch was set upon by another dog, when walking on a beach. My parents greyhound came from nowhere and literally 'bowled' the offending dog over and I guess it was so shocked, that it ran away! We all stood with our mouths open, because she had never done anything like that before, but clearly saw that her 'friend' needed help and she was happy to oblige on that occasion. My parents were in their late 60's at the time and she was very easy to manage. Might be worth a chat with Greyhound Rescue. If this is not an option, then please do stick around and get your 'dog fix' with us :)