The Spirit of a Greyhound

I came across this beautiful poem in some paperwork from Action For Greyhounds UK, based in Norfolk where I used to live before moving to France. Although it is about a greyhound, it could just as easily be the Spirit of a Galgo...or any other sighthound.

The Spirit of a Greyhound
Author Unknown

I was standing on a hillside
In a field of blowing wheat
And the spirit of a Greyhound
Was lying at my feet.
He looked at me with kind dark eyes
Ancient wisdom shining through.
In the essence of his being,
I saw such love there too.

His mind locked upon my heart
As I stood there on that day.
And he told me of this story
About a place so far away.
As I stood upon that hillside
In a field of blowing wheat,
In a twinkling of a second
His spirit left my feet.

His tale put my heart at ease;
All my fears did fade away
About what lay ahead of me
On another distant day.
“I live among God’s creatures now
In the heavens of your mind.
So do not grieve for me my friend,
As I am with my kind.
My Collar is a rainbow’s hue;
My leash is a shooting star.
My boundaries are the Milky Way
Where I sparkle from afar.

There are no pens or kennels here
For I am not confined.
But I’m free to roam God’s heavens
Among the Greyhound kind.
I nap the day on a snowy cloud
Gentle breezes rocking me.
And dream the dreams of earthlings,
And how it used to be.

The trees are full of liver treats
And tennis balls abound,
And milk bones line the walkways
Just waiting to be found.
There is even a ring set up,
The grass all lush and green;
And everyone who gaits around
Becomes the Best of Breed.

For we’re all winners in this place;
We have no faults, you see.
And God passes out those ribbons
To each one, even me.
I drink from waters laced with gold,
My world a beauty to behold;
And wise old dogs form my pride
To amble at my side.

At night I sleep in an angel’s arms,
Her wings protecting me,
And moonbeams dance about us
Just as stardust falls on thee.
So when your life on earth is spent
And you stand at Heaven’s gate,
Have no fear of loneliness –
For here, you know, I wait.”

Comments

[Kathryn]

This made me cry. I have just lost my ex racing greyhound Smudge. Rest in peace Smudgie Bear. Lovely boy, 14 years old, raced at the Great Yarmouth track in Norfolk. Smudge spent 7 years in kennels until we adopted him at 9 years old. No one wants the big black male greyhounds. He had four years of happiness with us, he was treated wonderfully at the rescue he was from too. He had never been inside a house before or had a home and he adapted brilliantly. Unbelievably for a keen racer he loved small dogs, great with kids, even cat friendly. Bless you lovely gentle boy. If you are looking to adopt a greyhound, please consider the black dogs, they so often get overlooked for no good reason.

[Beryl Brennan]

So sorry to read you have lost a much loved canine family member...it's not easy but at least you have many happy memories and know that he had the best of love and care when he went into the rescue and to you in his forever home. Comfort hugs. xx

[Kathryn]

Thank you Beryl xx

[Mary Croft]

Lovely poem....made me cry. Hope all suffering animals reach heaven.