In rememberance of Sherman and Patton

Many of you know we lost our beloved greyhounds Sherman and Patton to bone cancer this summer.

My first encounter with greyhounds was when one of my friends from college, Tina, took me to a PetSmart, to a meet and greet. She loved the breed, and intr>oduced me to them. I was fascinated by how sweet and gentle they were for being ex-racers. I decided that day in 1995 that when I was ready for a dog, I was getting a greyhound.

Fast forward 9 years.

When we built our house, Larry promised me we could get a greyhound. We adopted from Arizona Adopt a Greyhound. We closed on our new home on a Tuesday, and Sherman came home on Friday night. We were in love. He had a bit of a rough beginning, he was bounced around from several homes, but we were determined to work with him to become a sweet, happy boy. Fast forward 6 months, and Patton came home.

I'll admit the beginning was hard. While Sherman was quiet and never gave us any problems, Patton was nuts. Patton was younger than Sherman, so he still had some puppy in him. We also didn't have the dog door, and had trouble with Patton marking in the house. With a lot of work (and a dog door,) and lots of love and treats, Patton eventually blossomed into a sweet, handsome, good boy. We were learning how to be good pet owners, and how to work with them to become good pets, while Sherman and Patton were trying to learn to be happy pets, instead of racers.

We took them everywhere. We'd take day trips to Sedona, Prescott, Tucson, etc., for hiking, shopping, and exploring. They loved their day trips, and became very good travelers. They went to 2 greyhound gatherings, one in Kanab UT, and one in Solvang, CA. They saw the beach, and went to Ventura CA, and walked and played along the ocean.

Sherman was our good, quiet boy. His racing name was 'Flying Atwood.' However, he was more famous for his nickname, 'The Shermanator.' He ran 41 races before he was retired. He was a quiet, sensitive old soul. When he got excited, he'd swing his tail out of control, and give me one bark. :) He was such a love, and everyone who met him fell in love with him. Sheman became a therapy dog, and eventually worked as a reading therapy dog. Kids would read to him, to help promote their reading skills. He was so gentle and nothing bothered him. At home, he was quite the fly catcher, he'd get them on the first try, every time, and we called him 'Predator.' Sherman loved to lounge in the sun, and loved to sleep outside in the spring and the fall.

Patton was crazy. He was a energetic, goofy, happy boy. He was always up for something, and always by mine or Larry's side. Patton's name was Bow Exclusive. He ran 33 races before he retired to our home. He came straight off the track, so we were his very first introduction into retirement. He was a VERY energetic boy. He settled into retirement, and was always our silly one. Patton's favorite spot was the futon in my knitting room. Even if I was sitting on it, his goal was to shove me off, so he could have it all to himself.

We lost Sherman to bone cancer on 07/01/2010. It was a devastating loss to us- they are our 'kids.' Unfortunately, we lost Patton to bone cancer as well on 08/20/2010. Unfortunately, there was nothing we could do for them, but help them cross the bridge.

They will always be known as our 'boys,' and will always be our 'heart dogs.' Everyone who met them, loved them. They were our first introduction into the tight-knit greyhound community, and will never be forgotten.

Godspeed, run free and fast my little ones.


Unfortunately, bone cancer, or osteocarcoma, is common in greyhounds.
Hope For Hounds
The Ohio State University Greyhound Wellness Program
"A fast runner in race for a cure" The Arizona Republic 08/26/2010

More information about greyhounds:
Arizona Adopt a Greyhound
My favorite book- simple and comprehensive: "Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies"