FBGS - In Memoriam

Please feel free to email any pictures and words about your recently departed friend and we will put them on this page for posterity.

Merlin - aka Tullymurry Night (YS-KSM)

(September 2001 to 6th October 2011)

According the records he was born September 2001, spent three years with a trainer in Ireland and then was unceremoniously dumped after stuffing up three races. All in 2004 a second place followed by two lasts sealed his fate and his transition to Fen Bank retirement home, he was given a bad press and so no one else would take him on. I did. After a year in ‘Prison’ I spotted him on June 16^th 2005, gave him a fuss and then set about dog fencing the garden. A week later, he arrived with Dreamer in tow. By this time I had retired from the RAF and was a house husband and struggling author. Then the fun started. Someone dug up the garden, drank all the water from the pond and chased all the cats out of the garden. They actually caught one once and just held it in their mouths looking stupid.

The local dogs fared worst, he attacked an Alsatian, some stupid pit bull that the owner let off the lead, and another dog that decided to attack them. It ran off yelping back into their house where it should have been all the time. And he did back flips at the end of an extendable dog lead, nearly dislocating my right arm, that was a fun day at the local park followed by loads of Ibuprofen.

The only time he ever attacked Dreamer was when she tried to push him out the way of a cat, she came off worse, but no real damage. I only got bit on the face once, so that was okay, and now we list his other crimes, which are all food related apart from the bed incident, the floor tile glue and the bath, where he had a panic attack and collapsed, that was his second and final bath ever.
Sometimes however you would find a pair of black eyes looking at you in the predawn light, just in case you wanted to get up and give him a treat. The weather was never an issue and even in the icy winter of 2010 where it dropped to -9C did not keep us in, heavy rain just made the coats come out. More often than not we would spot the local foxes and they always got a good barking at, same as the local cats and squirrels.

He pulled a tray of cooked sausages out of the grill and ate them, stole the ham out my sandwich on the table and whole chicken carcasses out the kitchen bin, but in general he was a sleepy tired dog who apart from the room emptying farts when he stretched was generally up for an ear rub growl and a belly rub at any time, but towards the end, he became slower, ate later in the day, had some of his teeth out, broke claws off. Then unexpectedly on the morning of the 6^th October he was unable to stand and held his right paw in floppy way. A call to the Vets confirmed the worse and the car was prepared as an ambulance to take him there. The vet explained the pointless options and at 14.40 he was put to sleep as I rubbed his ears. After I had removed his collar, I gave him a final rub and explained where we would meet again, and that closed the chapter of my life called Merlin.

Mr MN Woodhouse, better for having known him.

It was three months since we had lost our previous greyhound, Barney, with a stomach tumour and one cold, snowy February morning we decided to visit Fen Bank. As we strolled around the kennels we saw this beautiful brindle dog stretched out on the bed, forcing his kennelmate to sleep on the floor. It was love at first sight and we decided we would like to adopt him. A few days later he came for his home visit and settled down to sleep almost immediately, as if he knew this was where he was going to live.

He was the most wonderful companion and we enjoyed every moment of having him. He was the most affectionate of all our greyhounds, but also the most vocal – always barking to say goodnight and to greet you in the morning, or when you came home. We will never forget the funny dance he used to do when you scratched his back. He loved everyone and everything, and was never happier than playing with his toys.

We were privileged to have him in our lives for the last 18 months and miss him so much. We still had so many things to do together, and feel cheated that he was taken in such tragic circumstances at such a young age. You have left a big hole in our hearts which is going to be very difficult to fill.

Run free over the Rainbow Bridge with Tigger and Barney – what tales you will have to tell each other. Sleep tight gorgeous boy.

Arrow - aka 'Mr. Humble' & Victor Meldrew

(4th January 1997 - 22nd August 2011)

It's a really sad day for me to have to say goodbye to my darling boy Arrow (Az). He was one of the house dogs at Fen Bank when I worked there back in 2003. He was friends with everyone and everything and we would quite often use him as a temporary kennel mate to help the newbies settle in at the sanctuary.

I took him home to live with me on a temporary basis and that was 8 years ago! I already had Emma, another of the housedogs who was a nervous wreck where traffic and other dogs were concerned. She was literally frightened of her own shadow. The day I brought Arrow home Emma settled down overnight and came out of her shell. In fact she used to give him such a hard time nagging on his ear and winding him up but he took it all in his stride and they became like an old married couple.

I lost my partner Mike suddenly the following year and my beloved dogs were the reason I got up in the mornings. Arrow, Emma and I would spend our days up on the seabank; with them I never felt lonely and we became a little family unit just the three of us. Then three years later I tragically lost Emma and it was just the two of us for a while. When I moved in with my new partner John and his cat, Arrow never once attempted to touch him or his food (he probably would have liked to but he was too much of a humble lad)! Yes he was a true gentleman to the end, a fine example of what wonderful pets greyhounds are.

He had various health problems throughout his life but we managed to stay on top of them all until recently. Finally old age got the better of him and unfortunately his time had come to hand him back across rainbow bridge - his time on earth done. To my best buddy, guardian angel and doggie soulmate - you earned your place in heaven sweetheart, we love and miss you so much and were privileged to have you in our lives.

Sophie came into our lives six months after we had taken in our first ever greyhound, Mr. Flash. She was a very loving, cheeky and a massive energy ball of character little girl. Her personality lit the house up, oh I forgot - she only had three legs, you see you would forget if you'd known her because she never let it bother her, she ran around and played like any four legged dog and never felt sorry for herself. Sophie's attitude was 'so what I've got three legs - that's one more than you humans!!'

After Mr. Flash died two years ago, we returned to Fen Bank and brought Max home - Sophie was in her element, she'd got herself a toyboy!!

Over the last few years she had suffered reoccurring dermodectic mite, several vets later we still couldn't get to the underlying cause, until on June 6th 2011 when she began to develop swollen lymph nodes, a blood test confirmed the worst that she had lymphoma. The vet told us that it was 'mild' and prescribed steroids, but we knew that our time with Sophie had become extra precious.

For the next two weeks we spent every moment with her that we could, not letting it ever show how upset we were, Sophie as always just took everything in her stride, sitting waiting for mum's 'what's in the bag' game (ready cooked chicken in noisy supermarket bag)!

Sadly on the 17th of June Sophie was deteriorating, and with a heavy heart I was going to call the vet to come to the house the following day, I'd spent the evening talking to her, she was still sat up, ears pricked up listening and in the early hours I went to the bathroom, she shouted me back (she hadn't barked for a long time), she wanted to lick the back of my hand, she did that then lay down and she was gone.

I felt then and feel now that Sophie, with her loving and strong personality chose when she was leaving us and took the decision from our hands. We were so lucky to have had her in our lives for the 8 years and 2 days and I thank Sandra for the honour of being able to home such a special little angel.

It has been very poignant to return to Fen bank to collect Tess, as we went into the 'office' and Sophie's picture is still there with the terrible story of what had happened to her (I do hope it stays), but she never let anything get her down, the past was the past and she lived life to the full. Sophie and Flash are now sponsoring a kennel (through Mum), to help their fellow hounds live their lives to the full!

Girley (April 2001 - July 2011)

Although Girley was only with us a short while, just 2 years, she made such an impact on our lives she will remain etched on our hearts forever.

Girley raced until she was 5 1/2 some 100+ races and in her retirement she still loved to run. The beach was her favourite place although she was never quite sure about the sea, she didn't like getting her feet wet. Girley loved her toys and would always bring one to greet you when you returned home and when our Yorkie Sophie went completely blind last year Girley became her eyes watching out for her when out on our daily walks.

When meeting someone for the first time Girley was very shy but once she knew someone they always received an ecstatic welcome.

Last May she broke her hock whilst running in the paddock, we took her daily to Queens Veterinary College for 3 1/2 weeks as she did not like the board and lodgings on offer, the lady preferred her home comforts.

Her death was very sudden and unexpected but she did not suffer and is now running free with all her hound friends over the rainbow bridge.

Bluebell (1st November 2005-25th June 2011)

We first met the little girl who was to become Bluebell in the spring of 2006. She was brought by Sandra as a puppy, with her sister Dixie, to a Meet and Greet at Springfields, Spalding and we fell in love with her on sight. We decided to add her to our family of Sally, Mr Paddy and the infamous Mr Muffin immediately.

In fact, she was difficult to love for several years. Physically, she was absolutely stunning, and won several classes at minor dog shows because she was she was so beautiful. Mentally, she was a little b…… If she didn’t get her own way, she would scream. If she was bored, she would scream. If she went somewhere she didn’t approve of, she would scream. At Meets and Greets, she would scream, and everyone in earshot would say, “Ah, Bluebell’s with us today.” In a nutshell, Bluebell was well known. She would pester at mealtimes and steal all the other dogs’ food (and ours). But she was a stunner. And when they made Bluebell, they broke the mould.

Just before Easter 2010, we noticed symptoms that worried us. We consulted our vet, who thought the best plan was to refer her to Dick White Referrals at Six Mile Bottom near Newmarket where she was found to have a tumour in her small intestine which was removed. Admitted for a week, she was out in three days, which was typical Bluebell.

Histology showed that it was an early leiomyosarcoma, which was malignant but operable. It was recommended she returned for another scan in 6 months; in the meantime, she grew fit and fat and resumed her dog show circuit.

In September 2010, the scan showed she had another tumour. It was again removed, and her vet felt everything was fine, but she should return earlier next time. She was scanned again in December; this time there were tumours on her liver, so part of one lobe was removed; the recommendation this time being that, post-Christmas, she had a short course of chemotherapy.

She shrugged these doses off with her usual fortitude, the last treatment being in April. However, after a short time, it was obvious that she was not her usual feisty self. She became picky with her food (unheard of) and lethargic (unknown). It became a challenge for us to pace the streets of Spalding in search of morsels that would appeal. She craved water and would often vomit it back because she had drunk so much. She found it difficult to climb into (our) bed, and during the night, she would wet herself (gallons). In June I requested another scan to see whether her problems were due to the chemotherapy or the cancer.

The scan showed nearly all her liver had been taken over by the sarcoma. The prognosis was poor; her life expectancy weeks rather than months. On the afternoon of Saturday, 25^th June, her condition worsened and at 7pm that evening, our vet helped her on her way to Rainbow Bridge.

She is much missed by her litter sister, Dixie (aka Discit) and adopted siblings Sally, Mr Paddy, Mr Muffin, and new brother Tom Barnaby, who arrived just before she left. She is buried in the wood at the Patch, and we are creating a wildflower and Bluebell garden there in her memory.

Susie (passed away May 2011)

Susie was a wonderful little girl, and friendly with everyone – especially Kelly our other greyhound to whom she was a very dear friend. She loved galloping through the woods and enjoyed her life very much.

Katie (1999 - February 2011)

A wonderful companion for the last two and a half years and an ambassador for greyhounds

Katie developed a very aggressive bone cancer in her right shoulder and combined with severe arthritis and a crumbling left wrist from an old injury the poor old girl had to run her last race to the rainbow bridge.

Dennis (passed away January 2011)

Dennis, the dearly loved pet of Alistair and Christine Wood sadly passed away in January. Whilst still in kennels we named him Dennis the Menace because then and throughout his life he was one of those dogs things happened to - and like his namesake it was NEVER his fault!! He was a very loving dog, despite always doing what he wanted to do and his kennel mate Becky who was lucky enough to be homed with him, misses him dreadfully .

The good news is, that having endured and adored Dennis for so many years, Alistair and Christine have just taken another boy, an absolute saint in comparison - and Genty will have a wonderful home with Becky and life will be quieter than ever before........

Little did we realise when we submitted Prince's story for the magazine, that we would be sending this in so soon afterwards. Chiara was a beautiful girl, so full of fun and very loving. We were privileged to share our home with her for four years; we thought it would be for much longer. Sadly, she contracted a viral infection that changed her from her usual self, to a really sick dog in a matter of forty eight hours. She spent six days in intensive care but it wasn't to be. The vets fought for her day and night and couldn't do any more. We were with her when she went over Rainbow Bridge to join Prince, Lucia, and Gino. We know they will look after her, rest in peace all of you.

We are sad to report the death of our lovely greyhound King (Seven Kings) on 21^st October 2010 at the age of 12 years.

We fell in love with King during a visit to Fen Bank in January 2004. King had been at Fen Bank for some months but nobody seemed to want him till we arrived. There was an instant attraction and an immediate bond which was something we had not experienced before! However King wasted no time in convincing us he had just been waiting in the shadows till we turned up to take him home!! Much as we loved all the dogs at Fen Bank, there was no contest – King was for us.

A prolific winner on the race track, King changed hands for over £2000 as a pup. He was described by the Kinsley racing manager as “a genuine dog who had blistering speed from the traps and who always gave of his best”.

Once retired, King was a loving and loyal member of our family. He won awards at dog shows around Lincolnshire and was much admired and loved by all who met him. King never caused us one moment of trouble or unease. He was dearly loved by our grandchildren. Such was his placid nature that he would allow them to dress him up in scarf and bonnet and take him for walks round the park.

Since moving to Warwickshire, King was a regular at street collections in Solihull, Warwick and Stratford upon Avon for greyhound charities. Children who had previously been afraid of dogs, would eye him up suspiciously at these events as their parents put money in the collection boxes. However, such was our complete trust in King that we would encourage these kids to come forward and stroke him or just touch his head. He would stand still until they were a little more comfortable with him then he would nuzzle up to them – he always wanted to be up close!! The children always ended up with their arms around him – any fear they had of our black and white gentle giant was gone in an instant!

Always full of fun, King loved his daily walks through the Warwickshire countryside with his companion, Queenie who still looks for her soulmate.

King was unique – one in a million. He was a true and loyal friend who repaid our love ten times over. He can never be replaced and will always have a special place in our hearts.

Clint who, as Riverside Prince, won many races in his early life and who had the endearing habit of washing his feet in every bucket of water he passed on his perambulations around his previous kennel, was kept into old age by his Trainer who hearing of Woody's death immediately offered this good natured old man as a companion for Honey.

Clint was one of those dogs who loved his kennel life, he has had dozens of ladies sharing his bed, but far from being a lothario he has treated them all with great courtesy and it was felt that at 11 he deserved to have the Fen Bank experience for his remaining time - the proof that he enjoyed it was in his face, and because he stopped shredding his duvets! Sadly Clint's time with us was all too short as he developed an aggressive mouth cancer. It was with a very heavy heart and after advice from our vet Alistair that, after a final walk by the river, we helped him across Rainbow Bridge.

Sponsor dog Woody told us on Tuesday that it was time for him to go. He hadn’t been well for some time but kept rallying and his indomitable spirit would not let this grand old gentleman give in.

Gentleman? Well perhaps not - we will all miss the astonishing row he and Honey made every day of their eight years together at dinner times. Woody was the only dog who could growl full throttle and eat simultaneously - Honey at least stopped eating to bark back at him. When he was younger he would try to eat through his kennel door so that he could get out and “get” Honey whom he adored - except when his dinner was involved!

He loved people and would snuggle up to anyone who showed the slightest inclination to step into his kennel, but to the end no small dog was safe from his attentions and he came into Fen Bank because no bird or small dog was safe from his Houdini like ability to escape, damage or maim some unsuspecting creature and then return doing the doggy equivalent of whistling nonchalantly as if nothing had happened.

So we kept him in the kennel with Honey, latterly swathed in Duvets from which two soft brown eyes peeped out and somewhere under the mountain of bedding a tail wagged and he almost spoke “Sorry I can’t get up, I’m not feeling myself today.” And for the last time, the look which said it’s time for me to go.

He was special to many people in different ways and for different reasons and we will all miss this grand old man who sleeps forever at Fen Bank. No doubt when it is time for Honey to go, and she shows no sign of it, Woody will be waiting at Rainbow Bridge, bowl in his mouth and ready for a scrap!

I first met Ginny when Stella brought her back from Fen Bank to try to fill the void left by our lovely Lady, who we’d recently lost. I saw two big brown eyes, set in a light brown head – the prettiest Greyhound I’d ever seen. Love at first sight!

She came to join Daisy, a successful racer- who’d been well looked after and gracefully retired- and Claude, who was meek and somewhat withdrawn. Whereas Daisy brought tranquillity and confidence to the house and Claude brought meekness and timidity, Ginny brought mayhem!

Anything that was small, fluffy, and moved was fair game and, although I don’t recall her actually catching anything, even jackdaws and seagulls were fair targets. Dogs and their walkers passing the front room window were subjected to a continuous stream of Ginny’s verbal abuse.

After Daisy and Claude passed on, we got Ben, one of the most laid-back Greyhounds I’d ever seen, followed by Russ, whose stay was all too short, but whose massive “in your face” personality was big enough to fill Wembley Stadium and the Albert Hall, with some left over. Ginny treated them both to her personal management style and continued to keep order.

Like a good wine, however, she mellowed a bit with age. The barking through the window was less energetic and, outside, other dogs were greeted, not with a full verbal assault, but with quiet grumble which almost sounded like “bloody kids!”

As she approached her 14^th birthday there was a change. Her kidneys were not working, her back legs struggled to get her up in the morning and she did not attack the food bowl with the energy of earlier years. The morning walk was more chore, less chase.

A couple of days ago, two boisterous dogs passed the window. To my surprise Ginny ignored them,

“What’s up, Ginny girl “, I said . The look came back that every owner dreads.

Well, not goodbye, exactly. After all, the love, devotion and bond that existed between us will be with me for the rest of my life and when it’s my turn to cross the Rainbow bridge I expect she’ll be there, with all the other dogs we’ve had lined up, in rank and file order, and a look in her eye which says “OK, got that lot sorted, now what?”

So I guess it’s not really “goodbye”, more like “Au revoir, Ginny girl. Sleep well ‘till then. We’ll miss you”.

Although it is two years since Flash passed away, it seems fitting to include him now on the in memoriam page.

We had always had rottweilers at our home, but they preferred to be outside (allergy reactions to carpet) and had a purpose built home which they thrived in. But this left the house dogless and I had always wanted dogs to live indoors. I started searching for a rescue dog, as I am at home all day and wanted to give a home to a dog that may never get one. It was by chance that in our local vets I saw a small poster for a greyhound rescue called 'Fen Bank', top of the list of dogs was one that read 'Flash, handsome big boy, seven years old'.

I rang Fen Bank the following day and arranged to go there at the weekend, when there I asked which dog was unlikely to get a home - it was Flash, who had been in the kennels for three years, he didn't jump up and down, just stood dignified and quietly back. He came home with us!

He 'clicked on' very quickly he had found his forever home, and his very loving personality quickly came to the fore, every day was Christmas day - in that he appreciated everything and he brought us so much joy. After he had been with us six months we took another greyhound in called Sophie, who became his lifelong friend. Sadly after six and a half years together Flash collapsed and we rushed him to the vets, he had suffered renal failure, after days of hospitalisation and intravenous drips, his kidney readings came back down to normal, but could not eat anything. We brought him home to see if he would pick up even slightly, but after a couple of days he gave me the look that said 'I've had a good life, but I'm ready to leave now ',so with his mum at his side, the vet put him to sleep. Flash left a legacy to us - it's almost has if he were saying 'go and get another greyhound to keep Sophie company, I won't mind but go for the quiet one at the back, that can't sell himself - I rang Fen Bank, sure enough there was such a dog - Max. Thank you Fen Bank for giving us the great privilege of having Mr. Flash in our lives.

Charlie (Badger) (2003 - 2009)

Our big, handsome, gentle boy. So not fair that we had so little time together, we had many places yet to go, so much to do and so much love to share. We are heart-breakingly privileged to have known you. In our hearts always Charlie, we miss you.

Lynn, Alan, Josh and Bess

Peggy (passed away 2009)

Peggy was with us for only 5 weeks when she was diagnosed with cancer, but in those few short weeks she brought so much happiness to our lives. She would love to play with our Border Collie Zak, before taking over the settee for 40 winks (sometimes 400 winks). Everyone who met her, fell in love with her, she was that kind of dog. Kind, gentle, and with the sweetest temperament you could possibly wish for. She may not have been with us for very long, but our memories of her will never die.

David and Pauline Blount

Harley (2002 - 2009)

Harley our Boy will be missed by us and those in which hearts he touched, Never will be forgotten and always loved. Such a shame to lose you in such a tragic manner at the prime of your life, you had so much love that you shared and gave to us be free and good bye boy.

Di (1996 - 2009)

All our sponsor dogs are special to us, as we have had them for over 6 years, so we were devastated to have to put to sleep our lovely Di. She declined very rapidly and our vet agreed the kindest thing was to let her go peacefully and with dignity. Jenny took Jack, her long term companion, to see her so that he understood she would no longer be sharing his kennel and it seems that he has, although he is very sad. Di nearly had a home once but she was seriously dangerous around small breeds, even at 10, so we decided it better she stayed with us. Di had many sponsors, some of whom were long time friends who came to visit her and they will share our sense of loss at her passing.

She will always remain at Fen Bank which she loved and where she was loved. Flowers and a commemorative tree have been planted on her burial site.

Barney (1996 - 2009)

A wonderful companion for the last six and a half years and a great ambassador for greyhounds

at many shows and fundraising events.

A big, kind and gentle soul who touched many hearts and had many friends in Sutton on Sea.

Rest in Peace my son.

Jill Kirby

Guinness (1 August 1994 - 4 April 2008)

The many friends of Guinness will be sad to hear that she died on 4^th April. She was getting very old, frail and could no longer cope with daily living. She is very much missed by all her friends and family.

Margaret and Bill Simpson

Lulu (29 May 1991 - 28 February 2007)

Our beautiful girl, our dear precious Lu, our little black fleabag

When she first came home, nothing more than a bag of old bones,

but soon becoming Bobby’s best mate

A dignified lady who never put a foot wrong –

until she took off at a rate of knots across the field at one of Mandy’s

shows and then tried to pinch some tasty treats from the stall next door!

A terrific ambassador, loving her public, showing off dreadfully when she

came with us fund raising

We loved her so much, we love her still, and miss her desperately

A special gift – for which we thank you

Our dear precious beautiful Lulu

Fergus (passed away 20th July 2006)

Dear Sandra,

I first came to Fen Bank with my father to re-home a greyhound, we decided to take Fergus, and you brought him to us at our home the next day. I would like to first of all thank you ever so much for letting me re-home him, i could not have wished for a better behaved or well mannered greyhound. Within 6 months of owning him, he tolerated all of our 5 cats they used to rub round his legs and he used to just sniff them then look at us as if to say should they be doing that to me?

He had an excellent character that used to get us all in giggles especially when he used to insist on wiping his mouth on the furniture or on your lap. and uncontrollably breaking wind when we had visitors, is was his way of saying he wanted peace and quiet he used to love his leather settee that was his bed from the first night he stayed.

It breaks my heart to inform you that we had to have Fergus put to sleep on Thursday (20th July) he had a lump on his left side, the vet last year said it was benign, it didn't seem to bother him as he used to lay on it regularly, in the last 4 months he became very weak in his hind legs, also went very thin in the last 4 weeks, i went and spoke to the vet and asked him to come to our home to look at him, as I didn't want to upset him by taking him to a strange environment, the vet came on Thursday and suggested we put him to sleep, which is what we did, we miss him all so much, he was a big part of the family, Please find attached two pictures of Fergus

Helen Brumpton

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