Post by fastdog on Dec 16, 2015 12:45:15 GMT -5
He may have been my dog, but he was mama’s boy.
Like his sire Greys Flamebeau, he was big.
At 2 years old, pushing 80lbs. he stood a hand taller than any other male in the kennel. He wasn’t a box burner. He turned around in the box backwards his first race. After a schooling incident where one of his toes was stepped on, with ligaments torn and bones dislocated, they said his racing days were over.
But there was something there.
The eyes told the story.
Thanks to Dr. Kent Law with his precision skill and talent, the toe was repaired. A little R&R and some rehab he was ready to run again. Thanks to Mick and Alayne Childs at Crystal Kennels for their time and patients.
At the track he scared the kennel help out of their wits the first time they saw him grin. A big black greyhound with an overbite and a mouth full of white shiny teeth, he could be an intimidating sight to the casual observer.
All indications were, it was questionable whether he would be a competitor or not.
I was not going to deny him a chance.
He learned quickly how to use his size to his advantage.
He was like a freight train. Slow to start, but as a race progressed, the speed increased, and often times coming around turn 4 he would muscle past his competition.
He wasn’t a stakes racer. He didn’t set records. He never graced the pages of the Greyhound Review. He never saw the big high dollar tracks.
He lost more races than he won, but he gave the big name kennels a run for their money. He was a competitor.
He lit the boards.
The sloppier the track, the better he ran.
Because he was so big, he was clumsy. He ran into and over everything. But on the track, with his ears back, nose piercing the wind, blanket flowing, stretched out in full stride, he was poetry in motion.
There’s something about a big black greyhound on the track that catches your eyes, and your breath.
He earned his keep, as well as the affection of his trainer. It seemed there was nothing he wouldn’t do for a burrito.
He proved everyone who questioned his abilities wrong. He became a seasoned veteran, and a force to be reckoned with.
Thanks Cheryl for your care, your understanding, and most of all your love.
As he turned 5 years old, time had caught up with him. Competition from the younger generation was too much. He had done his bit for king and country and it was time to retire and come home. He had earned a place on the couch with his brother and sister, and all those who ran for us.
He was a big gentle giant and became part of our family.
He took to Teri immediately and became her love. He acknowledged me, but he only had eyes for her and he was hers through and through.
As with all God’s creations, there’s a time for everything.
On a warm summer day our gentle Milan left us to return to the place our Father has prepared for him.
It’s with a heavy heart that we must say goodby.
We are better people for having him in our life, and he has left us with many precious memories of a big beautiful greyhound. He truly was a gift from God.
We will miss you big boy. Our tears will subside, but you will remain in our hearts forever.
May God and St. Francis watch over you until one day we meet again at the bridge.
Love Mom and Dad
TJ’s Milan
2005-2014
Like his sire Greys Flamebeau, he was big.
At 2 years old, pushing 80lbs. he stood a hand taller than any other male in the kennel. He wasn’t a box burner. He turned around in the box backwards his first race. After a schooling incident where one of his toes was stepped on, with ligaments torn and bones dislocated, they said his racing days were over.
But there was something there.
The eyes told the story.
Thanks to Dr. Kent Law with his precision skill and talent, the toe was repaired. A little R&R and some rehab he was ready to run again. Thanks to Mick and Alayne Childs at Crystal Kennels for their time and patients.
At the track he scared the kennel help out of their wits the first time they saw him grin. A big black greyhound with an overbite and a mouth full of white shiny teeth, he could be an intimidating sight to the casual observer.
All indications were, it was questionable whether he would be a competitor or not.
I was not going to deny him a chance.
He learned quickly how to use his size to his advantage.
He was like a freight train. Slow to start, but as a race progressed, the speed increased, and often times coming around turn 4 he would muscle past his competition.
He wasn’t a stakes racer. He didn’t set records. He never graced the pages of the Greyhound Review. He never saw the big high dollar tracks.
He lost more races than he won, but he gave the big name kennels a run for their money. He was a competitor.
He lit the boards.
The sloppier the track, the better he ran.
Because he was so big, he was clumsy. He ran into and over everything. But on the track, with his ears back, nose piercing the wind, blanket flowing, stretched out in full stride, he was poetry in motion.
There’s something about a big black greyhound on the track that catches your eyes, and your breath.
He earned his keep, as well as the affection of his trainer. It seemed there was nothing he wouldn’t do for a burrito.
He proved everyone who questioned his abilities wrong. He became a seasoned veteran, and a force to be reckoned with.
Thanks Cheryl for your care, your understanding, and most of all your love.
As he turned 5 years old, time had caught up with him. Competition from the younger generation was too much. He had done his bit for king and country and it was time to retire and come home. He had earned a place on the couch with his brother and sister, and all those who ran for us.
He was a big gentle giant and became part of our family.
He took to Teri immediately and became her love. He acknowledged me, but he only had eyes for her and he was hers through and through.
As with all God’s creations, there’s a time for everything.
On a warm summer day our gentle Milan left us to return to the place our Father has prepared for him.
It’s with a heavy heart that we must say goodby.
We are better people for having him in our life, and he has left us with many precious memories of a big beautiful greyhound. He truly was a gift from God.
We will miss you big boy. Our tears will subside, but you will remain in our hearts forever.
May God and St. Francis watch over you until one day we meet again at the bridge.
Love Mom and Dad
TJ’s Milan
2005-2014
