Danny - Our Gentle Giant - April 1989 - October 2003

Danny was a big brindle greyhound boy who loved everyone and became a true ambassador for his breed. He was originally adopted by an elderly gentleman called Doug when he was no longer wanted for racing. Doug adored Danny and recognised what a special person he was. They lived happily together until the sad day when Danny’s beloved friend and owner died. This thoughtful gentleman had arranged for Danny to be looked after by one of his friends in the event of his death. However this new owner was unable to cope with looking after a dog and Danny was passed to a relative. This lady was also unable to keep Danny and he was therefore rehomed with another gentleman. However this latest owner was also afflicted by ill health and before long had to have a foot amputated so Danny was homeless yet again. By this time he was nearly 11 years old and rather than put him into kennels he was fostered by Kevin and Mandy Stow of the Lincolnshire branch of the RGT.

We take in as many elderly dogs as we can comfortably accommodate and at around this time we had lost a dear old chap called Fozzie and therefore had room to take in another old dog. Kevin drove Danny down from Lincoln to the offices of the RGT where Danny was collected and driven to our home in Shirley, Surrey. We knew from the first moment we met him that he was a very special dog. Although he was very big he was such a gentleman! He never tried to assert himself, but waited patiently while the other dogs introduced themselves to him. We have no idea what was going through his mind at this time after being in so many homes in such a short time through no fault of his own. He had no way of knowing if this was just another short-stay or what his future would be. He did his very best to fit in and behaved with perfect manners even when those around him didn’t.

The other dogs grew very fond of him and quickly learned that he was the gentlest of dogs - even with the little Jack Russells who would cuddle up to him on the sofa with total confidence despite the great size difference.

Poppy – our very brain-damaged “crazy” girl became very fond of dear Danny, which was unusual, as she could not normally relate to other dogs. She would love to reach up to lick his face and show how much she liked him. I am not sure whether he actually enjoyed all this kissing and licking but he was far too much of a gentlemen to protest. He loved his walks over the fields and parks nearby and would greet any strange dogs with a wag of his tail and then move on to find some new smells in the hedges.

In September 2000 Danny came on our usual holiday to North Devon. He loved this as he had not seen the sea before and there were so many new smells he had never known. The following Spring we decided to move down to Croyde permanently and all the dogs were delighted. Danny especially loved the beach. It was so full of lovely surprises. He soon learned which rock-pools were the most interesting and how the sea moved back and forth making his feet wet. The daily walks along the beach were very slow, as he would spend ages sniffing and wandering around – not always in the direction we were going. However when we called him he would suddenly put his head up and run jauntily towards us. He was having such fun.

Months turned into years and Danny’s arthritis gradually became worse. He needed to take lots of tablets on a daily basis. He was also found to have paralysis of the larynx, which made him puff and pant a lot. We had thought he had lung problems but happily they were clear. He did have heart palpitations too, which meant that in view of his age, an operation on his larynx was not advisable. In spite of all his problems Danny loved life and had a determination to fight back against his afflictions. He showed tremendous courage in insisting on the daily walks to his favourite fields and paths. Luckily our back gate leads onto the path to the field and it is on the level so he could just manage it. The dunes and his beloved beach were no longer possible for him, but he compromised, as he loved the rabbitty smells in his fields. When he walked through the back-gate the rabbits were often gathered together in meetings but they did not turn a hair when Danny walked past within a few feet as they sensed he was no threat to them.

Several times Danny became so stiff that he struggled to get up and his legs just did not seem to be able to support him. On one of these occasions we became so distressed that we felt it would be kinder to let him go and actually made the appointment with the vet. However Danny made another of his supreme efforts and proved to us that he was in no way ready to go yet.

During the night of October 6th 2003, Danny lay on his bed without turning or moving. He felt cold despite the mild night so we wrapped him in a warm fleecy blanket. In the morning the other dogs went out for their walk and Danny did not move. He did not even look up when they returned and it was his turn to go out. Neither did he appear interested in the breakfast preparations when he would normally have come into the kitchen for his plate of scrambled eggs. We knew that his courageous spirit could not win this final battle. Alison, the vet who had cared for Danny in Devon came out after her morning surgery. She saw straight away that he had reached the end but was in no pain and comfortable on his soft bed wrapped up in a fleece with his dear head on a cushion. He slipped quickly and peacefully away from us. There was no suffering and that is the best we could have asked for our dear boy. We miss his quiet dignity and noble presence in our home. Danny could not leave a will but his legacy would have been to leave his place - his walks, his beach and fields - to another homeless dog who needs the love and TLC, which we can offer. He could never be replaced and will live forever in our hearts, but to leave his place empty would be a betrayal of all that Danny stood for. He was a gentle kind boy who loved everyone and in return was held in great affection by those who knew him. We are grateful to have known Danny and to have been privileged to spend 3½ years with him.

Danny is still there in all his favourite places though we can no longer see him. He is running along the beach free from pain with the wind blowing along his back - having fun like he always did.