Annie 8th December 2019 – 26th October 2023

Last week we lost our beloved greyhound Annie in an accident over the park where we walk her and her brother every day. Annie loved nothing more than running through the forest and would burst through the trees to us with the biggest grin on her face. She would just run and run, she seemed to like the adventure and exploring new spaces. Sadly, she ran into a branch which pierced her chest and killed her instantly. She was lost in the forest for four hours but we searched and searched, even once the sun had gone down we didn’t give up and eventually, somehow, my father-in-law found her.

Annie was my first dog, I was always a cat person and have had numerous other pets in my life but living with my husband meant we eventually would get a dog. We had walked the rescue greyhounds at the kennels for some time and I never truly believed we could have one with the two cats we had at home. Then along came Annie. Initially, we saw her post on Facebook from the kennels and enquired but she went to another home. Then, after some time, they contacted us and said that it hadn’t worked out with the other family and would we like to give her a chance. Annie came to live with us a hollow shell of a dog who was scared of her own shadow. She didn’t move during the day and crept around at night almost wanting to be invisible. It took a long time but she slowly started playing a bit with toys, and we saw the sad Annie disappear and a cheeky Annie develop. Her second birthday in December 2021 we held a little celebration walk with some other greyhounds where we heard about Patrick the three-legged greyhound who needed a home. Our two cats also both have three legs and it seemed meant to be that he would come to live with us, so by Christmas he had joined the household.

To start with, Annie was happy he was there but then unhappy that he didn’t leave. He couldn’t climb the stairs when he first lived with us, and Annie hid all of the toys upstairs away from him. However, she soon came to love having a playmate and a friend. We saw a whole new cheeky and sassy side to Annie. She began to be braver and bolder each day and even in the last few weeks we saw her get better in many ways. From a personal perspective, Annie was always more at ease around me than my husband. While she still sometimes would run if he came in the room, she was comfortable with me and would come to me for hugs and affection. Annie was like a child to me, she was my companion and she has left a huge whole in my heart and life.

The grief I feel is still so very raw, and our house is in a mournful way. We have struggled to come to terms with how suddenly she has left us, and how unfair it seems she should only have such a short life. A close friend messaged me ‘Annie was meant to burn bright, not for a long time’ and that brings some comfort in knowing that she was so impactful to those she met. So many people have sent us lovely messages about their own memories of Annie and even my friend who only met her for the first time the day before she died was upset by her death. We have spent the last few days trying to distract ourselves but also trying to think of the happier memories of Annie and her time with us. Poor Patrick does seem to be grieving too, and we are doing our best to keep things as normal as possible for him while allowing him time to rest and be calm.

I have known grief and bereavement in the past, both for pets and people. From a very young age I lost both two grandparents and a beloved pet before I reached senior school, and although I am familiar with grief it is not any easier because of this. I do know it will take time however, and I know that it is not going to be linear or easy. Writing has always helped me process my thoughts and I can see that I will use this blog as a way of going through the grief process. I also found out in August that I am pregnant and expecting a baby in April 2024. Anyone I have met in person the last couple of months is aware of this but it’s something I have kept away from social media as it didn’t feel right personally to announce there. I did, however, take a seasonally appropriate photo with our scan picture that you can see below. Transforming our spare room into a nursery became our main distraction from our grief in the first few days, being the kick start we seemingly needed and I can see the part it will play in our grief.

Annie was so very loved, and will be sorely missed by us all. She really was one of a kind.

MG x