On 25th May 2002, a greyhound puppy was born. One of thousands born that year no doubt, but this one was different. This was the one who would go on to save my life.
Raised in Ireland before journeying across the water to England, he was raced under the name Bannside Maginty. He was fast, he worked hard, & he won some greedy humans a lot of money. After running his 152nd race at Sunderland on 24th January 2008, someone decided he wasn’t good enough anymore & he was handed over to a rescue charity (RGT Borders). They called him Max & put him up for adoption.
On 6th May 2008, Max & Is’ lives collided. He was the first greyhound I had ever met, & the one I took into my home & my heart that very same day. From that moment forth he became a part of me, changing the person I was & making me the person I still am today.
Max & I, May 2008
Here is a story I have never shared before:
A few months after adopting Max, I travelled to New York State to attend the wedding of some close friends. Max went into kennels. The wedding passed & I spent some time in the Adirondacks then headed down to see New York City before catching my flight home. As I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge at night I contemplated my life.
view from Brooklyn Bridge
I was 27 years old, had been depressed for as long as I could remember, I had spent the past 10 years in the wrong career, & had recently suffered an emotional breakdown leading to 6 months of sick leave from which everyone assumed I would just bounce back. That was what awaited me on my return to the UK. For what was not the first time in my life, I wondered whether suicide was the answer.
As I sat crying on the bridge, my wallet fell out of my pocket onto the ground. I left it there – I didn’t care anymore. A passerby stopped to pick it up & hand it back to me, a small act of kindness. It fell open in my hands & looking out at me through my tears was the picture of Max I had tucked in there, my beautiful boy. I knew then I couldn’t leave him. He was the reason I had to go back & pick up the pieces.
the picture of Max that was (& still is) in my wallet
& I did. It wasn’t easy, but with Max was there with me every step of the way. He got me out of bed every morning when I could think of nothing else worth getting up for, he got me out in the fresh air exercising when otherwise I would’ve shut myself away in the dark, he got me interacting with other people because he was social even if I was not! But perhaps most importantly, he got me feeling passionate about something, he got me feeling passionate about greyhound rescue. I realised I wanted/needed to help these dogs, &, with Max’s help, I re-built my life around that.
Max & I, March 2011
It’s now been 6 months since Max passed away on 15th November last year. I still cry for him every single day & miss him so, so much. I love all the dogs we have adopted since, but none of them will ever fill the hole that Max has left & none of them will ever occupy that special place in my heart which he took when we met 4 years ago. He was not even 10 years old when he left us. But perhaps he knew his work here was done – he not only changed my life, he saved it. That is his legacy.
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I have been down that very same road. Most days, my dogs are the reason I get my but out of bed. That first greyhound always holds a special place in our heart. But thank goodness that the first one came into our lives so we could go on to save more!
This is lovely Jane and because of this wonderful boy lots of greyhounds have been given new lives and They make life worth living time after time(I wonder how many lives have been saved Human and dog?)
Oh wow Jane, thank you so much for sharing. Dogs are amazing that way, aren’t they? To keep you thinking about something besides yourself, to love unconditionally. I wish everyone could do that! And I wish more humans listened to them. Hugs.
Jane, you are truly inspiring. We all experience hidden dark sides and now I know why Max was so special to you. Please think about writing a book.
Well put, Jane
You know i understand…
(grabs a hanky)
What a moving story. I never cease to be amazed at the sense of purpose and place that these hounds give us…..
The world is a better place because Max made sure you stayed in it….
Max was a truly special grey… he has led to good things for you and for lots of other dogs. Even dogs you havent met have benefitted from your dog knowledge and experiences! well done!
Thank you for being so brave and sharing your story! You brought me to tears. Max is your guardian angel now
so sad he looked a lovely boy….i was crying watching this…so sad when you loss a good friend /that,s a geyhound..
Unfortunately (or fortunately, I am not sure which) I know exactly what you describe. My life had all but ended then I got Woofy, a beautiful rough coated lurcher. Because I felt a duty to protect and care for her, I was forced to get out and walk her. For months and months I sat on every bench during out walks and cried, it was as much as I could do to drag myself around the park. But as time went on, I felt such overwhelming love for her that I began to enjoy being out and watching her antics. I won’t go on any more, but life is better now….not perfect, but better. I can imagine how you feel and how much you miss Max but I am so pleased for you that he has been such a catalyst in your life. Long may your recovery continue…. xxx
Wow. I happened over here just on a whim. Hadn’t popped in for a while. I am in tears. It reminds me of this verse from the Bible:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” John 12:24
You say, “But perhaps he knew his work here was done – he not only changed my life, he saved it.”
God uses all kinds of things to save us, even a Max. He may have been the beginning of a new life for you, but you were the best kind of ending he could ever have dreamed of. So glad I stopped by to read this! Hugs to you.
What a beautiful and moving post, and what a great cause you’ve embraced.
What a lovely tribute your sweet Max. I am so sorry for you loss, what a legacy he has left. I lost my greyhound Buck on November 5, 2011 to cancer as well. I miss him everyday. He was one of a kind and I’ll always remember him. I love your Etsy store and I have purchased gifts from there and they are always much loved. Thanks so much for all your hard work.