Bessie

'The Blue Greyhound' Bessie

My name is Susan and Bessie was my first greyhound.  I had always had rescue dogs and in February 1998 Bessie came to live with us.  She had been picked up as a stray in Barnsley in a neglected state and taken to a local greyhound rescue that had recently opened.  From the time Bessie came to live with us I was inspired by her to raise funds for the rescue as well as promote greyhounds as pets.  Almost every week I was out and about mostly within the Huddersfield area raising funds for the rescue.  Bessie became very well known locally and there were many articles about her and the rescue in the local paper. 

Bessie raised funds for the rescue for 6 years when at the age of 10 she retired as she was getting too tired to do all that 'meeting & greeting'!  Peggy my younger greyhound took over her collecting tin!  When I was out collecting with Peggy people would always ask about Bessie.  Over the years she had raised literally thousands of pounds for the rescue and thus ensured it's future security.

On 14th May 2007 we had to make that painful decision to have Bessie put to sleep, she had developed breathing difficulties and an X-ray revealed a large lung tumour, she was almost 14.  Bessie was my best friend, we went everywhere together.  As a family we miss her terribly, but she will never be forgotten - there will always be a special place in my heart for her.  She was my inspiration and I know that over the years as well as raising vast sums of money she also inspired so many people to take on a greyhound - she will never be forgotten.

In Bessie's memory I am still out most weekends with my greyhounds Peggy and Alfie, and our latest edition Dillon the pup, raising funds and awareness.  'The Blue Greyhound' is dedicated to raising funds for dog charities/organisations.

'The Blue Greyhound' is currently raising funds for Whitehall Dog Rescue, Greyhounds Galore and Greyhound Action.  Please go to my shop to find out how you can support these organisations.