Patch was the 12th dog into GAP and back in 2006 we had lots to learn! Patch was one of our early challenges. He was an ex-hurdler, and while many greyhounds are hopeless jumpers, Patch could easily clear a 6 foot fence! Fortunately he was cat friendly.
We placed him with an American couple who lived in an apartment block in central Auckland. It was perfect - the apartment buildings all backed onto a communal garden so there was no fencing to jump! Instead Patch made friends with all the residents and their pets. His owners, Brenda and Chris Lynch were in the wine trade and eventually returned with Patch to their Californian winery where he lived the remainder of his days in doggy paradise.
Last month Brenda wrote in to tell us of his passing:
It's official. Our greyhound Patch has gone to doggie heaven. 3 months shy of
16 years. What a life! A champion racer in New Zealand in his first life. When
Brenda went to the greyhound rescue organization in New Zealand to adopt a dog,
it took one look and Patch was it. Regal, an athlete and a look in his eyes that
told you he connected with humans. His second life started with us at age 7.
Patch found our couch within an hour of arriving at his new human home. Doggie
heaven on earth for our boy. Walks with Patch were unlike any other dog. On
leash until the park where, once off leash, he would sprint in a giant oval, so
fast away and then always back to you. A truly amazing sight repeated every day
until his senior years took the sprint out of his legs.
We used to look at him and comment that he really wasn't a dog. He didn't sit,
fetch or play with a ball (although he would chase after furry little animals).
He didn't bark when people approached the house (ok he didn't bark at all). He
hated to go the winery - cement floors and pickup trucks were not Patch's idea
of fun. But he was a dog. Our dog, our stud. He was a great companion and a
part of the family who will be missed.