Happy Birthday Tiger Jack Burke

Happy Birthday to Tiger Jack Burke

Tiger Jack Burke was whelped on November 6, 2007 to his proud mother “Heathers Fastball” and his father “Moose is Loose.” He spent his youth growing long legs and preparing to sprint at 45 miles an hour after a mechanical bunny while living at the Greyhound track in Jacksonville, Florida. He ran in a lot of races until an injury (broken front left toe) forced him to retire.

With his career cut short of expectations, he was shipped to Michigan to be with his owner, Jackie Nevison in Hillsdale, MI. He and his pushy sister Lady Wolverine stayed with her for close to a year until Jackie (85 years old) felt she could no longer take care of him.

She contacted www.Greyheart.org and Jack was moved to a foster home in Macomb, MI. He was four years old; about a year out of racing and was being sent to a place he didn’t know, with a family he didn’t know, but they loved him as they fostered him and he learned to become a dog.

Jack loved his foster home and his foster family (the Priors, who have fostered dozens of greyhounds) But six months later he had not been placed in a forever home like all the others who came to Greyhart at the same time and was either being stuck with the stigma of being ‘older” or just not well adjusted to living in a house. Six months was a long time to go un-adpoted and some wondered why nobody wanted him, but I did.

He came to my home to visit with his foster parents, Scott and Shelia. It was warm outside and when he entered he ignored the bowl of water I offered in favor of the open toilet. It was the first time I spoke his name in his presence when I said: “Jack, get outtta there!” He left the toilet bowl and has never had an urge to go back.

We went outside and he checking things out and relieved himself with one of those marathon Tom Hanks, League of Their Own pisses (if you’ve seen the movie, you’ll understand.) It ruined some beautiful lilies, but a short while later he began to warm up to me, but had to leave with his foster parents. I told them I had to think about whether or not I wanted him but it was a lie. My mind was already made up. A few days later we began sharing a home.

Today Tiger Jack Burke, a greyhound named after a popular wrestler from Michigan n the 1920’s is six years old; or about 42 in dog years. He’s in such great shape he could play a dog half his age in a movie.

Part of that reason is his life partner Anita Wood, aka Needa. The anniversary of their first meeting is tomorrow. It came after she was shipped via the 28 hour express from Florida to Michigan. She had barely settled into her foster home when I got a call. . .yada yada yada. . .4 days later she had found her forever home too.

I cannot imagine life without either one of them. Today is his special day; one he will never know or understand, yet every day we are together, is special.

So raise your glass and toast with us. Here’s to another 10 years together Tiger Jack Burke; hoping we set a new record in the stretch of life for a greyhound.

Love, Dad

Champions of the heart

My dogs are messy eaters.  They also leave their toys out, never make their beds and try to dig holes in the yard when I’m not watching. They are the most beautiful, imperfect dogs in the world. Being Greyhounds their story is not uncommon to the breed, but a greater purpose was revealed when they came into my life. Jack and Needa are my two kids; my family. When we pass people on the street many ask me if they were rescues.  “Sort of” I reply. “But I didn’t rescue them, they rescued me.”

After the effects of a divorce, losing my job and the ensuing depression, I needed something to change. Many months later after getting back on my feet, Jack invaded my life.  A few months later my job didn’t work out and I became an unemployment statistic again. Times were hard once more and had it not been for Jack, I would probably still be laying in bed.  

But parenting doesn’t give you that option, even with a dog. It became clear one day as I stared into his big brown eyes and saw myself. There were scars on his body from spills on the track and fights with his kennel mates. But I knew his biggest scar was inside, concealed somewhere deep inside his extraordinary and enduring heart, because that is what our dogs do with their pain; they hide it from us while they unselfishly absorb ours.

Shortly thereafter I got a call from the greyhound rescue about a new female who had just arrived. When they met Jack immediately rested his head on her back. In the canine world it may indeed be a sign of dominance, but it’s also a sign of love.  There was no way I could afford another dog, but I was reminded of an old saying; nobody ever became poor by giving. Animal shelters are full of dogs who want to love and be loved. Dogs wait in them hoping for a second chance. But after being forced to race for living greyhounds really only have one chance.

The politics of greyhound racing are complicated. When the dogs no longer make money they become unwanted. The sad, simple truth is if they are not humanely euthanized, they will be inhumanely euthanized. Jack and Needa were given their one chance and I was the lucky one who took it.

With racing behind them, I’ve had the joy of watching them become dogs again. Every day they are like a child waking up on Christmas morning. I may be poor in net worth, but with them I am rich in spirit and blessed with happiness. Raising them has been nothing short of an amazing experience.

We are a family. I don’t like to boast about my parenting, but yeah, I am a “great one.” But it’s because of the joy that Jack and Needa have given me and knowing every bit of love I give, I get right back in spades.