What a sad week this is turning out to be.
We were devastated to have received the awful news that at just 7 years old Gus has crossed the bridge.
Below is Gus’s family’s heartfelt tribute and back story to him.
COOLHILL DUSTER 15th March 2019 to 11th May 2026.
A tribute to my best friend Pet Name Gus (Racing Name Coolhill Duster).
To paint a brief picture I am the proud owner of three racing and four retired Greyhounds at Dillymore Kennels which were or still are trained by my dear friend John Mullins.
I visit kennels weekly to spend time with my racers and on one particular day I was visiting, waiting for one of my dogs to be brought out from the kennels, I was nearly knocked flat over by this most magnificent Greyhound that jumped up at me.
Unbeknown to me this was Gus introducing himself to me, Gus and I instantly formed an incredible bond.
I made enquires about Gus and it turned out he had been waiting to be rehomed for sometime and this was purely down to him being such a big dog, his size had put people off.
Anyway myself and my wife Lindsay then lived in a small terraced house with our retired Greyhound Beagle and unfortunately didn’t have room for another Greyhound.
I would check the Suffolk Greyhound Trust web page daily to see if Gus had been rehomed.
I really wanted Gus and so the race well and truly begun with Lindsay and I to find another property to house Gus.
Four months had passed, searching daily and then a renovation Bungalow with a good footprint of land came up for sale. I straight away rung John and asked him to reserve Gus as we were having him.
Fast forward another few months and we were the proud owners of Gus. He had moved in and settled within 24 hours, like he had lived with us all of his life.
So long as there was food in his bowl, our bed to cuddle up in and his squeaky ball to chase around he was a happy lad.
He was the most amazing, loving and loyal dog (My shadow) anyone could have ever wished for and a character beyond all belief.
We were very lucky and very privileged to have had Gus in our lives for nearly two and a half years until suddenly he was taken ill and declined very quickly with Cancer of the Spleen.
Unfortunately we were left with no other option than to part with our dear, darling boy Gus.
One thing I would like to come from Gus’s legacy is to anyone looking to rehome a Greyhound, if it’s a brute of a dog like Gus was please don’t be put off of rehoming them because they are all gentle and loving dogs no matter what their size.
Sleep tight Gus Duster, love you always. Keep chasing after that ball Son xx.
Our hearts go out to Joe and Lindsay especially as dear Gus’s life was so tragically cut short by such a cruel disease.
It’s a sad day for all of us who loved Gus, as you can imagine he was at kennels for such a long time we were all very close to him.
The only comfort to be had is that he was loved beyond measure throughout his racing career and his retirement not just by all who knew him but by his Greyhound housemates.
Sleep well darling boy we will remember you and those magnificent wayward ears always.xx
