Gorazan al-safi

 9.5.1996 – 13.4.2008

Thank you, my dear Friend

A good meal was always a good thing for my best Friend "Gorazan" or "Goran" as I called him. Therefore, he still has had a little more on his ribs than most others of his competitors during the racing-time.

But now since nine days my Goran, who should celebrate his twelfth birthday in three weeks, did not like to eat anymore. That made me terribly worried, because I had experienced this exactly four years ago, when my boy took a ball from another male, hurried away with the “prey” and swallowed it.

The last week my Goran lost quickly more than three kilograms because of a severe gastro-intestinal-infection. This damaged the intestine, weakened the heart and the immune-system as well. "But the lost weight will get back quickly on him, when he eats properly again", I thought and comforted myself. So the time had to be bridged over. Therefore we drove again to the veterinarian every day, where Goran received his daily infusions. It was highly admirable, which power and what strong energy he developed during this last week of his life. More and more he took over the leadership on our daily walks. I wanted to make smaller rounds, but he insisted on long walks: Last Saturday we went the usual way down the valley, turned through the woods, crossed the creek, and then even climbed up the hill – finally we were on the plateau that we call the “dogs lawn”. As the others were not there, he wanted to remain and wait on them. It was the first time I had to pull him back home. Then he often stood still, lingered and looked round the area. That way he had never done before! "Does he perhaps want to say good-bye to everything?" This question came up into my mind. Every day he had more imposed his own will and determined the path that he wanted to go with me. Of course, I also fulfilled him this wish, as my beloved dog was ill and should recover soon. Sometimes I often feared that I could not get him home, but he was inexorably with me. When I had relented and followed his will like a serf, he even kept pace. If I wanted to go an other way, in order to outwit him a bit, he immediately pulled all his “brakes”. What kind of force, what a strong will! I felt weak and liked to follow him, because I only slept in intervals during the last nights to watch my ill friend. This Saluki had an extraordinary strong will to live and would recover again, I was very sure and wished it so very much!

But then his last Sunday approached: Together we first drove to the vet's surgery, where Goran received his medication. Then we drove back home on noon. After some time he wanted to go back outside, he took the direction to the creek where he took a bath and drank the cold and refreshing water a day before. But suddenly he turned round and went back on the way. What has happened? He had never done before! When we came back home, he went to his dog bed as usual, lay down relaxed and nestled himself into his blankets. He put his head on his Teddy, which he has had since puppies' times and that he often liked to cuddle. Suddenly my husband called me, I rushed back into the living room, he had noticed that my beloved dog breathed deeply two times. I could still see his eyes twisted around, and then he breathed deeply once again. After that the breathing increasingly got more shallow, and I could see how something glimmered under his ribs – I knew what this meant - he had Ventricle fibrillation. "What should I only do?", I asked myself in panic, and all my thoughts shot wildly through my head. But then I just cuddled my dog and said soothingly to him: "Go in peace, my beloved friend!"

Now, I am - and everybody of my Family is as well - very sad. The grief is unspeakably great; I am missing Goran still today, and he has left behind a big gap. He was my best friend and the "Champ of my heart". Thank you, my dear Friend, for the beautiful and eventful twelve years with you.

Goran had a wonderful sovereign character and always showed a lot of discipline. He approached his members of the same species in friendliness. Never would have come to his mind to growl at people. His affection was never intrusive but always distinguished restraint worn with a lot of intimacy and tenderness. He captured the hearts, who knew him, but also by those who first fear the big dogs. Children he always treated particularly very lenient and patient. He was able to make himself understandable and had been fully participated in our family life. My own Saluki was my favourite photo-model, because he was always photogenic. No one was photographed as often as he. I even had the feeling that he got nicer and younger looking when aged. When I took the camera, and he turned immediately into pose. Now I look at these pictures everywhere, and it hurts awfully. He "played" music with my husband and was able to "sing" matching to the rhythms, he often drove with us to the North Sea and ppulled me away from the computer when he meant that I could have forgotten him. I often had the impression that he understood everything and had a premonition of something beforehand. First he stared at me with his beautiful dark eyes penetratingly, but then showed me his tongue, because he wanted some snacks from the table. In particular, he loved a good dinner, for which he could really express his thanks, especially when he meant it was very good. Then he came to me and repeatedly gave me his paw. It was a great honour to me when he licked my hand. Despite of a major inherited instinct on hares and chasing, he mostly obeyed me, however, at the age very reliable. That's why he was allowed to be off the leash very often. He has had a lot of opportunities to run free and to play with his friends. Then, this Sighthound was in his element! Nobody was anymore able to go away with him on the leash, when he had noticed, that I put on my jacket. Yes, together we had been a great team!

This Saluki, whose mother came from an old German breeding stock and his father was a direct import from the “countries of origin” exactly knew till to his last breath what was good for him and what not. Even in his behaviour, he showed a lot of discipline and instinct, that clarified the laws of nature and brought me a little bit closer to the mysteries of life. So I have learned a lot of him. Thank you, my dear Friend.

Now my dearest Friend had to go over the rainbow-bridge and is chasing in the Eternal Hunting Grounds with his sisters and brothers the hares and is making the cheeky squirrels rush back onto the trees. Also, all his friends from the “dog-lawn” who had already deceased, he will meet again there. He will have a joyful time again by playing with his friends Angie, Mona, Aladin, Basco, Wörles, Ketchie and Benji. So he will be again the fastest one as so often he had been.

I am adding a photo of Goran that was taking on 4 April 2008, nine days before his passing away. Everyone who looks into these wonderful eyes, will discover the charisma and soul of an extraordinary Saluki. And now, my beloved dog, go and run on the Rainbow Bridge up to the Star Sirius, because I know, a Saluki-soul will run ...

Just looking out of the window I see a squirrel with a nut in its mouth that sits right on the grave of my beloved friend. What does it mean? I cannot help, I have to chase it away.-

In quiet remembrance

Dr. Margrit Miekeley and Family

P.S.: Goran's experiences as a puppy and a young dog can be read in my book" A Life with Sighthounds and other animals. Events and Experiences ", which was published at Kynos Publishing House. I also will soon put an album on my website as a tribute to my dear Friend “Goran”.