Genie's Story

Genie

Everyone knows that "Genies" are mystical beings who pop out of lanterns and grant 3 wishes. Tim found a Magical Genie who granted SO MUCH MORE than Three Wishes to our family! Our beautiful greyhound named Genie was nothing short of a miracle! She changed our lives for the better. We love to tell her marvelous story.

Tim & I moved from Tennessee to Florida in September of 1998. At that time, we had the sweetest old black lab named Samantha. She was loving and beautiful, but like so many older large breed dogs, had health issues that required a lot of care. It was so difficult to see her suffer, that Tim said that once Samantha was gone.No More Dogs!

Until the day he saw GENIE!

On the Saturday before Easter in 1999, we went to a local arts and crafts fair. GPA Tampa Bay set up a tent to promote adoptions of retired racing greyhounds. We stopped for a while to see the graceful, elegant dogs, and our group moved on. Everyone, except Tim. There were several dogs in the tent that morning, but one stood out. GENIE! As volunteers told the story of the 11 year old, who ran for 5 years and served as Brood Mom for another 5, Tim fell in love. He didn't care that volunteers told him greyhounds normally live to be 12-14.at best. He only saw beautiful little GENIE. who stood so proudly, with her bunny soft coat, shining eyes and winning smile.

Genie was so comfortable in her new home, that she claimed rights to our guest bedroom's queen size bed. She just loved it, maybe because it sat so low to the ground, or that it was so comfy. It was Genie's! One slight problem.this WAS our "guest bedroom". Tim's oldest son came to visit, and we gave him Genie's room. One afternoon, we went to the community swimming pool, and came home to find that Genie had moved every single piece of Kim's clothing, shaving kit, wallet. EVERYTHING into the middle of the living room floor! There was Genie, lying happily on that big old bed. She was smiling proudly. "MY BED!" That bed was hers then, and proved to be her very special place until her very last day.

Three years after bringing her home, Genie proved to be a most important family member, as she truly saved Tim's life! I took Genie to the Vet for annual shots one Sunday afternoon. That night at 3:30 A.M., she urgently came to wake me. She insisted, jingling her tags and nudging me! Genie never did that. I thought she must have been sick from the shots. I quickly threw on clothes to take her outside. Instead, Genie led me directly to her bedroom at the other end of our home. There I found Tim, passed out on the floor. He was gray and cold. I called 911. He had an internal bleeding problem and hemorrhaged to the point that doctors told us he was ten minutes from death. Genie certainly granted a wish that night!

In January of 2008, I contacted a former neighbor, Cynthia Smoot, who is a FOX 13 Tampa Bay Anchor and owner of a beautiful white greyhound named Bandit. I told her that Genie was still doing well, and was going to turn an amazingly spry 20 years young in May. Cynthia didn't wait until May to come to our home to film a piece. On the first day the segment aired, the web piece had over 5,000 hits. It was the most visited news story for the month of January for FOX! We received emails and gifts for Genie from Australia, England, France, U.K., Germany, Canada and all over the United States! How exciting!

Every year since saving Tim's life, we always threw a big birthday party in celebration of Genie. We celebrated not only for her increasingly miraculous age.but because she truly saved a life! Genie loved the festivities! Friends always wanted to attend because Genie was so much fun! After the January FOX TV piece. the WORLD WANTED TO ATTEND GENIE'S 20th Birthday Bash! YIKES!!! More than we could handle!! Thankfully, her adoption group, GPA Tampa Bay, dedicated their annual "Run with the Big Dogs" Poker Run fundraiser to our Genie! What a thrill! FOX 13 came to film! Tim hired a big black stretch limo to bring our star to her big party in grand style! WHAT FUN! Over 1,000 people attended from across the State! Fans of Genie drove hours to help experience the big 20th Birthday Bash! Genie helped to raise over $8,000 that day, to help other greyhounds in need of good homes!

Our local ABC 7's Michelle Rieg heard of Genie's story, and filmed a piece. The Bradenton Herald's star reporter, Vin Mannix, called. His sister in Oregon heard of Genie and told him to "DO THAT STORY!" He certainly did! Genie was featured as the front page premiere article on May 29th! People called wanting to adopt greyhounds because of Genie! Our little starlet was doing her best to help other greyhounds!

On Sunday, July 20, 2008, Fast Friends Greyhound adoptions of Sarasota invited us to bring our two greyhounds to a party! Genie was thrilled; she danced and begged for the ride in the van. She was the star of the event! She sniffed every boy's butt, and was admired by all. We stayed a short time; on the way home, she developed a breathing problem. By the time we reached home, she couldn't walk on her own. We helped her into the house and to her bed in the kitchen area. She laid there for about 20 minutes, and then got a sudden spurt of energy. Genie ran two laps around our kitchen island, and then into her bedroom. Our Genie mustered the strength to jump up onto that queen size bed of hers. She chose that big old bed from day one. This was to be Genie's last day.and where she chose to leave this life.

She gave hope to owners that their dog might live as long and as well. Genie helped promote greyhound adoptions. Genie helped adoptions of seniors. Our GENIE gave much more than THREE WISHES TO OUR FAMILY! We are so VERY Blessed that she chose to be part of our family! Because of her, greyhounds like our dear Eddie Spaghetti & Anna Banana will always be a part of our lives.

As told by Neena Derf