Kiowa Bett Often aka Better • September 7, 1999–February 13, 2009

I'm writing with very sad news, Our sweet, sweet Better passed away last night. My husband, Chris, and I are having a very hard time with this. Better was beyond special to us. I was getting ready for our evening walk when he collapsed in the hallway. I tried my best to revive him but he went so fast. I wanted to let you know that we were very grateful to have him even for the short 10 months. I know Calista will miss him terribly. Thank you for bringing him into our lives.

We will miss Better's head bumping up against our hips when he wants something, the way he would look into your soul with his big,brown, almond eyes and the way he sneezed-----he sounded just like an old man! He loved his silver soccer ball--every inch was punctured and it was still round. NOBODY could take it away from him!

Better was our 'official greeter' at the front door whenever we had visitors. Everyone looked forward to his head tilting upward as if to say, " Hey, I see a couple of free hands---do you think I could get a hug or kiss or pet? How about all three?" Our granddaughter Ruth would use him for a headrest while watching TV----that was priceless! After not too long, he fully mastered the art of running on hardwood when the much revered word, 'WALK', was uttered. He would 'help' us put on our shoes at those times and sometimes nearly give me a shiner with his big, beautiful, hard head! At breakfast and dinner Better was always the gentleman---he would always wait for Calista to start eating before he would head for his bowl.

He was my husband, Chris', best friend. The first time he met Better at the kennel he knew Better was special. The eye contact was amazing. So we had no choice but to take him home. Calista became kind of the Queen Bee of the house but Better with his so gentle and sweet ways seemed to say,' That's okay with me----you ARE the woman! Better put so much life and comedy into our home and lives and we feel sooooooo lucky to have had him. I could go on and on but all of you humans know what a greyhound can do to you and for you if you have let one steal your heart like we did. That was our Better boy----our Thief of Hearts!

We will always miss you, our sweet Better boy.

Love,
Patti & Chris