GREY2K USA Worldwide
Saving Greyhounds: One Track at a Time.
By Tamra Bolton
It was a beautiful September day in 1992 and Christine Dorchak was on top of the world. Recently graduated from Boston University with a degree in Journalism, Christine could speak several languages and was all set to pursue her dream of becoming a foreign correspondent. Enjoying the cool fall air with her on their morning walk was Kelsey, Christine’s one-year-old Black Russian Terrier. As they approached the neighborhood train tracks, the unexpected happened and Christine’s life was forever changed. If not for Kelsey’s quick action, pulling Christine slightly away from the tracks, it would have been a head-on collision and certain death for Christine. Pronounced dead at the scene, Christine miraculously revived in the ambulance and sometime later, awoke from a coma. Her first words were, “How’s Kelsey?” No one realized it at the time, but that was the extent of Christine’s memory. Kelsey fortunately survived, suffering a broken hip. The brave Terrier would be instrumental in helping Christine recover from her extensive injuries.
At age 26, Christine Dorchak was starting over. She had no memory of life before the train hit her. She lost all childhood and teen memories; her mind was a blank, except for Kelsey. Christine had to learn to do everything again: walk, feed herself, wash dishes, drive, and get dressed. Going through this horrific experience taught Christine to look at the world in a whole new way. She decided that if she was able to walk and take care of herself again one day, she would dedicate her life to helping dogs, as a way of thanking Kelsey for saving her life. Christine says she realized, “Life is not about making money or acquiring material possessions, it’s about doing something good. Every day is precious. I survived for a reason.”
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