Badger Pluto, a beloved companion, accomplished racer, and poster boy for greyhound adoption, died this morning due to complications stemming from bone cancer. He was 9 years old.
The black son of Minaki Zeke and Iron Episode, and a great-grandson of champions Downing and Rooster Cogburn, was born Oct. 18, 1999, in Cleo Springs, Oklahoma. He raced for two years at Plainfield Greyhound Park in Connecticut and was a frequent winner at the Grade A level. He was retired and relocated to Hempstead, N.Y., in 2002, and later appeared in promotions encouraging the adoption of retired racing greyhounds.
He is survived by three known littermates: Badger Popeye, his constant companion since his own retirement in 2004; Zeke (formerly Badger Blimpy) of Hicksville, N.Y.; and Josie (formerly Badger Olive Oyl) of Atlanta, Ga.
